10 Ways to Get Creative with Your Summer Memories

Once summertime rolls around I begin to shift gears from recording memories to making them.  Every year is filled with fun trips to the zoo, town celebrations, swimming pool and amusement parks--and I have my trusty camera with me every step of the way.

However once the fun is over--we start switching gears again--and its time to start getting those memories recorded on paper.  Besides your average summer layout, there are hundreds of ways you can help the days of summer to live on forever!  Below are just a few ways to get creative with your summer memories.

1. Make a pop art poster for your child's locker.
2. Make a re-usable summer calendar.
3. Turn your photos into comic or coloring Books
4.  Record your ten favorite things about summer.
5. Make a mini album for a specific summer event.
6. Make photo magnets.
7. Create a summer photo collage.
8. Create a "My Summer in Photos" post on your blog.
9. Make a "100 Days of Summer" Journal (May-Aug)
10. Create a summer smash book filled with all of your memorabilia.

Hope you all had a fabulous Summer!  Would love to see what you were up to this summer!  If you have a fun summer project or memory you'd like to share , please add a link in the comments!

Oh and don't forget to check out this month's "Photo Fun" technique from me over at the Danielle Young Designs blog.  You can download a free template to make your own summer wall poster and learn a fun technique to give your photos a cool "pop-art" look. Enjoy.

Friday Faves: Places to Get Free Sketches & Templates

I think I may have mentioned once or twice that I LOVE sketches! But it's worth mentioning again :) And it certainly doesn't hurt if they're free...right?!

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Credits:

Touchdown by Danielle Young

Stitched Tan No. 1 by Anna Aspnes

Template Tuesday #13 by Brenda Neuberger

The following are few of my favorite places to get free templates and sketches to use on both my paper and digi pages:

• Get It Scrapped's Sketches and Templates- They have 75+ sketches and templates available in their archive  --or  they have a quick download option for 30 of their "greatest hits!"
• Pencil Lines- Look for a new sketch every Sunday after 3PM EST and join the challenge for a chance to win.
• Jessica Sprague's Tuesday Templates-Every Tuesday you can download a fabulous new template from Jessica's blog for free.
• Sketchy Thursdays- A new sketch every Thursday!

Do you have other places you like to go for FREE sketches and templates?  Link us up in the comments!

Wednesday's Wishlist

A few things that have come across my radar in the past little while that are definitely being added to my Wishlist!

• Rad Lab
• Teresa Collins Stampmaker Machine
• Epiphany Crafts' Button Maker

What's on your wishlist this month?

Thumbs Up Thursday: Biograffiti's Neutral Linens + Photo Blending Tutorial

I give these NEW Neutral Linen Papers by Biograffiti two thumbs up!

They have such a nice subtle texture to them--that's great for blended photo backgrounds, but can also create the perfect "canvas" effect for those of you who are looking to go a little ARTSY!

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Credits:

Neutral Linens by Biograffiti, Press Plate No. 29 by Paislee Press, 100 Things by Lauren Reid

Oh Happy Day by Jenn Barrette, Different Strokes, Foto Glows and Fall Word Transfers by

 Anna Aspnes,  Stitched Alpha by Kristin Rice 

Don't forget to check out Molly's tutorial on photo blending on the Biograffiti blog!  She'll walk you through it step-by-step!  I can't wait to do some blending with these papers myself!

Monday Makeover: Turn Your Labels into Cute Invites

When I came across this cute freebie label by Fei Fei's Stuff last week, I knew it was perfect for my summer family party invites.

Credits:

Fei Fei's Stuff Coming Home Label

Summer Fun Clusters by Kayleigh Wiles

Journalers and labels from your digital or paper stash can be perfect for making your own invites for any occasion!  Here are a few tips to get you started!

1. Look for journalers and labels with lines on them. 
2. Try starting with a generic label and accenting it with themed embellishments.
3. Layer smaller lined labels or journalers over your background for larger invites.

Happy Monday!

Friday's Five: Dirty Little Secrets About Me

Credits:

In the Loop No. 2 by One Little Bird, 

Bunch of Sketches No. 18 by Kitty Designs

Circa 1934 Papers and Elements by Cosmo Cricket

Stitched Tan No. 1 by Anna Aspnes

1. Aside from the Twilight Saga, I haven't been able to finish a fiction novel in almost 5 years--I simply prefer how-tos, historical novels and self-help books.

2. I am the mother of two boys and I own more pink scrapbook paper than any other color--why do I keep buying it if I'm not using it!

3. Before this past month it had been almost a year and a half since I'd driven on the expressway.

4. I mowed the lawn for the first time in my life yesterday...and I'd say I did a pretty good job!

5. I'm hooked on the Disney channel...even when my sons not watching I still find myself sitting down to enjoy an episode of "Good Luck Charlie" or "Wizards of Waverley Place".

Between the layout and those five things I think you now officially know more than you may have wanted to know about me--but its all in good fun!  

Tell me something special or funny about you in the comments I'd love to get to know all of you better!

New Digidoo!!

Just finished up these two digi layouts featuring lots of new product and some fun design twists!

Credits:

Bunch of Sketches 18 by Kitty Designs

Oh Happy Day by Jenn Barrette

Stitched White Borders by Anna Aspnes

Credits:

Press Packet No. 2 by Paislee Press 

Coming Home by Fei Fei's Stuff 

Oh Happy Day by Jenn Barrette

Stitched White Borders by Anna Aspnes

But to find out what I have to say about the design of these two layouts you'll have to come join in the fun at Masterful Scrapbook Design!!!  This September, we're all about "Design Play" so join Emily Pitts, Amy Mallory, Kayleigh Wiles, Vivian Masket, Lisa Dickinson, Debbie Hodge, Tami Taylor and myself as we play around with the principles of design!

Mojo Monday: 3 Things I Can Count on to Motivate Me after a Scrappy Hiatus

We all know how it goes...

Summertime means swim lessons and soccer practice, family vacations and day trips, yard work and upkeep. And as a result a few things get put on hold.

For me it was  Facebook, Twitter, Blogging (as you may have noticed)...and yes at times even scrapbooking...GASP!

Products by Biografitti, Aja Abney and Designer Digitals

The hard part is not putting things on hold when it comes to your scrapbooking...its the momentum that you lose when you do! How many of you find when you return to scrapbooking after an illness, or a trip, or even after a fun filled summer--that you just don't know where to begin?

Well there are three things I can always count on to jump start my creativity and motivate me to get scrappin' again.

1. A Clean Work Space

There is just something about a clean desk and organized supplies that scream "Come and Play!" Its not that I'm a neat freak...in fact I'm almost rolling on the floor with laughter at the thought!  But for me a clean work surface means that I have room to pull out more stuff!

After cleaning my own workspace I was reminded of lots of fun product that I had forgotten about!  For a few tips on how I aim to create an inspiring space...check out my Workspace Makeover Series.

2. A Treasured Memory or Photo

Having trouble getting started well...one of your favorite memories or photos from recent times is a great place to start!  The story and emotions associated with this memory will be fresh in your mind and sure to get the ball rolling!

I loved this photo that I took of Caleb this summer, just after we cut all of his hair off...as soon as I took it I couldn't wait to scrapbook it!

3. A Class or Project

Still not cranking out those pages...then maybe its time to create some motivation by beginning a new class, or project.  Learning new techniques or being inspired by a new project or challenge can help to fan those mojo flames and get you back on track.

This was one of the 6 layouts I completed the other day, while listening to scrapbookers Dina Wakley, Kayleigh Wiles, Doris Sander, Noell Hyman, Amber Ries, Amy Mallory and Melanie Grimes talk about their processes in 3 hours of live webinars recorded for August's Smorgasbord  issue at Masterful Scrapbook Design.  Seeing all of their work and listening to their tips and tricks really helped me to muster up the desire to scrap.

So if you're looking to get your mojo back on track after a summer of memory making, give one or all of these tips a try!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Monday!