Sisters

I won the Life Documented kit from Simple Stories (Memory Works), and it was delivered to me hot off the press a few days ago.  My goodness, I didn't even know where to start with this yummy kit.  So much goodness in it!  I took out pictures of me and my sisters from last September.  I am always so happy to have individual pictures of me with them.  They are so special in a way that I can't even describe.

The journaling reads, "My 4 sisters...These women mean so much to me! And each of them for very different reasons.  No matter what or where, I constantly hold them tight in my heart."

This is all from the Life Documented kit except for the few flowers (Prima), buttons, hemp, and brads (CTMH). 

My Last Projects with Memory Works

I can't believe that my this is my last post for Memory Works! I have truly enjoyed being a guest designer for them, and I have loved playing with the Express Kit!

Now I want to talk you through a little tutorial. Rosettes are all the craze right now. Scrapbook Update has put rosettes on the trend watch list, and I love that! Not only are they a flower, but they are a great circle embeliishment. I was going to take pictures for you while I was creating, but I thought I'd explain a little and let you hook up to Scrapbook Update's link. They have fabulous pictures, and I think you'll really enjoy what you learn there!

Start with a piece of paper that is 1" x 12". Of course you can adjust this if you'd like a bigger circle. Accordion fold at 1/4" increments. At this point I bring out my hot glue gun and adhere the two ends together in a circle. The rosette wants to pop up rather than stay in it's pretty little circle. Punch a 1" circle and adhere that to the back with your glue gun. It will hold the rosette in placeso that you can decorate the front any way that you wish! I made one and used it as the focal embellishment on this card. As you'll notice, I stacked a couple of buttons and a gem and glued that to the center of my rosette.

I had so many embellishments and paper left from the Express Kit that I created a few more cards for your enjoyment.

As I said, it has been such a pleasure to work with Memory Works this month! After working with this yummy-licious February Express Kit, I can't wait to see what March holds!!

Memory Works Items Used: February Express Kit Love Potion; Zva Bling; My Mind's Eye Union Square "Perfect" Stamp Set

Love Potion Memory Works Express Kit

I have been anxiously waiting to show you some projects from the February Memory Works Express Kit Love Potion.  This kit is FULL of yumminess from Making Memories, Fancy Pants, October Afternoon, and much more!  It is fabulous, and I hope the projects I am showing today will inspire you!

I used the Walnut Cream cardstock and Pink Paislee Pretty Lace for the first layout. I conserve paper by cutting out the base portion that is covered with patterned paper, so I had enough paper to mat my picture and die-cut the phrase "love." By cutting the Pretty Lace paper down, I had enough left to cut all my circles.

Fancy Pants Love Birds is such a fun collection! When I saw those flowers and birdhouses, I couldn't help but cut some of them out for this layout. The letters are the backside of one of the sheets, so it was easy to cut them out and give this layout a title. Take a close look at the birdhouse area. Those are are elements that are included in the kit. I've used sequins in a couple of places, and I thought they were a fun addition!

This is such an easy gift! I cut the flowers with a Tim Holtz die and then painted them with Ranger distress paint in clear rock candy. If you don't have that product, get a hold of your consultant to purchase some! When it dries, it gives you the wonderful ability to curl the petals. I stacked a gem and button to create the center.

I didn't want to forget the guys! This is just a 4-pack of root beer. It only took one sheet of paper (Farm Fresh October Afternoon) to cover the box and make it just a little more special. The stickers are not in the kit, but are Fancy Pants Happy Together and can be found in the MW catalog.

Next week, I am going to bring you some cards using the Express Kit and a tutorial for something that is really trendy right now. I'll see you then!!

Memory Works items used: Love Potion Express Kit; Crate Restoration Stickers and Chipboard; Ranger Clear Rock Candy Distress Paint; Fancy Pants Happy Together Stickers. Bo Bunny Mam-Razzi Buttons; American Crafts Chestnut Memory Marker; American Crafts Dimensional Dots Adhesive; Mini Glue Dots; Tombow Mono Dots Roller
Other items and and tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles; Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Die; Bazzill Paper Flower; Slice Words & Expression Design Card; Jute; Candle

My Scrap Space

Today at Memory Works, I am sharing a little about my scrap room and what I do to organize my space.  My space for crafting isn’t designed beautifully, but what it lacks in a good paint job and wall décor, it makes up for in functionality. I have only half of a 15x10 room, so I’ve got to stay organized. First I’ll show you my desk. It’s a big Ikea desktop that I can fit a lot of things on while I work.

This shelf holds so many things, and they are right at hand while I’m working. Small things are in jars, buttons are sorted by color family, and other products are grouped together. The turntable and ink pad holder are also placed so that I can work efficiently.

One of my favorite organizational tools is my Clip-It-Up. It stores so many things, and it keeps them right in the open. I forget I have things if they aren’t in the open! It sits immediately to the left of my desk for easy reach.

This shelf holds so much! I’ve got all my photos and tools in this shelf. It also sits to my immediate left. I love my ribbon tags! It’s a great way to store ribbon in order to keep it from getting wrinkled. I keep all of my larger ribbon reels in the skinny drawer of the shelf.

Finally, this is the shelf where I keep all my paper, finished cards, and albums in progress. This shelf is on the wall to the right of my desk. I keep my patterned paper in cropper hoppers, and my cardstock in trays.

Everything is within reach form my table, and I love that. I don’t always have a lot of time to craft so organization is key.  It’s been a pleasure to have you visit my craft room today!

Memory Works

I've got some exciting news!  The team from Memory Works contacted me in early January and asked me to be a guest design team member for Febuary.  How fun is that?!  I am always so happy to share!  I hope you'll check out their blog and see what other exciting things are happening at Memory Works!  These are the first projects I am sharing using My Mind's Eye Union Square paper and embellishments.

Come back next Tuesday when I share another post for Memory Works that includes pictures of my scrap space and some of the ways I organize!