December Daily Blog Hop with The Memory Nest! Week #4

Hello Everyone!  Welcome to this stop of the Memory Nest's December Daily Blog Hop.  Now that Christmas is past, it is time to wind up the December Daily and put in the finishing touches.  Here is the update to my album for this past week:

Next on the Blog Hop is the creative Jessica at Finding Sunshine!
If you miss any of the stops, head back to The Memory Nest Blog!
Link up your project at The Memory Nest and WIN PRIZES from us!
See you next Friday for our last day of this December Daily Blog Hop.

Video: December Daily Blog Hop with The Memory Nest! Week #3

Welcome to this stop of  The Memory Nest "December Daily" Blog Hop, Week #3!

Although I have a couple unfinished days in my album, I have been able to do a pretty good job of keeping up!  Journalling will be finished this week.

For you to see all that I have accomplished so far, it was much easier for me to do a video share of the album! Here is a quick, two minute video to give you a view of my completed pages up through yesterday.

(FYI - this is the video for week #3 of the blog hop, but I labeled my videos by what I has been uploaded on YouTube.)



Next on the Blog Hop is the creative Jessica at Finding Sunshine!
If you miss any of the stops, head back to The Memory Nest Blog!
Link up your project at The Memory Nest and WIN PRIZES from us!
See you next Friday!

Card Making Process: Sending Texas-Size Wishes!

For today's post, I'm sending you "Texas-Size" Christmas Wishes with this adorable armadillo stamp from Texana Designs.  This stamp was a good excuse to break out of the traditional Christmas colors and try something a little more "Texan."

I am not sure that this stamp is offered anymore, but you can find all the other adorable holiday stamps at their Etsy shop HERE.

The stamping for this card was with Memento Tuxedo Black ink so I could complete some simple coloring with Bic Mark-It alcohol pens on watercolor paper. For the holly berries, I added Glossy Accents for some shine, and used a Sakura glitter pen to color over the star and the stocking fur.  The sentiment was designed on my computer, so I could make up the phrase I wanted to use.

TRIVIA:  I have yet to see a live armadillo here in Texas, although there have been some spotted in my neighborhood.  Even so, I am very partial to them. Sometimes I think they just get a bad rap.

Do you make untraditional holiday cards?  What have you tried?  Share in the comments below!

Video: December Daily Blog Hop with The Memory Nest! Week #2

Thanks for stopping here on The Memory Nest "December Daily" Blog Hop, Week #2!

My December Daily album is underway, and I have been keeping a list of what I will share on each day of the album as well as remembering to take daily photos.

This week, however, I have run out of black photo ink, so I have not been able to print any of my photos to add to this week's pages.

For today's hop, I will share my video that shows how I put together my December Daily kit to use through the month.  More items have been added, but this will give you an idea of what I found to be useful:



Next on the Blog Hop is the creative Jessica at Finding Sunshine!
If you miss any of the stops, head back to The Memory Nest Blog!
Link up your project at The Memory Nest and win prizes from us!
See you next Friday!

Card Making Process: Joy of a Challenge

This past week I have been finishing up my Christmas cards to send out, and to keep me going, I completed the latest Make It Monday Challenge over at The Memory Nest for fun!

This challenge really required me to think outside the box, especially since I wanted to twist it and use this opportunity to make another Christmas card.  Here is the challenge:

Since I'm playing for fun, I "cheated" just a little by taking one word as my title.  The second sketch is what I used to make my card:

The paper was from a BoBunny collection from a couple years ago; I just love the bright, happy colors!  As for using an item from my office supplies, I used a coordinating circle paper clip that is hooked on the inside of the card (not seen here).  

Do you have all your Christmas cards mailed yet?  How many do you send each year?

There is still time to link up to Leslie's "Make it Monday" challenge!  Your participation gives you eligibility in the monthly giveaway!

December Daily Blog Hop with The Memory Nest! Week #1

Thanks for stopping by on this December Daily Blog Hop, Week #1!   You should be hopping here from Jennifer Reilly's blog.  I hope you will become full of inspiration as you look through the ideas of how The Memory Nest Design Team is creating December Daily albums!

Okay, now time for some truthfulness. This is the first year that I've done a December Daily album -- I have always had the intention, and then Life Happens.  This year I really wanted to complete this project.  I did not really want it as a recordkeeping system as much as I wanted it to be a memory album so that my boys would know what is on MY heart during the holiday season and what is important to me.

My album is simple; I raided my stash for bits and pieces to create a chipboard album with smaller pages so it would be simple to add either journaling or a photo for each day. The paper I chose from The Memory Nest was the We R Memory Keepers "Winter Frost" 6 x 6 paper pad.  The soft colors of blue, green and grey are so lovely, and I already had several other things in my stash to complement the paper.  With two sheets of each design in the pad, I was able to cover each chipboard page back to back.

Here is the cover of my album:  

My plan is to be able to display this album on a book stand.  

The first page is a pocket made from a kraft envelope. Inside this pocket I will keep journaling that may not fit anywhere else in the album.  

Day #1:  My teenager is determined to put up outside decorations this year. 

Day #2:  I spent the evening making Christmas cards to send to friends and family.  

Day #3:  This is another pocket where I will put my youngest son's Christmas list for safe keeping.  

Day #4:  A second envelope pocket on the left hold recipe cards of the favorite holiday goodies that I make every year that my kids and hubby love.

Day #5:  (Yesterday) Texas has such crazy weather sometimes, and this year we have already had two wild weather fronts a couple weeks apart, bringing in unusually cold temperatures that we rarely see in December. 

Your next stop is the incredible Jessica Barnes!

If you want to begin at the start of the Hop, head back to Leslie at The Memory Nest.

So that's my first week of the December Daily.  There is not doubt that I will add journaling and other embellishments to the pages as I go along. (I apologize for the quality of the photos this time - there wasn't enough good light, but I think you can still see the color combination well.)  A video will be up on YouTube with a closer look at the kit I put together and how the album was assembled.  

Are you doing a December Daily?? If so, put your blog link in the comments below so that we can check it out!

See you next Friday for Week #2 of The Memory Nest Blog Hop!

Throwback Thursday: Generation Z from Little Yellow Bicycle

This week on Throwback Thursday, I'm highlighting two page layouts with paper and embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle's "Generation Z" collection  While the sketch is similar for each, the difference in the papers and embellishments make them look totally different:

These layouts will be ready when I come across the perfects photos of my teenager!

What collection from the past can you use this week to finish a page layout??

Scrapbook Process: Don't Stop Believin' with My Minds Eye

Hi Everyone!  A quick post today to tell you that you must check out the December Reveal over at The Memory Nest blog today!  The Design Team is showing off new paper lines, and my designated collection is the new "Vintage Christmas" by My Mind's Eye!

This paper kit is so lovely; I immediately "killed the kit" and made a total of four layouts and three cards!

Along with this kit (which includes a fantastic sticker sheet) I added the Basic Grey Basics candy buttons in gold and silver glitter (which I will show on a future layout) from The Memory Nest store.  From my stash I used some poinsettia flowers, twine, buttons, brads and Thickers.  On the papers used for this layout, I distressed the paper edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Ranger.  

Stop by The Memory Nest store and pick up the Vintage Christmas kit -- it's on SALE RIGHT NOW!

Come back on December 10th:  I will be back on The Memory Nest blog with another layout from this collection that will hopefully inspire you toward getting Christmas photos scrapped right away!

Scrapbook Process Video: You Look Dapper

Using the Dapper Dan collection by Glitz pushed my creativity this month, since it is a more masculine theme.

This scrapbook process video shows my process for single page layout using Dapper Dan without using a sketch.  I challenged myself to use more embellishments and stickers than I normally do, and also to find a couple items from my stash to add to the layout.

I think my son looks extra "dapper" on this page!

Look for another YouTube video soon that will share all my layouts (and a bonus card) that I was able to complete with the Dapper Dan kit from The Memory Nest.  If you like this collection, head over to The Memory Nest where the kit and matching washi tape are on sale for this month!

Scrapbook Process: Selfie Challenge

With homeschooling, birthday celebrations, and other Design Team challenges, I haven't had too much time lately to do any other challenges. However, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate the latest "Make It Monday" challenge at The Memory Nest.  This time, the challenge had a sketch and the theme of a "selfie."  I had the perfect photo from Halloween!

All items on this layout (paper and embellishments) are from American Crafts.  

The challenge is open through the rest of November, and if you participate, you will have the chance to win a gift certificate from The Memory Nest!  

Throwback Thursday: Yee-Haw with Creative Imaginations!

Lately, I seem to be in a "manic" scrapping mood.  This past week has been the Fall Clean-up of my scraproom (which is also our homeschool room).  I organized many of my patterned papers with matching embellishments (actually putting together kits) so that I would be able to sit down and really get some pages finished.  (Or as some scrappers say, "Kill the Kit!")

(A YouTube video of my craft space will be coming soon!)

Today I am highlighting a couple finished pages that fit in well with "Throwback Thursday".  Both of these layouts use an older collection from Creative Imaginations with a matching sticker sheet.  I found some chipboard and brads from my stash that went well with the "western" theme, in addition to some distressed looking flowers that I made.

This first one is a Halloween photo of my boys from 2006 (they were 9 and 4 years) with special photo effects to make it look a little more vintage.  

This is definitely one of my favorite photos, and this western themed paper was perfect (which is the reason that I purchased it long ago!) 

Next is a Throwback-Throwback Thursday layout!  The photo is actually me in the early 80s, when the western style was so popular!

Because the photo was so small, I kept the area tight with the embellishments and layers so that the photo would stand out. Distressed inks were used on the chipboard butterflies and buckle.  This was the first time I have completed a layout with just one, very small photo and although it was a challenge, I am very pleased at how it turned out.  

(Check out YouTube later this month for a "Layout Share" of some of my favorite "Throwback Thursday" layouts!

There will be another "Throwback Thursday" on December 5th, with something from Little Yellow Bicycle.  Thanks for visiting!  See you next time!

Scrapbook Process: Soccer Layout with Dapper Dan

For the month of November, my design team challenge for The Memory Nest was to use the new "Dapper Dan" collection from Glitz.  This collection, available from The Memory Nest store, came with 12 patterned papers (two of each style), accent sticker sheet and alpha sticker sheet.  There is also arrowed Washi tape available separately, which I highly recommend (it's versatile enough to use for many other pages!).  Both the paper kit and the Washi are on sale this month at The Memory Nest!

Glitz is unique when it comes to their paper collections - they take current trends and put their own individual twist on them - they often look very different than the other paper debuts during the same season.  It's the same case for their "Dapper Dan" collection.  Glitz grabbed a hold of the mustache trend and added bold geometric patterns and woodgrains for a fun, masculine theme.

The challenge to myself was to take this collection and add my own twist -- to use it for pages that aren't dictated by the paper patterns itself.  For instance, I thought the colors really lended itself well for a soccer-themed, two-page layout:

For these pages, I used a few of my own miscellaneous sport embellishments from my stash (top of the second page).  The "Just Be Cool" card is from "Dapper Dan" that I had already purchased locally. 

Please hop over to visit my YouTube page here for the "Dapper Dan" kit reveal, plus process videos of this month's projects!

Throughout this month I will be posting two additional layouts plus a card made with the kit. The final layout will be completed after this month -- I will be doing a special page dedicated to my hubby's mustache that he is currently growing for the Movember  prostate cancer awareness month!

Thanks for visiting! 

Throwback Thursday: Another "Blast Off" with Bo Bunny!

Last month, I posted a two-part video series, which demonstrated how I designed two differently themed layouts from the Bo Bunny "Blast Off" collection kit.

After completing that project, I still had left over paper and die-cuts, so I was able to finish another page, with another twist:

This was a single, random photo I found of my youngest when he got his first Hot Wheels. (This bike made all the cool motorcycle sounds to go with it too!) The colors, stars and the "Dare to Dream" card seemed to be a perfect fit for this photo.  I printed the photo as a square with a white frame, which was reminiscent to photos from the late 60s, (except black and white) which was when I was Joshua's age and riding my first tricycle.  

What is your Throwback Thursday photo or layout this week?  

Scrapbook Process and Video: Today it "Feels Like Home"

Today at The Memory Nest blog, Leslie reveals more pages that fellow design team member Kelli (from Use It Scrapbooking) and I completed with the "Feels Like Home" collection by Little Yellow Bicycle.

For this page, I found some older photos of my kids from 2007.  We were visiting Auditorium Shores in downtown Austin, enjoying a beautiful, autumn day.  Yes, it was still warm enough for short sleeves, even in late November! This layout has an obvious triangle -- three groups of embellishment areas -- which is designed to move the eye around the entire page.   Here is a close-up of the embellishment areas:

And if you want to see the process, you can tune in to the video:

                         

The chipboard pieces and stickers are from the "Feels Like Home" collection, the enamel dots from Teresa Collins and the washi tape is Freckled Fawn. (You could probably use this great Glitz "Hello December" washi -- it would be a great substitution.)  You can find these items at The Memory Nest store, in addition to several other new collections!  And here's a special deal . . . . 

                          

Tomorrow I will share a final, BONUS layout from the "Feels Like Home" collection!

Card Making Process: Use Sketch; Repeat!

Okay, Card Makers -- did you have a productive Saturday for World Card Making Day?  I feel as though I did, even though the day afternoon was broken up by having to drive to an away game for my youngest son's soccer league. However, I didn't mind because it was a beautiful weekend here in Texas!  We are finally cooling off so it can feel like fall.

Although I was productive with card making on Saturday, the day didn't start out with much creativity.  My goal was to make several cards to keep in my stash that was depleted, but the ideas just weren't coming, despite the fact that I pulled out several different 6"x 6" pads and other printed paper that I wanted to use.

After some time of fussing, I looked at Pagemaps.com.  Becky's sketches always seem to create a spark, and I hoped it would this time too.  This is a sketch from the September 2013 Cardmaps:  

Because I had so much pattern paper I wanted to use, this sketch offered ideas for layering different paper.  

The first card with this sketch turned out well.

After this card, I was stuck again.  Instead of looking for another sketch and starting over, I decided to reuse the sketch since I was pleased how the first card evolved.

Now I was on a roll, so I completed a couple more:  

And finally, one more with a twist:  

Even though I used the same sketch, with a variety of paper and stamps, I was still able to complete five different cards.

Do you use the same sketch more than once? Leave your comments below!

Card Making Process: Cards from World Card Making Day 2013!

It's another World Card Making Day, and in celebration, I am sharing five different fall themed cards that I  made from the "Feels Like Home" collection from Little Yellow Bicycle:

The last three cards were made with the Bazzill card stock color "quicksand."  I used left over printed paper, stickers and chipboard pieces from the Feels Like Home collection that I got from The Memory Nest store. 

Are you planning to make cards today?  As I finish any other cards and/or challenges, I will be sure to share them here.  I have been digging in my paper to find collections that I want to use up and build up my card stash again.  What card themes will you make today?

Scrapbook Process: More from "Feels Like Home"

Happy Friday!  Leslie from The Memory Nest revealed some great design team creations yesterday on her blog using some of the newest collections that you can find at her store.  You can see two more examples of layouts using the new "Feels Like Home" collection from Little Yellow Bicycle from Kelli (Use It Scrapbooking) and myself.

Now is a good time to check out the store -- Leslie has a great Croptober deal at The Memory Nest store!

For more details on the papers, stickers and chipboard pieces that I use from this collection and a look at the page layout process, you can check out my newest YouTube video:

This is the sketch from Pagemaps that I used for this layout:

Tomorrow is National Cardmaking Day!  Are you going to spend some time making cards?  If you want more inspiration, stop back here tomorrow when I will share FIVE sweet and homey cards that I made with this same Little Yellow Bicycle Collection!  

Throwback Thursday: Fact or Fiction by Basic Grey

More cards for this week's Throwback Thursday!

Basic Grey always seems to be my "go to" when I want inspiration for cards.  I loved the versatility of the Fact or Fiction collections!  Here are a couple cards that have color schemes appropriate for autumn occasions:

Again, I love the versatility of this paper! This first card is elegant, even though the entire paper selection of this collection may seem to have a more "fun-loving style."  

Finally, this second card is a little mixture of both, a more classic style but with some fun, modern embellishments with the "Smile" stamp and others from this Basic Grey collection.

What "throwback" collection are you using this week?