Memorial Day Blog Hop

Welcome one and all to our Memorial Day Blog Hop.  I'm glad you could join us.  I hope you have seen many wonderful projects from the Memory Works Consultants. 

So here is my blog.  Please feel free to look around at my projects.  Up at the top, you will find links to projects I have made and tutorials I have done.  If you like what you see, "Follow Me" or subscribe to my feed with Feed Burner (on the right hand side...just enter your email address.)  I really love paper crafting, and my hope is to inspire you in your own creations.

Here are some pictures of my prize.  You can win a set of 5 cards.  These cards were made with the May MWExpress Kit.  I love the Memory Works Express Monthly kits!

Here are all five.

Here is a close up of two.

The three remaining cards.

*To win this set of cards, just leave a comment.

*This prize is open to anyone, including international participants.

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Memory Works offers the best products on the market.  You can visit my Memory Works Website here.

You can see the Memory Works Blog here.  The ladies from Memory Works come up with some very beautiful and inspirational projects.

And last, but not least is the exclusive Simple Stories line from Memory Works.  It is the first kit that Memory Works has developed.  It is only available through Memory Works.  You can see more information about this beautiful kit here.

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So, on to the next blogger you go.  You will be visiting,

Maryann

If you get lost, go back to the start place at Sue's Blog here.

Banner Tutorial Part 2

I'm back to show you how I finished the rest of the banner.

The embellishments I used are from Sassafras. 

Step 1

I cut out 3 inch letters from the "Lyrical Letters" Cricut Cartridge.  I used the jumbo feature.  I cut each letter three times.  I layered them with foam adhesive to make them 3-D.  So this was my first layer.  I placed the adhesive around each letter, and then put the next set of letters on top.  Then repeated the process once more.

Step 2

I put a chipboard piece between two layers to make it look like the crocodile was coming out from behind the letter O.

Step 3

I glued the letters on with Glue Dots.  When I put the other embellishments on, I had to use the foam tape again. I had to layer two pieces of foam tape on top of each other so that the chipboard pieces would look like they were sitting on top of the letters.

Step 4

To tie the banner together, I cut 8 inch strips of ribbon. I brought them through the backside of the triangles. Then I knotted them. I tied two pieces together at a time.

And here is the final product:

Yes, this is JoJo holding it up to show you.

Here it is hanging in his room.

And here is JoJo in his bed saying cheese!  He kept asking to cheese him ...aka... take his picture.

I hope you enjoyed it.  I really did.  The banner was super easy and quick to make.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Not only that, but don't forget about the Blog Hop tomorrow.  Starting at 5 pm Eastern.  It lasts until May 31.  There will be plenty of prizes and things to spark your creativity. 

Start Here!

Banner Tutorial Part 1

First of all let me start by saying that I mixed it up a little bit.  I decided to use the Flying High Paper as well as some from the August 2009 MWExpress Kit.  JoJo has a jungle bedspread and I thought the papers would go with his room better.  Today, I will show you how to cover your chipboard.  Let's get started.

Step 1

I placed my chipboard shape next to the sheet of paper just to get an idea of where I wanted to place it when I flipped the paper over.

Step 2

Flip the paper over.  You want to adhere the chipboard to the back of the paper.

Step 3

Apply the Zip Dry.  Make sure to replace the cap on top of the container.  It really does dry very quickly and you'll have to unplug the applicator if you don't.

Step 4

Put your shape down on the backside of your paper.  Let it dry for a few minutes.

Step 5

Cut out your shape using an Exacto knife.

Steps 6 and 7

Sand the edges of your pieces.  This will make them smooth.  Then, to add more dimension, I went back and used Ranger Distress Inks on the edges.  I started with Vintage Photo and then went over the edges again with black soot.  I like the look, and it makes the pieces stand out better. 

I will be back tomorrow, if time allows to add embelishments and JoJo's name.  Otherwise, it will be next week...due to the bloghop May 28-31.  I hope you join us.  It should be a lot of fun.

Blog Hop!!!!!!

The Blog hop is quickly approaching.  You will have a chance to win 17 prizes.  16 prizes will be given away in total (one at each blog).  If you visit all the blogs, you are eligible to win a "grand prize."  That makes 17 prizes in total!!  I'm very excited.  Here is a sneak peek of my prize.

They are much cuter in person!!!!!

So Join us "Memory Consultants" 

May 28 (5pm Eastern)-May 31

Pass it on!

On another note...who wants to make a banner?  You know those cute little banners you can hang up for any season, or with names on them?  I'm going to be showing you how to make one this week, possibly carrying on to next week.  JoJo needs some sort of decoration for his room.  So, I'll be making one and sharing it with you all.  

Here are the supplies you will need:

 

GCD:  Chipboard

$4.50

Zip Dry

$6.50

I love this adhesive.  It works great for covering chipboard.

Cardstock of your choice.  I'm using "Flying High"  from My Little Shoebox.  I love the bright colors, and JoJo likes birds.  So it works out.

Ribbon and Embellishments

Until Next Time!

A Week in the Life Cover Page

So, how about a tutorial for my week in the life cover page.  It looks like this...almost finished...except for the photo.  I'm out of ink.  But, I thought I would share what I have so far. 

Supplies you will need:

BoBunny Mama-Razzi Papers

BoBunny Flowers

Ranger Distress Inks

American Crafts Thickers

GlueDots

Foam Adhesive, Black Cardstock, and Kraft Cardstock

1.  To start I cut a strip of craft paper and covered it with American Crafts Thickers.  Then I rubbed Ranger Distress Ink over the top...in order to create a mask.

Peel off the stickers and trim the strip to fit your page.

2.  Place some border strips on the left side of your layout.  Add letters and embellishments.  I used BoBunny Flowers.

3.  Trim a matte for your photo.  In this case my photo will be a 5x7.  So, the matte needs to be 5 1/2 x 7 1/2.  You will need to cut two mattes.  Adhere one matte down with glue dots and place foam adhesive on top of the matte.

4.  Place your second 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 matte on top.  This will leave you room to hide journaling under the photo matte.

Hope this all made sense.  Please leave a comment if you have questions.

Interesting Occurences today

Fancy Pants Papers, Basic Grey Chipboard

1.  I did nothing today.

2.  Water heater hose broke-husband went to store is now fixed.

3.  Yesterday Wolfie smashed JoJo's face at Chuck E Cheese-his face is malproportioned.  It looks ridiculous.  The swelling has lessoned but still there.

4.  Maddie told me that me that he forgot what Marsha ( the deceased guinea pig) looked like.  Do I have pictures?  My heart went crack, crack, crack...that was so sad.

5.  My mom came over to open a bottle of wine.  She needed the wine opener.  Where was it?  We couldn't find it anywhere.  Outside...Maddie took it outside to stab the ants with it.  He lied and told me the dogs took it outside.  To which I told him dogs don't have hands to carry it with.  So he fessed up.  Please tell me how to keep a straight face through this.  I did, but my mom was laughing in the kitchen.  That really made it much harder. 

Enjoy yourselves this evening.  Hopefully you can all tell me what happens on Lost because I gave up on that show years ago.

How about a sketch?

It's been a long time since I posted a sketch.  It's pretty self explanatory...a 12x12 layout with 3 4x4 boxes for photos or journaling.  The blotch in the back is for some sort of embellishment behind the title.  I just don't have any fancy sketch software so that's what I came up with in Photoshop.  I'd love to see what you come up with...so if you want to share feel free.  The last day of school was today!!!!!!!  I am done for two months.  I get to stay home with the kids.  I want to get some projects done. 

Don't forget the blog hop on Friday, May 28-May 31.  There are lots of ladies participating.  There will be tons of prizes.  Tell all of your friends to come and join us.  This is the first time I've done a blog hop.  I'm excited.  (I love that Italic Font...maybe I'll use it all the time).

The kids are doing better regarding their little pet.  Maddie tried to blame her death on JoJo because he said JoJo held her tight under the stomach.  I had to tell him she died from sickness not anthing that anyone did.  I don't want to get another guinea pig, but he wants one.  So, I don't know.  I just don't want to go through this again.  Until next time...

A sad day

Well, yesterday, I had to take Marsha (the guinea pig) back to the petstore because she seemed ill.  Today, I called to check on her and she is dead.  So, I had to tell my kids that our little friend is in Heaven.  It is the first time such a thing has happened to us.  Wolfie was sad, but more mature to handle the situation.  Maddie, who fell in love with her, was devastated and very angry.  He started hitting and crying.  JoJo, the baby, was talking about how we had a pinny pig.  Maddie got upset, and pulled  his hair and said we don't have a guinea pig anymore.  So, then I had to tell JoJo that Marsha was dead.  He looked a little shocked and upset.  It was really sad.  I feel horrible because I really liked Marsha.  But she was ill...we only had her for 6 days.  We took really good care of her.  I know she had to have had something wrong with her when we bought her.  The pet store people could have cared less.  But, it's not their children who they have to explain this to.  It's a sad day. 

I'm really glad I blog.  I don't know why.  I guess it's like a journal to keep.  I'm thankful to my followers and subscribers.  I hope this isn't to boring or pathetic to you all.  Good Night.

Super Quick Post

Fancy Pants Paper, Ranger Distress Inks

That is a very old layout.  Look how tiny my kids were.  This will be quick post.  I mainly wanted to say hello.  Today, Marsha escaped...aka...JoJo opened her cage and then took her log outside (where she hides).  We found her under the couch.  Her cage is now locked with a lock.  The dogs are getting used to her.  Wyli, suprise, suprise thinks she is her baby and just wants to lick her.  Other than that, she could care less.  Jill, the best dog in the house wants to eat her.  Beamer could care less, but could still be a little snappy at times.  So, all in all, the worst dog ever has taken to Marsha while the other two good dogs could possibly eat her.  I swear I will post pics, but I don't have time now.  I had to make a huge decision about work...and I did.  Now, I think  I feel better about the whole thing.  I really have to go.  Erik is very impatient today.  I'm going to promise you all lots of sketches, projects, and layouts for the summer.  You don't know how much I can't wait until the school year is over.  Good Night.

Let's Check out Some New Products

Hi, everyone.  I just wanted to share some of the cute products available from Memory Works.  I have to clean my office today, and put stuff away from my last crop 2 weeks ago.  When I have my office all sparkely, I might create something.  Either that, or I'll be exhausted.  So here are a few of the cute things you can find at my website:

May Trend Essentials

Cosmo Cricket

Girls Paperie

Beware: Long Post

This layout was created with the August 09 MWExpress Kit.  It's for Wolfie's last day of Kindergarten.   I asked him some questions about his Kindergarten teacher and included them in the layout.  I love his Kinder teacher so much.  She is probably the best kinder teacher you could ever have.  She is so sweet, patient, and kind to the children.  Anyway this was one year ago.  Wolfie's last week of 1st grade is quickly approaching...just 4 more school days.  I'm looking forward to the summer.  Next year, I will have two kids in school.  That is unbelieveable.  It really does go by so fast. 

Today, we are just hanging out.  It's the first Saturday to relax in months.  We have nothing to do.  It's so nice.  We got a new pet... a guinea pig.  She is so cute.  Her name is Marsha.  She's adjusting to life in this noisy, and dangerous household (We have 3 dogs and 3 kids).  She's only almost been eaten once.  Jill went for her this morning while Erik was holding her.  We really got on to Jill, and now she seems much more mello around her.  Wyli is obsessed with her.  She is constantly watching her while she's in the cage.  She won't leave her alone.  But, Marsha doesn't seem to mind her presence.  We can't figure out if Wyli wants to eat her or if she wants to mother her.  She's the only dog that's ever had puppies and she kept licking Marsha while Erik held her.  As soon as Marsha smelled her nose (while Marsha was in the cage) Wyli went and laid down to sleep.  Beamer could care less.  She walked away from Marsha like she was afraid of her.  Or, perhaps, she's too old (14 year old dog) to deal with it.  I will post pics of our cute new friend when I take them.  I didn't want to start snapping away and kill her...like with a heart attack. 

I have some really hard decisions to make personally.  I need to decide where I want to work next year.  I'm not big on change, and I don't like to put people in a bind.  But, a really great opportunity has come along.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to take it.  But, it's still a hard decision to make.

I can't wait until summer.  I am so ready to be home with the kids.  I want to scrapbook like crazy.  I want to read and spend time with the kids.  I know I already said that, but their childhood is really going by fast. 

My website is up and running again.  So you can go to http://livetoscrap.memory-works.com/ to see the cutest products on the market.

Well,  I'm off.  I hope I didn't bore you with such a long post.  As I said before, I will put some pictures of Marsha in a few days.  Please enjoy your weekend.

Boooo

I'm just letting you all know that my personal website from Memory Works is inactive at the moment.  I will have the issue resolved ASAP.  So, if you want to place an order you can call or email me.  This is all because some lovely individuals decided to steal my debit card number and some other credit card numbers.  Blasted thieves.  I really hate them.

Cards and Some New Trend Essentials!

From the February Memory Works Express Kit

(Guest Designer Project)

January 2009 MWExpress Kit

Thank You Cards

From Sassafras and January 2009 MWExpress Kit

Graduation Card

January 2010 MWExpress Kit

Thought I would share some craft-related stuff.  I'm trying to go through all of my pictures to find projects I haven't posted yet.

Also check out these new May Trend Essentials products.  They're available only while supplies last.   Check them out here.

Don't forget the blog hop.  It will start on Friday, May 28 at 5 pm through Monday, May 31st at Midnight.  There are quite a few Memory Works Consultants participating, and it will be a lot of fun.  Each consultant will be offering a prize on their blog.  So make sure you mark your calendars.  Make sure to pass on the info to your friends as well. 

Good Night...I'm off to get kids in bed and watch The Deadliest Catch.  I love that show.

WIL...Day 7...at last

Wolfie before his last soccer game of the season.

Maddie and Hunter coloring at his birthday party.

Grandpa and Maddie racing in the backyard.

The Cake

JoJo Enjoying Birthday Cake

The Birthday Boy eating birthday cake.

Maddie trying on his new helmet to go with his new bike. 

This day was very busy.  Walmart in the morning, then Wolfie's soccer game, and then Maddie's birthday party.  All the boys ended up staying the night at Grandma's house. 

Update:

So, it's been a while since my last post.  I've been busy with my Grandfather.  He got out of the hospital a week ago tomorrow.  They had to put a pacemaker in because of his congestive heart failure.  He's doing much better.  So much so, that he actually escaped on Saturday while my grandmother took a nap.  He is not supposed to drive or go to places where there are large crowds.  He waited until my Grandmother was sleeping then snuck off to confession.  He's in trouble now.  The keys have been hidden so he can't find them.  Who needs a 91 year old man on blood pressure medication driving through the streets of town?  At least not until he's better.

So, hopefully this week will be more normal and I can get to blogging again.  I really do miss it.  I'll post my title page for my week in the life, and some other projects.  I actually have some to share.

Blog Hop Info

I will be participating in a blog hop Memorial Weekend.  Please stay tuned for more information.