:REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Scrapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010

I can honestly say that I have never had the opportunity to review a book quite like the Scapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010 designed by Kristin Rutten from Log Your Memory.

My first thought was, "Man, this book is substantial!" (388 pages substantial!)

While there a few layout samples included in the book, the focus is clearly on the STORIES hidden within your daily life. This book gives you a very effective tool to help you record those stories so that they end up in your scrapbooks and not lost somewhere in your mind or random scrap of paper.

Rather than an idea book full of eye candy that you'll flip through in an evening or two (not that these idea books don't have their place on our inspiratinal bookshelf as well ;) ), the Scrapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010 is really more of a workbook that will take you through the entire year.

Let's see if you recognize yourself in any of these points mentioned by Kristin on page 5:

*If you want to share your story...the everyday activities, the celebrations, the quirks and funny things that happen...
*If you love scrapbooking but don't always have time to do a page when the idea strikes...
*If you've tried to document the details and now find yourself with an unorganized hodge-podge of sraps of paper, datebooks and half-filled notebooks...
*If you find inspiration in lots of different places...books, magazines, the work of others, online communities...
*If it is important to you to reflect your "real" life in your scrapbooking...

If you recognize yourself in one or more of these, this book is for YOU!

INSIDE THE BOOK:
*Monthly calendars for at-a-glance planning and recording.
*Daily calendars where you can jot down your schedule and extra space to make notes about things that happened that day.
*Your own personal "Story List" - a page where you can list the page ideas you have before you forget them!
*A weekly sketch page where you can map out your designs.
*Weekly challenge questions to get your creative juices flowing and tell the "real" story of your life. There is a main question, but also always several variations so that you can use whichever prompt speaks to you at the time.
*A monthly questionnaire to help you track how life changes over the course of the year.
*An annual questionnaire and price sheet to help set the stage for where you are in your life right now and the workd you live in.
*Monthly worksheets for documenting family holidays, plus extra pages at the back of the book for birthdays and other celebrations.
*A handy list of 2011 holidays.

Kristin states in the introduction:
"Think of this book as a framework...If a question doesn't speak to you, don't answer it. If you get an idea but it's not exactly what was suggested, run with it. This book is for you and it's up to you to make it your own."

Personally, I am quite excited about the year ahead and the place this book will take in my creative process!!

GIVEAWAY:
And, YOU should be excited also because Kristin is feeling quite generous! She has kindly offered the following for a random giveaway to A Matter of Memories readers:

1. One free copy of the Scrapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010 in your choice of perfect or spiral bound.
2. One free download of the Scrapbooker's All-in-One Memory Log Book 2010.
3. One free copy of List Your Life in the winner's choice of format (download, print, or writeable eBook).

How about starting out the New Year right with not one, but THREE chances to win!?!

To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me if you have any New Year's resolution(s) - especially those related to crafting - by Thursday, December 31st, 2009, 11:59 PM CST!

I will announce the winners on New Year's Day!!

GOOD LUCK!!