By Creative Memories
June 12, 2026

The June 2026 Virtual Crop is HERE!

It’s officially time for the June Virtual Crop! This is your invitation to a weekend full of inspiration, connection and fun! Let’s get started!

If this is your first time participating in a Virtual Crop and you would like a quick step-by-step guide of what to expect before you jump in, you can get ALL the details about Virtual Crops in this blog post, including how to participate (in our Virtual Crop Group), supplies you’ll need, examples of challenges, types of prizes and more.

Know what you’re looking for? Find it faster here:

Sketch Challenges
Layout Inspiration
Prizes

In this post, you will find ALL four sketches for this crop (these sketches are for the entire weekend; no additional sketches will be posted), a downloadable PDF with the four sketches for your convenience, hashtags to use when posting your challenge layouts in the Virtual Crop Group, prize information and layout inspiration. This is about to be an amazing weekend and we can’t wait to see what you create!

To make sure we see all your submissions for a chance to win, you’ll want to post each layout you complete as its own new post with the hashtag for that challenge. You have until Tuesday, June 16, at 11:59pm CT (AU: Wednesday, 17 June, 2:59pm AET) to submit your layouts for the chance to win a prize (more details on what you can win further down this post!). Again, we’re so excited that you’re here. Happy scrapping!

Download the June VC Sketch Flyer Here!

Challenge #1 — #CMVirtualCrop1June2026

Challenge #2 — #CMVirtualCrop2June2026

Challenge #3 — #CMVirtualCrop3June2026

Challenge #4 — #CMVirtualCrop4June2026

Challenge #1

Collection Used: Your Own Way

Diane’s Tip: “I love how this layout combines multiple photos with playful layers and fun details, creating a page that feels organized, creative and full of personality. The Your Own Way Collection is the perfect go-to for those year around activities, literally something for every month of the year!”

Challenge #2

Collection Used: Vivid Melodies

Diane’s Tip:  “This design proves that simple can still be stunning. The torn paper edges and floral accents create a soft, beautiful backdrop for your favorite photos. Adding in the beautiful paper and embellishments from the Vivid Melodies Collection for the win!”

Challenge #3

Collection Used: Perfect Match

Diane’s Tip: “The soft neutrals and layered accents make this design ideal for preserving life’s most meaningful moments. The soft neutrals and layered accents make this design ideal for preserving life’s most meaningful moments. Even wedding pages can have a bit of playfulness. Tilting the one photo in the grid draws attention to your favorite photo.”

Challenge #4

Collection Used: Hydrangea Haven – SNEAK PEEK!

Diane’s Tip: “A beautiful layout is often found in the details—layering elements, creating dimension and using simple tools in creative ways to make every page stand out. Repeating elements, like the large strip, then a small segment on the opposite page, gives a start and stop to your layout.”

NOTE: The Prize Pack will be awarded to one (1) participant in each challenge. Valid only for products currently in stock (excludes products that are out of stock or expected to return).

We will award the prizes randomly, but to win, it must be obvious you used the sketch we provided as inspiration to create a project. You’re highly encouraged to use Creative Memories products, but it’s not a requirement to win. You have until Tuesday, June 16, at 11:59pm CT (AU: Wednesday, 17 June, 2:59pm AET) to submit your layout(s). Prize winners will be announced on Thursday, June 18, at noon CT (AU: Friday, 19 June).

Virtual Crop Tracker

The 2026 Virtual Crop Tracker & Sticker Bundle is on sale now! You can also download the tracker yourself by clicking the image.

Color in or place a sticker on one shutter for each sketch challenge you complete during each monthly Virtual Crop in 2026. Once you’ve completed all 12 months’ sketch challenges (that’s 48 completed pages you’ll be adding to your albums), you can submit your tracker for a chance to be one of three grand prize winners! More information on how to submit will be shared in the Virtual Crop Group as we near the final sketch challenge.

P.S. Are YOU a member of the Virtual Crop Group? It’s your go-to place for MONTHLY Virtual Crops, MONTHLY Completed Album Challenges, QUARTERLY Secret Box Openings with project tutorials and so much more! We hope you’ll join our community of more than 53,000 fellow memory-keeping enthusiasts — you’ll feel right at home!

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein

June 11, 2026

Meet the Envelopes, Pockets & Notebooks

Meet the Envelopes, Pockets and Notebooks. While photos capture a moment, the details that bring those memories to life often live in the margins. A handwritten note. A favorite quote. A ticket stub tucked away after a special event. A reflection written long after the photo was taken.

Designed to work within the Scrap Journal System, the new Envelope & Pocket Sets and Pocket & Mini Notebooks help create space for those stories. They are designed to be flexible and can be used across all album sizes and memory-keeping projects. Together, they offer new ways to layer memories, preserve keepsakes and document the moments behind the moments.

The Story Behind the Products

As the Scrap Journal System continued to evolve, Senior Product Developer Amy and the team began thinking about how to help memory keepers tell more complete stories on the page. “As we developed the Scrap Journal System, we recognized that many memory keepers wanted a more flexible, interactive way to document their stories,” Amy explains.

While traditional scrapbook pages do an excellent job of showcasing photos, Amy notes that many of the most meaningful details in memory keeping live outside the photo itself — handwritten notes, journaling cards, ticket stubs and small keepsakes that often end up stored away rather than incorporated into the page. “The Envelope & Pocket Sets were created to add dimension, functionality and storytelling opportunities to Scrap Journal pages,” she says. “They allow users to tuck away photos, notes and memorabilia while creating interactive elements that encourage discovery as pages are flipped through.”

Because Scrap Journaling blends the structure of traditional scrapbooking with the more layered, collected feel of junk journaling, envelopes and pockets felt like a natural extension of the system. “They provide organization and structure while still allowing for creativity and personalization,” Amy shares. The Pocket & Mini Notebooks followed from the same thinking, offering dedicated space for journaling, reflections and longer-form storytelling that can be easily integrated into pages or tucked directly into pockets.

Designed to Work Together

Although the Envelope & Pocket Sets and Pocket & Mini Notebooks are sold separately, Amy emphasizes that they were always intended to work together as part of a larger system. “From the beginning, we viewed these products as components of a larger creative system rather than standalone products.”

Within that system, each piece plays a distinct role. Scrap Journal Templates help establish layout structure, Envelope & Pocket Sets introduce interaction and storage, and Pocket & Mini Notebooks provide space for deeper storytelling and reflection. “The Scrap Journal Templates help users design page layouts. The Envelope & Pocket Sets add storage, interaction and storytelling opportunities. The Notebooks provide dedicated space for journaling, reflections, lists, memories and longer-form stories,” Amy explains.

Together, these elements create a layered memory-keeping experience where photos, keepsakes and written stories can all exist side by side in a way that feels intentional but not overwhelming. “Our goal was to create a system that helps customers build rich, interactive journals without feeling overwhelmed by the creative process.”

A Closer Look

A key focus during development was ensuring the products felt versatile and timeless. “We wanted the pockets and envelopes to feel timeless rather than tied to a single collection,” Amy says. “That led us toward neutral colors, classic plaids, subtle florals and foundational patterns that could work across many themes and seasons.”

Functionality was just as important as aesthetic. Each piece was carefully sized to coordinate with common photo formats, journaling cards and memorabilia, while also aligning with the Scrap Journal Templates for seamless integration from planning to finished page.

Whether used to tuck away keepsakes, add hidden journaling or document everyday reflections, the goal was always the same: to make it easier to tell the full story behind a memory. As Amy puts it, the intention was to create keepsakes that capture “not only what happened, but also the stories, emotions and details behind those memories.”

Watch: Envelopes, Pockets & Notebooks | Interactive Scrapbooking Essentials

Shop Now

Ready to tell more of the story?

Explore the new Envelope & Pocket Sets and Pocket & Mini Notebooks and discover new ways to layer memories, preserve keepsakes and personalize your pages.

Collection of patterned and solid envelopes in various sizes and colors arranged in a grid layout.

Envelope & Pocket Set (24/pk)

Add interactive storytelling to your pages.

A collection of notebooks in various sizes and colors, including navy, white, and kraft paper, labeled 'Reflections,' 'Ideas,' and 'Thoughts.'

Pocket & Mini Notebooks

Designed for travel memory keeping

and everyday storytelling.

A collection of Creative Memories paper trimmers, including one with a cutting blade and a ruler, set against a light circular background with a pink banner that says 'CROP IN & LET US KNOW!'
We want to hear from you!

As you explore the new Envelope & Pocket Sets and Pocket & Mini Notebooks, we’d love to hear how you’re thinking about using them in your own memory-keeping.

Drop a comment below and let us know:

What types of stories or keepsakes are you most excited to start tucking into your pages?

June 10, 2026

Album Kit Club: Week 2

Welcome back to Album Kit Club! We hope you had fun creating your first spreads and discovering just how easy it can be to turn an Album Kit into a completed album. Whether you crafted along with us during Week 1 or are just jumping in now, there’s still plenty of time to join the fun.

This week, host and Creative Content Manager Annalisa Smola is back to guide you through the next two double-page spreads in the Perfect Match Album Kit. As always, she’ll share helpful tips, creative variations and simple customization ideas to help you make each layout your own while still enjoying the ease and convenience of the kit design.

Remember, one of the best parts of Album Kit Club is that you can follow along no matter which Album Kit you’re working with. The layout numbers remain the same across all kits, making it easy to scrap alongside Annalisa throughout the entire series. So gather your photos, pull out your Album Kit and get ready to make even more progress toward a completed album. Let’s dive into Week 2!

Watch: Album Kit Club Week 2

Featured Products

Ready to get started? Shop the essentials from today’s walkthrough to help you document all those bright photos and life’s most fun moments.

Watch, Scrap & Join the Giveaway Fun

This week’s winners are Anne Erbe with her On the Bright Side Album Kit and Deborah Kozlovic with her Bundle of Joy Album Kit! Congratulations to both of you. We will reach out with details on how to claim your prize via email within 24 hours!

Show us what YOU created during Week 2 of Album Kit Club! Post one or both of your layouts in the Virtual Crop Group using hashtag #AlbumKitClubWeek2 for a chance to win an Embellishment Expansion Pack of your choice PLUS the coordinating Punch or BMC for your Album Kit!

Two winners will be selected after each meet-up and announced here on The Pages during Week 3, so be sure to share your projects and inspire fellow scrapbookers along the way! Giveaway closes June 23, 11:59pm CT (AU: 24 June, 2:59pm AET).

Join Us Next Time

Join Us Again on June 24 at 5pm CT! Sign up here to get the next episode in your inbox when it starts!

We are keeping the momentum going with the next Album Kit Club session as Annalisa dives into layouts 4 & 5 and shares even more creative ideas along the way. Whether you are catching up on your kit or staying right on schedule, this is your chance to keep those pages coming together.

Join in on the fun!
SIGN UP HERE
June 8, 2026

Add Extra Storytelling Space with This Faux Pocket Scrap Journal Layout

If you’re looking for a layout that feels a little different, this Weathered Indigo Scrap Journal two-page spread is a fun one to try. The layered papers and notebook-inspired details give it that collected-over-time look, while the faux pockets add extra interest and plenty of possibilities. They’re perfect for tucking in journaling cards, memorabilia, extra photos or little notes that help tell the story behind your everyday moments.

To create this layout, you will need:

A collage of family moments featuring a mother and her children engaged in cooking and playing with dough, portraying a joyful atmosphere.
Layout by Krislyn Mattei, Creative Memories Design Team Contributor
A collage of family baking moments featuring a woman and two children in a kitchen, enjoying the process of making and eating treats, with handwritten notes describing their activities.
Text that says 'Instructions' in a stylized blue font.

Step 1: Cut two sheets of Bright White Solid Cardstock to 6-3/4″ x 10″ to create the bases for this two-page layout.

Step 2: Using the Notebook Edge BMC, punch along one long side of a sheet of lined scrap journal designer paper. Cut the sheet in half to make two 6-3/4″ x 5″ pieces. Adhere the pieces on the top halves of each base paper, with the punched edges facing the outer sides and positioned at a slight angle.

Step 3: Cut a sheet of plaid scrap journal designer paper in half to make two 6-3/4″ x 5″ pieces. Lay one on the 13×13 Cutting Mat with the trimmed edge centered on the mat. Using the Peak Border Making Tool pattern and the red blade, cut a slight V along the edge. Repeat this step with the other plaid piece. Adhere both pieces on the bottom halves of the base papers with the V edge at the top, leaving the top edges without adhesive to create pockets.

Step 4: Lay a sheet of damask scrap journal designer paper on the center of the cutting mat. Using the Peak Border Making Tool pattern and the blue blade, cut a slight V along the short edge. Without moving the pattern, switch to the red blade and cut a strip. Repeat this step to make two strips. Apply adhesive to just the outside edges of the strips and adhere them just above the plaid pieces. 

Step 5: Cut four 3-3/4″ x 3-3/4″ mats with damask scrap journal designer paper. Crop four photos to 3″ x 3″ and mount them on top. Adhere the matted photos on the plaid pieces as shown.

Step 6: Crop two photos to 3″ x 4″ and one photo to 3-1/2″ x 5″. Adhere the photos on the notebook paper, tucking the bottom ends into the “pockets”.

Step 7: Adhere clear stickers and add journaling as desired.

One of the best parts of this layout is how versatile those faux pockets can be. Use them to hold journaling, keepsakes or anything else that adds a little more personality to your page. However you fill them, this spread is a great reminder that even the ordinary days are worth documenting. Happy scrapping!

P.S. Are YOU a member of the Virtual Crop Group? It’s your go-to place for MONTHLY Virtual Crops, MONTHLY Completed Album Challenges, QUARTERLY Secret Box Openings with project tutorials and so much more! We hope you’ll join our community of more than 50,000 fellow memory-keeping enthusiasts — you’ll feel right at home!

Text graphic featuring the phrase 'Life is yours to craft.' in a blue, cursive font.

June 5, 2026

April Virtual Crop’s Full Size to Fun Size Sketches are Here!

As more scrapbookers fall in love with Creative Memories’ Scrap Journal, adapting 12″ x 12″ Virtual Crop sketches from the Virtual Crop Group to fit 6.75″ x 10″ pages becomes a fun creative challenge! The most important thing to keep in mind is that every element is simply on a smaller scale, but you are not limited to sticking to the sketch exactly!

Because you’re converting from a square page to a rectangle, proportionally shrinking everything doesn’t always work. While you can calculate ratios, that approach doesn’t necessarily create the most balanced result. Instead, focus on preserving the integrity of the sketch while adjusting elements in a way that feels natural on a slimmer page.

That also means not every element needs to make the transition. There simply isn’t as much real estate on a 6.75″ x 10″ page, and that’s perfectly fine! We hope you use this blog post as a way to inspire you to create something that fits in your Scrap Journal, and hopefully you have fun doing it!

PHOTO SIZING
TIPS
LAYOUT INSPIRATION
SCRAP JOURNAL SKETCHES
APRIL
VIRTUAL CROP

Photo Sizing Tips for Scrap Journal Pages

When resizing layouts, photo sizes often shift, too. Instead of your standard sizes, consider downsizing slightly to accommodate more photos on your page.

  • 3″ x 4″ or 4″ x 3″
  • 2″ x 3″ of 3″ x 2″
  • 3″ x 3″
  • 2″ x 2″

These sizes are easy to print at home or with your favorite photo processor by creating collages with various apps or creative websites such as Canva. For more tips on printing at a smaller scale, check out this video! That said, larger prints still work beautifully as focal points. A 4″ x 6″ or even a 5″ x 7″ photo can anchor a Scrap Journal page when you want one standout image.

Layout Inspiration

This layout stays very close to the original sketch and shows how easily some designs can be adapted to the Scrap Journal format.

To recreate the diagonal pieces at the top and bottom of the page, start with rectangles measuring 6.75″ x 2.5″ and trim them diagonally. Add a border punch in a contrasting color or use a decorative blade on the 12-inch Trimmer to create additional detail.

The title and subtitle fit nicely at the top and bottom of the page, while an embellishment cluster along the right side helps create a visual triangle that guides the eye around the layout. Finish the page with a journal box or a few strips for journaling. Write On Sticker Strips are always a great option, but paper strips work just as well.

Photo sizes: Two 2″ x 2″ and one 3″ x 4″

Sketch by Sandra G., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor
Layout by Debbie P., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor

This layout is also very similar to the original sketch. As with many Scrap Journal adaptations, one or two elements may need to be removed to better fit the smaller page size. For this version, the horizontal border element was omitted. If desired, it could easily be added back using a border punch or a strip cut with a decorative blade on the 12-inch Trimmer.

One fun detail on this layout is the use of a collection mat. Part of the mat becomes a journaling area at the bottom of the page, while another section is used to anchor the title and embellishments at the top. Even with four different patterned papers, the layout doesn’t feel busy. Matting the photos with solid cardstock helps separate the patterns and keeps the page feeling balanced.

Photo sizes: One 3-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ and one 2″ x 2″

Sketch by Sandra G., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor
Layout by Debbie P., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor

A combination of portrait, landscape and square photos makes this two-page layout perfect for documenting a special day or event.

Just like the original sketch, decorative borders help frame the design. A border punch works well across the top, while Custom Cutting System Pattern Cuts add interest along the bottom. One advantage of using the CCS Patterns in a Scrap Journal is being able to choose exactly which portion of the design you want to feature.

Clear stickers from the collection add subtle layers of color behind the embellishment clusters, while Foam Squares help create dimension. A journal box would work well on this layout, but a few strips for journaling can also help move the eye across both pages and tie the spread together.

Photo sizes: One 6″ x 4″, one 3″ x 4″ and two 3″ x 3″

Sketch by Sandra G., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor
Layout by Debbie P., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor

Smaller photos were really all it took to adapt this sketch to the Scrap Journal format. The white background combined with the white found in the patterned papers helps balance some of the busier designs and keeps the photos as the focal point. The “Yay for You” mat from the collection was cut into a circle using the smallest circle pattern from the Custom Cutting System with the Green Blade. By slightly angling the words, part of the circle could extend onto the opposite page, creating a look similar to the original sketch.

To fit three photos on the right page without individually matting them, triangles of cardstock were added to the top and bottom corners. This adds color and helps frame the photos while keeping the layout clean. The bottom border pieces were cut using the Scallop Blade on the 12-inch Trimmer. The Pink Razzleberry cardstock helps break up the patterned papers while coordinating with the photo mats. This layout has room for plenty of photos while still feeling fun, bright and balanced.

Photo sizes: Two 4″ x 3″ and three 3″ x 3″

Sketch by Sandra G., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor
Layout by Debbie P., Creative Memories Design Team Contributor

The Sketches

Sketch #1 — #CMVirtualCrop1April2026 #FullSize2FunSize

Sketch #2 — #CMVirtualCrop2April2026 #FullSize2FunSize

Sketch #3 — #CMVirtualCrop3April2026 #FullSize2FunSize

Sketch #4 — #CMVirtualCrop4April2026 #FullSize2FunSize

Things to Remember

When adapting 12″ x 12″ sketches to Scrap Journal pages, remember:

  • Think smaller scale
  • Simplify when needed
  • Focus on preserving the structure, not every detail
  • Edit thoughtfully rather than shrinking everything proportionally
  • Less can absolutely be more!

Share your Scrap Journal recreations in the Virtual Crop Facebook group with the hashtags above. It’s always inspiring to see how each sketch takes on new life in a different format.

P.S. Are YOU a member of the Virtual Crop Group? It’s your go-to place for MONTHLY Virtual Crops, MONTHLY Completed Album Challenges, QUARTERLY Secret Box Openings with project tutorials and so much more! We hope you’ll join our community of more than 53,000 fellow memory-keeping enthusiasts — you’ll feel right at home!