This is the latest book that I've read in the scrapbooking genre. And I'm not sure exactly why, but I have mixed emotions about it. First off, let me say - it was a pleasant read. My summary of it: it is a book of journaling-based prompts with layouts included.

Nic Howard gives the reader 7 different ways of looking at the everyday world around us and scrapbooking it. For example - goals, expectations, hobbies, daily activities or frustrations, people around us, etc. If you've been scrapping long, you won't find any surprises here. The book is logically constructed and I think she does a creditable job of exploring those topics while entertaining the reader, but there were no WOW moments for me - nothing original brought to the table. There are ample layouts with well documented stories that are reflected in the layouts.

The layouts - yes, that's where I think the train came off the track and the boxcars ran into one another. Nic has a distinctive scrapbooking style, which I do like. But by the midpoint of the book, (only 100 pages, mind you), I began to think all her layouts looked alike. And what's more, several of the other scrappers' layouts she included were too similar to her own. Nic and her friends like big titles and journal strips. She does some lovely layering, but it also appeared formulaic to me before I was finished. Maybe this is the result of all the layouts being prepared during a short period of time and reflecting the populist style of that day (2007). I can't say for sure.

I enjoyed the book; it was worth the time invested (but really wish I had gotten it from the library instead of purchasing it new). Probably would have appreciated the effort more as a newbie scrapper who may have gleaned something more, although there are no instructions or how-to's included in the book for beginners. I doubt I'll be referring to it in the future.
( )