:LAYOUT: Layouts, layouts, and more layouts...

So, I've had 16 days off work.

While I do like my job, I would be lying if I said that I haven't enjoyed it. I have...majorly! I also have to admit that it officially ends as of 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. :-(

However, I want to focus on the positive, so I must tell you that for a good part of 7 of those 16 days, I have scrapped and it has been GLORIOUS!

Here is a sneak peak of the results:

I promise to give you a closer look at a few of these soon!

:LINKS: Calendars, calendars and more calendars!!

Still need a calendar for 2010?

Look no further...here are some great ideas and printables for making your very own customized calendar to enjoy all year long!

**This 2010 calendar from Poppytalk is just so simple, yet stunning. I love the big numbers and the distressed font and it could be customized in so many ways. How about adding to little picture or other embellishment  to the upper left corner to coordinate with each month?

**I have two great calendars to share from the very talented Celeste Smith. The CD 2010 Calendar you see here on the right was created for the KI Memories blog. What a simple project for yourself or to give as a gift.

Then, there is this perpetual calendar that she created for the Pebbles Inc. blog. Another cute and easy project.

**Now, this next link is just amazing!! It comes from Brenda Arnall and it's a calendar...and so much more! It's a calendar, a page planner, a shopping list and more! Every scrapper should have a book like this to start their creative year off right!

**Here's a great pocket calendar that I found recently on the Creature Comforts blog! The pockets are perfect for receipts, tickets and other little notes or momentos from the month. You can print and use the calendar pages as is or you can customize it with your own photos!

**Finally, there was a very cool 2010 calendar project featured in the January issue of Martha Stewart Living. You can download the calendar pages here and use them as instructed or find another creative way to work them into your crafting!

HAVE FUN!!

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

I hope the start of 2010 has been good to all of you so far.

It's about to get a little better for a lucky few as it is time to announce the winners of a few prizes by the generous donations by Kristin Rutten at Log Your Memory!

In case you have forgotten, here were the prizes up for grabs:

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).

The winner chosen by Random.org for prize #1 is lucky commenter #17:

The winner chosen by Random.org for prize #2 is lucky commenter #7:

The winner chosen by Random.org for prize #3 is lucky commenter #51:

Congratulations to Jodi, Tina and Annette!! Please watch your inbox for further details on how to claim your prize!

:HAPPY NEW YEAR:

:WORD ART: Happy New Year

I've got something new to share with you today...a bit of a New Year's gift to you, so to speak, so I hope that you like them.

I started playing with the creation of some word art recently. I started it for use on my own layouts, but then thought, "Why not share?"

So, here's two just in time for some New Year's layouts:

Auld Lang Syne Download

New Year's Quote Download

I'd love to hear what you think of them and would love to see any creations that you might use them on.

Personal use only please.

:MEMORYWORKS EXPRESS: January 2010 Kit - "Beginnings"

Ring in the New Year with beautiful "Beginnings."

Fresh, fun, and new with a classy edge, you'll be able to start your scrapping new year off right with this fabulous new kit. It's packed full of beautiful patterned paper from companies like Pink Paislee, GCD Studios, and 7 Gypsies with matching page enhancements and embellishments.

You're going to love this beautiful blend to start your new "Beginnings."

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 Red Circle Damask Die Cut Paper (Jenni Bowlin)
{1} 12x12 Clover Vine Paper (Jenni Bowlin)
{1} 12x12 Artsy Urban - Big Butterfly Flocked Paper (GCD Studios)
{1} 12x12 Artsy Urban - Butterfly Varnished Paper (GCD Studios)
{1} 12x12 Narratives - Renaissance Die Cut Paper (Creative Imaginations)
{2} 6x6 Barcelona-Manresa (7 Gypsies)
{4} 6x6 Coredinations Embossed Cardstock (Jenni Bowlin)

Solid Cardstock
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Prism)
{1} 12x 12 Frosted Yellow (Prism)
{1} 12x12 Blush Red Dark (Prism)
{1} 12x12 Black (Prism)

Embellishments
{1} 12x12 Office Black & Cream Die Cut Arrows (Scenic Route)
{5} 6 x 9 Sheets - Turquoise Glitter Letter Stickers (GCD Studios)
{6} Artsy Urban - Mini Post-it Journal Cards (GCD Studios)
{1} Set of 12 Black & Red Calendar Cards (Jenni Bowlin)
{1} 3" Jewel Box Turquoise Butterfly (Prima)
{2} Red & Black Gingham Point Blossoms (Maya Road)
{1} Ounce Waterfall Mixed Buttons (Buttons Galore)
{1} Yard ¼" Red and White Checked Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} Yard 3/8" Yellow Sheer with White Dots Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} Yard 3/8" Black Grosgrain Ribbon (May Arts)

Bonus Cards
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Teal (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sugar Cream (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Blush Red Dark (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Black (Prism)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Frosted Yellow (Prism)
{5} 5 3/4 x 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes

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

Take a look at the amazing projects the MemoryWorks Design Team created using this yummy kit in this month's free Idea Express download!

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

: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!!