:QUOTES: on CHRISTMAS according to Hills, Mabie & Rundel

BURTON HILLS:
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE (1846-1916; essayist, editor):
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”

AUGUSTA E. RUNDEL:
"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved."

READER RESPONSE:
Vote for your favorite quote and I'll create a word art freebie with the 'winning' quote to share with you sometime next week. In the meantime, check out my other word art downloads.

:MEMORYWORKS EXPRESS: December 2010 Kit - "Vintage Thrift"

You'll adore the classic vintage styles that abound in this month's MemoryWorks Express Kit.

Mix and match these fabulous vintage patterns, antique designs, and classic embellishments to create your own one of a kind shabby-chic home décor project, layout, or card!

Your creativity will be taken to a new level with this month's kit!

Be sure to pick your kit up today!

The “Vintage Thrift” December 2010 MemoryWorks Express Kit includes:

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 Mix & Mend - Handmade Hobnob (Sassafrass)
{1} 12x12 Mix & Mend - Tailored Sweetly (Sassafrass)
{1} 12x12 Mix & Mend - Delicate Olio (Sassafrass)
{1} 12x12 Thrift Shop - Last One (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Thrift Shop - Near Mint (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Thrift Shop - One of a Kind (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Thrift Shop - Needs Paint (October Afternoon)

Solid Cardstock
{1} 12x12 Candle Glow (Bazzill)
{1} 12x 12 Black (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Kraft (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)

Embellishments
{1} 12x12 Thrift Shop - Journaling Cards (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Thrift Shop - Sticker Shapes (October Afternoon)
{1} 12 Pack Lovely Lost & Found Buttons (My Mind’s Eye)
{1} Doily Transparency - Assorted Styles (Maya Road)
{2} Cream Resin Blossoms (Maya Road)
{3} Wood Bingo Numbers - Assorted Styles (Maya Road)
{4} Sew Cute Chipboard - Assorted Styles (Maya Road)
{2} Large White Wild Roses - Assorted Styles (Petaloo)
{1} 1/2 Yard Lilac House Lace Trim (Fancy Pants)
{1} 1/2 Yard Black & Cream Gingham Ribbon (Creative Impressions)

Bonus Cards
{5} 5.5x8.5 Cardstock Cards - Assorted Colors (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 December 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!

:REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: TWO great new special issues from Creating Keepsakes [CONTEST CLOSED]

Creating Keepsakes has two great new special issues that just became available.

The first is called Scrapbooking Everyday Memories.

In the editor's note, Jennafer Martin states, "Far from ordinary, everyday memories from thing like routines and hobbies often make up some of the best in our lives - and some of the best in our scrapbook pages in our albums. Ironically, those everyday memories are often overlooked in our scrapbooks."

I couldn't agree with the first sentence more and sadly, I'm sure that her second statement holds true for many scrapbookers as well.

This issue is dedicated to inspiring all of us to scrap these types of memories now.

The issue is divided into the following 10 chapters:
Your Routines
Your Hobbies
Your Getaways
Your Home
Your Friends
Your Family
Your Traditions
Your Town
Your Activities
You, Right Now

This issue is JAM-PACKED with 147 project samples and throughout the issue, you'll also find numerous tips related to design, photography, journaling, and supplies. There are also numerous sketches accompanying the samples in the book.

You can view a sneak peak of Scrapbooking Everyday Memories here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More scrapbooking

The next special issue is Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Stamps and Ink.

The editors describe this issue with the following:
"Whether you're new to stamping on your scrapbook pages, or you've been collecting stamps for years, you'll be sure to find great ideas and inspiration in this new special issue. Learn the basics of stamping, find fabulous techniques to jazz up your layouts, and be inspired to use stamps for titles, journaling, borders, backgrounds and more! You'll also discover the latest products, as well as time- and money-saving tricks."

This special issue is structured more as a regular magazine issue rather than as an idea book divided into chapters or sections. However, it is still full of ideas related to stamps and ink.

You can view a sneak peak of Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Stamps & Ink here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More stamping

Personally, my personal favorite of the two is certainly Scrapbooking Everyday Memories. I discovered many topics in Scrapbooking Everyday Memories that I have not thought of before and believe that I will be referring to this issue many times in the near future as I plan my photos and create new layouts.

However, it's not a lack of valuable content in Stamps & Ink that I didn't choose it as my favorite. It's simply because I've simply never been much of a stamper. I do use them, but rarely..it's just a personal preference thing. Regardless, I can see that there are many intriguing and imaginative techniques shared in this issue.

GIVEAWAY:
Lucky for all of you, I have one free copy of each of these great special issues to give away!

To enter, all you have to do is answer the following question in a comment to this post by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, ?? and you'll be entered for your chance.

Which of these two CK special issues would you prefer and why?

(Please note: Your answer does not necessarily guarantee which issue you would win.)

Random.org will choose and I will announce the winners on Friday.

GOOD LUCK!!

COUPON CODE:
If you just can't wait, or if there are other titles you have been eying, Creating Keepsakes has been generous enough to offer a 15% off coupon code which is good on anything in their store through December 20, 2010. Just enter the code CKDT15 at checkout. SHOP NOW!

:SALES: Free Shipping OR $5 OFF at Scrapbook.com...TODAY ONLY!

Place any order $40 or more at Scrapbook.com TODAY and get FREE SHIPPING!

Valid on standard shipping to the contiguous United States only. Excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and International orders.

Enter coupon code FRSHTW4926 in the coupon field at checkout and your shipping will be automatically deducted from your order of $40 or more.

OR take $5 off any $40 order regardless of geographic location! Enter coupon code SFNT2785 in the coupon field at checkout and $5 will be automatically deducted from your order of $40 or more.

Coupon offers are valid on December 5th, 2010 until midnight, PST.

Click HERE to shop now...

:LAYOUT: Tradition

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you might remember a Christmas tradition that we started at our house a couple years ago called the Christmas Book Countdown.

Here's a layout I created after last Christmas to record the tradition and if you'd like more information on any of the books mentioned, I created a linked list in this post last year.

It's not too late to start this tradition yourself if you'd like.

The scalloped die cut paper ties in perfectly to this layout for several reasons.The edge matched the edge of the number tags that label each book and the background features a text pattern which ties into the book theme.

Journaling:
We started a new Christmas tradition a couple of years ago. Basically, we read a holiday-themed book each night starting December 1 through Christmas Eve (of course, that night is always 'The Night Before Christmas').

It took a couple years to collect enough books and the Christmas of 2008 was the first year we had a full countdown from the 1st to the 24th.

Last year I actually wrapped each book, so it was like opening a present every night for Kaitlin! This year I ran out of time, so I just put the numbers on and mixed them up so she'll have to search through the basket for the right number. She liked it just as well…we’ll see what I come up with next year.

Here's the list of books that currently fill our Christmas Book Countdown basket:

1. Santa's New Jet
2. Snowmen at Christmas
3. The Twelve Days of Christmas
4. Once Upon a Christmas Eve
5. Christmas Tree!
6. The Wild Christmas Reindeer
7. Donald's Christmas Gift
8. The Crippled Lamb
9. The Littlest Angel
10. The Nutcracker
11. Snowmen at Night
12. The Three Snow Bears
13. A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree
14. The Christmas Blizzard
15. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
16. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
17. 'Twas the night before Christ
18. The Pine Tree Parable
19. The Polar Express
20. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
21. The Reindeer Christmas
22. Santa's Secrets Revealed
23. SantaKid
24. The Night Before Christmas

While we generally enjoy all the stories, I bolded a few of our absolute favorite books. I am hoping to keep collecting holiday books so that we can switch out a few from year to year.

I also hope to pass on this special collection of books to Kaitlin when she has her own child one day so that she can continue to enjoy this cherished tradition.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny, Pink Paislee
Chipboard: Pink Paislee
Ink: Colorbox
Scalloped Trimmer: Fiskars
Font: American Typewriter

:SPONSORS: December 2010 AMOM Sponsors

GET IT SCRAPPED

Here's a self-paced course from Get it Scrapped that I will be reviewing soon.

The focus of Be Real is making scrapbook pages from your everyday life and events photos that have meaning. Each lesson begins with a line from one of Jane Austen’s novels or personal letters-and this is because she is a writer who knew how to make a record of (imagined) life with humor and meaning. Her techniques and observations are a goldmine for memory keepers and memoirists today.

Specifically, these lessons show you have to make scrapbook pages that:

1. Take your everyday life and event photos beyond the obvious.
2. Tell truths that matter.

Be Real includes:
6 lessons in pdf form (filling 70 pages) with layout examples and detailed how-tos for adding meaning via journaling and design.

Topics covered:
1) Discovering Meaning
2) Revealing Character
3) Getting Perspective
4) Avoiding Sentimentality
5) Telling Stories
6) Expressing the Inexpressible

Visit the Be Real product page and you can even view a PDF sample of the book to see if it's for you!

See other current class offerings in the Get It Scrapped! box in the right sidebar!

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 set of 2 scrapbooking scrolls in green is what caught my eye. It might be the perfect way to add a little elegance to on of the Christmas layouts you'll be making soon!

Check out her store for more great items!

ELLA PUBLISHING CO.

Double-Page Design is the newest eBook offering from Ella Publishing Co.

Ella description:
"Get more photos scrapbooked in less time with Double-Page Design! This eBook will show you how to fit 170 photos onto 21 stylish, well-designed layouts! On top of that, you'll enjoy 24 extra tips and ideas plus 16 bonus layout sketches by Ella's sketch girl, Donna Jannuzzi."

Be on the lookout for a full review (and perhaps a giveaway!) of this title coming soon on the AMOM blog!!

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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.

:BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts - December 2010

Hello, all...here's the final edition of :BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts for 2010.

I hope you enjoy them.

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 left sidebar and paste it into your own blog, website or forum signature. I greatly appreciate you helping to spread the inspiration!

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.