Create Kate

A good day

I just got the go ahead from Lynda at Simple Scrapbooks to shout the news on my my blog. I was asked to be on the new Creative Board for the upcoming Simple Scrapbooks All Digital magazine!! I am so excited to see where this new adventure leads me. The team of women that I am going to be working with is astonishing and full of talent. I keep pinching myself at this opportunity. Not only because of working with these women but expanding the world of digital and bringing it to more people. Teaching them and introducing it to them. YAY!! When I first began this digital adventure I thought my days with publishing would diminish. I was OK with that. I was doing it for me. I had been recently diagnosed with MS and my right hand was very numb. So numb it made paper scrapping not much fun for me. It would take me an hour just to put a brad on a page. There I sat with a decision in my hands. Give up scrapbooking and find another hobby or figure out a way to keep doing what I loved so fully. Luckily for me, technology had advanced enough that digital scrapbooking was an option. I dove in head first and have never looked back. I can't even explain what a blessing in disguise it has been. Depression rates after diagnosis are high. I had gone through post-partum depression and it was the worst experience of my life so I knew for sure that I needed to do all I could to avoid it this time. Digital scrapbooking saved me from going down that road. It gave me a purpose while I was on disability leave from work. It helped me heal. It was an outlet for me and I love it for that. The first few months I scrapped all of my pages using my mouse with my left hand while my right hand healed. It is still quite numb but using the mouse now is a breeze. This hobby is more than just a hobby for me. I work hard it. I love it. I do it for many many reasons. I can't imagine my life without it. Thank you Simple Scrapbooks for this wonderful opportunity. And to all of the wonderful women I am about to embark on this adventure with; CONGRATS to you!!! I can't wait to see what we can do together! :)

This one's for you good buddy

Ok Kah-Mei, I'm here. :P Been out in the wilderness. Yes, camping. Real camping. In a tent nonetheless. It's been about 5 years since Tim and I have spent some quality time in the fresh air and roughing it. We had waited until we felt that we could take Mackenzie without too much stress. and you know what? She was terrific. She absolutely loved it. The whole time she kept saying, "This is the best vacation ever Mom. I love camping." We also headed up to see her cousins and the rest of Tim's family. Good times. Found out that my sister in-law is expecting another. More cousins- YAY! And now we are all back home. I'm starting to think about heading back to work as it is only two more weeks. The time has flown by this summer. I mean really flown by. Why does it seem that the older I get, the faster time passes? Anyone know? I'm getting worried about how fast it will fly by when I head into my 40's and 50's.

I've released a few new kits over at Two Peas since my last post. The lined paper pack was fun stuff. I have to say I have been really enjoying designing the past month. I go through phases of finding it a struggle and other times it just comes naturally. I love it when it clicks and you get on tha creative groove. I just finished up a paper pack for the 1st of September and had a blast working on it. One of those ones where it doesn't matter if it sells one or two sets, but the fun was mainly had in the creating.

And lastly, I heard news that a certain blog is no longer up and running. Phew! I love the idea of an open exchange and critique. As a designer you can learn a lot by listening to your audience, but this was not about listening or sharing or even an exchange. I'm not really sure even how to describe it. I only checked it out a few times and then had to make myself stay away. Mean spiritedness like that is like a train wreck as it tries to draw you back for one more look even though you know it won't be pleasant. I have seen a few other blogs pop up and seem to be keeping it civil. More power to them. Critiques done in a respectful manner are fine. I went through years of art school and had many a painting/drawing/design critiqued. It helps you develop and grow. Just like any job. Thank you scrap critic for realizing that things were out of control.