Welcome back for this month’s edition of “An Insider’s Look.” The September issue of Creating Keepsakes was so fun to put together because we all love the back-to-school theme—it’s such an exciting time of year with the new pencils, new classes, and even new schools. I’ll be heading back to school this fall to start a graduate degree, so this issue makes me even more excited than normal! It makes me want to go shopping for new school clothes and notebooks, but I have so many fun insights to share with you about this issue, so let’s get started.
Let’s start with the cover. This fun layout by Cindy Tobey has many techniques you can try on your pages. Make a number 2 pencil into something fun. Here, Cindy transformed the pencil into a branch by adding leaves and a cute owl. She also explains how she created the chalkboard effect on her blog. Check it out, and try it on one of your school layouts.
Sometimes, we call on our talented contributors to create more than layouts for us. On page 69, you’ll see this adorable art on the opening page for the article “Moving up a Grade.” This was created by Suzy Plantamura.
Next, I hope you loved Kelly Purkey’s article “Hot Fall Trends” as much as I did. It’s exciting to see some of this fall’s hottest fashion trends applied to scrapbooking. Beth Opel collaborated with Kelly to decide on which trends to feature. Then our graphic designers decided they would like to photograph a pair of brand new shoes for the opening page. It didn’t take Beth long to agree to provide the new shoes for the shot. They’re now happily sitting in her closet, waiting for fall to come.
Last up this month, I’d like to tell you a little more about the Tamron lens (AF18-270mm VC) that was featured in “Cool Things” this month (page 122). It’s the world’s first 15X zoom lens, and it’s a great all-in-one lens if you’re looking for the perfect complement to your DSLR camera (for Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras). It also features Vibration Compensation, which is an anti-shake mechanism. This allows you to take blur-free photos up to 4 stops slower than usual. Just think of the shots you can get from sunrise to sunset!
Here’s the most exciting part: Tamron is giving away one of these lenses (valued at $629) to a lucky CK reader! If you’d like a chance to win, simply leave a comment on this post with what you loved about the September issue of CK or how you would find the Tamron lens useful in your photography. Check the “giveaways” tab at the top of the blog on Friday, August 28 to see if you’re the winner!
-Maurianne Dunn, Associate Editor
I LOVED the back to school stuff! That lens will help me finally be able to shoot from afar!
I loved the back to school stuff! The lens would be great to shoot wildlife from far away, like whales and dolphins out here in Hawaii.
The ideas for back to school are great… and new ways to journal…. there is always something to learn.
WOW!! the lens…. “It also features Vibration Compensation, which is an anti-shake mechanism.” How cool would that be when taking photos of my husband drag racing… it is so hard sometimes to get the best pictures as I move with the car and take pictures at the same time. It would be awesome to add this lens to my NIKON D50… thanks for the great giveaway… I will share this opportunity with my blog friends…
Wow! that lens sounds amazing. I have minor tremors in my hands and a lens that would help to hide some of my flaws would be fabulous.
i’m often outdoors at concerts or family gatherings. changing the lens for different pics often takes tooooooo long, so i’ll definitely have to have a lens like that!
OMGosh! What could I do with this lense? ha, this is only the most amazing thing I’ve heard of in a loooong time! I have just recently (about a yr ago) started to work on my photography and I have learned alot and I know that this lense is the lense of all lenses – hehe. This lense would allow me to get the pictures of my family that I have always wnated! angled, black and whites, but not so much those things will be clear and almost perfect but that I will be able to catch them in almost any posistion and/or area that I can imagine. Not having to run and trip over my flip flops anymore to try and get closer to get really cute pictures would be nice. : ) I know it’s a long shot but winning this lense would make me the happiest person this side of the US – hehe
Thanks for chance and I can’t say enough about CK’s magazine. I am always eagerly awaiting the next issue. So many creative people, so many instances for inspiration!
This lens is just what I need. Thanks for holding this giveaway!
This lens looks perfect for me. Thanks for the chance to win!
WOW! What a great giveaway. This Tamaron lens would not only take my photos to a whole new level, but my scrapbooking as well.
Capturing those moments that I might not have been able to get without such a cool lens and getting them into the scrapbooks would be such a wonderful accomplishment.
I would love to win that lens! It would be useful because the kit lens that came with my camera won’t hold focus if it is aiming down at all, so that’s a big problem! And that Tamron lens would be SO perfect for travel.
I would love to win that lens! It would be useful because the kit lens that came with my camera won’t hold focus if it is aiming down at all, so that’s a big problem! And that Tamron lens would be SO perfect for travel.
The layouts are just so adorable. I can’t wait to start using some of those ideas. Would love to get a lense like that. It would help so much when taking pics of all the wonderful poses my daughter gets herself into.
Whats not to love about CK…constantly reminding us that scrapbooking is a whole different kind of art. I do more looking now than being inspired by and making. And what do you know, I recently acquired a D5000 with the basic lens kit. Then found two manual Nikon lenses my mom had for her old film camera…and while some say its all the photographer or the camera… but the lenses, oh the lenses. I feel like Willie Wonka making chocolate wonders. And what I would do with the Tamron lens. Let me count the ways.
I was introduced to Tamron lenses by a relative who is a semi-professional photographer when I was looking for a lens to photograph indoor sporting events as I have grandchildren involved in basketball and gymnastics. I purchased the Tamron lens he recommended and have been very pleased with it. When looking for lenses in the future I will always investigate what Tamron has to offer first. They offer quality at a reasonable price.
This is my first time commenting on a blog. When I saw the camera lens being given away, I knew I had to try for it. My daughter, Linz, has a natural, God given gift for taking photos. She took her first photography class last year as a sophomore. When she learned about all the different lens she wanted to try everyone. We haven’t been able to buy her any different ones yet, so winning this one for her would be awesome! I would love to see what she could do with it!
Hi! I just wanted to say how much I love CK. It’s still the best magazine out there. My favorite article in Sept. is the Jessica S. article about printing 4 pictures on a 4×6 photo, gotta love that!!! Thank you for the chance to win. P.S. I read all of the article over and over.
Take care,
Kim T.
My favorite article in the September issue was COMPUTER TRICKS by Jessica Sprague. I’ve always wanted to learn how to get multiple photos on one 4×6 print so I was very excited about this article.
Amy S.
I would love, love, love to win this lens.
My dad’s dream has always been to be a wildlife photographer – this would be his dream come true!
The back to school layouts are great. I love the use of the pencil as a branch for the owl. School days offer a rich source of inspiration for memories and scrapbooking.
WoW! So Cool! This lens would go perfect with my Canon DSLR that I already have. I would love to use it to get even closer pics of my kiddos…capture the moment.
thanks CK for this awesome opportunity!
Hi this whole idea of CK putting up so much cool stuff is awesome . What is more exciting is the “Tamron” thing
My husband use to be into photography during film days. He quit. I just got him to get a Nikon and this lens would be great for me to give to him to use. He’d love to go shooting on the weekend at sunrise in the east of New Orleans. It is a great way to start a day together watching the sun rise and shooting it as well as the birds and other animals. We could even take a photo of us together. Due to health we almost lost each other so it would really be special. Thanks.
Your layouts are so inspiring. I love all the new ideas each month! Would also love the Tamron lens. Don’t have a DSLR yet….but what an inspiration to get one!!! Love taking pics…of everything! Thanks
This lens would be just what the doctor ordered for a 3 year colon cancer survivor! They got rid of the cancer but left me somewhat shakey hands from the chemotherapy and radiation. We now travel more and try to record our family in photos because life can be very short sometimes. Thank You!
The pictures are the most important piece to the layout, so having the perfect camera and LENS to take those pics is essential to scrap-booking! I would love being able to take blurr-free pictures of my grandkids and our family events! Thank you for sharing this info and for having a give-away!
I would love to have that lens to take better nature shots of the birds outside my window. Since I have hand tremors, it would be perfect for me and provide assistance. Thank you very much!
I would love to have that lens to take better nature shots of the birds outside my window. Since I have hand tremors, it would be perfect for me and provide assistance. Thank you very much!
I loved the article on how to use photoshop to create a 4×6 photo with multiple photos in it. I love learning how to use photoshop from the magazines. I am a bit of a computer dunce but your directions are always fantastic. that sure looks like an amazing lense!
Oh My what a wonderful giveaway! Just completing an eight week class with Karen Russell and could really use that BEAUTY!
I love the article about printing more than one photo on a 4 x6 print, I am not photoshop savy and any help to learn more about the program is awesome!
Thanks!
Looking forward to the October issue! Always love reading the magazine.
I have a new Canon XSi, and my pictures still aren’t good. A new lens would help, and I think I’ll need to take a class or two, also! Love your magazine!
I love the zoom power of this lens. I will flip if I win this.
Beyond my wildest dreams! This oldtimer recently acquired a GOOD DSLR and the best lens she could afford with a 18-105mm lens… I actually used to shoot with regular SLR and 35mm film. Imagine! I must admit it will be a while before I learn all the features of my new camera, which is wonderful, but having the Tamron 18-270mm lens would afford me the opportunity to get those nature shots I can only dream about.
Creating Keepsakes is always an inspiration and the September issue is no exception!! Meanwhile, as one poster noted Tamron equipment is reasonable for the scrapbooker/photographer as far as price and ease of use. I have been eyeing a Tamron lens for some time squirreling away my money and sooner or later I am going to add a Tameron lens to my collection!!
I would be over the moon happy to be able to use this lens. My photography skills need every drop of help possible. Please throw my name in the hat. Thanks!
Beth of Salvage Studio
Creative Keepsakes is constantly fueling my imagination with new ideas on how to document the lives and adventures of my family (and friends!). Photography is a newly found artistic passion of mine and this lens would help me to create even better memories!!
Thanks so much!
Creative Keepsakes is constantly fueling my imagination with new ideas on how to document the lives and adventures of my family (and friends!). Photography is a newly found artistic passion of mine and this lens would help me to create even better memories!!
Thanks so much!
I loved the article “5 do-it-yourself school portrait ideas”. Got the cutest shot of my kids walking hand-in-hand from behind. I would be so happy to win the Tamron Lens. We have a upcoming trip to Disney World, and would like up close action photos! Creating Keepsakes is the best!
I would love to win this lens! The macro feature is just what I need for taking pictures of my jewelry. I’ve been having trouble getting good closeup shots.
Arlene
I LOVE your magazine and all of the great ideas and inspiration I find. Thank you so much for all you do for scrapbookers and paper crafters everywhere!
I am really getting into using sketches lately and LOVE that you have started to include sketches of all the layouts featured in the magazine. I would LOVE to win this lens. This is one of my dream lens and would use it for all my photoshoots of babies and children.
What a wonderful give-away! I am retiring in a month and will finally be able to have more time for paper crafts and photography. I plan to purchase a digital SLR camera (Canon) and this lens would be perfect. We have a Tamron lens for our film SLR camera and love it! My husband & I are also editors of a newsletter so we are playing with layouts and photos for that!!
That lense would be fab. Fingers crossed. XXX
Anne
I would love that lens! My fav part of the Sept. issue?-Those shoes! They were gorgeous and I literally drooled over them! LOL!
Loved the Sept issue! My favorite articles were the Journalin with a twist – great ideas and layouts! Becky’s sketch always helps me when she has multiple photos – this month’s was no exception! I save Ali’s column for last – it’s my favorite! But the biggest thrill is the chance to win this great lens from Tamron!! What a dream come true that would be! I take lots and lots of action shots of our Boy Scout troop and NEED an anti-shake feature! I’m holding my breath until tomorrow!
Loved the Sept issue! My favorite articles were the Journalin with a twist – great ideas and layouts! Becky’s sketch always helps me when she has multiple photos – this month’s was no exception! I save Ali’s column for last – it’s my favorite! But the biggest thrill is the chance to win this great lens from Tamron!! What a dream come true that would be! I take lots and lots of action shots of our Boy Scout troop and NEED an anti-shake feature! I’m holding my breath until tomorrow!
I would like just now to buy new photo equipment (for autumn vacation). I love take pic in details and to use macro for detailed pictures of flowers, moss, bark and other things from nature. It would be great to win this lens for completing whole set. Thanks. Lubica – nature lover.:-)
cover to cover it’s the magazine i look forward to the most!! the new products, seeing layout ideas, and of course the articles! thanks for the great giveaway offer, something exciting in these last few days of summer!!