Making Memories

Design Inspiration from Wilna

One thing that we all appreciate about being scrapbookers is how our style and techniques seem to be evolving continuously. Today I want to share with you a few of my favorite techniques that I am using over and over again! I find that if I really like a technique I am not ashamed to use it on every single page until I get tired of it! On this one page, I want to show you four of my best loved super easy techniques.

Have I told you lately that I LOVE YOU?

1. The first idea is one of layering. I find lately that I absolutely cannot make up my mind about which papers I want to use. So I would use strips of six or seven and layer them. The next picture is how I would layer different patterned papers and different die-cut papers. I love the combination of textures. In this case I used mainly Making Memories Passport and Noteworthy papers.

(fig 1: the layers)

To make sure that all the papers stay together and to make it easier for me to work with, I stitched them together.

(fig 2: stitching the layers)

2. Stamping on printed paper. I bought this old book from a second hand store for 50c and I love using it's pages to give that touch of intrigue to my scrapbook pages. I used the Making Memories Classic Mixed Alpha's to stamp on the printed paper. Then I simply cut the letters out and using a pop dot, adhere it to the scrapbook page.

(fig 3: Stamping in the book)

(fig 4: Cutting the letters and using a pop dot to adhere)

3. Textbook hearts. I am so in love with making these simple embellishment on my pages and even in the cards I have been making lately. I would take a few pages and while holding them together, cut out a heart (or a butterfly) and then I would adhere it to my page by stitching it right in the middle. Make sure you "flap" the pages of the heart to give it that 3D look.

(fig 5: Stitching right through the middle of the heart)

4. Tiny Alphas. While this is not so much a technique as a product love affair, I still find my self on every page lately using these tiny alphas to say that which is important, but not too obvious.

(fig 6: Using tiny alphas)

I hope that can use one (or all) of these techniques. I would love to see your take and variations of these methods!
Love and a kiss
Wilna
x

Week Four - Make Sense

This week’s challenge focuses on the feel of things. I love corduroy pants and not so much because I look fabulous in them (not), but because I love running my hand over the nape, back and forth, and then over the ridges. The texture is complex and interesting and maybe just a little bit soothing. One of my best friends daughters has to have a chenille blanket to get to sleep and it doesn't even need to be the same blanket, just the soft of that special fabric. I've watched two of my own children react very differently to walking in grass with bare feet...one could barely stand it, acting like it was prickly and painful, while the other never wears shoes outside. We make very strong bonds with touch that stick with us from childhood to adulthood.

With my layout, I wanted to go a little deeper. I wanted to capture my feelings about my country, my son, and a possible future. Our country's flag always brings a strong emotional response to me. When I took this picture of Oaken, it made me think of the freedom we enjoy, and the price of that freedom. My brother served in the Army across seas a few years ago and is now learning how to fly Apache helicopters. I know he will most likely serve again when he's finished and it made me so proud of him and his drive to fight for freedom. It made me wonder what kind of future Oaken will have to look forward to - will he choose the same path? In so many years, will he have a choice? Such a huge flux of emotions; pride, unease, thankfulness, gratefulness, love - all about how I feel.

So, I think this sense could be a physical touch and even the 'feelings' something invokes in me. Sometimes they work together; which 'makes sense!'

This layout was created using Making Memories Passport and 5th Avenue collections.

Joey

A Vacation to Remember

Did you do something this summer that you want to remember throughout the year? Maybe you went on a fantastic vacation, or maybe you were able to enjoy the long summer days by the pool. Why not create a project that helps you remember those memories throughout the year. Wilna created this beautiful clock to help her remember her trip to Africa using Making Memories' Passport collection.

   

To create this project, Wilna first used strips of Passport paper and mod podge to cover the frame of the clock. She also added an extra coat of mod podge when she was done to help seal the paper.

While the mod podge is drying, you can work on the inside of your clock. Wilna covered the face of the clock with Passport paper, canvas alpha stickers, and pebble stickers. She also added her photos.

Lunch Break

I realize that we show a lot of photos of Making Memories' employees eating and having fun, but we do work really hard (I promise).  :)

Today we were running some errands for CHA Winter (that's in January 2009). We are getting some new things in our booth and had to make some final decisions. It's really exciting but we can't share yet.

So now for more food photos..... We stopped by a local taco stand for lunch and a little break before we went back to work.

Warning, these photos might make you very hungry.

 

 

Guest Designer Emily Zhang

Today our guest designer is Emily Zhang. She created an album using Making Memories Passport collection for her trip to Vietnam.

After our trip to Vietnam, I could not find any suitable paper to scrap all of my photos, that is until Making Memories released its Passport collection. I fell for this collection just like every other scrapper.

I did not want to create a typical 12" x12" album for this project. While I was exploring the Internet one night, I found someone teaching how to make a grade book, so I decided to give it a try. This book allowed me to create as many pages as I would like and it allowed me to keep the memorabilia items that I collected during my trip. I even photocopied my visa together with the entry stamp to Vietnam on patterned paper. I kept postcards I sent home and the extra money left from the trip.

 

Thanks Emily for sharing this album with us. 

Grommets

When was the last time you used grommets on your projects? I remember when grommets were new and I used them for the first time. I was a little intimidated to say the least. However, now they are one of my favorite embellishments because they are so versatile. Instead of using them like an eyelet, I use them like a frame. Wendy Anderson created some projects using grommets as frames.

Tip: Use grommets to frame a smaller photo.

Tip: Use grommets to frame buttons. Wendy used Making Memories' Cute as a Button.

Tip: Frame a piece of ribbon. This ribbon is attached to the page using Making Memories Ribbon Slot Punch.

To see more ideas for grommets, visit Making Memories website.

Week Three - Make Sense

The Designer Challenge this week will focus on two senses actually...taste and sight. These two senses work individually in a strong way, but are also both extremely objective to personal tastes. I love the taste of salty and sweet together like chocolate covered pretzels or the caramel and cheese flavors for popcorn. I think some things other people eat (like green peppers) are disgusting and can hardly stomach even a little piece on pizza or in a salad. I also have my favorite things I like to look at; in movie stars, loved ones, and landscapes.

As varied as the two senses are, they are incredible when they work together - and that is where I gleaned a little inspiration for my layout. This is my friend Michelle and on July 4th this year, she brought to our BBQ, one of the prettiest desserts I have ever seen. It was so glorious that I had to take a picture of it and all the while I was wondering if it tasted as good as it looked. It was better!

Making things visually appealing dramatically adds to the outcome and enjoyment of other senses. Gourmet restaurants make an art in creating delectable dishes that are every bit as beautiful as they taste. Sight doesn't just enhance taste, but smell - I have never been able to pass a beautiful rose and not smell the unmistakable fragrance, or watch a concert pianist play with flying fingers and an amazing sound that couldn't possibly come from one person. What are your favorite senses together? Where one was dramatic it only 'makes sense' that two will be a knock out.

This layout was created using Making Memories Passport and Fa La La collections.

Joey

Spellbound is Shipping

The Spellbound collection from Making Memories is now shipping.

Make sure to get some of this collection before it sells out. You can order online or find it at your local retail store!

Check it out here.

Here are some idea samples using the Spellbound collection to help you get started.

   

Clear Stamp Border

Here is a great idea using Making Memories clear stamps. For your next project, use the clear stamps as a border.

To do this, first stamp the flowers on a solid piece of cardstock (use any ink color you wish). Next carefully trim the flowers, leaving a thin boarder. Adhere the flowers (slightly overlapping) to the page after assembling the ribbon, photo and other embellishments. If you want the flowers to "pop" off the page, use foam squares.

To see more ideas using Making Memories' Clear Stamps, visit our idea gallery.

Guest Designer Lori Renn

Today's guest designer is Lori Renn. Lori's layout uses a mix of Making Memories Noteworthy and Animal Crackers Collections.

I created this layout for a friend who's husband was deployed to the Middle East.  Her son became the little "man of the house" while his daddy was away. 

I used a piece of decorative edge ledger paper for the background and then layered pieces of patterned paper behind the photo.  I really like the layered effect of different colors and patterns.  I used a piece of Animal Crackers paper from the journaling notebook for a photo corner.  For the actual journaling I used ledger paper punched on top with a spiral punch.  To highlight the number "3", I painted it with Making Memories Specialty Glaze in Copper and sprinkled it with Making Memories orange shimmer before the glaze was dry.

I add a bit of machine stitching to almost all of my layouts because I love the texture!  I used some chocolate brown thread on this one.  I cut out a couple of stars from one of the Animal Crackers patterned paper and used them as embellishments.  Lastly, I used the Making Memories Rub On Alphabet, Misunderstood - Monarch for the name "Daniel."

Thanks Lori for sharing your layout with us.