:LINK: What type are you?

I stumbled across something today (during another SNOW DAY at home...I am getting very tired of shoveling, by the way) that you've just got to try!!

It's called "What type are you?"

It is a interactive questionnaire of four simple questions and then informs you of your own personal type...typeface, that is.

As a scrapbooker, I have a little bit of a facination with fonts, so I have to admit that I was quite curious as to what typeface the headless man with the Freud-like accent would assign to me.

The result was Baskerville Italic...

...and I LOVE it...so much so that I immediately had to find it and download it! I mean - just look at those lovely, soft serifs and that it's worth a download for the 'and' symbol alone!

Once you're done with the quiz, you can also view the other 15 type possibilities and Baskerville Italic is exactly the one I would have picked myself. While there are other fonts that are interesting...no other one is quite 'me'.

I challenge you - check out "What type are you?" and come back and tell me your results. Do you think this quiz pegged you right? (You'll need a password and it is 'character'.)

Have fun!!

:LAYOUT: fall fun

In true form for my hubby (God bless him), one of his Christmas presents for me was significantly late due to the fact that he didn't place the order until two days before Christmas.

However, he was completely redeemed as soon as the package arrived a week later containing the following:

**the Fiskars That's Amore punches in medium and extra large...

**three SWEET Bazzill Dotted Swiss Trio packs - Cloverleaf, Blissful, and Phoenix...

**these even SWEETER chipboard alphabet stickers by Pink Paislee in four colors - Limeade, Cherry, Licorice, and Berry Blue.

The package included a few other items and some cute papers that had been on my wish list for awhile as well, but I wanted to highlight these three in particular because I put them to use right away on several of the layouts I created this past week.

For example, take a look at this one...

I've never been one for punches other than a few favorite deco edge punches and my oh-so-versitle circle punches, but these hearts punches are simply adorable!! I've used them on four different layouts already!

Also, I love the added texture that the little dots add to the Bazzill cardstock. It was the perfect compliment to the dotted pattern of this patterned paper by Pink Paislee.

Finally, the letters...oh, these letters are just scrumptous. I must admit that I am addicted to my alphabets - especially chipboard ones. I still love AC Thickers, but I think I might like these particular letters even a little bit more (if that's even possible :-))! I've already used every single one of the four colors!!

I created the word art in Photoshop and it reads:
“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leave fall.” Elizabeth Lawrence

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee
Chipboard: Pink Paislee
Ink: Colorbox
Photo Corner Punch: EK Success
Corner Rounder: Marvy
Circle Punch: Marvy
Scallop Trimmer: Fiskars
Heart Punch: Fiskars
Font: American Typewriter, Aquarelle

:REVIEW: Time to Scrap by Kathy Fesmire

Just from the title alone, I knew that Kathy Fesmire's recent book - Time to Scrap: Techniques for Fast, Fun and Fabulous Scrapbook Layouts - would be a good fit for my needs.

Then, I identified an immediate bond with her when, in her introduction, she described scrapbooking as her 'creative outlet', but that family and work responsibilities didn't allow her as much time to scrap as she would like.

That's me! Exactly!

This book offers ideas for putting layouts together quickly, but with techniques and designs that you can still totally be proud of AND, in many cases, don't look quick at all!

The book is divided into 4 main chapters.

Chapter 1 - FAST
This chapter includes many great ideas for page creation in as little as 15-90 minutes. There are 9 featured techniques, each with 2-3 variations to keep your layouts looking fresh and original.

Chapter 2 - FUN
This chapter is full of interesting new techniques or unique twists on not-so-new ones. There are 8 featured techniques, each with 2-4 variations.

Chapter 3 - FRUGAL
Just as I don't have the time to match my desire to scrap, I also don't have the budget to match either. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue and Kathy offer several techniques in this chapter to help us stretch our stash. There are 9 featured techniqes, each with 2-8 variations.

Chapter 4 - FABULOUS
Here, Kathy focuses on how to use the principles of good design to make every page fabulous. There are 9 featured designs, each with 2-6 variations AND an accompanying sketch to highlight the fundimental elements of the design.

There are a few other fun features of this book. For example, there are 29 pictoral step-by-steps in the book that help the reader achieve the techniques featured int he book. All are achieved in 2-6 detailed steps.

All layouts include a clock icon that indicates the time necessary to recreate the look of the sample layout.

Scattered throughout the book are 'Make it Fast' (7), 'Make it Fabulous' (16), and 'Make it Frugal' (7) boxes that offer further useful and creative tips for making stunning layouts.

There are a total of 120 sample layouts included in this book. The talented contributing artists include the author herself as well as Jennifer Gallacher, Julie Johnson, Shannon Taylor and Shaute Wadley.

Even if you're short one scrapping time - perhaps especially - it's worth your time to take a gander at Time to Scrap by Kathy Fesmire.

:LAYOUT: Layouts, layouts, and more layouts...

So, I've had 16 days off work.

While I do like my job, I would be lying if I said that I haven't enjoyed it. I have...majorly! I also have to admit that it officially ends as of 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. :-(

However, I want to focus on the positive, so I must tell you that for a good part of 7 of those 16 days, I have scrapped and it has been GLORIOUS!

Here is a sneak peak of the results:

I promise to give you a closer look at a few of these soon!

:LINKS: Calendars, calendars and more calendars!!

Still need a calendar for 2010?

Look no further...here are some great ideas and printables for making your very own customized calendar to enjoy all year long!

**This 2010 calendar from Poppytalk is just so simple, yet stunning. I love the big numbers and the distressed font and it could be customized in so many ways. How about adding to little picture or other embellishment  to the upper left corner to coordinate with each month?

**I have two great calendars to share from the very talented Celeste Smith. The CD 2010 Calendar you see here on the right was created for the KI Memories blog. What a simple project for yourself or to give as a gift.

Then, there is this perpetual calendar that she created for the Pebbles Inc. blog. Another cute and easy project.

**Now, this next link is just amazing!! It comes from Brenda Arnall and it's a calendar...and so much more! It's a calendar, a page planner, a shopping list and more! Every scrapper should have a book like this to start their creative year off right!

**Here's a great pocket calendar that I found recently on the Creature Comforts blog! The pockets are perfect for receipts, tickets and other little notes or momentos from the month. You can print and use the calendar pages as is or you can customize it with your own photos!

**Finally, there was a very cool 2010 calendar project featured in the January issue of Martha Stewart Living. You can download the calendar pages here and use them as instructed or find another creative way to work them into your crafting!

HAVE FUN!!

:GIVEAWAY WINNERS: Scrapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010

I hope the start of 2010 has been good to all of you so far.

It's about to get a little better for a lucky few as it is time to announce the winners of a few prizes by the generous donations by Kristin Rutten at Log Your Memory!

In case you have forgotten, here were the prizes up for grabs:

1. One free copy of the Scrapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010 in your choice of perfect or spiral bound.
2. One free download of the Scrapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010.
3. One free copy of List Your Life in the winner's choice of format (download, print, or writeable eBook).

The winner chosen by Random.org for prize #1 is lucky commenter #17:

The winner chosen by Random.org for prize #2 is lucky commenter #7:

The winner chosen by Random.org for prize #3 is lucky commenter #51:

Congratulations to Jodi, Tina and Annette!! Please watch your inbox for further details on how to claim your prize!

:HAPPY NEW YEAR: