Fun at the Cookie Exchange & Favorite Things Party!

 The annual Memory Bound staff cookie exchange party was held last weekend at Katie's house. A great time was had by all! In addition to sharing cookies, the group decided to do a "My Favorite Things" gift exchange, an idea from Heidi Swapp's blog. What a fun activity! More on that in a bit...

Here are a few pictures which Dawn took throughout the evening! Everyone brought an appetizer to share. As you can see, we had no shortage of food!

 

We shared a few funny stories (at least the ones we could remember!) which have taken place during the past year. We always have lots of laughs working at Memory Bound!

 

The evening also included a tour of Katie's brand new craft room! It's a beautiful space, and I hope we can share more pictures of it in a future post!

 

Here are Mindy, Jennifer, Diana, and Betsy enjoying a few snacks before the cookie exchange.

 

We had a beautiful array of yummy cookies! Everyone who brought cookies could take a nice assortment home.

 

 

 

The best part of the evening was the "My Favorite Things" gift exchange. There were 16 people participating, so each person brought 16 of one of their favorite items (it could be anything -- embellishments, Diet Coke, nail polish, etc.) to share with everyone else. Of course, the gifts were all beautifully wrapped! As each gift was opened, the person giving it explained a bit about why the item is her favorite thing.

 

 

 
 
  

 

 

Everyone loved the gift exchange, including Jana and her mom Diane!

 Katie set up a display so we could take a picture of all of the gifts together after they were opened. As you can see, the gifts included scrapbooking tools and supplies, food, beverages, music (yes, Maggie compiled a CD of her holiday favorites!), candles, and much, much more. Each gift was a unique reflection of the person giving it!

It was so much fun that the Memory Bound gals are already making plans to do another "My Favorite Things" gift exchange in the summer, because it's too long to wait until next Christmas! If you're looking for a fun idea for your next gathering, we know you'd enjoy it, too. If you give it a try, let us know! :)

Thanks to Katie for hosting the party and to everyone who made it so much fun!
Janet

Be Inspired to be Creative in 2014!

 Our first newsletter of the New Year should be arriving in your mailbox any day now, or stop by the store to pick up a copy. The newsletter is also available for viewing and printing online. Just click on the photo at the right of this page to download your copy!

I love the theme that Dawn and Kellie chose for 2014:  
Be Inspired to Be Creative! 
For so many of us, Memory Bound is much more than simply the BEST place to purchase our favorite paper crafting supplies. It's the place where we get inspired to try new things, create meaningful scrapbooks for generations to come, make unique home decor pieces, create birthday party decorations, wedding invitations, locker decorations, and so, so much more! In short, Memory Bound inspires us to be creative, which is good for the soul and just plain FUN!

When you look through the newsletter, you'll see the many ways Memory Bound can inspire YOU in 2014! We have something for everyone, including two big weekend crops, some awesome Disney Day classes and promotions, a Mixed Media showcase featuring customer projects, and a wide array of unique classes you'll find ONLY at Memory Bound! We can't wait to inspire YOU in 2014!
Janet

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Cards

 Happy Holidays, 
Memory Bound friends!

Washi Tape continues to be one of the most popular products in the paper crafting industry! Take a look at just SOME of the Washi tape we have right now at Memory Bound! It comes in so many wonderful colors and patterns and can be used in so many ways. (Be sure to check out Gloria's idea for Washi tape Christmas light bulbs here!)

 We have a wonderful display of cards made using ONLY Washi tape, plus stamped text, twine, and a punched flower. As you can see, Washi tape can be torn, cut, or snipped into banners. It can wrap side to side around a card front, taping it to the back -- with no cutting whatsoever! Seriously...these cards couldn't be easier! If you're short on a Christmas card or two, just layer strips of Christmas-themed or red/green Washi tape and finish with a stamped or printed "Merry Christmas". You can even make your own thank you cards in the same way to send after the holidays!
  

 

Here's a Christmas tree card I found on the internet. So cute and it couldn't be simpler! This would be a fun idea to use on a gift tag or bag.

 We hope that these quick and easy designs will inspire you to use Washi tape on your cards and projects! And if Santa needs a few ideas for your stocking, you might help him out by picking up a few rolls of Washi tape! 

Happy Holiday crafting!
Janet

Quick & Easy Christmas Lights with Washi Tape!

Happy Holidays, 
Memory Bound friends!
This past weekend, the Memory Bound staff held a cookie exchange and "My Favorite Things" gift exchange. (Look for a post soon with pictures from the fun evening!) Meanwhile I'd like to share a super-cute idea from the party, designed by our staff member Gloria using one of our Accu Cut dies and Washi tape!

Gloria cut out Christmas lights in a variety of colors in our Accu-Cut die cutting center. Then she wrapped a strip of silver/gray Washi tape around the top of the bulb. (Washi tape is perfect for this, because you just fold it to fit!) For a final touch, she used a quilting wheel to create the lines across the top of the bulb. Gloria attached all of the bulbs to yarn and taped a container of her favorite lip gloss to the back side. She displayed them in a holiday lights box, then cut them apart to give one to each person! It was such a cute idea!

You could easily adapt this idea to create ornaments, tags for gift bags, a garland, and so much more! Kids would enjoy helping with this quick and easy craft idea, too! Our Accu-Cut center is available free of charge if you purchase your cardstock at Memory Bound. Stop in and we'd be happy to get you started! 

Thanks for the fun idea, Gloria!
Janet

Mixed Media Happy Hour

Hello, Memory Bound friends!

Have you heard about the mixed media trend? Mixed media can be defined as a work of visual art that combines various distinct art media. For example, a canvas project that combines paint, ink, and collage techniques would be considered mixed media. Paper crafters around the world have enjoyed learning about mixed media products and techniques to expand their crafting horizons!

If you'd like to dabble in mixed media but aren't sure where to start, look no further than our Mixed Media Happy Hour! This fun group meets monthly to work on altered books, and Maggie introduces a new mixed media product or technique each month. New folks are always welcome, so come and explore the colorful world of mixed media! Our next class is Tuesday, December 17, 6-8pm. Check out the details below, then call us to register at (515) 965-1102!

Janet

Mixed Media Happy Hour

Tuesdays - Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17, 6-8pm
Instructor:  Maggie Benge
Fee: $10 / Skill Level: Any 
Bring Basic Class Kit, hardbound book, any mixed media supplies & tools you’re using in your book. 
Explore the world of Mixed Media as you alter a hardbound book! Each month new techniques will be introduced. 
OCT:  VIVA Inka Gold Metallic Rub and work on altered book.  
NOV:  Explore surface techniques. 
DEC: Receive a $10 Memory Bound Gift Card, enjoy a holiday treat, and work on anything you like this evening!

Last Chance - December Journal Kits!

Happy Holidays, 
Memory Bound friends!

It's hard to believe that December is here! Even though Santa will be here before you know it, there's still plenty of time to create a fun December Journal to capture your holiday memories! Our December Journal Kit ($34.99) makes it easy: It includes everything you need to create a 6x6 album you will treasure for years to come. This kit also makes a great gift, or you can even use it for next year's holiday season.

But hurry! We have just a few of our December Journal Kits left, so call us at (515) 965-1102 right away if you'd like one, or click HERE to order online right now!

Janet

 December Journal Kit

December Journals are a wonderful way to document your holiday season! This kit has optional numbers if you want to record something each day during December. Or use it for any holiday happenings by adding photos, shopping lists, memorabilia, recipes, receipts, etc! Get instructions and everything you need to create a 6x6 journal using the Winter Wonderland collection from My Mind's Eye! Includes paper, stickers, chipboard elements, ribbon, die cuts and more!