My Guest in March is the One and Only Janet!

Janet is a very special person in my life.   I met her when I dropped my son off at college in Lafayette, Louisiana about 6 years ago. I went into her store and it was love at first sight! She and her amazing staff embraced me as one of their own. I want to honor her through this means of technology called blogging and for everyone to know how amazing she is. Here is Janet!

My name is Janet Crochet Gaar and I am very honored to be chosen as Beatriz' special guest for the month of March!  Beatriz is a special person to me!  I hope I do her proud.

First of all, I have 2 beautiful children!  Dakota is my son.  He is now 18 years old and about to graduate from Lafayette High School and has been accepted to LSU.  My daughter is Cassidy and she is now 14 years old.  She has grown up to be such a beautiful young lady with a very independent streak.  They are the reason why I started scrapbooking.  I want to remember every little moment of their lives.  I hope that one day the can pick up their albums and realize how much fun and love they have brought into my life!

The other person in my life is my husband Mike.  He completes me!  I am truly blessed!

I started scrapbooking about 12 years ago.  In September 2001 I opened a scrapbook store in Lafayette, Louisiana called Treasured Memories.  I decided to open the store when I heard that our local scrapbook store was closing down.  It was a big step going from housewife to store owner, but to be surrounded by scrapbooking products, talented scrapbooking people and educating people in scrapbooking seemed like such a dream job!

Opening a scrapbook store back them wasn't really that hard.  At the time, there were only about 10 major scrapbook vendors ... one being Mrs. Grossman's Stickers.  I also remember Frances Meyers and Paper Patch papers.  Bobunny was also a big brand.  Then there was My Mind's Eye.  Remember all the cute frames and little people?

If you've never been to my store, it's a great place to visit!  Our staff is just the best!  If you come, make sure you take a class!  We have the best classes and the most wonderful teachers anywhere (including Beatriz)!  My teachers are what has put Treasured Memories on the map.  Connie, Wendy and Melissa are so talented and all have a huge fan base that stretches into other States!

We all love to have fun creating and teaching people how easy it is to scrapbook their favorite memories!  It's my second family and I can truly say that I love coming to work!  You never know what you're going to learn that day!

It's been a long and wonderful journey!  Besides making so many wonderful friends, I've met so many wonderful people and have brought so many friendships together.  It reminds me of the show "Cheers" ... it's really a wonderful place to be!  It's also where I met Beatriz.  She has brought joy and love into the store!

I'll end all with the quote "God has a plan for everyone".  I'm glad He chose to send me in this amazing direction!!! Please check out our blog on occasion to see the wonderful talent we have in Lafayette!!
Treasured Memories Blog