Ho, ho , ho! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! December has started with a bang over at Creative Memories with a year-end sale of over 175 different items! You’ll be able to find some bargains marked at 60% off!
Also, the Creative Life Scrapbooking Team launched its annual Holly Days feature yesterday. The CLS team is sharing a new holiday layout each day from December 1st – 10th on its Facebook page. Plus, there’s a Holly Days Sketch Book with measurements available on the CLS website.
For my December Technique Layout & Challenge, I’m sharing a super quick and easy layout today. You only need 2 sheets of paper and some cardstock and a few cuts and folds to make this beautiful layout to highlight 2 special photographs.
To create my layout, I used the Star of Wonder (Black Friday Promo) Collection, but you can substitute with any materials.
When I first created this layout, I saw a Christmas Tree in my folded piece. But after looking at it longer, I also see a house. Will you create yours as a tree or a house? Make sure to share a photo of your completed version in my private Facebook group for an entry into my December Door Prize Drawing!
For a printable instructional handout, please click the download button below.
Creative Life Scrapbooking Holly Days December 1st – 10th
Please follow the CLS Facebook page to see a new holiday layout each day from December 1st – 10th! You’ll find the downloadable Holly Days Sketch Book that contains sketches with measurements of all 10 layouts at www.creativelifescrapbooking.com.
Creative Memories End-of-Year Sale! Dec. 1-23 starts & ends at noon CT or while supplies last Shop early for best selection!
Exciting new things are coming in 2026, but FIRST — “The Next Chapter Event” begins with up to 60% OFF your CM faves! Limited-time deals on your CM favorites to make room for what’s coming in 2026!
Shop 175+ deeply discounted products (find them under Deals > Sale).
Some items discounted up to 60% off!
Discounted Bundles with Digital Project Playbooks: These products, originally launched in 2022, are now available as convenient bundles deeply discounted, complete with a brand-new Digital Project Playbook for each, with instructions to create 6 projects total — created in 2025 by talented Advisor contributors! Shortly after purchase, you’ll receive an email with the Digital Project Playbook(s).
Act fast — the discounted items are only available while supplies last!
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Today I’m sharing two layouts that almost represent this age-old adage. My first layout is a snowy version, and my second layout is a tropical version – a little bit of ying and yang. But you can use this technique to create layouts for any themes using any papers.
I used the Original Border Maker System from Creative Memories with two different styles of border maker cartridges to create punched semi-circles with pretty scalloped edges. For the center part of my hollow rings, I used a knock-out or negative space style BMC. And for the punched edges, I used a chain style BMC for my first layout and an edge style BMC for my second layout.
I used the Sun-Soaked Collection with the Footprints BMC (retired) and the Citrus Slice BMC for my layout above. For my first layout, I used the Flurry of Fun Collection with the Mittens and Flurries BMC and Double Fan BMC. All are from Creative Memories.
Please see my Creative Memories website for most of the items that I used for these layouts. Now is a great time to place an order as CM is offering FREE SHIPPING on purchases of $80+ in the United States until noon CT on March 7th! You might also like to order the National Scrapbook Day 2025 Customer Bundle as I will be using this bundle to create my own exclusive layouts for my Virtual NSD Workshop on April 5th.
Happy New Year! Are you experiencing some cold wintery weather in your part of the world? It’s frigid cold in my area. Here’s a layout that’s perfect for your chilly winter photos. I tore paper strips with pretty white torn edges that remind me of falling snow or icicles.
I used papers from the Flurry of Fun Paper Pack, an embellishment from the Flurry of Fun Sledding Embellishments and a variety mat with a title from the Flurry of Fun Artsy Add-On Kit from Creative Memories. Are you curious about the Artsy Add-On Kits? Watch the very end of my demo video for a look and explanation. The Flurry of Fun Collection is a beautiful winter collection with lots of blues and touches of red and gray. The Flurry of Fun Snowstorm and Sledding Embellishment Packs are currently out of stock but will be returning sometime in January. You’ll want to watch for their return as they are full of fun winter icons.
I used the Peaks and Valleys Tearing Tool from Creative Memories to tear strips that are about 1/2″ in width from both sides of a sheet of the dotted blue paper, but you can use any tearing tool or a ruler. The swirly blue paper is my background. The title is cut from a variety mat in the Flurry of Fun Artsy Add-On Kit, and I punched the border using the Original Border Maker System with the Mittens and Flurries Border Maker Cartridge all from Creative Memories. The Mittens and Flurries Border Maker Cartridge is extra fun as you can also use the punch debris as additional embellishments.
To see a demo on tearing the strips to get torn white edges on each side and on creating the layout, please view my video.
My Customer Rewards Program began anew on January 1st, and I have a new quarterly Customer Rewards Gift ready to share with you. I’m also running a special album promotion in January. Please see below for details.
PJ Party Virtual Crops with Creative Life Scrapbooking
Would you like some fresh scrapbooking ideas that feature techniques or unique features?
Do you like ideas for double-page layouts?
Do you like to use several photos on a layout?
Do you want to use up your scrapping stash?
If you answered yes to any of these, then you’re going to love the PJ Party Virtual Crops that are hosted by the designers at Creative Life Scrapbooking and special guest designers!
It’s time to register for our January 24th PJ Party! If the date is bad for you, you’ll be able to watch the recordings.
Until January 24th, you’ll be able to register for all 4 2025 PJ Parties at a discounted price by purchasing our Combo!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope that your day is happy and filled with love! I like to create pretty pages and find unique ways to use Creative Memories tools. For Valentine’s Day, I was inspired to find a new way to use the Infinity Heart Border Punch and create a layout using the Sweet on You Collection. This layout will also look beautiful with the new Something Blue Collection.
I love the large chunky border that I created by cutting apart and threading pieces that I punched with the Infinity Heart Border Punch! I added some extra love with letters and hearts punched from the recently retired Love Letters Punch. I used the Original Border Maker System with the Notebook Edge Border Maker Cartridge to add a decorative edge to my journaling box.
To Create My Layout: 1. Cut a piece of Hot Fudge Cardstock to 12″ x 7-5/8″. Cut a piece of the icon paper to 12″ x 7-3/8″, and adhere to the cardstock piece. Adhere the layered piece 3/4″ from the bottom of a sheet of brown striped paper. 2. Cut three 12″ x 1/4″ strips from the red paper. 3. Use the Infinity Heart Border Punch to punch two borders from White Cardstock. Use Micro-Tip Scissors to cut apart the borders into segments of three, two and one as shown. Thread a red strip through each segment, and adhere to the page as shown. 4. Use the Love Letters Punch to punch three words from White Cardstock and six hearts from red paper. Adhere the love letters to the strips as shown. Use Foam Squares to adhere the hearts as shown. 5. Cut a 2-1/4″ x 5″ piece of Hot Fudge Cardstock. Cut a 2-1/4″ x 4-3/4″ piece of white grid paper. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Notebook Edge Border Maker Cartridge to punch one long edge of the white grid paper and adhere to the hot fudge piece. Adhere the layered piece to the layout. Use the NEW Tab Punch to punch a tab from White Cardstock. Cut the tab in half, and adhere to the top of the journaling box. 6. Cut four 4″ x 4″ photo mats from Hot Fudge Cardstock and adhere to the layout as shown. 7. Add stickers with Foam Squares and love letters to the journaling box.
Creative Memories offers some of the best scrapbooking tools on the market. Some of the tools stay constant in the product line while others retire and are replaced with new tools. Over the years, I’ve collected a LARGE assortment of Creative Memories punches and border maker cartridges, and I LOVE to find new ways to use them! You’ll love the technique that I used to make these two layouts as it can be used with many different border punches, frame punches and border maker cartridges!
For my first layout, I used the Original Border Maker System with the Brocade Chain Border Maker Cartridge to create my pretty punched borders. I used papers and stickers from the new Sweet on You Collection.
For my second layout, I used the Damask Flourish Frame Punch and papers and stickers from the Painted Garden Collection.
I LOVE how many different punches and cartridges can be used with this technique to create totally different looks!
To create the border pieces for both of the layouts, cut squares to 3″ x 3″, fold the squares into triangles, and then punch the triangles. You can use the punched pieces to create single borders or double borders as I did. Or you can add the pieces around all four sides of a page for yet a different look.
To view a step-by-step demonstration, please click here to see my YouTube video. Thank you also for subscribing to my YouTube channel.
All of the tools and materials that I used for these layouts can be ordered through my Creative Memories website link. Thank you so much for your purchases!
Please see the Creative Life Scrapbooking website for information about our PJ Party Virtual Crops. Our first Party of 2024 will begin on January 26th (all Zoom sessions are recorded.). You can register for all 4 of our 2024 PJ Parties at a discounted price for a limited time.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Here’s a perfect layout to use for some of your holiday photos. It’s a simple technique that delivers a beautiful dimensional impact. I used the very lovely Nodic Winter Collection from Creative Memories for my layout.
The only tool needed is a 12-Inch Trimmer! If you’re in the market for a new trimmer, please check our the 12-Inch Trimmer from Creative Memories. In my 25+ years of scrapbooking, it’s the best trimmer that I’ve seen. Cut a few triangles, fold a few and layer to create this beatiful tree embellishment!
For step-by-step instructions, please see my YouTube channel. While you’re viewing my video, please make sure to also subscribe to my channel.
I used Avocado Cardstock and Nordic Winter Papers for my layout. I embellished using Nordic Winter Embellishments, Stickers and a Variety Mat. Make sure to check out the Nordic Winter Embellishments – they’re gorgeous and include several deer pieces.
Please use this technique to create a layout and share a photo of your layout with me on Facebook in Karyn’s Croppers. Go to the Album section and add your photo to the #TechniqueTue 32 Album for an entry into my December Door Prize Drawing.
You may purchase the 12-Inch Trimmer and/or Nordic Winter Collection through my Creative Memories website link.
I’ve been playing with the Welcome Gnome Border Punch that I received for FREE as part of the Welcome Gnome Black Friday Bundle from Creative Memories. With a purchase of $150, you can select the Welcome Gnome Bundle that includes the Welcome Gnome Border Punch, Welcome Gnome Paper, Welcome Gnome Stickers, Welcome Gnome Embellishments, and Welcome Gnome Card Kit for FREE!
There are 3 exclusive Black Friday bundles to select from this year, and each is spectacular! All 3 of the Black Friday bundles have a retail value of $63 and contain exclusive items that won’t be available to purchase otherwise. The Black Friday Promo is scheduled to end at noon CT on November 17th, but it’s likely that the bundles will run out before that time. So please place your orders early. I appreciate your purchases through my Creative Memories website link.
I used the Welcome Gnome Border Punch in two unexpected ways for my layouts today. I used my Micro-Tip Scissors to cut apart border pieces to get individual hats. For my first layout, added the hats to owls that I created with the Owl Build-A-Punch. Unfortunately, the Owl Build-A-Punch is sold out with Creative Memories. I also used the Original Border Maker System with the Treeline Border Maker Cartridge, Christmas Cheer Paper, Christmas Cheer Stickers and Christmas Cheer Variety Mats for the layout above.
To create my layout: 1. Cut a 2-3/4″ x 12″ strip from striped paper. Cut a 2-1/4″ x 12″ strip from Red Cardstock and adhere to the striped strip. Cut a 2″ x 12″ strip from plaid paper and adhere to the border. Adhere the border to a sheet of paper from the Christmas Cheer Paper Pack. 2. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Treeline Border Maker Cartride to punch a border from Avocado Cardstock. Cut off of the cardstock at 3″. Cut the border into 2″ segments and adhere four segments to the border. 3. Use the Owl Build-A-Punch with Beige, White and Black Cardstocks to assemble three owls. Adhere the owls to the border as shown. 4. Use the Welcome Gnome Border Punch to punch a border from Red Cardstock. Use Micro-Tip Scissors to cut off three hats. Tear scraps of White Cardstock and adhere behind the hat pieces trimming to fit. Adhere the hats with Foam Squares to the owls. 5. Cut a 3/4″ x 12″ strip from Red Cardstock and a 1/2″ x 12″ strip from striped paper. Layer and adhere the strips to the right edge of the layout. 6. Cut a 6-1/4″ x 10″ piece from Red Cardstock and adhere to the layout as shown. Cut a 6″ x 1-1/2″ strip from striped paper and adhere to the top of the panel. Cut two 6″ x 4″ photo mats from White Cardstock and adhere to the panel. 7. Cut a 3″ x 1/2″ piece of Avocado Cardstock and adhere with Foam Squares as shown. Add a title sticker. 8. Fussy cut a journaling tag from a Christmas Cheer Variety Mat. Adhere with Foam Squares as shown. 9. Add additional stickers as shown.
My second layout includes another unexpected way to use the Welcome Gnome Border Punch. I cut the hats off a gnome border and took the beard pieces that are punch debris and reassembled the beards and hats to give the suggestion of Santa Claus. Again, I used paper, stickers and variety mat from the Christmas Cheer Collection.
To create my layout: 1. Cut a 1″ hollow frame from a sheet of Dark Green Cardstock. Cut Christmas Cheer Paper to 11-1/2″ x 11-1/2″ and adhere to the hollow frame. 2. Cut an 11-1/2″ x 2-1/4″ strip from Dark Green Cardstock and an 11-1/2″ x 2″ strip from White Cardstock. Layer and adhere the strips together. 3. Cut (9) 7/8″ x 1-5/8″ pieces from Dark Green Cardstock. Cut (5) 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ pieces from a red paper and (4) pieces from a blue paper. Layer and adhere the pieces together. 4. Use the Welcome Gnome Border Punch to punch a border from White Cardstock. Use Micro-Tip Scissors to fussy cut (9) hats. 5. Adhere the hats and beards (that are punch debris) onto the small rectangle pieces as shown. 6. Cut a Christmas Cheer Variety Mat to 2-1/2″ x 4″. Use a Green Dual-Tip Pen to add faux stitching around the mat piece. Mat the piece with a 3″ x 4-1/2″ piece of red plaid paper. Mat with a 3-1/4″ x 4-3/4″ piece of Dark Green Cardstock. Adhere the piece to the border as shown and adhere the Santa rectangle pieces. 7. Cut a 5-3/4″ x 4-1/4″ and (2) 3-1/4″ x 5-1/4″ photo mats from Dark Green Cardstock. Adhere to the layout as shown using Foam Squares for one of the smaller mats. 8. Cut a 4-7/8″ x 2-1/4″ piece from Dark Green Cardstock. Cut a 4-3/4″ x 2″ piece from White Cardstock and adhere to the green piece. Adhere the layered piece to the layout as shown. Add two rectangle Santa pieces. 9. Add Christmas Cheer Stickers with Foam Squares.
You can purchase the Christmas Cheer Collection and Treeline Border Maker Cartridge through my Creative Memories website link. With a $150 purchase, you can select a FREE Black Friday Bundle! Don’t delay as the bundles are likely to run out before the Black Friday end date of November 17th.
I LOVE all 3 of the current Creative MemoriesBlack Friday Promo Bundles! They each are unique and feature some great exclusive items that will not be available to purchase otherwise. The promo is scheduled to end at noon CT on November 17th or while supplies last. I would order sooner than later as there is a good chance that the promo items will run out before the promo ends. With a $150 purchase, you can select one of the promo bundles for FREE! With a $300 purchase, you can select two bundles. And you can select three bundles with a $450 purchase.
Please view my YouTube Video for a look at the bundles and the layouts that I share below.
I do design work for Creative Memories, and I created the Black Friday layouts for the CM Blog. Below is the layout that I created with the Welcome Gnome Bundle. From the feedback that I’ve been seeing, this bundle has been the most popular so far. The Welcome Gnome Bundle includes the Welcome Gnome Border Punch, Welcome Gnome Paper, Welcome Gnome Stickers, Welcome Gnome Embellishments, and Welcome Gnome Card Kit and has a retail value of $63.
Please see the CM Blog for step-by-step instructions to create my layout above. I’ve also created a second similar version of the layout for myself. I used fewer Welcome Gnome Embellishments pieces on this layout in order to stretch out the embellishment pack in order to make more layouts.
To create my layout:
Cut a 11″ x 2″ strip from Navy Cardstock. Use the 2-Way Corner Rounder to round the two upper corners. Cut a 10-3/4″ x 1-3/4″ strip from a lightly patterned paper. (I used paper from the old Joy to the World Paper Pack.) Use the 2-Way Corner Rounder to round the upper two corners, and adhere to the navy strip.
Use the Welcome Gnome Border Punch to punch a border from Cranberry Cardstock. Trim to 11″, and adhere to the border.
Use the Original Border Maker System with the Pointsettia Border Maker Cardtridge to punch a border from White Cardstock. Cut off of the cardstock at 1-1/2″, and adhere under the bottom edge of the border leaving the pointsettia flowers showing.
Adhere a Welcome Gnome Sticker for the title using Foam Squares.
Layer and adhere two gnomes using pieces from the Welcome Gnome Embellishments and Foam Squares.
Cut a piece of Navy Cardstock to 11″ x 8-1/2″, and adhere to a sheet of patterned paper. I used paper from the recently sold-out Christmas Cheer Accessory Paper Pack.
Cut a piece of tonal paper to 10-3/4″ x 8-1/4″, and adhere to the navy mat. I used paper from the old Joy to the World Paper Pack.
The Charming Village Bundle has also been a popular choice for the Black Friday Promotion. The Charming Village Bundle includes the Charming Village Border Punch, Charming Village Paper, Charming Village Stickers, Charming Village Embellishments, and Charming Village Card Kit and also has a $63 retail value. Again, I created the sample layout for Creative Memories. Please see the Creative Memories Blog for step-by-step instructions for the layout below.
I created a similar layout for my own scrapbook using fewer of the Charming Village Embellishments to again conserve the embellishments so that I can make many pages with them. I used paper from the Christmas Cheer Paper Pack as the Charming Village Bundle coordinates well with the Christmas Cheer Collection.
To create my layout:
Cut a 12″ x 2-1/4″ strip from Gray Cardstock. Cut a 12″ x 2″ strip from White Cardstock, and adhere to the gray strip.
Use the Charming Village Border Punch to punch a border from Cranberry Cardstock, and adhere to the border.
Use the Custom Cutting System with the second largest Oval Pattern and Green Blade on the outside edge to cut an oval from Gray Cardstock. Use the Red Blade to cut an oval from designer paper. (I used Christmas Cheer.) Layer and adhere the two pieces together.
Use the Charming Village Border Punch to punch two borders from White Cardstock and one border from Cranberry Cardstock.
Use the Custom Cutting System with the second largest Oval Pattern and Red Blade on the outside edge to cut oval shapes from the three border pieces. Center and align the Oval Pattern over the border pieces making sure that the top of the Oval Pattern covers the top of the borders. Layer and adhere the pieces to the oval from Step 4. For a demo, please see my video.
Add a title from the Charming Village Stickers and Charming Village Embellishments with Foam Squares to the oval piece as shown.
Lastly, I also created the sample layout for the Candlelit Bundle for Creative Memories. For instructions, please see the Creative Memories blog. The Candlelit Bundle includes the Candlelit Flame Recipe Template, Candlelit Paper Pack, Candlelit XL Embellishments,Candlelit Card Kit and the Flames and Drops Decorative Punch. The punch can be used for flames, raindrops, teardrops, or water splashes.
Don’t delay in purchasing to receive one or more of theseBlack Friday Bundles for FREE! I so appreciate your purchases through my Creative Memories website link, and I offer a generous Customer Rewards Program.
I used an easy folding technique for my layouts today. It’s a simple concept that results in a big impact.
To create the layout, you’ll need two sheets of designer paper and a coordinating sheet of cardstock. One of the paper pieces will be your reveal piece, so select a cute print for that. You’ll use both sides of the second sheet of designer paper that you fold.
You’ll only need your 12-Inch Trimmer with a decorative blade. I used the Scallop Blade for both of my layouts. I used the Autumn Harvest Collection for my first layout and the Nordic Winter Collection for my second layout.
Please see my YouTube video for a quick demo of how to create the layout.
This layout can also be turned on its side, so that the reveal portion is at the top or bottom of the layout. I can’t wait to see all of your different versions! For an entry into my Monthly Door Prize Drawing, please share a photo of your layout with us in my Facebook group, Karyn’s Croppers. Go to the Technique Tuesday 52 Album and click the ADD PHOTO button to upload your photo into the album.
This year Creative Memories is offering 3 exclusive product bundles for our annual Black Friday Promotion. The promo started yesterday and ends on at noon CT on November 17th or while supplies last. These promo bundles have generated a lot of excitement, and they will likely run out before the end date. Please order as soon as possible if interested. The bundles contain exclusive items that will not be available to purchase later. With a $150 purchase, you can select one FREE bundle. You can select additional bundles with higher purchases. Which bundle is your favorite?
Today I’m sharing some new versions of a layout that I first created for the Creative Memories Blog last year. My original layout featured the Diagonal Plaid Border Punch and Blue & Gold Collection. I created a similar version for myself using these same supplies and also two new versions of the layout.
The Diagonal Plaid Border Punch and Blue & Gold Collection were exclusive items from CM’s Black Friday Promotion last year. CM recently released the Diagonal Plaid Border Punch for purchase during December Deals, and it quickly sold out.
Creative Memories is currently running a December Deals offering of discounted and exclusive items for sale. New items will be added to December Deals at noon CT on December 9th and 12th, so make sure to check out our website often for new exclusive items and new discounted items. Please note that some items sell out quickly.
I used our Polar Lights winter collection, new Baby Blue Cardstock, and the Rainbow Ripple Border Punch to create my second layout using the same technique. You’ll find the Rainbow Ripple Border Punch in December Deals. It’s an exclusive item that is now available.
For my third version of this layout, I used the Totally Tonal Christmas Paper and a combination of the Diagonal Plaid and Rainbow Ripple Border Punches. To create this layout, use a sheet of White Cardstock as your base. Cut (3) 12″ x 3″ strips from three different papers and adhere to the center of the layout. Use the Diagonal Plaid and Rainbow Ripple Border Punches to punch three borders from Cranberry Cardstock and adhere to the bottoms of the strips. Cut (2) 12″ x 1/4″ strips from Cranberry Cardstock and adhere to the top and bottom of the striped panel. Add photos, embellishments/stickers and a journaling box.
Please see my YouTube channel for a video demonstration and some scrapbooking tips. (Make sure to subscribe!)
Please use this technique to create a layout and share it in my Album in Karyn’s Croppers on Facebook for an entry into my December Door Prize Drawing!
Don’t forget to add some Creative Memories items to your Christmas Wish List this year! I would love to help your friends and family shop for you. I also offer Gift Certificates that can be used to shop through my CM website link. Please contact me for info.
If you love my layouts, you might be interested in some up-coming events of mine.
