Today...is a great day!

Today...hit the ground running!

First, I got a confirmation that my presentation on the Home Shopping Network is a go. In August I'll head to St. Petersburg for the first of several appearances. That pretty much brings full circle my education!

I entered college seeking a broadcast journalism degree. I spent many hours behind a desk reading off a teleprompter, but I much preferred a behind-the-scenes role. My subsequent jobs required some face time, and none really on camera. Presentation skills are important to have in many types of jobs, but few lead to broadcasting. I'm excited to have this opportunity, and I truely hope it opens more doors for me and the NSA.

Speaking of opening doors, Scott and I are pondering the openness of the NSA. If the NSA truely is to be about expanding the passion and communicating the message that scrapbooking is for everyone, shouldn't the NSA be more open to more people? We agree that it should, but we don't know yet what that open door looks like.

F&W publisher David Steward speaks of the "Big Tent" approach, and for the consumer that is very true. The scrapbooking community must "open wide the doors" to let all types of scrapbookers in. However, the F&W tent implies that their competitors aren't really welcome. That's where the NSA is different, and the NSA must recognize that and promote its open door policy as a strength.

Like I said, we're still working on the details, and I have other exciting developments in the works, like a meeting tomorrow with HP. More later!

ETP!

Today...I did much of what the other NSA has been accused of doing: collecting data to complile a list of contacts. Granted, the National Security Administration is getting much more press about their efforts, but mine will yield a directory of manufacturers that this NSA will provide, plus some other cool features. I'm signing up for as many manufacturer newsletters as I can, so the NSA will receive announcements and be able to pass on information that scrapbookers want to know.

I also spoke to someone who is writing a book of daily suggestions to "ignite the joy of everyday life." One joy is scrapbooking! And she wants to direct readers to the NSA web site for more information. Cool! That's how it's supposed to work: introducing the mainstream to scrapbooking via the NSA; the NSA is the portal to the scrapbooking community.

Many thanks to Lynda at Memory Treasures in Maryland for telling the author about the NSA. Talk about expanding the passion!

ETP!

Today...I called in on the Diva Craft Lounge. Kevin Nelson, the editor of Scrapbook Premier was the guest, and I wanted to thank him for the article about the write-up about the NSA's Scrapbooking in the Schools program in the May/June issue. I had already sent an email to the author, Lori Solomon, but thanking Kevin on the show gave me the opportunity to express my appriciation to a greater audience.

ETP!

Today...I had the chance to meet on the phone the new editor of Memory Makers Magazine. Steve Smith, who happily gave the NSA permission to promote their submission calls.

There are many more changes on the way from F+W, the publishers of Memory Makers. The First Lady of Scrapbooking, Jeanne Wines-Reed, is now group publisher with oversight of CNA Magazine and Memory Makers in addition to her Great American Scrapbook Conventions and Scrapbook Retailer Magazine. Karen Aconda, in her editor's viewpoint in May's CNA, mentioned some of the updates being made to the CNA brand.

Exciting things are happening over there, and I'm anxious to see all the wonderful improvements they come up with. It's not a small task, and I wish them well in their makeover endeavors.

ETP!