Family History Writing Studio

Lynn Palermo of the Armchair Genealogist has put together a great resource for anyone writing their family history. The studio was inspired by her annual Family History Writing Challenge. I think the writing part is the most intimidating part of putting together a family history, so for me this is a wonderful resource. So if your like me and need some help in this area, here is some of what you will find in the Family History Writing Studio.

What’s in the Writing Studio
Workbooks – Lynn’s series of Family History Writing Workbooks are designed to build on one another. Each workbook looks at one aspect of writing your family history narratives. Filled with worksheets, they will help you apply the various elements of creative nonfiction to your own research and ancestors.
Webinars – On-demand webinars work nicely with Lynn’s workbooks. They provide exercises and examples to expand on the workbook content. They are designed for you to watch over and again at your convenience. There will also be stand-alone content, addressing a variety of needs family history writers face.
Courses – Our online courses are designed for writers who want to have a more in-depth look at a particular aspect of writing in a more intimate environment. Lessons will be delivered in a variety of formats from downloadable worksheets, workbooks, and videos. All courses include private groups and forums to bring the class together for discussions and critiques with the teacher. Classes are small to provide a more personal learning environment.
Personal Coaching – If you’re nervous about sharing in a group environment then personal coaching might be more your style. In the personal coaching section, Lynn offers a couple of options to work privately work with her, whether it be to brainstorm your story or book or for a critique of your written narrative.
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The Family History Writing Challenge: 2015

I realized this morning that we are almost half way through the first month of the new year. Feels like I’m not getting enough done each day. How about you? After taking a long break from working on my Dad’s Key West history I need to get back into it. I’m thinking Lynn Palermo’s Family History Writing Challenge might be just the perfect motivator. If you’ve done it before jump on board again this year. February is just around the corner. If not check out her website, register and then get set to more writing done this year.

Family Trees: family photo diagram

photo collage by Cactus and Olive

Sometimes the best ideas come when you are solving a problem. This is one of those ideas. Loni Harris wanted to send her brother a family photo but the most recent one was a couple of years out of date and missing some new members. So she came up with this circular format showing three generations of her family. It is a brilliant solution and very adaptable do different numbers of children. Her readers loved it so much that she now makes custom version in her Etsy shop. At the time of writing this post she is taking a break from her shop. Hopefully it will be back up soon.

She did her’s project in Photoshop and Illustrator. I think I could do this pretty easily in InDesign. Maybe I’ve got myself a new project for Mother’s day or my Mom’s 92nd birthday. I’ll be sure to let you know how it comes out.

I’ve decided to regularly share ideas I find for family trees, so stay tuned. More to come over the coming weeks and months.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #50 – New Year Survival Kit

New Year Survival Kit from SnapCreativity.com

This last post on jar gifts has been more than a year in coming. I’m so excited to finally complete this series. I though this survival kit would be the perfect way to complete 2014 and start 2015. Click on either image for instructions and more. It is a great way to start the year with the determination to write more memories and stories for future generations. I hope the new year brings many happy moments and lots of time with family and friends. Thanks for sticking with me through all the ups and downs of the past year. Happy New Year everyone!

tag for New Year Survival Kit from SnapCreativity.com

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.jar gift logos51

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #49 – snow globes

snow globes from tidymom.net

What could be more fun than a tiny snowy scene in a jar. Tidymom.net has a step by step tutorial on making waterless snow globes. Below are two more ideas for snow globes with the addition of light. Oh, the possibilities! Just imagine recreating a snowy scene from one of your family stories. My parents live on a quiet rural street with lots of trees along the road. My Dad even planted a make of trees with a winding path. I love to take a late night walk through the trees or down the road when we visit. It is so quiet and peaceful. I can imagine this as a simple snow globe to remind my family of their home in Idaho. Especially now as they will certainly need to move to a more manageable place in the near future.

Street Lamp snow globe from SaltTree.net

snow scene in a jar from BlitznGiggles.com

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.jar gift logos50

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #48 – snowflake jar

snowflake jars from YourHomeBasedMom.com

This idea uses tissue paper, scrapbook paper and Mod Podge to dress up any jar. YourHomeBasedMom also used her Cricket cutter to make it easy to cut out the snowflakes. This idea is adaptable to any season or any theme. It would be pretty with a candle inside or even filled with a tasty treat. You could even cut silhouettes of an ancestor and then share that ancestor’s story. Lots of possibility with this idea.

I entered the world of computer controlled personal cutters this month to make my Christmas gifts. I bought my niece’s Silhouette Cameo when she bought the latest model on a great black Friday special. I look forward to playing around with it on future projects.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.jar gift logos49

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #47 – Message in a bottle

thumbdrive in a bottle from Urban Outfitters

I think this thumbdrive would be such a fun way to share a history of historical photos and documents with family. There is no way it would get lost among all the other storage devices kicking around our houses these days. I wonder how hard it would be to recreate this with an inexpensive thumbdrive and small bottle from a craft store. I’ll have to keep this idea in mind for some future project.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.jar gift logos48

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #46 – Potato Soup Mix in a Jar

Potato Soup Mix in a Jar from innerchildfun.com

Can you tell it is still cold and snowy around here? The bad part is the storm is moving out and the real cold is on its way. So my brain is stuck on warm and comforting things these days. I also picked up a package of potato flakes at the store recently and made some potato soup for lunch yesterday. This mix is simple enough to have the kids in the family help put it together giving a great opportunity to share memories of working in the kitchen when you were growing up too. Or stories of warm comforting food on a cold winter night.Click on the photo above for the recipe and instructions on whipping up a batch of potato soup mix. It is quick and easy.

I enjoy throwing together a pot of soup from whatever I have on hand. Not sure where that comes from. While my husband doesn’t like “brothy” soups. He does better with thick stews and chowders. I’m guessing that both go back to childhood memories. What associations do you have with soup and your childhood?

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.jar gift logos47

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #45 – force bulbs in jelly jars

paperwhites in jelly jars from domaphile.com

After the holidays are over and the short days and longs nights of winter set in, there is nothing as wonderful as a touch of spring from forcing spring bulbs to bloom inside. For me they represent the hope of spring and that the cold days will eventual give way to warmth and green growing things. Click on the photo above for detailed instructions.

If you don’t have any family stories or ancestors that you can associate with spring and/or bulbs then how about a story of how hope for a better day helped a family member persevere through a trial. I know that for my current trial of getting my hand functional again there are days when it seems like it will never be the same. Part of the problem has been unrealistic expectations. It is going to take more time than I imagined. Just as there maybe some warm days in January but from experience more snow and cold is bound to come. But having a spring bulb on my table reminds me that spring will come and though it might take six months to a year, my hand will be fully functional again.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.jar gift logos46

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #44 – Wool Jar Cozy

Red Wool Mug Hug from Wanderlust Small Goods on Etsy.com

Until just before Christmas we have had a surprisingly warm winter. Now we have snow and it sure feels cold. The thought of warm soup or hot chocolate sounds perfect right now and this wool jar cozy made by Wanderlust Small Goods and available on Etsy.com looks like the perfect solution to keep it warm. I love warm drinks and soup too, not just hot chocolate but hot lemon and honey and anything else I can think of. (Not a coffee drinker for religious reasons.) If you are handy with a sewing machine and have an old wool coat this would be a great project and a great opportunity to share memories of the original owner of the coat or of cold winter nights and warm things to eat or drink. No wool? I’m sure that fleece would make a suitable substitute.

I don’t have anything like this from my great-great-grandmother, Mary Taylor, but a cold snow night with a batch of wool jar cozies filled with something warm and comforting would be an effective time to talk about her experiences caught in the bitter cold and snow with the Martin Handcart Company in 1856. I’m guessing your family has a story about the hardships of winter too.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.jar gift logos45

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.