Creating Keepsakes is a magazine that is primarily aimed at the scrapbooking community. It is always full of new ideas that provide inspiration and encouragement to all who participate in the craft. Most people who make scrapbooks do it for two reasons, the first is because they enjoy craftwork and design and the second is for the joy of providing their family with memories to look back on in the future.

The magazine tends to follow the same general format so readers know what to expect. The magazine is issued every month and the current price for a year's subscription is about $20 (2009) which is quite a reduction on cover price.

-Product Ideas-

This section usually focuses on the latest available products, both paper and tools. Sometimes there will be a challenge where several designers have been given the same supplies and produce different layouts which is always interesting. Every scrapbooker likes to see what new stash is heading in the direction of their local craft shop and this section helps to illustrate the forthcoming ranges.

-Creativity-

This section is full of ideas. Sometimes these are not necessarily layout ideas. They can cover other creative ideas that would appeal to a scrapbooker, mini-books and altered items are the most popular. There will often be articles using a particular idea, perhaps using inks or sewing to generate a new look.

-Seasonal-

There is always a section that features ideas appropriate to the time of year. These include romantic valentine layouts or spooky Halloween pages. If the magazine is running a year-long theme then this will be covered as well. Ideas for photographic opportunities suitable for the season are often included.

-Expert Techniques-

This section particularly appeals to the slightly more advanced scrapbooker who is looking to extend their skills. Digital scrapbooking, photography and inspiration for journaling are the sort of topics covered.

-Readers Gallery-

A selection of layouts chosen by the Creating keepsakes team to illustrate a technique or just to provide inspiration.

There is a store directory that covers bother the USA and elsewhere in the world which is lovely to refer to before a vacation as visiting a new craft shop is always nice.

There is also a page devoted to sketches from layouts. This is particularly helpful when the reader is suffering "scrappers block" and need some ideas. The sketches are taken from all the layouts in the magazine so cover both single photo and multiphoto layouts all in one place.

This is a delightful magazine that any scrapbooker will be pleased to read. It is full of new and interesting layouts and ideas to try. The emphasis on journaling to tell your story is helpful as that is an area that a lot of crafters struggle with and it is so vital in creating a memory album. There is always a lot of advertising but since these are all relevant to the craft they are actually attractive and informative. The pages burst with colours and ideas and it will have everybody reaching for their tote as soon as they have read it.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Ilsley.
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