Book inspired page + give-away

I’ve been wanting to start doing “layouts inspired by books I read”, and today is the day I start! You see, I read tons and am always inspired by books… but I rarely put that to good use in actual layouts. I need to convert more ideas into layouts! Perhaps it’s thanks to my upcoming Big Picture class that has me thinking about my stash of product and ideas…

I read a book called All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins – it was AWESOME. I can’t recommend it enough. More about that in a minute. I decided to use the title of her book + a family photo to scrapbook a page…

I used lots of Girls’ Paperie on this one – it was simple and fun and now I’m all giddy that I actually used one of my book ‘lifting’ ideas!

The book is about a woman who is struggling to get over her first love, and she meets the new Veterinarian in town who is kinda quiet/not so social and rather the opposite of her. It’s full of a cast of supporting characters including dogs (oh how I love dogs in books!), and is set in beautiful Vermont. It’s a romance, for sure, but not anything racy or graphic. I LOVE this book!!! Seriously am going to re-read it soon as I can.

So first off let’s talk about that cover. How much do I LOVE the denim + red + acid green + brown?! I ADORE the colors. But more importantly I loved the book. Such a sweet story of finding true love and it had me laughing out loud as well as crying (happy and sad) at times. At the end of this book I sighed and proclaimed it all I want from a good novel. I love Kristan Higgins for her style of writing – you hear just from her (female) lead + she has dogs as part of story + love stories that make me smile. I know I can trust her for happy endings and I LOVE that. *sigh*

HOW much do I love this book? Well I tell you – I bought a second copy wanting to support the author just to give away to one of you. Being me though, I couldn’t leave it at that. I’ve added some goodies…

I will be throwing more extras into the package too, no doubt. I can’t help myself!

Above a Jane Austen inspired notebook (so cute) + a card I made. Below mini chocolate chip cookies from Miette – picked up yesterday just for you!!

Want to win it all? Just leave me a comment here and I’ll draw a winner on Monday August 16th…

144 thoughts on “Book inspired page + give-away”

  3. Ohhh a girl after my own heart. I’m a sucker for romances but I usually go through phases-right now I’m stuck on historicals. But I love me a good contemporary one too. Thanks for the chance to win! By the by, if you’re looking for an excellent auther check out Marian Keyes if you haven’t already!

  4. I’ve never heard of Kristan Higgins but your description has made me feel I need to find out more.

  6. oh May, you must have the most fun dreaming up wonderful giveaways like this for your faithful blog readers! how lovely, to get this package as the summer winds down. I *need* to find time to read, I haven’t read yet this summer! Pick me! Pick me! LOL. Thanks for the opportunity!

  7. Love the idea of using books to inspire layouts. I too love to read I recently got a nook for my birthday and have been reading like crazy!!

    Thanks for giving your reading suggestions on your blog I’ve found some new authors that I love.

    Can’t wait for use your stash I’m still plugging along getting mine organized and finding things I forgot I had.

  8. Don’t enter me – shipping would be a killer! – but thanks for the book recommendation and great idea to scraplift a book!

  9. I found your blog after hearing you on Paperclippings Roundtable and I love it. I’ve even went out and bought “Shut Up and Kiss Me” and I love that.

    Oh Oh ! ! ! I think you’re starting to inspire me.

  10. Oh, May, what an awesome idea to use books as inspiration for scrappin’. You are so full of great ideas, I’m just in awe of you. And thanks for the chance to win such a nummy giveaway!

  11. Hi May! I love your idea of incorporating a favorite book into a page layout – yours turned out wonderfully! I also love that you’re such a big supporter of the romance genre. I’m a romance author — it gives me a little thrill every time you mention a book you love. And then your beautiful pages you create, sigh…you combine two of my favorite things! Scrapbooking and romance!

    I was just at the Romance Writer’s of America conference in Orlando where I watched Kristan Higgins win a RITA award for her book Too Good to be True. She is hilarious. And a great writer too. 🙂

    Just wanted to give you a resounding thank you for sharing your beautiful work and your love of reading!

  12. I love all your book recommendations. I have to admit that I’ve never read a romance, despite being an avid reader. Thanks for the chance to win it, along with all the other goodies.

  13. Love the layout and the concept. All I have to do now is find time to read a book. Hopefully life will slow down soon.

  14. Wow, I’d never though of scraplifting a book! I’ve been loving all the Alice in Wonderland inspired goodies out at the moment, but still hadn’t thought about stealing ideas from other books. I’m thinking there would be great opportunities from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, amoungst others!

    Thanks for the chance to win, and if I don’t, I’m still going to have to get a hold of that book, you make it sound ever so interesting! x

  15. wow, May! – the book sounds (and looks) great, love your card and all things Jane Austen – what a FUN giveaway!

  16. Sounds like a great book! I love that you were inspired enough by it to create a page…that totally rocks. 😉

    Thanks so much for the chance to win!
    – April

    P.S. If you’re looking for a great book to go to next, I suggest Everlasting by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I’m almost finished with it and so far it is AWESOME. I can’t wait to read the last few chapters. 🙂

  18. OOOOOHHHhhhh! Sigh! May, the book alone would be fantastic to win. But the added delightful goodies! WOW!!!!

    Thanks for sharing the book information. I’m off to Borders to get it NOW! (The LO is absolutely awesome, too!)

  22. Another great idea May! Both the book and the scraplift idea. I have been scrapping like crazy since Camp Scrap and I can’t wait for “Use Your Stash” – I’ve never accomplished so much, or have been so inspired!!!

  23. Yay for the great book find! Would love something new to read and the story sounds great. Would also love to be eating those cookies as I type this. They look oh so yummy. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to be entered!

  24. That book sounds like one I would love. I will have to look it up at the library. Thanks for the recommendation. And thanks for a chance to win.

  25. That book sounds like everything I Love in a story! And I LOVE my dogs too! This is right up my alley and the cookies are like a cherry on top! Thanks, May!

  29. What a fun giveaway, I would be thrilled to read a new book! I am just addicted to reading. What a sweetheart you are to add things to the mix, boy am I glad I am a follower

  30. I love your blog and all your fabulous ideas! How do you find the time to read!?? I try to finish my projects, but I hardly ever succeed in completing them in the time I first thought it would take me. I don’t work, my kids are adults and I still don’t have time finish my projects never mind fitting in time to read…ugggh!
    well enough blabbering,
    thanks for the chance to win…those cookies aren’t gonna last too long if they make it to my house. So you keep them and let your family have them. I’ll take the rest though 🙂

  32. Love your page. I am an avid reader of the Sue Grafton “alphabet” books, Robert B. Parker “Spenser” novels, and Janet Evanovich # novels. I can see some great pages using these as inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

  33. What an awesome giveaway!! I love reading, i’ve been devouring books this summer. I would love to read something new! I came to your blog from Elle’s Studio, I loved your blog post about journaling. Thanks for the inspiration!

  35. May – You are so sweet and thoughtful. I love reading but it seems that scrapbooking and cardmaking has taken over more of my time than reading. This book sounds wonderful and of course who wouldnt LOVE more scrapping goodies to play with! tHanks for a chance to win!!!

  36. Ahhh, romance. I love books with a happy ending. Love chocolate chip cookies. Love Kelly Purkey. Love your layouts!

  37. Sounds like a great book…I have already put a hold on it at the library. 🙂 Love the layout too.

  38. This would be more like getting a care package from a good friend! How WONDERFUL of you!!

  41. Now that’s perfect a book and some cookies to eat while I enjoy it. Here’s hoping I win.

  44. I would love to win this book. It looks great! I love to read. Reading material is packed with me no matter where I go. Thanks for the chance!

  45. I have been trying to make time to read again, and I am nearly finished with “Three Cups of Tea.” This looks like a lovely, light read! Thanks for the suggestion! And the giveaway!

  46. I so want to read that book! Love the page you did with the title!!! Love your work period!

  47. Thanks for a chance to win and a good recommendation. I’ve finished over 10 books this summer and this looks like another great one to add to the list!

  48. What a great idea! Love your page! I want to do pages based on song lyrics also. Just need a round tuit! Thanks for the chance to win!

  50. OMGoodness! look at that truly generous win and yes, wouldnt it be great to send it down under LOL your journalling is so awesome…I have bn watching the “journaling in your own words” too, I wreckon journalling brings out the ‘real you’ and I’ve started to journal more on my LO’s….my only hesitation is my blog, still cant bring myself to it…any suggestions ??? hey May, still lookin’ forward to ‘use my stach’ too …hugs from Ozzie xx

  51. Wow, what a great idea, to ‘book-lift’. I’ve read a few books that I’d LOVE to put on my l/o’s, now that you mention it. 🙂 TFS!

  52. Oh, May! How I wish we lived closer so we could have our own little book club and share books and drink moose pee together. 🙂

    I’d love to win this. But either way, definitely looking into this book! LOVE the LO! The girls are adorable and it’s so fun to watch them grow!

  53. I love romance novels. Very clever to use the title on a LO.

    P.S. Can’t wait for UYS to start!

  54. The book looks great but your layout is fabulous. I love the inspiration for the layout. Good idea!

  55. It sounds like a great book. I’m a sucker for happy endings whether it’s a book or a movie.
    I loved your layout too. It’s just perfect.

  56. I love the idea of getting ideas from books you read! I’ve done pages about my favorite books, but using them for ideas to scrap is even better. Thanks for the inspiration and the fun giveaway!

    I just read A Rather Lovely Inheritance by C.A. Belmond; another good story with a happy ending. Plus there are two more in the series.

  58. Did someone mention Jane Austen? I’m a little teeny bit obsessed. Just a little:)

  59. Those cookies look tasty!! Sounds like a great book May and I love your idea… you could probably do a class on that… “The adventures of scrapping your novels”… Thanks for the giveaway chance!

  62. sounds like a fab book. Love the idea of using the book as inspiration for a layout. What a fab idea.

  64. I love the layout…….what an awesome idea. I’m looking for a great summer beach read. One of the things I love about summer…..a good book and the beach.

  65. That is so sweet and generous of you. After a year of public transit, I am finally getting used to reading on the bus. A new book would come in handy.

    Love reading your blog.

  69. I’ll have to pick up a copy to read on the flight home. Thanks for sharing a good book and a great idea for new inspiration.

  71. I love a good book, yet I have never thought of using a book as inspiration for a page. Hmm…thinking I am going to try that out. Thanks for the idea and the book rec.

  72. awesome give-away, Love this page, so much fun to hear where you found your inspiration, and the description of the book makes me want to pick one up soon, see you in class next month

  73. Not sure what happened – I just had the last couple months’ worth of your posts show up in my reader! yay for catching up.. 🙂 Love your fun giveaways!! Thanks for the book recommend, too.

  78. What a great idea – will be lifting that for sure. Like all the best ideas, it’s one that makes us all wonder why we didn’t think of it (and also makes us grateful to you for sharing it)!

    I am about to start a job in our local library, and if they don’t have “All I Ever Wanted” I can put it onto the purchase list! I love a good romance and I know there are lots of other readers in our town who do too.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy (and all those lovely goodies as well – what a bonus). As always, should I be picked I’ll make a contribution towards the postage all the way over here.

  79. i don’t know this author, but i am anxious to check out her books now! isn’t reading just the best thing ever! i have been reading lisa see this summer, such interesting books about chinese women from long ago! loved every one of her books so far! and thank you for the giveaway!

  80. I just finished my bookclub book for the month and I was looking for something else to read! Your book sounds like a perfect end-of-summer read. Thanks for the chance to win!!
    (My bookclub book was Same Kind of Different as Me- a great book too!)

  81. Hello! What a great giveaway!! thanks so much for the chance to win!!

    Sounds like an awesome book–I’m going right out to buy it (straight after I check to see if I’m the super-lucky lady who wins this giveaway that is!! lol.

    thanks for all the inspiration!

  82. I know, I know…now that class is over you don’t have the forum for a giveaway? Well, your blog works just fine 🙂 Oh- and I NEED those cookies!

  84. Love the idea of scrapping a page based on a book read – definitely something I’m going to try!

  85. Thanks May for the tip on a new authour for me to read and also on the wonderful scrapbook tips. Dont enter me in for the giveaway as like Gab postage would be a killer.

  86. This sounds like perfect summer reading 🙂 Someone sent me a link to your post today because it appeared on the very day I was organising my own “Pass the Book” and showing the layout I made inspired by the book. And now I’ve discovered your lovely blog too.

  87. Oh May. You fill my heart with smiles. You are such a kind, giving person. So good to see people like that in the world. I love that you want to support an author that you love. Brilliant. I totally want a dog. Seeing as we are moving to Europe once we get married for a year, a dog isn’t a good idea at present. So I have chickens instead 😛 Have a wonderful week xxx Allie
    P.S Looking forward to seeing you in class to use MY stash 🙂

  90. Oh how fun! Love your layout – so simple, and perfectly captures the essence of that photo. I must look for Kristan Higgins next time I’m at the bookstore.

  91. Hi May = ) So glad I found you. I followed the link from your journaling class at Elle’s and was thrilled to find out you love romance novels – me too!

  93. How generous of you! But then, I am an alumni of your many classes so I’m not surprised.
    This might just be the little “shove” I need to get back into doing some reading. Sadly, I have let that part of my life slide a little bit. I’ll cross my fingers and thank you for the chance to win. Cindy

  94. Fascinating! I shall look at book covers from a new perspective. Inspiration is everywhere.

  95. The book was an awesome enough gift, but all the other things, totally over the top. Thanks for being so generous.

  97. Of course I want to win it all, silly girl! What a great pkg. goodies for my stash and a fun book besides. . .thanks for the chance.

  98. I just put her books on hold at my library! I love authors that use dogs as characters! This one isn’t available yet, so, of course, I would love to be drawn! I found you from the Journaling class and you’re on my follow list now! Great inspiration! Thanks!!!

  100. just ran across your blog from elle studios… it’s lovely and inspiring… looking forward to more crafty goodness

  101. How wonderful. I’ve been looking for a good summer read and this looks like it would fit me perfectly! Thanks so much for sharing!

  104. I love reading your book recommendations almost as much as I love seeing your scrap projects. Thanks for the chance to win!

  105. I found you on Elle’s Journaling class and so happy I found a reader! I love books too. Love that you were inspired even by the colors on the cover. Nice to meet you.

  107. So I am sitting outside watching my soon to be 3 twin girls swim and took a leap over to your blog. I am not a big reader, never really have but I have wanted to find a good book to motivate me to read. Also I just wanted to say that based on your blog and Camp Scrap I think that we would have been friends if we ever met and lived near one another. Oh and I too love chocolate chip cookies.
    Thanks,
    Jenifer

  108. Hi May, Loved your page and using a book for inspiration.
    What a wonderful giveaway how thoughtful of you.

  109. I love that you were so inspired by this book! I actually had that happen to me recently with a couple of books I read and it was so fun! One led me straight into the kitchen and the other into my studio! Lots of new creations! Your page is absolutely gorgeous!

  110. I think I would like to read this book too. I love the colours on the front–anything with green would make me so happy.
    Oh, and I need a book to take while we make the drive from MT to Seattle to take my baby back to college in a couple of weeks. Some parts of WA we drive through are quite boring.

    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

    Leslee in MT

  111. May,

    I have enjoyed listening to you on the “Table” and just recently found your blog. I find you to be a very inspiring and creative woman.

    Congrats on your becoming a design team member for Tim Holtz. What a hugh honor.

    I am always looking for a good book, thank you for the opportunity to win this.

    Bev

  112. ohh.. this is a lovely little thing.. i really want to read it 🙂

    Thank you for the chance to win!

    ps. love your work!

  113. I read alot as a child, but grew away from it as a young adult starting a career. I so want to start up again, and appreciate your suggestions. How cool it would be to win this package. Very generous of you!

  114. MAY!!!!!
    I am so excited to find you! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
    and WOW – your stuff rocks.

    I have to call my crop buddies and send them here (the Distressing Queen or DQ is our TH Clone).

    In fact, I can send you a pic of she and I bowing before a shipment of Tim’s latest product (last spring)

    Can I feature you on my blog? Basically (I’m very new to blogging) I put a link and a pic of your project or whatever and send my readers over here.

    DQ is going to freak when she gets here.
    SO glad to find you
    CityMom

  115. Sounds like a great book. How nice of you to buy one to give away. Can’t wait for your next BPS class to start.

  116. This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win it (snd some other goodies:)

    btw, loved your post on Elle’s

  117. Ooooh, I can’t wait to absorb myself in a good read! Thanks for the chance to win some goodies.

  118. This sounds like just the kind of book I would love. I just bought Eat, Pray, Love and am excited to start reading that. My son’s girlfriend just started reading it and I will start tonight so we will be reading it together. Hey…I think a scrapbook page is stirring in my brain. Thanks for the inspiration:)

  120. Thank you, May, for honoring my book in this lovely way! Hope whoever wins the package enjoys the story. That scrapbook looks gorgeous…very inspiring!

    Thanks again, and all the best,

    Kristan

  121. I am a bookwormaholic, so if ya just want to send me the book and someone else the goodies, that’s just fine with me! 😉

    Thanks for the recommendation… I am definitely interested in checking this author out after your review.

  122. May you are so sweet – always thinking of others and supporting us in our addictions! Thanks!

  123. What a great idea! I am starting to mull over all I ever wanted and if I have achieved it and so forth. I would love to make the LO with the goodies you are talking about.

  124. oh may…i love her books too! I’ll have to see if i have any to pass along to you. this one i havent read 🙂

    and the goodies are fantastic 🙂

  125. May, thanks for another great idea. Because my children and grandchildren are grown and heading off to their own lives, I struggle for ideas to amke pages about, this fits the bill. I am an avid reader and have been having all kinds of ideas now about the pages that I will make.

  126. Our book club will be starting up again soon now that summer is over and this sounds like a great book for our group. Thanks so much for sharing your love of books with us

  128. Hi May! I just finished reading your post about Tim Holtz and just love the way you write.Sothat makes me think that if you love this author and how she writes, I probably will too. I haven’t read a book in a while and this sounds like a good place to start. Adding your blog to my favs list and will be sure to pop in often for some good reading and inspiration 😉

  130. I’ll definitely have to add that to my must read list. Congrats on the design team! I cannot wait for UYS to begin.

  133. I have just found your website thanks to Mario on Twitter. Love it! Love the layout, the Girls Paperie and the great cluster of embellishments. Fun. I do love to read ( and I trust those who love a good chocolate chip cookie) . Thanks for the chance to win!
    Carol

  134. I am a big fan of Tim Holtz and I congratulate you for being on his design Team. What a great opportunity. I find your idea of taking inspiration from a book is very interesting.

  135. Hi May,

    I’ve been enjoying your website ever since I took your BPS class and have been enjoying ‘getting to know you’. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  136. I love your story about being asked to join Tim’s design team. It is very inspiring and endearing. Congratulations !!!!

  137. I visited your website today because I am considering taking your Big Picture Scrapbooking class –
    Adventures in Scrapbooking: Use Your Stash.

    Then I discovered I had a chance to win a prize by posting a comment. I hope I get lucky and win!

  138. Looks like a fun book! Congrats again on the Tim Holtz team, can’t wait to see what you create!

  139. Even if I don’t win…I will read that book! 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation! Looking forward to reading!

  140. I use song titles or lyrics alot but had never thought about using book titles. Thanks for the inspiration ( and the book recommendation 🙂 )

  142. Love your blog and your inspiration!
    Congratulations on being asked to join the Tim Holtz team! What an exciting opportunity! Can’t wait to see what you will create!

  144. Count me in! But if I win, your little girls will have to eat the cookies for me. 🙂

    I’m impressed with your rate of book devouration (devouration? It’s really late…can you tell?) since following you on the book list site (reeeaaaallly late. Even for me.) I love reading, but tend to read relatively slowly. I have a habit of re-reading paragraphs or pages I like repeatedly before moving on. It slows the process down, but that’s okay.

    I really should stop answering emails and go to sleep before I stop making sense completely. 🙂

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