I’ve been eagerly waiting for spring, so it’s wonderful to finally have the March/April issue in my hands. It’s our green issue, and it’s packed with environmentally friendly ideas and the fresh feeling of springtime. (No matter that I see melting snow, fog and rain outside my window today.)

I’m going to share some of my favorite aspects, behind-the-scenes bits, etc. So, grab your issue, a comforting beverage of your choice, and let’s dig in!

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I find that mini-albums are a joy to put together. For a different twist on making minis, check out our Create a Keepsake Web exclusive at memorymakersmagazine.com/hotoffthepress.

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Staci Etheridge’s Mister Frog layout grabbed my attention right away. I love its bright colors and playful feel. Visit the forum to participate in Staci’s March/April Master’s Challenge.

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This month’s calendar has some great ideas to spark creativity. The prompt for April 15 especially speaks to me: “Scrap a page about your favorite books.”

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If you’re feeling like I’ve been feeling, you’re ready to see some flowers and sunshine, instead of gray, dreary days. (This week, I bought purple tulips for my dining room table, and every time I see them, I smile.)

If you’re looking for spring inspiration in the form of supplies, check out this issue’s free featured font: Kalocsa Flowers by No Image Fonts.

Assistant Editor GinaMarie Reda picked this fresh font because it reminded her of bold, graphic spring flowers and offered plenty of possibilities. Here are a few of her ideas (and an example of how she’s used the font):

•    Use the font to frame a part of your photo.
•    Enlarge the font and use the flowers as digital embellishments on a layout or photo.
•    Use the flowers as a border around a photo or the edge of a layout.





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I love the board books from Cloud 9 (especially the Kraft book). I want to create a mini-album about my favorite city cafés, including my local Starbucks, and I think the Kraft board book and coordinating box will be the perfect home for such a project. (Check out the post below to see how Art Director Christy Miller used one of the board books.) I also love the earth-friendly cards from Green Field Paper Company. What a wonderful idea: Send heartfelt thoughts to a friend or loved one that they can then plant and watch bloom!

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Have you downloaded our free Wild Sorbet kit by Michelle Coleman? See what others have been making with the kit, here.

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The moist earth and bright orange carrots pictured on Kari Hansen’s Carrots Are Tops layout make me wish I could spend the day outdoors. To find out how to create lively triadic color schemes (like Kari did on Carrots Are Tops), check out her article, A Spirited Trio.

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Who doesn’t have junk mail laying around at some time or another? In Reduce. Reuse. Recyle., you’ll get great ideas for transforming unwanted mailers, ads and other household items into art.

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What do your scrapbooking tools say about you? Take our quiz!

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For more great green scrapbooking ideas, check out this issue’s Reader Idea Gallery. My personal favorite: Using Starbuck’s napkins to create a background that looks and feels organic and earthy. I’ve added a few napkins to my own scrapbook stash, so I can duplicate Summer Ford’s innovative idea. Check out her layout, Just Breathe, Just Because, on page 75.

I've enjoyed taking this time to share some of the highlights in our March/April issue. It's my hope that the issue will give you a little taste of spring, as it did for me, and, of course, that it will inspire you to create.

Leave a comment, and let us know your thoughts on this issue. I'd love to hear what caught your eye, what idea you can't wait to try, etc.

All the best,

Katie