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The Times commodity aswell mentions that Google has already accent the aloofness implications that appear with a hidden, congenital camera and area acceptance may affectation a aloofness issue.

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From 9to5Google:

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Divorce and others do not, their feelings have been pretty good. Six years ago, because to do business losses, in order to avoid the normal life of a large amount of debt affecting the family, they handed down a fake divorce. Owned by the son and the house to her name, and he assumed all the debt.

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He continued to start a business to make money. Her time at home to take care of the children of primary school. Just divorce each other letter guarding the convention. But that is already divorced, and that a binding each other's freedom is more natural. A year later, she heard her husband's "scandal", fought.

Her husband's personality is relatively mild, then fall in love because it was the mother phase. Her personality is more frank and even a little hot, what then will all of a sudden the whole Flaring to, so no matter groundless, basically husband noisy own "fled". But this time her last bit without words.

Then beginning to re-start her husband faced with economic pressures, he said not to the house so bite the bullet efforts? No place to borrow money, the other woman willing to bear with him.

One of the cornerstones of good networking is having a fantastic business card. Burning Sands glossy, full color double-sided business cards give you twice the space to promote your company, products or services. They're printed on ultra-thick cardstock that looks fresh off the press even after you put it in your wallet or purse. It's also easy to design your business cards online with our Online Design Center. Create cards with your own uploaded files or customize any of our templates.

Choose UV or Matte coating. UV coating gives you high gloss and durability while Matte gives you a flat satin finish.

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Burning Sands has partnered with friend to opened a new production facility for eastcoast customers for quality business cards, postcards, flyers, sell sheets and other custom print materials, at a reduced shipping rate. Close to New York and Manhattan, it is also in a prime location for resellers, designers, business professionals, and print brokers who are looking for fast and reliable will-call print services.

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Company Hours

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I finally got to watch an entire movie start to finish last week. If you are a working parent, you know how tough this

is. Someone is either hogging the box with Elmo or ICarly (my husband) or you are so exhausted by the end of the day you just can’t keep your eyes open.

The movie was Julie & Julia with Meryl Streep who was a spot-on Julia Child. The story is about Julie Powell who blogged every day for an entire year as she made recipes from the Julia Child cookbook. The blog was obviously successful, proving that anyone with compelling, relevant content can be a digital publisher. What impressed me most was her absolute commitment to her blog.

It’s a piece of cake to get a blog site live with the free online software that is available such as Blogger.com and WordPress.com. You can literally have your blog live in minutes without a web designer. It’s the actual act of blogging that is the hard part. A blog is a long term commitment and the key to sustainability is passion. You need to throw yourself into maintaining a blog or you need to have a dedicated person assigned to update the blog for your business. Or, maybe it’s just not the right time to start a blog.

When you commit to a blog, the payoff can be huge. An established blog with a collection of articles referencing your business shows that you are the expert in your field and builds trust. As you continue to document your experiences, you are building an accessible, centralized location. You can refer customers to your blog on past articles about events, case studies, products and programs that worked. One of the biggest payoffs is that relevant content and links are picked up on search engines. Your blog becomes a vehicle to your web site so make sure you are linking to the relevant pages on your web site when blogging.

Set a goal

You will need to set realistic expectations for when your blog will be updated on a routine basis. A daily update is just unthinkable. Even monthly is aggressive. Remember you want to have valuable content for your customers. Every other month may be the timing that works for you. Once you set your goal, add it to your calendar and block off time to meet your deadlines.

Stay on Schedule

If you are not a self starter as Julie Powell, you may need something or someone to push you to get your blog updated. I have a few persistent coworkers that kindly remind (nag endlessly) when my blog, the Inside Scoop, needs to be updated. I whine, I grumble, I feel guilty, I grab a cup of very strong coffee, I write. Same thing happens every month but it gets done.

Find a Friend with a Red Pen

After writing, I always have someone read the article before it’s published. There are always tweaks either with messaging or grammar. Have a friend review your article to get feedback. Is it compelling? Is it too long? They may also have additional ideas for a future blog.

Market your Blog

The LogoMall Inside Scoop is both an email newsletter and a blog. So when a new article is posted on the blog, we send out the Inside Scoop newsletter that includes other value added features such as New Suppliers to LogoMall, What’s on Special and Featured Products. You can easily and inexpensively create an email in a newsletter format featuring your blog article using an online marketing service such as RatePoint.

Bonus topics for you to kick start your blog

Blog about tradeshows or conferences you attended and take pictures to post. “I just got back from our industry tradeshow in (New York) where I found 3 great new product ideas for your next promotion that I wanted to share.”

Blog about upcoming events. “Back to school is right around the corner and it is time to start planning. We have great ideas for your school fundraisers and events. Last year, we created a program for Lion Elementary and they had their best fundraiser year ever. Here’s how…”

Blog about your vacation or day-to-day amusements and relate it back to your business. “This weekend my family and I went to my husband’s company picnic. The food was less than memorable but what made an impression on me was the great use of promotional products with the company’s logo.”

If you have a blog for your business, please send me a link at kcoates@asicentral.com. I would love to read your stories.

Finally getting up your new business website is certainly a cause for celebration. Yeah you! However, it’s not the time to take a long vacation with the belief that the search engines will just start sending you traffic, that the orders will come in, and that you’ll return from vacation to find yourself rich. So, here are some ideas to get you started on the right marketing path for your new business.

1. Stay consistent and focused with keywords

Since you can’t be all things to all people, it’s best to create your promotions around very focused keywords and phrases rather than scattering yourself around. So decide which keywords are most important to your brand, then use those consistently in everything you do – including both online AND offline promotions, even in your printed promotions.

2. Create solid keyword rich descriptions

You will find that having a stable of descriptive paragraphs that you’ve take the time to streamline, optimize with the best keywords, and say what you want them to say, will save you time later, keep your branding consistent, and prevent you from quickly posting a bio or social media profile paragraph that is less than optimal. So, take the time now to create those promotional paragraphs of varying lengths (from as little as a few works, like taglines, up to a few hundred words).

3. Create social media accounts and profiles

A word of caution here – if you don’t have the time or inclination to keep a social media site up to day, don’t feel obliged to participate. It’s true that some social sites are included on search engine results, but sometimes a tired and out of date social page can do you more harm than good. If you do want to build your social media support, now is the time to pull out some of your keyword rich descriptions to use for various profile pages.

4. Participate locally

Participating in local events, even if your target customers don’t live locally, helps build good will, increases word-of-mouth marketing, and increases the network of people who are willing to help you out.

5. Start a blog

Blogs are an effective way to create buzz and it’s an opportunity for you to get solid content out for your niche that can help establish your company/you as an authority in the field – aim to have your blog a go-to destination for your industry. Also, seek out and stay current with other blogs in your industry and become an active commenter on those blogs.

6. Prioritize customer service

From day one, it’s vital to respond positively and professionally to your customers which includes making it easy for customers to contact you, as well as answering emails promptly. This is the age of transparency and a good reputation is key.

7. New Business Marketing Resources & Inspiration

•The Wall Street Journal/Small Business – 10 Reasons to Start a Business This Year

• The Wall Street Journal/Small Business – Five Tips for Managing Your To-Do List

•Next Day Flyers Blog – LINK TO JENNA’S 1st DAY JOBBING/NIGHT BAKING article

•OnStartups – 23 Tweetable Startup Insights from Seth Godin

•Squidoo

Working for a printing company provides me with the opportunity to review thousands of small business flyers. I see flyers for pizza restaurants, chiropractors, auto sales, eye care, furniture – and just about every other industry you can think of. My job also provides me with the opportunity to speak directly with business owners and learn about their flyer’s success or failure. Through years of design testing and old-fashioned trial and error, we have developed sure fire ways to increase the response rate for your new full-color flyers.

Although every flyer is unique and creativity is mostly a good thing, there are certain guidelines to follow that will ensure your flyer generates revenue for your business. Here are a few items to consider when developing a new small business flyer advertising campaign:

1. Headline

Your headline must draw attention and motivate a reader to take action.

Good Example: Want a Greener Lawn? Call Us!

Bad Example: Joe’s Lawn Service

2. Your Services/Products

Do not simply list services – instead, show people how they solve problems.

Good Example: Got Termites? Our termite treatment is non-toxic and pet-friendly!

Bad Example: Termite and pest control

3. Branding/Enhance Your Reputation

Take the opportunity to personalize your ad and warm-up to locals.

Good Example: Our family-owned business has proudly served the Chesterfield area for 15 years.

You only have about a 20 th of a second to grab people’s attention when advertising in today’s economy. Make sure you use some of these hypnotic elements when you design your party flyers and I can assure you that the response rates from your flyer advertising campaign will be better than average.

1) Subliminal messages. As you already know, persuasive writing copy is the most important element of your advertisement. When you get ready to craft the message for your party flyers, think of what your core customers want and need the most. Then turn those desires into dramatically positive benefits when crafting your message. The example below is one of the ways I would make a list of my prospects desires for my nightclub…

Is he/she searching for a place to find their sole mate?

Is he/she searching for a hot spot to socialize with friends?

Are my prospects searching for a way to relax and unwind?

Are they looking for a way to release their emotional energy?

Are they searching for a new and exciting experience in their lives?

Are they looking to socialize and meet new people?

Are they looking for a club that plays great dance music?

As you can see from the example above, the more information you have about your readers desires, the easier it will be to craft a persuasive message for your party flyers design. In addition, the words in your list can be used in your writing copy as subliminal motivators to influence your readers to take action. For example, the words at the end of sentence seven (great dance music) have strong emotional impact. Everybody loves to dance to great music. Right?

2) Hypnotic graphic images. Use hypnotic graphic images to grab people’s attention when you create your party flyers design. Emboss your graphics to give your party flyers design a 3-D effect if you can afford the cost. No matter what type of current mind state your prospects are in, graphics that STICK OUT are proven to capture people’s attention. Another option would be to emboss your flyers headline. The majority of advertisements that people see are flat. Therefore, when they see your headline sticking out it will immediately draw their attention.

Using subliminal writing copy and graphic images in your party flyers design is one of the most effective ways of getting people to respond to your advertisements. Use these ideas to get your creative juices flowing and before you know, you will have created a party flyer design that produces HUGE response rates.

Flyers are one of the most popular promotional materials. Here is a look at the top six tips for creating an attractive, well-organized and professional flyer:

• Organize information neatly, but make sure the look is natural - Catching reader attention is all about placement of words. The normal reading pattern, like left-to-right, should be followed in flyer information organization

• Place image where it is most likely to be seen - Since a graphic image will draw attention to the flyer, when it is ill-placed, the viewer will only see the image and not read the content. - The top or the top left corner of the flyer is the right location for an image.

• Do not clutter images - Images are eye-catching, but do not overwhelm the flyer with just images. This will move attention away from the information. Use a single, high-quality, professional images that correspond to the information. If you want to use a couple of image, select small images and group them. if you

• Use an easy-to-read font - the font that is used must be something that is easy-to-read so that reader attention is retained. The font must be attractive, legible and you should be able to read it from a distance.

• Use white space - do not clutter the flyer will information and bold color. Place the text amidst strategically selected section of white because it will make the reader want to read what is presented and make it easier to grasp the convent too.

• User persuasive words - use words that will catch people's interest. This is particularly so for the heading. In the body section, using the word 'you' gives a personal touch. It is necessary to be clear on what the reader should think by reading the content. At the end of the flyer, you can include a "call to action.", which can be in the form of a "Call Today" or "Order It Now."

All businesses, no matter their size, aim to maximize their marketing budget. But for small businesses, with little to no financial elbow-room, it can mean the difference between profit and failure. Here are 10 tips for creating high impact marketing on a small business budget.

1. Forget flash, shoot for highest return on spend

Perhaps all businesses fantasize about being able to have one of those cool Super Bowl Advertising slots. However, even an ad seen by countless people does not necessarily translate into sales. Which means, one priority must be only spending money that will produce a good return.

2. Focus entirely on your target customers

In general, customers need to hear your message about 7 times if you’re going to influence their buying decision so spending money outside your target audience is probably not worthwhile.

3. Reinforce your message across channels

When potential customers see the same message on your site, in a brochure, on Twitter and your blog, it has a higher impact than when they only see it from one source.

4. Become newsworthy

Do something newsworthy so the media advertises for you. For instance, work toward a good cause and alert the newspapers.

5. Join forces with someone else

Joint ventures can be a key for small businesses. So, form teams with other companies to maximize your bang for buck. For instance, share a booth at a trade show or get all the businesses on your block to create a special day where customers get a special deal in all the stores.

6. Don’t underestimate word of mouth

This is perhaps the most important aspect of your marketing. Word of mouth referrals is not only cost effective, but more powerful than anything you can say. So, once you have a customer do everything you can so they are a satisfied customer and are happy to refer you.

7. If it works, stick with it

If you have a campaign or method that is working, don’t change it just because you are ready for something new. Keep it going as long as you’re getting good results.

8. Create versatile literature

Many parts of a brochure are the same across all your customer segments – for instance the technical specifications. So design your brochures and other printed products to be “modular.” Which means, keep your standard sections the same, and then swap out copy and images only on the market specific sections.

9. Organic search

Do your best to keep your keywords relevant and consistent in all your online content even while you aim for fresh content. Remember, time in the sandbox (how long you’ve been there) is very important for doing well with search engine results. For low budgets you need to view this as a tortoise and hare kind of thing – you’ll get there, just stick with it.

10. Use freelancers with the right skill set

Pay for freelancers that have the skill set you need – no more, and no less. You don’t want to hire a designer just because they are cheap if they can’t do a good job with that front-facing literature which is a potential customer’s first impression. However, neither do you need to pay top dollar if you’re designing an employee newsletter. So, know the skill set you need for the particular task and

The current ongoing economic challenges have altered buying behavior. Many people are minimalizing, and downsizing – in short, they’re not buying as much. Smart businesses respond to this change as a challenge. Here are some ideas to help you get away from trying to “sell,” and into the mode of helping your customers buy.

If you’re in the business of producing a product or service that helps people solve an issue or make their lives better or more fun, keep in mind they still have some of the same issues they had before the economic crunch. Now, however, you probably need a new approach in marketing your business.

This can include:

•Make a difference, not a sale

provide value-based education that puts the need of the customer first

•Position your company as trusted adviser

be transparent, honest, and give your customers information to make well-informed decisions (even if their immediate solution is not your product or service)

•Give away valuable information

information is everywhere so invest in creating and delivering information that potential resources cannot get anywhere else

•Be focused

one of your goals needs to be cultivating a trusted leadership reputation within a specific niche

Find your loyal brand users

Directing your efforts toward those customers that love you gives you good bang for your buck. So, how can you tell who those brand fanatics are?

•They open more than 80% of your emails

•They often take an action related to your emails – click, read, or buy

•They share you information by forwarding/sharing your emails

•They have connected with you on your social media sites

•They recommend you to their friends on social media sites

A few quick know your customer tips

•Have a complete understanding of customer likes and dislikes about your products or services and if you don’t know, ask them via a survey such as direct mail, phone or email (reward participation in surveys).

•Set up a system for your employees (or you) to keep ongoing written records of customer compliments and complaints and review these regularly.

•Use the information you get from your customers and make the adjustments and improvements that will keep your customers coming back.

Obtaining grants can be a very rewarding process, but it takes patience, planning and persistence to succeed. The following tips will help make the process more manageable.

PLANNING YOUR PROJECT

Have a well-developed idea about what you hope to accomplish and exactly how you will achieve your goal. Be clear about how the project you are proposing fits into your curriculum and larger goals as well.

Check to see if your district has certain requirements you must follow when writing a proposal for a grant. Also, check to see if there are experienced grant writers in your district who can offer you assistance. You may want to form a grant writing team of people who are interested in your goal. This team could include other art teachers, administrators, and parents.

FINDING THE FUNDS

Locate possible sources of funding. Start with local and state funding, as the overwhelming majority of grants comes from these sources. Look for local educational or arts foundations or other organizations in your area that help fund educational and arts projects. Try your state's Department of Education and your state's Art Education Association. About 7% of grant money comes from the federal government, but these funds are generally channeled through the state. Only 1% of funding comes from private sector foundations or corporations, but that doesn't mean you should overlook these possible sources. See Suggested Sources for Art Education Grants following this document.

Consider pursuing a mini-grant. These usually provide funds of up to $1,000. The application process is simpler, and you have a greater chance of success. Acquiring a mini-grant is excellent practice for writing a larger grant.

Determine whether there is a fit between the particular grants you are considering and the program you wish to implement. Does the source of the grant support projects in your geographical area? Has the grantor given funding to projects similar to the one you wish to pursue? Is your budget within the parameters of past grants awarded by this source?

WRITING THE GRANT PROPOSAL

Once a general fit has been established, any and all requirements of a grant must be considered carefully. If you fail to follow the guidelines exactly, you may be disqualified. Each part of an application must be completed accurately and in a manner that will make a convincing case for your proposal. Take time to carefully craft your writing. Clarity, spelling and grammar are all important. Have your team or a third party proofread your application. A typical grant proposal consists of four sections: concept, program, budget and conclusion.

Concept-

Clearly document the need or problem the program will address.

Explain the benefit of the planned program and how it fits the general mission of the school or district. Use definitive language when stating the benefit. For instance, use the verb "will" instead of "might" or "could."

Include any supportive research that demonstrates success for the type of plan being proposed.

The Program-

Outline the main activities of the program. List the procedures, resources, events and conditions. Clearly outline the path from the activities to the desired goal. Address how the grant program will be part of your larger strategy.

Lay out a timeline for all aspects of the program.

Provide a clear, appropriate plan for assessing the success of the program. This step is essential.

Projections should be made if this project can be repeated or extended into the future.

Be sure to include all staffing and volunteer requirements.

The Budget -

Provide a detailed budget that covers all aspects of the proposal and justifies all expenses.

Show that the requested funds are consistent with the project's objectives and activities.

Be sure the costs are within the range of amounts the organization has previously granted.

The Conclusion-

Here is the place to make a strongly reasoned yet emotional appeal conveying the need for the project. Give a "who, what, where and how" summary of the plan and restate the funding need. Make a case for your own and your district's ability to carry out the plan.

Additional Notes:

Be sure to include a letter of introduction with the application. Keep copies of everything you send. When you receive an answer, whether you are granted the funds or not, write a thank you for the opportunity to apply.

If you do succeed, celebrate your victory and follow your plan to the letter. If you do not succeed, be patient and persistent. Ask why your proposal was not accepted. Often the scoring sheets can be obtained, and you can determine what to change for your next attempt. The effort is worth it!

RESOURCES - HOW TO WRITE A GRANT

The following web sites and documents were used as sources for the information in this document. Visit these sites for more detailed information on proposal writing for grants.

Altman Foundation (2003). Proposal Writing Short Course: Part One [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 11, 2003, from https://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html

Altman Foundation (2003). Proposal Writing Short Course: Part Two [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 4, 2003, from https://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop2.html

(The Altman Foundation/Foundation Center is a great site for information on proposal writing in general. http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/altman)

Grossman, Ruth (2002). Finding the $$ [Electronic Version]. Sunburst Visual Media: Valhalla, N.Y. Retrieved November 14, 2003, from http://www.sunburstvm.com --go to Teacher Resources, then Finding the Money.

The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant Applications in Art Education [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 6, 2003, from www.naea-reston.org, clicking on Special Programs, clicking on National Art Education Foundation, and downloading the NAEF Grant Application Booklet (pdf).

OR

The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant Applications in Art Education. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.

Premier (January 2004) The Premier Funding Directory [Electronic Version]. Bellingham, WA: Premier-A School Specialty Company. http://www.premier.us/funding (Available January 2004).

School Grants (2003). Grant Writing Tips [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 5, 2003, from http://www.schoolgrants.org/tips.htm

SUGGESTED SOURCES FOR ART EDUCATION GRANTS

The web sites and periodicals listed here are provided to assist you in locating grant money. Some of the sources are very specific and some will simply lead you to a source where you can find more information on your own.

Web Resources

(Web sites change over time so the paths listed may not remain exactly the same. The starting points, though, should stay similar enough to find the referenced material.)

Federal Grants

U.S. Department of Education--www.ed.gov

Type "Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination" or "Professional Development for Art Teachers" in the search box.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services--http://hhs.gov/grantsnet

U.S. Department of Justice--http://www.cops.usdoj.gov

National Endowment for the Arts--http://arts.endow.gov

National Endowment for the Humanities--http://neh.fed.us

State Grants

Please check your own state's Department of Education or Department of Public Instruction web site for possible grants in your state.

Another source for art education grants is the state's Art Education Association if your state has one.

Private Sector Grants

The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant Applications in Art Education [Electronic Version]. Retrieved November 6 2003, from www.naea-reston.org, clicking on Special

Programs, clicking on National Art Education Foundation, and downloading the NAEF Grant Application Booklet (pdf).

OR

The National Art Education Foundation (2003). Grant Applications in Art Education. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.

The Altman Foundation/Foundation Center

The Foundation Center is a clearinghouse for grants from the private sector. To access information about grants in education go to http://fdncenter.org/focus/education.

All Sources

School Funding Services

This site has a listing of funding and grant distribution by state.

http://schoolfundingservices.org

School Grants

This user-friendly site lists grants from many different sources.

http://www.schoolgrants.org

Periodicals

The Grantsmanship Center Magazine

This magazine is not specifically targeted at the educational community, but gives good information on fundraising and resources for non-profits. It is free to members of non-profit organizations and agencies at their office address.

http://www.tgci.com

The Grantsmanship Center

1125 W. Sixth Street, 5th floor

PO Box 17220

Los Angeles, CA 90017

(213) 482-9860

Education Grants Alert

This is a newsletter that is published by the Aspen Education Development Group four times a month, and is exclusively about grants for education. A subscription may be requested for on-line or regular newspaper format.

http://www.aspenpublishers.com

(800) 234-1660

Education Week Magazine

This newspaper format magazine deals with issues in education. There is a grants section that runs once a month. It announces grants awarded and grants available. 44 issues plus two annual reports.

http://edweek.org

(301) 280-3100

Aid for Education Report

This weekly periodical may be received online or in print. It provides important information for educational professionals, including comprehensive information on public and private grants.

http://www.cd.publications.com/funding/aidforeducation/html

(301) 512-2250

By Bert Dodson

Spiralbound Hardcover, 192 pages, Copyright ©2007

North Light Books

Bert Dodson is the author of the best-selling book Keys to Drawing (Reprint Edition ©1990). In that book, Dodson shared his complete drawing system designed to teach anyone to draw any subject with total confidence. Thousands of people have found his 55 "keys" and dozens of exercises just the instruction and insight they needed to start drawing. In Keys to Drawing with Imagination, Dodson turns his attention to the creative process with fun techniques and exercises that will help readers draw more imaginatively than ever before.

Dodson rightly suggests that many people think of imagination and creativity as something that you have rather than something you do. You can't be creative until you are actively engaged in the art-making process. This idea is succinctly stated in Dodson's first creative principle: "creativity occurs in action." Seven additional creative principles are presented in the introduction, including this seemingly counter-intuitive gem, "creativity likes constraints and specifics." These eight creative principles, and Dodson's explanation of them, are in themselves worth the price of the book.

The heart of the book, Dodson tells us, is the concept of generating and transforming. He begins with an original sketch or doodle and then experiments with different ideas for transforming that sketch. The book's 37 exercises suggest ideas for transforming doodles into unique, extremely creative drawings. Silhouetting, shading, multiplying, mirror imaging, odd juxtapositions, an immersion are just some of the many fascinating ideas presented.

This is a book that artists of all ages and skill levels will certainly benefit from. At first glance it would appear to be skewed toward older artists, but the exercises seem ideally suited to school-aged children because they encourage the truly creative type of drawing that children already do naturally.

A Guide to Developing Your Creative Spirit

By Nita Leland

Spiralbound Hardcover, 176 pages, Copyright ©2006

North Light Books

Books about specific art techniques are important and necessary, especially for newcomers to a particular medium. Sometimes, though, you don't need more training in technique, what you really need is a little inspiration, a new way of approaching a familiar subject, or a creative nudge to get you out of an artistic rut. That's the kind of book The New Creative Artist is. It's the creative well you can draw from when your own is coming up dry.

This revised, updated version of Nita Leland's original 1993 work includes 50 percent new material with more than 60 fantastic activities for achieving greater creativity. Leland is an encouraging guide. She insists that all of us are creative, if we choose to be. In the book's introduction, she writes, "Creativity isn't magic. It's achievable. So don't wait for a bolt from the blue. Find out what works for you; then get going." And her book gives you plenty of ideas for getting going.

The book is organized into 8 chapters addressing broad subjects: creativity, art and craft, drawing, design, realism, abstraction, experimentation and adventure. Throughout these chapters, filled with thought-provoking quotes and Leland's own insightful prose, the creative activity ideas visually stand out as notes and memos "tacked" to the page. The activities are not step-by-step projects, but brief suggestions for implementing the concepts Leland introduces. For instance, in the chapter on "Design Principle," Leland discusses the importance of rhythm to design. The corresponding activity invites readers to portray the rhythms of music in a drawing or painting.

The book need not be approached linearly, although Leland's thoughts do follow a natural progression with ideas building on one another. Readers in need of a creative jumpstart can easily delve into any page, latch on to an idea and just begin creating. For this reason, the book is a ready source of ideas for art teachers needing either short classroom activities or longer projects to engage their students.