Creative Spotlight

CindyStock Concerts Raise Money for Cancer Patients

It's not easy to raise money these days, even for the best of causes. But that hasn't stopped Cindy Bandula Yates and her family and friends.

Every summer they host a musical venue designed as a fundraiser to help those who can't afford cancer screenings or support services. This year's CindyStock 8 will once again take place at Cindy and Ted's home north of Pittsburgh, off I-79. More than 200 people are expected to lounge in lawn chairs and on blankets as they enjoy the fine music of five performers and good food during the afternoon, rain or shine.

Hats off to Cindy for a creative idea that really works. Not only does she help cancer patients, she is an inspiration to all who want to help a cause close to their hearts, It's a lot of work, but worth it.

For more information, visit here.

Creativity Tip No. 35

As promised, here are two pages I recently completed in my new Smash notebook (really an artist's sketchbook with heavy duty pages). For more info, refer to Creativity Tip No. 34).

As you can see, the items I smashed into the book are ones that I probalby wouldn't have scrapbooked, but still were items I didn't want to just throw away.

I added some scrapping supplies to the pages to jazz them up a little (the sun, FUN sign) and think this may be the most fun of all: Using up some of my stash.

Creativity Tip No. 34

Go Ahead: Smash Your Memories!

There's a new product being offered to scrapbooking afficionados. It's called Smash, and it is exactly what it says. You take a notebook and then glue in all of the small memorabilia that we all generate every day, but which is often not accompanied by great photos. So instead of throwing out the goodies because they are not scrapbook-worthy, you Smash! them into a notebook and keep them all in one place.

There's a great video on Smash at this website, where you will also see the product line, althoug it is very easy to use things from your existing stash.

I couldn't find the actual Smash notebook so I bought a sketchbook at an office supply store that I can use to smash my stuff into (It has sturdy pages which is all that is required.)

I think this is a great idea for all of us who hate to throw some things away like the latest baby pictures, business cards for local restaurants, a color palette for a potential dining room paint job.

This new trend allows for all sorts of Yeasty creativity. Jot down your ideas for projects or gifts or new books or anything you are interested in. It's your book, and if it gets too big, that's exactly the point. Enjoy it.

Check back often. I will post some photos of my best Smashed pages, once I get some of them done!