Making Memories

Spring Cleaning "Scrapbook" Style

Remember Margie’s post about Spring cleaning? (If you think about it, since she was at work that means that she was actually getting PAID to clean.) If I got paid to clean...well, I probably still wouldn’t do it. Unless, of course, someone tried to entice me by using the words “cleaning” and “scrapbooking” in the same sentence. And the good news is, that’s exactly what I’m talking about!

This week’s challenge is to do some Spring cleaning scrapbook style, which means that we want you to dig through your stash of supplies and create a page using older MM products. (Oh come on, don’t tell me you haven’t been hoarding some of those original rub-ons since 2003! I can’t be the only one!)

You might even feel yourself overcome with a wave of nostalgia for the first time you laid eyes on those awesome label holders and frames, cards of colorful ribbon, or cute little containers of buttons or eyelets. Okay, so I might be exaggerating just a bit, but really, what’s wrong with “old” product? Sure, it’s great to supplement your wardrobe with trendy items from this season, but the basics are just as necessary. So create a page that features all of your old favorites or spice it up, like I did, with a few of the new things as well (I admit, I couldn’t resist that Boho Chic paper!)

Considering that Easter is coming up soon, I used some of my favorite rabbit photos, but for you, the theme is up for grabs. The important part is to remember to upload your page to our gallery so that we can see what you’ve created!

So there you have it — now it’s time to hop to it!

Happy Easter!


Joanna

What do you get when you spend 41 hours going back and forth to 12 press checks???

Making Memories new Decorate Life: Home Décor book! It’s DONE!!!! Last Wednesday we got the call from our friends at Paragon Press that the book was on the press and we would be starting the first of 12 press checks. Jihae Kwon (the book designer) and I were excited that we would finally see “our baby” come alive….and it was fun for the first 24 hours (and the last hour). Every four to six hours they would call for us to come and check color, etc. and sign off.  I felt like I was an on-call doctor for a few days.  The pressmen that we worked with were awesome.  They made sure that in the middle of the night we didn’t have to take any more time than absolutely necessary (and didn’t make any smart remarks about how bad we looked). The whole process took 41 straight hours (at the end we were going in every 2-3 hours). We were all so exhausted at the end, but the book turned out fabulous.

Jihae is now famous at the press for being able to spot a flaw (anything from a spec on the page to color or registration) 10 feet away…stuff these seasoned pressmen had to use a magnifying glass to see.  A BIG thanks to all the project designers, photographers, writers, graphic designers, pressmen and even the attendants at the McDonald’s windows who served me VERY late at night while going back and forth to the press checks.  I can’t wait to start this entire process again.  Look for this book in stores at the end of April. 

Gail

 

Reader Profile #2

Okay, it’s time for another reader profile. 

Everyone, say hello to Megan Hemming. 

Last December Megan ventured from California with her husband and two daughters to reside in Arizona.  They are currently in the process of building a new home, so life has been a bit hectic around there.  Megan is a self-proclaimed collector with an expertise in organizing.  Her talent not only comes in handy when throwing birthday bashes and get-togethers, but helps her to maintain a life of balance. This is also reflected in her personal scrapbook style.  She loves tidy pages with a kick of girly hip.  Ribbon and rhinestone brads are her current favorites. 

Megan’s scrapbooking obsession began seven years ago after she moved to California.  She found herself in a new city without a lot of close acquaintances and in need of something to do.  Scrapbooking helped her fill in that void.  Not only did she fall in love with the hobby, but made a lot of friends in the process.  Her current scrapbooking group includes a variety of people with differing ages and backgrounds, but scrapbooking brings them together with an instant bond of friendship. 

Ok, now it’s your turn again.  Answer the following questions so we can choose you to profile next.

-How long have you been scrapbooking?

-What are your favorite non-traditional places to shop for scrapbooking supplies?

-How did you get into scrapbooking?

Jenny

Week 4 Challenge

I can’t believe that it is April already! I especially love this time of year, not only for the change in weather, but because it is a season of new trends, new fashions and lots of bright and refreshing colors!

This week’s challenge has two parts:

1. Use COLOR! Whether you use just a little or a whole bunch, step outside your comfort zone. Grab a few colors of cardstock or patterned paper that you love and use them on a scrapbook page! Mix and match – use a little of this, a lot of that – whatever you are inspired by! Don’t be afraid to break the rules – just play and have fun and, trust me, it will come together!

2. Use the Making Memories Tag Maker! I absolutely love this tool – such an innovation! You can basically make a metal-rimmed tag out of anything – your favorite patterned paper or cardstock, a photo, fabric… the sky is the limit! On my page I made two tags out of felt and then used notebook paper for the third one. It’s so fun – once you start playing around with it the ideas just keep on coming! Be creative -- try something new and then let us know what you come up with!

Be sure to upload your page onto our gallery so that we can all see! And feel free to email me if you have any questions!!

Have Fun and Happy Spring!!

Maggie

Spring cleaning at MM

Yesterday the Desing Team and Graphic Design Team did a little {spring cleaning} Nice! We went to Home Depot and bought shelves for all our stuff! Man we have tons of great "stuff" stuff that inspires us, stuff we are working on, stuff we love, you know STUFF! It is so nice to have shelves to put it on so we can see it! We also worked on the Design Team's new "Creative Room" Beyond excited about this! Jess and I seriously worked the office and gathered, borrowed and maybe even stole some great stuff for our room! It's amazing what we found in the warehouse! (shhhhhhh that's a secret)
The shelves are up...Our creative room is on it's way, we got rid of some old "stuff" major de-junked and
it feels good! As soon as our Creative Room is done, I will post some photos until then, here are a few photos of our progress!
I hope this motivates you to do little "Spring Cleaning" of your own! De-junk your scrap supplies, whatever you're not using find a new home for it, your local Elementary School would love to get it, or maybe even a new Scrapper! You know what they say: "One man's junk is another man's treasure"
Happy Spring! And Happy Spring Cleaning!
kiss kiss
margie

Photo Tip

The spring weather always inspires me to go out side and start taking more photos.  I love outdoor photography, because good lighting is almost always right at your fingertips.  The most difficult thing about indoor photography is BAD LIGHTING.  However, no matter where you are outdoors--chances are good that you can find a nice, shady spot for a photo session. 

  On this ‘bad’ photo, there are blotchy patches of shade all over my poor child and her face looks like its only half there—not a photo I’m proud to send out to the family.  However, I was able to get a much better shot by simply repositioning her.  We moved over to an area of solid shade (not blotchy, like in that first photo!!) and then I stood with my back to the sun.  By having my back to the sun, that meant that she was looking up towards me and the sun was making great ‘catch lights’ in her eyes.  Since she was still standing in the shade, the sun wasn’t heavy enough to make her squint and look silly.  I also made sure to point my camera down towards her, that way I got a better background (the grass) with much less clutter. 

Give it a try next time you’re outdoors and I’m sure you’ll be happy with the results.  Of all of my favorite portrait-style photos, I’d say probably 90% of them were taken outdoors in a great shady spot!  What are your favorite photography tips?  Post your tips so that we can all be pros.  Have fun. 

Erin Terrell

Warehouse Sale Recap

The warehouse sale is now over and was bigger and better than expected.  A BIG thanks to all who were able to come.  I hope you found lots of fun goodies to buy.  Also, thanks for sharing your comments about your favorite “oldie but goodie” MM embellishments.” It was fun to read all of them.  I mentioned before that I was going to pick a winner to receive $75 worth of MM product from the sale.  So here is goes…..the winner is Cristin.  Email us your address so we can send the prize.  Her favorite product was the colored staples.  I love that.  Congrats!!!

I hope the rest of you are having a good Monday. 

Alison