It's an "Anything Goes" kind of day...

Good Morning bloggers!  It's an "Anything Goes" blog day and today I'd like to share with you a little journal I created with some Simple Stories 24/Seven products.  A lot of the pages were created from the 4"x6" journaling cards, I added the pocket pages and lots of the embellishments from the chipboard sheet and the sticker sheet.  This set is really versatile and I had great fun making the journal.


                                        

I am blessed to be able to attend the i {heart} memories retreat in Utah in June of this year.  It is a Memory Works event that will feature top designers from many of the brands we carry.  Those designers will be teaching workshops and I can't wait.  I almost didn't get to go...

Not only am I going to UT for the retreat I am starting off with spending several days in Santa Fe, NM visiting with my daughter who has been living there for the last 18 months.  I miss her so!  I am traveling alone to both NM and UT where I will meet up with MW friends and a friend from home who is attending the retreat.  Sadly my husband won't be going with me to see our daughter.  He was unemployed for a good chunk of 2012 and early 2013.  Thankfully he's been working for the last couple of months but he doesn't want to take any chances.  I still managed to save enough to go west and I'm so excited to meet people I've only chatted with online.

                                       

I've been challenging myself to be more adventurous as well, so even though I will be visiting with my daughter, I hope to venture out on my own while in NM, starting with arriving in Albuquerque and driving to Santa Fe.  I'll also spend an extra day in UT before the retreat and I want to see stuff...

                                       

So I made this little journal.  Sure, I could have picked up a Sn@p binder to store all the stuff I see and collect but I wanted something soft-sided and easy to toss into my (new) adventure bag. So I made this.  I started by cutting 12"x12" papers to a 6"x8" size.  I cut up a lot of the 4"x6" journal/photo mats. I pulled apart the package of pockets and layered the large pocket as part of my journal.

                                       

I've layered in some papers, stickers, chipboard elements.  I actually created the front and back covers by taking a Sn@p open page protector and cutting off the binder edge.  I then sandwiched my front and back cover papers in the protector and then punched the Bind-it-All holes.  I can slide the papers in and out still, so I can add a photo or ephemera if I choose.

         

 Here is a good example of elements layered on the right, a 4"x6" page bound in between the full sized pages and a pocket in the top right corner to add loose objects to.

I can't wait to head west in June, see my "baby girl" and fill up my journal with lots of adventures.  Who knows, I may start with some close to home adventures.  Maybe include a photo or two of the two hour hike I took on Saturday in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, PA.  That was definitely an adventure!  Maybe even add pics from the Philadelphia Magic Garden and Italian Market.  I guess I'd better get busy.  My life is more adventurous than I thought. 

You can find the Simple Stories products I used here:

http://www.memory-works.com/admin/index.mhtml?sp=1&category=product&page=product_list&product_category_id=639 

Let's get crafty and adventurous,

                                                      

                                                                Jenn

Creative Friday

Hi Meg here with todays posting. I would like to share with you a technique for paper bargello.

Bargello is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. (As defined by Wikipedia)

 

Paper bargello is an easy way to get that intricate look using scraps of leftover paper cut and arranged into strips.

 

 

Here are some My Minds Eye paper scraps that I had left over from  a previous project.

 

I used my paper trimmer to cut them into 1 inch strips.

I then used my Xyron to apply adhesive to the back ( double stick tape would work nicely too)

 

I then stuck the strips down on a scrap of card stock (this will not show so it doesn't matter what it looks like)

 

Using your trimmer again, cut in 1 inch strips but this time going cross-wise against the grain,

Then layer your strips in alternating rows onto your card front.

 

 Your card is now ready to decorate!

I hope that you enjoyed this technique and will give it a try.
Until next time....!



 



 



Tag! You're It with Jody

Oh, it's so good to be back today with my second week of tags and cards on Thursday!  I don't know about you all, but this girl is ready for Spring and some warmer weather.  Here in southeastern Wisconsin, it's a cold and muddy mess!  

I've made good use of our time indoors creating this Spring!    One of our neices turns sweet 16 in May.  This first tag will be attached to her birthday gift, which is birthday money for Aunt Jody to take her clothes shopping!  It's hard to believe that she'll be driving soon.... gulp!  

I used My Minds Eye Lavendar papers, Studio Calico stamps & Mr. Huey's, foam adhesive dots, seam binding, Thickers & Cosmo Cricket tiny types from my stash.  I also used one of the Tim Holtz rosette dies to create the fun elements on the tag.  Those papers are actually the original SN@P line, covered with a chunky sugar glitter from JoAnn Fabrics. I used my Glimmer Mists to color a small piece of Maya Road rosette trim from a past Express Kit also. I love how fun & funky this turned out!

Next up is a fun tag created with the new Amy Tangerine Yes Please 6x6 pad.  I just love these little Puffy Stickers too! These papers are so fun and bright.  So, what I did here was layer an Amy Tangerine paper onto a tag, adhered it & then trimmed it to size.  Next I added a doily wrapped around the side of the tag.  I added some new My Minds Eye Washi tapes, Amy Tangerine Puffy Stickers and a new SN@P overlay which I cut out from the 4x6" overlay. Lastly, I added a letter "I" sticker over the overlay to complete my sentiment.

My last card, I kept sweet and simple just the way my lovely Mom likes her cards.  She's a big dog lover and I knew I had to incorporate one the Studio Calico Wood Veneer dogs from their Here and There collection.  This card is one of a set that I made her for her birthday (surprise Mom!).  

I layered a few different Amy Tangerine papers and smaller cut apart elements that are included in the 6x6" paper pad.  The sentiment is from the little My Minds Eye word stickers sheets.  The burlap string is my fav and from May Arts.

Thanks so much for spending your time with us today!  Lastly, I have a question for you all.  What's your favorite new paper and embellishment from this catalog?

So, far I'm lovin' Amy Tangerine, Dear Lizzy, all the My Minds Eye Washi tapes and the Studio Calico Wood Veneers.  By the way, on the Memory Works website all the wood veneers and washi tapes are under the Mixed Media category.  

Happy scrappin'!!

Challenge Wednesday - The Late Night Edition

Good evening...it's Kelly here to share some of the consultant projects entered for the April Challenge. I apologize for the late hour, but hopefully there are some still awake to be inspired by these adorable layouts...

Tessa Oxford:

Cindy Dooley:

Erica Thompson:

Gorgeous...and such great stories! It's not too late to enter your project for the April Challenge, you have until April 30th to be eligible for a prize from the home office. Consultants should upload to the MW Studio, and customers can link up at the original challenge post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Designer Tuesday - Tessa Oxford

Hi!  I am really excited to share the projects I've made with this month's Express Kit.  I just about flipped out when I received the kit and saw the two wood veneer butterflies.  I love wood veneer embellishments!  The April Express Kit is awesome!  All the papers, chipboard stickers, brads, ribbon (actually, everything in the kit) were perfect to use with my most recent pictures I took this Easter.  I really wanted to take advantage of this kit and create as many layouts as I could.

This was the first layout I created using the kit.  I planned on adding my journaling on the lined white patterned paper, but I love how this layout looks just as it is, so I may add my journaling to the back of the page.  In addition to the kit, I added a few pieces of My Minds Eye washi tape and splattered some iridescent Maya Road mist to mimic rain drops.

This next layout has those super cute, wood veneer butterflies!

I didn't want the wood veneer to be altered, but I wanted the butterflies to have a little bit of sparkle, so I backed the butterflies with some of the patterned paper and added Rock Candy Stickles to the open sections. The layout also has some Perfect Pearls mist splatters for some added shine.

Here are a few more layouts:

I ran out of full sized 12x12 paper (I was very determined to make as many layouts as possible!), so this last layout uses a sheet of white American Crafts cardstock for my background.  I also added some My Minds Eye washi tape, sequins, embroidery floss, and Cotton Candy Stickles on this layout.

In addition to my layouts, I used up some paper scraps to create a few cards.

Last but not least, I decorated this gift box with some of the Simple Stories Vintage Bliss paper and chipboard stickers from the kit.

This box was originally a gift box from Starbucks that contained little sampler packs of coffee.  Now it holds several mini albums I've created over the years that needed a home.  Of course I have more mini albums that need a home, so I need to go find another box (I've seen some candy boxes that would be a good size, I think I need to go buy myself some chocolates).

I have successfully used up the majority of the paper from the April Express Kit, and I had a blast doing it!  And I still have plenty of leftover brads, stickers, and ribbon for future projects.  That's it for me this week!  Until next time, have a great week!

***

Thanks for sharing Tessa! All of these projects are amazing!

Live. Laugh. Love.

Happy Monday!  Let's wrap up the April Memory Works Express kit projects with a couple more cards, a couple of layouts and a couple of altered projects.

First up, some cards and tags by Katie Skiff:

Don't you love the distressed edges on this card?

I love the pretty pennant along the top side.  This says celebrate!

These tags are awesome.  I love the backgrounds she's created on the tags.

 I love how Katie captures the moment of meeting a brand new baby on this two page layout.  Thanks Katie for these great projects.

Here's two more layouts for you:  

Gia went down a very altered art path adding the wings to her little angel. 

And here's what I came up with.  As usual I'm working with photos of the cutest 2 year old in town.

Now for two crafty projects.  First, this fun card holder altered by Gia: 

 This would be a great gift filled with cards.

And a little something to hang on the wall from me: 

As you can see I pulled out my Nestabilities dies to create the layers.

So many projects, all from one little kit.  Hopefully you've been inspired to pull yours out and get creating.  If you don't subscribe, talk to your independent Memory Works consultant and get hooked up with this great kit collection.


                                                           

                                                         

     Jenn