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Steal This Idea! A Creative Launchpad for Squidoo Lensmasters

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Plan Ahead for Great Lens Ideas

In the writing world, there aren't any new ideas under the sun, but there are plenty of ways to slant used ideas with a fresh focus. The same is true when developing lenses here at Squidoo. It's all about approach.

Take this lens idea, for example. I wasn't hit by a thunderbolt, and I didn't hear the "Hallelujah Chorus" as I made plans to begin. But I did envision it becoming a useful tool for lensmasters--a one-stop resource where visitors could find inspiration for future lenses. Once I completed my fifty lenses and was welcomed in as a Giant Squid, I thought how handy a tool like this would have been when I was learning the ropes. Then I realized that a month-by-month directory of ideas is helpful for us all.

Consider this a launchpad of monthly idea-starters. I'll include questions to ponder, a calendar of month-by-month special occasions and observances, and oddball trivia to give your gray matter a good workout. I'll expand it periodically, so check back from time to time.

After you sign the guestbook, there's an extra treat near the bottom of this lens--a list of imagination-boosters that are so unique, I just had to include them. If you don't use any other resource in this lens, please visit that module. Pretty incredible stuff!

Bottom line: Have fun, and Steal any idea you find here. They're yours for the taking. After you build your lens, return to add your lens to the list there at the very bottom.

Here's to a year of creative ideas!

Visit Seedplanter's Porch, where I share the story behind my lenses.

It is not once nor twice but times without number that the same ideas make their appearance in the world. - Aristotle

Plant a Famous Quote

Use quotations to dress up your Squidoo lenses

I have always enjoyed famous quotes. I have several books of quotes, word origins, and other word-related topics. (You might also remember my Wordaholics Anonymous lens.)

Quotes are like seeds. Choose a quote and think about its meaning. What was the author feeling at the time? How does it apply to your life personally? Could it be used as a seed to grow a lens?

When I run out of ideas, nothing jump-starts the creative process like reading a collection of quotes. Look over the following quotes and see if one of them might be a seed to your next lens.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt

"People want to know how much you care before they care how much you know." - James F. Hind

"Life is short; art is long." - Hippocrates

"Success is a journey, not a destination." - Ben Sweetland

"I made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it short." - Blaise Pascal

"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about." - Einstein

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Idea-Starters for January

Brainstorm new lenses - steal these prompts!

March of Dimes Team Youth
Get involved with the March of Dimes! A website devoted exclusively to how youth can help. January is Prematurity Awareness Month.
Oatmeal Month
Did you know that January is National Oatmeal Month? That's because more oatmeal is consumed during January than any other month of the year.
International Creativity Month
For one month each year the world celebrates International Creativity Month - a month to remind individuals and organizations around the globe to capitalize on the power of creativity.
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
Take care of your computer and it'll repay you tenfold.
National Mail Order Gardening Month
Choose early for payoffs in spring and summer.

Idea-Starters for February

Bake for the Family Fun Month
February 2002 was the first annual Bake for Family Fun Month. The Home Baking Association has dedicated this occasion to the great taste, good nutrition, economy and family fun of home baking.
Libary Lovers Month
Like books? You'll love this observance.
National Cherry Pie Month
Whether you like cherry pie or not, it's one of the great American desserts, worthy of celebrating.
National Pet Dental Health Month
February is National Pet Dental Health Month. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), an astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three.
Spunky Old Broads Month
Gayle Carson is known as the 70 year old, three time cancer survivor who's an internet entrepreneur and a kick-boxing
Youth Leadership Month
Youth Leadership Month is an annual February event dedicated to celebrating young people who take on leadership roles in their lives. This is also the month to empower those young people who have not yet take on leadership positions to do so because they can.

"Celebrate, Life is a Journey" print

Celebrate, Life is a Journey




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We are prisoners of ideas. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Idea-Starters for March

National Caffeine Awareness Month
This topic makes us smile, but it's dead serious. From their website:
"The Caffeine Awareness Alliance, a non-profit organization, is committed to the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of the public whose lives have been affected by their misuse of, or dependency on caffeine. Our mission is to provide objective, evidence-based information and advice to help reduce the health, social, and economic harm associated with caffeine abuse and addiction."
National Craft Month
National Craft Month (NCM) is a nationwide consumer awareness program designed to draw attention to crafts and the benefits derived from craft activities. Celebrated each March by consumers and the industry alike, NCM activities and promotions take place nationally and locally.
Help Someone See Month
Lions Club International has been recycling used eyeglasses for 80+years. Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Facts
There are 17 official Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers in the world (nine in the U.S., one each in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Republic of South Africa, and Spain).
National Umbrella Month
A month that is dedicated to one of the most versatile, yet underrated inventions.
Youth Science Month
Celebrate Youth Science Month in Canada!
Youth Science Month
Celebrate Youth Science Month in Canada!

Fabulous Planners @Amazon

Use planners as a writing journal to harness new lens ideas

...because there's something magical about a brand-new planner, all white-sheeted and ready to record a new year. Agreed?
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Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together.
- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

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Idea-Starters for April

Donate Life Month
National Donate Life Month was established in 2003. Every day in April, people across the U.S. make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors and to encourage more Americans to follow their fine example.
National Autism Awareness Month
In order to highlight the growing need for awareness about autism, April has been designated as National Autism Awareness Month. This gives ASA and local chapters a special opportunity to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.
National Kite Month
National Kite Month is a not-for-profit venture co-founded by the American Kitefliers Association and the Kite Trade Association International. Kite events around the world help introduce people to the fun of kiteflying, the rich history of kites, the stunning artistry of kitemakers, and how kites can be used as educational tools.
National Poetry Month
Inaugurated by the Academy in April 1996, National Poetry Month brings together publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.
National Frog Month
April really is "National Frog Month"! Not everyone likes frogs, but for those of you who do enjoy these wonderful green creatures, this person has put together a web site for you to check out and have fun with.

Say it with a "Woot" Mug from Seedplanter's Zazzle Gallery

Congratulate yourself on a lens well done!

16 0z. WOOT! Mug mug
16 0z. WOOT! Mug by seedplanter
make your own picture mug Online at zazzle
View more Non-Alcoholic Drinks Mugs

Never fear having your ideas stolen. Your creative idea is a image you are painting like a picture on a canvas, they may "steal" your idea, however they cannot steal your paints. - Sumner Davenport

Plan Ahead!

Planners & Blank Leather Books

Tools to help you organize thoughts and give flight to your ideas.
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Idea-Starters for May

Steal any idea that sparks a new lens

National Salsa Month
Recipes, history of the day, and more
National Military Appreciation Month
Including ways to honor troops and military families, with lots of good suggestions.
Older Americans Month
Each year, the month of May is proclaimed Older Americans Month throughout the nation. The Administration on Aging develops a theme for Older Americans Month and disseminates the theme to the entire aging network. Each year the President signs a proclamation regarding Older Americans Month in celebration of the achievements and contributions of the nation's older persons.
World Lyme Disease Awareness Month
The Lyme Disease Foundation (LDF) is the premier nonprofit dedicated to finding solutions for tick-borne disorders. Realizing the ability to find solutions involves a multi-discipline effort, the LDF includes the four cornerstones of progress (businesses, patients, government, and the medical community) to work together to find solutions to tick-borne disorders.
National Vineager Month
Vinegar has been around for more than 10,000 years! We offer info on how today's vinegar represents the best elements of that product of long ago as well as new products to keep up with the changing times.

A Little Diversion While You're Thinking

Clear your head with this hidden-pictures image

(*thanks to Aha.com for the cartoon)

"Step by Step"--just like chasing a good idea!

Step by Step




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Idea-Starters for June

Summertime ideas for brainstorming new warm-weather lenses

National Candy Month
Who knew?
Potty Training Awareness Month
Potty Training tips for whoever celebrates this unusual June observance.
National Iced Tea Month
It only makes sense that June, with its increasingly hot and humid days, would be National Iced Tea Month! Iced Tea is a very popular drink in America, and comes in an array of different types and flavors.
National Turkey Lovers Month
In June? I would have guessed November, but you never know what to expect from these people who celebrate every little thing.
International Clothesline Week
Over 75% of our households have a clothes dryer drawing huge amounts of energy! If every household participated for even one day it would save us a huge amount of energy which translates into a huge dollar savings. Scheduled every year on the first Saturday in June, for one week.
National Bubba Day
National Bubba Day honors anyone named or called Bubba. To qualify to be honored today, your name can be formally, or informally "Bubba". You can even take on the name "Bubba" for just the day. That way everyone can celebrate this day.
Chimborazo Day
According to Chase's Calendar of Events, this is the day that publicizes that Mt. Chimborazo "pokes farther out into space than any other mountain on earth..." Near the equator and located in Ecuador, for some reason this proves that the Mississippi runs uphill. Go figure.
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Seedplanter's Porch is my Squidoo blog, where I go to relax and reflect after a day of brainstorming or working on Squidoo lenses. It's also the place where I often tell the "story behind the story"--how I come up with various ideas for new lenses.

Stop by soon. Iced tea and snickerdoodles are waiting for you.

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Idea-Starters for July

National Blueberries Month
July was proclaimed National Blueberry Month by the United States Department of Agriculture on May 8th, 1999.
Cell Phone Courtesy Month
Rules for cell-phoning in public, including "Don't Cell-Yell."
Nationall Horseradish Month
Did you know, horseradish is America's favorite root?
Oh, really?
National Doghouse Repairs Month
July is National Doghouse Repair Month - is your best friend's pad up to snuff? Make sure your dog's home is safe and sound with our repair tips.
National Hot Dog Month
July is National Hot Dog Month, and according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans will be consuming the infamous little red tubes of "meat" in record numbers this summer.
National Hemochromatosis Screening Month
What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder in which the body improperly absorbs iron above bodily needs. As a result, from infancy on, excess iron from food and dietary supplements is absorbed into the body. The body has no way of getting rid of the excess iron.

Nine to Five III




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Look Deeper!

Let's Brainstorm...

Ok, first we'll think of a so-so topic.
On its own, it might not seem lens-worthy, but stay with me here.
Let's think of unique slants that would give it a twist you've never seen before.

For example...

In January, trees are typically bare. The once-beautiful flowerbeds are dormant, and not a pretty sight. On one hand, you might think of winter as depressing and gray. It's one of those must-have's, in order to eventually see Spring's return.

What if you looked at it from the flip side? Winter doesn't have to be a "down" months. Dormant doen't mean dead, and it certainly doesn't have to mean dull. Imagine all that's going on underground where you can't see. Like a duck paddling fiercely underwater, plants are busy throughout the dormant season, making preparations for spring's green shoots.

Don't just take something at face value. There's usually a lot more going on under the surface. As writers, it's for us to dig out--to find a story in the ordinary.

And isn't that the fun of it all?

Idea-Starters for August

Sisters Day
The first Sunday in August is Sisters Day. Sister's Day celebrates being or having a sister. That means a lot of us will celebrate this special day.
National Kids Day
There's a Mother's Day, there's a Father's Day,
and now America celebrates %u2026 National KidsDay®!
Millions of people in thousands of cities have enjoyed this Congressionally recognized, nationwide celebration as a wonderful opportunity to build valuable bonds and priceless memories with the children in their lives %u2026 and the good news is, it doesn't have to cost a cent!
National S'Mores Day
If you haven't tasted a s'more around a campfire, you must be feeling pretty clueless about now.
National Ice Cream Soda Week
If you don't remember old-fashioned sodas, find someone older who does. Chances are they'll be out celebrating Ice Cream Soda week.
National Watermelon Day
Always celebrated on the 3rd of August. Don't ask me why. I just do the typing around here.

Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. - John Steinbeck

Idea-Starters for September

Cooler weather calls for cool lens ideas!

Fall Hat Month
Hmmm. Never heard of this one, have you?
Jazz Appreciation Month
The theme of this September observance is "Live it. Learn it. Love it."
Healthy Aging Month
Healthy Aging® is a national ongoing health effort designed to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging and to provide information and inspiration for adults, age 50+, to improve their physical, mental, social, and financial fitness. Healthy Aging® is a U.S. registered trade and service mark. Healthy Aging® represents the best there is about aging.
National Asthma Week
Canada celebrates this the first week of Sepbember each year. For details about ashtma, visit the Asthma Foundation of Victoria.
World Heart Day
September 28th is the day set aside to observe this. Learn about heart health at the World Heart Federation website.
National Punctuation Day
September 24 turns wordsmiths into loonytunes. Here's a hilarious but useful site about punctuation, complete with a happy woman who made a meatloaf in the shape of a question mark. Hmmm.

Idea-Starters for October

Pastor Appreciation Month
Appreciating your pastor is more than an event on the calendar. The focus of this positive, faith based website, is to challenge churches to honor and encourage pastors throughout the year
National Popcorn Poppin' Month
Learn more than you thought you ever needed to know about this favorite snack.
National Book Month
How will you celebrate books?
Apple Month
I love apples, so this would be an easy & fun topic to write about. Lots of "slant" potential there.
Stamp Collecting Month
Have you ever collected stamps? Do you know anyone who does? Avid stamp collectors are passionate about their hobby. Learn more about it and see what you can come up with for a lens.

Idea-Starters for November

November naturally reminds us of Thanksgiving, but let's look at some unique observances instead.
Family Stories Month
This is a time to get together with family and friends to share family stories and what better time to share then when gathering during the holiday season.
Military Family Appreciation Month
Ideas for celebrating and honoring these families who give so much.
National Georgia Pecans Month
Eat 'em for breakfast...use them for baking...pop a handful in your mouth. Georgia Pecans are worthy of a celebration (and a lens?)
Vegan Month
Although I'm not a vegan, I find it fascinating that vegans seem so driven by a set of strict guidelines. Might make for an interesting People lens.
World Kindness Week
This website is packed full of info on the benefits of kindness--from health to friendship to world peace.
International Fraud Week
(Notice the leap from kindness to fraud? Such is life...)
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), along with official supporters of International Fraud Awareness Week from the public and private sector, are proactively taking steps to minimize the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education.
Children's Book Week
A celebration of the written word, Children's Book Week introduces young people to books, authors, illustrators and ideas in schools, libraries, homes and bookstores. Through Children's Book Week, the Children's Book Council encourages young people and their caregivers to discover the complexity of the world beyond their own experience through books. Below is an extensive list of online resources for celebrating Children's Book Week.We encourage you to make copies of these materials for your classroom or personal use.

Idea-Starters for December

Human Rights Day
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
National Tie Month
Think for more than a few seconds about that piece of cloth tied around your neck and it might start to feel silly. Do you know why people began wearing neckties? A better question might be why they continued.
National Cookie Cutter Week
First week in December. What are you waiting for? Bake some cookies!
Bingo's Birthday Month
The game was originally called "beano" and dates back to 1530 with the Italian variation called Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia. Bingo was made by toy salesman, Edwin S. Lowe, who initially overheard someone accidentally yell "bingo!" in their utter excitement playing Beano at a carnival. He produced the first commercial version of the game, which retailed at $1.
National Write a Business Plan Month
Some businesses need much more detailed plans than others, (especially if they have inventory, employees and suppliers) but even a very simple business should have some kind of plan.
Hi Neighbor Month
What if your neighbor doesn't say hi back? Hmmm.

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Boomerang

A quick and easy way to return to selected sections of this lens

Whenever I read a new magazine, I like to browse quickly through it, then return to read full articles that grabbed my attention. That's also how I approach Squidoo lenses. I browse them first, then go back and explore modules that piqued my interest.

Here's an easy way to return to selected sections. Just click and go.
  2. Plant a Famous Quote
  3. Spending Too Much Time Online?
  4. Idea-Starters for January
  5. Idea-Starters for February
  6. "Celebrate, Life is a Journey" print
  8. Idea-Starters for March
  9. Fabulous Planners @Amazon
  12. Idea-Starters for April
  13. Say it with a "Woot" Mug from Seedplanter's Zazzle Gallery
  15. Plan Ahead!
  16. Idea-Starters for May
  17. A Little Diversion While You're Thinking
  18. "Step by Step"--just like chasing a good idea!
  19. Idea-Starters for June
  21. Have you visited Seedplanter's Porch?
  22. Idea-Starters for July
  24. Look Deeper!
  25. Idea-Starters for August
  27. Idea-Starters for September
  28. Idea-Starters for October
  30. Idea-Starters for November
  31. Twitter Me!
  32. Idea-Starters for December
  33. Leave a Footprint
  34. Subscribe to my RSS feed
  35. Tired of Bad News?
  36. More Idea-Sparkers

More Idea-Sparkers

Online resources to challenge your imagination

I've done the legwork so you don't have to. Here are articles, websites, and blogs I've come across that may be exactly what you're looking for creatively. Keep a notebook nearby as you read through these, because I can almost guarantee you'll be scribbling new ideas.
SAMBA Blog: Hamster Burial Kits & 998 Other Business Ideas
Ideas are a dime a dozen. The money is in the execution.Need proof? For Seth Godin's Alternative MBA program, this week the nine of us came up with 111 business ideas each.But ideas are only valuable when someone (like you) makes something happen.What follows are our 999 business ideas, free for the
Imagination Cubed
Share ideas by drawing on GE's multi-user online whiteboard. You won't believe this amazing tool!
The Scribbler
This tool has been referred to as "visible thought," and for good reason. Make a simple line drawing, hit a button, and watch the magic begin. The brain responds to the generated picture in a way that may surprise you. It also oils the wheels of creativity. Try it!
Playing with Numbers
This one boggles my mind! But that's the point...
Thinking Machine: Play Chess
Certain mind games are good exercise for the brain. Crosswords, word searches...and now Chess online with an invisible player. Challenging, fun, and brain-stretching.
3D Stereograms - Eyetricks.com
This index of stererograms will keep you busy for hours. (Don't shoot me. I'm just the messenger.)

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