Scrapbook in Year Encourages Artist Expression for College Professor

Scripture tells us that “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 (New King James Version). Dr. Sharon Yoder, who has a PhD in Humor, can bear witness to that philosophy. Having more than her share of trials and tribulations, she crests challenge like an experienced surfer riding the big waves off the South African coast. Other than running into Sharon at a local Wal-Mart or in a grocery store maybe once every five or seven years, I had lost touch with her and her life adventures.

A motivational speaker and college professor as well as a widowed “Nana”, Sharon is not one to confine herself to the box that contains so many people’s thoughts and activities. After stumbling across a social networking notice about “online scrapbooking” (Studio J), Sharon decided to send me an email. What a joy after almost 15 years of separation.

Once she saw my Scrapbook in a Year program, Sharon immediately switched her focus from digital to classic scrapbooking. Of course, she didn’t want her first scrapbook to be chronological, so we easily adapted the SIAY program to cover her four-point, themed scrapbook titled “Nana Loves. . . “

I captured Sharon’s earliest efforts on film and wanted to share them with you. Using red as a central color scheme (Cranberry & Tulip), Sharon will add photos to her cover page next week. Literally starting from scratch, Sharon views her scrapbooking product acquisitions as legacy-building equipment and supplies. She’ll be purchasing CTMH’s new cranberry faux leather 12”x12” album in September when it will be released. I’ve also outfitted her with a red TheScrapRack ™ travel case (email me at dcookwrites@cookworkshop.com for ordering information) to launch her organizational efforts. She also selected the CTMH My Acrylix Block Organizer (Z185) (visit http://dianecook.myctmh.com and click on “products” to view our online catalog or “shop online” to order) to house her first three blocks and the Stamp Pad Tower (Z4132) to hold her first six-piece set of Exclusive Inks.

“I love being organized from the outset,” Sharon said at our Tuesday morning meeting on July 14th. “It’s efficient and helps me develop good habits from the beginning. This is great!”

Sharon is truly a Scrappigator friend who is looking forward to many years of sharing the heart of her world through scrapbooking and cardmaking. Welcome aboard, Sharon.