:GIVEAWAY: Super-Fast Pages with 4x6 Photos 2 from Creating Keepsakes (CONTEST CLOSED)

I posted a complete review of Super-Fast Pages with 4x6 Photos Vol 2 and hosted a giveaway back in Decemeber, but I still have one more copy to give away and thought it was about time that I got around to doing that.

So, here's a question:

"What percentage of your layouts are created with EXCLUSIVELY 4x6 photos?"

Just leave me a comment to this post with a percentage (between 0-100%) by Sunday, March 21st, 11:59 p.m. CST and you'll be entered for a chance to win some great inspriration!!

You're best guess is just fine...this is not a graded test. :-)

I'll let Random.org choose the winner and announce who that luck person is on Monday, the 22nd.

GOOD LUCK!!

:LAYOUT: Tell Me a Story

While this layout is super-simple, it's still one of my favorites of all my years of scrapbooking.

Honestly, the pictures are even really very good. The lighting in our house isn't the greatest, so it's hard to get well-lit photos. However, the expressions on my Kaitlin's face as she read this book were just precious to me and really made me want to tell the story of her love of books and how her interaction with them was changing at the time.

Her face in each of the photos follows the rule of thirds and the three aqua elements on the page create a visual triangle.

Journaling:
You love books. You love stories.

You have nearly two shelves full of books on your bookshelf and a couple more baskets filled with them as well.

I began reading to you long before you could talk and although it sometimes gets busy and we don’t read together as much as we should, there are still many nights when we read two or three or four before the lights go out from your ever growing collection of books.

Over time, though, some things have slowly changed.

You are starting to ‘read’ to me…sometimes you’re telling it from memory from having heard a story so many times over or making up a story all your own to go along with the pictures of the book. Slowly, too, you are beginning to truly read as you are recognizing familiar words.

It is certainly an exciting time for both of us as this new world of books opens up in front of you.

Tell me a story, little girl…

Supplies:
Adhesive: Duck
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey, Making Memories
Chip Alpha: Making Memories, American Crafts
Adhesive Transfers, Flocking: Doodlebug
Ink: Colorbox
Font: Ali’s Writing, Berylium

:REVIEW: Delight in the Details by Lisa M Pace

Lisa Pace is a well known name to those that love shabby chic, vintage style scrapbooking. In Delight in the Details: 40+ Techniques for Charming Embellishments and Accents, she shares her expertise with all of us and gives us time-tested tips in achieving a bit of vintage flair on our own pages.

"I wanted you to have something a bit unexpected with every turn of the page," wrote Pace in the introduction and she most certainly delivers.

Even the cover fits the theme. Not only are the featured projects stunning, but while most of the cover has a matte finish, the projects are featured in a glossy finish which highlights depth and texture before you even open the book!

The book is comprised of five chapters plus a gallery at the end.

Chapter 1 - A Delightful Place to Create
Pace showcases her own inspiring creative space and offers a few of her favorite storage and organizational tools - most of which gives you the sense of browsing through an up-scale antique shop.

Chapter 2 - Sparkle & Shine
These are two things that shabby chic, vintage scrapbooking cannot be without! Pace offers ideas for every level of scrapper from something as simple as edging elements with glitter glue to creating delicate wire sprays with beads and charms.

Chapter 3 - Paint & Ink
This chapter includes ideas such as accenting elements with chalk ink to add dimension, creating faux porcelain flowers and a simple technique that achieves the look of a ceramic tile mosaic.

Chapter 4 - Pattern & Texture
In this chapter, you'll learn how to create custom decorative edged papers which are all the rage right. There are also several techniques shared that have me looking at crepe paper in a whole new light. It's NOT just for birthday parties and kid's crafts! I also finally learned how to make those sweet little french knots!

Chapter 5 - Vintage Finds & Dimension
Techniques such as creating a vintage-style brooch or rosettes with paper and how to make pipe cleaners look elegant are shared in this chapter.

Gallery - It's All in the Details
Twelve more projects are shared featuring a combination of techniques from throughout the book.

In all, there are 22 layouts, 47 cards and tags, and 29 other projects (such as ornaments, album covers, home decor, gifts, etc) are featured in this idea book.

Plus, Pace doesn't present a technique and then leave you hanging. With each project, a complete supply list is included along with step-by-step instructions in both words and pictures to be sure that you know exactly how to master the technique.

There are also two different kinds of editorial extras scattered throughout the book:

More Delightful Details - These suggest additional ways to variate the techniques presented to make them your own or help you use them on more projects without it getting 'stale'.

Every Last Detail - These offer hints and tips for making the techniques easier or a little less messy.

Although I consider myself a fairly simple scrapper, even I found techniques in this book that I know that I just have to try.

In general, this book is best for those that LOVE depth and texture on their projects and aren't afraid of final projects that might not fit nicely into a page protector or envelope. The techniques presented in this book will make your creations a feast for the fingers as well as the eyes!!

If this sounds like your style - or a style you'd like to do some experimenting with - I encourage you to check out Delight in the Details: 40+ Techniques for Charming Embellishments and Accents by Lisa Pace today!

:MEMORYWORKS EXPRESS: March 2010 Kit - "Delightful"

It is that time of the year when the last days of winter are leaving us and our thoughts are turning towards a delightful spring time! Please help us to welcome our new March MemoryWorks Express kit...Delight!

You can take pure pleasure in this month's fabulous, fresh, fun and enchanting theme. Delve into the delicate blossoms, dots and springtime possibilities in beautiful yellow, pink and green pastels. Packed full of embellishments, patterned paper and brand new cardstock this kit is sure to enrich your soul and delight your heart!

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 Flutter Umbrella Thermography Paper (Making Memories)
{1} 12x12 Flutter Flower Clear Foil Paper (Making Memories)
{1} 12x12 Flutter Word Paper (Making Memories)
{1} 12x12 Flutter Pattern Stripe Paper (Making Memories}
{1} 12x12 Pat-a-Cake Paper (October Afternoon)
{2} 6x6 Splish Splash Paper (October Afternoon)
{2} 6x6 This Little Piggy Paper (October Afternoon)

Solid Cardstock
{1} 12x12 Kiwi Dot (Bo Bunny)
{1} 12x12 Mellow Yellow Dot (Bo Bunny)
{1} 12x12 Blush Dot (Bo Bunny)
{1} 12x12 Chiffon Dot (Bo Bunny)

Embellishments
{1} 12x12 Ducks in a Row Alpha Stickers (October Afternoon)
{1} 4 ¾ x 6 ½ Sheet Flutter Chipboard Glitter Buttons (Making Memories)
{12} Flutter Glitter Die Cuts - Assorted Shapes & Sizes (Making Memories)
{5} Flutter Die Cut Spiral Notebook Sheets - Assorted Sizes (Making Memories)
{1} 4x4 ½ Sheet Sassy Pearls & Crystals (Prima)
{2} 1" Mulberry Rose Leaves (Prima)
{10} ½" - 1" Jeweled Florettes - Assorted Colors & Sizes (Petaloo)
{1} 1" Metal Bulldog Clip (MemoryWorks)
{3} Jumbo Paper Clips (MemoryWorks)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Yellow Dot Sheer Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Pink Checked Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} ½ Yard 5/8" Celery Dot Ribbon (May Arts)

Bonus Cards
{2} 3x6 Kiwi Dot (Bo Bunny)
{2} 3x6 Mellow Yellow Dot (Bo Bunny)
{2} 3x6 Blush Dot (Bo Bunny)
{2} 3x6 Orange Citrus (Bo Bunny)
{2} 3x6 Chiffon Dot (Bo Bunny)
{10} 3 ¼ x 3 ¼ Clear Envelopes

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

Check out some of the beautiful projects that the MemoryWorks Design Team has created with this wonderful kit!

You can find more details in the March 2010 Idea Express PDF download including three 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!

:QUOTES: on OPTIMISM according to Ball, Burnham, & Clark

LUCILLE BALL (1911-1989; actress, producer):
“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

GEORGE BURNHAM:
"'I can't do it' never yet accomplished anything; 'I will try' has performed wonders."

FRANK A. CLARK:
"I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it."

:SPONSORS: March 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 Honeycomb Border (in brown). I've seen this honeycomb pattern popping up all over the place in scrapbooking products lately, so this definitely coordinates with this up and coming trend.

In addition to her wonderful scrapbooking items, she has also started offering a few pieces of handmade jewelry that are also quite stunning!

She also has a special currently running. Every order over $15.00 (before shipping) will receive SIX FREE SCROLLS of Nicole's choosing. This offer is for a limited time only, so head on over to check out the offer details and all her wonderful items soon!
--------------------------------------------------------

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.

:BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts - March 2010

The March edition of :Be Inspired: Creativity Prompts are now ready for free download.

Considering I just posted the February edition a couple days ago, I imagine you might be a bit surprised to see these so early, but I really am trying to get back 'on schedule' with them. In other words, posting them in the first half of the month versus the last half. :-)

Wish me luck...

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

PLEASE SHARE:
If you like the free monthly :Be Inspired: Creativity Prompts download, please share it with others. That's all the thanks I need.

I have created a :Be Inspired: Creativity Prompts button that you can use, too! Just copy the code underneath it in the right sidebar and paste it into your own blog, website or forum signature. I greatly appreciate you helping to spread the inspiration!

Also, I encourage you to share any layouts you create which are inspired by these prompts in the :BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts Flickr group pool. I'd love to see your work!

:: Don't miss out on more great scrapbooking inspiration! Sign up for updates to the AMOM blog by email subscription or your favorite blog reader through the links in the left sidebar. ::