May is a lovely time of year when everything feels soft and fresh. Scents of flowers waft through the air as gentle breezes blow the new leaves that have sprouted on the trees. May brings us a month of paying tribute to those who nourish us, nurture us, protect us and give us our freedoms...both mom and our military personnel.

Where would we be without mom? Join me in congratulating our newest mom, Sheila from our design team. Sheila shares with us photos of her newborn son in Triple Play-New Life, see how she takes the same photos and papers to create beginner through advanced layouts. Then, click on over to Gimi’s article Terrific Tag Techniques. Gimi teaches us how to use tags in unique ways as she pays homage to mothers. 

Who could be a mom without a baby or children? Visit with Deanna as she gives you part 2 of Baby Pages-Finding Inspiration from Beyond the Scrapbook Magazine. See how Deanna pulls layout ideas together from all kinds of advertisements and graphics in the most unlikely places. Join Chris as she shows you how to make gifts for those Baby Showers and Christenings in Look What Else You Can Do-Are You Craft Challenged? 

Now that the rain of April is hopefully over, click on over to Debra’s article and see clearly with Perfectly Transparent. Let Debra guide you through the uses of one of the hottest products in the market today --Transparencies! Speaking of seeing clearly, you won’t want to miss the product review of the Daylight Company-Scrapbook Lamp, you won’t believe your eyes what a difference the right light can make on your artwork! 

Sometimes we all have those less than perfect moments. Be sure to see what Michelle suggests for those photos that don’t come out so well in Less Than Perfect. Jenny has ways to help you capture perfect and not so perfect moments through your journaling in Creative Journaling. 

Color is a great way to celebrate spring! Be sure to read along with Jlyne as she highlights Using Monochromatic Colors on Your Layouts. Since "Retro" is hot right now, we also have an article about Retro Colors. Don’t miss Back to Basics-Paper 101, learn how to choose the right papers to create the look and feel you want for your layouts.

Finally, with Memorial Day at the end of the month...it is only fitting that we pay homage to our military personnel both past and present. These men and women have put their lives on the line to protect us from harm and give us our liberties and freedom. Our designers have put together a wonderful tribute in our Manufacturers Challenge-The History Group. Many thanks to those individuals who serve us and serve our country!

Happy Mother’s Day, Happy Memorial Day and Happy Scrapping!