What inspires you?

So I'm trying to figure out what inspires fellow scrappers to to scrap the pages they do. Is it a particular photo you have, the season, a title name, a new paper line you found at the store, or seeing another layout? I think whatever way you organize your thoughts prior to scrapbooking tells alot through the page you create. For example if you are driven by a particular photo, it will take center stage on your page and you may tend to spend more time on the photo than on any other part of the page. Yes? No? I was inspired by a title called "Death by Candycorn" and I immediately thought of a photo I took of my kids with candycorn teeth! Here is a photo of the page I came up with! What does this layout say for my inspiration? I'd like to know what inspires you - make sure to leave your commments here.

THIS WEDNESDAY: Catch the debut of the LIVE, call-in, internet radio show, CREATIVE MOJO with MARK LIPINSKI, at 2:00-4:00 pm central on www.toginet.com. IT'S FREE!! First guest - Eric Maisel author of Coaching the Artist Within and Fearless Creating!

Scrapbooking & Beyond Fall 2010 issue

This issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond features a basketful of great Fall layouts, albums, and ideas. If you're sending kids back to college or have family members or friends living in distant parts of the country, you might want to check out "Postcards from Home." For those of you who are travel savvy (or who would like to be), our collection of Destination layouts offers some super ideas on preserving your vacation memories. There's even a special Travel Tin project (perfect for storing your photos), and several album ideas. Pick up the latest issue today!

Rainy Day Activity

Ok, so it didn't rain today. I was really hoping it would because I promised my son and niece a fun little art project. So we pretended. Here is a picture my niece drew












I pinned it to a doubled piece of off-white fabric and sewed around the outside edges (the picture here is actually my son's drawing). Then turned it right side out and had the kids stuff them. Then added clothes and in my sons case a collar (since he felt when all was said and done the doll he drew looked more like a dog) and there you have it!



Two proud kiddos! Ok so what does this have to do with scrapbooking? Nothing really. But this picture would make for a cute card :)!

Scrapbooking & Beyond Facebook Layout Challenge

OK FANS, we want to see your style. Email us a picture of your favorite
layout, 12" x 12", 8" x 8", 4" x 6", it doesn't matter, as long as you love it! Themes to choose from are The Great Outdoors, School Days and Halloween-we will feature a few favorites in the Fall 2010 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond and the winner will receive a beautiful prize package from GCD Studios filled with the wonderful Artsy Urban collection designed by Melody Ross. It includes 48 12" x 12" papers and nine embellishment packs.






















So, show off your style
and email your finished image to hklimas@allamericancrafts.com ("S&B facebook challenge" in subject line) by 6pm EST on July 1st!!!

Facebook Fan Bottle Cap Challenge

I am so excited to offer our facebook fans this opportunity. Paper Creations magazine wants to throw a challege out there for our facebook fans to create a "Fall Themed bottle cap" (like the one shown here.)



We will pick a handful of our favorites to showcase in our Fall 2010 issue and pick 1 favorite out of that group to win this wonderful prize courtesy of GCD Studios.




















GCD Studios has supplied us with this wonderful collection designed by Melody Ross. It includes 48 12" x 12" papers and nine embellishment packs. And did you know that every piece of paper they make has a textured feel to it? Not something you can experience over the internet!!! If you would like to stay up to date on what is going on with GCD Studios, make sure to sign up for their newsletter.

Keep in mind we are looking for the following:
*Fall Themed pieces - it can be as simple or as complex as you would like. You can embellish the inside or the outside, take your pick. But please make sure these pieces are original.
*Need some direction? Check out this link for some helpful tips on how to prep and seal your piece (if you desire). (Thank you Paper Imagery Design for this tutorial.)
*Only three entries per person.
*Email finished pictures to hklimas@allamericancrafts.com with "bottle cap challenge" in the subject line.
*The contest ends Friday May 28th at 6 p.m. EST. Top winners will be notified by June 16th and they will be featured in our Fall 2010 issue on sale July 27th.


So get out there and CREATE!

Journaling . . . It Could Change Your Life!

By Lisa Lelas



No doubt about it . . . we live in stressful and uncertain times. With health care a major issue for both insured and uninsured alike, professional organizing and life coach Lisa Lelas writes about the proven benefits of keeping a journal. Recording your feelings can be both therapeutic for your body and for your soul. It costs nothing but a few minutes each day.

There are many types of journals from which to choose. Exploring just one or two of the different journals described in the Spring 2010 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond might be all that is needed to stroke your inspiration and motivation to take on yet another creative masterpiece.

So, if you need to get a few things off your chest, or perhaps to find a new source for inspiration, sharpen your pencil and start journaling!