:QUOTES: on LIFE according to Anderson, Emerson, & Lincoln

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON:
"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale."

RALPH WALDO EMERSON:
"It is not the length of life, it is the depth of life."

ABRAHAM LINCOLN:
"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

:REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: A Year in the Life from Ella Publishing

It's no secret that I'm an Ella fan. Ever since they have started publishing last year, I've been amazed by the variety and quality of eBooks they have produced.

Early this year, they released A Year in the Life which is a collaborative effort from the very talented group of ladies over at Write.Click.Scrapbook.

This is the perfect companion for any scrapper - novice to experienced - as you start a fresh year of celebrating your life through the pages of a scrapbook.

This 30-page treasure includes 24 sample layouts - 19 of which are multi-photo, two-page designs in a mixture of 12x12 and 8 1/2 x 11 formats. There are both traditional and digital layouts represented as well.

There is one layout sample for each month. As you might guess, the general themes are traditional for the time of year. However, I was pleasantly surprised that they all had a quite unique and creative twist to them. I shouldn't have expected the 'same-old, same-old' from Ella, right?!

After each monthly layout sample is an 'anytime' themed layout to help you record the important things that make up your life in the here and now.

Inside this eBook are great ideas for themes, design, journaling, photos, techniques, title treatments and more.

One thing that really stood out to me as I enjoyed this eBook is the numerous ideas for compilation layouts. In the mix of our busy lives, it is so great to have new and inspired ideas for scrapping photos from an extended period of time (rather than 'moment' scrapbooking) or showcasing multiple people on one layout in a creative and cohesive way.

These typles of ideas are exactly what is need to make our piles of photos seem significantly less daunting and takes the pressure out of scrapping every individual event.

At the end of the eBook, there is also an wonderful collection of 10 photo ideas for each month of the year to help us make sure we are recording what's important throughout the year.

To check out the other great Ella Publishing Co. eBooks, check out their website.

All of their current titles can now also be purchased for instant download at Scrapbook.com.

GIVEAWAY:

Would you like to win a free download of A Year in the Life by Write.Click.Scrapbook? Well, all you've got to do is leave a comment below answering the following question by Friday, February 5th, 2010, 11:59 p.m.:

What is your favorite month of the year and why?

Random.org will select the winner on Saturday. Be sure to come back to find out if you've won!

GOOD LUCK!!

:SPONSORS: February 2010 AMOM Sponosr

FEATURED SPONSORS:

NICOLE LOMBARDO

Nicole is an amazing artist and every month she's got some great new custom designed die-cuts in her etsy shop. She is always adding new designs and colors just perfect for the season and/or holidays ahead.

Here's one new one that caught my eye on my last visit. It's called Swirlin Tulip. I think I love it because the design and sunny yellow has me dreaming of warmer days.

In addition to her wonderful scrapbooking items, she has also started offering a few pieces of handmade jewelry that are also quite stunning!
Visit Nicole's shop and find something perfect for your next layout today!

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WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A SPONSOR OF THE AMOM BLOG? If so, please contact me and I would be happy to provide you with further details.

:MEMORYWORKS EXPRESS: February 2010 Kit - "Mamma Mia"

You're going to fall in love all over again with this month's charming kit, Mamma Mia!

The February MemoryWorks Express kit is packed full of classic, vintage glamour and appeal that will never go out of style. You're going to adore the simple yet elegant timeless designs and matching page enhancements.

This is no ordinary MemoryWorks Express kit! We've gathered the most captivating patterned paper, embellishments, and add ons to make this kit one of a kind. Stand back and be amazed at all that comes with this kit from glitter borders, letter stickers, and fabulous florals to the BIG altered project we've included. This kit is so extraordinary you're not going to want to miss it so be sure to subscribe today!

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 Mia Notes Die Cut Paper (Crate Paper)
{1} 12x12 Mia Hooked Circle Die-cut Paper (Crate Paper)
{2} 12x12 Mia Cherry Blossom Paper (Crate Paper)
{2} 12x12 Mia Mingle Paper (Crate Paper)
{2} 12x12 Mia Sparkle Paper (Crate Paper)
{2} 12x12 Mia Whirl Paper (Crate Paper)
{2} 12x12 Mia Water Lily Paper (Crate Paper)
{2} 12x12 Mia Sparkle Paper (Crate Paper)
{1} 6x12 Sheet Vintage Valentine Cards (Fancy Pants)

Solid Cardstock
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Prism)
{1} 12x 12 Kraft (Prism)
{1} 12x12 Suede Brown Dark (Prism)

Embellishments
{1} 12x12 Mia Glitter Die Cuts (Crate Paper)
{1} 12x12 Mia Border Glitter Die Cuts (Crate Paper)
{1} 12x12 Mia Alphabet Stickers (Crate Paper)
{3} 12x12 Sheets Biggest Board - Book It Chipboard (Fancy Pants)
{1} Rectangular Kraft Mini Envelope (Maya Road)
{1} 1" Pink Crystal Heart Charm (Prima)
{3} 2" Plum or Cream Daisies (Prima)
{2} 1 ½" Fuchsia Wild Roses (Petaloo)
{2} Brown Binder Rings (Creative Imaginations)
{1} Ounce Brown Buttons (Creative Imaginations)
{1} Yard Pink Sheer ¼" Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} Yard Fuchsia Grosgrain 3/8" Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} Yard Brown & Cream Dot ½" Ribbon (Creative Impressions)

Bonus Cards
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Kraft (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sugar Cream (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Island Mist Medium (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Wizard Medium (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Suede Brown Dark (Prism)
{5} 5 3/4 x 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes

ALL FOR ONLY $29.95!! (plus $6.50 S&H)

Take a look at the amazing projects the MemoryWorks Design Team created using this yummy kit in this month's free Idea Express download (includes exclusive PageMaps sketches)!

If you are interested in this kit or subscribing to the MemoryWorks Express Kit Program, please contact me today for further details!

:BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts - January 2010 Color Inspired

Here's two wintery color schemes to use on your next layout:

:LAYOUT: Snow Angel

Plenty of snow still around these parts, but it's not so pretty anymore. After a while, it just gets dirty and looses its charm pretty quickly.

Here's a layout of Kaitlin enjoying some fresh powder last year to make some snow angels - always fun!

I used the thin strips of pink patterned paper to frame the left half of the layout which helps to balance the pink lace paper on the right.

Journaling:
Kaitlin and I went out on this wintry morning in February and even though she wasn’t much in the mood for pics, we still enjoyed the view. 2-28-2009

Supplies:
Adhesive: Duck
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye, Basic Grey
Lace Cardstock: KI Memories
Chipboard Alpha: My Mind’s Eye
Alpha Stickers: Making Memories
Scalloped Trimmer: Fiskars
Corner Punch: Marvy
Ink: Colorbox
Pen: American Crafts

:GIVEAWAY WINNER: Die Cuts With A View La Creme

Based on the comments from my post featuring a couple of the new premium paper stacks from Die Cuts With a View last Sunday, there's little doubt that DCWV is a favorite of many scrappers!

With their wonderful quality and variety, they're sure to have something to please every scrapper.

However, there's only one lucky scrapper out there that is soon to have the classically elegant La Creme stack to add to their stash.

That lucky scrapper would just happen to be commenter #40!

Congratulations, Deb! Please be watching further instructions on how to claim your prize in your email inbox.

Stay tuned for more great giveaways coming soon!!