Guest Designer THURSDAY? Bonus Inspiration!

We so thoroughly enjoyed Melody's projects, that we just couldn't resist posting just a few more from this lovely lady! Enjoy a little more inspiration from our June Guest Designer!

Well, here we are June is almost over. What a great time I have had designing using the June Express kit. I just want to thank everyone for taking the time to peek at my projects and for the uplifting and encouraging words! I am feeling like Miss America right now taking her final walk! LOL Anyway, I am so excited to see what July has in store and who our July GD will be!! We truly have some of the most creative minds and designing hands and of course the BEST Products around!!

Now for my final projects:

Fishing is NOT just a guy thing!! I love this layout. My Mr. Wonderful and I along with my sister and Uncle took my cousins boat out for a day of snapper fishing in the Gulf and what a time we had!! I actually designed this using the Page Maps sketch I posted for our at home retreat weekend challenge.

Using the supplies from the June express kit was such fun and the zipper, well it came in really handy!

Next we have a little gift tag. If you don't know by now I love vintage and Shabby chic. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Ephemera! I just could not resist doing something with this little dog!! he is sooo cute so what better way to show him off then by creating this Gift Tag.

Now the pictures don't do it justice as I have been having a few camera issues but I so love this. Not sure who will get this tag on a gift maybe someone in the immediate family so I can keep it!!! LOL The supplies are from the express kit and I used my Ranger stains, inks and crackle paint to doll it up.

Well, that's it folks. I hope you have enjoyed my creations and they have sparked your own creativity. Thanks again for browsing it has been a true pleasure! Wishing you lots of Pickled Pink Days,

Pickles

Product Wednesday - "A Glimpse Into My Craft Room"

I just returned last night from the Retreat in Utah!  I had a fantastic time and everyone was so nice and fun to be with.  I had a little scare with my car... the "check engine light" came on but after a day or so it was off and I haven't had any trouble since.  We decided it was bad fuel and I made it home just fine!  

We were given so many wonderful things and did so many awesome projects that I'm not sure where to put everything.  So for my Product Wednesday post, I thought I would give you a glimpse of my craft room and you can help me decide where to put it all... lol!

This is where I have extra space to work or store things...

See my new Cinch on the desk?

This is where all the "magic" happens... 

a cutting space for sewing, scrappin, painting, etc. 

My TV and below that is a few things for the grandkids 

to craft with, not to mention more storage.

This peninsula is where my sewing machine 

sits and above more storage and displays.

I have created this storage to store all my stickers... 

a paper-towel holder as the base with sheet protectors 

attached with rings to hold it all inplace 

More ribbon storage...yes that's a pant hanger 

and no you can't see in the closet... lol

This is where I work on my computer

Do you notice the MemoryWorks sign above?  

When I do parties and open houses, I take the sign with me

so everyone knows our company name.  

More storage 

My Stickles and sewing supplies

Some of my rubber stamp storage 

And finally...I wanted to be able to store some of my finished products, 

so I keep them here for inspiration and also a storage area to

 keep my scrap pieces, so the grandkids can 

help themselves when crafting with me.

Thanks for taking a tour... I feel very blessed

 to have such a fun place to work!

Happy Scrappin'!

Guest Designer Tues: Toilet Paper Roll Album Tutorial!

Happy Tuesday everyone and thank you for your sweet response to my creations! I have had such a positive response to the mini album I thought I would post instructions. This little mini would be such a great project for your crops because it is so easy and takes a small amt of suplies. So let’s get started.

Supplies:

Toilet paper rolls ( I used 3) patterned paper adhesive hole punch, eyelets, Ranger inks, Tim Holtz journaling tickets ,epherema of your choice, bone folder.

Now grab your toilet paper rolls and using your bone folder flatten the rolls.Next cut the end off of toilet paper rolls so they are ½ inch longer than your gift card:After cutting the end off all your rolls set them aside and grab your patterned paper.

Cut your patterned paper 4x6 .

Next take your TP roll and apply adhesive ( I used Zip Dry) then lay TP roll on the wrong side of your paper right next to the edge and start wrapping paper around. Note: you will notice when you wrap there is about ¼ inch lip of paper on pocket edge and width edge do not cut this off! Wrap lip on width edge around and adhere. This is so you do not have any raw edges. Allowing adhesive to dry go over tp roll with a bone folder.

Now take your scissors and clip each side edge of your paper on pocket end, add a small amount of adhesive to the inside of the TP roll and fold the lip inside your pocket. Allow to dry and then rub with your bone folder. Presto, you have the first page done complete with pocket!!

Once you have created the number of pocket pages you want, take your pencil and mark hole placementon your top page . Now stack the remainder of your pages under the marked page and using your favorite hole punch, punch through all the pages at one time provided your punch will handle it.

Now using your personal creativity and some great products, ink, stain, and embellish pages as you would like. I love Epherema so I used old photos to decorate and I also set eyelets in the holes I punched as well. When all embellishment is complete, stack your pages again and take your ribbon and other fiber, (I used Pink Paislee Twine) and tie the album together. Note: do not tie so tight you cannot open book. Tie fairly loosely.

Next create tags for your pockets! I used the Tim Holtz journaling tickets they fit nicely. I stamped them with the Pink Paislee stamp set and inked and stained them. On the Tag that will hold your gift card or here I placed money I took a punch and punched the tag. You can also use a corner punch or a small exacto knife if you want. Punch a hole in your tag apply ribbon or fiber of your choice and Presto Your little gift card/money album is complete and ready to give away!!

I hope you have enjoyed this little tutorial and that you create some amazing little books. Better yet I hope this makes your customers go WOW and want to create more on their own using the wonderful products from Memory Works!!

Until next time this is Pickles signing off and wishing everyone a

“ Pickled Pink Day”

Express Kit Monday - Consultant and TeamWorks Members Projects

The end of June? Already? Time flies and I think that is one of the primary reasons we all work so diligently to archive our memories. I hope each of you have enjoyed working with this months Express Kit "Just the Boys". Today I have some inspiration for you from our TeamWorks Members and MemoryWorks consultants.

Projects from MemoryWorks Consultant Cathie Hollins

Projects from TeamWorks Member Christy Musack

Projects from TeamWorks Member Sheri Feypel

Projects from TeamWorks Member Jade Wilson

Thanks for joining me this month and I hope you have found plenty of inspiration to use with your MemoryWorks Express Kit. Remember, if you are not already receiving the MemoryWorks Express kit each month you can sign up by visiting the MemoryWorks website or by contacting your personal MemoryWorks consultant. If you do not have a personal MemoryWorks consultant, you can use our Consultant Finder to find one near you!

Inspiration Friday - Tutorial

Hello! Today I'm at the MemoryWorks 2011 RETREAT!!! Check out other blog posts, the MW Studio & MemoryWorks Facebook page for pictures & RE.treat highlights!

Now onto today's tutorial.

One of the newest and hottest tools is the We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy tool.  This thing blows out of the MemoryWorks shop quickly!  And I can totally understand why!  I love this handy little tool, saves me from taking out my sewing machine (which needs repairs) and is perfect for those who do not own a sewing machine.

The changeable heads are fantastic as well!  There are plenty of designs and stitches that will coordinate with all your layouts!  The twine is excellent quality as well. 

A few tips!

• I highly recommend the piercing mat.  It makes it easy to get your stitches on your page.  The mat is foamy to "give" when piercing through papers.
• Use a little pressure.  You need to press down on the tool a little bit for it to pierce through the paper.  Test on scrap pieces prior to using it on your layout.
• Save the twine!  What I mean is... twine is often more then 1 ply.  You will have several (usually 6) little strands per 1 larger strand - make sense?  Pull these apart gently so you don't tangle them, and use 2 or 3 strands when stitching.  It will give you a more sewn look vs. a hand stitched look.  Neither are right or wrong, just giving you ideas on different ways to use this handy tool.
• Buy the Storage CASE!  Or at least something you can store this lovely tool & it's accessories. I have the hardest time keeping my stuff all together.  Once this baby is in stock, it's mine!  And it will be easy to tote around to events as well.
• Use your paper piercer.  If you didn't get through all layers of paper or didn't press down hard enough, use a paper piercer to punch your holes more to get the needle through.

Okay enough talking! Lets work on a project!

This tag includes a few different tutorials, including: the Sew Easy tool as well as paper piecing.

Supplies needed:

 

* WRMK: Sew Easy Tool with straight stitch attachment, Zig Zag attachment, Piercing Mat, Floss (or other floss brand) - color to match your papers
* My Minds Eye: Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad, Accessories Sheet, Alphabet (feel free to use any paper line you have in your stash.)
* Pink Paislee: Soiree Stamps
* Ranger: Distress Ink - Worn Lipstick, Ink Blending Tool
* Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist (Rum Punch), Glam (Golden Goddess)
* Standard Tag (I used my Tim Holtz Tag Die - 3-1/8" x 6-1/4")
* Fiskars: Scallop Sentiment Border Punch (not pictured) * Black Ink
* Button

Step 1: Paint on Tattered Angels Glam (or other paint of choice)

 

Step 2: Spray tag with Glimmer Mist (Rum Punch) and ink edges with the ink blending tool & Worn Lipstick ink.

Step 3: Using the Banner stamp from the Pink Paislee: Soiree stamp step, stamp on the tag (I used black ink).

Step 4: Pick out pattern paper choices for the banner pieces.  Ink each piece individually and cut out.  

TIP: When using stamps / shapes that are symmetrical and solid, stamp the image on the BACKSIDE of the paper.  This way the pattern shows.  Cut around the stamped image.  Flip over and adhere (the none stamped side facing up) to the coordinating stamped image. See image in step 5

Step 5: After you have adhered all the pieces to the designated area.  Pull out your Sew Easy Mat & tool.  Across the "Banner line", press down with some pressure with your Sew Easy tool (Straight Stitch), across the line.

 

This is what the backside looks like after piercing.

Step 6: I divided my string up and separated 2 strands and set it aside before stitching the banner section.  Stitch across the straight stitch (as seen below).

 Step 7:Cut out 2 pieces of pattern paper (largest measuring approx. 3" high), punch one side using the Fiskars border punch on both pieces.  (Both pieces not seen below).  The 2nd piece will be adhered UNDER the longer piece.

Then adhere a sticker banner piece to the larger piece (not attached to the tag yet).  I cut approx. 1/4" off the edge for the sticker to fit like I wanted it.

 Step 8: Using the Sew Easy tool and the Zig Zag head; run the tool along the edge of the sticker, closer to the left edge.  Stitch, using the 2 strands you set aside earlier.  This will give a less dense stitch look.

I did this step separate from the tag so there was less layers to pierce through.  Which makes it easier to stitch and pierce.

Step 9: (not pictured)  Adhere the 1st smaller punched stripe towards the bottom of the tag. Adhere the longer stripe on top of the smaller one.

Step 10: (not pictured)  Embellish as desired.  I used the MME Stickers and Alphabet stickers, plus 1 button.  Use dimensional adhesive to pop up items.

There you have it!  Can't wait to see what you come up with using these two paper crafting ideas!