from the magazine august/september

In the August September 2007 issue of Digital Scrapbooking magazine (page 61), associate editor Molly Newman takes a look at "changeable art purses" from pursueyourart.com. These bags allow you to change the photos in their clear plastic pockets for a never-ending variety of personal purse looks. Once in a while I see similar bags for sale in local stores.

But if you're looking for a more permanent way to display your artistic side, take a favorite layout or photo and turn it into custom-made photo bag. It's a practical and meaningful gift that will become an instant treasure. Photo bags are available from many online stores including bagettes.com, redenvelope.com, ginaalexander.com and personalizationmall.com.

My current favorite is snaptotes.com. Snaptotes offers thirteen bag styles in many shapes and sizes. Beautifully constructed, any of these high-end bags would be a welcome wardrobe addition or a unique gift for a friend or family member.

Make your own Snaptotes bag from a layout featuring your children, pets or travels. Teenage daughters go gaga over bags sporting friends or team photos. For a unique birthday gift, design a bag for your best friend that showcases a digital page of the two of you. And what aunt or grandma wouldn't love a bag covered with pictures of their adorable nieces, nephews or grandchildren?

For a bag you're truly happy with, pay attention to dimensions and orientation. Many of the purses work better if you use a horizontal layout or photo. Images do not have to be actual size. Snaptotes will enlarge your image from a photo as small as 6 x 4. Just make sure the aspect ratio is appropriate.

The hardest part of making your one-of-a-kind designer bag is choosing which of your digital masterpieces to feature. Can't decide? Add a few dollars to your order and you can put a different image on each side for a stylish and original fashion find that is in the bag!