Our Memory Keeping Guest Marisa Goes to Morocco in Chacos
By Cocoa Daisy
August's Backyard Blooms Memory Keeping Collection just BLOSSOMED in the hands of our guest, Marisa Lerin. She loves to make junk journals and we adore what she did with our products. You can still pick up some of the kits Marisa used for her creations by going to the Backyard Blooms section of the store. 
My name is Marisa Lerin and I've been scrapbooking basically my entire life. I started making little travel journals during trips as a kid and eventually started making traditional scrapbooks as a teenager. As an adult, I discovered digital scrapbooking, which is much more suited to my nomadic lifestyle. In the last ten years, I've lived in the US, Korea, Jordan, and Mexico. Lately, however, some paper scrapbooking has snuck back into my routine. I really love working in both traveler's notebooks and junk journals I make from my leftovers. Currently, I run the digital scrapbooking site www.pixelscrapper.com where I share all about my various scrapbooking projects, and also offer digital supplies on a subscription basis. I also share my projects frequently on Instagram and YouTube. Thanks so much for letting me share my projects with you this month!
1. When is your most creative time?
I wake up with my best ideas and it's all downhill from there. But I do most of my paper scrapbooking while my two kids take their afternoon naps.
2. How do you unwind?
Reading. Lately, I've been enjoying the cozy mystery genre.
3. If you were in a Rock N' Roll band, what would your job be?
Drummer
 
4. What is your guilty pleasure?
I don't believe in guilty pleasures! But I take great pleasure in a good cup of tea.
5. If your life was a movie, what actress would play you?
I've always loved the Muppets, so I guess I'd go with Miss Piggy. Although she would have to actually act because we don't have a lot in common ;)
6. What's your favorite accessory?
Scarves
7. If your life were a novel, what would the title be?
Wherever you go, there you are
 
8. What was your first job and how did you get it?
I worked as a tutor in college. As the only girl in the physics department, they were keen to have me help out in the year below me.
9. Share three of your bucket list items with us.
I'd love to travel to Japan, Morocco, and Iceland.
 
10. What is “dressed up” for you? 
Jeans, a black tank top, and a patterned kimono/wrap. But I'll still be wearing my Chaco sandals.
We loved having Marisa as our Memory Keeping guest for the August kit, she really pushed the boundaries for our kits and it was so fun to see!
For a chance to see all her work with this collection, head over to her Pinterest gallery. We've got a peek at a few of her projects. Be ready to be inspired!
Project #1
I have always wanted to work in one of these traveler's notebooks with designs included on the pages, so I was delighted to find one included in my box of goodies! As soon as I saw this striped paper, I knew I wanted to use it with a bunch of the little word strips included.
Project #2
As soon as I saw this pocket card I knew I had to use it with a picture of my daughter. She has the most wonderful and bright smile, which she's not afraid to share with everyone she sees.
Project #3
This little notebook is a junk journal I made to keep little thoughts and quotes in. I picked some of my favorite embellishments from the kit to include on this spread as a motivational moment for myself.
Project #4  
This spread is in my junk journal, so the background papers and the clear pocket were already ready for me when I got started. I used a small heart punch to make the confetti from different papers to put in the clear bag and closed it with some washi tape and staples. You can learn more about my junk journaling process here if you're interested.
Project #5
Read more about how Marisa created this mini album in her blog post.
