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Reported By Julia Stainton
As one of the most popular scrapbooking magazines in the market today, Creating Keepsakes is one of my favorite magazines to read. Each issue is so jam packed with fabulous ideas that I go through it time and time again. While I'm not a subscriber, I'm wondering why not as I never miss an issue.Creating Keepsakes is perfect for scrapbookers of all levels from beginner to expert. The fresh ideas, photography tips, techniques and even cool digital tips included in each issue always inspire me to get creating. And isn't that exactly what you purchase crafting magazines for? A great dose of new ideas and inspiration that you can jump off from and start creating again yourself.
Each issue has a wide variety of columns that always appeal to me. April's issue is no exception. I love learning new techniques and ideas and have yet to be disappointed. This 132 page magazine is broken up into various categories...features, creativity starters, gathering place, monthly solutions, product ideas and expert techniques. I love the expert techniques and product ideas sections especially. Want a peek into April's Creating Keepsakes issue? Here are just a few of the things you'll find inside...
- Sweet Inspiration - layouts and ideas inspired by candy
- Get Caught Up - scrapbook 100 photos tonight
- The Art Cupboard - a very cool technique with paint and paper towel
- The Creative Life - quick baby shower ideas
- CK Hot Spot - beautiful bows...designs and ideas inspired by bows in fashion
- How We Create - pixels and paper with Jessica Sprague
- Five Product Challenge using vellum, stamps, marker, patterned paper and white cardstock
- Tools and Techniques - Stapler tricks to try
- Computer Tricks with Jessica Sprague - using digital templates
- Becky's Sketch - a great design with lots of white space
- Studio A - Ali Edwards gives fabulous seasoned advice for any scrapbooker...where was this list when I started????!!!
- C.D.'s Playground - darling handmade button ideas
- Through the Lens - Candice Stringham plays around with fun illusions you can create with your camera
I also love the variety of scrapbooking styles featured in this issue. If you are interested in digital or hybrid designs, there are ideas and instructions for great projects for each. For those short of time, I just love the ideas of using a digital template for a smaller album. This is a fabulous concept and a very doable project in a short period of time. I love how classic and timeless it looks as well.
One of the challenges I feel that most scrapbookers face is deciding on a layout. This can take up a lot of time until you actually decide where you want to go with a design. Layout is also one of the key elements of a design and one that can make all the difference. I just love Becky Higgins Sketches each month and this month, there are a total of 30 sketches from various layouts in the magazine, all printed onto one easy to find and use page. I used one of the sketch layouts to create a scrapbooking page inspired by this issue. Also used as inspiration....the article on staples had me pulling out my stapler and having some fun. In an article written by Ali Edwards, she lists things she'd like to tell new scrapbookers. One of them was not to be afraid of using their handwriting on a layout. Now I must say, I'm petrified of doing that but since Ali said to, well....I gave in for at least one layout and hand wrote my journaling. Now my descendants will have a copy of my handwriting. They may need an expert to decipher it though!
Creating Keepsakes Magazine is owned by CK Media. CK Media also produces other fabulous magazines you are sure to have heard of... Simple Scrapbooks Magazine, Digital Scrapbooking Magazine and Paper Crafts Magazine. Creating Keepsakes has approximately 494,000 readers and you'll be inspired by layouts and ideas featuring Ali Edwards, Jessica Sprague, Becky Higgins and more. One of the fabulous things about this magazine is their on-line site, http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/. An on-line gallery, message boards, blogs, not to mention contests, videos and techniques make it a fabulous resource for community, questions and inspiration. Included in the magazine are usually links to free downloads that are fun and easy to use.
Creating Keepsakes is available at almost every magazine stand including your local craft store, scrapbooking stores or bookstores. You can also order it on-line from Creating Keepsakes in single issue or subscription from Creating Keepsakes or by issue at http://www.amazon.com/. Each issue retails at $5.99 US or $8.99 CDN. Subscription rates are $19.97 US per year for a US subscription. With twelve issues per year, this is a fabulous option and a wonderful treat to find in your mailbox each month.
As Creating Keepsakes Magazine says... "Our mission is to motivate and navigate our readers through the delightfully addicting process of preserving photos, memories and personal treasures." I think their mission statement says it all. I've been inspired and motivated by this magazine and I know I'll be returning to this issue, as well as the others I've collected, time and time again. As for addictions... reading each issue of Creating Keepsakes is right at the top of my list.
Is Creating Keepsakes one of your addictions? Do you have a favorite column? We'd love to hear what you think of this magazine!
4 comments:
OMGOSH! That page is to die for J!! WOW, great job! Great article!
Used to subscribe to it. Used to love it, but I felt it has turned into more of a catalog than an idea mag over the past couple of years. All about more and more new products. I miss the old Tips and Techniques, which was crammed full of ideas. Less reader submissions, more designer pages. Lost its appeal.
This was a wonderful review. I have a subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine and have had for the past 6 years. I love every thing about it.
Mary
I used to subscribe to this. Thought it was the best, now...not so much. It is full of ideas, but they focus so much on all the fab scrapbook embellies that it takes away from the actual pictures. I want people to notice my pics, then the cute stuff.
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