Spring forward!

We had half of a week of 70 degree weather before it started snowing again...so my kids declared it close enough...SPRING is (mostly) here!

I'm a major "spring cleaning" freak! As soon as the weather warms up, I want to clean, purge, use-up and make way for a new start - in my house, in my life, and in my scrapping! Along those lines, this little project is a GREAT way to use up those last few scraps of your fave lines from 2009, as well as finish off your last couple Express kits to make up for the new catalog offerings!
I made this fun little album out some Fancy Pants chipboard Big Board mini-book pieces from the Feb. Express Kit and added paper and embellishments from the March Express Kit, Creative Imaginations Calendar Kit, Simple Stories Petaloo flowers, and a few bits and pieces from the Cosmo Cricket "Earth Love" line.

Here's the title page (sticker, ribbon and arrow from Cosmo Cricket "Earth Love", all other items from March Kit...use pearl "gems" as faux brads!):
Sand or ink the edges of all your pieces for a more cohesive look when combining elements from different manufacturers and lines:
The next set of pages has plenty of room for journaling and a couple little photos (Lined paper from Creative Imaginations "Ledger Paper" theme set...all other supplies from the March Express kit):
Add a couple "real" paper flowers to add 3-D interest to printed flowers:
The last set of pages has more journaling and blank area for a photo:
"Pop dot" adhesive is a fun way to showcase small elements such as this butterfly die cut:
See what you can put together with the last bits and pieces of your old favorites...and then say hello to a whole new season...and a whole new catalog!

Spring Is In The Air!

Today on my walk there were birds singing...kids playing outside...and flowers starting to bud! Yes, they are all signs of spring. Of course it won't be official until Saturday, but we are so close.

With that said, who doesn't like pinwheels in the springtime? So I thought I would share a card I created that you could do as a make-n-take, class project or just to give to someone. I used MemoryWorks products for this project.

First cut your card to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and fold in the center to make the card 4 1/4 by 5 1/2.

Then cut a piece of paper 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" with your favorite trimmer for the pinwheel.

Using the Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch, go around all four edges of the paper. Follow the guides on the punch you will get a perfect punch.

Then using Tim Holtz Peeled Paint distress ink, blend around the edges of all parts of the pinwheel and card too.

Then bring each corner to the middle to create the pinwheel.

Punch a whole in the center of the pinwheel.

Then place a brad in the center to keep the pinwheel together. I used a brad and covered it with a pearl from our March Express Kit to give it added depth. I then created a handle from a scrap of brown cardstock and added embellishments from our March Express Kit.

Have fun with it and feel free to share the idea with other scrappers. I think it will bring a smile to anyone's face if they received this card after a long winter.

Happy Spring!!!

More from our Guest Designer....

Our guest designer, Rakel Shideler has been very busy and having a great time with the March MW Express kit. Check out her wonderful layouts:








These cards are so cute and really get me in the mood for spring!

I just love this mini-book she created!

Love all those flowers!!!

As you can see there is so much that you can do with the MW Express kits! A great big thank you to Rakel for sharing her beautiful creations! Hopefully she has inspired you as much as she has me. Be sure to contact your MemoryWorks Independent Consultant to find out how to subscribe to MW Express!

It's Party Time!

It's that time of year...catalog release time! MemoryWorks just released the pdf version of the new Spring/Summer 2010 catalog! WOW WOW WOW WOW! It is FULL of fun paper lines, amazing embellishments and toys and tools you'll go nuts for...and I couldn't help but notice some super yummy cupcake photos in the catalog that inspired me to make my own cake and eat it, too!



Check with your local MemoryWorks consultant for a peek at the pdf catalog, or to order your own full-color print catalog...who knows, she might even make you a cupcake!

P.S. - If you want to copy my cupcakes, just cut some 1-1.5" strips of paper (I used some Simple Stories "Life Documented" paper), tape into a loop, and slip the cupcake (with a bake-in wrapper) in the top. Ta-Da! Instantly festive!

just sneakin' in for a sec....full color PDF available "Simply...Simply the Best"

to post a full-color PDF with supply list + pics of the mini album, "Spring...Simply the Best" available for our download here.

i posted this to my blog, ScrapNspire, but wanted to link up here for you lovelies on the Memory Works blog too!

xo

Project on a Budget: Canvas Album

This product Wednesday I'm going to share with you a great project to use as a gift, class project or even a make-n-take. I bought 1/2 a yard of canvas (which goes a LONG, LONG way) and created this simple 4x4 album.It is a very simple album, supplies needed: canvas, pattern paper (I used Crate Paper: Brook), matching embellishments, kraft paper or cardstock (for interior pages) and binder rings.

Cut outside cover to 4" x 8", fold in half.

Cut interior pages and photos to 3 1/2" x 3 1/2", embellish as you would like.

Put it all together using the binder rings. I used my Crop-a-Dile Big Bite to punch the holes into my canvas and pages. Can't wait to see your canvas albums!!

Supplies Used
Crate Paper: Theme Set - Brook
Crate Paper: Sparkle Chip - Brook
Crate Paper: Journal Stickers - Brook
American Crafts: Clear Stamps - Glee
American Crafts: Small Clear Stamps - Fun

Creative Inspiration

Spring is definitely in the air and it's pretty obvious our Creative Team has contracted Spring Fever! After seeing the great projects they created with this month's MW Express Kit, I'm certain that you will too!

Wendy Morris created this beautiful mini album:














Check out this adorable sign that Kemi Forestieri created:

She also created these fantastic layouts:

As well as these beautiful cards:

I do hope that you've gotten quite a bit of inspiration from these ladies and that you'll be sure to visit the MemoryWorks Idea gallery for even more inspiration. If you haven't subscribed to MW Express be sure to contact your MemoryWorks Independent Scrapbook Consultant to find out how.

Happy Spring!