Incorporating Scrapbook Storytelling

Winter 2008

"Because a memory a day keeps the blues far away."

Reviews of Paper, Scissors, Death
What's Hot?
Going Green with Scrapbooking
Where in the World Is Joanna?
Fabulous Freebies
Contest Results
Bonus Issue Comes Out December 20
See Joanna on YouTube
Personal Note

Reviews of Paper, Scissors, Death

Reader to Reader Reviews said, "When making out that Christmas book-lover's cozy list, put Paper, Scissors, Death at the top."

Black Raven Press said, "I like so much about Paper, Scissors, Death it's tough to know where to begin-but here goes: the writing, the storytelling, the characters."

Fresh Fiction said, "The first book in the Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft mysteries, Paper, Scissors, Death is an engaging cozy filled with scrapbooking tips."

Paper, Scissors, Death makes the PERFECT low-cost holiday gift! Remember, there's a coupon in the back for 50 FREE digital prints. So if you give it as a gift, you're giving a great read and a gift certificate for 50 FREE digital prints! That's a two-for-one gift!

Buy on Amazon

What's Hot?

Three little words: clear, glitter, felt-plus one!

CLEAR Yep, see-through pages and albums are all the rage.. The verdict? Clearly FUN. (Just remember to think back-and-front because your page will be seen from both sides.

GLITTER It's not just for special occasions any more. The verdict? SPARKLE is special.

FELT I used felt on a page back in Scrapbook Storytelling (1998) and people said, "Huh?" The verdict? I FELT the love.

And what about those fabulous BORDERS? Scallops, rick-rack, lace edges, zig-zags are all the rage. Drag out those fancy edged scissors you haven't used in forever!

In my first version, I did not draw black outlines around the paper edges-especially note there are no borders around the large green mat. I let the layout sit for a day and decided it really needed "something." And that something was the black pen additions. Letting your work sit and viewing it with new eyes can improve your work. Which layout do you like best? Oh, and I also added some glitter to the bottom of the cornucopia because there's a bit of glitter around the journaling box embellishment.

You can have the word "Harvest" and the hand-drawn cornucopia by emailing me at savetales@aol.com and putting HARVEST in the subject line.

Click to enlarge

Going Green with Scrapbooking

We scrapbookers are crafty foxes. So why not be creative about stuff we'd typically throw away? So why not use corrugated cardboard on your pages? I love the way the ridges lift stuff off your page. For a really neat corduroy texture, peel off the top "skin."

Note the corrugated cardboard behind the journaling box in T is for Thanksgiving.

I scraplifted this layout. Rachel Ward did one very similar in the December 2008 issue of ScrapBook inspirations. Note the "T" is felt. I backed the letter with paper to make it jump out!

Click to enlarge

You can have a file with my hand-drawn turkey by emailing me at savetales@aol.com and putting HARVEST in the subject line.

Where in the World Is Joanna?

I might be at an event near you. To see where I'll be signing books and giving presentations go to www.booktour.com. I'd love to meet each and every one of you. Be sure to tell me you get my ezine, okay?

Fabulous Freebies

I'll send you a file with my fun little turkey, the word HARVEST, the cornucopia, a basket of acorns, plus oak leaves and acorns. Email me at savetales@aol.com with HARVEST in the subject line. Feel free to tell your friends! (Better yet suggest to them that THEY sign up for this ezine so YOU don't have to keep forwarding it to them!)
Instructions for making gorgeous place settings-just in time for your holiday dinner-are at Scrapbook Inspirations Magazine.
Fun paper and Ragdolls in time for the Holiday Season! Get them here.
Want your own Paper, Scissors, Death bookmark? Send a stamped, self-addressed letter-size envelope (must be 6 inches or longer) to Joanna Campbell Slan, 12033 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Contest Results

See our blog for the results of the Scrapbooker's Dream Weekend Contest and the Best of British Scrapbooking 2008 Contest. Go to joannaslan.blogspot.com

Our Bonus Issue Comes Out December 20

I know, can you believe it? Twice in one month! Well, Santa told me you've been EXTRA good, so I've created new art for downloading (Holiday Ornaments and such), plus Doodling Art and 15 Journaling Prompts to get you through the holidays and into the New Year. Be sure your friends have signed up for the ezine as well. To sign up (in case YOU are the one receiving the forwarded email!) go to http://www.joannacampbellslan.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1.

NOTE: Sometimes because of spam blockers, it takes us a couple of days to get the issue over the 'Net. Be patient!

See Joanna on YouTube

Ugh. I hate writing about myself in third person. But...you can see me in my office here.

Personal Note

Feeling stressed out yet? I am. Go to my personal blog on December 9, 11, 16, 18, and 23 to read what wonderful readers like you do to beat the Holiday Blues. That's every Tuesday and Thursday until Christmas. Go to joannaslan.blogspot.com.

Joanna

PS If you haven't read Paper, Scissors, Death yet, you might want to check out the excerpts available on www.youpublish.com/joannaslan.

Stuff You Need to Know

Like the ideas here? You'll love our books. You can order any of our books through msbstchas@sbcglobal.net (That's Main Street Books of St. Charles, MO)

Comments? Contact Joanna at joannaslan@aol.com. We love to hear what you think and what you'd like to read more about. We like questions, too, but give us a while to answer them, okay?

About the author...Journaling goddess Joanna Campbell Slan is the author of Paper, Scissors, Death: A Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery. She blogs every Monday at killerhobbies.blogspot.com. Contact Joanna at joannaslan@aol.com