I ran across a great digital scrapbooking freebie that would work well on a Book of Me layout – Wordart World by Jennifer has a “Blast from the Past” wordart freebie available on her blog.

Wordart by Jennifer

And by the way, you don’t need to be a digital scrapbooker to use this (or any) wordart – just download the image (it’s in .png format), and print it out to use on your traditional paper/hybrid project!

My friend Libby Weifenbach did a fun “Blast from the Past” layout for her album – you can see it on page 12 in The Book of Me.  And here’s a little secret – there’s a layout sketch for a Blast from the Past layout in my ebook – Book of Me 2.0 – Childhood Edition!

If you want to know more about your mother’s or grandmother’s (or aunt’s, or friend’s…) life, there’s an easy way to ask.  Give her  her own copy of The Book of Me!

The Book of Me - Learn how to scrap All About Me pages!

This 80-page book is the “textbook” for documenting one’s life and creating scrapbook pages with meaningful journaling.  The journaling prompts, photo ideas, and layout examples walk you through how to “milk” your life for juicy details, and getting them documented.

Give Mom or Grandma this tool, and you will be encouraging her to tell her own stories, reaffirming that you *want* to hear her stories, in her own words.  Give her this gift, and she’ll give you one right back – the gift of herself.

Learn more about The Book of Me and order signed copies direct from the author here: The Book of Me: A Guide to scrapbooking about yourself.

P.S. Mom and Grandma might also like Growing Up Me and The Book of Us, too! You can get a special discount when you order all three books!

I’ve stumbled across several new-to-me Book of Me scrapbooking challenges on various message boards, so I thought I would share the links here:

• Scrap N’ Art has a short Book of Me series going on their blog – check out post 5 of 6 on “Wise Investments“.  Scrap N’ Art is a bi-weekly traditional and digital scrapbooking, card making and paper crafting magazine, available by PDF.
• ScrapMatters has an ongoing challenge called “My Story Matters” (found via My Memories Suite’s blog).  There are about 18 challenges posted so far.
• The Cricut message board has a couple of Book of Me challenge threads – a current challenge, and an archived one.  This blog post by Miss Dee shares some layouts inspired by the current Cricut board challenge.
• The Modern Molly Mormon blog has a hopefully recurring category for Book of Me posts/challenges – here is Book of You, Part 1 and Book of You, Part 2.  The My Inkstand blog posted some journaling inspired by the first MMM post.
• Scrapbook Elements has an ongoing challenge thread, with several months’ challenges archived and lovely inspiration in the layout gallery.

Feel free to share a link to any ongoing challenges you know about.

And don’t forget to check out the book that started it all – The Book of Me: A Guide to Scrapbooking about Yourself.

Book of Me 2.0 - Childhood Edition ebook

This 13-page ebook is just what you need to challenge yourself to scrap some of the stories of your youth!  It will be just like I were right there with you, reminding your that your stories are worth telling!

This kit features a 13-page PDF e-workbook with three Book of Me challenges, a layout sketch, and journaling prompts – the perfect companion to the first chapter in The Book of Me: A Guide to Scrapbooking about Yourself.

What makes this “2.0″ is the additional digital and online tools not available in the print edition!

The kit also includes:

• A BONUS challenge for scrapping YOUR place in history
• Templates template for creating your own Book of Me timeline – customizable to fit YOUR timeline! (Excel .xls and Word .doc formats)
• A Book of Me journaling workbook with ALL the writing prompts from the print book, PLUS space for your own notes and responses
• Links to more online Book of Me content, gathered specifically for this kit!

This e-workbook will be delivered to you automatically via digital download – no physical notebook will mail shipped to you. You will receive an email detailing download instructions, sent to the email you have registered with PayPal.

US$5

I recently got an email from a scrapbooking instructor, with questions about the Book of Me lesson plan CDs I offer.  I thought I would share my answers here.

Do the CDs include handouts for each lesson? For example, the Scrap with ME CD, with 12 lesson plans – does it include handouts?

The Scrap with ME CD (companion resource to Growing Up ME) includes a 24-page ebook with lesson plans to be used by the instructor.  Each lesson plan includes:

• a lesson theme
• talking points
• 3-5 layout topics and ideas
• a layout example
• and “homework” suggestions

It also features specific how-to’s for each layout example, and generic layout sketches to help with your lesson planning.  The ebook is a teaching resource for the instructor, and not meant to be shared as class handouts for students (not that you couldn’t, the ebook is just written as if “speaking” to the instructor).

How would it be best to advertise the class?  Would it be “The Scrap with Me with course materials by Angie Pedersen”?

Sure, you could advertise the class(es) as something like that – “based on Growing Up ME by Angie Pedersen” or “inspired by Angie Pedersen’s Book of Me series of books”.  Purchasing the CD(s) gives you license/permission to use the content for classes.

Your materials sound very good and I’m interested in adding them to what I would offer in my studio.   I’m not clear though, would each person need to also buy the book?  Or would that be more for me as a resource?

I would encourage you to get a copy of the book (or each book) to use as a teacher resource, but that’s a given!    You can check your local library for copies of the books, to see what you think of them first.  The content on the CDs is meant to supplement/compliment the material in the books, but it’s not necessary for students to have their own copies to have a meaningful class experience.  That comes from you, as the instructor!

If I need to get the book for each student in addition to the lessons cd(s), do you sell them wholesale? Otherwise it could get pricey for the class costs.

Yes, I do sell the books wholesale – contact me for pricing and shipping information.  Each copy I sell is signed, which is a neat bonus selling point for classes.

Please let me know if you have any other questions about teaching Book of Me classes.

Celebrate Me!

© Angie Pedersen

The core of a Book of Me scrapbook is the journaling.  It’s hard to tell your stories without words.  But that doesn’t mean that telling your stories has to be hard.  Journaling can be easy – just use lists.  You can quickly and easily create short albums about yourself based on themes – your dreams, your goals, your favorite things, childhood anecdotes.  Just jot down some quick lists and you’ve begun to tell your story – the story only you can tell.

Here are some quick ideas for list topics you can add to your Book of Me scrapbook:

Three Things – Make a “Me” album

• Three screen names you have had
• Three things you like about yourself
• Three things you don’t like about yourself
• Three parts of your heritage
• Three things that scare you
• Three of your everyday essentials
• Three things you are wearing right now
• Three of your favorite songs
• Three things I want in a relationship
• Three things you can’t do without
• Three places you want to go on vacation
• Three things you just can’t do
• Three Celebrity crushes

Ten Things – Make a “Me, X10″ album

• Ten Things I Love about (a person, i.e. my husband)
• Ten Things I Love about (a place, i.e. my hometown)
• Ten Things to do in My Lifetime
• Ten Things I Love about being a (role, i.e. a Mom, or a Christian)
• Ten Movies I Love
• Ten People Who Have Influenced Me
• Ten Places I’d Like to Travel
• Ten Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Me
• Ten Favorite Books
• Ten Things that Tick Me Off
• Ten Blessings
• Ten Favorite Music Artists/Groups
• Ten Things that Have Helped Me Grow
• Ten Favorite Family Recipes
• Ten Things in My Purse

Once you wrap your brain around scrapbooking about yourself, you can find Book of Me scrapbooking ideas just about anywhere.  I discovered one yesterday morning in church.

The minister is working his way through a sermon series on “Indispensable Relationships”, based on Dr. Leonard Sweet’s book of the same name.  And while the book (and obviously the sermon itself) is Bible-based, I think the concept could be applied to anyone’s situation, regardless of one’s chosen spiritual following.

Dr. Sweet’s book (and thus, the sermon series), uses eleven figures from the Bible to highlight key personal attributes that make up “God’s Dream Team” for one’s life.  According to Amazon, the book encourages you to not only seek out such people, but to find your place in the lives of those around you.  Interesting concept.

The sermon focused on the biblical character of Deborah, a prophetess & judge from the book of Judges (specifically Judges 4:1-10).  I’ll admit to not really knowing the story too well, and being a little hazy on the actual political details of the battle(s).  Thank goodness for Wikipedia:

The victory to which the Bible refers is the victory of the Israelites over the Egyptian supporting forces of Sisera the general of Jabin the king of Hazor. Barak agreed to this only after Deborah agreed to accompany him into battle. Judges 4:9 recounts Deborah’s assent to Barak’s request: “And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kadesh.”

The key idea – and relationship attribute – to take away from this character is one of a “Back Coverer”, as in who’s “got your back”?  The minister offered several examples of when you might see examples of this attribute in people in your life.

• When someone says, “I will pray for you.”
• When someone encourages others to listen to you or to take action
• When someone guards your blind side, and takes up after your shortcomings (we all have them!)
• When a running back runs interference for the quarterback
• When someone stands up for the need of another, such as through charitable works
• someone who acts with the ethic of caring and sheltering another

As I listened to these examples of how to uncover the “Deborah” in those around us, I thought about what an interesting Book of Me layout that would make.  So I encourage you to dig deep into your memories, and uncover your own Deborah.

• Who stands by your side and has ‘got your back’?
• Who takes up your cause and champions it as their own?
• Who helps you find your own courage to stand up for your beliefs?
• And when have you been a Deborah?

I also encourage you to be aware of noteworthy personality attributes of other book characters you ‘meet’ – whether biblical or in your favorite novel.  When have you recognized those characteristics in those around you?  This concept would make an interesting theme album – character attributes brought to life, in your life.  I’d love to hear what you come up with.

Continuing with our list of alphabetical prompts sure to get your journaling juices flowing, we’ll move on to words that start with the letter “B”.  Here are 31 more reasons not to put off writing about YOUR life!

1. Do you have any brothers?  Do you wish you did/didn’t?
2. What are your religious beliefs? How have they changed throughout your life?
3. Name some specific places where you find beauty.
4. How do you deal with bereavement?
5. Have you ever been to a live ballet performance? What did you think of it?
6. Document some memorable baptism ceremonies you have attended or participated in.
7. What is your favorite way to spend your birthday?  Do a page about your most favorite birthday memory.
8. Describe some things to which you have given birth (people, creations, ideas, etc).  What was the birthing process like?
9. Document a moment of bravery you have witnessed or experienced.
10. Do you have any memories related to bowling or baseball?
11. What do you like about babies?
12. Share your thoughts about boys.
13. Do you have any particularly poignant (or embarrassing) boyfriend moments?
14. What do you remember about baking from your childhood?  Any favorite recipes for baked goods?
15. What makes you breathless (or takes your breath away)?
16. List your blessings.
17. Name your favorite bands.
18. What are your favorite books? (of all time, or your current reading list)
19. How would you like to decorate your bedroom?
20. List your favorite brands (of clothing, or food, or that your grandmother always had on hand)
21. What bothers or bugs you?
22. What board games did you play growing up?  Do you play any now?
23. Describe a memory of a blind date (or just a bad date).
24. What do you do when you’re bored?
25. Have you ever broken any bones? (yours, or someone else’s?)
26. What do you do to keep balance in your life? (Or where do you most need to find some?)
27. Do you have any memories of boats?
28. Who taught you to ride a bicycle?  Describe your childhood bike.
29. Describe your favorite memory of the beach.
30. To what do you have bragging rights?
31. Write about your favorite babysitter (or the kids for whom you most loved to babysit)

Check back soon for more Book of Me scrapbooking inspiration from the Letter C!

Find the full alphabetical archive of Book of Me journaling prompts here: Book of Me, From A to Z! Scrapbook Journaling Ideas by the Letter

This list was originally published the now-defunct ezine Illuminating Visions, produced by ScrapAngels.com.  It was compiled with the help of forum members at ScrapAngels.com.  Thanks to all those who contributed.

Book of Me Topics by the Letter

© Angie Pedersen and Tammy Thomas

The next time you’re wondering what page to do in your Book of Me scrapbook, just turn to the alphabet! There are unlimited possible Book of Me scrapbooking ideas!

Consider these questions when looking through these lists:

• How am I _____?
• What is my greatest ______?
• What is my favorite _____?
• What was my most memorable _____?
• How do I experience _____ in my life now?  How have I experienced it in the past?
• What/Who does ____ make me think of?
• What makes me _____?
• Who have I done this with/to/for?

Let’s start with the Letter A!

Scrap your:

• abilities
• achievements
• addictions
• athletic pasttimes (or complete lack of inclination!)
• attitudes

Who are your favorite:

• actors
• actresses
• authors
• ancestors
• artists (musical, paint, sculpture, scrapbooking, digital, etc – in fact, how do you define art?)

How is your life abundant?

How do you handle arguments?

What are your common or long-standing appointments?

What do you appreciate in your life?  What makes you feel appreciated?

What do you consider an “adventure“?

How are you an activist?

Do you have “Anger Management” issues?

Have you ever been arrested?

What are some of your lesser-known anniversaries?  Do you celebrate them?

What are your aspirations?

Find more Book of Me scrapbooking inspiration from the Letter B!

Find the full alphabetical archive of Book of Me journaling prompts here: Book of Me, From A to Z! Scrapbook Journaling Ideas by the Letter

This list was originally published the now-defunct ezine Illuminating Visions, produced by ScrapAngels.com.  It was compiled with the help of forum members at ScrapAngels.com.  Thanks to all those who contributed.