Feature A Friend {on Friday}

  I've been a scrapbook artist for a long long time.  Back when Simple Scrapbook Magazine was still in publication it was my absolute favorite "go to" magazine for ideas from color pallets to sketches and everything in between!  I loved finding all the trends in scrapbooking but still in my Clean & Simple style!
 For this, and many other reasons, I'm honored to introduce to your our guest today.  Former contributing editor of Simple Scrapbooks Lain Ehmann!   

Lain blogs at Layout A Day, and hosts a membership site, ScrapHappy. Three times a year, she hosts a monthlong scrapbooking challenge, Layout a Day (LOAD). Through her challenges, classes, blogs, books, articles, podcasts and videos, Lain helps women make their scrapbooking fun, fast, and fabulous (which sounds a lot like Close To My Heart's scrapbook goals as well)!
Welcome Lain!  Thanks so much for being here and sharing this fun project with us :) 

The A to Z of Me

Tag Album

Designed by Lain Ehmann of layoutaday.com
 

A lot of what I encourage my readers to do is to document THEIR stories – not just the details about their families, but about themselves. This might seem intimidating because you don't know what to say, you feel self-conscious, or you're just plain camera-shy!

I designed this simple project as a way to start capturing your story in a fun and easy manner. You likely have all the products you need on-hand (can anyone say STASHBUSTING?!):

-26 manila tags, any size or color

-1 large binder ring

-Rub-ons, letter stickers, and/or alphabet stamps

-Embellishments – washi tape, border stickers, ink, etc.

Here's what you need to do:

1. 
   Write down the letters A to Z on a sheet of paper. Next to each letter, write a noun or adjective that fits you. It may take a bit of time to figure some of the letters out, but stick with it! And think outside the box... For instance, I used “X-Californian” for the letter X, and “VW Driver” for V.
   
   
   Note: By adhering to this structure, you'll create some fun connections and give a more complete and rich picture of yourself. I have “Debater,” “Francophile,” “Germophobe,” “Target Lover” for several of my tags. These are words that wouldn't necessarily first come to mind if I was asked to describe myself. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2.  Once you have your words done, you can start working on your tags! I chose to ink the edges of each of my tags, using a variety of Distress Inks from Tim Holtz. After that was done, I lettered my A to Z words, one on each tag. I used rub-ons, letter stickers, and stamps – this should be fun! Don't worry about making them match or creating any kind of pattern.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. After you've labeled each tag, get to it with embellishing! Add borders, rub-ons, stickers, stamps... it's a great way to use up all those little cute goodies you've had around forever but haven't been able to use.
   
   
   
   
4. After each tag is finished, add them to your binder ring. Then you can do a number of things: Add journaling to the back, add little photos, continue to embellish over time... You can also create MORE tags and add them to the binder ring. (If you're going to do that, you might want to date the back of each tag so you can see how your description of yourself is changing over time). 
   
   
   
   
   It's amazing how a simple project like this can really breathe life into your scrapbooking. If you enjoy these easy and fun approaches to scrapbooking your story, I've got an offer for you! From June 24-31, I'm leading several hundred scrapbookers of all levels on a journey of self-discovery through my Your Story Matters online class. We'd love to have you join us! Get more information here: http://www.layoutaday.com/ysm2012

About Lain: Scrapbooking superhero, margarita lover, and all-around fun person, Lain inspires women worldwide to document their stories in a simple, fast, and fun manner. For podcasts, videos, project ideas, and classes, visit Lain at http://www.layoutaday.com.

Thanks again Lain!  I think I might have to just check out that class!  And thanks to all of you who stop by :)  Don't forget I'm guest posting over at Wee-Share blog today so head on over and take a look for a tutorial on how to make your own chevron :)  

 Happy Friday!!

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