It’s no secret that there seems to be a thousand different ways to use scrapbook embellishments for non-scrapping purposes (like Master ’09 Jaime Warren’s adorable necklaces.) With an ever-growing stash, I’m always thinking about new uses for traditional scrapbook supplies. But what about those digital embellishments cluttering my hardrive?

I love crafting digital and hybrid pages, but rarely think beyond layouts for using digi elements. It wasn’t until the other day while playing around with wedding (not mine) invitation ideas that I realized how well digital embellishments translated into clean and modern stationery designs. With my social circle brimming with upcoming wedding and births, I have tons of opportunities to put digi embellishment to use. Here are just a few ideas:


Wedding Invitation: Leaf embellishment from the Tutti Frutti kit by Emily Powers & Paislee Press at We Are Storytellers.



“Save the Date” Card: Swirl embellishment from the Bohemian Summer kit by Michelle Coleman (of Little Dreamer Designs).



Birth Announcement: Leaf embellishment from the Tutti Frutti kit by Emily Powers & Paislee Press at We Are Storytellers. Bird embellishment is from the Puddle Jumper kit, also by Emily Powers.


What can you do with your digital embellishments? Don’t forget about our free digital kit downloads. Have fun and play around this weekend!

Happy crafting,
Kristin

It’s no secret that fall is my favorite season. (I’ve mentioned that fact here in the blog and in the e-newsletter countless times.) So, it’s no surprise that I’m excited about our fall issue.

Here’s a look at what’s inside:

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Looking for a creative prompt? You’ll find 10 in this month’s Journaling Spot.

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Get tips for capturing your fall memories at memorymakersmagazine.com/hotoffthepress

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I’m in love with Graphic 45’s typewriter key letters from their Times Nouveau collection.

We’ve got three giveaways going on. Check them out, here.

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You’ll be inspired to celebrate fall and scrapbook your memories after reading the calendar prompts in this issue.

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Mustard is one of my favorite current color trends, and it’s been showing up quite a bit around our office—from purses, to tops and dresses. Learn how to use bold earth tones (like mustard) on your layouts in Mother Earth Colors. Contributing Editor Kari Hansen provides you with examples, tips and a color chart.

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I love using circles as design elements. Get three inspiring pagemaps that incorporate circles in this month’s PageMaps column.

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I can’t wait to scraplift Amy Peterman’s NY Sheep and Wool layout, which appears in this issue’s Techniques section. The color palette is simply delicious (I can see myself using it for an upcoming fall layout), and I love the design, paint and yarn stitching. So cozy and fun! (Did I mention I can’t wait for fall?)

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This week marked my sister’s first week of college, and my mother’s first week back to school (she’s an elementary school teacher). The Schoolhouse Memories feature by Courtney Walsh is packed with tips for documenting school-year milestones. (And we’re giving away School Days albums by Molly West. Click here for details.)

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I’ve had weddings on the brain for quite a while. While working on the Going to the Chapel feature, I was inspired and awed by the beauty of the layouts and the photography tips. Plus, I have two very special weddings to attend in September: Art Director Christy Miller is getting married next weekend, and my good friend, and our former Assistant Editor, GinaMarie is getting married a few weeks after Christy. I’ll certainly be referring back to the layouts and photography tips in this feature. I’ll have a lot of wedding memories to document!

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If you’re an empty nester, be sure to check out Empty Nest, Full Pages. Just because your nest is empty, doesn’t mean your scrapbook has to be!


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“Each one of us has multiple facets to our lives, but how often do we shout out about our talents, our successes or our beliefs?” writes Kelly Fowler in Live Out Loud.

After reading and poring over the layouts in this feature, you’ll be inspired and empowered to capture the true you in your scrapbook layouts.

And be sure to take a look at the Reader Idea Gallery (page 70). Readers share pages honoring their own unique qualities or those of loved ones.

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I adore April Foster’s simple style. Check out her layouts and timesaving tips in Get It Done: 30 Minutes or Less.

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When I first came across Kal Barteski’s blog, I was incredibly inspired by her can-do attitude and bright, vibrant artwork. I especially liked her use of colored pencils and paint. Kal created this month’s Inspired Living page using the quote: “Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” I will be tearing this page out of my copy and hanging it right here at work for daily inspiration.

—Katie