For each issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine, we let our readers be the editor and choose a layout to be published in the "Reader Gallery" column. If you would like your layout to be considered for the next Readers' Pick Poll, here's your chance to submit a page. Not only will the winner's layout appear in the pages of Creating Keepsakes magazine, but we'll also pay the winner for the rights to use their layout.  

Simply use the form on the submit tab to upload a scan or photo of your layout. If you would like to submit more than one layout, you're welcome to do so; each layout should be submitted as a separate entry.

• Submissions: You have until March 8, 2013, to upload a page for the Sept/Oct 2013 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.
• Voting: Three submissions will be chosen and voting will be open March 11 through March 15, 2013.
• Winner: The winner will be announced on the CK Blog March 19, 2013.

Pages that aren't chosen for voting will still be evaluated for publication in Creating Keepsakes magazine, so go ahead and submit your page today!

To increase your chances of having your page selected for voting, here are a few tips:

1. Use color photographs. Sometimes people may be trying to be artsy, or perhaps they think that the paper is too busy or doesn't match. Living color is beautiful and real, and color photos do look better most of the time. We do publish layouts with black and white photos, but we frequently ask contributors to replace black and white pictures with color ones too.
2. Use multiple photographs on a page. If you check our magazine, you'll notice that we do publish single-photo layouts, but the vast majority of layouts include more than one picture. Many of our readers like to get more on a page, so we try to show them how to do that effectively.
3. Include journaling. A darling photo (or several) with beautiful embellishments and the title Sweet Baby may be visually appealing, but without journaling it isn't very meaningful. Say SOMETHING. The date, the occasion, the emotions the photo(s) evoke--something is always better than nothing.
4. Keep it fresh. You don't have to use the newest products, but you do want to make sure any prominent items on your page are still available in stores. Our readers often want to recreate looks they see in the magazine, and it's a lot harder when they can't find the products.
5. Create double-page spreads. We definitely publish one-pagers, but we do look for spreads, since many of our readers prefer them, and we seem to get fewer usable two-page submissions.
6. Make sure your title and journaling are legible. We can't show layouts at full size in the magazine, so it's important that the font and color choices you make allow the words to be read easily. If you use your own handwriting, make sure it's neat and straight. If you're using a computer, make sure your type is 12pt or larger. Check to see if you can read your title with your layout across the room. If you can't, then you might want to consider outlining it with a pen or using a different font.
7. Proofread. We know you're not handing this project in to your English teacher, but if it's going to be in a magazine, it needs to be correct. Check your spelling (and your apostrophe use!) thoroughly.
8. Utilize good design principles. We examine layouts carefully for unity, balance, color sense, etc. If these terms are foreign to you, bone up! Make sure that your design is "clean."
9. Inspire us. We're scrapbookers too. Make us wish we had thought of it first!