I replaced my laptop this week for several reasons, it needs a new battery, my daughter's ragdoll kittens decided to pry off a few keys a while back, slightly annoying missing the o, l and the period. I decided to try an HP after being a Dell gal for many years. So far I like it! I wanted to make some videos so today I made my first one.

Today also was the day I had no hot water for the entire day and there was ongoing work in the house. My curls got a splash of cold water. I spent yesterday making the stepouts and checking out the best location for light. The sunroom foyer worked best so I set up there. After getting over the shock of how I looked and how many times I say "and, um and so I was ready. Six takes later beginning with fourteen minutes and ending up with nine I was finished.

Along the way I dropped the bunny twice, his ear stuck to my shirt and I forgot what step I was doing three times. I learned not to wear dangly earrings as I came off looking slightly like a demented bobble head doll and that I do indeed have a round chin. Now I can really appreciate professional make up and lighting, someone holding up cuecards would have been nice. Instead a clipboard balanced against the wall was my only reference.

I learned ALOT!!! I did it and got it loaded on my site. I am not quite ready for YouTube yet but plan to make more videos. Follow the JOY! Try something new! Debra, CEO!

One of the most wonderful perks of the Web is all of the amazing talented and talented people you can meet and connect with. The information and knowledge shared is invaluable and my hope always is to be able to repay some of that sharing whenever I can.

Today I am excited to be interviewing Rebekah Meier! Rebekah Meier's new book Fabric Art Collage is filled with 40 + Mixed Media Techniques. Rebekah is a sweetheart and so talented! (Photo Courtesy of Rebekah Meier) She will be offering classes featuring techniques from the book at Joggles.com.

1. How early in your life were you a crafty type?

Early, while still in grade school.  I remember my grandma teaching me how to crochet, making granny square afghans.  I also did a lot of macrame, hooked rugs, and embroidery while in school.  In high school I took all of the home ec classes available.  Cake decorating, sewing etc.

My latest book out last month Sweatshirt Remix is one for those who like to alter clothing. I have techniques to make a sweatshirt a more flattering fit and create some fun fashions! Next month I am off to Quilt Market to do presentations and book demos. Rebekah will be there as well, always great to catch up!

Tonight I am taking a friend to FLASH, Fashioning Love Acceptance and Hope, a local celebrity fashion show featuring SPCA dogs up for adoption and some pets as well. All proceeds benefit the SPCA and the two local homeless shelters. I have been without a dog for two years now, who knows what tomorrow will bring home! :) Not sure my daughters four cats would be impressed! Follow the JOY! Keep creating! Debra, CEO!

"Today travel with lightness, a feathery touch to dance across the day, elicit smiles and hugs leaving JOY behind to stay!"  Expressions of JOY! Debra

I am getting ready for two days of travel, flying out of this small part of Canada often entails a bus or car ride before the actual plane which is often three connections. It is always interesting and leads to an adventure often. Sometimes my luggage has a more exciting trip than I do ending up in a city I have not even visited! Travelling the web is a much easier trip however where you end up often has nothing to do with where you thought you were going! After being at CHA in Orlando I got a chance to meet up with some favorite web connections and some new ones. My first Facebook application in spring 2006 was Scrapblog, their first month in existence. How they have grown and what a wonderful group of people! You can create a beautiful scrapbook on line and have it printed into an actual book using the most current and popular designers papers, stickers like Claudine Hellmuth. In fact the whole Scrapblog team were featured as a group of Claudine's Poppits in the books they had printed especially for CHA.

I had a chance at the show to meet Rebecca Peck of the Fiskateers, actually it was the evening Fran & Freda made fools of themselves. I believe they ended up in a shot involving several beverages and mouse ears! Rebecca interviews interesting crafty, creative types and of course Fiskars have the best products, 350 years in business! So Fran & Freda will have lots to talk about when they return from their travels when Rebecca interviews them (us, their vocabulary is sometimes limited)

So off to finish packing and round up two teens who would rather be travelling alone hopefully I will survive and as the Eternal Optimist win them over! If you roll your eyes too much will they get stuck?