January 2013 Editor's Letter

Ooh, it's a new year, fresh with possibilities!  Maybe this year I will lose some of that weight, get in shape, stop yelling at my kids, and send out my Christmas cards BEFORE Christmas.  It's possible!!  I think maybe it's time to set some new goals too.

If you have the goal to learn some new scrapbook techniques, then look for our upcoming articles on chalking, using mixed media, adding your handwriting to your scrapbooks, and enhancing punched shapes.  If your goal is to just get started on scrapbooking, we have a couple of beginner articles for you called Back to Basics.  (Old-timers might learn something from them too!)  The article on ski trip photography is sure to help your camera skills.  You'll find a couple of articles showing you how to use your existing stash in new ways, which is probably a goal all scrapbookers should have.

Since it is January, we had to have articles on snowmen, Winnie the Pooh (there's a Winnie the Pooh Day!), popcorn (there's a Popcorn Day too!), ice hockey, and calendars.  Just for fun, we'll also have articles on birthdays, tea parties, and pets, as well as other topics. 

This month's featured writer is one whose goal list for 2013 I'd love to see.  She leads quite the adventurous life!  (I wonder which MLB baseball park is on the list this year...)  Amy will be sharing a little bit of New York with us this month. 

Hello! I'm Amy Sotolongo and here on Scrapjazz.com I go by amysoto. I'm a junior high special education teacher by day and a creative soul by night. I love scrapbooking my photos and recording my stories! I have been scrapbooking since 1998 and started out scrapping my then boyfriend/now husband and my fun date nights. Now I scrapbook our trips and everyday life.

We love to travel and have a goal to see every MLB baseball park. We have visited 14 and look forward to seeing many more. We both grew up rooting for the Dodgers and we continue to visit Dodger Stadium several times a year to cheer on our team. We also love traveling overseas whenever we have the opportunity and have recently enjoyed visiting France, Belgium, and Prague. 

I also love to bake sweet treats for neighbors and family members. I always have a new recipe on my countertop waiting to be baked. I have a blog that I try to update regularly: www.amysotolongo.com 

Furthermore, writing for scrapjazz.com is a joy and I hope to provide you inspiration with the articles I write. 

Wishing you a cozy January and a list of goals full of possibilities!