It’s easy to assume scrapbooking is about paper and glue, about getting a great photo and scratching a creative itch. But at the heart and soul of scrapbooking…there are stories.
Stories that will stop your heart ♥
It all started with a simple sheet of paper.
Karen Otterbacher had been searching for the perfect collection to use in a book she planned to create to honor the memory of her sister, Margaret.
When we first shared the images of our newest line, Park Drive, Karen left us the sweetest comment. She told us that this collection had taken her breath away. It was exactly what she’d been looking for.
Our greatest joy is knowing that you’re using our products to help tell your story, to make your life beautiful. And Karen had a beautiful story to tell.
Let us introduce you to Margaret:
Margaret is behind the cake; on the right (next to grandma in white dress.)
Margaret and Karen were born on the same day—three years apart. Margaret, the oldest sister, was born with Fragile X Syndrome causing mild retardation, but you couldn't tell by looking at her. She was shy and sweet.
After graduating high school, Margaret was enrolled in a local program where she lived with other mentally and physically disabled adults. Because of this program, she went from school, where she was teased and avoided to a place full of friends who were just like her.
Karen explains that her sister became a social butterfly and credits this transitional living program with helping Margaret blossom. She was able to live independently and left that shy, withdrawn person she had been in the past.
But last year on New Year’s Eve, sadly, Margaret died alone in her apartment. Her heart had simply failed. She left behind a family who loved her and wanted to do her memory justice.
This is the last photo that was taken of Margaret on Christmas Day.
But it wasn’t just her life that Karen and her sister Jane wanted to document. They also wanted to remember the many, many blessings that surfaced in the midst of their grief. It was during that time they received God's direction to create a book honoring Margaret and all the blessings surrounding her life.
They needed a way to preserve the memories of those who loved her—people they didn’t even know who told stories of Margaret’s kindness and friendship.
These were the stories that stopped their hearts.
When Karen wrote to tell us her story, to tell us she’d be using our collection for such an important creation, we were moved to say the least.
We also wanted to do something to honor Margaret’s memory, and we’re thrilled that we’re able to name this sheet of paper after such a sweet and kind woman whose life touched the lives of so many.
Our designer, Julie Walton also created this layout for Karen, Jane and their family to add to their Pink Petals book.
Because now Margaret is a part of our family too.
This week, as we start shipping our newest collections, we kick things off with a Blog Hop from our fabulous design team…and each of them will reflect on why they scrapbook. Because while we all have different reasons, the fact is, that this hobby really is important.
Telling our stories, like Karen’s done here…is important.
And we can hardly wait to tell you more.
How about a Giveaway? Oh, how about SEVEN?
The Blog Hop consists of 16 different stops along the way and on these blogs, we’ve hidden 7 PRIZES made up of our new collections. These 7 mystery blogs will each choose ONE commenter to give a prize to, so be sure not to skip any or you might miss out!
{All you have to do to be entered is comment! Simple, Simple!}
From here, head over to Courtney’s Blog for a taste of something elegantly spooky for Halloween… then follow the hop until you see all sixteen inspirational posts!
This is my first blog hop :)
Posted by: crystal Brown | August 13, 2012 at 12:12 AM
Thanx Karen for sharing ur story! Excited about the blog hop!
Posted by: shell carman | August 13, 2012 at 12:15 AM
Such a beautiful layout and thank you for the beautiful story too:)
Posted by: Tomoko Takahashi | August 13, 2012 at 12:24 AM
I'm so sorry for Karen's loss! What a wonderful tribute to a much loved sister! I'm happy she's found the perfect line to create her book with and I ♥ that WP named one of the papers from this collection after Margaret.
Posted by: Doris Widder | August 13, 2012 at 12:33 AM
Such an inspiring and wonderfull story of karen! This way the sweet memory of margaret will never be lost! and so nice of you guys to name paper after her! I'm super duper exited about this hop! going hopping now!
Posted by: Ashley | August 13, 2012 at 01:03 AM
Karen shared a little of this sweet and heartwarming story with me last week, and I'm so happy Brandin chose to name that beautiful paper after Margaret, what a beautiful and generous spirit Brandin & Webster's Pages has. Karen my heart goes out to you and your family, I look forward to seeing the many beautiful tribute pages you'll be making with this collection!
(((HUGS))) Gabrielle xo
Posted by: Gabrielle Pollacco | August 13, 2012 at 01:37 AM
That is such a moving story and you are so kind to decide to name this sheet after that very special woman. I love your layout, Julie!
Posted by: Romy | August 13, 2012 at 01:51 AM
The story is so full of kindness and sweet grief.. Thanx to all people who don't just pass by such kind of comments and share with readers and followers real life stories! Thanx to Webster's Pages team! Love u guys!
Posted by: Аня | August 13, 2012 at 02:07 AM
this is so beautiful and really touching - the story and the WP's answer to it! thank you for spreading love! ♥
Posted by: Svetlana Austin | August 13, 2012 at 02:27 AM
Such a moving story... Great LO! Excited about the blog hop! :-)
Posted by: elpimpi | August 13, 2012 at 02:30 AM
That is so sweet that the paper is named after her! A lovely story...now settled down with a cuppa to browse through the other blogs :-)
Posted by: Lou | August 13, 2012 at 02:53 AM
Wow I am moved by this BEAUTIFUL story what an honor to have a cheet named by her Karen! Can't wait what you make with this wonderful papers....Brandin you are a very sweet person to make this a very special story thank you for sharing!!
Love the blog hop getting started right away can't wait to see all the blogs again hugs Amy :)
Posted by: Amy Voorthuis | August 13, 2012 at 02:53 AM
Let's honor Margaret’s memory and all the other Margarets of this world. Some Margarets have such a difficult life because of the indifference and ignorance of the others...
Posted by: Ana | August 13, 2012 at 03:02 AM
awesome story.
Posted by: Jona Panesa | August 13, 2012 at 03:21 AM
I love knowing that a thoughtful scrapbook can bring beauty to life. There is truly power in the page! Beautiful work - thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Duffy | August 13, 2012 at 04:01 AM
Such a lovely story <3
Posted by: Anski | August 13, 2012 at 04:19 AM
What a wonderful, touching story. I have been so excited to read about Margaret..her story lives on with us all~ xo
Posted by: Em | August 13, 2012 at 04:22 AM
It's interesting what you have prepared for the hop!
Posted by: kazoulis | August 13, 2012 at 04:29 AM
Such a touching story!
Thank you for the blog hop!
Posted by: Mylene | August 13, 2012 at 04:55 AM
Awww.....This story is so touching, thank you Webster's Pages for sharing and for all that you do for sweet Margaret too ;)
Posted by: jaz | August 13, 2012 at 05:01 AM
Beautiful story! Can't wait to hop!
Posted by: Jess Moore | August 13, 2012 at 05:05 AM
What an inspirational story and a heartfelt way to remember Margaret. Just lovely.
Posted by: Sonja | August 13, 2012 at 05:27 AM
Pretty! Pretty! I would love a chance to win kit! Thank you for the opportunity!
Posted by: kitika | August 13, 2012 at 05:38 AM
That page with her photo 'in' the paper is just gorgeous...what a lovely, personal idea...she sounds like one special lady...first time I've joined your hop....via Emma Trout's blog:):):)
Posted by: Lizzy Hill | August 13, 2012 at 05:40 AM
Beautiful layout in honor of Margaret and what a touching story!
Posted by: stampersuzz | August 13, 2012 at 05:45 AM