Guest Designer Tues: Meet Lynn Darda!

We are thrilled to introduce you to our March Guest Designer...Lynn Darda!

Cards, scrapbooks, altered art…I love it all! Creating with paper makes me happy! Being a MemoryWorks consultant, since 2007, has provided me endless creative opportunities. I love hosting workshops that allow me to share my passion for paper crafting. MemoryWorks products make it so easy to match papers and embellishments for cards, scrapbooks, and altered items. The projects that I’m sharing today were made from one theme set, a 6 x 6 pad, and a few coordinating elements. On a personal note, my husband of 30 years and I have two, beautiful, artistically-talented, grown children. We are enjoying this “empty-nest” stage of our lives as it allows us time for our hobbies. Our cozy, Craftsman bungalow is now filled with the sounds of DH’s harmonica playing along with the swish of my paper cutter. My creative blog is called From My Bungalow, if you want to stop by for a visit.

http://www.frommybungalow.blogspot.com

Check out Lynn's beautiful style with these lovely projects:
These projects and the double page layout were all made from one Basic Grey "Marjolaine" theme set, coordinating "Pieces", and "Bloomers", along with a few items from my stash. I just love this combo of blues and greens. It reminded me of our fall trip to New Orleans.

The magnet was created with a Maya Road bottlecap from an earlier Express Kit.

In addition to these projects I was able to create a bunch of cards. I LOVE MemoryWorks theme sets because I can create so many things from just one set. Stop back later this month and I'll show you how to create a dozen cards with just two sheets of patterned paper, cardstock, and matching elements. Thanks for visiting!

February MemoryWorks Express Kit -- Week 4

Wow! Today is the last day of February already. Well, a nice way to look at that is, spring is around the corner!:) It has started warming up here and melted the snow for the second time. Hopefully that was the last snow. So this week, as promised, I will share the rest of the projects I made from the Feb. 2011 MW Express kit. Enjoy!

"Marvin's Friends" Layout by Sharon Hill


"Catnap" Layout by Sharon Hill


"All Dressed Up" Layout by Sharon Hill


"Love, Bliss" Card by Sharon Hill


"XOXO" Card by Sharon Hill


"Roses" by Sharon Hill



There you have it, the rest of my work. On the "Love, Bliss" card, that is the doily I used as a mask on the "All Dressed Up" layout. For the roses, I cut the petals out, inked the one side of the petals (to match with the color on the other side of the paper), shaped them, and glued them together to create a rose. For more photos of the projects and product list for each project, go to www.memory-works.com click on "Idea Gallery" found under "Inspiration" or click here.


Happy Scrappin'!

Inspiration Friday: Quick Cards Tutorial

Today's Inspiration is a call for you to "just do it". I know you have a bunch of scraps. And, if you spend any time scrapbooking at all, you have quite a few...you know who you are. So, today, I'm challenging you to create something useful with them!

I always have good intentions when I scrapbook...I always say that I'm going to use up my scraps...but then they sit there in my Cropper Hopper Scrap storage forever. So today, I decided to "just do it".

I love the Basic Grey Hopscotch theme set...it was perfect for a layout about my daughter's Daisy girl scout troop. But, I had a sheet of patterned paper left and knew that it would be lost in my selection of patterned papers forever if I didn't use it. So, I created a handful of quick cards to grab when I need a "thank you" or "best wishes" card.


Here's how I did it:

1. I went through my cardstock scraps and pulled out pieces to match the patterned paper. They were all different sizes.



2. I used my paper trimmer to cut my scraps to a rectangular shape. Then, used the scoring blade on my paper trimmer to create a fold on each one.



3. I measured each card and trimmed a piece of my patterned paper to fit the front of each card.

4. I used a Fiskars Border punch on one edge of most of the patterned pieces, then used a Tombow glue stick to adhere the patterned piece to the front of each card. I used my Corner Chomper to round the edges of the cards - for some visual interest and to go with the scalloped shape and flowers in the print.

5. I stamped several copies of the "best wishes" and "thank you" sentiments from the Fiskars "Wishes All Around" clear stamps on cream cardstock (also a scrap). For some, I only inked the edges of the "best wishes" scalloped circle instead of the words before stamping. Then, used the Fiskars "seal of approval" punch to easily punch them out. I used scissors to cut out the tiny "thank you" circle and adhered to a few of the scalloped circles with a pop dot.

6. I adhered the scalloped circles to the front of the cards with the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher. Super easy, super cute.



The fun thing about these cards...they are simple now. But, if I want to add more later (buttons, ribbon, chipboard pieces??) I can! But, most of the work is done already.

So, what are you going to make with your scraps TODAY? Just do it! You'll be glad you did.

Product Showcase - Tour of your space

I don't have a craft room, just a cozy space in my dining room but it works for me. I do find I always keep it clean since its where everyone can see it. I hope you enjoy my tour and are able to take away some organizing tips.

 

 

This is the area under where I scrap. Its my drawers of scrap pieces of paper. The accordion file holder holds my alphabet stickers organized by color.

 

This is where I create! On top of the plastic drawers is just a piece of wooden board I actually take my drawers and board to crops gives me tons of space to work and all my essential tools are in the drawers. On the board I store my cutters, Slice and other tools I use frequently along with my idea notebooks.

   My mom found me this little shelving unit for $3.00 at a thrift shop. I love seeing all my colors of stickles, glimmer mists and MM paints. I store buttons in little glass jars on the top of it.

 

 

 This is my hutch its great because it holds all by bins and has storage at the bottom. I scrap by color Stacy Julian inspired me to organize this way and I love it!

Below is an example of one of the bins The WHITE bin

 

 

In the drawer I store my stamps, photos I want to scrapbook, and naked mini books.

 

In the bottom cabinet I store my larger tools, books, unfinished projects and mini albums, and my brads.

I hope you enjoy my little space. 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Designer Tues: Rosettes...and more Express Kit!

I can't believe that my time with you is already finished! I have truly enjoyed being a guest designer for Memory Works, 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 (http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2011/01/18/trend-watch-rosettes/) 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 be visit with you 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

February MW Express Kit -- Week 3

Another week has gone by. The signs of spring are around the corner. This past Friday and Saturday, it was very nice outside. A lot of the snow finally started to melt. Then last night, I looked out the window before I went to bed, and guess what? It started snowing again and it is still snowing! Oh well! Can't control the weather. So for now a good way to take your mind off of the weather outside, is to look at some more awesomes projects made from the February 2011 MemoryWorks Express Kit, "Love Potion." This week we are taking a look at some projects made by fellow TeamWorks members, Christy Musack and Kelly Holbrook. Enjoy!

Layout #1 by Christy Musack


Layout #2 by Christy Musack


"At First Sight" Layout by Kelly Holbrook


"I Love You" Layout by Kelly Holbrook


Cards made by Christy Musack



Cards made by Kelly Holbrook
"Happiness Always" Card

"You Are The Only One" Card

"You And Me" Card

"You're Too Kind" Card


Altered Project by Christy Musack


Altered Project by Kelly Holbrook
"Treat Bag"



And there you have it. All of the projects turned out awesome! Very pretty. So if you LOVE the products used to make these projects, the Feb11 Express kit "Love Potion" is now available for purchase. If you would love to get your hands on one of these great kits, contact your local MemoryWorks Independent Scrapbook Consultant.

Happy Scrappin'!