Audience Inspirations
One thing I’ve really missed from my days as a big-time magazine editor* was the opportunity to browse through hundreds of reader-submitted scrapbook pages. It was always a kick to put out a call for some random topic and then see how our readers interpreted it, putting
their own spin and personality on it. How did I ever choose? I’d look for the pages that stood out, that made me want to scrapbook, or made me think about life a little differently, or made me notice things I hadn’t before. (I also enjoyed raising my eyebrows at the occasional nude-man-on-a-bicycle layout, but that’s another story.)
But with the founding of Ella Publishing Co. (in September 2009), I'm grateful to have this chance again—sans the nudity, if you please. So, to kick off Ella's second-ever month of Scrapbook Ellaments eZine fun, I’d like to share a few of the reader submissions that inspired me this month.
* On second thought, I'm not sure that the Bluffdale, Utah, headquarters of the former Simple Scrapbooks magazine qualifies in any way as “big time”—except perhaps that it IS bigger than the cozy home office in which I now spend my days.
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Supplies: MS Publisher software • patterned paper, flower overlay (freedigitalscrapbooking.com) • Arial and Script MT Bold fonts • 8½ x 11 layout by Lauren Hagerman |
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Pick #1
Lauren Hagerman created this digital layout shortly after returning from her grandfather’s funeral. “The best way I knew to deal with emotions (besides a good ol’ cry) was to celebrate his life with some treasures we found in his basement,” she says. I think it’s wonderful that she found solace in scrapbooking, and we at Ella are honored she shared the results with us. Lauren’s digital design was inspired by one of the page sketches in Text Tricks for Scrapbookers. Click here to download the sketch for free.
Your Turn
Any time you create a layout that was inspired by something you saw in a Scrapbook Ellaments eZine issue or in one of our eBooks, show us what you’ve done! Email it to submissions@ellapublishing.com, with “Ella Inspiration” in the subject line.
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Supplies:
patterned paper (K & Company) • letter stickers (American Crafts) • gemstones (Studio 18) • cardstock (Paper Studio) • Segoe Print font • clothing tags • 12 x 12 layout by Nicole Terry
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Pick #2
Nicole Terry sent in this layout along with a handful of other great designs she had completed recently. I love this take on a back-to-school page—the photo taken from behind, the teacher-student picture, the clothing-tag border, the meaningful journaling—it gets an A-plus in my grade book. Do you have a few back-to-school shots just waiting for a home? Try Nicole’s approach!
Your Turn
Just looking for someone to appreciate your latest layout? Email it to submissions@ellapublishing.com, with “General Submission” in the subject line. Our automatic e-mail response will give you a free compliment, and you just might find yourself featured in a Scrapbook Ellaments issue or on our blog!
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Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics) • patterned paper (American Crafts) • lasercut title (rememberwhen.com.au) • brad • Gill Sans Light font • 8½ x 11 page by Diane Herman |
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Click image to read journaling |
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Pick #3
Di Herman submitted this layout in response to our request a couple of weeks ago for layouts featuring premade titles or journaling blocks. We received so many great submissions for our Word Art article that we just couldn't feature them all. And since I'm the editor and can do whatever I want to, I decided to share one more layout that I'm quite partial to. It really doesn’t get simpler than this: a photo about your everyday life, a journaling block, a scrap of patterned paper, a layered circle accent, and a premade title.
Your Turn
Keep an eye on The Daily Trumpet and on our Submit a Layout page. This is where we’ll let you know when we’re looking for layouts for Scrapbook Ellaments, for an upcoming eBook, or for a special event on our blog.
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Supplies: patterned paper, chipboard tree, jeweled brads (American Crafts) • Franklin Gothic Medium and Blackjack fonts • 12 x 12 layout by Beth Proudfoot |
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Pick #4
Beth Proudfoot has been meaning to scrapbook these Christmas pictures since, well, last Christmas! The Quick & Creative Quizzes eBook, and its companion, Quiz Printables by Cathy Zielske, inspired Beth to finally get it done. As Beth says, “I've been wanting to scrap these pics for awhile and this quiz was a simple, effective way to do it!” Coupled with Beth’s unique photography, the results are breathtaking.
Your Turn
I actually spotted this adorable layout on Beth Proudfoot’s blog. If you post something inspired by Ella on your blog or in an online gallery, email us the link at comments@ellapublishing.com or post it to our Facebook Group! You never know—one of our staff members might be in the mood to randomly pay off (er, reward) bloggers who sport our blinkie or feature our products.
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Supplies: patterned papers (American Crafts)•cardstock (Kraft, American Crafts) • ribbon (American Crafts) • stamps (American Crafts) • stamp pad (Versamark) • brad (Basic Grey) • foam adhesive (EK Success) • hand stitching • Century Gothic and Amelie fonts • 12 x 12 layout by Moon Ko |
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Click image to read journaling |
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Pick #5
Moon Ko wowed us this month with an adorable layout featuring her two daughters and their cousin playing in the leaves. I loved it so much, I chose it to decorate our cover art! Click here to read an in-depth, investigative profile of the elusive Moon. (Well, she’s not really elusive, nor is the profile “investigative,” but it sounded more exciting to say it that way.)
Well, that's all, folks. Hope this fall is your most inspirational one yet!
