Kids make me laugh. Their zest for life, candid words and creative energy bring me so much joy—I couldn't get enough of the kids in South Africa. Even though I was exhausted at the end of each day, I went to bed with a happy heart. So when it comes to organizations that help kids I like to be involved.

Memory Makers is partnering with Scrapping 4 Inclusion to benefit The Bubel/Aiken Foundation (TBAF) with a special fundraiser subscription drive that you can help with right now! Extend your current Memory Makers subscription, or subscribe through a special fundraiser page, and 30% of the proceeds will go to help kids enjoy inclusion activities through your support of TBAF! Learn great ideas and help now.

Through local all-day crops, communities will spend the day scrapbooking, making new friends, and gathering and sharing new ideas. While doing what they love, scrappers are helping Scrapping 4 Inclusion carry out its mission of creating awareness and raising funds on behalf of children with disabilities and their advocates at The Bubel/Aiken Foundation (TBAF).

Whether you want to attend, organize or help get the word out, visit scrapping4inclusion.com where you can learn more and find a crop close to you. Here are the next three crops:
August 12 Des Moines, Iowa
August 25 Columbia/Sumter, South Carolina
September 15 Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina

It's not everyday that I find a way to combine two of my greatest passions, kids and art, so I e-mailed the organizer for the crop here in Cincinnati this morning in hopes of getting involved locally. I hope you feel inspired to get involved, too!

Blessings,
Christy

Last week, I came across this article about scrapbooking being "hip" with the 20-something crowd. I found the article interesting—and not just because I'm a 20-something. I was quite interested in the comment section, actually. I enjoyed reading what people had to say about the article's claims and appreciated the diversity of responses.

So, that got me thinking, and based on that article, I have a few questions to post for discussion. Please share your thoughts on the following in the forum (as well as any other comments you have in regards to the article). Or, if you prefer, leave your comments in the comment section of this blog entry. In all responses, please indicate what age group you fall into: under or over 30.

1a. How do you think the act of scrapbooking differs for 20-somethings when compared with those 30 and older?
1b. How do you think it's the same?
2. Why do you scrapbook?
3. What subjects do you primarily scrapbook?
4. How did you get started scrapbooking?
5. Where do you share your work?
6. Do you use social networking services like FaceBook and MySpace to connect with other scrappers?
7. Do you do any digital scrapbooking? If so, how did you get started and why? If no, are you interested in doing it? Why or why not?
8. Lately, scrapbooking has been called both "hip" and "dowdy" by the news media. What's your take?
9. In the article, it says many 20-somethings enjoy customizing their scrapbooking supplies by making their own paper, painting on layouts, etc. Do you like to use time-saving products like pre-decorated albums, or do you prefer to custom make your scrapbooking supplies?
10. What are your can't-live-without supplies?
11. What did you think of the article? Do you agree with it? Disagree? Why?

We can't wait to hear your thoughts!

All the best,

Katie

Recently, I discovered the Web site Inspire Me Thursday: A weekly dose of inspiration for mixed media artists and creative types to nurture their muses and CREATE!

For those who read my weekly e-newsletter, you know I'm a lover of prompts. I like coming up with them, finding them in books and on Web sites and sharing them with others. (Quick, shameless plug: If you don't subscribe to the Memory Makers e-newsletter, you can sign up to get it for free, every week, here.)

What I like about the Inspire Me Thursday site is that it offers a variety of delicious inspirational information every week. You'll find related prompts for journaling and creating, as well as a "Reflect" section with quotations and notes about art, life and creativity, a "Connect" section that encourages discussion and an "Explore" section with random resources about being creative.

The prompt for Thursday, July 5 was the number 7.

Today is my first day back in the office after a few days of vacation visiting family for the Fourth of July. It was a wonderful visit, and in honor of the 7 prompt, I'm going to share 7 happy highlights from my trip:

1. Laughing with my sister.
2. Delicious food (Chocolate silk pie, fruit salad, deviled eggs, bbq chicken).
3. Fireworks.
4. Catching up with friends and loved ones.
5. Sunshine.
6. Great music for the drive.
7. A new plant for my apartment.

What's your interpretation of this prompt? If you make a page, share it with us (and leave a link on the Inspire Me Thursday site.) If you journal using the prompt, let us know.

Or, just leave your thoughts about the prompt in the comment section of this blog entry. Share seven things you're grateful for today, seven favorite foods, songs, books, people, places. Share seven things on today's to-do list, seven wishes, seven goals. As you can see, the beauty is that there are so many ways this prompt can get you thinking and creating.

And while we're talking about favorites and lists, check out the article "A Few Favorites" by Contributing Editor Kari Hansen. It will help you celebrate the best-loved aspects of your life by creating a favorites mini-album. (And why not stick to the number 7 theme?)

I look forward to hearing all of your thoughts on this prompt and getting to know seven quirky things specific to you. Also, if you've found other sites like Inspire Me Thursday, please share them here.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Katie