Creative Friday: Paper Embroidery Wall Art

So, I've been on a "vintage" kick lately. Shopping the antique malls. Distressing. Hand-embroidering. A lot of it stemming from this magazine and the influence of a good friend of mine.

I love the look of primitive embroidery, "country" Americana...that kind of thing. So, when I recently decided to make a handmade gift for my grandparents' upcoming 65th anniversary, I decided to create wall art - a paper embroidery project using things I had in my stash of scrapbook supplies.

What is "paper embroidery" you ask? No, you don't need to be a sewing expert. All you need to learn is the "backstitch", use a pencil to draw or write your "pattern" or words on paper, punch holes, and start stitching!

Here's what I used for the project:

-Fancy Pants: Roadshow Theme Set (any themed patterned paper set would work, though!)
-DMC Floss: White and Black (available from any craft store). I used 3 strands for sewing on this project.
-Pencil
-Paper Piercer (MemoryWorks carries two that work great...here and here)
-Mousepad or something "squishy" you can use to poke holes into
-Glue Dots: Pop Up
-Adhesive tape
-Distress ink: Black Soot
-4 stacking heart-shaped templates (I used this, but you could easily cut using a cricut, or even handcut your own hand-drawn hearts for an even more "primitive" look)
-12x12 frame

To create your own:

-Select a background sheet of patterned or plain cardstock, and four coordinating patterned scraps for the hearts. MemoryWorks' theme sets all coordinate, which makes it super-easy! I love that the Fancy Pants: Roadshow line had a sheet (called Grocery List) with a pre-printed wooden frame. Perfect for the background!

-Cut hearts, ink edges.

-Use pencil to write "Joined in Love" and the anniversary date on the background sheet.

Write initials of married couple on the smallest heart. Write names of children, grandchildren, (even great grandchildren if you have room...I have a small family, so it worked for me) around the edge of the 3rd largest heart. I also drew a tiny heart between those names. Tip: When writing, keep in mind that you will be sewing on the words you write. Make it as clear as you can, but don't worry if it's not perfect. Or, print the words/letters using a font on your computer, then trace them onto your patterned paper where you want.

 

-Use paper piercer to pierce holes for embroidering the words. I embroidered using white floss on the black background paper and black floss on the white & colored patterned papers. I used a small amount of red floss for the tiny hearts. Tip: Use small strips of double-sided adhesive to help tack down the ends of the thread on the back of your paper after you finish sewing with a strand of thread. I leave the adhesive backing on, so it's only sticky on the side you stick down on the project

-Adhere stacked hearts together using pop dots for added dimension. I placed the dots every 2-3 inches all the way around and in the middle of the hearts. Adhere to background paper. Frame.

Now, hopefully I can keep the project a secret from my grandparents until I give it to them on their anniversary. In their mid-80's they're more computer savvy than I am, so chances are they may see this before I can give it to them...

Happy Scrappin'!

Product Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! Today I'm going to highlight some of the NEW products MemoryWorks has added to their Fall catalog! They are slowly sneaking up into the MemoryWorks online product area - so keep an eye out! Consultants will be updated when these products are available. Customers, please contact your consultant if you want to know what is coming!

So far we have some new products from Cosmo Cricket and Three Bugs!

I was so excited to see Cosmo Cricket bring back their Wanted line in 6x6 paper pads. And I LOVE 6x6 paper pads! I remember using every single little piece of paper the last time I purchased this line. Are you glad it is back?

Scrapbook companies also love holiday spirit (both Halloween & Christmas). Look at these awesome lines by Cosmo Cricket & Three Bugs!
Matilda (Cosmo Cricket)

Mitten Weather (Cosmo Cricket) Don't you love the color combo??


North Pole (Three Bugs)


The new catalog will be available middle of September. And don't forget about MemoryWorks exclusive line Simple Stories: Ele.ment.ary!

What products do you hope to see in the upcoming MemoryWorks Catalog?

Creative Friday: Discover Your Roots with ele.ment.ary!

After recently discovering a family scrapbook filled with photos from the 1800’s, I embarked on a journey to document our family’s heritage. As I started talking and questioning my living relatives I found myself scrambling to takes notes and a place to write tidbits of family history as they trickled through conversations. Using a simple composition book, I have a compact and transportable home for all those nuggets of info. Of course, I couldn’t leave it like this:



So using the NEW Simple Stories ele.ment.ary line I altered the front and back covers. The title reads “Discover Your Roots.”



Since this book needs to functional and withstand being tossed in my purse, in the car and from little sticky fingers, I used Glossy Accents to protect the elements on the page.



Here's the back on the book and the bookmark:






With the ele.ment.ary line I also created a bookmark to hold my place. Using glossy accents and fine glitter I added a little bling to the swirl.





I hope you get a chance this weekend to document to tibits of your family heritage too!

Happy Scrappin'!

Wendy's Corner - Chip Chip Chisel Stamp!!

Wendy's Corner

"Chip Chip Chisel Stamp"

source.

for the love of GCD Chip Art tools

we can always use all the latest & greatest tools, right??

PLUS

what a great time to snag this great tool since it's on SALEEEEEEEE!

gotta' love a GREAT sale!!

shop it up here.

The Chip Art tool is one of the newest tools in the crafting world. Introduced earlier this year, this tool allows paper crafters to stamp and deboss chipboard with designs of butterflies, flowers, letters and much more.

The tool is a metal stick of sorts. GCD Studios makes a number of interchangeable metal heads with designs on them. The heads fit the end of tool. You then use a mallet to whack the design on the chipboard.  We carry a big variety of the GCD chipboard you can check out here.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Brush/spritz water on a piece of chipboard. You want to just soften the chipboard. You don’t want it to be soaking wet.

2. Place one of the Chip Art tool’s changeable heads on it.

3. Set tool vertically on your chipboard. You want the design on the changeable head to be sitting right on the piece of chipboard. Hold the tool with one hand. Use a mallet with the other hand to tap the tool two to three times.

4. Remove the tool and you’ll see the image debossed onto the chipboard.

Here is a quick & fun project i created using the GCD chip art & tools...

Just a few notes...

1) After embossing the cover with the butterflies, I painted all of the cover with Liquitex acrylic paint.  Allow plenty of time dry. 

2) Then, I created a blend of Liquitex brown acrylic paint + Mod Podge all over the cover (getting deep into the grooves of the embossed butterflies). 

Hint:  You will think you are completely destroying your masterpiece, but the next step will beautify your thoughts :-)

3) Take a damp paper towel and wipe off the brown paint Mod Podge mixture.  You will notice traces of the blend left behind in the grooves of the embossed butterflies.  This creates a nice distressed & antiqued effect.  Allow plenty of time to completely dry.

4) Then, decorate the rest of the cover with letters of choice & embellishments.  I used the Jenni Bowlin butterflies found here.

here are some close up pics of the project...

Note:  For a special technique using Ranger Distress Rock Candy, check out the Memory Works YouTube channel videos found here.

Chip Chip Bang Bang & Hammer It Up with GCD art tools!!

Get it while its HOT!

It's a GREAT time to be a part of MemoryWorks, as a consultant, a customer...or just a fan! This is the time of year when Home Office declares, "Out with the old! In with the new!"...and then passes on killer deals to US!

I did a little sale-snooping and found some GREAT products for GREAT prices!

Check this out:


All the fun BoBunny Block Party embellishments are 10% off...or more if you're a consultant!

THIS little guy is a whopping 50% off retail (MORE if you're a consultant!):



Imagine the possibilities with a cute little box like that!

You'll find all sorts of great steals and deals in the SUMMER SAVINGS SALE and Trend Essentials area of the MemoryWorks website.

Buuuutttt...you know the one thing you definitely don't want to miss?? MemoryWorks' exclusive line, Simple Stories: Life Documented is on sale to celebrate the release of the newest line, ele.ment.ary. Grab this kit while it's hot...before it sells out! You can make all kinds of awesome projects, from the actual divided-page scrapbook (the Simple Stories system) to regular pages to cards to altered projects. You will find LOTS of uses for it!

Run to the sale...before the products you're eyeing are gone!

August Guest Designer Express Kit Projects!

Here are some fabulous projects from our August guest designer, Jennifer Camacho. She has included some great tips and instructions so I hope you'll give some of them a try!


12X12 Layout: I used the flower embellishment and turned it into a sun instead. I used the the paper clips, buttons and ribbon from the kit and orange Simple Stories ribbon
.
I stickled the cloud stickers using Rock Candy stickles.

Altered Pop Top Candy Tin:

Make your own candy tins or favors!

Tips:
1. I used a 4 ounce can of peaches, peeled off the label and turned the can upside down and opened it. I opened the can at the bottom using a safety can opener I purchased from Pampered Chef. I drained the can of its contents and peeled off label. Next, I wash ythe can and lid well and let it dry thoroughly.
2. With the can turned upside down, I filled it with Hershey's Kisses. Try to use small baggies for food/candy items to help prevent the glue used to close the can from touching the food/candy.
3. I applied a thin strip of STRONG glue all the way around the outer rim of the cut out lid and then, carefully pressed the bottom lid back onto the can, wiping away any excess glue immediately. I left the can upside down to dry to dry overnight. I also find it helpful to use a heavy object to weigh down the lid until the glue has dried. I added the Jenni Bowlin butterfly and added some stickle dots to my circular tag.

Altered Vacation Money Jar:

Gotta start saving for next years Summer vacation, so I made this cute vacation money jar
from a used jar of sauce.

I used the Plantan Schoolbook Cricut cartridge to cut out the $ sign and added some Zva stones for a little extra bling.

Cards:

Flower card -- used scallop punch and folded it, to form my own flowers. Again, a little Zva stones...love these!

Hello Card: used the chipboard female silhouette and covered it with patterned paper.


Tag:

I cut out the drawing of the girl playing in the sand off of one of the sheets of paper and was inspired to make a beach themed tag.

I used stickles (rock candy on the sand)(blue and silver for the water and also added a little orange in the sky). I crumpled up the cardstock paper to give it more texture.

Contact your MemoryWorks Independent Scrapbooking Consultant to subscribe to the Express Kit of the month today!

Simply FRIDAY!

Today is the day! The NEW Simple Stories: Ele.ment.ary line is ON SALE! Contact your favorite consultant or check out the MemoryWorks Consultant finder to find one near you and purchase the kit for yourself!

I have had the luxury to play with this kit and all the extra add-ons that are available. Wow, this kit is awesome! If you are on the edge of purchasing this kit - jump in! You will not want to miss out.

Did you know you can scrapbook your child, grandchild, niece, nephew or your own entire school career? From pre-school to graduating senior it is all in this kit! And the worry-free, simple, creatively awesome system that Simple Stories is, makes it so easy and stressless (this is not a word).

Here is an Accordion album I created with the kit using the "add-ons". It's called "Class Authographs". I created this for a friend who is a 2nd grade teacher. She can put all her "trading" photos in the album of her class this year. Each kid can sign the paper below (their autograph).


Close-up of the album

Inside cover and first page

Close up of the inside cover title.

Interior page

Supplies
Ele.ment.ary - Designer Cardstock Pack
Ele.ment.ary - Alpha Stickers
Ele.ment.ary - Expression Stickers
Ele.ment.ary - Journaling Jots
Ele.ment.ary - Ribbon Bundle
Ele.ment.ary - various buttons colors (buttons sold individually)
Ranger: Accents - Gloss
Ink
Scrap pieces of coordinating cardstock

There you have it! A sweet little mini accordion album keepsake! Now RUN (don't walk) and get your very own Simple Stories: Ele.ment.ary kit today!

Product Highlight Wednesday: It's Back to "ele.ment.ary" School!

Yes, it's that time again! It's the Most... Wonderful Tiiiime.... of the year!!! (sung in my best christmas sing-songy voice). I just love that office supply store 'back to school' commercial with the parents dancing through the aisles throwing school supplies in their shopping carts to that joyous tune...

I mean, I love being with my kids...but there's something about getting back in the school routine, packing those backpacks and lunches, and sending them off to 6 or 7 hours of learning, fun and friends that gets me giddy. But, I've always been a sucker for bouquets of sharpened pencils and freshly opened boxes of un-used Crayolas. Perhaps that's why I'm so giddy about the newest line from MemoryWorks...hitting the virtual shelves of the MemoryWorks website this coming FRIDAY, August 13th! Contact your favorite MemoryWorks consultant to place your order for the MemoryWorks Simple Stories ele.ment.ary line - many are taking pre-orders!

I had the honor as a TeamWorks Design team member to get an advance copy of the kit to play with ...and can I just say... WOW. I love it. The colors are gorgeous. It ties so beautifully with the previous Simple Stories Life Documented Kit. And, it's so very easy to put together pages using LOTS of photos in the We R Memory Keepers divided page protectors with the wonderful elements - cardstock stickers, pre-cut journaling jots, alphabet stickers, polka-dot ribbon, buttons and more - available in addition to this kit!

I decided to use the line to capture my daughter's preschool through elementary school years. See the 12"x12" cover page of her album here on the Simple Stories blog. And, here are some more pages about her first year of preschool using the Simple Stories ele.ment.ary line:

 
So, what will you use your Simple Stories ele.ment.ary kit for? Can't wait to hear your ideas in the comments section...! Happy Scrappin'!