I did two year in review spreads. I am more interested in my family than world events, so I typed up a two page recap of the important things that happened to us and printed them onto decorative paper. Then when you turn the page in the scrapbook, there is another two page spread. I made collages of all the pictures, in chronological order, and cut them in the shape of "1999." I got the idea from Creating Keepsakes magazine, I think, or maybe it was Memory Makers. Anyway, it looks great!

I saw these at Michael's yesterday and they were $25. Isn't that the CM price? I honestly can't remember what I paid for mine from CM!! I forgot to check the price of the replacement pages. THe only reason I prefer to buy stuff from my CMC is because after we spend $250, we get a $25 g/c (which, I'm ashamed to admit, I got after only 8 months!! My husband would die if he knew I spent that much!). So I'm always working towards that goal. :)

At the CM parties I have attended, the consultant has a large collection of stickers, die-cuts, paper, pens, albums, corner rounders, idea books, etc., that you can buy right there. You can also use her circle and oval cutters, punches, idea books, and fancy scissors to your hearts content. No, there is not as much variety as a craft store, but it is fun to get together with other scrappers and see what ideas they have. Have fun!

DON'T GIVE UP!!! I just put my mom's wedding photos in a new CM album. She almost cried. My dad is now gone and she cherishes her photos. The B/W photos had been removed from her album in Cuba and sent to her several years after we had left the country. There's a pin hole in the upper left corner of all the photos from where (i guess) a book worm got through and they are all yellowing. I'm having her write what she remembers of that day and each photo on lined pages in the back of the book. This is something I and my DD will treasure forever!