I love to make mini-albums -- while layouts are great, of course, my favorite projects are usually mini-albums that tell a special little story. Since I am such a mini-album fan, I'm excited to tell you about the newest special issue of Simple Scrapbooks: Mini-Albums in an Evening. 
Now, this issue was made for people like me: the projects are beautifully designed yet easy to accomplish. The book is organized in to sections based on mini-album size (which is, I think, a totally smart and cute way to help us find what we want). I could go on and on about the projects, but I've decided to tell you about the three projects that I want to make when I'm done blogging:
First, in the Bitty Minis section, I just love the Keychain Keepsake album designed by Megan Hoeppner. She's used a little locket-style keychain by Doodlebug Designs to make an adorable little mini-album. I've looked at these keychains before, but didn't realize that I could do so much more than just insert a couple of pictures. (Check this album out on page 12!)
Next, in the Mid-Size Minis section, I am very excited about making a Halloween Costume Highlights album. This super sweet album, designed by Judith Mara, is so very much what I've been envisioning since, well, last Halloween. Now, though, I've got a great new plan to make it happen! My papers will be different, but this album has inspired me and sparked my creativity so that this Halloween, I can enjoy the memories of earlier costumes while wondering if we'll have enough treats for our trick-or-treaters. (See pages 44 and 45.)
Finally, in the Mega Minis section, I've got my eye on Elizabeth Dillow's Family Numbers Defined Album. Using lots of scraps of numbered paper, number stamps, and number embellishments, this album has filled me with a ton of new ideas for enumerating the milestones (big and small) in my life: from how we've managed to fit just one more cat into our household this week (and now I'm sure there's no more room!) to how much our lives have changed in the last ten years; from our cell phone numbers to our street number. (Flip to pages 100 and 101.)
You'll notice I've given you page numbers, because I want you to go to your bookstore, local scrapbook store, or the magazine section of your favorite big-box store and pick this issue up. If you'd rather save on gas (and who wouldn't these days?), then please visit Simple Scrapbooks directly and the issue will come straight to you! I want you to pick this magazine up because I have so many new ideas from reading it -- and I know you will too. I love magazines that inspire me to create, not just copy (after all, that's what Big Picture Scrapbooking is all about!) -- and this one has given me a fabulous creativity boost!
I'm so excited about this magazine that I just have to share it -- so please tell me what kind of mini-album YOU want to make. One lucky poster will win my random drawing and get a copy of the special issue along with her very own "Mini is BIG" button for her jacket or bag! I'll get random.org to help me pick a winner on Monday evening, so post your comment before 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 4, 2008!
By the way, mini-album fans, if you share my love for mini-albums, I hope you'll be joining me in our upcoming mini-album class, taught by the fabulous Lisa Damrosch. You don't want to miss six weeks of BIG mini-album fun! I've borrowed her fun pic of the buttons from her blog -- check it out! 
