Friday, October 16, 2026

Scrapbook Look #12 - October 2026

"Scrapbooking isn't just re-living memories.  It's re-loving them."  ~Janna W. 

However you like to do it, we can all enjoy the relaxing and therapeutic benefits of scrapbooking, including a quick pre-designed yearbook that doesn't require extra software. 

This has been such a fun series to share with you this year as I've celebrated my 16th blogiversary all year long with monthly Scrapbook Look posts!  I have very much appreciated all the Comment Love I've gotten on these posts!

Scrapbook Look #12

We've come to the last in the series (but keep reading to the end for good news!), and as it turns out, I'm sharing something fitting this time! 

I have a small team of FOREVER Ambassadors who do the same work I do, helping people solve 4 main photo problems:
  1. worrying that your family won't know where the important things are since your photos are all scattered in multiple locations
  2. running out of phone space to take more photos and videos
  3. paying monthly fees for cloud storage services that stop offering their services as soon as you stop paying (upon your death, or illness, income change, etc.)
  4. forever losing family memories on outdated media (film reels, VHS tapes, etc.)
A good handful of us also want to preserve our photos (and videos using QR codes!) in print, too!

So a few of my team members and a few of our clients traveled to a central location, rented a house, and spent a long weekend on our memory-keeping!  It was a year in the making and a fabulous time!


By the way, I hold most of my events online, and you can see ALL my upcoming events here--and I love to help people truly, permanently, and wisely preserve their photos, videos, and stories, so everyone is welcome.

One of the great things we did at this event was to have some of us take turns teaching each other how to do different things in Artisan, the scrapbooking software we all use.  I learned how to use a grid cutter for this neat effect on a picture:


And also how to split a text box to do an inside shadow and outside shadow for this cool effect on titles:


Next, I'm sharing a page that I'm really excited about.  I tried a new tool for essentially creating an outline of an image from a photo.  It uses a filter called Draw Edge.  You can use it for an embellishment, but I used it as a header for this page when I visited Biltmore this past summer!


Using this feature gives you a black outline, so I played with it a little and put a white "glow" feature on it so that I could use it on my black paper.  I'm not sure that you can really see the detail with Blogger since it lowers the resolution of photos to save space, but I can tell you that it almost looks embossed!

Last, I'm sharing a favorite travel layout that is another one of those I-could-never-do-that-on-my-own!  The state map that goes across a two-page spread is way beyond my pay grade.  ha ha


It's credited below, of course, in case you need it, too.  😉

It's probably too small and fuzzy since it's just a screen shot, but you might be able to see the little QR code there near the top of the map on the left page.  That's one of our bear videos!  If you can scan it, you should watch.  It's crazy.

I hope you enjoyed these scrapbook pages half as much as I have.  

This wraps up such a fun series for me!  Thank you for all the wonderful comments and support as I've shared pages in this series over the past year of celebrating my 16th blogiversary.  And, again, thanks to Joanne from My Slices of Life for inspiring this series from her monthly card & scrapbook pages posts.

From Scrapbook Looks to Scrapbooking Scoops

Several readers have commented that they'd love to see this series continue!  (Gave me all the feels--thank you!  🥰)  I have actually started a similar series called Scrapbook Scoop over at Between the Bookends where I'm a monthly contributor!  

Scrapbook Scoops are published a few times a year, and each one includes:
  • a scrapbooking tip (general, applies to scrapbooking or photo-preserving, however you do it)
  • a video tutorial showing one fun thing I can do using my preferred digital scrapbooking software, Artisan (see credits below)
  • and a digital art collection I'm loving right now  
I'd love to see you there!  My posts publish the third Thursday of the month, and they're always about personalized books.  You can catch up with Scrapbook Scoop, episode 1 and Scrapbooking Scoop, episode 2 until the next episode publishes in 2027.


Rolling the Credits...

Yes, we're rolling the credits on the final post of the Scrapbook Look series, but I also want to credit all the artwork, software, etc., that made those pages possible.

CREDITS
NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate called an Ambassador (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post. I earn a commission from anything purchased at my website, and being your Ambassador means I'm here to help you with questions, too.  If you're new to Forever and open your free account here to give it a try, you'll get a $20 welcome coupon towards anything mentioned in this post, along with 2 GB of private Cloud Storage (a $50 value).

FAQ

Why digital?

First, there's no "right way" to scrapbook, except for two things:  1- quality so your book will last for many, many years to come, and 2- something you will love and therefore do.  

I personally choose digital because it's faster and easier, taking up less space in my house than the papers and scissors and stickers (and table space) I needed when I was a paper scrapbooker.  I like that instead of having to crop (cut) a photo to make it fit, I can easily resize, zoom in, etc.

I also love the ability to print multiple copies with just the click of a button, and for safety reasons I like that my scrapbooks exist both digitally and in print.  (I have scanned my old paper scrapbooks for the same reason.)  

And you print it, too?

Yes!!  Aside from what I mentioned above:  Print has increased accessibility!  I print my digitally-created scrapbooks because print is an easily-accessible form of seeing and also sharing (and gifting!) photos and memories.  Print doesn't need a full battery in an expensive gadget.  Plus, photo experts still recommend print as an important way to store photos and memories, in addition to digital forms.

Thanks for stopping in.  See all the Scrapbook Look posts from this year-long series at the tag at the bottom of this post!   

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Friday, October 2, 2026

Easy DIY Nativity Blocks, with updated designs

I am so excited to get back to this project!  These little nativity blocks make such a sweet and simple decoration for Christmas (and I love nativities!).  

I created my original nativity blocks way back in 2013, and although they're still going strong as part of my personal nativity collection, I've been eager to re-design them so that I can *share them with you.  I love creating things for my readers and clients that they can simply order + DIY without having to do all the design work!   

*Due to a change with the design software and the connected print company in 2020, those 2013 designs are no longer available.  (This is my story of having to pivot.)  So, as I said, I've been itching to re-design and share these with you!

These make such fun gifts because they are 100% unique (since I've designed them myself), and the DIY part is pretty easy, too!  Plus, they are inexpensive to make.

I've made two versions for you, too!  There's a 3-piece Chunky Nativity Blocks set, and a 6-piece Silhouette Nativity Blocks set.  The supplies are easy to get, and step-by-step directions are included.  

So let me show you what I've got for you!

Introducing: (new!) Chunky Nativity Blocks

I call them "Chunky" because they're made from a 2x4 piece of wood, just perfect for little hands.  This is the new design I created using a new software program, a new (amazing!) professional print company, and new digital art. 


Keep reading for directions on how to order this 8x8 (scrapbook page) print and make the blocks, and envision them on blocks like this: 

These are the painted blocks I cut and painted
for my original Chunky Nativity Blocks.

Introducing: (new!) Silhouette Nativity Blocks

These are obviously silhouettes of the Nativity figures, but they're also made from a 1x4 piece of wood, which makes them a little slimmer and lighter than the Chunky version.  Both are kid-friendly since they're unbreakable, though.  This is the new design I created using a new software program, a new (amazing!) professional print company, and new digital art. 


Keep reading for directions on how to order this 12x12 (scrapbook page)print and make the blocks, and envision them on blocks like this, painted the color of your choice: 

These are the blocks I cut and painted for
my original Silhouette Nativity Blocks.

What You'll Need to Make These Nativity Blocks

Whichever design you choose (not saying you can't do both!), you'll need:

  • The printed scrapbook page(s).  Allow about 10 days for printing and shipping.  They are cardstock-thick and have a glossy coating.  The Chunky Nativity Design is available here, and the Silhouette Nativity Design is available here.  Instructions for ordering for print are right there when you open the projects--just look to the right.  While you're waiting for the print pages to come in the mail, you can do the remaining steps:
  • wood from a home improvement store.  I suggest a 2x4 for the Chunky Nativity Blocks (you'll need less than 2 1/2 feet) and a 1x4 for the Silhouette Nativity Blocks (you'll need 13 inches).
  • a saw to cut the wood (power saw recommended; I suggest asking someone at the home improvement store to cut it for you if you don't have a power saw)
    • the Chunky blocks from a 2x4 piece of wood:  one block 3 1/2" long and two blocks 4 1/2" long
    • the Silhouette blocks from a 1x4 piece of wood:  four blocks 3 1/2" long, one block 4 1/2" long, and one block 5 1/2" long
  • sandpaper to smooth the rough edges of the cut blocks
  • a small paint brush and craft paint in a color of your choice (brown?  blue?  tan?)
  • scissors to cut the pieces out of the scrapbook pages. 
  • adhesive (I've used Xyron and even simple permanent double-sided tape to adhere paper pieces to blocks, but I'm sure adhesive spray is good if you prefer that)

Instructions to assemble the blocks are pretty intuitive, but they are included on the scrapbook pages, too.

NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate called an Ambassador (a decision I made because I love it so much), so these are affiliate links. I earn a commission from anything purchased at my website, and being your Ambassador means I'm here to help you with questions, too.  If you're new to Forever and open your free account here to give it a try, you'll get a $20 welcome coupon towards these Nativity pages!

If Gifting

I have my own set (of my original nativity blocks), but I also gifted them, too.  They are amazing to gift for two reasons:

  1. They are so unique!  Nobody else will be gifting these to your friends, family, and neighbors.
  2. They are affordable!  The wood is inexpensive (you may even have scraps already), and the 8x8 page is $1.75-$2.28 depending on the sale you hit, while the 12x12 page is $3-$4, depending on the sale.  (Shipping is not included--it will be the highest cost, but will still make this an affordable gift.)
And as you saw in my red NOTE above, if you're a new FOREVER user, you actually get a $20 coupon when you first open your (free) account, so you can get about 10 of the Chunky or 5 of the Silhouette pages free! 

I gifted mine (back in 2013 with my original designs) in cellophane wrap, and I think they turned out pretty cute.

What I can tell you for sure is that the recipients LOVED them!!  

And I keep my nativity blocks by my front door so that when I have kiddos come visit they have a fun distraction from my 60+ nativities in my collection in the next room, many of which are breakable.

I hope you have fun with this DIY project and enjoy taking advantage of the "hard part" already being done for you since I created it.  

If you'd like to try your hand at creating digitally using Artisan software, too, check out the tutorial I made for you at that link.

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Friday, September 18, 2026

Scrapbook Look #11 - September 2026

 "Scrapbooking isn't just re-living memories.  It's re-loving them."  ~Janna W.


Welcome back to Scrapbook Look!  However you like to do it, we can all enjoy the relaxing and therapeutic benefits of scrapbooking, including a quick pre-designed yearbook that doesn't require extra software.

This month, I'm starting off with a pretty simple page layout that uses a couple of features I really like about digital scrapbooking. 

First, I really like using arrows to point out hard-to-see things in photos that you might otherwise miss.  In this page, I took pictures of a day gone wrong.  We set out to do a little local sightseeing but everything changed when we got a flat tire.  (We made the best of it with milkshakes while we waited for new tires.)  It's a little hard to see the 3-inch gash in the tire if you don't know what you're looking for, so I added the yellow arrow to point it out.


Second, I have a digital art embellishment that spelled out ADV-ENT-URE DAY just like this, only it didn't go with the colors I had chosen for this page, so I used this great tool in my Artisan scrapbooking software called Alphasets to just make my own embellishment (so easy!) in a matching color.  Here's how it works:


Isn't that cool?!  They're really great for titles, but it was just perfect to use them for this little embellishment (which is kind of a title for this page, now that I think about it).  

Next up, we have a fun two-page layout of a family visit that included a Cinco de Mayo themed birthday party (along with a few pictures from earlier in the day--I'm more of a chronological scrapbooker than a strictly-themed-page scrapbooker).

I don't always have events that require two-page layouts, but since my digital scrapbooking ends up in a bound book, it's a fun thing to be able to do.  


I used a blueprint from my Pixels2Pages membership (the free April 2026 blueprint) which I filled in with colored papers of my choosing, and I really like how this particular layout is kind of divided into sections.  It makes it easier to see groups of related photos, I think--especially because I put so many photos on the pages.

The Mexican-themed paper I chose for the background was bright originally, and I felt it competed with everything else going on on the pages, so I used the opacity/transparency tool in Artisan until the colors were muted just right!

My last share for today also uses an exclusive blueprint from my Pixels2Pages membership (the free May 2026 blueprint this time).  Because of the nature of the event (which was spending time in nature!), I thought a layout design that highlights a photo as a background across two pages was perfect! 


The large title font is called Adorable Signature, which I downloaded from my favorite 1001freefonts.com, and the journaling font is Rockwell.  


Don't you just feel like scrapbooks bring everything to life in a way that photos on phones and computers just don't?  Just can't?  

I highly recommend scrapbooking as a self-care activity!  Truly.  I love how I feel when I'm doing it, and I love that I have something lovely to show for it after, too.

Join me again next month for the last Scrapbook Look of this year-long series!

CREDITS
NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate called an Ambassador (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post. I earn a commission from anything purchased at my website, and being your Ambassador means I'm here to help you with questions, too.  If you're new to Forever and open your free account here to give it a try, you'll get a $20 welcome coupon towards anything mentioned in this post, along with 2 GB of private Cloud Storage (a $50 value).

FAQ

Why digital?

First, there's no "right way" to scrapbook, except for two things:  1- quality so your book will last for many, many years to come, and 2- something you will love and therefore do.  

I personally choose digital because it's faster and easier, taking up less space in my house than the papers and scissors and stickers (and table space) I needed when I was a paper scrapbooker.  I like that instead of having to crop (cut) a photo to make it fit, I can easily resize, zoom in, etc.

I also love the ability to print multiple copies with just the click of a button, and for safety reasons I like that my scrapbooks exist both digitally and in print.  (I have scanned my old paper scrapbooks for the same reason.)  

And you print it, too?

Yes!!  Aside from what I mentioned above:  Print has increased accessibility!  I print my digitally-created scrapbooks because print is an easily-accessible form of seeing and also sharing (and gifting!) photos and memories.  Print doesn't need a full battery in an expensive gadget.  Plus, photo experts still recommend print as an important way to store photos and memories, in addition to digital forms.

Thanks for stopping in.  See you at next month's Scrapbook Look!  (Or, first click the Scrapbook Look tag at the bottom of this post to see more scrapbook pages.)  

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Friday, September 4, 2026

How to Read a Child a Story When You're Not There: a treasured gift idea

You have never seen a gift idea like this before, and I'm so excited to share it!  I have done this "audiobook for kids"-type of recording, but a friend came up with this absolutely genius QR code idea that takes it to the next level.

And makes an incredible gift. 

If you have a child in your life, you are going to love this amazing gift idea!

It's ideal for grandparents with faraway grandkids, but it's also ideal if they live in the same town.  And there are other possibilities, too, like a church class, someone you work with, or even a neighbor child. 


NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate called an Ambassador (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post. I earn a commission from anything purchased at my website, and being your Ambassador means I'm here to help you with questions, too.  If you're new to Forever and open your free account here to give it a try, you'll get a $20 welcome coupon.  Although everything mentioned in this post is free, you can secure all your digital memories for your lifetime + 100 years with a purchase of additional FOREVER Cloud Storage.

What You'll Do

I'll give you some step-by-step directions on the best way to do this below, but here in a nutshell is this wonderful gift idea for kids:

  • Choose a book you want to gift to a child (or multiple children).  I'm a Dr. Seuss lover, but there are so many wonderful books out there for kids.  Choose a fairy tale, an early reader, or one special to your family.  
  • Using your smartphone, record yourself reading the story as an audio file (not video).  Read in a clear voice with good pacing (not too fast, not too slow).  It's extra fun if you have a bell you can ring when it's time for the child to turn the page, but it's not necessary.
  • Upload the voice recording file to your (free) FOREVER account so that you can create a QR code (again, free) that goes directly to your storybook recording.  The reader can scan your QR code and listen to you read them a story!
  • You'll print the QR code on sticker paper, cut out the code, and place the sticker in the front cover of the book.
  • Wrap the book and include a note about where the QR code is located, telling your recipient to scan it to hear you reading the story to them!  (Or, tell them there's a fun surprise at the QR code.  Your call!)
Again, I'm giving specific instructions below, so if any of these steps made you say, "Cool, but I don't know how to do that," don't worry.  I've gotcha.

Scan the QR code here to hear my mom
reading the story!  She passed on in 2015, but
her grandkids (and now great-grands) can still 
hear her read to them.

How You'll Do It

Here are the specifics to make this incredible idea both possible and easy for you.  Your little recipients are about to receive an absolute treasure.  You're literally making an heirloom.

STEP 1

Choose a children's book, and choose your recipient(s).  This would make a fun gift for one special child, your church class, or all the grandchildren.  Purchase the book, or multiple copies of the book.  Or, use an heirloom book if you have one to share!

STEP 2

Next, you'll read the book aloud.  Read in a clear voice with good pacing that's understandable.  Using your phone, record yourself reading the story.  If you haven't made an audio recording on your phone before, here are the instructions for iPhone and the instructions for Android. 


If you want to practice it first before recording, that's fine, but I'll caution you to not think about perfection.  If a kiddo were sitting on your lap reading this book right now, you might trip over a word, and it will 100% not matter at all.  Just be human.  😉

Note:  After recording your story, it will automatically be named "New Recording," but you will probably want to change it to the name of the story.  (This is especially important if you are making more than one storybook recording.)  To change the name, tap on the completed recording.  You'll see 3 dots at the right.  Tap those dots and there will be an option to rename your recording.

STEP 3

Next, you'll need to put that audio recording into a secure, private, but shareable space.  This particular space will also allow you to make a QR code linking directly to the audio recording.  

To do this, set up a free, private FOREVER account here.  That's our safe, shareable space.  While there is a FOREVER app (also free) for your phone to simplify the process of uploading photos and videos, it's limited to just those things.  So, for audio files like your recorded stories, you'll need to record using your phone and then utilize email to get those files to your computer.

Here's what that looks like on an iPhone.  Once you have recorded your story, tap the "Select" button at the upper right (which I've circled in purple).



Then, tap the circles at the left (which I've circled in red) to place a checkmark on all the stories you want to preserve and share.  


Last, tap the "Upload" button (a square with an arrow coming out of it, which I have highlighted in yellow).  You'll be given options to email the selected file(s) to yourself.  Follow the process and send the email.

NOTE:  The app recognizes photo and videos, so you can upload those straight from your phone, but audio files can only be uploaded from a computer, so that's why we are doing it this way.

Open the email you sent yourself and save your audio file(s) to your computer.

STEP 4

Now it gets exciting because you're ready to get that storybook recording privately shareable so your recipient can easily access it.  FOREVER is designed as a permanent home for photos, etc., so there's a host of organizational tools available.  However, for your storybook purposes, you don't have to set up an organizational system (Albums, mentioned below) unless you want to.  

Just follow these simple steps.


Congratulations!  You're almost ready to share your storybook!

STEP 5

Now that you've completed Step 4, you can listen to your storybook reading, which is so cool.  But here's where it gets even cooler.  Next, you'll create a QR code for this recording.  This is what's going to make your storybook reading accessible from anywhere.

QR code stands for "quick response code."  It's basically a readable barcode that will take you directly to a website or other online location when scanned.  You can get a QR code reader app on your phone, but newer smartphones have the capability to read QR codes right from the camera app and take you to the online location from there.

My digital business card has a QR code.

Here's how you create the QR code for your audio file you've saved in your private FOREVER Cloud Storage.

First, you'll need to get to a computer or tablet and login to your FOREVER account.  There's a lot you can do with just the app, but you get "full service" on your audio file (and photos and videos) from the website.  So, login.  Click "Gallery" at the left, then double-click your audio file so it opens.  It will look something like this: 


Now, click the "share" icon at the upper right, which I've highlighted in yellow (above).

That "description" section over at the right is editable, so I definitely suggest including details (the name of the book and who's reading it) and even a personal message.

Next, you'll see several options for sharing this audio file.  You'll want to select "QR code," which I've highlighted in yellow (below).


After clicking "QR code," this is what you'll see:


FOREVER has generated a QR code for your audio file!  See?!  How cool is that?!  You'll need to click the little "click to download" underneath it, which I've highlighted in yellow (above).  

The QR code downloads as an image, just like a picture.  So you'll save it to your computer.  Just be sure you save it in a place where you can find it again.  😁

STEP 6

Now you'll need a computer program such as Word (I use Publisher) where you can create a document so you can print the QR code onto sticker paper to put inside the book.  This is what's going to make your accessible-from-anywhere storybook reading conveniently located right in the book!

Create the document and insert the QR code image file you just saved to your computer, with the QR code being no smaller than 1 inch so that it's easily scannable.


I highly recommend not only the QR code in the book but also a note or description about what the QR code leads to.  In the future, people may not know that it's you reading the story (because QR codes are on everything these days).  This could be part of the sticker (as I did above), or just a handwritten note in the book.

OPTIONAL:  You can see in the photo above that I have the name of the book and a "read by so-and-so" note on a cute, designed image.  With FOREVER, you can organize and preserve video, audio, photo, and PDF files into Albums (like folders on a computer) and Nested Albums (like subfolders)--and they have this awesome capability of creating an Album Cover (the thumbnail image you first see)!  So I did that for all the stories in my family story collection.  (If you'd like to do that, you can see how it works here.)  Then I downloaded those Album Cover thumbnails to include them on my stickers.  Reach out to me if you have questions on how to do this.

Now, print your document where you've put the QR code(s) on sticker paper.  I typically use Avery full-sheet sticker paper.

STEP 7

You're almost done!  And this step is easy.  Just cut out the QR code with description/message, peel off the back, and stick it in the front of the book!


Gifting Your Storybook

Be sure you include a card with a message that points out the QR code.  It may be easy to overlook if the recipients don't know it's there.  

You can certainly giftwrap it to your liking, but since this is such a special gift (an heirloom, really!), you might want to get some ideas for really special, beautiful wrapping from Stephanie over at Crazy Little Lovebirds!

Share this idea with a parent, favorite aunt/uncle, or grandparent you know!  Make connections with a little one through story, even when you're not there! 

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