Today's The Day...

I'm in Cleveland.  I'm here to shoot seven segments for Scrapbook Memories (PBS) on behalf of Sakura. 

I have spent the past month or so making samples and coming up with projects and typing up instructions and experimenting with Sakura's outstanding line of products.  It has been really fun, but really time consuming too (I apologize to everyone whose e-mails didn't get returned)!  And now it's time to let it go out into the universe....

I'm excited.

I'm nervous.

I have my seven outfits with coordinating jewelry.  (I even wrote down the combinations in my notebook, so I'd remember "the plan.")  No black, no red, no white.  No patterns.  Full length or three-quarter sleeves.  High neck, but not too high.  Front opening for the microphone.  These were all the rules that I was given and sadly, my wadrobe is mostly black.  Or loud patterns.  Finding plain, brightly colored clothes was surprisingly difficult.  In fact, I just realized that I brought a red shirt.  Ooops. 

So, I have six outfits. 

I have at least two (and sometimes three or more) samples of every step of each technique (as recommended, in case I mess up).  They're in plastic baggies.  I have project samples too.  When I checked in at the studio yesterday to set up for today's shoot, they kept asking me if I needed help bringing everything in.  I did not.  I had a D-Ring Album, a purse full of supplies, and Julia from Sakura had shipped a box of pens and paints.  Because I spent a long time organizing myself at home, it was not hard to put it all together fairly quickly at the studio.  And I thought I had a million samples, but when I looked at it all...it really seemed like I needed some more!  No wonder they kept asking if I needed help! The other ladies in the studio seemed to have a *ton* of stuff!

I need to show up for makeup at 9:00am today. 

This is hilarious to me because I don't wear makeup.  Ever.  I just don't like it.  But, I understand that TV requires some paint.  We'll see what they do to me.  I was warned that the makeup person doesn't do hair.  That's fine with me.  I'm a wash and go kind of gal.  I'm strictly low maintenance, so all this stuff about outfits and hair and makeup is crazy weird for me.

Oh.  There goes my stomach again.  Flip flopping.

I'm nervous.

Deep breaths.  That's the ticket.

(Picture me inhaling and exhaling with my eyes shut.)

It'll be fine.  My husband gave me a pep talk on the phone last night.  It made me smile down to my toes.

(More deep breathing.)

Okay. 

I'm ready for my closeup....