March Is Almost Gone!

Another month has gone by. And a month it has been. With
the big sale at MemoryWorks to clean out the old products, all the new products that have come in thus far, and working hard on creating the new catalog. Since April is officially here in a few more days, then that means the much awaited new catalog will soon be released. So for this weeks project highlights, we will wrap up March by looking at useful items that were altered by MemoryWorks Independent Consultants. One of the MemoryWorks TeamWorks members, Sarah Crawford, was the lucky one to let her creativity shine for this month's Ideas & Inspirations. Sarah created an alter item that can be used for anything. I am referring to Sarah's "Inspired" Idea Binder. The binder is pictured to the right of this page so I won't post it again. Sarah shared some additional photos with us consultants that I will share with you.
This photo shows what Sarah did to the spine of the binder.

This next photo shows the dividers in the binder.


For instructions on how to make one of these for yourself or to see other projects created by Sarah, go to http://www.memory-works.com/ and click on "Inspiration" or click here.

Now to highlight some projects made by two of MemoryWorks many Independent Consultants. The consultants are also full of inspiration as well. You can learn alot from these consultants. And when we spot someones handy work that deserves to be recognized, we will gladly highlight/showcase that consultant's project(s) to be admired by others. As I said before, MemoryWorks is making room for the new products, as in "out with the old, in with the new." MemoryWorks Independent Consultant Susan Nichols shows how to creatively use the old products. Susan created this "outside the box" item for one of the March Creative Challenges on the MemoryWorks message boards. She used a regular notebook and Fancy Pants Daily Grind line, which is no longer available at MemoryWorks. This just shows another way of using old products that you have on hand. Susan did an awesome job with this creative project which can be used for anything.

"Altered Notebook" by Susan Nichols


MemoryWorks Independent Consultant Shelley Walker did an awesome job in using some of the new products. Shelley altered this clipboard using Cosmo Cricket's new Snorkel line. You gotta love this new line. It is a "must have" item, especially is on my list.:) She creatively turned the clipboard into a folder as well and included a pen holder. Shelley completed this project for one of the March Creative Challenges as well. Her clipboard definitely was created "outside the box."

"Altered Clipboard" by Shelley Walker
Can view this project here.

So as you can see, these ladies have shown some creative ways of using up old products, using new products, and mixing the old with the new. With that said, isn't it time that you went through your stash of products and use up what you have on hand? After all, you have got to make room for the new products.;) So off to create!

Happy Scrappin'!

Article/Product Review

Sparkly Ideas

Some where along the lines I lost a day. That's what happens when you are laid up for a while, you don't keep track of the days. Here is the second article/product review. It is a day late, but better late than never!:) Enjoy!

"All That Glitters" by various authors on pages 105-110 under the"Techniques" section of the February/March 2009 Issue of scrapbooks, etc. magazine.
Everything in quotations is from the magazine article.

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle! Who doesn't love a little sparkle and shine, or bling, on their layouts. I have grown to love a little sparkle on my projects. This week I am sharing techniques for using glitter.

--"Stamp with glue" Janna Wilson used a glue pad to stamp her image and then poured the glitter over the image. Tap off excess glitter. Extra tips: 1) "Add a pattern." Plain paper can come to life by adding a stamped image with glitter. 2)"Pick a size." If you want a more detailed image, this can be achieved by using a fine glitter instead of a coarse or chunky glitter.
--"Glitter a transparency" Tracy Kyle added glitter to a transparency with a print on it. She used an artist brush to apply a wet adhesive, such as TomBow Mono Multi Glue from MemoryWorks or Modge Podge, onto the transparency where she wanted the glitter to go. Tracy then sprinkled the areas with adhesive on it with glitter and shook off the excess glitter. If using more than one color, do one color at a time and be sure to allow time to dry between colors. Extra tips: 1) "Size it up." Trim the transparency to the size you want before adding glitter. 2)"Eliminate static." This tip I found interesting. To keep glitter from sticking on the transparency where you don't want it, take a fabric-softener dryer sheet and rub the transparency with it.


--"Glitter a printed image" Leah Fung added glitter to areas on a clip-art embellishment. Extra-tips: 1)"Stay in order." To keep your design clean, use darker glitter first and then work your way to the lighter glitter. 2)"Decorate an edge." Apply glue and then glitter to the edge of a die-cut paper for a more enhanced look.
--"Mask a glittered design" Erikia Ghumm used a mask with ultrafine glitter in three colors to create her title for her page. She covered cardsotck with adhesive and then placed shapes cut from waxed paper on it. The background glitter is sprinkled onto the cardstock and then tap off the excess glitter. A layer of waxed paper is removed and the next color of glitter is sprinkled onto the cardstock. Repeat until you have a completed design. Extra tips: 1)"Cover it up." Matching the main glitter color to the cardstock base will give the best results to your project. 2)"Wax on." For defined designs, cut the masks from waxed paper because it sticks to the adhesive very well. (Visit scrapbooks, etc magazine's website or check out the article for pictured step by step instructions.)
--"Glitter chipboard" Cathy Blackstone used German glass glitter to cover chipboard shapes. Extra tips: "Paint it on." Paint the chipboard shape with a color similar to the glitter. Once the shape is dry, apply to the shape a coat of glue and then two coats of glitter. 2)"Mix together." For a more fun texture and complete coverage, try using a fine glitter and a coarse glitter together. Use the coarse glitter first and then use the fine glitter for filling in the gaps.

There are many ways to add some sparkle to your projects. From MemoryWorks, Doodlebug Sugar Coating Glitter and Stick With It's, are another way of adding glitter to your project.

Also from MemoryWorks, are glittered papers from different companies such as Doodlebug, My Mind's Eye, and We R Memory Keepers. So I hope that you learned some new techniques, I know I did. Some of the techniques I already knew. The one big thing that I learned from this is that a dryer sheet isn't just for drying your clothes. It can be used for scrapbooking as well. Who knew?

Have fun experimenting and Happy Scrappin'!

"Picture Ready Albums"

Since spring is here, it means that summer is just around the corner. Yikes!!! What does that mean to scrapbookers? Well, there are mother’s day, father’s day, baby showers, weddings, graduation and the list goes on. Not to mention the MemoryWorks Scrapbook Retreat! (You can register online at: www.memory-works.com/retreat Space is limited...indulged yourself)!

There are gifts to make and functions to attend. Of course there are ample activities in the summer to keep us well equipped with pictures. However, what do we do with all those photos of all of our special events? How about making “picture ready albums” ahead of time? You can make one now for those upcoming events in the near future. Have you ever thought of creating “picture ready albums” for the new moms and wedding couples? Don't forget to make them for the graduate leaving for college in the fall. They make great babyshower gifts too!

First create a calendar page on one side of the album and the other page embellished for the recipient to document their year with those photos that they have for the appropriate months. It is good to include a couple of pages for a timeline or “time-capsule” for them to put important notes from the year. Of course there needs to be a title page to show what the album is intended for. It is also fun to make perpetual calendars for those family members that loose track of whose birthday is when.

Don’t forget to purchase an album and refill pages for your special gift. Not to mention there are many new items from Memory Works to complete your project. Keep an eye out for our new catalog to see all the new paper lines and embellishments to help create these memorable gifts for your next function!
(Featured - Basic Essentials Courduroy 8x8 D-Ring Album and Page Protectors)

Happy Spring and Happy Scrappin!
TeamWorks Member,

Spring Is Here!

Spring is officially here. Nothing beats the slow rise in temperature and the melting of snow, if there is any left. The sure sign that spring is here are the sights and sounds of birds chirping. Speaking of birds, how about the March 2009 MemoryWorks Express Scrapbook Kit. Isn’t it awesome?! The kit is loaded with awesome papers and embellishments from My Mind’s Eye, Basic Grey, We R Memory Keepers, and more. The patterns and colors just pop and come to life as nature comes to life after a long winter. For those of you who were able to get this kit and are now wondering “What can I do with this kit, what can I make?” Have no fear; the TeamWorks Members are here, to help inspire you to create something wonderful from this kit. The team members are a group of talented ladies who shine with creativity and business sense. Their work can be viewed in the Idea Gallery on the MemoryWorks website under “Inspiration.”

At the beginning of each month, a few team members have been chosen to let their creativity shine with the new kit. And throughout the month, other team members and consultants add their handy work to the Idea Gallery as well. So for this month, I have chosen to highlight a project from 3 of the team members. It was a hard task of narrowing it down to one project per person because these ladies have done an awesome job on all of their projects.

First team member project is from Sarah. Sarah’s layout “In the Fall Leaves” is just darling. The photos are adorable and the way she used different items from the kit. Sarah even cut apart two papers to create accents on the page. There are other awesome projects by Sarah in the gallery as well, one of which is a “Celebration Notebook.”

“In the Fall Leaves” layout by Sarah Crawford


Next team member is Tammi B. Tammi’s “Hey Chick Card” is so cute. From the colors that she has chosen to the way she used the clear stamp that comes with the kit. I love that chick stamp, it is cute. Tammi also has some other awesome projects in the gallery as well. I love the “Bird Watching” layout with the cat.

“Hey Chick Card” by Tammi Bennett


And lastly, we have Alison’s handy work. Alison did an “out of the box” project by making frame magnets from the kit. These are adorable. She used from the kit, the 6X6 Raw Chipboard Flowers & Circle Shapes by Scenic Route. (These shapes are still available on sale in the “Spring Cleaning Sale” on the MemoryWorks website under “Shop Our Products.”) Alison used paper from the kit to cover the shapes. She added adorable photos and other embellishments. Alison also has some other awesome projects in the gallery as well, one of which is “Happy” layout.

“Magnets” by Alison Hammond


To check out all of the projects these ladies made and projects from other consultants go to www.memory-works.com and click on “Inspiration” or click here.

Well, that does it for this weeks project highlights from the TeamWorks members. Check back every week to see other fabulous project highlights from the team. So now it’s time to let the creative juices flow.

Happy Scrappin!

ALL THINGS ALBUM….

Our main theme this months seems to be ORGANIZATION. Where to put all those cool new supplies, stamps, embellishments, but what about our pictures, our layouts…the finished product! Let’s talk about HOW we scrapbook our memories. Stacy Julian talks about scrapbooking life events. Do you scrapbook chronologically? Or do you have an album for each important person in your life? Do you scrap by “life events”: weddings, birthdays, vacations and everyday life?

I am a mini album freak! With lots of little kids running amok, I have plenty of mini escapades to scrapbook and mini albums are the answer for me. I am also beginning to make separate individual albums for birthdays. One significant photo and then a journaling page stating the theme, type of cake, attendee’s and presents. I can do this ahead of time and just add the photos and journaling. The new mini chipboard albums from Maya Road will be splendid for documenting a mini event.

I see a trip to the museum being recorded in the dinosaur album, or a trip to the Crayola Factory being recorded in the sprocket album!

What is wrong with putting 5 years of vacation photos in one scrapbook? Eeek! say the chronological scrappers, but this may be followed by a big sigh of relief for those of us who are behind a few years! The American Crafts D-ring albums give us the ability to add pages and pages of layouts to our albums. And think about how we label our albums…check out Tim Holtz products, those paper clips, or hinge clips. How about the trinket pins? Couldn’t you just see them attached to the front of an album with a journaling note that says “VACATIONS”?

I have started the process of scrapbooking my children’s lives out of order, noting more of their personalities, their quirks…isn’t this what we want to remember? And when they are ready to leave the nest, I can pass onto them, all their childhood memories, neatly chronicled in a beautiful album.


Happy Scrapping!

Sue
MW #458287

Article & Product Review

Welcome to a new segment of the MemoryWorks blog. Each week an Article and Product Review will be posted on the blog from an interesting article in one of the many scrapbooking magazines. Also, some of the many products that MemoryWorks carries, will be highlighted as well. So sit back and enjoy!

“Make due and save money” by Amanda Probst on page 56-57 under the “Creative Spaces” section of the Feb. 2009 Creating Keepsakes Magazine.
(Everything in quotations are from the magazine article.)

Amanda talks about simple, less expensive ideas for storage. Here are some ideas that she incorporated in her scrap space. Be sure to check out the pics in this article to see these ideas in use.
--“Wood-mounted stamp storage.”
Amanda used the wooden storage units that are used to keep children’s blocks in them in layers to store all her wood-mounted rubber stamps. Or you could use from MemoryWorks, the new AMM Tote-ally Cool Tote Accessory Kit. The drawer could house your stamps and it’s portable too! The kit comes with a carousel, drawer and zippered sleeve. The drawer can be use alone or kept in the zippered sleeve. The sleeve is water resistant and can attach to the AMM Tote-ally Cool Tote.

--“Clear stamp storage.”
Amanda used blank, empty CD cases and a $20 CD holder to store all her clear stamps. This is a great idea because it takes up less space and you can label each case of what stamps it contains. You can group all the like stamps and stamp sets together, such as all the flower stamps, Christmas stamps, sentiment stamps, etc. This is a great idea to house all the wonderful clear stamps that MemoryWorks carries.
--“Pens.”
Amanda used a wine-bottle holder with some rolled up chipboard in each compartment. If you don’t want to use chipboard, you could use empty cans that would fit in the compartments of the holder and decorate the cans with patterned paper and use the cans to house all your pens and markers.
--“Paper.”
Amanda recycled empty Priority Mail boxes into paper holders. She cut the tops off of the boxes and covered the boxes with paper. A neat idea is to cover each box with samples of the paper or cardstock the boxes will hold. You could also use plain corrugated magazine holders covered in paper as well. Or you can use the Cropper Hopper Organization Paper Holder that MemoryWorks carries. The paper can be separated by using the dividers which are sold separate. The paper can also be put in the Paper File, also by Cropper Hopper. And if that isn’t enough, there is a Scrap Storage, for all those scrap pieces of paper, and a Page Planner to hold all your materials that you want to use on a layout.

Also by Cropper Hopper, are the ribbon organizers in different sizes to hold all your ribbon. They come in 3 sizes: 3.5”, 2.25” (shown), and 1.5”. So there is an organizer for each size of rolls of ribbon. And these organizers stack nicely on top of one another.

“Tips for improvising on what you have:”
--“Look around you.” Amanda states that if you can put something into an item, then it can be used to hold scrapbooking supplies.
--“It doesn't have to be pretty.” You can cover the storage items or look for items with character.
--“Look at office-supply stores and flea markets." Look beyond your favorite scrapbooking stores. You would be amazed at all the possibilities for storing scrapbooking supplies.
--“Think about how you scrapbook.” What is your process to scrapbooking? Base your storage on that process so that the storage will work for you and don’t change or rework your scrapbooking process for the organization of your supplies.

I thought this article is very helpful in that it gives you ideas of ways to organizing your scrapbooking supplies with what you already have or items that don’t cost much. With the economy the way it is right now, any way to cut the cost for our habit is very useful information.

Spring into Action

TeamWorks Members Sandy & Lacey are hosting challenges on the MemoryWorks Message board. If you are a consultant - head over to the message board to enterd on or ALL of our challenges. You have six (yes, SIX) chances to win a prize package from the MemoryWorks Home Office! Sandy & I have with the help of some TeamWorks members have Creative Challenges & Buisness challenges. I wanted to highlight some of the entries we have received so far! Deadline for entering the challenge contest is March 31, 2009.

READ BELOW FOR PRIZE OPPORTUNITIES RIGHT HERE ON THE BLOG!!!

I adore this layout by Consultant KimP. She used the new BasicGrey Porcelain line.

And how cute are these clips by Consultant Kelli Rockwood. Head over to the MW gallery for directions.


Look at how adorable this MemoryWorks Banner is! Great Work Kim Cagle!


And finally Katie Mairs shows some North Dakota spirit with this layout using the Jenni Bowlin Vintage Brown Theme Set




In addition to all the message board challenges (aka PRIZE OPPORTUNITIES) going on right now, we wanted to bring all that MemoryWorks goodness to the blog as well! There are two ways to win...

If you are a CONSULTANT, all you have to do is choose one of the projects, project ideas or products featured on this blog (any entry)..."scraplift" it in any way you choose...then post it on your own blog, website, photobucket site or whatever you've got online...and link us in the comments section of this post (along with your MemoryWorks consultant #). One lucky winner will be chosen at the end of the month (March 31, 2009 is the deadline) to receive a $5 gift certificate from MemoryWorks!

If you are NOT A CONSULTANT, you can still win a prize, too! Same contest, different prize. One non-consultant will be awarded a RAK (Random Act of Kindness...in the scrapping world, this means something small but fun) from Lacey's stash.

In ADDITION to the creating part of the contest, if you post a link from your blog or website to this post advertising the contest (please post a link in the comments section so we know where to look!), you'll get an extra THREE entries in the prize drawing! You can't go wrong there! You have until March 31, 2009 to enter this contest.

Good luck - we can't wait to see what you come up with!

If you are not a MemoryWorks consultant and are interested in becoming one contact a consultant near you for more information or sign up on the MemoryWorks Website! Also, there is a limited time discounted joining price of $29.99! Join us today!

TeamWorks Members,

and

"Spring Forward"

Daylight Saving Time has come again.
Have you recovered yet? I know I sure haven't. I love spring but I dread moving the clock forwad this time of the year. I tell myself I need at least 3 hours to recover from the springing forward event! Springing forward takes a lot of evergy!! I mean an hour is an hour—I definitely could have used that time to sleep, to catch up on my ironing pile (I mean mountain), to play with the kiddos and yes my favorite past time to scrap! Now you might be thinking to yourself an hour is hardly enough time for me to get any scrapping done! A year ago I would definately agree with you but since I have overhauled my scrapspace and found a way to organize my supplies I can get a ton more accomplished in my limited amount of scrapbooking time. When you sit down to scrap you don't want to waste one minute of your creative time! This week I am going to share with you a few of my favorite ways that I organize my supplies in the hope that I inspire you to do the same. Afterall, you have to actually find all the wonderful products you own, so that you can make something amazing if you can "find" that elusive hour somewhere!!

First thing I do is work in my scrapspace. If I have a few extra minutes during my day I walk into my scrapbook area and clean something up. I might empty my trash, put my stamps away where they belong or file my cardstock back into my stash. These little things add up over the day or the week so that I don’t avoid my creative area when I do have more time. How many times have you thought about scrapping but dreaded the fact that you would have to hunt for your desk before you could even think about making a layout!! Hmmm?? You want to be in your space as much as possible and the more times you enter your area the more creative you will feel. You will want to hurry up with your other obligations so that you can hurry back to your space. Now to make clean up quicker things need to have a space or a place to call home. This is one of my favorite things, organizing all of the scrapbooking goodies we collect. Here is a photo of my room and a few photos of how I organized things.

To organize my cardstock and pattern paper I used the Cropper Hopper Paper Holder for my pattern paper it is sorted by manufacturer. This method works for me because I remember the style and feel of each of the manufacturers. Some people sort their pattern paper by color or by theme it just depends on how you scrap and how you pick your papers when you are ready to work. My cardstock is filed in Cropper Hopper Paper Holders and labeled by the color using the Cropper Hopper Dividers. When I crop I use the swatch book to match colors instead of pulling out sheets of paper that I will have to put away later.

Another one of my favorite organizing gems is how I store my stickers and other paper embellishments. I use the same system for everything paper or sticker. Dimensional objects are sorted and organized differently. Alphabets are sorted by color and stored in American Craft Modern 12 x 12 albums Solid color sheets are separated from sheets that have mixed color sheets. I have labeled the outside of my binders with black American Craft letter Thickers. Most of the chipboard and alphabet rub -ons are stored in baskets on the same shelf. I also store embellishments this way. In am album I call “Wordage” I place sentiments stickers, rubons or paper embellishments are placed in page protectors and filed in the binder. I have binders for journaling cards, seasonal embellishments, accessories (all those cute die cut sheets that have swirls, flowers, animals, robots, hearts and stars etc.) you get the idea. Whenever a page needs a little something extra I flip through the binder and see what jumps out at me.

The other letters (chipboard, acrylic etc. ) are sorted by letter and stored in a drawer.

All of the little embellishments have a home in my closet. Plastic boxes and drawers line the shelves. This is where you find all the extras!

On my desk I have my tools in a magazine holder but I definately
have my eye on the brand new products from All My Memories.

Never forget a tool again. Set this tote on your desk and have it packed and ready to go to crops or parties. The best part about this new design is that it can connect to the accessory kit which is a drawer and a carousel in a protected sleeve! How cool is that?

No matter where your scrapbooking space is, an organized space, is a happy place. When you organize your space you might find a lot of things you no longer use. Spring is a great time to put those supplies in a yard sale. Group things into coordinating packages and sell them or host a supply swap with a group of friends. A great idea for Spring is to offer a free workshop on organizing. Judging by the number of magazines that discuss organizing, I think that any scrapbooker would be welcome to any ideas you would be able to offer.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Sleep late or go to bed a little early so you can have lots of energy next week to get creative in your space! Consultants don't forget to check out the message board for some great challenges this month! (yes there are prizes)

...And for anyone who wants to share your organizing tips, stories, or just wants to chat... join me this week on the facebook message board where we can discuss these ideas and more!! (one random poster will receive a little something from yours truely)

Get Creative! Get Inspired! Get Organized!

Kari Roach

TeamWorks Member 2009

Spread a little sunshine!

It seems that all the MemoryWorks blog entries in the past week or two have talked about Spring coming…well, the beginning of Spring is a painful process here in Wyoming! For my little town, a little sunshine means a big, sticky, muddy mess outside and a last ditch effort by all those flu and cold super-germs to keep us all inside just a bit longer!

Just in case anyone else is still holed up inside waiting for the ground and their colds to dry out – it’s a GREAT opportunity to bring a little “sunshine” to someone else in the same situation!

Here are a couple of ideas:



TREATS are always appreciated! Here I used a Heidi Swapp file folder from the February MemoryWorks Express kit with some Feb. kit leftovers, Prism cardstock and Prima flowers to create a recipe card/greeting card in one simple project:

(By the way, this is a FANTASTIC muffin recipe which was shared with me by MemoryWorks consultant Ashli Trombley!)

Sometimes the best gift you can give is…yourself and your time! Dust off that Coluzzle CD template and put it to good use as a “coupon holder” and card!


All you need is about half a sheet of Prism cardstock and a few scraps (I used the My Mind’s Eye paper in the December MemoryWorks Express kit) to create a cute card holder and coupons! My coupons are for free babysitting, a homecooked meal and a “girls only” movie night – use your imagination and customize them for your under-the-weather friend!


With a little imagination and a few fun supplies, you can definitely bring a little happiness and sunshine to someone else!

Speaking of happiness…have you SEEN the cool new products in the MemoryWorks product showcase?? The new catalog is going to ROCK! Head over to the MemoryWorks facebook group to discuss the stuff that YOU are happy about seeing in the catalog! A couple of MY faves:
Fancy Pants:

Cosmo Cricket:

Basic Grey:


Oooooohhhhh…this catalog is going to be fun!

MemoryWorks Consultants:
Don’t forget about the March Challenge happening on the Message Board RIGHT NOW! Lacey and I have posted 5 creative challenges that will run through the end of the month…plus business challenges, make-and-take ideas and other fun events all month! AND...there are PRIZES for participating – LOTS OF PRIZES!

Hope you have a SUNNY, happy day...regardless of the weather!