I love to do TV. I know it's crazy. I have a little story to share with you today. It's very personal but it is something I truly believe in my heart. As most of you know I started to scrapbook when my mother passed away. Losing her was so unexpected and I was not prepared for her to die so young. It has been 10 years ago next month. As my crafting skills took off... yes, I had no idea that ten years ago, I would become a scrapbooker. I had no idea I would have this PASSION to document life because of my loss.
I never knew that ten years later... I would own my own scrapbooking company, that I would be on TV, that I would travel the world to teach and that I would have my products distributed and sold throughout the world. That was not anything I would have thought I would be doing. I have learned and grown and evolved in the past ten years.
I realized from the beginning that I could only be ME. I wanted to stay true to designing from the heart and be myself. I wanted to share and encourage others to do the same. I want craftering and journaling to go hand and hand. I want others to TELL THE STORY because it is SO important. I want crafters to know that what we do is important... it helps us. Yes, tell our husbands it's worth all the time and money we put into our creations. It's worth it to go to events and bond with other women who feel the same.
Okay... I'm rambling... I love what I do so much.
I get asked often if I am scared or nervous when I go on TV. Okay... I have done lots of local TV, HSN, QVC, HGTV DIY tv, Idealworld, My Craft Channel...etc. I always pray before I go on TV. ALWAYS... I feel peace and this really helps me. I do not get nervous and I've always wondered why. Now, maybe if I was ever on OPRAH that would be a different story. I bet I would be nervous!
A few years ago, there was a receptionist who worked for my husband. She was young and sweet. I really loved talking to her when I visited my husband at work. One day, she stopped me and said. I don't want you to think I'm crazy but I can see spirits. She said I want you to know that you have a woman right behind you, who is very beautiful- dark haired and skin and she is with you. I was a little shocked. I was in my husbands office. She had no idea my mom had died a few years earlier.
I listened to her as she said, "This is your mother and she wants you to know that she wants you and your sister to be closer." I was in shock. Yes, that was my mother. My mom was part Cherokee Indian and she was beautiful. No one believed I was her child. Where did this blue eyed, blond little girl come from? Oh, did I mention my dad was darked hair and skin too?
She was right. My sister and I are complete opposites and we needed to get closer. We always have loved each other but our distance has been hard to be "really close." Then I asked this young receptionist if I could ask my mom some questions. I know this is crazy to some of you, but if you have lost a loved one you want nothing more than to know they are still with you and they are okay... at peace.
The things she shared with me that afternoon in the office have lived in my heart with me for years. My mom wanted me to know she was still with me and that when I am on TV, that she is behind the camera watching me. Whew... she is there with me so I will not be nervous. The girl told me so much more. Things she would not know.
Every single time I do a TV show, I think of my mother. I want to make her proud. I want her to know that because of her I am sharing and doing something in her memory. Sorry... I know this is long. I have never shared this with anyone outside of my family. I felt today that I should share.
Here are a few photos from the TV studio. I did not edit them. This is the lighting "behind the scene" at the ABC 4 TV Studio...
It's fairly dark. You set up the projects on a table and wait until they come put your microphone on, and carry the table to the stage.
I like to take photos of the table set up. LOVE washi tape on plain envelopes! This is Gentry's favorite washi tape- Tell Your Story.
I love to use the washi tape like ribbon. I will even overlap the designs (damask/clocks- Vintage Finds Washi Tape)
My planner is always with me. I use washi tape to help me flip to the monthly page calendar. I love that the washi tape is repositionable and acid free.
Adding washi tape on office clips!!!!
Washi tape tabs are my fave too... sorry these photos are all dark... in the studio!
So I would love to hear from you. Have you ever had anything happen to you like I shared with you about my mother?
Hope you have the best weekend!
