So most of you have heard...

THIS amazing piece of news. Can I just say WOW?

Ten people chosen out of 500 to be finalist in the biggest scrapbooking contest (at least the biggest that I know of). I can't believe I am one of them!

Let me back up a bit for my friends and family who read this blog and have NO idea what I am talking about...

Creating Keepsakes is (in my opinion) the biggest scrapbooking magazine around.  They are known for finding new talents, for bringing innovative ideas and techniques to scrapbooking, and for putting on the SCRAPBOOKING HALL OF FAME contest each year.  Last year, they introduced a new and bigger contest called Scrapbooker of the Year (or just SOY). To enter, you have to submit a portfolio of your best work, including at least 12 layouts or projects that have never been seen (posted in an online gallery, blog, etc.)  They also have to submit an essay on a given subject. Out of the submissions they choose 10 finalists.  These ten finalists will then move on to the interview round and then they will all be flown to Las Vegas to the Memory Trends Show where CK will announce the Scrapbooker of the Year.  This person will receive $10,000 and over $10,000 worth of product.  More importantly, the winner will have a two-year contract with the magazine. Amazing, huh?

So, as some people have asked, how in the world did I have time to enter when we were moving, getting settled, etc? 

Well, it's an interesting story, really.  I had thought off and on for a while about entering.  I wasn't really focused on it because I really didn't think I had a chance of winning.  But every once in a while I would a LO and I would set it aside "just in case."  Over the summer when we were at Jason's parents house I did a few more, all still "just in case." 

And then we moved. And I was really, really intent on getting our home settled.  I needed a place that our family could really call home.  Scrapping took a back burner and so did the contest. 

A few days before the entry was due, I got to my breaking point with the house.  We had worked nonstop for a week and the house was looking pretty good. I told Jason we had one more day to do whatever we wanted to do with the house and then I was taking a break.

So the next evening I sat down, ready to scrap for fun.  I was going through my folders, trying to be inspired, and I saw my SOY folder.  I was curious how many LO's I had actually done and was going to get ready to post some of them to my blog since I wasn't entering.  I counted and there were 12 that hadn't been seen.  At that point, something just came over me.  I was going to enter.  My LO's were done, I just had to put the entry together.   I don't know that I really WANTED to enter -- it was going to mean a LOT of work -- but I just felt like I HAD to enter.  I just kept telling Jason that "I can't NOT do this."  A few times I tried to tell myself I wasn't going to do it -- that I needed to spend time with the family and this contest was a waste of time and money.  But every time I tried to do something else I was just compelled to keep going.  So for the next 36 hours I worked.  I had to pick 8 LO's from my gallery, had to write up supply lists, had to take pictures of some of my paper and hybrid pages/projects, to write my essay, and to put the whole thing together.  At 3:00 pm the day before it was due, I paid $40 to overnight it to Utah.  "What a waste of money!" I thought.  But still, I knew I couldn't just NOT send it.

That was July 5th.  And then life got busy again...I painted and organized my office, we started work, our boys came, etc. Call day was approaching and while I was not expecting anything, I lurked on the message boards a bit just to see how others were feeling.

Then came last Tuesday.  It was call day and I was trying to stay out of the house.  Rather than write it all again, you can read my "call story" HERE.

****
I can't tell you how honored (and humbled) I am to be chosen as a finalist.  This is so much more than I ever dreamed of.  The thing that excites me the most I think is that CK just got ME.  I didn't have time to think the whole thing through...some people wrote multiple drafts of their essay weeks before.  People spent months creating their entry.  There wasn't time for that.  I wrote my essay from my heart -- no draft.  In black Sharpie the first time.  I don't even have a copy! I didn't have time to analyze which LO's to send.  I just sent the ones that I felt represented me and my heart.  I just gave them me.  And I guess they liked me.

The next few weeks should be exciting.  I will have an interview and then in September Jason and I will fly to Las Vegas where they will announce the winner. I am SURE that any of the ten finalists will do a great job.  It doesn't matter who wins. We are just ten of MANY  ladies who have a heart for this hobby, a heart for preserving memories, a heart for sharing that love with others. 

I was writing a friend of mine about the experience and when I did I remember a LO I did over a year ago.  It was my one year scrapping anniversary and I was writing about how I got started.  And in the margins I wrote, "This is where it all began....and where it will lead no one knows."  How true is that???  At that point I had NO IDEA I would win "Best of Show" in the Photoshop Elements Users first annual Scrappy Awards.  At that point I had NO IDEA I would run a successful business in the industry.  At that point I had NO IDEA that I would be given the honors of being named one of the top ten scrapbookers by Creating Keepsakes Magazine. At that point, I had NO IDEA that I would have the opportunity to help others see the beauty in their lives and to help them share their story.  It started out as something "just for me."  A way to remember my kids and the amazing things they do.  It turned into SO MUCH more.  As I keep yielding to God, keep telling Him that if scrapping is consuming me that I will step back, as I keep checking myself to see where my priorities are, I keep feeling His blessing on my life and on my art.  And as long as He keeps blessing it, I will keep moving forward.  I can't wait to see what is in store.

Here is the LO from May 2006...

I just want to say THANK YOU sooooooo much to everyone for the wonderful comments, emails, threads, words of support and congrats. I am TRULY honored to be a part of this wonderful community!

Have a great Monday. We're off to the mall to play and get Strawberry Julius'. Yummy.

Comments

[Sarah]

Congratulations!!!!!!!

[MandaKay]

Seriously - I hadn't heard b/c we were out all weekend and I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! I am jumping up and down! What a HUGE honor and I am so glad that you submitted. I totally know what you mean about if God thinks this hobby may be comsuming my life like you mentioned. I think you balance it VERY well and I know where your heart really lies first and foreemost - on HIM and on your kids. I know scrapping and the hobby does not come first to you, but I know it is something you TRULY enjoy and you enjoy the relationships and the stories and the process. You are truly the top winner in my eyes and I pray they see that too. I think they did a great job choosing CD and I know you would not disappoint! CONGRATS either way - I can't wait for Sept - I bet you can't either! Have a great day!

[Tina]

CONGRATULATIONS JANET!
GOOD LUCK IN VEGAS!!!!!!!

[Leslie (lhaslem)]

SOOOO excited for you Janet...your style is truly inspiring and the way you capture the story is amazing. Best of luck:)

[Melissa]

Congratulations, Janet! I am so happy for you! I truly enjoy your layouts - they focus on the picture and the story. They're not cluttered with fad items, they're just simply beautiful!

[Jacki]

It's amazing and exciting and so deserving!

[KellieP]

oh my goodness!!! I am jumping up and down over here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hadn't heard yet...I am soooo thrilled for you! You totally deserve this!

[Angie]

Big congrats to you Janet! You are a wonderful representative for the digital and hybrid scrappers.

[Karen aka lindse]

This is SOO fantastic!! You so deserve it !! Congrats!!!!

[Hollie]

Congrats again, Janet!! You are sooooo deserving of this!! You know, I hadn't realized that this was only the second year that CK had this contest? Just figured it had been around for a while! I think that makes it even MORE awesome that you were selected and also that CD won last time! Woohoo digi! Have a super day!!
--Hollie

[LeeAndra]

Wow!! How exciting, Janet!! You so deserve this! Good luck to you!!! :)

love, me <><

[HaleyW]

Congratulations, Janet! You SO deserve this honor! How fabulous!!

[Jennifer Caputo]

WOWOWOWOWW, I still can't get over this! I have never been more happy for somewhere else. You are so deserving.
And hey, I'll be in Vegas in September too, wouldn't it be crazy if we could meet up again! I'll be there the 3rd-8th, does that overlap with your trip at all? I would LOOOOOVE to help you celebrate in person!!!!
xoxoxoxo

[Ingunn]

Congratulations, it's amazing!! I'm looking forward to meeting you in Vegas!

[Margie]

I really enjoyed reading your blog entry today and all about the contest. Your heart comes out so naturally. Once again-congratulations!! I always look forward to your lo's and your journaling-very inspirational!! You always draw me in!!
I'm praying this is going to be such a wonderful experience and what a neat thing that you and Jason get a little holiday together....well sort of anyway :)

[Leslie]

A very well deserved congratulations! It is not surprising that you were selected - you are very inspiring in many ways, an incredible lady - they must have seen what we see! Enjoy your trip to Vegas, and we'll cross our fingers that you win the whole shebang!

[Juliet]

I just want to congratulate you on this amazing achievement, I have always loved your work because not only are they beautiful but they are so heartfelt. I love what you wrote about trying to keep life in balance between God and family when it comes to your art. I think that you truly deserve this honor and I will be rooting for you in September.

[Shanah]

Let's just say I can't think of a more deserving artist to receive this honor...I"m honored that a woman of your talent and loveliness, inside and out was chosen. You're the best...hearty, hearty congratulations!!!!!