Confessions of an Ex-Scrapbooker #13

I confess every week why I'm an "Ex", but this past week I got a great email from a customer of mine....she didn't even know she was experiencing a memory keeping breakdown. She didn't even see it coming, but it did, and I'm going to help her pull herself back up and become the memory keeping diva she was meant to be...but through Cherish Bound this time. I'm not going to use her name because I didn't tell her I was going to post her traumatic experience for all the world to see.

So here's a breakdown of our emails:

(Diva is a mother of 5, runs her own business, and has been a "scrapbooker" for a long time, not to mention is an awesome person and incredibly sweet.)

Diva in Distress: I was cleaning out my scrapbook stuff and found all my Cherish Bound stuff I bought a while back and don't know how to use it. I have like 6 or 7 Story Starters.... (sports, abc, etc.?) I am NOT good on the computer. How do I use this and where do I start?

Moi': Well, that's why you have me :O) First, pick what your next story/book is going to be. Use one from the products you have. I'm having a workshop next Thursday morning and next Wednesday night I'm doing a Publishing Center walk through. The publishing center is not complicated at all...you just need a little instruction to start. The Story Starters do all the hard work for you....time line, organizing, reminding of events, memories etc. You just need to write it down...either you or your kids, hubby...I would pick a fresh, new idea...maybe G's baby book if you haven't done that, a vacation you recently took....the past is the past, start with the now. Let me know if you're up for the workshop next week and if you want to reserve a spot on Wednesday night's conference call walk through of the publishing center. You can be on your phone and computer and just listen to me walk you through. I'm excited you found your stuff and excited to help you!

Diva in Distress: Maybe I will do sports. Do I have to do it on one child or can the book be about this years sports for each child?... I do need help. What time Wed night?

Moi': PS...Remember: These stories get written and these books get done 15 minutes at a time. You don't have to do everything in one day, one week, etc....you can work on a book one day at a time. Before you know it it's done and in your hands. :O)

Diva in Distress: I am getting tired of scrapbooking and all the paper cutting. I really want to learn and do more books. I am just afraid of the computer and I like to get things done so I want to do it. I don't know how to scan but I AM WILLING TO LEARN IF THIS WOULD BE EASIER THAN SCRAPBOOKING.

Moi': Yes! It is so much easier, faster, affordable, but the best part is....the story! You're going to create more meaningful, beautiful story books that your children will love! I'm here to teach you how to do all of it...every step. That's why I have workshops, instructional conference calls, etc.

Now the sports book would be awesome! You could combine everyone's sports into one book. That would a great book to start with. You have the story starter...that's where you start. The pictures will come later as you capture the story first. That's the great thing about this...you don't make your books around the pictures, you make them around the story.

Step 1: Get on the call next Wednesday night. 9:30pm May 28th. Be on your computer and logged in.

Step 2: If you can come to the writer's workshop on the next morning Thursday May 29th that would be great...you can start the writing process. Now the sports book should probably have your children's point of view and stories as well as your husband's. So you can complete as much as you can with me and then go home with "homework" to follow-up with them. Put some of the "story" responsibility on them too.

Step 3: Publish. You'll learn the technology part as you go....Wednesday call with help you understand the actual creating of the book. But I will help you learn to scan and do simple photo and document tasks....easy!Promise. (The end of Thursday's workshop will probably have some
> extra time to go over some of that too.)

> We can set a goal to have this "sports" book done by the end of June. Time lines are great to help you with the process and it gives me permission to ride your butt to get it done :O)

Okay...deep breath. This is fun, rewarding and you will learn new things and get lots done! I was you....I was so overwhelmed with scrapbooking....it doesn't work for me. You'll have to go to my blog and read my "Confessions of an Ex-Scrapbooker"....funny, but true.

My job is to help you accomplish this task and feel good about it!!!

Diva In Distress: I am going to try and do both, Wednesday and Thursday too. I am READY to switch to Cherish Bound (if I can learn computer). What do I need? A scanner and a digital camera? I am confused about the pictures coming later. I am so used to creating the page around the pictures....

Moi': Do not stress about the "computer" part....that part is not as complicated as you think....getting the story can sometimes be a little harder because so many people are not used to taking the time to get the words together. But that's why we have workshops. Don't worry about scanners if you don't need one. You can get scanning done at Kinko's, Office Depot, etc., but I also offer the service as well. If you want to invest in one you can use it to scan paper photos, awards, drawings, artwork, etc. Digital cameras are great because they take away the step of "printing" and developing...but it's not necessary. You can still do film camera is that's what you prefer. I have customers that still do film cameras, but when they develop they have everything put onto a disc as well as paper and you can make your books from the photos on the disc...it's easy, and I can teach you. I know Wal-Mart and Sam's club will put all of your photos on disc for if you still develop film. You're creating memory books opposite of the way you used to....it used to be about the cute paper, scissors, tape, glue...now it's about what stories matter to you and your family and everything else falls into place...easy and faster. You're going to love it!

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