Friday, July 17, 2026

Scrapbook Look #9 - July 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.

I can't believe we're already at #9!  I'm doing a year's worth of Scrapbook Looks in celebration of my 16th blogiversary, so that means there are only 3 more coming.  Time sure flies.

First up, I've got another hodge-podge of events instead of one thing on this page.  I have used a technique I like to make sense of a page like this:  numbering.  Just add numbers to the photos, then describe them by those numbers in your journaling.  The numbers are in brown circles at the edge of each photo.


I wasn't sure what papers and color scheme I'd go with on this one, but as soon as I put the papers from this collection together (credited below), I LOVED it!  

And I used a "design map" for this page (also called a blueprint).  It's essentially like a template, pre-designed for me and all, but everything on a blueprint is gray.  The design is there, but then I can add the papers and embellishments of my choice, depending on the theme of my page.  Super easy!

I used MRF Lemonberry Sans (font) for my journaling.  I LOVE using Artisan digital scrapbooking software for many reasons, but being able to use any font on my computer is a big one.  I'm a font addict.  

Next, I'm sharing a fun page!  We helped my daughter move to a new apartment in March.  Again, I wasn't very decided on the color scheme for this, and after searching through the digital art I own so far, I wondered if there might be something cute that was specific to moving.  There was!  And I know I'll be able to use all those cute flowers and buttons for non-moving pages in the future, too.


For the journaling font, I wanted something bold for contrast, so I just used Berlin Sans FB.  I also wanted a really thick font for the title, so I used Cooper Black and this fun feature for making titles.  Because I used this method, I could fill the title with a matching digital paper.  

I think the red and yellow is so fun!  The frames were part of the digital art collection, too. (credit below)

The last scrapbook pages I'll share today are two-pages layout that I'm loving, pages from a trip to my beloved San Diego.  Again, I used a blueprint for the design, then filled it in with digital "papers" and elements of my choosing.  I really like this particular blueprint set because it's designed with two facing pages, so the photo you highlight in the middle goes across both pages.  *love*


The font I used for "San Diego" and "California" is called Violet.  


I've mentioned this before, but I enjoy using blueprints (and templates, for that matter) because the layouts are often set up in ways I personally wouldn't have come up with on my own.  It's nice to shake things up now and again. 

Honestly, the hardest part was picking which photo to have as the large one in the middle.  But that rose with the palm trees behind is just my heart, so there we go. 

And if you're wondering, the background "papers" are actually digital papers, not the use-a-picture-as-a-background technique I showed in Scrapbook Look #6.  It's from the "Summer Blues Bundle" digital art collection I've credited below.

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, July 3, 2026

Recipe Gifts: easy creative gifting

I can't think of anyone who doesn't need a creative gift idea--something unique that will stand out, be both useful and fun, that nobody else will duplicate.

Today I'm excited to share with you some recipe gifts that are:

  • creative and 100% unique because I designed them myself
  • easy gifts because you just click & give

I personally really like giving recipe gifts.  This might be because I have collected recipes for so long that I get to be picky and only keep the best. But I think it's also because recipes are both useful and fun.  

I have incorporated recipes into these gifts, something you can have professionally printed (except in the case of the last one, which is print-at-home) that I think would be perfect for kids going off to college or work, someone with a birthday, or just a fun neighbor/friend/co-worker gift for Christmas or Valentine's Day.  I'll include links for easy ordering, too.  

I've got 4 gifts to share with you here (1 with 2 different types to choose from), and I'd love to know in the comments which is your favorite!  I can't wait to show you:

Mug Recipe Mugs

What They Are:  Mug recipes are single-serving recipes made with a few ingredients, a large mug, and a microwave.  I've designed these 15-oz. mugs with an easy, single-serving recipe right on it! 

French Toast in a Mug for breakfast!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup in a mug for lunch!

What to Know:  The ceramic mugs are dishwasher-safe as well as microwave-safe.  This 15-oz. size is perfect for mug recipes (including the additional ones below!).  

How to Gift:  Find the French Toast in a Mug mug here and the Loaded Baked Potato Soup in a Mug mug here, then follow the ordering instructions at the right.  I always wait for a 50% off sale (they happen once a month for 7-10 days), but you do you.  😁

Mug Recipe Cards

What They Are:  As you know, mug recipes are single-serving recipes made with a few ingredients, a large mug, and a microwave.  I created these cards as a small collection to include breakfast, lunch or dinner, and dessert recipes that can all be made in a mug!  Each 2-sided 5x7 greeting card has two recipes for a quick, single-serving breakfast you can make in a mug! 

breakfast-in-a-mug recipe cards

lunch/dinner-in-a-mug recipe cards

dessert-in-a-mug recipe cards

What to Know:   After receiving your professionally-printed cards, simply cut the cards in half and you'll have two recipe-card-size recipes.  Cards after cutting are 3.5 x 5.  Cards come in sets of 10, so you'll have plenty to gift and share.  You can see mine below.  (I gave these to the kids from our church when they graduated from high school one year.)

all 3 sets of mug recipe cards - front and back

all 3 recipe cards after I cut them, for a total of 6 recipes

How to Gift:  Find the Breakfast Mug Recipe cards here, and/or the Lunch/Dinner Recipe cards here, and/or the Dessert Mug Recipe cards here.  Follow the directions at the right to order them.  I like to wait for a 50% off sale, so check the price shown and see if it's 50% off currently.

Candy Cane Meringues Recipe Cards

What They Are:  Well, they just happen to be one of my favorite homemade treats at Christmastime, that's what!  This is a favorite recipe that I made to gift to friends at Christmas, and because I'd made them for a party one of my friends went to the year before and I knew she LOVED them, I decided to gift the recipe along with the meringues.  (She was thrilled!)

Note:  These are a great, festive treat for your gluten-free friends!  

my Candy Cane Meringues recipe card design

my Candy Cane Meringue recipe cards, 
front and back, after I cut them

What to Know:   After receiving the professionally-printed cards, you'll cut the cards in half to make two recipe-card-size recipes.  Cards after cutting are 3.5 x 5.  Cards come in sets of 10, so you'll have 20 to keep, gift, and share.  You can see mine above, although I personalized mine on the back, and yours will not have my name on them (nor "from the kitchen of").  

How to Gift:  Find the Candy Cane Meringue recipe cards here.  Order them following the directions at the right.  If the cards don't show 50% off, you can check back later to catch that sale.  (Just be sure you refresh the page.)  Cut the cards in half.  Make the meringues, then gift them to the recipients along with this cute recipe.

Quick Cakes Recipe Cards

What They Are:  Quick Cakes are a collection of mug recipes, similar to the ones shown previously, only they're all made using cake mix.  They're single-serving cakes.  I think having a variety (using several recipes) is fun for parties or large gatherings where everyone can choose the type of cake they want!  

What to Know:   Unlike the other recipe gifts shown here, these cards are print-at-home.  Each of the 10 recipes is approximately the size of a playing card, so a little smaller than a regular recipe card.  You can click the downloadable Quick Cakes Recipe Card pages here to see all 10 recipes, from strawberry shortcake to chocolate lava cake, and download following the directions there at the right.  After printing, you'll cut out the cards.

the Quick Cakes Recipe Cards printed, cut,
and ready to gift with a boxed cake mix

How to Gift:  After printing at home, cut out the cards, punch a hole in the top left corner, assemble with a book ring, then gift with a box of cake mix!

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.

Which one do you think looks the most fun to gift?  Tell me in the comments.

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