This is the opening scene for a dream coming true. My passion for scrapbooking has been "out of control" since the summer of 2000 and started at the first Creative Memories party I attended at Regina's home. I will be eternally grateful to her and to Tammy who instantly became my CM demonstrator and willingly accepted a standing order for one of everything!

Tammy also started a group of friends meeting at a cabin in Ohio's Hocking Hills to scrap for a weekend. This September a group of 20 of us will meet for the 12th time to scrap for 4 days and 3 nights.

I've daydreamed for 8 years now about "Scrap-n-Country" — an inn, a store, and a university. The idea was recently re-stimulated by a call from my son, Nate, about a storefront I just had to see…it would be perfect for a scrapbooking store!

Nate, Cynthia, James and I did go see it. Looking at the empty storefront was energizing! But, while a store is part of the dream, it comes a bit later in the plan –after creating scrapbooks for others and providing an ideal place for scrapbookers to relax, spread out, and create. Some of my favorite products will be available on line until the store becomes a reality!

After talking with Matt Palmer, financial planner with The Joseph Group, and looking at retirement needs as well as my dreams (thank you, Matt, for asking,) it became clear that I don't have to wait for retirement from my full time job to begin developing a business. I could start now. Start small.

So, I did it! I am the proud owner of Scrap-n-Country®, a company with a registered name, a Delivery Vendor's License, an Ohio Tax Id, a Federal EIN, and an agreement with a scrapbook adhesive vendor to purchase their supplies wholesale! This website is real, too.

Now that the work has begun, I imagine that the dream actually could become a reality. Just think; someday Scrap-n-Country will advertise our inn in the industry magazines! How about scrapbooking a billboard along the rolling countryside highway? For now, will you please share your ideas and daydreams with me? Let's gather all of our thoughts and wishes for the perfect scrapbooking experience.

The costs of our scrapbooking passion are high. I'd like to make it easier for each of us. The plan is to offer a few of my favorite products at a good price. The goal is for Scrap-n-Country's prices to compete with local stores' coupon prices. (The first order has been placed with a scrapbook adhesive distributor in Utah!)

While I've done a Mother's Day gift album and a 25th anniversary scrapbook for co-workers and Africa travel books for my sister, Dreama is Scrap-n-Country's first official customer! I hope that Cee Cee's first year baby album brings joy to their family for many generations to come. Please pass the word that Scrap-n-Country is in business!

Here's to starting!
Noreen