This Paper is Just Dreamy {2}!

My most recent layout for the store was inspired from a variety of places... and the ideas were pulled together using products from My Mind's Eye in their "Just Dreamy 2" line. Isn't this line just lucious?
My inspirations:

1. My daughter's friendship with her friend Max. They're so dang cute together! And when I overheard their cute conversation I couldn't help but journal it.

2. A template design from the January issue of Creating Keepsakes (p. 41). I went with variation 3 by stretching it across 2 pages the way Cindy Tobey did in the magazine example. Hers was 8.5x11, mine is a 12x12. I re-created the template in Memory Mixer, so my page is hybrid. The photos and journaling block were created and printed using Memory Mixer software.

If you go to my blog, you can also see a different layout I created with the same template in Jessica Sprague's initial version. Here's a sneak peek: (And yes... that's bubble wrap you see!)

3.A valentines themed layout with paper not specifically created for the Feb. 14 holiday. I like to "break the rules". I'm also making a mini-book of the same photos and journaling to give to Max as a valentines gift.

What's inspired you recently?

Designer Kit - by Deb

Baby Shower-- Monkey Style!

I created these fun little centerpieces for my sister's upcoming baby shower. We'll have 6 tables of guests, so I wanted something fun (yet practical) for each table.

I was inspired by Noel Culbertson (Creating Keepsakes top 10 SOY in 2007) who did a monkey themed shower and posted it on her blog a few months ago... wow. Her decor was incredible!

I'm keeping mine simple with these mini-diaper cakes-- I used 5 or 6 newborn diapers for each cake. I wrapped them in Bazzill cardstock, brown satin ribbon, yellow velvet ric rak, and used a paint dabber for the polkadots. I cut bananas (freehand)from Bazzill swiss dot paper (LOVE that stuff).

My monkey head came from a template on the Martha Stewart web site-- I also used Bazzill papers for my monkey faces, and a popsicle stick to hold them up in the diaper roll.

These little guys were a hoot to make!
You can see more of my stuff on my personal blog, Mom-e-Memoirs.

Memory Mixer Layout with Video

I've been playing with Memory Mixer digital scrapbooking software a little more and wanted to share with you more of the features available with the program. They're a lot of fun!

The feature I'll share today is the ability to add video to your layouts. When you create a digital layout you can add a "hot spot" to the page and when someone clicks on it, they can watch your video link! The best way to share this would be via DVD, but since I can't send a DVD to each of you I created a video of my project via YouTube. You can see how the layout (it's not very good quality on YouTube) and the video are linked. This is a great way to share more of your story with something beyond still photos.

Check in again sometime (or visit the store) to see more great features of Memory Mixer software.

New Basic Grey-Bittersweet Line

Oh how I do love Basic Grey...this company constantly amazes me and I am so thankful that Karen & Shauna love it too and keep us all stocked in the latest and greatest lines. This line, Bittersweet, is so fantastic, with lovely colors of brown, crimson, tan, pink in a delightful mixture of patterns that work really well together. The line is perfect for love/Valentine themes, but the color scheme and patterns could really work for so much more than that! I intentially created very simple layouts here that by using the line's accompanying "sticker" sheet and a little ribbon you can pull together layouts, cards and home decor items in a flash!

See what I mean?

As always, I turn to my "scraps" to make cards. I love playing with unusual shapes and sizes. The photos below don't show it, but I also used Diamond Glaze, Stickles and some fine glitter on these cards.

KI Memories and Bazzill team up for whimsical kit

How could I not love to create a kit using such wonderfully versatile and playfully whimsical colors and patterns as you'll find in this kit? KI Memories can always "bring it" and paired with Bazzill paper and embellishments, a lovely Butterfly overlay and cute button brads, you're sure to be able to create something you'll love with this kit.

I created 2 12 x 12 layouts and four cards for this kit, but trust me...you'll probably be able to stretch your "scraps" even further! the contents of this kit are generous!! The layouts were designed to create either two stand alone layouts or a double page spread.

The first layout, Thank Goodness I'm becoming more like my Mother may not appeal to everyone, so I included another journaling prompt/quote about sisters. So, you can create a layout like mine, or one about sisters (perhaps your own, your Mom and hers, grandmother, sorority sisters, etc). The second layout, Some of the Best Lessons are Learned from Kids, is designed for anyone that knows or has kids in their life (perhaps your own, your neighbors, your niece/nephew, etc.) Or, of course, choose not to use either of the journaling prompts and come up with something totally your own!

Finally, the cards are literally unusual shapes and sizes with fun "bits" of the other papers that I created from my "scraps"...a great way to use your supplies and make sure the trees that made their way into our stash get used beautifully!

I hope you enjoy the kit as much as I enjoyed creating it!
Anita

Mini Book Designer Kit

New Kits from Paper Pals! What a fun idea! I love the kit I was given to make. It has some really beautiful textured card stock, really cool Hambly rub-ons, white chipboard circle frames, some pretty border stickers, a very chic bird accent and a acrylic piece. There are so many possibilities with this kit and it is nice to be able to get everything all ready to go at a great price. I made a little book with my kit.

A pocket page with tags.

There were so many circles in the package that could be used on other pages or books or even cards.

I used the rub-ons all over my book, I put one on the acrylic and made it my cover. There are only Three of these kits still left at the store so you better hurry if you want one! Thanks for the great ideas Karen and Shawna!

Angela's Design Team Kit: American Crafts TEEN

Fun, bright colors! The creative challenge of using a kit! Ways to use the products you see and admire... but just haven't known how to put them to use!

These are some of the benefits to the projects you will create with this kit. I've included 4 projects: (2)12x12 layouts and 2 blank cards. They're really versatile-- notice I did winter photos on one layout and summer photos on another. Really, anything works here. I used a few fun techniques that are simple to do but may be something you haven't tried-- using a standard hole punch, and any old pen for some (gasp!) hand doodling. (Trust me, it's pretty easy.) If you purchase this kit, be prepared to do some fun techniques with basic supplies you have at home. Visit the store to check it out in more detail.

Designer Kit American Craft Travel Collection

This paper and embellishments are so versatile. I chose to do the layout for a beach page but you can take this layout and put almost any type of vacation or travel pictures with it and only need to change the title. I loved the foam embellishments, they are so easy to use and if you put it down and don't like it in that spot it will come back up and not rip any of your paper. And there are so many in the package I couldn't even use them all on just these cards and layout. So hurry in and get this kit before they are all gone.

New Designer Kits from our Design Team!!

Our amazing Design Team gals have been busy making "Limited Edition" designer kits to sell at the store! The kits include color samples of layouts, cards and/or mini books that you can make with the supplies in the kits. Kits range from $12.99- $19.99 and are limited; so if you LOVE the samples from our DT members and wish you could make projects just like them - here is your chance!

Keep an eye out on this blog for samples of the Designer kits soon!

Won't You Join Me...

...to create the PERFECT gift for your special Valentine?? Your Valentine might be your "significant other," but it could also be a grandchild, your mother, your sibling, or any other special person in your life that you LOVE! I will be teaching this class on January 25th from 1-3 PM at Paper Pals.