Green Horned Unicorn

Duluth Mini Album | Published

While I was cropping with my girlfriends a few weeks back, I noticed a copy of Create: Mini Albums Idea Book on the shelf. As I began to flip through the pages, I realized this was the issue my Duluth mini album was published in! For some reason, I was thinking the issue was out in August, so I was completely surprised to see my mini on those glossy pages.

You can find my album on pages 14-17, along with a how-to on how to make the sewn, ring-bound cover. Here's a peek of the spread:

As you can see, I used a ton of the original Amy Tangerine line from American Crafts. I'm excited because the newest Amy Tangerine summer CHA line should be out just in time for me to create my album for our upcoming trip to Duluth!

If you'd like to pick up a copy of Create: Mini Albums Idea Book and can't find one locally, you can purchase it here from Northridge. I've added a link in my sidebar along with a link to current issue of Creating Keepsakes where you can find one of my digital pages published. 

I've never had two projects published at the same time...it's kind of exciting :) Thanks for stopping by!

Isn't It Grand? | Published

The latest issue of Creating Keepsakes hit the stands today!

While I always love getting my hands on they latest copy, I'm extra excited for this particular issue because, in it, is my first all digital layout to be published! Here's a peek:

This is a layout about my neice and nephew's first visit to the Grand Canyon last year, hence the title, "Isn't it Grand?". For those of you who have a copy, you can find the layout on page 26. For those who do not have a copy, you can order yourself one right here on CK.com.

Also, if you haven't already voted in the Designer Discovery Top 25 (you can read more about it here), I ask that you take a moment of your time to support me in the voting. Here's how you can vote:

• Go to JessicaSprague.com and register as a user (this is free)
• While logged in, follow this link to my designs: http://www.jessicasprague.com/cpg/displayimage.php?pos=-110290
• Using the star rating system below my design images, click on 5 Stars. Note: You will see two sets of stars, the stars to the above left of the information box is where you'll want to vote.
• Voting closes on Saturday, June 16th at 11:59 Eastern Time

Thank you for your support!

I must say, it's certainly been a wonderful week so far - getting selected into the top 25 yesterday and today, seeing my layout in print! It sure beats the stresses of cancelled flights and the AC going out in the car we experienced last week. Let's hope that this streak of good things continues and spreads to everyone :)

Published! Somerset Memories Fall 2011

Back in May I was contacted by Somerset Memories to advise me my Cali mini-album had been accepted for publication. Needless to say, I was thrilled! I had submitted my album in response to a Tweet I came across, which was in search of submission for "green-friendly" scrapbooking projects. Upon seeing the Tweet, I immediately knew my Cali album would be a perfect fit. It is comprised entirely of recycled, repurposed and scrap items I collected and/or pulled from my stash. Happily for me the editors at Somerset Memories felt it was the perfect fit too!

As I read the acceptance email, I was even more thrilled when I was asked to write an 800-word article to accompany the album! A project AND an article published? Yes, please!

Although a large part of my day job involves writing, I was very intimated with the idea of penning 800 words that would be printed in a publication for all the world to see. Fortunately, the words flowed quickly and I was up to my total word count in no time.

I received my issue in the mail on Friday and was overjoyed to see how cute it looked in print! Somerset's graphic designers to a great job with the layout in their publications.

I was originally advised my project and article would be 4-pages in length. Imagine my surprise and excitement, when I found out I actually got 6-pages! :)

I feel very honored to be included in Somerset Memories. The publication takes a different approach to memory keeping than most scrapbooking publications. Their perspective is more artistic and stretches the idea of what a stereotypical scrapbooking project might be. They do a wonderful job of curating their publications and find many beautiful and intriguing projects you might not see elsewhere.

Aside from just seeing my project and article (isn't that enough in it's own?!), the magazine is packed full of projects from some amazing ladies - including Dina Wakely and Ali Edwards. You should definitely pick up a copy for yourself. If you're not able to find a copy locally, you can order a copy of the magazine here. 

September Digital Gallery and a Sneak Peek of Somerset Memories!

September 20 already?! Yikes! This month has certainly gotten away from me. I thought things were suposed to slow down once fall approached. Clearly, I am wrong!

Before I fall as far behind as I did in the month of August, I thought I would share a few of the digital pages I designed for my Creative Team assignments at JessicaSprague.com.

Click here for a full list of product credits.

GUINNESS CUPCAKES | As the journaling describes, these decedent cupcakes have fast become my favorite. After purchasing one in Alexandria, VA, I was hooked. After some searching and tweaking, I found the perfect recipe for these perfect cupcakes. I mean really, how can you go wrong with a little booze in a cupcake? :)

My friend, Lisa, recently made a batch of Guinness Cupcakes with an added twist - Baily's frosting and gannache. Check them out here! 

Click here for a full list of product credits (Vintage Postcards by Jodi Lee are new this week!).

RETRO LOVE | This beautiful, old 1955 Correct Craft takes you back in time. This boat, once decrepit & forgotten, was given new life when it was meticulously restored by Steve, Nate’s dad. Taken on as a winter project, this boat is now the talk of the lake as its beauty and presence sparks nostalgia and memories of days gone by. 

About that sneak peek I mentioned...

As I was browsing around the Stampington website, I came across a sneak preview of their upcoming Somerset Memories Fall 2011 edition. Much to my surprise, one of the previews is my Cali Mini Album and part of the article I wrote! Totally unexpected and wonderfully exciting! 

If you'd like to take a peek at part of what will appear in the publication (there are more pages that aren't shown), head on over here. Seeing the preview of the magazine gets me excited! I can't wait to get my copy in hand when it's released on October 1!

Ps. There is more happy news to share - but I can't let you in on that till later this week! 

CK Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Summer Fun & Travel Issue!

It has finally arrived - the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Summer Fun & Travel Issue!

Why the excitement? I'll give you a hint:

Look familiar? Just in case it's doesn't, that's my Wine Country mini-album front and center on this two-page spread! I wasn't quite sure how the album would be featured, so needless-to-say, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this! The little bits of text surrounding the album are various hints, shortcuts andmemorabilia suggestions to use when making a travel themed album.

Not only did my album get a two-page feature, It also got a little spot in the Table of Contents too. A nice little added bonus! 

As with any of their publications, CK did an AMAZING job with this issue (thanks CK!). It's chock full of layouts, mini-albums and more - all to inspire your summer and travel themed projects. You can get a copy at most local craft and hobby stores, or you can order it online here. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this issue!

There is even more exciting news for me on the publication front. I found out last month that another mini album of mine will be published in October (by a different publisher). From what I've been told at this point, it will be a four-page spread! The best part? I got to write an 800-word article to accompany it! How cool is that? My project AND an article written by me. I'll share more info as the publication date nears :)

I hope you're having an amazing weekend! Thanks for stopping by :)

Officially Published

My copy of the April/May Simply Handmade is finally here! 

The reason for my excitements, is that I was finally able to see my Recycled Magazine Frame in all of it's glossy glory!

Although Northridge Media always does a beautiful job with their publications, I was a bit anxious to see how the frame would be presented. I was quite surprised to find it at the front of the Go Green feature and presented in a two-page spread! Not only does the frame look AMAZING, so does my handsome man, whose photo is sitting in it!

As many of you know, this was the first project I had ever submitted for consideration in publication, and obviously, my first time being published. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the whole process was. My contact at Simply Handmade was super-easy to work with and I was surpised to get my frame returned to me just days after I received the copy of the magazine. I must admit, it's kind of fun to see my frame on the shiny pages and then glance up onto the wall where it actually hangs. 

I've had some inquiries on how to get a copy. Locally in AZ it can be purchased at Scrapbooks, Etc. in Mesa. For those out of area, you can order it online directly from Northridge Publishing. They also have a option to download it online. Check out pages 92-93 when you get your hands on it :)