Creative Memories Layout Studio is here!

Hello my crafty friends. For those of you that are scrapbookers, Creative Memories has released a new product that is a legit game changer for scrappers. It is the Layout Studio and I recommend it to EVERY scrapper I know. I’ve created a Haul Video (see video below) and I show off the new product. I’ve also thrown in some photos of me using it at a crop this weekend.

This Layout Studio gives back soooo much space on my work surface. I can spread out paper and embellishments and not lose track of where I am in the layout. Oh my word. You’re gonna want this…

Ack! This is so amazing. Here’s my full layout ready for me to stick everything down. To see this Layout Studio in action, check out my latest haul video below.

As always, keep it crafty my friends!

Love at first bite

Today’s single page Scrap Journal layout is about my visit to Teriyaki B’s food truck in Prineville, Oregon. I love their Beef Bowls! I used my Food Truck Fun paper collection and embellishments from Creative Memories. This layout uses layered die cut circles as a foundation for my photos and embellishments. It’s like a big embellishment cluster with photos. Bright and fun. Note that I decided to use black and white photos because I didn’t want the colors of the photos to compete with the fun and colorful paper. I hope you enjoy it!

If you are still here…are you interested in taking a fun trip and scrapbook while enjoying a vacation with your significant other, family or friends? If so, check out our Miles to Memories Mexican Riviera Cruise scheduled for January 8-15, 2027 out of Los Angeles. This will be a 7 day cruise out of Los Angeles hitting 3 ports in Mexico with 3 days at sea. While at sea we have all kinds of fun and creative projects and classes for you to enjoy. Check out the link for more information: https://www.cruiseandcrop.com/MilestoMemories.html 

I dreamt a layout and then I made it.

I woke up with the image below in my head. Not much to look at but I used it as a jumping off point for more. Follow below for more photos of the transition.

I needed a way to figure out how to convert a 12×12 scrapbook page into a smaller Scrap Journal layout…

This was a good start but I wanted more so I added the extras that really make a huge difference…

Once I have a solid layout, I got to add all the pretties! Here’s my final layout!

If you want to see the full process from start to finish, check out my YouTube video below.

Dreaming about a layout and bringing it to life using Creative Memories Perfect Match collection.

PHOTO OP

Hello Crafty Friends! I’m back with another 1 page Scrap Journal layout celebrating a crafting weekend with some friends. My dear friend, Kathy Smith, hosted her annual Craft at the Coast event in Rockaway Beach, OR. About 15 of us joyfully hauled our craft supplies to the beach for 4 days of creative fun. We had such a lovely time that I felt I needed to capture it with a layout. If you are interested in a crafty trip check out my links and information below the photo.

For those interested, I used the Tropical Garden Collection from Creative Memories because the flowers in the background were a perfect match for the collection. I used some of the paper, stickers and embellishments. I hope you enjoy the layout below and, as always, keep it scrappy!

Are you interested in taking a fun trip and scrapbook while enjoying a vacation with your significant other, family or friends? If so, check out our Miles to Memories Mexican Riviera Cruise scheduled for January 8-15, 2027 out of Los Angeles. This will be a 7 day cruise out of Los Angeles hitting 3 ports in Mexico with 3 days at sea. While at sea we have all kinds of fun and creative projects and classes for you to enjoy. Check out the link for more information: https://www.cruiseandcrop.com/MilestoMemories.html

Adventures in Reno!

Rob and I had a 4 day weekend in Reno, Nevada. We visited the area and spent time with old friends. We had a blast. To commemorate the event I created a single page Scrap Journal layout. I used the designer paper, embellishments and stickers from the Copper Canyon 2 collection from Creative Memories. I also use a retired Skyline punch. Love everything about this layout, EXCEPT, if I could do it over again…I would distress the skyline punch. It looks too neat.

I hope you enjoyed what I created. If you’re interested in purchasing some of the supplies I used in this layout check out the links here…Copper Canyon 2 designer paper and embellishments. As always, keep it crafty my friends!

Before & After: How do you handle white space in a scrapbook layout? Ink & Water!

My latest YouTube video explores how you can work with white space in a layout, specifically, I show you a couple of techniques to add interest and avoid the dreaded blank space! Here’s the “before” sketch I came up with in my head…looks a little rough but it is the foundation for the “after”.

If you watched the video, then you know that the “after” includes photos of my niece. As she’s just a year old, I’ve covered her face for privacy but I think you can enjoy the results regardless. I think it looks pretty close to the sketch.

To grab some of the Creative Memories products I used, check out these links: Circle Cutter, Dark Sea Green ink pad by Memento, and the Dark Sea Green blending brush. Keep it crafty!

(Rob’s) Catch of the Day!

Documenting the everyday…of Rob catching a bull trout on Lake Billy Shinook. You can tell by the smile on his face that he was so proud. While this particular paper pack (Fishing Memories) is no longer available, Creative Memories does have a comparable collection called Lakeside Memories. I hope you enjoyed this layout my crafty friends. Remember, there is no wrong way to be creative. Go out and capture a moment of joy and put it down on paper.

Keep it scrappy my friends!

Walking Fiona…

Documenting the everyday…this week’s post is a Scrap Journal page of a family walk with Fiona, our 12+ year old dog. She is still as sassy and active as she was 10 years ago. I’m using the Ruffin’ It paper and stickers from Creative Memories. I also used my favorite new CM punch that makes every border a little more whimsical…the whimsical scallop border punch! I hope you enjoy my layout!

Keep it scrappy my friends!

Road trip to Maupin, Oregon

Hello my scrappy peeps. Today’s layout is celebrating the everyday and not just the holidays in my 2026 Creative Memories Scrap Journal. This was a quick day trip all about Rob showing me where he likes to fly fish. It’s on the Deschutes River that runs through a small town called Maupin in central Oregon. This single page layout features Creative Memories Hit the Road paper pack with embellishments. The collection also comes with some really cute stickers. I will definitely be using this set more in the coming weeks…keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming weekend road trip to Reno!

I hope you enjoyed this layout my crafty friends and remember, keep it scrappy!

Fiona gets her first pup cup!

While Rob and I were cruising the Western Caribbean, my best friend (Sandy) was introducing Fiona to the Starbuck’s Pup Cup. We must be horrible dog-parents as we’ve never taken her before. To be fair, I don’t drink coffee and Rob would never pay for Starbuck’s coffee when he can make it at home. That said, Fiona loves them now. This single page spread in my 2026 Scrap Journal from Creative Memories uses the Ruffin’ It paper pack, the embellishments, the footprint punch and the circle punch. Even the barista seemed to enjoy meeting Fiona.

I hope this layout inspired you to start capturing life’s simpler moments in your scrapbooking. Remember to scrap the everyday and not just the holiday.If you would like to know more about how I scrap in my Scrap Journal just let me know! Keep it scrappy friends!

Hiking with Rob and Fiona!

We have created a monster in Fiona. She now expects daily walks…rain, shine or even snow. Yes, you heard me…while it is actively snowing. Well we are now past that gratefully. Yes, I knocked on wood just in case. Today’s post highlights the walk/hike we took at the Deschutes River Trail in Tumalo, Oregon. It was an absolutely beautiful day and I took advantage of a double page spread in my Creative Memories 2026 Scrap Journal where I capture the everyday and not just the holiday. This layout features a collection I purchased in a Secret Box from last year with Creative Memories. That box is not longer available but they do still have Secret Box #4 from last year….and the Secret Boxes are going to continue in 2026…word on the street is that Secret Box #1 for 2026 will be coming soon. Don’t worry, I will let you know all about it when it comes.

You will notice that even in the smaller size, the Scrap Journal can hold a lot of photos. They’re smaller but they get the job done and they operate on a much smaller footprint. A double page spread is only 13.5” wide by 10” tall. A traditional scrapbook double page layout would be 24”wide x 12”tall. Let me know if you want to learn more about scrapping in a smaller format. Keep it scrappy my friends!

Charity gets sworn in!

My daughter-in-law made us proud by getting sworn in as a member of the California Bar! She officially a practicing attorney in the state of California. I was able to get photos from our son, her husband (Will). I have added her to my 2026 Scrap Journal in January. I used the beautiful Copper Canyon 2 paper pack and embellishments. I love being able to use my Scrap Journal to capture the everyday moments and not just the holidays and vacations.

I hope you enjoyed this layout. If you want to learn more about scrapping in a smaller scrap journal size (6.75” x 10”) instead of the traditional 12”x12” size reach out to me and we can talk about you can get started! Keep it scrappy my friends!

Creative Memories New Release

Creative Memories has a new release today and WOW! There is a new collection called Chasing the Sun which includes a Diamond Lattice Border Maker Cartridge and the Sunlit Border Punch and all the usual suspects like some amazing paper, two kinds embellishments packs, stickers, a mat pack and a new 12×12 album. There is also an Add-On Embellishment Bundle for other existing collections including Natural Beginnings, Global Getaway and On the Bright Side. There are also some new stencils and new storage pieces. All-in-all, a great release day for everyone!

Remember, the Chasing the Sun Buy-It-All Bundle (photo below) allows you to buy the bundle at a 10% discount off the retail price but you have to purchase it before 10am, Friday, April 17th. You can still purchase all the pieces of the bundle after April 17th, but you won’t get the extra discount. Reach out if you are interested in purchasing or have questions.

Remember my friends, scrap the everyday and not just holidays. And, as always, keep it scrappy!