Maybe it’s because St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Maybe it’s a burst of spring creativity. Or maybe I just happened to look in the right places at the right times. Whatever the cause, I found all kinds of great “real life” inspiration for you this week in our neighboring galleries.

"Smiling is My Favorite" by casbury

“Smiling is My Favorite” by casbury just makes you want to smile, doesn’t it? Love how casbury used a movie line as a jump-off point, then showcased all of those smiling faces in this bright, sunny page. Gotta love how she incorporate a few familiar favorites, too.

"Our First Home" by pomi

“Our First Home” by pomi caught my eye right away with its circular design and fun titlework. There’s a ton of journaling packed into this page, yet it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Love the pretty spring colors, too.

"My Week" by LeahR

Simplicity at its best … that’s how I would classify “My Week” by LeahR. Love the clean design and the use of a photo series to tell most of this story. I like that she documented her typical week, even though it sounds a lot like my own. LOL

"Caught in the Act" by Kim Mauch

“Caught in the Act” by Kim Mauch cracked me up, largely because my hubby seems to have the same definition of “reading.” A nice example of scrapping those everyday moments & habits that make us who we are.

"10 Photos" by Ebony

The circular design of “10 Photos” by Ebony caught my attention right away and I love this playful use of list journaling. The “note to self” is a nice touch, too… I’ll bet most moms could do a page like this about ourselves. I know I could… and probably should.

"2 O'Clock" by tkeetch

I share the same definition and anticipation of “naptime” as tkeetch in her layout, “2 O’Clock.” A fun use of this kit … love the layering & how the photo of little Harvey is tucked into the design.

"Little Miss Lizzy" by monsu

The bright colors contrasted with the dark background and black and white photos really make “Little Miss Lizzy” by monsu a great page in my book. I also love the clever little corner design. All I need now is a translator so I can read about this little cutie.

"50 Ideas" by emileem

It can be tough to scrapbook a long list without it looking like, well, a long list. But emileem provides a great example of how to do it well in “50 Ideas.” Love the look of the journal, complete with little check-off boxes, and the scattered embellishments do a nice job of completing the photo-less picture.

"Forget/Remember" by Britgirl

I’m always a fan of layouts that share family values in the context of an activity. Such is the case in “Forget/Remember” by Britgirl. Love the cool color scheme & the way the title/quote grabs your attention.

"Same Chin, Different Personalities" by sweetpeony

Comparing shared family traits seems to be a common occurrence at holiday get-togethers, but how often do we take the time to scrap them? “Same Chin, Different Personalities” by sweetpeony is a fun round-up of one particular family … but poor girl. Four brothers? One was plenty for me…

"Avery Year-In-Review 2009" by nikkiARNGwife

I love pages that show changes over time, which is the case in “Avery Year-In-Review 2009″ by nikkiARNGwife. Avery looks like quite the little character … the kit and design used here complement him perfectly and set a very playful stage.

"Carnival 2010" by coco

I find group photos to be tough to scrap, so I just love the clever way coco did it here in “Carnival 2010.” The bright colors, cute cartoonish embellies and fun clusters really make this page feel like a carnival.

"Tribute to Bonnie" by JALong

My final choice today is an example of great design, creative listing and heartfelt journaling. But there’s more to the story of why I chose to share “Tribute to Bonnie” by JALong. This page is but one of many, many beautiful tributes to a gal that touched countless hearts in the community at Designer Digitals, as both a Creative Team member and a friend. Sadly, this lovely lady was suddenly taken from her family and friends late last week … and those who knew her, online or in person, have been sharing their thoughts through the Designer Digitals gallery ever since as a last gift to her family.

I share this with you today for two reasons – first, to express my own condolences to our friends at Designer Digitals and the people who loved Bonnie, and second, to point out how strong those ties are that are built between scrapbookers who may or may not ever meet in person, but who share lives and stories through the pages posted in our online galleries and the conversations in our forums.

We sometimes joke about our “real” versus “online” friends. But if there was ever need for proof that these relationships are real, important and meaningful, here it is. Thanks for sharing your stories & lives with me … and for letting me share mine with you.

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When it comes to scrapbooking, few things do more to keep the creative juices flowing than sharing our creations with others. After all, the reason most of us spend the time we do to create all of these pages and albums is to make sure our stories and experiences find an audience and a memory outside ourselves.

And one of the easiest and most fulfilling ways we share is by posting our layouts in our favorite online galleries.

Few things make me want to scrapbook more than the thought of sharing my layouts in the gallery. There’s just something about seeing that nice big image displayed alongside everyone else’s pages that makes me smile. And fueling that fire are the nice comments left by other scrapbookers in the hours and days that follow, validating me as a scrapbooker and helping me to feel that I have been seen, heard and maybe even understood.

As first a scrapbooker, and now also as the owner of an online scrapbook-related business, I have noticed there is an often unwritten etiquette to being a welcomed and valued member of the online scrapbooking community, particularly when it comes to site galleries. But I’ve also noticed that it sometimes takes a while before newcomers catch on to these commonly accepted and expected standards of gallery behavior.

So today I thought I’d take a few minutes to share what I’ve learned in hopes of helping fellow scrapbookers make the most of what the gallery experience has to offer.

When it comes to playing nice in our favorite online galleries, just think about the advice our mothers gave us …

1. Play by the rules. Every gallery has its own set of rules which you generally have to agree to in order to become a registered user with uploading and commenting privileges. The rules typically spell out what can and cannot be included in your image descriptions (such as whether you are allowed to link to outside stores and Web sites), file size requirements, daily upload limits, and whether you are allowed to post layouts created with products purchased outside that specific site’s store. Follow the rules out of respect for all of your fellow scrapbookers, as well as to avoid annoying the site administrator.

2. Give credit where credit is due. Product designers deserve to be acknowledged when you post a layout that includes their items, including templates as well as all papers, elements, alphas, fonts, etc.The same holds true when you “lift” the design of another scrapbooker or when your page is inspired by a particular book, Web challenge or other source. By providing such information you are not only showing your support and respect for these designers and authors, you are helping your fellow scrapbookers find new sources of inspiration and resources.

3. Do unto others… If you like to receive nice comments on the layouts you post (and who doesn’t?), then take a little time to return the favor in the galleries you frequent. It doesn’t take long for fellow scrapbookers to recognize “hit-and-run” posting, which nearly always means the layout is there just to sell a product or that the person is much more interested in receiving than in giving, neither of which will earn you much love from your fellow scrapbookers. This is especially true for galleries supported by specific stores, as opposed to the open galleries that are not connected with any one particular retailer.

4. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Most scrapbookers practice this art because they enjoy it, not because they’re looking to have their pages picked apart. Unless someone specifically asks for constructive criticism, it’s best to leave only positive, encouraging comments in the gallery. Even if they do suggest they are open to critiques, it’s wise to think twice before saying too much … and then only through a private message. The same holds true for typos and other little mistakes. No one likes to have their weaknesses pointed out in public.

5. Quality over quantity. When it comes to gallery comments, more is not necessarily better. If you’re going to take the time to leave a comment, say something that shows you actually looked at the layout and found something to appreciate. A handful of sincere messages is much more meaningful to the page artist than a big, long list of comments that look exactly the same as those on every other page in the gallery.

6. Do a little more than is expected. While you certainly are not required to include the text of your journaling in your layout description, it sure does make it easier for your friends to really appreciate and enjoy your page if you do. This is particularly true if your journaling is lengthy or in a size that is difficult to read on a computer monitor.

7. No trespassing. If you are posting a page in a gallery owned by a site that sells scrapbooking products, it is generally a good idea to limit your posting to pages that are created mostly, if not entirely, with products purchased from that site. Some sites require this, but this is a good rule of thumb even for those sites that do not. The exception is a gallery that is truly an “open” gallery, in which case this will usually be made known in the site’s policies. Remember, it is often product sales that make it possible for a site’s gallery to exist. It’s poor form to make a habit of posting pages using products sold by that site’s competitors unless such a practice is specifically allowed on that site.

8. Say thank you. One of the best ways to show your support and appreciation for your favorite product designers is to share the pages you create using their products in the galleries where they reside. This is particularly true if you happened to obtain those products through a freebie post or giveaway on a site outside the designer’s regular venue … let those designers know you appreciate their generosity by letting others see their products in action. A nice little thank you note never hurts, either.

Have your own tips or advice on how to be a true gallery standout? I’d love for you to share them in a comment below…

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I cannot tell you how difficult it was to choose today’s Layout of the Week. In fact, it has literally taken me all day to tackle this post and I am finally pulling it together just a few minutes before midnight.

Not because I didn’t have several pages to choose from … because I did.

And not because the choices were not worthy … because they definitely are.

This week’s choice was especially difficult because our topic for the week was such a tough one … “What are your biggest fears?”

Let me just say, I am extremely impressed with the brave scrappers who tackled this prompt. It is not easy to face our fears … and harder yet to put them in writing and then share them with the world.

Yet more than two dozen gals did exactly that.

And while scrapping our fears has proven to be quite a challenge, reading about them isn’t so easy, either. You really have to let yourself be vulnerable to share this kind of stuff … and reading it tends to make you realize just how alike we all are in this area.

When I finally managed to narrow down one page to share as our Layout of the Week, I chose this one by leeann77…

Weekly Challenge #9 Layout by leeann77

Why? Because Leeann does such an amazing job of summarizing the fears that seem to be universal among mothers … and throughout our gallery this week.

The fear of losing our children. The fear of losing our spouse, our parents, our loved ones. Leeann even had the courage to come right out and use that word that most of us pretty much danced around. Not only that, but I think she really hit this one on the head when she said… “I guess what scares me about admitting my fears, in writing, is that it will make them come true.”

Yet she still had the courage to write those fears down, scrap a page about it, and share it with the rest of us.

Congratulations to Leeann on having today’s Layout of the Week! She will receive 10 bonus points through our Real Deal Book Club Rewards Program. And a huge thanks to everyone who shared your pages for this challenge. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to brace yourself and take a peek in the Challenge Gallery. And while you’re there, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to thank these gals for sharing …

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Please share your thoughts in a comment below …

If you’re looking for examples of great journaling, beautiful design and lots of “real life” scrapbooking, you’re in the right place! Check out these inspiring and clever pages spotted in neighboring galleries this week …

"First Job" by willow885

“First Job” by willow885 provides a nice glance back at the world of retail before the arrival of Big Box stores, complete with a few price comparisons and other little details which will only become more interesting as time presses forward. Love that the photo puts it all in context, complete with the lineup of station wagons.

"The Big 3-0" by rainydays

Having just passed a “milestone” birthday myself, I was quickly drawn to “The Big 3-0″ by rainydays. No birthday cake & candles here, but rather reflections on how she feels about reaching this life stage. Even more interesting would be a followup when she hits the big 4-0 to see if those perceptions have changed.

"Guardian Angel" by coco

The interesting composition of “Guardian Angel” by coco quickly caught my eye, but I also like how she used a quote about guardian angels to help tell her story. It’s one of those pages you can just look at and continue to find new details you hadn’t noticed before.

"Little Baby" by iciclelady

The title of this one by iciclelady says it all … “The little baby days are so fleeting.” Though the first months with this little one will soon be history, mom has done a wonderful job of documenting the experience to help the memories last a lifetime. Love the softness of this page, as well as the choice of photos.

"My Yellow Dream Room" by lunafaerie

“My Yellow Dream Room” by lunafaerie is a nice reminder that we don’t have to always scrapbook about what has already happened … or even with photos of what is. Instead, she shares her goal of what she hopes will be, complete with an image to guide her way. Love the simplicity and the fun titlework. (Wouldn’t mind crawling into that bed, either!)

"Be Happy" by gracielou

I’m always on the lookout for pages that tell a familiar story in a new way. “Be Happy” by gracielou is one of those pages. I especially like her use of a quote to set the stage, particularly when it’s presented with such great design, and the closeup photos of this little bathing beauty are just darling. Definitely an improvement over all the bath time photos I’ve taken over the years…

"My Bucket List" by Ace's Wild

Long lists can be tough to present without overwhelming the page with text, but not so with “My Bucket List” by Ace’s Wild. The fun combination of shapes, plus the use of both words and photos to convey this list makes this fun to look at. Of course, I also got a chuckle out of some of the items on her list, like #9. LOL

"He" by Valgal

There’s nothing like playing it BIG to highlight a great photo. Love how this captivating photo takes center stage in “He” by Valgal. Sounds like a cool kid, too, once you tear your eyes away from his face and check out the list. A definite case of less is more.

"8,322 Photos" by mymalloryboys

“8,322 Photos” by mymalloryboys is another example of taking a unique angle to tell a story. In this case, it’s how the number of photos taken of this little cutie is a representation of how enamored mom is with watching him grow, not to mention that she’s shattering the old saying about the youngest kid having the fewest photos. Cool design, too… love the roughed up look and all the little details tucked in.

"Baby It's Cold" by marnie

Figuring out how to incorporate newspaper clippings and other memorabilia into a page can be tricky sometimes. I really like how marnie did it here in “Baby It’s Cold.” The clipping retains its vintage feel, yet the overall page doesn’t feel dated. Clever title, too, considering there are actually two stories here …

That wraps up this week’s Story Board! Hope you’re feeling inspired to scrap your real life … and if not, take a peek in our own gallery here at LYM. I am continually amazed at the collection of pages that grows more impressive by the day. Better yet, add a few of your own!

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Please share your thoughts in a comment below …

This week’s Story Board is brought to you by February Calendar Girl Jen DeLorenzo. You’ll notice a theme to the pages she tracked down from our neighboring galleries… everyday things that make us happy!

"What Makes Me Smile" by Heidi2008

This layout by Heidi Glibota really stood out to me.  The design of the overly stuffed folders really gives it dimension.  I love the beautiful pops of purple and the great title work!

"These Make Me Smile" by muddygirl

This layout by muddygirl really made me smile.  I love the happy colors.  The collage of photos really works for her design and the tucked journaling is such a nice finishing touch.

"My Silly Girls" by colleenstearns

The theme of this silly layout by Colleen Stearns really made me giggle.  Capturing those goofy childlike moments is so important.  I really like how she was able to make the layout about all her daughters.  I love the additional journaling tidbits with the use of the conversation hearts.

"Just My Type" by readstoomuch

This layout by readstoomuch evoked childlike emotions.  I love the carefree spirit of the photos and the way she incorporated the title into the motion of the page.  The block design really leads your eye to those wonderful photos.

"Wheels of the Week" by thessh

This layout by thessh really stood out with its vibrant title work.  I love the documentation of such a everyday thing, but a fun memory to capture.  The pictures are great and again I loved the tucked in journaling.

"Every Moment" by champsarahjoy

This layout by champsarahjoy captures the shining personality of her daughter.  I love the colors that she pulled from the photo.  I also love that she included not only a silly picture but a more serious photo holding the things she loved.   The outlined stitching really pull it all together.

"First Taste" by Coila

This might be one of my favorite layouts I encountered by Coila.  I think the title work is outstanding.  The colors are so appealing.  The many different faces are darling and I love the sprinkled Cheerios among the yarn.  Too cute for words!!

"Confection Collection" by lltheo

I chose this layout by lltheo because of the fantastic colors.  This layout really draws you in. You can tell those items she photographed make her happy just by the happy theme.  I love the neutral background that makes everything pop.  It makes me happy just looking at it!

"Where's Waldo" by JanaMorton

This layout by Jana Morton brought me to all smiles.  I love the overall design – the use of the giant Waldo character really makes this layout pop.  The theme was such a clever way to capture the little occurrences with her little ones!

That’s it for this week’s Story Board! Thanks, Jen, for sharing these fun finds! And check back every Wednesday for a new batch of real life scrapbooking inspiration!

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Believe it or not, we’re already nearing the end of Week #7 in our Logbook Weekly Challenge series, this week responding to the prompt: “Who is your favorite person in the world?”

By design, the Memory Logbook caters to individual needs by providing a variety of variations on each week’s prompt. This week is no exception and our chosen Layout of the Week is a perfect example of adapting the weekly challenges to fit your needs.

"A Few of My Favorite Things" by flowersgal

“A Few of My Favorite Things” by flowersgal does not directly answer the challenge question, nor any of the variations, though it is easy to see how it could have been inspired by the challenges. That is exactly what the Memory Logbook is intended to do … get your creative juices flowing and lead you to scrap parts of your life you might not otherwise think to record.

Congratulations to flowersgal on having today’s Layout of the Week! She will receive 10 bonus points through our Real Deal Book Club Rewards Program. Be sure to check out the other layouts in the Week #7 challenge gallery and plan to join us next week as we begin Challenge #8 … the topic is one I am sure every one of us can relate to!

Just a little reminder … if you haven’t done so already, be sure to vote for your favorite January 2010 Yearbook Layout & Artist before midnight (Mountain Time) tonight! Details in the February 14th Log Your Memory INSIDER.

Get the inside scoop, be the first to know about new product releases & get special discounts by subscribing to our new weekly newsletter, the Log Your Memory INSIDER. Delivered directly to your INBOX every Sunday afternoon.

Please share your thoughts in a comment below …

This week’s Story Board includes a little bit of everything in the way of real life scrapbooking inspiration, ranging from the personal and poetic to just plain adorable. Check out our fun finds this week from our neighboring galleries…

"4 Eyes" by junebug

The captivating photo and cool titlework in “4 Eyes” by junebug caught my attention as soon as I saw it. Love the soft color scheme and fun little details, not to mention the shared history about this little slice of one scrapbooker’s life.

"Now and Then '09" by Darcy Baldwin

Price comparisons from different time periods always fascinate me, so I immediately fell in love with “Now and Then ‘09″ by Darcy Baldwin. In addition to all of the fun price differences (25 cents for a loaf of bread!), there are a ton of other little details packed into this journaling. Definitely among my favorite recent examples of “real life” scrapbooking and sure to be of even greater interest several years down the road!

"Crocodile Tears" by Aggie Aviso

My first thought upon finding “Crocodile Tears” by Aggie Aviso was “I have SO been there!” Love this little peek into the daily routine and those pathetically adorable teary-eyed photos. Have to chuckle at the final comment, too.

"Playing Telephone" by becca1976

“Playing Telephone” by becca1976 is just plain fun. Great photos, cute embellishments, playful colors and a fun memory of a very “everyday” type activity. My favorite kind of scrapbooking.

"February 11" by sigmakap95

If your goal is to document your real life, it’s hard NOT to scrapbook about the weather these days. It’s definitely been a season for the record books for many this year. I just loved the color scheme & playful design of “February 11″ by sigmakap95. The perfectly placed embellishments, highlighted words in the journaling, even the realistic looking snowballs all add up to a fantastic winter page.

"Blah" by dancingscrapper

The comment says it’s a “page about nothing” but I can definitely relate to having days like the one shared in “Blah” by dancingscrapper. Love the artsy feel to the whole layout, and the design with the journal and the paragraph about “nothing” are so reminiscent of diaries from my younger days.

"Imagination" by TrishB

It’s the quirky behaviors and little observations that I most want to remember about my kids’ early years, yet that is sometimes the toughest thing to capture on a scrapbook page. TrishB does this wonderfully in “Imagination.” Love the interesting palette and photo treatment, as well as the way she highlighted various pieces of her journaling.

"Blue Jean Baby" by rainydays

There is just something so completely adorable about a little tiny dude in jeans, which is exactly what rainydays highlights in “Blue Jean Baby.” Love the clustered embellishments, the splashes of red and of course, the cute patootie in these photos.

"Best Friends" by beckyandjames

The off-kilter orientation of the papers and the title caught my attention in “Best Friends” by beckyandjames … and then all the fun little details drew me in further. Interesting photo treatment, cool date cluster, scattered hearts, sweet memory … it all just comes together to make a page that’s very easy to appreciate.

"Tale of a Midnight Scrapper" by Maria W

I’ll bet I’m not alone in feeling like “Tale of a Midnight Scrapper” by Maria W was created especially for me. This clever poem describes my habit to perfection and the simple design is a perfect complement to the story. Love the artsy graphic, the jumbled title, the water-stained, heart-doodled paper and the very authentic-looking typesetting. So cute… I am very tempted to get this one printed for myself just to use as a wallhanging in my office!

That’s it for this week’s Story Board! Check back every Wednesday for more “real life” scrapbooking inspiration!

And the winner is …

A big thanks to everyone who shared their feelings of adoration in response to Monday’s post and interview with February Guest Designer Misty Cato.

"Adoration" Kit by Misty Cato

And now as promised, one lucky commenter will receive a free download of Misty’s brand new kit, Adoration. Selected by random number generator, that lucky winner is …

38.Jill says:

I’d say I really adore 3 boys in my life: my boyfriend, my little brother, and my evil little nephew. LOL They make my life more fun!

Congratulations to Jill! Please contact me with your full name & email address so I can hook you up with your free download! A big thanks to Misty, as well, for your wonderful kit and generous contribution!

Get the inside scoop, be the first to know about new product releases & get special discounts by subscribing to our new weekly newsletter, the Log Your Memory INSIDER. Delivered directly to your INBOX every Sunday afternoon.

Please share your thoughts in a comment below …

It’s Friday and you know what that means! Time again to share our pick for Layout of the Week – one fantastic page selected from Book Club member posts in the current week’s Logbook Weekly Challenge Gallery. It’s Week #6 and our featured layout was chosen by our lead Calendar Girl for the month, Jen DeLorenzo.

This week’s journaling prompt posed the statement: I have a love/hate relationship with … The response to this prompt has been quite interesting, but when it came down to decision time, Jen chose to highlight “I Love My Freckles” by Jackie Doremus (aka tettletop20).

"I Love My Freckles" by tettletop20

Here’s what Jen said about her choice:

I chose this darling layout by tettletop20 because of the whimsical design.  The tilted frame and the random elements add to that whimsy. I love the great colors and the creative titlework.  A very fun page!

Congratulations to Jackie on having the Layout of the Week for Logbook Challenge Week #6. She will receive 10 bonus points through our Real Deal Book Club Rewards Program. Be sure to check out the other layouts in the Week #6 challenge gallery … and better yet, add one of your own!

Get the inside scoop, be the first to know about new product releases & get special discounts by subscribing to our new weekly newsletter, the Log Your Memory INSIDER. Delivered directly to your INBOX every Sunday afternoon.

Please share your thoughts in a comment below …

Our neighboring galleries were full of “real life” inspiration this week. Check out these fun finds…

"My Daily Chocolate" by suladesign

If I didn’t want chocolate before (LOL), I definitely wanted it after finding “My Daily Chocolate” by suladesign. Love everything about this – the curvy design, the cute embellishments, the clever photo framing and of course, the yummy descriptions.

"My Favorite Color" by amystoffel

“My Favorite Color” by amystoffel is either a little scrap-therapy or a very clever way to get a message to a mother. Either way, I love that she documented this aspect of her life and enjoyed all the examples of pink’s infiltration into her life.

"Snow Cone" by mrs jb

With snowy weather dominating so much of the news lately, “Snow Cone” by mrs jb seemed like an appropriate choice this week. I love the combination of bright colors and the cool blue background and you can’t go wrong with those adorable photos. It’s a variation on the standard page with tons of outdoor shots, yet the snow story still comes through.

"Partial Portraits" by Sue Setiadji

I’m always fascinated by layouts highlighting teen behavior, probably because I have a teen of my own that I am still trying to figure out! “Partial Portraits” by Sue Setiadji provides a glimpse into that crazy world. Love the simplicity and the cropping on the photos, too.

"Because I'm Worth It" by sevenupps

“Because I’m Worth It” by sevenupps jumped out at me from the galleries because of it’s playful design and bright colors. The journaling makes it a keeper though. Love the honesty and bit of positive self-talk expressed in this work of art. The whole thing just radiates positive energy.

"ME" by breakingbrie

“ME” by breakingbrie is another page that caught my attention because of the clever design. The journaling is great too, though. Love that this mom is breaking her habit of putting herself last by creating a page focused so much on herself and her own feelings.

"5 Best Things About You" by sahlink

Everything about “5 Best Things About You” by sahlink screamed “lift me!” when I found it in the gallery. Love the fun photos and the clever cropping and framing. Love the combination of artsy brushwork and embellishments. Love the great list of all the ways this daughter is special to her mom. Lucky girl, lucky mom.

"Time Stops" by AngelaPowers

I normally favor more of a focus on journaling in my search for pages to share, but the photo in “Time Stops” by AngelaPowers really spoke to me. With little ones of my own, this photo immediately takes me to that snuggly place that is so special and yet so fleeting. Combined with the journaling, though brief, the page says all that needs to be said.

"Young Me" by KerryMac

KerryMac shares a ton of photos and information in “Young Me,” yet the page does not feel crowded or overwhelming. Love the combination of black and white and color photos, the photo as background and the various ways she added tags and labels to the page.

"A Boy Can Dream" by partsofme

Living in snowy Montana, the expression on this this guy’s face is one I’ve seen before! I like this take on scrapping about the heavy snowfall, from the extracted photo and artsy blended background to the clipped photos to the humorous title. I’m guessing mom had more fun putting this page together than the pair had dealing with the snow!

That’s it for another week! Check back every Wednesday for another set of inspiring “real life” scrapbook pages found throughout the Web.

Get the inside scoop, be the first to know about new product releases & get special discounts by subscribing to our new weekly newsletter, the Log Your Memory INSIDER. Delivered directly to your INBOX every Sunday afternoon.

Please share your thoughts in a comment below …

Some weeks, it seems our neighboring galleries are full of “real life” inspiration. Other weeks, it takes a little more digging to find what I’m looking for.

This was one of those weeks … while there were many, many beautiful layouts to be found, it was a bit more challenging to find those that also shared the kind of depth I like to highlight in our weekly Story Board. But dig I did and found these gems to inspire you to document your favorite everyday moments…

"Sweet Tea" by rebecca h

It doesn’t get much sweeter than “Sweet Tea” by rebecca h, which highlights the memory of a tea party between a child and her furry friends. Love the close-ups and the soft, feminine feel to the page.

"Apple Junkie" by talktoheather

I’m a Mac-girl myself, so I appreciated “Apple Junkie” by talktoheather. Technology changes so quickly, so taking time to document how it impacts you today is sure to be interesting down the road.

"Meeting Dustin Petroia" by Kat Stokes

Every town has its local heroes, so it’s fun to see the story of how one such hero impacted this little guy in “Meeting Dustin Petroia” by Kat Stokes. Very clever design, too … love the incorporation of the baseball details.

"Go the Distance" by Britgirl

It’s always interesting to me to see what details our kids remember as they get older. I enjoyed how Britgirl documented a detail of her everyday life in “Go the Distance.” I’m even more curious to see if her child remembers it the same way several years from now. Great titlework, too!

"me right now" by shhbabymine

I’m a big fan of “right here, right now” type pages, so I was immediately drawn to “me right now” by shhbabymine. I like the way she used repetition in her journaling style (I love…, I wish…, I laugh…) and especially love the cool, serene design.

"Beginning of the Olympics" by avalon4

I’m not normally one drawn to event or location pages. But “Beginning of the Olympics” by avalon4 jumped out at me as a little different. I like the angle taken here – the page shares the “behind-the-scenes” look at something most of the world has an interest in but will probably never experience – living so near an Olympics competition site. Plus it’s just a very eye-catching page! I’d love to see more as the Games get rolling…

"Favorite Haunts" by lingovise

I like the creative approach taken by lingovise in “Favorite Haunts.” We share a lot of the same interests & favorite sites – I love her use of all of the logos and icons, plus her clever comparison to a night at the movies.

"Finding Your Way" by SuzanneB

If you’ve ever thought about putting together a little book on what it’s really like to be a parent, “Finding Your Way” by SuzanneB offers a great example of where to start. I like how she combined a recap of her conversation with her son with her own thoughts on the subject.

"Mr. Puzzle Man" by Karen_

I’m all about the “everyday” memories and “Mr. Puzzle Man” by Karen_ is exactly that. Though a simple story about naptime struggles and a clever child’s response, the journaling shares a lot of the little details that really help to paint the picture of life in this household at this moment in time. Plus I just really like the sketchy style and splashes of color.

That’s it for another week! Check back next Wednesday for more real life scrapbooking inspiration! And if you really want to get inspired, take a peek in our own gallery. It is just packed with fantastic pages full of real life stories … and the collection is growing more quickly by the day!

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