Redoing old albums

Yes, I hate to admit it I have old albums in my possession. Prior to 2000 all my albums were non Creative Memories, and while documented in a scrapbook type method were not at all photo safe. My goal for this year is to start doing something about those albums!
This past week I pulled a 7x7 chocolate love album off of my shelf that I have had sitting there for almost 2 years. It already had the paper in it, and was ready for pictures. I pulled apart our honeymoon album and a day later have an album that I know will keep our pictures safe for years to come. The honeymoon album is only 13 years old. Yet, it was already yellowing, and looking bad as it was in one of those stick the picture in on the page and cover it with the piece of plastic albums. We haven't looked at it in years, but now that it is in a photo safe album, we've put it out again and the kids have already looked through it several times.
I have other supplies on my shelf so next I think I will tackle the album covering our first year, and first house. The kids are going to love seeing those pictures again, and I'm going to love knowing that they are now photo safe!
Thank you Creative Memories

New Baby

Creative Memories just launched a brand new line of baby products. They are so cute. The color combinations are beautiful. With the baby girl colors of soft pinks, greens and browns and yellows. Boy colors of browns, blues, greens and yellows. The paper and embellishments almost make me wish I hadn't completed my children's baby albums. There are so many great products. On top of the traditional papers and stickers there is a whole matching line of digital paper and stickers. Want something even quicker??? How about the new baby boy and baby girl quick kits. Complete an entire baby album in 1 2-3 hour sitting!!! It's amazing! Creative Memories is doing such a great job at thinking about peoples lives and time challenges and has created something truly for everyone!
http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/kropwithkathy/catalog-index?ts=1236628679049&event=showmenu&categoryIdParm=170172&pageTitle=New%20Baby&selectedCategory=172&eventId=172&productGroupId=13565

Preserving the Past

I've been thinking a lot about preserving the past lately. For Christmas I made albums for the both the kids featuring the 8x10's from birth until their current age as well as snapshots during that time. I also have been trying to go back and redo albums that are not in safe materials so they will be preserved as well. While this takes time and effort I have learned that it also helps me remember the good times, and why I feel the way I do about people, places and events.
It is stress relief in the simplest form. I don't need to leave the house, although large group crops are great. I just can focus for even as little as 15 minutes on a project and get a sense of accomplishment in it moving forward. I realize not everyone is a scrapbooker, but working with pictures is good for the soul regardless.

Digital or Traditional?

The question for 2009 has been digital or traditional? This is the year I want to stay on top of my pictures. With that in mind I really need to get started scrapping my 2009 photos. The biggest question is digital or traditional? Do I print them out and scrap them, or do I create page prints and just slide them into an album.....I just can't decide. Perhaps that's why I've put it off to this point.
Digital is a lot of fun. It's quick, and comes back to you bound and finished. Somehow journaling is even easier with digital as it's a typed format.
Traditional is great too. I love the cutting, the arranging. It is incredible. So what to do!?

I'd love input so if anyone wants to vote on what I should do let me know.

The Word is Out!

I've known for a while now, as many have, that Creative Memories is at the top of the photo preservation industry. Not only do we offer many scrapbooking products, we also offer framing, digital organization and digital scrapbooking. We have something for anyone and everyone who takes a picture. Now, the word isCreative Memories is featured in a number of current magazines and Web sites. Look for all the good news about our products and people in the following places:
Create and Decorate, October 2008Includes the Everyday Display in a full-page feature in the Discoveries department. Available on newsstands now.

Create and Decorate, Holiday IssueShowcases the Tag Maker. Appears on newsstands beginning September 14.

Scrapbooks etc. The Ultimate Guide to Digital Scrapbooking 2This Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection specialty publication includes a full-page advertisement for Storybook Creator Plus Software on the back cover.

bhg.com (Better Homes and Garden Online) Features an interview with Senior Unit Leader Michelle Reese of Ohio, in the "Holiday Gift Tips & Tricks" area of the site. Appears on bhg.com from October through December and is part of an ongoing rotation with other expert tips, tricks and interviews. Look for Michelle’s ideas on the "Tip Of The Day" pop-up window on the landing page.


(this one is really cool! I've met Michelle and actually had dinner with her at a training class!)

Create and Decorate, December IssueIncludes the Merry & Bright Paper Album Kit as a last-minute gift suggestion. Appears on newsstands beginning Oct. 28.

Memory Makers Magazine, September/October IssueFeatures the Everyday Display as a special prize in a reader contest. Available on newsstands now.

Decorating Digest, November/ December 2008 IssueShowcases the Everyday Display, the

Merry & Bright Paper Album Kit and the Tag Maker. Appears on newsstands beginning in mid-November.

Scrapbooking and Beyond, Winter 2009 IssueFeatures a full-length article about the way scrapbooking supports the healing process during a time of personal loss. Unit Leader Phyllis Cumberlander of Washington, D.C., shares her own story, including how she started her Creative Memories business. Appears on newsstands Dec. 2. out. We can now be seen in the following magazines.

Check it out! Creative Memories is taking the industry by storm.

I Did It!

Wow! It is a great feeling to get something accomplished. Today after 4 months of making calls I have completely called through my entire customer data base. Now it would be great to say that it took me that long because I have so many customers, but truth is...it simply took me that long to find the time to make calls and log them in!
Have I increased my business any by making the calls? Well, at least all of my customers have heard my name, website and phone number one more time. I did get a few that want more information and a few that want me to add them to my email list. So, who knows where that will lead. Regardless, I'm no longer fearing the phone. I have something to offer with Creative Memories that can change lives. Whether or not they are interested is completely up to them!

Gosh, that feels good.

Completed Projects

My pile of to do may be growing on one side of my desk, but the project pile on the other is getting done! I am so excited about several different projects that I've wanted to do for a long time are now how long I've wanted to create a birthday party album for each of my kids. With Creative Memories Quick Kits in Celebration and I Do, and only 2 hours I have pages done for 8 different years for Zach and 6 different years for Katie. Not only that but room for the next few birthdays up to age 12, all I have to do is add the photos! My Halloween costume album is the same, completed up to this year...which of course hasn't happened yet (add to to do list..find Princess Leia and Luke costumes soon!). I've also hoped to create an album with the portraits of the kids that so often just sit behind the one currently showing in the frame. I recently received a FREE school embossed album from Creative Memories (they love spoiling their consultants) and also FREE school paper. So in just 20 minutes today I laid out an entire album of paper, created a title page and have Zach's kindergarten and first grade picture in the album. As soon as we get the new school pictures this year I can quickly ad Katelyn's Kindergarten and Zach's second grade photos!
WOW! Maybe this year will be the one where the album projects get caught up. With the quick tools and supplies I have with my company I think it is possible.
I love what I do for a job, and now it's helping me continue to celebrate what I do as a mom too!

Gas Money?

Do you know someone who might be interested in more information about being a Creative Memories Consultant? Someone who is in need of gas money, extra income or simply would like to be able to work from home? Join Creative Memories Field Development Managers and other Home Office staff on a Business Opportunity phone call. Dates, times and phone number are listed below. I would be glad to listen to the calls with you and help answer any questions you may have after the call.
You choose the call that works best for you Call (866) 285-7780, pass code 2163111. • Thursday, Sept. 11 - 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. • Friday, Sept. 12 - 11 a.m. • Saturday, Sept. 13 - 9 a.m. and noon • Sunday, Sept. 14 - 8 p.m. • Monday, Sept. 15 - Noon and 9 p.m. • Tuesday, Sept. 16 - 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. • Wednesday, Sept. 17 - 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The calls are 30 minutes and space is limited. All calls are Central Time. If a call is filled to capacity, make sure to try another time. No registration necessary.


Now is the time to get on board, with our starting kit only $70. What a great way to earn extra income, get products at a great discount and make new friends.

For more information contact me at 440-243-2325 or kropwithkathy@yahoo.com

Making a Difference

Creative Memories makes a difference in the lives of the people that come in contact with it. Whether it is through their personal photo albums, or memories that they have seen celebrated in others albums. Over the past few years Creative Memories has helped out the Alzheimer foundation and now we are working with Make A Wish Foundation.

This was taken from a news post on our consultant site.
Getting started early with the Make-A-Wish Foundation®
Creative Memories has a long-established reputation for giving back to the communities in which we live and work. Whether at the local level helping individuals or at the national level as a corporate sponsor, we consider it an honor to help organizations whose mission, like ours, is rooted in the service of others. It’s a commitment we’re proud to share with you and one we’re excited to continue with our next non-profit partner, the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.
While our official partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation begins in January 2009, many of you have expressed interest in helping the Foundation right away.
There are many volunteer opportunities available at your local Make-A-Wish chapter, ranging from granting wishes and staffing events to helping with communications and providing office assistance.
To find a local chapter and learn how you can help, go to wish.org and enter your zip code at the top of the page.

I'm sure not only consultants can help the Make A Wish Foundation.

To prove how dedicated the company is to them, recently their was a price discrepancy with the catalogs that we purchase. Some people were charged $5 a pack instead of $4 so instead of going through and sending everyone the dollar back for being over charged CM took the extra dollar made and sent it on to Make A Wish, raising quite a bit of money for them.

We can make the difference in the lives of a child or anyone, we just need the chance to show people how to do it.

Mission Organization

I'm so excited! I just read in the news of Creative Memories that our power sort box is back. It wasn't gone for long, only a couple of months and only because they SOLD OUT! They are that incredible. This box allows you to sort 2400 photos, keep them organized and potentially move them into an album of some type for greater enjoyment. It is an awesome thing. I know many people have the paper/card board boxes sold as "photo" boxes at local stores. Many have their photos stored in Rubbermaid containers as well. The problem is that cardboard and Rubbermaid/plastic, are not photo safe. They both contain chemicals that can over time transfer to your photos and destroy them. Why not keep your photos in a box that has been lab tested for safety, durability and long term use.
Not only do we have an awesome system for 2400 photos, we also have the mini power sort boxes for 600 photos. Good for one child, or one subject. We've also just launched a memorabilia box good for baby booties, and other special things you want to keep in a safe environment. Can't wait to open mine up and put it to use.
As always www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy for all your photo needs

Creative Memories New Friends

Creative Memories is always launching new products. There is always something to try, and even as a consultant I can't say that I am always SOLD on everything we have to offer. The funny thing is, we're always told "if you use it, they will choose it!"
That being said I try to use each of our products as they come out. Not only to improve my memory celebration, but also to be able to say, I've used it and give credibility to the product. The latest developments are awesome!
We went on a vacation to Idlewild on Monday August 11th. Came home from the trip knowing that I had an all day crop that I was doing the following Saturday. Put my pictures in Memory Manager, cropped, edited, labeled and filed. Printed them out and took my pictures, and the Family Quick Kit and in 2 hours I had a completed album of a vacation that wasn't even a week old!
Easy Does it, I would say so! Next Quick Kit Project, my son's Birthday Party album. Can't wait to get it done!


What about other memory celebration products...check out the Keepsake display coming out Sept 1st. Talk about a beautiful way to display photos and a calendar, as well as notes, and art work or other items you need in your kitchen or office to stay organized. Well done CM!

Almost there!

Got a call today from my Unit Leader with Creative Memories! Just found out I'm only $230 away from qualifying as a Unit Leader myself. YEHAW! This is so cool. Creative Memories is such a great company, with great products, and they really spoil their consultants. The even cooler thing about hitting this goal is that I will get to go to an incredible training next month. Training is such a great way to get motivated and get excited about my business. It is so much fun.

The best thing about working from home though is being able to set my own hours and do my own thing. Which is why at 2:30 in the afternoon I can choose to do yard work, and other jobs I want to get done, and finish making phone calls later. It's up to ME! I love my job!

Can't wait to see what the month totals end up at....this is cool!

Unbelievable!

Unbelievable! That is the only way to describe Creative Memories New Product Line for JUNE! Yes, I realize that it is only May 1st, but if you aren't in contact with a Creative Memories Consultant Now, you are going to really wish you were.

Diplomas to frame...no problem!
Anniversary present...got you covered!
New baby, ahh!...so sweet!
Wedding...pure bliss!

WAIT you forgot that you need a teacher gift, or a coach gift, or Mother's Day, Father's Day...not an issue any longer. Give a gift that will keep them talking about the event for years to come.

www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy amazing things are on the way.

In the meantime, how about getting those pictures organized. Did you know memory cards can erase themselves without warning? Don't be left unprotected.

I love my job!!!!

Skill of Asking Questions

Last night I listened to a teletraining session on the Skill of Asking Questions. It was a really good call for my Creative Memories business, but it was also a good call for life. One of the keys to the call was taking the time to be interested instead of just interesting. It's not an easy thing to do, but it puts the people first and what they need. What do they need? A way to celebrate their memories and preserve their photos.

It is an exciting time, and there is so much that people can learn to help them organize and preserve those photos.

Time to get back on the phone and be interested in what is going on with the lives of the people I know.

Spring Framing Promotion

I can't believe it is back! Creative Memories is launching a framing promotion like the one they offered in December. It is incredible. I'm so excited about it I can hardly stand it. For only $67 plus $10 s/h you can have a beautifully framed masterpiece for Mother's or Father's Day or Graduation! Really like your teacher...why not make one for them as well!

All you do is pick 1 4x6 photo, 1 of the framing choices and 1 of the sayings:

The Biggest Adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams
Be Strong Be Forever who You Are
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.
The measure of a man is in the lives he's touched
A Mother is someone who can take the place of everyone else, but no one in the world can take her place
Nothing can dim the Light that shines within
All our Dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them
Live isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments!

It's just too cool! The only problem really is deciding who NOT to buy one for, because everyone will love this gift. Guess Mother's Day, and Father's Day shopping is done!

As always to find out more check out www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy or email me at kropwithkathy@yahoo.com

Headed for Ireland!

Did you ever have a dream? Something you just have always wanted to do or go see? I was just telling my husband this fall that the one place I think I will always want to go would be Ireland. There is just something Magical about it when I think of it. Probably to many books I've read that turn it into a Magical place, full of adventure, but regardless it's just a place I've always wanted to go.

Well, the time has certainly come for dreaming big. Creative Memories offers incentive trips to their consultants every year. Trips where they treat their consultants to the best life has to offer. I've talked to consultlants who have gone on the trips and I've seen pictures it's amazing what they give and do for their people. I've been to conventions and if they treat us like that at a convention, I can't truly imagine how great it would be on a trip.

While sitting at Regional Convention this last Saturday they began the video feed leading up to where the 2009 trip would be. There were shots of foreign places, and the people and cultures that visiting different places would introduce you to. There was green, green grass, and rich blue seas, there was the reds of the fabric and the colors of faces from all over the world. It was exciting watching and thinking where could it be?! Is it New Zealand, Australia, where is it...then suddenly the camera whooshed across the water and up a cliff and Irish music began playing. We all screamed (500 women in a room, what do you expect)! The 2009 trip will be to...


Dublin, Ireland! I'm planning now...because I'm not going to miss going to a place I've dreamed of, all for FREE!

"Ireland I am coming home,
I can see your rolling hills of green
and fences made of stone
I am reaching out
won't you take my hand
I'm coming home
Ireland." - Garth Brooks

If you want to come with me, just log on my website www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy, and join my team. Dreams were meant to be shared.

Sorting Photos

Just received 200 photos in the mail today! I now have all of the photos from 2007 either scrapbooked or at least printed. This is the first time I've been this close to having the year prior done at the start of the new year. Why is that?

Well 2 things really. First, Memory Manager software from Creative Memories has allowed me to sort, edit and delete pictures so that when I go to print my photos I have only the ones I really need. It also tracks what photos I'm printing so I don't have to worry about that either.

Secondly, the power palettes by Creative Memories are phenomenal. They allow me to quickly crop photos, match with paper, and get them into my album. In a moment of true honesty I'll let anyone reading this in on the secret that my pages are done from September - November but not one is journalled. It's the hardest step to take. Oh, well. So, next Thursday at my all day workshop I plan on powering through the rest of 2007!

How awesome it will be to have it finished.

For more tips checkout www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy

Let's Get this New Year Started!

WOW! Did 2007 go fast or what?!? Seems so hard to believe that it's 2008, but here we are and in 363 days we'll be saying wow...didn't 2008 go fast too!

Kiddos are back to school today. It's been so quiet...ahhh the sound of the washing machine churning away. I've really enjoyed having the kids home, it has just been hard since we've had so much going on. Kids sick, family in, hockey tournament, family in. Of course with them going back to school means time to get restarted on everything. Laundry, cleaning, Christmas decorations put away, bedrooms taken back over...the list goes on, but so does time. Eventually, it will get done.

The thing I'm really excited about getting back to is my business with Creative Memories. I took a bit of a break while the kids were on break. What a great advantage to working from home. I was able to continue to take orders, and process orders, but not have to leave the house for work. So, now it's Jumpstart January. I'm working on finishing the 2007 album, doing a digital Christmas album and booking some events for January and February.

There is the cutest mini display board that hosts can earn for free. I have mine with the kids Christmas cards, sitting on my work table. It's such a neat product.

The everyday display board is also incredible. We currently have ours in the Red Wings Room (ok, we're obsessed with hockey around here). The board itself comes with magnets and clips to attach memorabilia in a great display format so that it can be changed out or left as is. We plan on changing ours out whenever we get to the next Red Wings Game.

The thing I think I continue to love the most about Creative Memories is the something for everyone product line. I still love the traditional album making products but the new stuff is so exciting and fun that it makes treasuring family memories all the more fun and easy. Off to work...I just love what I do.

I'm always looking for consultants to join my team, if you want to love working...drop me a line! or look on my website www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy and sign up today.

Create Your Own Beautiful Cards!

The cost of cards these days is crazy. True you can find some here and there for .99, but generally speaking it's a lot more than that. Pictures to me say so much more, as do the words I would choose to write verses the words some card maker who doesn't even know my family might choose.

That's why I've begun to use Creative Memories StoryBook Creator Plus for all of my card making. It's quick, it's easy and it's Personal!

Here are a few samples of cards I've done recently.

Beautiful cards for .19 at the most! Certainly, can't beat that. Invitations, Thank yous, Birthday Cards, or just because. They'll never be the same again. AND Most people would think twice before just throwing out a picture. For more information on making photo cards go to www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy and look at the Storybook Creator Plus Software. or email me at kropwithkathy@yahoo.com

Need to go make up a photo card template for 2 classes at my children's school. Their teachers are using them as cards for the kids with Polar Express pictures! Activity today, card tomorrow!

Hymn to a Good Wife

I've been sick all week, so perhaps it's the time spent getting extra rest. Maybe it's the end of the year. Whatever it is I'm finding myself in need of reshaping my day, and my thought process. Which brings me right back to Proverbs 31.

This is a hard Proverb for most women. It tends to make us feel at first glance like we could never accomplish these things. God does call us to "be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect". Certainly not an easy task. And from the time I've spent in the Word I believe not a task that He expects us to complete while here on earth. What He in is great wisdom is asking is for us to work towards doing the right thing, working diligently. Back to Proverbs...

A good women is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.

WOW! Isn't that awesome. I know there are things that bug us about our spouses, I'm sure mine could name a few things about me that he'd like to change. But the point is when there are those things that you would like to see different don't talk about them with everyone!!!! I get so sick of hearing all the stuff people are doing wrong. Why not concentrate on what they are doing right. If we all spent time focusing on the good things, the small annoyances would be just that...SMALL.

Today, try it. See if we all can just say positive things about the people we love. And when others start to complain, why not say, have you made a list of the good things lately.

New year, new life, new focus. Positive and joyous! God wants that for us.

The other focus is on the verse that says
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

Ok, I'm not a morning person, BUT there are ways to organize the day and get back focused on what needs to be done. Working from home allows me the freedom to get things done around the house, while getting work done. But I've strayed away from setting business hours, which in turn has slowed down my business.
Time to get back to Calendar Blocking.

That is taking the day and breaking it down into workable sections of time. Time to focus on different aspects, job, family, etc. For me that's going to mean starting at 9 and working on Creative Memories paperwork, connecting with my team, or working on album projects to refresh my business until 11. From there I can work on other things in the day. If I don't make work a priority it won't work itself.

Let's get going and get inspired to do the right thing and get focused on living a wonderful life!