weekly warm-up!
03/30/2009 at 1:17 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 4 CommentsTags: Beth Opel, Creative Spaces, Mandy Douglas, Mandy Douglass scraproom, organization, scrapbook organization, Scrapbooker of the Year, scraproom, spring cleaning, weekly warm up
Happy Monday, CK Blog Chums!
Can you smell it? Spring is wafting its lovely aroma across the land. Even if winter is gamely hanging on in some parts, we can’t help but feel energized and hopeful. If you’re like me, you’re probably itching to fling open the windows and air out your space. You’re dying to get scrubbing and polishing and springifying. You’re longing to toss out some excess and get your stuff in order.
Uh, not so energetic? OK, I understand that I’m a little manic in my love for organization. Perhaps you don’t share my passion for tidying and straightening. So let’s do this:
Today, why don’t you tackle ONE thing?
One drawer.
One shelf.
One type of supply.
One box.
That’s doable, isn’t it?
If you need some organization ideas, don’t forget to check out our monthly column, Creative Spaces. In our April issue, Scrapbooker of the Year Mandy Douglass provides lots of tips for making the most of small areas. Read all about it on p. 56.
Start small. Baby steps, people. We just bet you’ll feel inspired to get creating!
Beth Opel
Senior Writer, Creating Keepsakes
Hot Trend: Houndstooth
03/28/2009 at 1:30 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 75 CommentsTags: CK, CK Hot Spot, Creating Keepsakes magazine, fashion trends, houndstooth, Lori Fairbanks, scrapbook trends, Scrapbooking, trends
April’s Hot Spot column focuses on houndstooth–this trend is so much fun! I love the classic nature of this print. It’s a subset of two overarching trends that have been popular over the past year or two:
* Black and white
* Menswear
What’s especially appealing about this print is how versatile it is.
* In it’s black and white form, it feels perpetually crisp and traditional. Use it as an elegant accent for pages with formal themes-think wedding, heritage, tribute pages and more. Here it is in a smart look from Ann Taylor:
Houndstooth jacket by Ann Taylor
* Recolor it to change the look and feel of the print. Imagine the houndstooth print in a pastel color + white on a baby page (Pretty!). Here’s a darling toddler dress from Little Mass with a gold and white houndstooth print:
Union Jack Dress by Little Mass
* Choose a pop color like orange, turquoise or dark pink + white for everyday-themed pages. Or, for a bolder, more masculine look, pair a bright color like red with black. Check out these cool flip-flops from Old Navy:
Houndstooth flip flops by Old Navy
* Enlarge and pixilate the print to give it a modern edge. Look at these snappy kicks from Oh Deer:
Oh Deer pink/houndstooth shoes
Ready to try this look on your pages? Here’s some product with houndstooth prints:
* Cornish Heritage Farms’ Fine Houndstooth Scrapblock, 6″ x 6″ Cling Mounted Rubber Stamp:
Cornish Heritage Farms houndstooth stamp
* Glitz Design Audrey line:
Glitz Design Audrey line
* Teresa Collins Crush line:
Teresa Collins Crush line
* Graphic 45 Times Nouveau line:
Graphic 45 Wallflower paper from Times Nouveau line
* Scrap In Style TV Gaffer Tape:
Scrap In Style TV gaffer tape
* KI Memories Sheer Delights:
Want to win some of this houndstooth goodness? Leave a comment to this post about how you’d use this fun print by Tueday, March 31st. We’ll randomly select one winner to receive a goody bag featuring several of the above houndstooth products!
–Lori Fairbanks, Associate Writer
Special Guest Blogger, Mandy Douglass
03/27/2009 at 9:00 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 5 CommentsTags: CK, Creating Keepsakes, guest blogger, Hidden Elements, journaling, Mandy Douglass, Mandy's Challenge, Scrapbooker of the Year, Scrapbooking, SOY
Hi. I’m Mandy Douglass, CK’s 2008 Scrapbooker of the Year. One of my exciting responsibilities as a SOY winner is to write a monthly column for the magazine called “Mandy’s Challenge,” which poses a challenge and shows how several different scrapbookers interpret that challenge. In April, my challenge was to incorporate hidden elements on layouts. In response to this column, I was asked the following question by Lisa, who is a reader of my blog:
Q. LOVED the feature on the hidden elements. How do you put these into page protectors so they can be seen and used? I really like the concept to show more photos on a page but not sure how to make it useable in an album.
A. Thanks for the great question, Lisa. I have a couple of answer for you.
1. Cut Creatively: Place your page inside a sheet protector and use a craft knife to cut the sheet protector around just the opening element. This keeps your interactive element accessible while also protecting the remainder of your page.
2. Keep Things Private: One of my favorite elements to keep hidden is my journaling. Often times I don’t want my journaling to be read by every person looking through my scrapbook. It can be very personal at times, and there are certain things that are intended for only certain eyes. For this reason, I have chosen to show you three pages where I’ve purposely kept my thoughts a little less accessible. No cut page protectors here.
Here are a few examples of pages I’ve designed using hidden elements:
This spread is of my son Bryson’s baby blessing. As you can see, I sewed vellum to my page to create a pocket, which holds my journaling card. By taking this approach, the general details of the event are visible, while the more intimate details are hidden. How? Well, when you take the journal card out, it opens up and the actual blessing is recorded. This gives Bryson access to it as he grows up, without making the intimate details known to the world (or at least to those who flip through my albums).
This page was actually one of my entry pages for the Scrapbooker of the Year contest. I chose to hide the journaling behind the picture of my husband holding Bryson, because these are words I want to keep for Bryson’s eyes only. I did, however, decided to slice my sheet protector on the right seam for easier access to the card. This is subtle enough that those flipping through my album likely won’t notice, but the journaling is still easily accessible to our family. You might say it’s the best of both worlds.
The details of this trip to Chicago are very important to our family, as this was one of the last trips we took together before my husband’s brother passed away. Plus, I had a lot to record and not much room to record it. Thus, I hid the journaling behind the pictures on the left page. I like large pockets like this. Besides containing larger amounts of journaling, they’re great for holding memorabilia (postcards, brochures, etc.), extra pictures and more!
As you’re thinking about how to incorporate hidden elements on your pages, I encourage you to answer this question: do you want the element easily accessible to any audience or is it something you purposely want to keep somewhat out of view? The answer will help you decide on the approach to take with your positioning.
I hope this additional look into my April “Mandy’s Challenge” column has given you more ideas and motivation to try hiding an element on your page! For more inspiration, be sure to join my group on the CK website and see what other scrappers are doing with my challenges each month!
Mandy Douglass
Do you have questions for Mandy about anything you’ve seen in her “Mandy’s Challenge” column? Leave her a comment here. Continue Reading Special Guest Blogger, Mandy Douglass…
Computer Tricks 3 Winners
03/26/2009 at 1:05 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 6 CommentsTags: blog winners, CK, CK April issue, computer tricks, Computer Tricks for Scrapbookers, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes magazine, Jessica Sprague, Scrapbook, Scrapbooking, tutorial, winner
You are all so wonderful! Thanks so much for your comments on an earlier post about using your computer for scrapbooking. As promised, we have randomly selected 3 winners to receive a copy of Jessica Sprague’s Computer Tricks for Scrapbooking 3.
If you aren’t one of the lucky ones who win a copy of this special issue today, never fear! You can pick up your very own copy right here.
And now, on to the winners:
Bernice, Deanne and Val you will each receive a copy of Computer Tricks 3! Our editorial assistant, Kim Blackington, will be contacting you soon via email to get your addresses.
I’m slowly learning how to digital scrapbook and am by no means an expert…I have PSE 3 and so far am mostly self taught, though I devour as many tutorials as I can find. Love the chance to improve my skills…Bernice
Comment by Bernice
I have never used my computer to scrapbook I guess you could say I am scared!! This book and the blogs you shared would be an awesome help Thanks so much!
Comment by deanne
I’ve recently installed Elements and found a few digital type blogs. I am so excited to learn more and do some combined digital/traditional scrapping. I’ve been looking at Jessica’s site too. I’d love this computer tricks magazine. I’m looking ofr any tricks I can get right now!
Comment by Val
Be sure to check out the online extension of Jessica’s Computer Tricks column in the April issue of Creating Keepsakes for even more tips (and a tutorial!) on using your computer for scrapbooking.
Lori Anderson
Senior Editor, Creating Keepsakes
13 tips for getting your scrapbook layouts published–and SIStv class winners!
03/26/2009 at 1:03 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: Beth Opel, design, get pages published, get published, getting scrapbook layouts published, Joannie McBride, Lori Fairbanks, Maurianne Dunn, published, Scrapbooking, scrapbooking pages, submitting, tips, visual hierarchy
Hi Again, Everyone!
People are often curious about how we go about selecting the projects we feature in our magazine. You may or may not realize that much of our content is reader-submitted. That’s right– You could have your work chosen for use in the magazine! So today we thought we’d share some valuable tips for upping your chances of getting your work published. Please bear in mind that none of these are hard and fast rules, but in many, many cases they are the factors that make the difference between a good page and a publishable page.
- Use color photographs. Sometimes people may be trying to be artsy, or perhaps they think that the paper is too busy or doesn’t match. But living color is beautiful and real. Says Associate Writer Lori Fairbanks, “In my opinion, color photos look better 95% of the time.” Do we publish layouts with black and white photos? Yes. Yet we frequently ask contributors to replace b/w pics with color ones.
- Use multiple photographs on a page. If you check our magazine, you’ll notice that we do publish single-photo layouts. But the vast majority include more than one picture. We often go back to people and ask them to add more photos. Many of our readers like to get more on a page, so we try to show you how to do that effectively. (One note: our cover layouts will almost always use only one photo, just because it’s more attention-grabbing on the newsstand.)
- Include journaling. A darling photo (or several) with beautiful embellishments and the title Sweet Baby may be visually appealing, but without journaling it isn’t very meaningful. Say SOMETHING. The date, the occasion, the emotions the photo(s) evoke–something is always better than nothing. Take it from Associate Editor Joannie McBride, “Pages that have journaling on them allow me to feel like I am getting the whole story.”
- Keep it fresh. Be sure that you are checking out online galleries (like the one on our CK website) and looking carefully at the projects in our magazine. Try to employ cool techniques and unusual takes to stand out from the crowd. You don’t have to use the newest products, as long as how you showcase them is interesting. However, as Associate Editor Maurianne Dunn points out, “We need pages that don’t look outdated. While old paper is perfect for a scrapbook, we tend to focus on new and fashion-forward looks, which usually means using the latest products.”
- Be yourself. Know the trends, but make them your own. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make it right for you. If every layout we receive has the same embellishments or type of embellishments because it’s super trendy, they will all look the same to us, so doing something innovative and unique will help a page stand out.
- Create double-page spreads. We definitely publish one-pagers, but we do look for spreads, since many of our readers prefer them, and we seem to get fewer usable two-page submissions.
- Make sure your title and journaling are legible. We can’t show layouts at full size in the magazine, so it’s important that the font and color choices you make allow the words to be read easily. If you use your own handwriting, make sure it’s neat and straight.
- Proofread. We know you’re not handing this project in to your English teacher, but if it’s going to be in a magazine, it needs to be correct. Check your spelling (and your apostrophe use!) thoroughly.
- Utilize good design principles. We examine layouts carefully for unity, balance, color sense, etc. If these terms are foreign to you, bone up! Make sure that your design is “clean.” Maurianne says, “You can have a messy style but still have clean design.”
- Understand visual hierarchy. One of the main ways to achieve clean design is by observing the visual hierarchy. Take care that the title and photos aren’t overwhelmed by embellishments that are too bright or large. Inattention to visual hierarchy is one of our most common reasons for passing on a page.
- Choose the best photographs. We tend not to be drawn to layouts that have several different pictures from the same occasion of the same person in slightly different shots. Pick only the most engaging ones, and put the rest in a simple photo album. And apart from varying the subject matter, make sure they’re not too dark or too cluttered or too far away. Again, the image will be shrunk down somewhat in the magazine, so simple and clear is best.
- Reach for the “it” factor. “Maybe it’s a cool technique, or a striking color palette, or unique/cool/beautiful accents,” says Lori-that’s what separates your page from the rest.
- Inspire us. We’re scrapbookers, too. Make us wish we had thought of it first! When Joannie opens your submission, she asks herself, “Does the page inspire me? Does it make me happy? Would I recreate the page?”
We hope these tips give you a little peek inside our process, and if it is your desire to get published, perhaps we’ve given you some valuable concepts to consider. If we haven’t covered something you’ve wondered about, let us know. Check here for our current page calls, or direct general submissions to our attention at editorial@creatingkeepsakes.com.
If you scrapbook totally for the love, good for you! Remember, the number one guideline is HAVE FUN! You are documenting your history, and that in itself is the best reward.
Finally, here are the winners of the SIStv online classes:
- Max Out Your Mini Albums (March 23-27): Sandra (6:56 p.m.) and Janet Zeppa (1:23 p.m.)
- Picture Perfect: Photo Editing 101 (March 30-April 3): Anna (12:32 a.m.) and Ruth Allmart (3:16 a.m.)
- Scrap In Style Home: Decorating On A Budget (A six-week course beginning April 13): scrappymommyof3 (12:55 a.m.) and Andrea (5:16 a.m.)
- Bling Out Your Blog 2.0 (April 20-May 1) Candice (12: 34 p.m.) and Mandi C. (11:47 p.m.)
Congrats! Please contact us at bopel@ckmedia.com to receive your gift certificates!
Beth Opel
Senior Writer, Creating Keepsakes
Calling all sketchy ideas
03/26/2009 at 12:52 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 CommentTags: Becky Higgins, Becky's Sketch, CK, Creating Keepsakes, editorial call, get published, Megan Hoeppner, page call, scheme, Scrapbook, Scrapbooking, sketch
Hi there! How would you like to have one of your layouts published in Becky Higgins’ monthly magazine column “Becky’s Sketch?” We’re currently looking for ideas to use in our September issue. Here are the details:
Using the sketch pictured below, create a well-executed, memorable layout to submit to CK. Please note: This sketch is for the September 2009 issue. You aren’t required to use seasonal pictures, but they are a plus. Here are three easy steps to follow when it comes to sending us your ideas:
1. Layout Details
Use solid-colored cardstock, patterned paper, textured paper or digital supplies-whatever works best for your layout. Choose the page size (8 1/2″ x 11″ or 12″ x 12″) you prefer. You can scrapbook black-and-white or color photos-it doesn’t matter. You can also submit single-page layouts, cards and home décor items inspired by one or both sides of the sketch.
2. Special Instructions
Two equally sized enlargements, or one long enlargement (crossing onto both pages) take center stage in this month’s sketch. Surround the focal point with several smaller pictures and journaling, leaving space around the parameter. Submissions due April 3, 2009.
3. How to Submit
When your layout is complete, e-mail an electronic version to editorial@creatingkeepsakes.com. Be sure to include “Becky’s Sketch” in your subject line. Note: Attached files MUST be less than 300K. Include a supplies list for the layout as well.
You can also mail color copies or photographs of the layouts to:
Becky’s Sketch
Creating Keepsakes
14850 Pony Express Road
Bluffdale, UT 84065
If your layout is selected, we will contact you with details on your next steps.
In order to maintain fresh content in our magazine, we ask that you please submit layouts that have not been posted in online galleries or personal blogs that are available to the general public.
We’re excited to see what you do with this call.
Thanks!
Megan Hoeppner, Creative Editor
Hide and Peek
03/24/2009 at 6:46 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 10 CommentsTags: CK, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes magazine, Hidden Journaling, Lori Anderson, Mandy Douglass, Scrapbooker of the Year, Scrapbooking
With the spring comes a favorite tradition that many people enjoy—a good old fashioned Easter egg hunt. Who doesn’t love heading out on an adventure and seeing what fun treasures they can find? This month, in our April issue of Creating Keepsakes, our 2008 Scrapbooker of the Year, Mandy Douglass, challenges you to try fun hidden journaling techniques on your layouts. Finding hidden surprises on a page is always a fun for everyone, don’t you think?!
Egg Hunt by Mandy Douglass
Inspired by Mandy’s challenge, I incorporate hidden journaling on this layout I created about my son’s birthday. I wanted to showcase some of the cool things he had done while he was nine, and he and I decided that it would be fun to write down his “top 9” favorite things for that year.
- Nine by Lori Anderson
Because I enlarged a few of the photos, I didn’t have quite enough space on my one page layout for his list, so I placed a tab on the list and tucked it behind the main photo on my page. Now, I have the memories of his “top 9” recorded, and he knows that his memories are always tucked in a special place on the layout.
Nine by Lori Anderson
Check out Mandy’s challenge today on page 107 of our April issue, and don’t forget to take Mandy’s challenge to place a hidden element on your next page! Be sure to post your creations in our gallery so that we can see the wonderful things you create!
Lori Anderson
Senior Editor, Creating Keepsakes
P.S. Join Mandy this Friday, as our guest blogger right here on the Creating Keepsakes blog. She’ll be sharing even more creative ways to incorporate hidden journaling onto your layouts!
Weekly Warm-up!
03/23/2009 at 1:53 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: Andrew Johnson, Beth Opel, border, border rub-ons, Borderline, Brandy Jesperson, Brenda Peterson, Brittany Beattie, Carma Calder, Cath Edvalson, CK, Creating Keepsakes, Erin Bayless, GCD Studios, giveaway, Hambly Screen Prints, Janice Barfuss, Jennafer Martin, Jenni Bowlin Studio, Jennifer McGuire, Jennifer Schaerer, Joannie McBride, K&Company, Kaisercraft, Kim Blackinton, Lori Fairbanks, Madonna, Matt Anderson, Maurianne Dunn, Maya Road, Megan Hoeppner, Neko Carillo, P. Kelly Smith, product, Rob and Bob Studio, rub-ons, Susan Opel, technique, winner
Happy Monday, Friends of CK!
You know how certain songs can just whisk you back to a very specific moment? That’s how the song “Borderline” by Madonna is for me. I vividly remember a lovely walk on a spectacular Michigan summer day, among country creeks and cornstalks, skipping along to that catchy tune . . .
Today, we invite you to embrace the borderline in your projects. Particularly, we propose that you get creative with border rub-ons, just like our technique guru, Jennifer McGuire, does in her column on p. 47 of the April issue of Creating Keepsakes. Try one of Jennifer’s suggestions:
- Add border rub-ons to plain ribbon.
- Apply rows of border rub-ons to create your own patterned paper.
- Use border rub-ons to create journaling lines.
- Decorate a die-cut shape with a border rub-on outline.
- Apply a border rub-on along a curved edge.
- Accentuate border rub-ons with gems.
- Decorate craft supplies with rub-ons.
Or, come up with your own inventive use for border rub-ons. And don’t forget to share your projects in our online gallery. Check out just some of the snazzy products that manufacturers are offering:
Finally-wow! We really enjoyed all your Irish toasts and blessings…what a great smile-inducer last week. The LUCKY winner of our green giveaway? None other than the lovely Teresa M., who shared this little ditty:
May the Irish hills caress you
May her lakes and rivers bless you
May the luck of the Irish enfold you
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you
Teresa, please send us your address to bopel@ckmedia.com so we can get your green goodies in the mail!
Remember to mosey on over to our Facebook page to become a fan and receive mailings with even more fun ideas!
Beth Opel
Senior Writer, Creating Keepsakes
We Want To See Your Pages
03/21/2009 at 11:00 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: CK, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes magazine, reader pages, Scrapbooking, submissions
Do you have scrapbook pages along the following themes? If so, we’d like to see them for publication consideration for a future issue!
Lake and River Trips
We’re looking for your creative layouts that document a trip to a river or lake. Whether you visited a river or lake to fish, swim, boat, kayak, camp or simply enjoy the majestic beauty, we’d love to see your pages on water-related activities. Note: Layouts about visits to water parks and the beach will not be considered for this call.
Two-page, multiphoto layouts with color photos are preferred, though any layouts or mini albums may be submitted.
Please e-mail scans or photos of your layouts to editorial@creatingkeepsakes.com and include “lakes and rivers” in the subject line. Please send each layout submission in a separate e-mail and make sure the file size is 500k or less. The deadline for this call is Saturday, March 28.
Back-to-School Layouts-Telling Your Child’s Story
While you’ve likely created back-to-school layouts almost every year, have you ever thought to include journaling from someone else’s perspective? If so, then we’d love to see your pages! We’re looking for back-to-school themed layouts on everything from buying school supplies to choosing the right outfit to meeting the teacher(s) and loading the school bus. The KEY is that we want the journaling on these pages to be from the perspective of your children. Ask them questions, let them fill out a “quiz,” or simply have them share their favorite memories from back-to-school time. But let them do the talking while you design your layouts. We can’t wait to see what the you and your children come up with together!
Two-page, multiphoto layouts with color photos are preferred, though any layouts or mini albums may be submitted.
Please e-mail scans or photos of your layouts to editorial@creatingkeepsakes.com and include “back to school” in the subject line. Please send each layout submission in a separate e-mail and make sure the file size is 500k or less. The deadline for this call is Thursday, April 2.
We look forward to seeing your pages.
Happy scrapping!
Brittany Beattie, Managing Editor
meet Jeanette Herdman of SIStv…and win!
03/19/2009 at 1:55 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 85 CommentsTags: album, Beth Opel, BigSIS, Brandy Jesperson, Brittany Beattie, CK, classes, contest, Creating Keepsakes, fashionistas, gift certificate, giveaway, interview, Jeanette Herdman, Kelly Smith, Megan Hoeppner, MODsheets, Paper Crafts, prize, Scrap In Style, Scrap In Style LIVE, Scrapbooking, SIStv, Spring Green, Style Star, Susan Opel, The Agency, webisode, Wilna Furstenberg
Greetings from Blogland!
Today the CK Blog welcomes Scrap In Style founder, Jeanette Herdman. Creating Keepsakes and Scrap In Style have partnered for a super cool contest: Style Star! Before we get to that, however, let’s learn a little about Jeanette and SIStv!
CK: So, in case our readers don’t know…What is SIStv?
JH: SIStv is “Scrap In Style TV,” a magazine style web TV show that my husband and I created and produce that is centered around memory keeping and the paper arts. ScrapinStyletv.com is the web site that we developed to help build our viewership as well as the brand Scrap In Style.
CK: Where did you come up with the concept for SIS?
JH: Creating the show was actually my husband’s idea several years ago. He has been in the entertainment industry since the early 90’s and thought producing a cutting edge show that featured scrapbooking would be a great niche. It took some time for me to catch his vision. Once I got on board, I dove in head first and found out that producing and hosting a show about my favorite hobby was like my dream job.
CK: Love the fashion/style theme. Do you ever worry that a beginning scrapbooker will be intimidated by the ultra-cool tone of your site?
JH: Thank you and YES!! I worry about the intimidation factor A LOT. Up until recently, it was very difficult to address the beginning scrapbooker since it wasn’t something we designed into the site from the beginning, and I felt this to be a huge flaw. The web site is currently undergoing some pretty major upgrades and we are dedicating an entire section to beginners. The goal is that from the minute they land on our homepage, they feel the warm welcome that our community is known for, and they will quickly be able to navigate to other areas that will fill them in on how to get started in scrapbooking.
CK: What can a new member (SISter) expect to gain from joining SIS?
JH: I suddenly feel the need to speak in bullet points:
- Education – SISters learn tips and techniques from the webisodes, our design team projects and tutorials, as well as from other members via the various forums.
- Encouragement – We are blessed with an incredibly encouraging and supportive group of people who are actively involved in our forums. People participate in our forums because they’re looking to make friends who share their love of all things “paper and glue”.
- Entertainment – Well, at least I hope people find the webisodes entertaining. I mean, I’m a quirky, oftentimes awkward person doing crafts…who doesn’t find that entertaining?
- Inspiration – this is a biggie! I truly believe that our site’s gallery is the best on the Internet. Because we appeal to a lot of indie crafters, we see stuff in our gallery (called the “SISter’s Portfolios“) that is seriously worthy of being hung in an art gallery. There is such a wealth of techniques and ideas available, it’s impossible to visit and come away feeling dry, creatively.
CK: What makes SIS different from other online scrapbooking destinations?
JH: Since we are a small company, we are extremely dedicated to keeping our SISters and boutique customers happy. We are genuinely excited about every new member that joins our site, and we stay very involved in the forums. When you combine this with our streamlined, highly intuitive and feature-rich “fashion-forward” web site, you end up with a truly unique online experience. Very soon we will also be revealing a major upgrade to the site which will add even more content and features. It’s pretty exciting.
SIStv founder, Jeanette Herdman
CK: So is SIS just an online scrap site, or is there more to your brand? Are you involved with any events or additional enterprises?
JH: As a matter of fact, SIS has its own product line. Right now we have eight paper collections as well as a new paper product called MODsheetsTM that I think will be a big hit with every type of scrapbooker (“MOD” actually stands for “Multi Option Design”). They’re extremely versatile as well as economical.
We also offer online classes. You can take a class on just about any topic, such as photography, sewing, digital scrapbooking, blogging and of course paper crafting. We are lucky to have an incredibly talented team of teachers. In 2009 we opened up our new virtual classrooms, which make taking a SIStv class a very interactive experience from the comfort of your own home. You can watch Wilna Furstenberg make an amazing mini album, follow her written instructions, and then pop in on a live chat and ask her your questions, all at your convenience.
Another iron that we’ve put into the proverbial fire is our live event called “Scrap In Style LIVE.” We just announced our second event which is coming up June 26-28 in Franklin, TN.
CK: How do you go about choosing your design team (Fashionistas)?
JH: First and foremost I look for designers who are at the top of the scrapbooking “game.” Whatever their personal style is–whether simple, artsy, digi, or traditional–they have to be fantastic. I also look at personality, their involvement in our site, and whether or not I think the SISters would really benefit from having them on the team.
CK: Your site has a really positive vibe. How did you achieve that, and how do you prevent it from going sour?
JH: Fairly soon after we launched, I got a private message from a SISter who requested that I delete a post she had made where she was kind of venting some stuff about life in general and someone lambasted her for it. I was so shocked that someone felt completely comfortable posting something like that on my pretty little website! Without a thought I deleted the post. That is when it became like a crusade for me to keep things positive as much as possible.
Once people became aware of my stance, they joined in “the good fight” and helped out by monitoring the boards and alerting us when people created posts that were degrading to other SISters.
SIStv, Retro Modern Collection
CK: Your online shop is very well-edited. What goes into the process of selecting the scrapbooking products you offer?
JH: “Well-edited” is such a nice way of putting it! I mainly carry items that are considered to be “specialty” scrapbooking items. I also offer a lot of vintage items and unique found items that I come across on my shopping excursions. When putting our collections (aka kits) together, I will sometimes splurge for a high-end Parisian trim or expensive vintage fabric in order to ensure that SIS Collections are as unique as they can be. Also, I won’t carry anything that I wouldn’t use in my own crafting.
CK: Which of your contests has been the most exciting or satisfying to you?
JH: Hands down, our “Project Catwalk” contest. This was a nearly five-month competition where the contestants had challenges each week and earned points that accumulated over time. The projects were unbelievable! I was exhausted just from a judge’s standpoint, so I don’t know how they did it, but the final four contestants all have my undying respect.
CK: So tell us about “The Agency.”
JH: Absolutely! “The Agency” is a program for designers who have a real desire to get their work published. Some of our more published design team members offer classes and engage SISters who participate in “The Agency” forum. I think we’re taking a fresh approach with this, and I really hope it fosters some of tomorrow’s most well-known scrapbooking designers.
CK: What’s the most rewarding part of being Big Sister?
JH: The absolute most rewarding thing is when I hear someone say that SIS has changed their life. (And yes, I have heard that on more than one occasion.) It’s completely humbling. Not that I was a direct part of it, but knowing that something that I had a hand in creating was a part of something big in a person’s life is amazing.
project by Jeanette Herdman (as a blonde) 🙂
CK: OK, now about that contest, Style Star…?
JH: The theme for the contest is Spring Green! You can interpret the theme however you like. Show us cool recycled projects, sweet Easter cards, funky flowered layouts…it’s up to you! To enter, simply upload your entry to the SIStv contest gallery and be sure to include a short description of how your entry interprets the theme.
Winners will be selected in each of the following categories:
- cards
- layouts
- projects
Creating Keepsakes editors Brittany Beattie, Beth Opel and Megan Hoeppner will pick one winner from each category to receive a Creating Keepsakes and SIStv prize package!
Paper Crafts editors Brandy Jesperson, Susan Opel and Kelly Smith will pick one winner from each category to receive a Paper Crafts and SIStv prize package!
The contest ends on Wednesday, March 25.
Oh, and as promised, here’s the giveaway!
SIStv is offering eight free spots to upcoming SIStv classes in 2009! How cool is that!
- Two spots: Max Out Your Mini Albums (March 23-27)
- Two spots: Picture Perfect: Photo Editing 101 (March 30-April 3)
- Two spots: Scrap In Style Home: Decorating On A Budget (A six-week course beginning April 13)
- Two spots: Bling Out Your Blog 2.0 (April 20-May 1)
Simply leave a comment and tell us which class(es) appeal to you most, and we’ll randomly select 8 winners. Prizewinners will be announced on Thursday, March 26. Good luck!
Beth Opel
Senior Writer, Creating Keepsakes
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