Have you seen my Technique Layout & Challenge for August yet? Have you given it a try? Well, here’s another version to inspire you. Instead of using one border punch, I used two different border punches for this twist on the technique. (To see my original layouts and post, just scroll down to my post from August 13th.)
To create my layout above, I punched a strip of double-sided tonal paper with the Whale Tail Border Punch and the (retired) Alpine Mountains Border Punch and folded the whale tail end up. I used papers and stickers from the Pacific Scenes Bundle, Bright White Cardstock and Navy Cardstock. The Pacific Scenes Bundle sold out quickly with Creative Memories, but I have a few bundles in my personal inventory. Please contact me if you are interested.
To purchase the Whale Tail Border Punch and other Creative Memories products, please see my website link at www.creativememories.com/user/karyn. On Monday, CM launched its new fall collection, new coordinating tools, Croptoberfest items and a new bundle of inks, brushes, and a fall stencil.
Registration is now open for my September 26th & 27th Virtual Croptoberfest Workshop. I’ll be sharing layout instructions for my own exclusive Croptoberfest Layouts. There will be printable handouts, recorded video instructions, creating sessions on Zoom and a private Facebook for sharing.
To create my exclusive layouts, you’ll need the Croptoberfest Project Bundle, the Croptoberfest Project Receipt Kit, Chrysanthemum Punch, Leafy Vine Border Punch and several sheets of Bright White Cardstock all from Creative Memories. I’m putting the finishing touches on my layouts now and will share a complete Supply List soon.
Don’t forget that Creative Memories is offering FREE SHIPPING on orders of $100US until noon CT on September 5th.
Today I’m sharing another postage stamp layout with you. I really love the look of the two layouts that I created and shared earlier in the month, so I created a third layout using the 12-Inch Trimmer and Postage Stamp Blade from Creative Memories. Make sure to check out my blog post from July 8th for a look at my Monthly Technique Layout & Challenge Layouts.
For my layout above, I used the Postage Stamp Blade to create some decorative stamps as a border. I filled the stamp shapes with embellishments and a cut down variety mat, and I adhered the stamps with Foam Squares for dimension. All of the decorative elements and paper are from the Life at the Lake Collection. Make sure to view my new demo video for a discussion about the Stamping Blade and for some tips for using it to get the correct pattern. You may purchase all of the tools and materials that I used at my website link with Creative Memories.
1. Cut a 9″ x 11″ piece of Bright White Cardstock using the 12-Inch Trimmer with the Stamping Blade. Please view my video first for tips on using the blade and getting the correct pattern. 2. Cut (2) 3-1/4″ x 4-5/8 and (1) 5-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ photo mats from Island Waters Cardstock. Cut (2) 5-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ photo mats from log paper. Adhere the mats to the white piece as shown. 3. Use the 12-Inch Trimmer with Stamping Blade to cut postage stamp pieces to size from Bright White Cardstock. My pieces are: 2-1/4″ x 2-3/4″, 2-1/4″ x 3-1/8″, 2-1/4″ x 2-1/8″ and 2-1/4″ x 3″. 4. Cut rectangles from log paper that measure: 1-7/8″ x 2-3/8″, 1-7/8″ x 2-13/16″, 1-3/4″ and 2-5/8″. Center and adhere the pieces to the white stamp pieces. 5. Adhere embellishments to the stamps as shown. Cut a variety mat to 1-3/4″ x 2-11/16″ and adhere to the largest stamp piece. 6. Arrange the stamp pieces and the photo panel on a sheet of plaid paper for spacing and adhere. Adhere the stamps with Foam Squares. 7. Use the 12-Inch Trimmer with Stamping Blade to cut a 3-7/8″ x 1-1/4″ piece from Bright White Cardstock. Cut a 3-9/16″ x 1″ piece from log paper. Cut a 3-1/2″ x 7/8″ title from a variety mat. Layer and adhere the pieces. Adhere the finished piece with Foam Squares as shown.
Today – July, 21, 2025 – Creative Memories launched a new collection called Berry Harvest. This collection features vintage prints and sweet icons that are perfect for summer layouts. The Buy-It-All Bundle that includes all of the items in the collection and also the new Canning Jars Border Punch and the Mason Jar Build-A-Punch is available for 10% off with a FREE Project Playbook until noon CT on August 1st or while supplies last. Today’s product launch also includes Secret Box #3. This Secret Box is priced at 10% off and includes an exclusive Border Maker Cartridge!
Did you know that Creative Memories offers 8 different decorative blades for its 12-Inch Trimmer? With these unique blades, you can cut a variety of decorative edges. For my Technique Layout & Challenge this month, I challenged myself to use a blade that I don’t use very often – the Stamping Blade. With the 12-Inch Trimmer and Stamping Blade, I created decorative postage stamp embellishments that I used as border pieces on my layout.
I used paper, stickers and embellishments from the Hit the Road Collection for my page. By cutting apart a sheet of paper with the large scenic design, I was able to preserve the important elements of the paper while also making room for 3 larger photos and journaling. I love how the Stamping Blade added a fun graphic element that created more interest and texture.
Please watch my video for step-by-step instructions and also suggestions on using other types of papers and Trimmer Blades.
The materials and tools that I used are available for purchase through my Creative Memories website link at www.creativememories.com/user/karyn. With your purchase, you’ll be enrolled in my Customer Rewards Program to receive bonus gifts from me! Creative Memories is currently offering a free gift with a $150 purchase. There are 3 great gifts available for you to select! Check out the CM website for more details!
It’s time to register for Creative Life Scrapbooking’s July 25th PJ Party Virtual Crop! I’ll be sharing one of the 7 layouts for this event and teaching how to create the layout during our Zoom session. For each of the 7 layouts, you’ll learn a special technique. And we design the layouts to be versatile so you can use your stash without purchasing special supplies. The layouts are all double-page and have room for multiple photos.
Our special guest designer for this PJ Party is the very talented, Kylie Kingham. For more information about the virtual crop and to register, please see the Creative Life Scrapbooking website at www.creativelifescrapbooking.com.
Do you love Creative MemoriesCustom Cutting System? It’s one of CM’s most beloved tools! Today, I’m sharing a technique that you can use with the Custom Cutting System to cut hollow shapes that you arrange to create a mosaic style layout. If you would like 6 more unique ideas for the Custom Cutting System, please consider joining me and two of my designer friends for our Crop Class: Custom Cutting System Edition. Please see the end of this blog post for more info about the class.
For my layout above, I used the Custom Cutting System with the Rectangle Cutting Patterns to cut hollow shapes in a variety of sizes. You could also use any of the other Cutting Patterns to create a similar layout. I arranged the hollow frames into an inter-locking pattern to create an interesting design. I thought that this technique worked well with the new Hit the Road Collection from Creative Memories. The mosaic pattern reminds me of an interwoven highway system in a large city.
I used the leftover solid shapes to create a second layout that is oriented horizontally. You’ll notice that my first layout is oriented vertically. I used the retired Road Signs Mini Trio Punch Set to punch some embellishments for both pages and also added stickers and embellishments from the Hit the Road Collection.
Above is a peek at the 6 unique layouts that you’ll receive instructions to create by registering for Crop Class: Custom Cutting System Edition. We share layouts that feature the Circle, Oval, Rectangle, Gemstone and Jumbo Circle Patterns for CM’s Custom Cutting System.
Creative Memories is widely known for producing some of the best scrapbooking tools on the market, and I love to share techniques for using those tools! In addition to tools, CM also offers some of the freshest and on-trend scrapbooking papers, embellishments and stickers along with some great storage options. If you haven’t looked lately, now is a great time to browse all of the categories on the CM website!
For my June Monthly Technique Layout and Challenge, I shared a technique for punching paper corners with either Border Punches or the Original Border Maker System to create fancy patterns. This technique will work with edge or knockout style Border Punches and Border Maker Cartridges. For my first layout, I used the edge style Floral Peaks Border Punch with papers, embellishments and stickers from the Tropic Time Collection.
For my second layout, I used the Hand Tools Border Punch and also the Original Border Maker System with the Tire Tracks Border Maker Cartridge with paper, stickers and embellishments from the Revved Up Collection. The knockout style of this punch and cartridge creates a different type of pattern than the edge style punches and cartridges. I love the versatility of this technique and the different looks that you can punch!
For step-by-step directions and a demo, please view my instructional video on my YouTube channel. Make sure to watch to the end of the video to hear about my 2024 Summer Layout Challenge!
All of the tools and materials that I used for these two layouts are available for purchase through my CM website. With your purchase, you’ll be enrolled in my Customer Rewards Program to receive gifts and credits from me!
I love to share scrapbooking techniques that may look complicated but are actually easy to do! And the border idea that I’m sharing today is one of those techniques. At first glance, it may look like a lot of small pieces to cut, adhere and keep straight. But it’s really larger pieces that are folded to reveal the backside of the paper.
I also love to share different ways to use Creative Memories punches and border maker cartridges! For these borders, I used small, punched pieces to peek through the openings of my borders. You can use three pieces from one punch or cartridge or mix and match using two or three as I did.
To create my borders, I started with 2″ x 2″ squares and made small cuts and folds. I included punched pieces from cardstock and small strips cut with the 12-Inch Trimmer and Wave Blade.
For the layout above, I used paper and a few stickers from the Leave Nothing Behind Collection, Hot Fudge Cardstock and Brown Serif ABC/123 Letter Stickers. I also used the NEW White Memories Tabs as spaces to journal. My border includes pieces punched with the Polar Bear, Friendly Fish and Cardinals Border Punches and strips cut with the 12-Inch Trimmer with Wave Blade. These are all current items that are available through my Creative Memories website link.
For my second layout, I used paper, stickers and letter stickers from the current Tropic Time Collection with White Cardstock. I also used pieces punched with the retired Palm Tree Border Punch and the Original Border Maker System with the NEW Dolphin Border Maker Cartridge.
You can use this technique with many other border punches and border maker cartridges. Below are just a few additional ideas for you.
As we roll into summer, I’ve been playing with some of the Creative Memories collections that are great for scrapbooking vacation memories. We have a general travel collection (Wanderlust) but also many specific collections that cover so many different destinations.
Water: Serene Waters Tropical: Tropic Time National Parks: Leave Nothing Behind Amusement Parks: Sparks of Magic Camping: Set Up Camp Zoos: What a Zoo Too! U.S. Regions and Cities: Wide Open Spaces, Florida, New York, Washington DC, and New Orleans International: United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico and Canada
We even have a collection if you’ll be staying home this summer (Staycation)!
For my first layout, I used the Tropic Time Collection to preserve memories from a Florida vacation. I also used the Monstera Leaves Border Punch and the Original Border Maker System with the Ancient Key Border Maker Cartridge.
I used the 12″ Trimmer with the Perforating Blade to score my paper at 3″. I turned the paper on it’s side and scored it again at 3″. I then folded the paper on the perforation marks and used the Original Border Maker System with the Ancient Key Border Maker Cartridge to punch borders on both folded sides.
I used the same technique to create a second layout with some photos of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I used the Set Up Camp Collection and the Chevron Arrows Border Maker Cartridge for this page.
This technique will work with any knock-out style border maker cartridge. Please see my video for instructions. I would also appreciate your subscription to my YouTube channel! If you click on the bell icon, you will receive a notification whenever I add a new video.
You may purchase all of the tools and materials that I used for these layouts through my Creative Memories website link. I appreciate your purchases and offer a generous Customer Rewards Program!
Yay, it’s May – one of my favorite months of the year! I love the beautiful weather and the early summer blooms in my garden! For my monthly Technique Layout and Challenge, I’m featuring an adaptation of a layout that I created for the Creative Memories Blog in 2016! For that layout, I used punched pieces to decorate circles to create a swirling pattern across a double-page layout. For my new layouts, I punched circles with the Original Border Maker System with knock-out style cartridges to create a swirling pattern.
Did you know that Creative Memories offers three kinds of border maker cartridges?
Chain Style: Punches out a chain pattern that falls off of your paper when punched. Edge Style: Punches the edge of your paper. You can use your punched paper or cut off the decorative edge to create a border. Knock-Out Style: Punches a design from the paper that doesn’t extend to the edge.
To create my layout, I used the Custom Cutting System to cut three different sizes of circles, and then I cut those circles in half. I used the Original Border Maker System with the Zebra Stripe Border Maker Cartridge to punch around the edges of the smallest semi-circles.
For this layout, I used the super cute What a Zoo Too! Collection. The What a Zoo Too! Stickers are especially adorable, and I also love the coordinating What a Zoo Too! ABC Letter Stickers!
For my second layout, I used the lovely Painted Garden Collection with the retired Butterflies Border Maker Cartridge and the exclusive Ladybugs Punch that was part of a recent promotion by Creative Memories. I added a journaling box to this layout and also a border punched with the Original Border Maker System with exclusive Woven Scallop Border Maker Cartridge. (Please contact me if you would like to purchase the Woven Scallop BMC.)
To see a step-by-step demonstration of how to create this layout, please see my YouTube video. If you subscribe to my YouTube Channel, you’ll receive a notification when I post a new video.
You may purchase most of the tools and materials that I used through my Creative Memories website link. I so appreciate your purchases and offer a generous Customer Rewards Program.
For an entry into my Monthly Door Prize Drawing, please use this technique to create a layout and share a photo of your layout in my private Facebook group, Karyn’s Croppers. Please ADD your photo to the #TechniqueTue 47 Album where you’ll be able to see versions shared by other croppers. While you’re in the ALBUM section of Karyn’s Croppers, take a peek at the 46 other technique albums!
As I’m cleaning my scrapping space and getting ready to create fall and Croptoberfest layouts, I came across these travel layouts that I created earlier in the year. They would be great for photos of your summer travels!
But before we look at the layouts, I wanted to remind you about the FREE SHIPPING promotion that Creative Memories is offering now through noon CT on September 9th. With orders of $80+US, you’ll receive FREE SHIPPING. You may wish to order our new Golden Harvest fall collection and Croptoberfest materials that were introduced on Monday along with some new tools.
You might also be interested in joining me for my Virtual Croptoberfest Workshop on Saturday, October 15th. I’ll be using the Essential Customer Croptoberfest Bundle and the new Autumn Leaves Border Punch to create some of my exclusive layouts. These layouts are for personal use, and I’ll only share them with the workshop participants. If you can’t crop along on October 15th, you can still join the event to have access to my instructional videos and printable handouts. Click here for more information and to register.
I used the Wanderlust Collection and the Original Border Maker System with the Chevron Arrows Border Maker Cartridge and the Custom Cutting System with the Jumbo Circle Pattern to create the layout above. There are some great sheets of paper in the Wanderlust collection, and I absolutely adore the stickers and embellishments!
To create my layout: 1. Cut a 1″ hollow frame from a sheet of White Cardstock. Cut a sheet of designer paper to 11-1/2″ x 11- 1/2″ and adhere to the hollow frame. 2. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Chevron Arrows Border Maker Cartridge to punch a border from White Cardstock. Cut off of the cardstock at 1-1/8″. Adhere the border as shown and adhere two 1/4″ x 12″ strips of Crimson Cardstock to each edge. (Please note that CM will be retiring this color along with a few others as it introduces new shades to our cardstock line.See below for more information.) 3. Cut photo mats from White Cardstock that measure: 5-3/4″ x 4-1/4″ and 4-3/4″ x 4-1/4″. Crop photos to fit. Use the Custom Cutting System with the smallest Circle Pattern and Green Blade on the outside edge to cut a mat from White Cardstock. Use the Red Blade on the outside edge to cut a photo. 4. Cut a 5″ x 12″ piece from the word print paper. Arrange the paper piece on the bottom right of the Cutting Mat. Position the Jumbo Circle Pattern so that the inside edge is at the 9″ mark on the right of the mat and at the 5-1/2″ line on the left of the mat. See photo. Use the Red Blade on the inside edge to cut a curve. 5. Keeping the piece on the bottom right corner of the mat, position the Jumbo Circle Pattern so the outside edge is 8-1/8″ on the right and 4″ on the left. See photo. Use the Red Blade on the outside edge to cut a curve. 6. Adhere the curved “road” piece to the bottom right of the designer paper. Adhere photos as shown. 7. Use the Jumbo Circle Pattern and the Blue and Red Blades on the inside edge to cut a curved piece. Cut with the Blue Blade first and without moving the pattern, cut again with the Red Blade. Cut the piece apart into three segments and adhere as shown.
8. Add stickers and embellishments.
I created the layout and the border below for Creative Memories. The layout on the left was published in the 2022 Exclusive NSD Sketch Booklet. The booklet featured a photo of the completed layout along with a sketch of the layout. My border was on the right page was published on the CM Blog on February 8, 2022. Please see the CM Blog post for instructions to create the border.
Below are step-by-step instructions for the layout on the left side.
1. Cut White Cardstock to 10-1/2″ x 10-1/2″ and adhere to the camera designer paper. 2. Use the 12-Inch Decorative Trimmer on the wavy side to cut What a View Paper to 2-3/4″. Trim the strip to 10-1/4″ taking off equal amounts from both sides of the strip. 3. Use the 12-Inch Decorative Trimmer on the wavy side to cut What a View Paper into a 1″ strip. Trim the strip to 10-1/4″ taking off equal amounts from both sides of the strip. 4. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Chevron Arrow Border Maker Cartridge to punch the reverse side of the What a View Paper. Use the 12-Inch Decorative Trimmer to cut off of the paper at 1- 1/2″. 5. Repeat Step 4. but cut the second border off at 1-3/8″. 6. Trim the two border strips to 10-1/4″ taking off equal amounts from both sides of the strips. Make sure that the wavy edges match with the wavy edges of the strips from Steps 2 and 3. 7. Crop photos to 6″ x 3-1/2″ and 4″ x 3-1/2″. 8. Position and adhere all of the strips and the photos onto the White Cardstock square leaving about a ¼” in-between the designer paper strips. 9. Add embellishments and stickers with Foam Squares. 10. Add journaling to the wavy spaces.
I created my last layout for #BorderMakerMonday with Creative Life Scrapbooking. When I first saw the new Sunshine Arches BMC, I saw WHEELS – bicycle wheels, tractor wheels, monster truck wheels, ATV wheels, etc. It inspired me to create another travel layout also using the Wanderlust Collection.
I’ll be creating and sharing more layouts with our newest collections soon. I hope that you can join me for my Virtual Croptoberfest Workshop. For information and to register, please click here.
Don’t forget thatFREE SHIPPING ends on noon CT on September 9th. I appreciate your orders and offer a generous Customer Rewards Program. You can purchase all of the materials and tools that I used through my CM website link.
Creative Memories is adding new colors to our Cardstock line and also retiring a few colors. It is also moving to a uniform cardstock weight of 60lb. Please see below for a chart of colors and dates.
Each month I share a scrapbooking technique on my YouTube channel and challenge all of my Facebook followers to use the technique to create and share a layout. When they add a photo of their layout to the appropriate album in Karyn’s Croppers, they are entered into my monthly Door Prize Drawing! These layouts feature the technique that I’m sharing for August.
I’m calling this a Puzzle Piece Technique as we put the punched pieces back together again to create a striking visual effect. Leaving a gap between the punched pieces creates a new secondary pattern and also creates depth on the layout.
I used the Treeline Border Punch and materials from the Leave Nothing Behind Collection for my first layout. This is a retired punch that Creative Memories brought back for its Tool Time Buffet that is happening August 1-9. When you purchase 3 of 9 designated tools, you will receive a free pack of exclusive embellishments. For this promo, CM brought back two additional retired border punches and also introduced two new border punches and a new border maker cartridge. These items are only available until noon CT on August 9th or while supplies last. They will not be available for purchase otherwise.
For more info about the Tool Time Buffet and to purchase, please visit my Creative Memories website. I appreciate your orders and offer a generous Customer Rewards Program.
For my second layout, I used the Dollop Arch Border Punch which is a current tool in our product line. I also used the super cute What a Zoo Too! collection. I love this collection and highly recommend all of the pieces!
For step-by-step instructions on creating these layouts, please visit my YouTube channel. I would also appreciate your subscription to my channel.
For an entry into my August Door Prize Drawing, please use this technique and share a photo of your layout into the #TechniqueTue 38 Album in Karyn’s Croppers.
