love mondays!!

i know i have talked about this before... how much i love monday!
this is my t0-do list for today...
and you know...
i almost got it all done! i did some stuff that wasn't on the list, and i had to add it so i could cross it off, so that i could feel like i accomplished something!  i am not really a 'list' person... and it really helped me today!  i got a lot done. it's 11 pm and i am really really tired. didn't get to the grocery store.

i did manage to watch 24... such twists! i love it...
and, my house was cleaned... dang, that is so refreshing. i am SO thankful for that!

i have a bunch of creative stuff that needs to get done... and i decided that i really like 'challenges'...
i love to be given certain parameters, certain products and papers and colors to work within, and  then come up with something... i find that helps to narrow the focus of the creative process, and allow you to really expolore the limits of those certain products... i recently was given just such an opportunity!  you know that jenni bowlin has started her own kit operation!! she asked me if i would be a guest designer for her april kit in which she was using a few different heidi swapp products... and some Scenic Route, which i love. ...
when she first asked me i was thinking... no way... just cause of the women's expo and other events i am juggling... and then i realized that i really needed this opportunity for my sanity! i had so much fun and love the pages that i created for that! so go check it out: jenni bowlin's april kit

speaking of the women's conf...
wow - that was quite an experience!
and thanks Kristan for emailing  this pic of me when i was giving my presentation!
as i mentioned earlier, my presentation was geared for a more general audience... maybe people that were not already scrapbookers, but those who kindof hesitate to get into scrapbooking because they don't know where to start, or how to get going... it's so intimdating...
i talked about how scrapbooking is about creating a legacy- and living a life to remember... in a concious way... choosing how to live and in effect, what you will remember, and how you want to be remembered! 
i think that it takes tremendous effort to live a concious life... isn't it so much easier to go through each day robotically; doing what has to be done, and then  moving on to the next thing- and waking up and wondering where the time has gone....
i think sometimes i am totally guilty of this. my days melt together... i do what it takes to keep up... but every so often, i stop and REMEMBER. i have to ask myself questions...  it was those questions that i presented at the women's conf.  i created a handout to help people think about some of the areas i believe we need to be concious about. Download expo_handout.pdf

i have had a few requests to have access to this handout... maybe a challenge is in order???
what about creating some layouts that illustrate any of these questions... what would you take photos of?
how would you illustrate these elements of YOU? do you remember what feels fun to you? or the simple things that really make you happy? and what matters most...

as i prepared my presentation, i went through all my albums and pulled stuff that fit ! it had been a long, long time since i looked through all my pages and pages and pages... man, i had a blast. isn't it SO amazing how looking through the layouts takes you right back to those moments.  i photographed about 25 of my older scrapbook pages to illustrate my points... i may have to share them here...i was reminded how deeply i love scrapbooking. and how grateful i am to have the connections to those parts of my life. in such a tangible way.
seriously, scrapbooking is so cool!  i love it.

Comments

[Alisha]

Thanks for this. We really do need to concentrate on the good stuff!

[laura t.]

would love to see those 25 pages!!! and lovin' that checked off to do list - wtg!

[Joy]

Oh gosh, I wish I lived closer to you so I could partake in one your sessions. I really enjoy your blog...your enthusiasm is infectious! :0)
A fan from Canada,
Joy

[Vee]

WOW
those are some questions that really need to be answered
love your blog
and your enthusiasm as well
i would love to see the pages as well
you look so great too!!

[Cheryl]

I too love the challenge of having specific parameters. Just love it. You said it so well . . . it helps to narrow down the creative focus. You go girl! You're an awesome inspiration. Keep it up.

[patty]

as always you are an inspiration!
too cute are you miss heidi!
i think will all get caught up in the robotics of life. glad you reminded us
to L*I*V*E life!
-p

[Alyson Dudek]

First off.. You look fantastic, I am lovin the checked off list. You got alot done. I would love to see your pages You such an INSPIRATION!!! Rock on

[Nita]

I absolutely LOVE lists! Without them, I wouldn't remember half of what I need to! In fact, Sydnie will write little words and then hand the paper to me ~ "Here's your list, mommy!" It's really bad when your 4-year-old makes lists!! Ha!

And what a cute picture of you!! You look great! I assume you're feeling better. Pregnancy must totally agree with you ~ lucky girl!

The expo sounded like a blast! Wish I could have been there!

Thank you for the great inspiration this morning! When I was reading your blog, I realized I have been neglecting one of my daily rituals. I use to write in a journal every evening while the girls played ~ just little things that had gone on during the day. Normally just specific things that I found amusing. Like little things Sydnie said; "milestones" for Bo (new tooth, first word) and such. Recently, I have been so busy, that I have forgotten to take that time for me! Thank you for inspiring me to do that again! What would I do without you? :)

[Sara Amuso]

WOW the kit is SOLD OUT already!

You look so good up there on stage! Definitely post the layouts!

[deb munn]

Wow... really would have loved to be at that conference. Sounds amazing!!
Love, love, love the handout from the conference. Have it hanging on the wall of my cubicle at work. Makes me happy :)
Your projects on Jenni's site are so stinkin' cute! You never fail to inspire me... thank you :)
Hope you have a super day Heidi!!
~deb~

[Mimi]

I too love Mondays.. Totally a day of accomplishment. You look absolutely AMAZING!!! Really... I wish everyone could have this ability when they are pregnant. Not only do you look great - you are jumping through hoops showing all woman they have the power within. Keep it up!!

[Amy Williams]

I don't know how you do it, but I am sure glad that you do! All I have to say is thanks...for all you do for this industry and women!

Amy

P.S. Love the outfit...I have it myself and love it!

[Laura Fiore]

WOW Heidi--great stuff! I got to see you on the morning show link that you posted at Christmas time, so I just know that you did an awesome job at the conference. And, I'm sure that if you showed them your pages, they all ran out to buy the stuff to start scrappin because they were so inspiring! I'm going to take these "remember"s and either make a page or an album...haven't decided yet! Thanks for the inspiration!

[LenaS]

Sorry I missed your presentation...that's why I went to the expo in the first place! Thank you for the download and challenging questions. When you've experienced a deep loss in this life you wake up daily seeing things differently--the important stuff really becomes more clear. Thanks to you and your crew for an awesome job on make 'n takes and the fantastic kits you had for sale. Your teachings and products have made a difference in my life. See U in Sept.
PS - Quincy you are a sweetheart, just like your mother...and a good little helper.

[andreawiebe]

i love your skirt - beautiful...and that handout was awesome - thank you so much for sharing it!

[krista]

heidi- thanks for the handout. loved the make and takes!

[Jolene George]

It was so great meeting you, your husband and Quincy at the expo. I only caught the very end of your presentation. The line was forever long to get in and then I had a heck of a time finding the main stage where you were. I enjoyed what I did hear. Also got some fun new things at your booth. Thanks again for the fuzzy rub on tips. You really look great pregnant. You'd think being your 4th pregnancy that you'd get bigger faster, but nope...you're teeny! http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/

[Tracey]

Your lo's are gorgeous at the JB site! I am loving the masks, too...bought the small heart one, also used the big floral one in an Ali E class on Saturday. Lovin' em!

[Talia]

wow....seems like the presentation you gave was awesome. and i love scrapbooking, too! it's so nice to be reminded now and then of all the things we should be thinking about as we go about our days. thanks!!

[Miranda]

Please do share the pages that you pulled to fit this idea! I've been making a lot of excuses for not scrapbooking over the last year, and you have completely inspired me to commit to it again with this post. It's not just a hobby, it really is a lifestyle and a legacy. Thanks for keeping us in touch with that concept...

[annaEdavison]

Great ideas for your presentation--and YOU look Fabulous in the photo!! Look forward to trying to scrap one of the questions from your handout!! Anna :)

[Beth]

Are you living a life to remember?
Priceless question, and I will put it on my list to ask myself on a weekly basis. : )
Good thoughts.
And yes, I think a challenge IS in order. : )

[Kate]

You look great and the real question - where did you get that cute skirt?

[Jessica]

We would sooo love to see your 25 pages! I love your work so much--it is so inspiring to me!
Jessica

[Candice]

okay, so this is completely random BUT... I TOTALLY have that SKIRT!! :) I'm wearing it on Sunday. :) I'm wearing a peach sweater with it, and brown and peach shoes. :)

anyway. I was just browsing my "favorite" blogs and I saw that pic and was like, "that's my SKIRT!!" :)