:LAYOUT: One Fair Maiden

I'm looking forward to scrapping the pictures that I took on our recent weekend vacation and it has me looking back of some vacations-past...especially this one from when we visited a Renaissance fair in Minnesota a few years ago.

I had a lot of pictures that I wanted to include on this layout, especially of the jousting tournament, so my square punch came in very handy.

I also had the map of the grounds from the festival brochure and I thought it would be a great addition to the page. I was going to tear and ink the edges, but then thought “Why not just burn it?” which would give it a much more authentic feel for the period. So I did and I love how it turned out!

(click for larger view)

Journaling:
In September 2007, Kaitlin and I took a weekend trip to Minnesota for a family wedding (Chris & Samantha Bang) with Mom & Dad, Lee, Lynn & Chris. Lynn had gotten some free tickets to the Renaissance Fair through work, so we decided to check it out on Sunday before heading back.

It is certainly an amazing event…the costumes and colors were all so beautiful. We were also lucky to have a beautiful, sunny day. I was probably more ‘enchanted’ by the whole affair than the rest of my family, but I’ve always been interested in this type of thing.

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching the jousting. It felt quite ‘real’. Our knight was the green knight. And he fought valiantly. But he did not win...he was a loser...yup, that's him face down in the dirt in the final picture in the row of mini-pics.

And the picture with the gentleman holding the rose and the mug of ale…that’s Puke & Snot. You heard right...that's really their names (at least during the Renaissance Fair, that is). Evidently, they are the #1 act to see when at the fair. They were quite funny...a little off-color (come on...what did you expect from two guys named Puke & Snot?), but definitely funny. Fortunately, the off-color stuff was mainly over my fair little maiden’s head.

I would have liked to stay longer, but everyone was a little tired and we still had a long drive home…hopefully we’ll have another chance to revisit the Renaissance Fair - maybe even in costume next time!

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers, Fancy Pants
Chipboard: Fancy Pants
Ribbon: Basic Grey
Font: Aquiline Two, Papyrus
Ink: Colorbox
Square Punch: Marvy
Pen: Zig
Adhesive: Duck

:REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Time to Scrapbook from Ella Publishing [CONTEST CLOSED]

There was quite a bit of excitement and buildup this past month at Ella leading up to the announcement of The Most Influential Scrapbookers of 2010.

Once the big announcement was made, they also announced their newest eBook - Time to Scrapbook! - which just so happens to be authored by those 9 most influential ladies:

Jenni Bowlin
Maggie Holmes
Noell Hyman
Stacy Julian
Shimelle Laine
Renee Pearson
Margie Romney-Aslett
Jessica Sprague
Cathy Zielske

This particular eBook focuses on the issue that so many of us have that love this wonderful (yet sometimes time-consuming) hobby...finding time for it!

These nine ladies each share and discuss their top three tips for fitting scrapbooking into busy lifestyles. While some tips contradict each other (and this is recognized in the introduction), this only brings authenticity to the work as they are simply sharing what works for them.

Personally, I found several tips that I consider my own tried and true strategies such as 'choose a few go-to designs' (Noell Hyman) and 'order photos in batches' (Shimelle Laine) and some that made me stop a think a bit...ones that I almost consider a challenge such as 'make 'I don't care' pages' (Stacy Julian).

Each contributors three tips are also accompanied by a personal layout on the theme 'ten things I love about my life right now' for a great compilation of styles and techniques...further enforcing that there really is no 'right way' to share your memories and record what's important to you.

GIVEAWAY:
Now, for the giveaway!

I have one free download of Time to Scrapbook! available for one lucky reader. Simply tell me YOUR top tip for fitting scrapbooking into your busy schedule by Thursday, August 12th, 2010 at 5 p.m. (CST) and you'll be entered for your chance!

Random.org will choose and I'll announce the winner on Friday!

GOOD LUCK!

:SPONSORS: August 2010 AMOM Sponsors

GET IT SCRAPPED

Debbie Hodge at Get it Scrapped has a great new class offering called Building Pages.

It is an amazing offering that is both instructional and inspirational! It comes with a huge PDF document, a collection of sketches/layered templates (compatible with Photoshop) as well as 12 short videos that correspond with the 12 lessons included in this self-paced class.

In case you missed it, I posted details and a review of this class last week. Go here to check it out for more information!

BIC MARK-IT

This month BIC is a paid advertiser advertising BIC Mark-It™ Permanent Markers on my blog.

BIC Mark-It™Permanent Markers come in 36 colors in Fine and Ultra Fine tips and are the perfect tool for inspiring creativity! A soft rubber grip provides all day comfort when working on detailed projects.

These permanent markers give you everything you need for any craft project you can imagine. Set your creativity free with these 36 acid-free* colors!

Click here to find them on Facebook®!

*No added acid; no measurable pH

NICOLE LOMBARDO

Nicole's always got great new die cut designs available at her Etsy shop...and old favorites in new colors and textures as well.

This month, this 12 x 12 die cut lace paper called Chainlink in purple is what caught my eye.

Check out her store for more great items!

ELLA PUBLISHING CO.

With the recent announcement of the Most Influential Scrapbookers of 2010, Ella Publishing Co. is back with another great eBook offering this month - Time to Scrapbook!

In this eBook, these BIG NAMES in scrapbooking share their best tips for fitting this rewarding hobby into our busy lives!

Watch for a detailed review (and a giveaway) of this eBook title on my blog very soon!

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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.

:WORD ART: Travel Quote Word Art Freebie

It came out tied between the Stevenson and Ball quotes, so I had to break the tie...and I picked Stevenson.

I hope you like the word art freebie that I created with it! Enjoy!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Be sure to check out my other word art downloads to make sure you haven't missed any.

:MEMORYWORKS EXPRESS: August 2010 Kit - "Sweet Summer"

Lay back, relax and soak in the sunshine!

Take a break from your regular summer schedule, breath easy, cool off and take some time to reminisce with this new whimsical and colorful kit. You'll love this kit packed with lazy summertime embellishments and cool patterned paper.

So take it all in, unwind and enjoy your Sweet Summer!

The August 2010 MemoryWorks Express Kit Contains:

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 Strawberry Jam - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Ice Cream - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Front Porch - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Fireflies - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Hope Street - Garden Grove (Scenic Route)
{1} 12x12 Sunday - Girls Friday (Cosmo Cricket)

Cardstock
{1} 12x12 Frosted Teal (Bazzill)
{1} 12x 12 Intense Kiwi (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Suede Brown Dark (Bazzill)

Embellishments
{1} 12x12 Sheet Fly a Kite Sticker Shapes (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Sheet Fly a Kite Journaling Cards (October Afternoon)
{1} 5.5x10 Sheet Fly a Kite Word Stickers (October Afternoon)
{1} 2 ½ x 3 Mini Alphas Clear Stamp with Gems (Prima)
{1} 3" Yellow Frosted Lollipops Flower - Assorted Colors (Prima)
{6} 6 ¼ x 3 1/8 Manila shipping Tags (MemoryWorks)
{1} 1 ½" Metal Book Ring (MemoryWorks)
{3} Jumbo Paper Clips (MemoryWorks)
{3} 1 ¼" Metal Rim Tags (MemoryWorks)
{5} Creative Café Orange Buttons - Assorted Shapes & Sizes (Creative Imaginations)
{5} Creative Café Lime Buttons - Assorted Shapes & Sizes (Creative Imaginations)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Red Grosgrain Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Yellow Sheer Dot Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Green Apple & Cream Gingham Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} ½ Yard ½" Brown & Cream Dot Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} ½ Yard Orange Cotton Rick Rack (Creative Impressions)

Bonus Cards
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Frosted Teal (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Intense Kiwi (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Suede Brown Dark (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sunflower Medium (Bazzill)
{5} 5 3/4 X 4 3/8 Natural 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 and find more details in the August 2010 Idea Express download including exclusive PageMaps layout sketches!

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

:PHOTOS: Reiman Gardens

The other major destination of our trip to see Katie and Eli last weekend was the Reiman Gardens on Sunday afternoon. It's located on campus of Iowa State University in Ames, IA where Eli teaches and is pursuing his PhD.

Reiman Gardens is one of the largest public gardens in Iowa and is also home to a butterfly house.

Butterflies can be hard to photograph! :-)

There were also a couple very big and beautiful blue butterflies that I was trying to capture, but they would just NOT land! Oh well...

After the butterfly, it was out to the trails through the gardens with a surprise around every corner. This was a troll house...

...but Kaitlin didn't find any trolls.

While I believe these displays change, the Reiman Gardens had a special display of gnomes throughout the gardens.

...more gnomes...

It was VERY hot that afternoon, so this shady spot was a lovely place to take a rest.

I don't know that playing in the fountain was technically allowed, but isn't it cute!?

READER RESPONSE:

Have you been to the Reiman Gardens (or another comparable place) before? Did you enjoy it? What was your favorite part?

:BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts - August 2010

Here's the August 2010 edition of :Be Inspired: Creativity Prompts! I hope you enjoy them...

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

READER RESPONSE:
After you have a chance to look them over, be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know which is your favorite prompt this month...which one can't you wait to scrap!

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!

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