Happy Easter!
04/04/2010 at 8:17 am | Posted in Holidays, Uncategorized | 151 CommentsTags: CK, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes magazine, deocrating Easter eggs, Easter, Easter accents, Easter crafts, Easter eggs, Easter layouts, erin lincoln, holiday, holiday layouts, holiday traditions, Holidays, Lara Penrod, Martha Stewart, Susan Weinroth
Happy Easter, and thanks for stopping by the Creating Keepsakes blog today. We hope the day is bringing you at least some semblance of spring weather.
No matter how old my siblings and I get, we still get together every year to color Easter eggs. For some reason this activity has never lost its appeal for us. Maybe because we’re always a bit goofy while we do it.
One of the (many) great things about the March/April issue of Creating Keepsakes, is the article, “The Good, the Fab, and the Spectacular” in which we show you how to take an event you celebrate every year and mix it up to create some spectacular Easter layouts.
I especially like this layout from Susan Weinroth. I love how she created the grass and highlighted her photos within egg-shaped frames.
"Easter Egg Clean-Up” by Susan Weinroth, as seen in the March/April 2010 issue of Creating Keepsakes, page 87.
I also love the various textures Erin Lincoln used for her egg accents on her layout.
“Easter for Grown Ups” by Erin Lincoln, as seen in the March/April 2010 issue of Creating Keepsakes, page 86.
Leave us a comment and let us know how you add “egg-tra” special touches to your Easter layouts. I’ll choose two lucky comments to win this great Easter product from Jillibean Soup. Winners will be chosen on Friday, April 9, 2010.
And if you haven’t actually gotten around to coloring those eggs yet, check out this video from Martha Stewart Living on how to use a fun masking technique to create some pretty amazing eggs. (The video will play on the lower-right side of the screen after a quick ad.)
Happy Easter!
Lara Penrod, managing editor
Happy April Fool’s Day!
04/01/2010 at 11:12 am | Posted in Holidays, Uncategorized | 54 CommentsTags: April Fools, Creating Keepsakes, Flock, giveaway, holiday, Holidays, Lara Penrod, scrap, Scrapbook, scrapbook techniques
April Fool’s Day is traditionally marked by committing practical jokes or sending friends, family, or co-workers on fools’ errands. But there’s no jokes or fools’ errands on the CK blog today. Instead, we’re giving you a couple of quick, fun, practical techniques, plus a chance to win a fabulous prize.
To start, did you know that you can mix flock colors to come up with completely new custom-made flock colors? No joke! Watch this great tutorial from Stampendous on how it’s done. (Note: Watching the video will take longer than creating great new colors.)
After you’ve checked out that great technique, take a look at this one. It’s probably the best thing we’ve seen in a long time!
Now, before you go off to create some fantastic layouts using these fun new techniques, leave us a comment about your favorite part of April Fool’s Day, the best joke you’ve ever played, or how you plan to use one of these great techniques. Next Monday, April 5, I’ll randomly pick five readers from the comments we receive to win the book “Snippets: Mostly True Tales from the Lighter Side of Scrapbooking.”
Happy April 1st!
Lara Penrod, managing editor
Top ’O the Morning to Ye! And Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
03/17/2010 at 2:15 am | Posted in Holidays, Uncategorized | 267 CommentsTags: CK March/April 2010, Club CK, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes blog, Creating Keepsakes magazine, font, giveaway, holiday, holiday layouts, holiday traditions, Holidays, Lara Penrod, luck, lucky, page title, Piradee Talvanna, quote of the day, quotes, recipe, scrapbook pages, St. Patrick's Day, Veer
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! As part of the holiday, enjoy some St. Paddy’s Day fun in many areas.
Fun Holiday Fact
Today’s Fun Irish Fact (courtesy of History.com): “Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland s St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks.”
Fun Page Title You Can Download for Free
You can get your green on with this page title featured in the March/April issue of Creating Keepsakes.
Or download the P22 Kilkenny Swash font, which was used to make the title block above, from Veer for only $19.95.
Fun Scrapbook Page Topic
Even if green isn’t your thing, you can still celebrate the holiday. St. Patrick’s Day is associated with luck, so why not create a layout on why you feel lucky today. Maybe you feel lucky because you’ve learned a new skill, have a great education, have recently seen your life in a new light, or have great friends by your side. Whatever the reason, make a plan to capture those lucky feelings, just as Piradee Talvanna did with her “Thank You” layout.
“Thank You” by Piradee Talvanna, as seen in the March/April 2010 issue of Creating Keepsakes, page 41
Fun Luck-Themed Quotes
Speaking of luck, check out Club CK‘s Quote of the Day blog this week for luck-themed quotes you can use on your layouts.
Fun Giveaway
Then try your luck with our great giveaway. Leave a comment on today’s blog post by March 21, 2010, for the chance to be one of five randomly selected lucky winners to receive all of this great St. Patrick’s Day product.
Fun Websites
If you’re in need of even more St. Patrick’s Day fun, check out this website to find a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in your hometown. And for a little Irish fun for the whole family, check out theholidayspot.com.
Fun Recipe
However you spend the day, don’t forget to eat your greens. Here’s a great recipe to get you started.
Corn Beef & Cabbage
1 small can corned beef 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 large head cabbage 1/8 tsp. pepper
2 Tbs. butter 1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 Tbs. flour 1/4 tsp. celery seeds
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 1.5-quart casserole dish. Cut cabbage up coarsely, and cook in boiling, salted water until done. Drain. While cabbage is cooking, melt butter in saucepan over low heat, stir in flour until smooth, add milk gradually, and then cool, stirring constantly until sauce is smooth and has thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, and celery seeds. Mix cream sauce and cabbage together, and mix with corned beef. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake 30 minutes.
May your day be touched by a bit of Irish luck, brightened by a song in your heart, and warmed by the smiles of the people you love.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Lara Penrod, managing editor
Valentine’s Day with the CK Dream Team
02/09/2010 at 11:30 am | Posted in General Inspiration, Holidays | 6 CommentsTags: Cindy Tobey, CK, CK Dream Team, color palettes, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes magazine, dogs, Dream Team, gifts, Holidays, Kim Jackson, Laura Vegas, pets, Scrapbook, scrapbook pages, Scrapbooking, Suzy Plantamura, Valentine's Day, valentines, Wendy Sue Anderson
Yesterday, Megan Hoeppner showed you how to spread some Valentine’s Day cheer with quick and easy valentines. Today, with some help from a few of our CK Dream Team members, you’ll discover fabulous ways to celebrate the love in your life through scrapbooking and sharing photos. Whether you’re into romance or not, these fun projects are sure to make your heart happy.
While Cindy Tobey made her gorgeous “Love” page to commemorate Mother’s Day, you can easily make this layout to celebrate your family on Valentine’s Day. Her color combo makes for a beautiful break from the traditional—simply combine red, pink, and black with vivid splashes of turquoise and green.
Speaking of colors, Wendy Sue Anderson’s super-pretty “Love Birds” page puts a new spin on a romantic tale. Yellow for Valentine’s Day? Absolutely!
Always up for a challenge, Suzy Plantamura proves that Valentine’s Day is a great reason to scrapbook not only your family and friends but your pets too. There’s no better day to recognize those who show you unconditional love. (And take note: Suzy used yellow too.)
Feel like being extra-crafty this week? Laura Vegas’s adorable handmade photo holders will add some Valentine’s Day pizzazz to your desk. Plus, they make great gifts.
Whatever your reason to celebrate this Valentine’s Day, challenge yourself to make scrapbooking and photo-sharing a part of your holiday.
Thanks for stopping by!
—Kim Jackson, senior editor
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
01/18/2010 at 4:00 am | Posted in Holidays | 2 CommentsTags: 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges, CK, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes magazine, Dorathy Gilchrist, Holidays, January 2010, January 2010 Creating Keepsakes, Laina Lamb, Mou Saha, scrapbook pages, Scrapbooking, Steph Caskey-Devlin, Super-Fast Pages with 4 x 6 Photos
Today in the United States we celebrate the life and influence of Martin Luther King, Jr., the freedoms he fought for, and the ongoing efforts throughout the world to honor human rights. Join us as we share some ways that you can incorporate the spirit of this celebration into your scrapbooking.
For example, what people in your life or your nation’s past are you grateful for? In “Fond,” Mou Saha tells a story about her grandmother as told by her mother.
as seen in CK's "Super-Fast Pages with 4" x 6" Photos, Vol. 2," p. 27
Tip: Create a layout about someone who has influenced you or the world around you.
In “Paris Marathon” seen here, Sande Krieger remembers how a loved one completed a marathon run, despite having a broken ankle.
Tip: In the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, make a layout about accomplishing something during difficult circumstances.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech encouraged a nation to act on their hopes and dreams. Create a layout for your children with this theme in mind. In “I Hope You Dance,” Mou Saha uses her daughter’s drawing to illustrate her dream. In “Follow Your Dreams,” Laina Lamb records her son Cooper’s desire to become a marine biologist. She used a great picture of Cooper by the beach to illustrate the layout—remember that not all pictures have to tie directly to your page theme.
as seen in CK's "52 More Scrapbooking Challenges" by Elizabeth Kartchner, p.98
Tip: Have your children draw pictures to illustrate their dreams, and build a layout around their drawings.
as seen in CK's "Super-Fast Pages with 4" x 6" Photos, Vol. 2," p.41
Tip: Create a layout to encourage your children to pursue their dreams.
Steph Devlin expresses her hopes for her daughter to “never stop dreaming” in this lovely layout. The picture complements that thought without completely taking the spotlight.
as seen in the January 2010 issue of Creating Keepsakes, p. 102
Tip: Quote a leader from the Civil Rights Movement on a layout to express a hope or feeling.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Did you know that today is the annual King Day of Service? Visit allforgood.org and type in your zip code to find out what organizations in your community could use a helping hand today—or any time of year. To learn more about this day of service, visit to mlkday.gov.
If you’re participating in a holiday service or event today, we’d love to hear about it. Leave your comments at the end of this post. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
—Dorathy Gilchrist, associate editor
Let Holiday Cards Speak on Your Layouts
12/08/2009 at 4:00 am | Posted in Holidays | 2 CommentsTags: Becky Higgins, Brittany Beattie, cards, Cindy Tobey, Creating Keepsakes, Creating Keepsakes magazine, Deena Wuest, holiday, holiday cards, Holidays, Jennifer McGuire, Layout, photo card, scrapbook pages, Scrapbooking, tags
At this time of year, folks who don’t consider themselves crafters come out of their shells. Before you know it, you have an array of holiday cards and letters arriving from them in your mailbox. I remember how during the holidays when I was young, my mom would string together the greeting cards we received and hang them on the walls. The cards were so beautiful that we didn’t need much more decoration than them and our tiny tinsel tree.
Cards today, like modern holiday decor, are as beautiful as ever. Don’t let their artistry and the memories they bring end with the season. Add charm and life to your scrapbooks by including holiday cards on your layouts. Here are a few ideas from the December 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes.
“Christmas of ‘08” by Becky Higgins, as seen in the December 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes (page 46)
Include an actual copy of your family’s holiday card on your layout, as Becky Higgins did.
"Merry Christmas" by Brittany Beattie, as seen in the December 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes (page 66)
Use a small tag meant for packages as a page embellishment. This cute skiing-penguin scene would be a great addition to a story on a snow-themed Christmas layout. You can add an embellishment or two to the tag to give it more dimension, like Brittany Beattie did.
"Wishing You Peace" by Jennifer McGuire, as seen in the December 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes (page 110)
If you don’t have room to include an entire card on your page, use only a particular accent, such as the pretty felt flower from this card by Jennifer McGuire.
"Uncontainable Joy" card by Deena Wuest, as seen in the December 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes (page 81)
Use the photo from your holiday card as one of your main pictures on a layout. The oh-so-adorable child from this card by Deena Wuest would make any page stand out, with or without the text printed on the photo.
Whatever your card preference, be it homemade or store bought, take a break and let your cards do the talking for you on your pages this season.
—Dorathy Gilchrist, associate editor
Weekly Warm-Up: Creative Tree Accents
11/16/2009 at 8:49 am | Posted in weekly warm up | 9 CommentsTags: Christmas tree, Creating Keepsakes, creative editor, Doodlebug Design, flocking, gift card holder, Holidays, Megan Hoeppner, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, Scrapbooking, tag, techniques, weekly warm up
Are you one of those people who trim the tree the day after Thanksgiving? Or perhaps your tree is already up and dressed to the nines. Either way, our “Festive Techniques for Trimming the Trees” article in the December 2009 issue is going to get you in the spirit to not only decorate your home’s spruce but also to create bitty handmade trees for your layouts.
We have layouts featuring beaded trees, flocked trees, fabric trees, glittered branches, blinged beauties and so much more. Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find inside the article. It’s a layout by the very talented Suzy Plantamura.
With the holiday season right around the corner, we thought we’d provide you with a bonus tree idea. Just call it our little gift to you.
Suzy covered the trees on her layout with flocking. Following her lead, I created the tree on this tag with flocking and foam-square adhesive. Since foam squares come in many different sizes, they naturally come together to form a cute tree shape.
Here’s how to get this look:
1. Dip the sticky side of foam squares in flocking. Tip: The lid of the flocking jar works perfectly as a dish when working with a small amount of flocking.
2. Adhere the flocked squares to your layout (or tag) in the shape of a tree. Tip: Create a tree trunk with faux stitching, created with a pen and a paper piercer.
Bonus Idea
I used a large office tag to create this accent. Since there’s so much extra space at the top of the tag, I decided to make it a gift-card holder by simply attaching a gift card to the top of the tag with a bitty clothespin. It’s an easy and unique way to give someone a little shopping spree!
What ideas do you have for creating decorated page accents this holiday season? We’d love to have you share your tidings and creative cheer here.
Cheers!
Megan Hoeppner, Creative Editor
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