Sara's Blog

Last week I was in Cleveland, taping four segments for Scrapbook Memories TV. You know how everything looks so natural on TV when you’re watching it from your couch? Well, next time you’re curled up with the remote, just remember there’s usually something going on behind the scenes—like the crisis mode when the host has laryngitis! My friend Julie McGuffee is one of the hosts of Scrapbook Memories, and when I got to the studio on Friday morning she was drinking Throat Coat and trying not to talk. By the time we were ready to film, she had absolutely no voice! What do you do then? Put the guest (me) on alone! Yikes! I was super-nervous–I’ve always had a host or Paulette on air with me and even though each segment is only 5 minutes long, that’s a LONG time to be talking by yourself! Stacy Julian was filming the same day, and she makes her solo segments look sooooo easy! I think doing television work or public speaking is a little like watching Olympic gymnasts—it only looks easy!

PS. My mom called me the other night—it turns out the new issue of Somerset Memories (formerly Legacy) is out, with my Prague Travel Journal sarabinder™ inside! Yay! (My mom tells me Keith looks “somber” in his photo!)

A few years ago, I got into beading, big time. Soon I went from a few beads to a full inventory! I blame it all on my friend Katie Hacker, who makes beading fast, fun and stylish. If you’re into beading, I’m sure you know Katie: She’s designed books like Katie’s Basics of Beading and Beading 101 for HOTP, and she’s a columnist and contributor to magazines like Simply Beads. (And if you’re not into beading, Katie will change your mind!)

Katie also has a really fun e-newsletter called Creativity, featuring all kinds of cool crafty tips, projects, questions (and answers) plus more. It’s not all beading—this issue shows some of my ATCs, so check it out if you’ve ever been curious about this cool paper craft. The newsletter is put out by the people who bring us CardMaker, one of my favorite magazines.

Oh, and if you’re into beading and all things cool and crafty, check out Katie’s blog at http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/. It’s a fun read and always has something to inspire me!

PS. This week I’m in Cleveland, taping four segments for Scrapbook Memories TV…wish me luck!

Imagine being diagnosed with leukemia. Imagine undergoing rounds of chemo. Now imagine you’re seven years old.

Recently, one of our retailers contacted us about 7-year-old Shane, who’s been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is currently at the Children’s Hospital in Ontario, where he’ll undergo chemo until June. The Make-a-Wish Foundation asked what his special wish would be–well, Shane is going to be 8 years old on May 30th and his wish is to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for getting the most birthday cards. He needs to get over one million cards. (I love a kid who thinks big!)

Want to help? Then send a birthday card (or two) to Shane at the address below. Please help if you can–I imagine this is a pretty big deal for a kid who’s gone through much more than anyone should ever have to. Thanks in advance!

CTV Television
Cards for Shane Bernier
1500 Merivale Rd
Ottawa, Ontario
K2E 6Z5
Canada

Please have cards arrive by May 30th!

PS. Check out the Photo Gallery, just updated with photos from Paulette's and my recent travels Down Under!

What do canals, clogs and Rembrandt have in common with Hot Off The Press?
Amsterdam! (Yes, Amsterdam.) The news is leaking out, so I figure I should post the official version of my upcoming move to The Netherlands. Here's what happened: Keith was offered a job at the Amsterdam office of Intel and we just couldn’t resist the opportunity.

The end result? I still work for HOTP (I can't imagine ever working anywhere else) and yes, there will still be Weekly Webisodes. But no, we won't be shooting on location in Amsterdam, like SOME people here have suggested. In fact, I'll be coming back every two months for trade shows and company meetings. The rest I'll do with the help of video conferencing and email. It'll definitely be a challenge, but I can't imagine passing up the chance to live in Europe.

It won't happen until next month, and it won't be forever... about a year and a half. I just know the time will fly and I'll be back home before I know it! In the meantime, I'll enjoy the Rembrandts, the canals and posting to you from Amsterdam.

PS. I don't know who it was harder telling the news to...Paulette or my mom! :)