Making Memories

Guest Designer Belinda Chang Langner

We are happy to have Belinda Chang Langner as Making Memories' guest designer. Belinda loves giving homemade goodies as a fun way to thank her friends and neighbors. Let's be honest who wouldn't want a friend like that? :) Belinda explains how she created this project.

The Slice makes it super easy for me to make my own fancy gift bags.  The bag is created with a long sheet of kraft cardstock and folded to create a bag. I used the negative space from the label cut to create a window -- to add some color to my window, I placed a patterned paper negative behind the kraft piece. The labels can be used on another project -- it's great to leverage all aspects of your scraps! The banner is from the Parties design card and it's perfect for customizing your gift with the recipient's name or even just a fun sentiment. I also used the slice to make a fun tag -- it makes a perfect addition to the gift bag.

 

With my scraps, I also went ahead and created a simple thank you card to accompany my gift bag. I love when my card and gift match! To create the butterfly I cut it from both vellum and patterned paper.

 

Thanks so much Belinda for sharing with us.

A Closer Look at Paper Reverie

We had a lot of cute projects created using Making Memories' new Paper Reverie collection for CHA. I just had to share them with you! :) I'll be sure to feature some of these projects again with instructions so you can create them.

Which ones are your favorite?

Road Trip Treats! Yum Yum

In our house, summertime means lots of things - sunshine, BBQ's, the lake, popsicles, and road trips!  Yes, we spend plenty of time in the car every summer - whether it's traveling a short distance to a lake, the mountains, or the pool, or a little farther - like an all-day drive to Grandma's house.  After one or two road trips, we're looking for ways to keep the kids happy and occupied (and NOT asking us 'how much longer' every 3 minutes).  One of the best ways I've found to keep them happy is to keep the treats coming.  In an effort to keep things new & exciting, I thought it would be fun to use my scrapbooking supplies to jazz up some of our treats for our next road trip.  Pretzels are a staple for this traveling family, but if each child has his own individual bag of pretzels, well, it's much more fun!

 
Making Memories’ Panorama collection is perfect for adding a bit of fun to your road trip treats.
 
For this little pretzel bag, I pulled out my Panorama supplies and simply created a little bag wrap with the varnished street sign paper, then I embellished it with transportation paper, masking tape, ribbon, a tag, stickers, rub-ons, a flower, a couple of stacked buttons, and a cute little star brad.  It sounds like a lot of product, but by using elements from the same line, it went together quickly and turned out really cute.  I'm excited to present my kiddos with their own little decorated bag of goodies on our next road trip!
 
Now I get to challenge to you - take out your scrapbook supplies and jazz up a treat or two for your next road trip, BBQ, or picnic!

Have fun.

Wendy Anderson

 

Paws & Claws Design Card

If you are a pet lover, this is a great project for you. This a perfect gift for your furry friend or its owner. Laura Vegas created it using the Paws & Claws Design Card.

Download the complete instructions here. These instructions can be printed and stored in your Slice Inspirations Box. I have been posting weekly Slice Inspirations with instructions. If you have missed some make sure to check out the blog archive.

Don't forget about the Hand Free Be Free Vespa giveaway. Visit whyslice.com to learn more.

Download the complete instructions here. These instructions can be printed and stored in your Slice Inspirations Box. I have been posting weekly Slice Inspirations with instructions. If you have missed some make sure to check out the blog archive.

Don't forget about the Hand Free Be Free Vespa giveaway. Visit whyslice.com to learn more.

Parties Design Card

There are tons of different reasons to throw a party. It may be a birthday, a graduation, a retirement party, a new baby, and the list goes on and on. The Parties Design Card is perfect for these types of occasions.

Learn how Wendy Anderson created these adorable tins by downloading the instructions here. These instructions can be printed and stored in your Slice Inspirations Box. 

Don't forget about the Hands Free Be Free Vespa giveaway. Learn more here.

 

Beautiful Easter Decorations

Suzonne Stirling created these beautiful Easter decorations using Making Memories' Flutter collection. These lovely baskets are great for gifts for table decor. Suzonne used the Flutter double-sided patterned paper to create the basket and then decorated them with felt flowers.
Check out Suzonne's blog to learn how to create them.

Take-home treats

It’s been a fun birthday week and hopefully you’ve enjoyed creating the invitations, decorations, party favors and hats we’ve shown you over these last few days.  Sadly, it’s time to bring the party to a close – but we don’t want to send you away empty-handed.  To wrap up the birthday party week festivities, we’d like to leave you with one last idea: take-home treats. 

Despite the massive amounts of candy, cake and ice cream that children (and sometimes adults) can consume at a party, there always seems to be room for more.  To keep the party going, send your guests home with cookies, cupcakes or another fun treat topped with a decorative toothpick or tag.  These cupcakes use Making Memories tags and Just Chillin’ paper.

Here’s a simple recipe for vanilla cupcakes that you might want to try:

Ingredients
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large eggs

Easy Cupcake Recipe Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Add shortening, milk, and vanilla.  Beat for 1 minute on medium speed.  Scrape side of bowl with a spatula.
3. Add eggs to the mixture.  Beat for 1 minute on medium speed.  Scrape bowl again.  Beat on high speed for 1 minute 30 seconds until well mixed.
4. Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely.
7. Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with your favorite frosting recipe or decorate as you desire.

Create Your Own Party Hat

Wilna created a video to help you create beautiful party hats.
Check it out.

Party Attire

Can’t find anything to wear for the party?  We’ve got you covered!  Well, your head, that is.  It’s time to bring back those good old-fashioned party hats.

Why spend money on an overpriced, cheap cardboard hat when you can create something much more fashionable on your own?  Try using paper that goes along with your party’s color scheme if you really want to impress your guests.  Here’s an example from the Just Chillin’ collection.

Party Favors by Laura

Here are quick and easy party favor ideas from Laura Vegas.