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The challenge for my Embrace kit is to create a layout showing how you've embraced something you've struggled with...whether it's letting go of something weighing you down, overcoming something you're afraid of, or trying something you've never done before. It can be as simple as making your peace with your kids messy rooms, as challenging as facing your fear of heights, or as profound as finding your faith again. I know this topic can get very personal, but that is the essence of the [MakeItMeaningful] series...to get you to dig down deep and record the parts of your life story that know one else can tell. 

This topic is a little tough, so I'll keep it to a simple journal prompt for the Embrace challenge. Remember, you don't have to use the kit to participate! You can create your layout however you wish, but keep it within the challenge guidelines. When you've created your page, post it to the CatScrap gallery here. If you'd like to be entered twice for the drawing, share your layout on Facebook, along with a link to my Embrace Kit, and add 'Posted to FB by [your Facebook name] in the comments section of your gallery upload. Be sure to stop by the [MiM] forum for inspiration and encouragement as you work on your submission, and to discuss the current challenge with other participants!

I'm looking forward to seeing all of your lovely layouts and all the different ways you've embraced life. Remember to enjoy the process of recording your experiences...because you never know when your words will be the catalyst of change in someone else's life, simply through sharing your story. And that, in itself, is pretty meaningful. ;)

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The [MakeItMeaningful] blog challenge is all about inspiring you to scrap about the things that matter most to you. And while everything we scrap about is essentially something important to us, I want to challenge you to document the parts of your life story that aren't always at the forefront of our minds when we scrap. Those little bits of experience we gain from the less-than-perfect parts of life, or a smidgen of hard-earned wisdom that we otherwise might forget, unless we get it down on paper, so to speak.

Each month I'll release a kit in the [MiM] series, along with a coordinating freebie only available here on my blog. The following week after the kit's release, I will post a challenge, whether it be a journal prompt or layout assignment. Create a layout around the challenge or journaling criteria and then post your layout to the specified gallery/forum in the challenge post. You DON'T have to use products from the kit highlighted (although it's very appreciated!), but do respect the CatScrap/MScraps gallery guidelines by using at least 50% of products on your LOs from their respective shops. The challenge will run for three weeks from the challenge post date, and then I will tally up all the layouts in the order posted, and select TWO winners using a number generated from random.org. Winners will receive the NEXT [MiM] kit to be released for FREE!

Plus, you can be entered into the drawing TWICE by sharing your layout, & a link to my kit, on Facebook. (To qualify for a second entry, send me a friend request if you don't already follow me on FB, so I can validate your post! ;) )

At the end of the [MiM] series, I will place each entry from all challenges into a final drawing to receive a $20 gift card to my shop! (And each FB post will give you an additional entry, as well!) So, if you participate in all six challenges, and post to FB each time, you'll be entered to win twelve times! ;)

If you have any questions about the challenge contest, please feel free to contact me at lisasisnerosdesigns@q.com.

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To help celebrate the special people in your life (including Dad!), I've created a coordinating card template  freebie, available in two parts. Part 1 is an 8"x5" half-fold fully customizable layered card template (in .PSD format) so you can add your own papers, ellies, photos and words to make it truly unique! I've included a Father's Day sentiment that you can easily customize or alter to your liking, or you can add something entirely different, so you can use it for any occasion. You can snag the True Strength Card Template Part 1 at CatScrap...HERE! (Sorry the image links didn't work earlier!)


Part 2 is a flattened, pre-made photo card, using the Part 1 card template with products from my True Strength Complete Kit. There are a couple of versions, one with a simple Father's Day sentiment, and also a blank version, so you can add your own sentiments and use it for any occasion, as well. Just add photos and print! (It's a half-fold letter size card for easy printing.) You can grab the True Strength Photo Card Template Part 2 at MScraps...HERE.




Hope you all enjoy these...and, if you like the products used, check out my latest kit in the [MiM] series, True Strength, celebrating the people you admire most!

If you haven't already, stay connected with me and subscribe to my blog via the RSS feeder link at the foot of the page or click the 'Follow' link at the top left of the screen to add me your Google Reader account,  so you can get up to date info on new releases and exclusive coupons, sales and freebies ONLY available here on my blog. I announce new blog posts through Facebook and Twitter also, so you can follow me there too!

Thanks for stopping by....have a wonderful Father's Day weekend!  ^ . ~

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I also incorporated a HUGE assortment of eclectic elements to give it a collage-style feel, and at the same time make it extremely versatile. While I had guys in mind with this kit, it can work with any layout theme or photo (although it looks especially amazing with vintage photos!) My goal was to create a sophisticated kit with an authentic feel, something that would help pay tribute to those that have affected our lives in unforgettable ways through their strength and example, whether that be a father, brother, son, best friend, neighbor....anyone!

The Complete Kit includes 2 layered .psd files, a photo collage book & a string of clipped photos (pictured above). Both files come in layered, fully customizable .psd files, and easy to use .pngs, so you can use these as a starting point and create something all your own!


 And last, but not least, is the True Strength Alphabet, a black distressed leather alphabet, with stitch detailing, riveted numbers and some punctuation. This alphabet is the 'little black dress' of alphas in that you can use it on just about any layout or project.


You can find it at CatScrap and MScraps, on sale 20% off thru the weekend. Hope you like it! ;) 

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I'm a bit behind in posting about [MiM], since I've been feverishly at work on the actual products. ;) But, we'll just jump in where we're at and go from here! Last month, I released the first installment in the [MiM] series, Embrace, a huge kit sporting dozens of papers and oodles of spring-inspired elements, geared toward embracing life, accepting change and choosing happiness. 

In lieu of a freebie for the Embrace kit, since we're officially kicking things off with the [MiM] series, and as a thank you for giving my growing little blog a much needed visit, use coupon CODE: take2embrace at either of my shops at CatScrap or MScraps and receive $2 off the Embrace Complete Kit (that makes it only $5!) I'll keep this offer up for a little while, but don't wait too long to get it at this price!

Starting Monday, June 20, I will post both the Embrace Kit journal prompt & my newest kit, True Strength's layout challenge, so make sure you come back and get inspired to make your layouts more meaningful!

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Scrapbooking has come a long way in the last decade. It's evolved  into a skill-savvy technological digital craft with limitless potential to expand and grow. However, once digital scrapbooking was ushered in, along with it came a whole new approach to HOW we scrapbook. With digital we have significantly fewer creative limitations as opposed to traditional paper scrapbooking, in that we have an infinite supply of the products we purchase, with no fear of using them up. (You would think this would alleviate the infamous 'paper hoarding' that I was shamelessly a part of back in my paper days...and yet now it seems the adage goes "she with the most filled hard drives wins!") ;)

My point is, it's dangerously easy to get into the habit of creating cute pages with little purpose to them, other than being cute or strictly visual. Don't get me wrong...I'm all for cute, fun layouts that are simply playtime for our creative brains--it's a necessity! But what I'd like to focus on, is telling our life stories, and celebrating the people, places and things that make our lives worth scrapping about.


This is what motivated me to create the [Make it Meaningful] series, a collection of kits and digital products designed to help you capture all those important little pieces of your life story, and showcase them with beauty, simplicity and ease.

The [MakeItMeaningful] series will include at least one full-sized kit per month (more if I'm super inspired ;) ) focusing around a different theme or topic that will help inspire and motivate you to scrap about your life in a more purposeful way. With that said, each kit will have a universal appeal, in that it can be used for virtually any subject, so you can get  more out of it as opposed to a strictly theme-based kit. I will also be offering a variety of element packs, including an interview prompts series to help you document all the little details about the special people in your life (including yourself!), and some extremely useful pre-made elements that will make your meaningful scrapbooking a breeze! Also, each release day I will post a  (Follow me on Facebook & Twitter to receive announcements and updates about blog posts, new releases, sales and freebies!)

With each kit release, I will post a coordinating freebie here on my blog, along with a journaling prompt or layout challenge and a little inspiration on how to get started. You don't have to use/purchase the kit to participate. I want everyone to be able to play along! ;) For those that post their creations in either of the galleries at CatScrap or MScraps, they will be entered into a drawing to receive the NEXT [MiM] kit & element pack FREE!   ;)

I'm very excited to get this project going, and hope this will help inspire you to create beautiful layouts that mean something special to you!

Our Hopes, Dreams, Goals and Schemes Art Journaling Challenge is in full swing over at CatScrap, and it's been so much fun to see all the gorgeous art journaling pages posted in the gallery. You can read more about this exciting challenge on Fiddlette's blog, the mastermind behind it all!

If you've never heard of an art journal, it's essentially your thoughts, meanderings, daydreams, etc. jotted down in a special place and embellished with a plethora of art and collage-style elements, including vintage clip art, paint, sketches, bits and pieces of odds and ends...you get the idea! But you can make it however you want....it's art, for art's sake!

While this is nothing new to seasoned art journalists, art journaling isn't as mainstream as most digi-scrap styles out there, and traditional scrappers might be a little intimidated by it. But an art journal at it's heart is all about YOU. This is a chance to create something just for you, without worrying about photos, layout design, or other limitations you have with scrapbooking alone. It is very liberating to just create a page with only your thoughts and feelings in mind. And you don't have to adopt an artsy style to create an art journal...it's about reflecting your journal entries in a visual way that's true to your style. That said, even if the artsy style isn't your usual thing, give it a try! That's what this challenge is all about...inviting you to try something new and help your creativity grow.

Already we're on Week 6 of our 8-week project, focusing on goals again this week. Here is my contribution...



If you're just hearing about this now, no worries. Just jump in where you are and have fun with it! You can find all the past weeks' gifts  from some of the amazing designers at CatScrap packaged up and available for sale for a nominal charge here. Be sure to post your lovely creations in our special gallery and share your inspiration with our fellow journal artists!