30 Days, 30 Cards Begins.......NOW!

                Let the fun begin!

Jenn here with the first of the 30 Days, 30 Cards posts.  I am so excited to get this event started.  I am looking forward to seeing all your card creations.  Imagine the pile of hand-made holiday cards you'll have to send to family, friends, and favorite people.  

So without further ado, here is sketch number one, from The Deconstructed Sketch:

                                  

                                                      

And here is what I  came up with:

I used papers from Echo Park Reflections Christmas with an ornament die cut from another project and some baker's twine from my stash.  Stamp is from My Mind's Eye Vintage Christmas line.

Here's a couple of ideas for this challenge:  

I chose kraft colored card stock for all my backgrounds.  I like a vintage look and the kraft plays well with everything.

Limit the supplies you pull out.  The more you have to look through, the longer it will take to complete the cards.  I stuck to a few lines, stamps, and dies.

Pull out those 6x6 paper pads.  Perfect for card making.

Use up those scraps!  You'll soon notice I used up a lot of Handmade Christmas, and This & That scraps and papers, as well as making use of every bit of scrap, die cuts, brads and doo-dads I had in my Christmas scrap bag.  Feels good using those bits, so I can buy some more.

I followed the Keep It Simple Strategy (KISS), I didn't over-think, over-layer, over-ink or even try to come up with anything unique or particularly clever when using the sketches.  I tried to stay true to the sketch and if I didn't have the exact shape, went with what I had at hand.  Sometimes I get caught up in trying to out-sketch the sketch, if you know what I mean.  Not this year.  I wanted to finish, not get caught up in the details.  

Relax and enjoy the challenge.  One of my favorite thoughts--"The bigger the mess, the more fun I'm having."  

So, if you've made it though this far, what's in it for you when you participate?  Check it out!   Link to the 30 Days, 30 Cards page using the link on the left hand-side tool bar. You'll be entered to win a prize for every card you make using Memory Works product.  You'll have fun.  You'll have 30 one-of-a-kind holiday cards to send to the folks on your list.  It's a win-win-win no matter how you look at it.  So let's see what you come up with.

                                                                         

                                                                                                                         Jenn

Cards & Tags Thursday

Jenn here to share some cards with  you today.

One of my favorite card making supplies are the 6x6 paper pads offered by many of my favorite paper companies.  First, I don't have to cut into a full sized piece of beautiful paper to create my card if I don't have scraps, second, the patterns are proportional to card sizes and third, you get a great variety of patterns in one of those little pads.  Today I have three cards all from those 6x6 paper pads, featuring papers from Teresa Collins, My Mind's Eye and Echo Park.

First up, a card using Echo Park's Reflections Fall line.  The colors are great and make the perfect, quick fall themed card.  I used ribbon from my stash and stamps from My Mind's Eye Cut & Paste line.

Today is your day!  This card is a perfect card for birthdays, encouragement, or as a general gift card.  I used the Cut & Paste papers with some gray and coral paper from my stash.  The little enamel dots are also Cut & Paste.  Love the eyeglass motif on the paper too.

 This card combines Teresa Collins Memorabilia paper background with a couple of pieces of Echo Park's Reflections Fall pad.  They work together beautifully.  The dies are all from Spellbinders--flower, bird, circle, scalloped circle, leaves, and the texture folder is from Cuttlebug.  I love the colors together. 

That's all for today folks.  Go make some cards and brighten someone's day.  A friend I recently gave a homemade card to said, "It's like a creative hug."  So let's give our family and friends a little hug. 

                                                                                        
                                  Jenn  (I SO need an updated photo, I feel like I have changed so much since this pic!)

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'!!

My Mind's Eye - Remarkable

Hi! It's Kelly here today to share a project made with My Mind's Eye - Remarkable collection, using their March Sketch Challenge. The beautiful new collections from My Mind's Eye are available in the Spring Catalog, so be sure to check them out!

12x12 Patterned Paper Glazed Brads 4x6 Stamps Label Stickers Tiny Word Stickers

Blocked:

I altered the sketch a little, of course converting it to 8.5x11. I also added a little paint spatter to the background. The same paint was used on an acrylic frame, to draw more focus to the subject of the photo.

You should play along, too....and after you link up at the My Mind's Eye blog, link up your projects here in the comments section.  I would love to see what you make!

InLinkz.com

MemoryWorks Express Kit Monday's

Here it is the end of February already.  Wow that was fast!  Don't you just love all the awesome inspiration that the Design Team has given with this month's Express Kit "Fanciful"!

Here is some more amazing projects and this time we bring you cards using this kit... 

"Hello Friend" - by Kelly Holbrook 

"Life is Good" - by Kelly Holbrook 

"Hello" - by Kelly Holbrook 

"The Best" - by Kelly Holbrook

"Love You" Card - by Janey Pumphrey 

"Many Thanks" Card - by Janey Pumphrey

 "My Favorite Times" Tag - by Lacey Igo

"Thanks" mini card - by Lacey Igo

"Hello" Card - by Lacey Igo

...

I hope you have been inspired by all these great projects and of course the MemoryWorks Express Kit! Stay tuned as we approach March with some a new kit for you to enjoy.

Order your kit today from your local consultant here.

Have a great week and keep on scrappin'!

Creative Friday - Katie Skiff

TGIF - It's been a long week for me here, so I am happy to share some fun inspiration with you all on this great FRIDAY!!

I got my February MemoryWorks Express kit and the colors just blew me away!!  So bright and fun!!  I am a card maker more than anything, so I was drawn to some of the elements to make a few cards. 

 

I cut out one of these journal cards from the sheet and thought it would be a fun sentiment.  I created some arrows and stitched them down the side, and finished the card with the cute ribbon.  I am a huge polka dot fan!!   

 

The kraft tags from Pebbles called out to me too, so I used them to add a fun sentiment to the cards.  I tied this one to the card with the flowers in the kit. 

 

Everyone always needs a Thank You card, so I created a simple background for this cute card. 

 

I had some freshly printed photos and I thought the colors from my Grandpa's jacket and his cake matched the My Minds Eye papers in this months kit.  The Best ribbon is perfect way to sum up how great it is to be able to celebrate your grandfathers 90th birthday. 

 

I trimmed off another journaling card for this layout as well.  A very fun finish to this layout. 

I'm eyeing more and more fun stuff on the website this week.  This Unforgettable line from My Minds Eye is probably going to be one I stock up on!! 

Thanks for the visit - I've enjoyed sharing with you these last two weeks.