Saturday, February 28, 2015
This past Tuesday, the Memory Bound gals got together for a staff crop organized by Bonnie. Those who were available packed up their gear and headed to Memory Bound for a day of crafting and chatting with friends! I was working on class kits that day so took a few photos to document the action...because what else would a scrapbooker do? :)
Katie and Jean were hard at work on their pages -- although I caught them both playing with their phones! LOL But really, they each got a lot done that day!
Maggie and Pat were sitting together, and Pat was coaching Maggie on how to put together a travel album based on one of Pat's recent awesome class projects. In this photo, Maggie was left unsupervised as Pat was working for a couple of hours. Maggie said she had to wait for Pat to direct her each step of the way, so Pat occasionally stopped by to see how the eager student was doing. :) So far so good, although Maggie was reprimanded for leaving her trimmer blade in the upright (and dangerous!) position!
At this point in the day, Maggie seemed pleased with the progress of her project!
So I popped over to check on Kendra and Diana who were hard at work! Kendra was busy doing some scrapbooking and Diana was working on her latest card creations. You know there is SERIOUS CRAFTING HAPPENING whenever you see an apron! :)
Bonnie was working on a scrapbook of her own activities for 2015! This is a first for Bonnie -- as it would be for many of us -- as we usually focus on the activities of our kids or grandkids. Bonnie has been taking pictures each month (well, at least for January and February!!) and is compiling them into an album just for her. Love it!
Uh oh...When I checked back on Maggie, she was nowhere in sight and had left her trimmer blade in the upright (and dangerous) position! :)
Dawn was busy working on pages for her son Alex who will be graduating in May. I think she was up to middle school so far. No worries, Dawn...still PLENTY of time! (March, April...LOL) Dawn made a number of trips home to retrieve things she had forgotten to bring but still managed to get a lot accomplished...we hope! :)
Pat finished her shift and returned to check on Maggie who had been hard at work without supervision for almost two hours. I blinked and Pat had somehow whipped up an album of her own!
At first glance, Pat was very pleased with Maggie's accomplishments! But on closer inspection, some quality issues were detected. The next thing we saw....
...was THIS! Maggie had dismantled (read: RIPPED APART!) her project and thrown the accordion spine into the circular (well, rectangular!) FILE!
It was at that point that CHAOS ensued! You can see in this photo that there were THREE (COUNT 'EM...THREE!) trimmer blades in the upright (and dangerous!) position, including my own!
Pat quickly rectified that situation and got Maggie back on track with her project. WHEW!
Meanwhile at the other end of the room, Jennifer arrived from one of her many jobs to fit in a bit of crafting at the table next to Bonnie.
Our store owner Kellie had several projects to work on, including some for graduation, which will be here before you know it. (Don't tell Dawn! hehe)
When I stopped back to check on Maggie, she had folded a new spine for her album and it was all re-assembled...as if nothing unusual had happened!
Here is Maggie's completed album, all ready for her upcoming trip to Tennessee!
So as you can see, it was a fun, fun day filled with crafting and laughs. We can't wait for the next one!
Janet
P.S. Our crop room is available and FREE anytime we don't have a class or event. Just give us a call (515) 965-1102 if you'd like to plan some time for you and your friends to craft together!
Friday, February 27, 2015
Hello, Memory Bound friends!
Have you heard about Copic Markers? These markers are preferred by artists the world over because they're made with an alcohol-based ink which gives vibrant colors and allows smooth blending. Paper crafters use Copic Markers to color stamped images which can be used on cards, scrapbook pages, tags, gift bags, and so much more. You’ll love how easy they are to use and how professional your projects will look!
Have you heard about Copic Markers? These markers are preferred by artists the world over because they're made with an alcohol-based ink which gives vibrant colors and allows smooth blending. Paper crafters use Copic Markers to color stamped images which can be used on cards, scrapbook pages, tags, gift bags, and so much more. You’ll love how easy they are to use and how professional your projects will look!
Katie makes learning about Copic Markers easy and great fun! Check out the
class details below, then give us a call at (515) 965-1102 or click HERE to register!
Janet
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COPIC MARKER BASICS
COPIC MARKER BASICS
Tuesday, March 10, 6-8pm
Copic Certified Instructor: Katie Belding
Fee: $16 / Skill Level: Any / Basic Class Kit not needed. See what all the excitement is about with the Copic Sketch alcohol markers! These artist markers are designed for coloring and blending. Our certified instructor will teach you shading, blending, and how to choose colors. Markers provided!
Copic Certified Instructor: Katie Belding
Fee: $16 / Skill Level: Any / Basic Class Kit not needed. See what all the excitement is about with the Copic Sketch alcohol markers! These artist markers are designed for coloring and blending. Our certified instructor will teach you shading, blending, and how to choose colors. Markers provided!
Hello, Memory Bound friends!
If you are looking for a fun and meaningful home decor project, look no further than this blog post! Our store manager Diane recently created a beautiful canvas featuring cherished family recipes to hang in her kitchen. It is one of the neatest projects I've seen in a long time. Get ready to be inspired to make your own!
If you are looking for a fun and meaningful home decor project, look no further than this blog post! Our store manager Diane recently created a beautiful canvas featuring cherished family recipes to hang in her kitchen. It is one of the neatest projects I've seen in a long time. Get ready to be inspired to make your own!
Diane started with a 12x12 canvas. She gathered her recipes, making sure to include her own family favorites from loved ones who are no longer with us. She color copied some of the recipes at Memory Bound so she could keep the originals. She sprayed some of the recipes with Distress Ink Spray (Aged Paper) to make them look a little more vintage. I love how many of the recipes show the marks from having been used a lot -- always a sign of a great recipe!
Diane inked the canvas and the recipes in a combination of Gathered Twigs and Black Soot Distress Ink. She adhered the recipes to the canvas using Matte Medium. To add a bit more visual texture, Diane lightly stamped in a few places with a background stamp using Black Soot ink (see the "grid" patterns here and there). In the upper right of the canvas (see top photo), she added some visual interest using texture paste and the Tim Holtz Flourish stencil.
To finish her canvas, Diane added metal corners and hot-glued old silverware to the lower left corner. Finally, she added Tim Holtz Trimmings ribbon in red/cream and black/cream, wrapping around the canvas and tying over the silverware.
I love this project! Family recipes are some of the most important bits of history that we have, and they represent so much more than the ingredients themselves. This canvas will be a beautiful and meaningful addition to Diane's home.
This project would make a wonderful gift for Mother's Day or a bridal shower. If you'd like to make one of your own, gather your recipes and head to Memory Bound! We'll help you find everything you need to get started.
Thanks so much for the inspiration, Diane!
Janet
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Hello, Memory Bound friends!
I don't know about you, but the start of a new year always makes me want to get organized. (February still counts as the start of a new year, right?) So I've been tackling a number of areas in my household, including my craft area, trying to rid out the items I no longer need and devise storage solutions that will work for me now and into the future.
I don't know about you, but the start of a new year always makes me want to get organized. (February still counts as the start of a new year, right?) So I've been tackling a number of areas in my household, including my craft area, trying to rid out the items I no longer need and devise storage solutions that will work for me now and into the future.
One of my favorite recent projects was re-organizing my acrylic and cling stamps. Like many other crafters, I decided to move my stamps into the Avery Elle Stamp Pockets. We first blogged about this product last year. It has taken me awhile to get to this project, but it was well worth the wait!
Here's a look at the BEFORE and AFTER of my stamp situation!
Previously I had some of my acrylic stamps stored in CD cases. Over time, this didn't work out so well. Many of today's stamp sets are much too large for CD cases. I also found that some stamps stick like CEMENT to the plastic! :( Suffice it to say this system was definitely not working for me, so I also had stamps stored in various other places. Long story short...my stamps were scattered all about, making it hard to remember (and even harder to find!) what I had. As a result, I wasn't using my stamps as often as I wanted.
I first learned about stamp pockets on Jennifer McGuire's blog and the beauty of her system brought a tear to my eye! :) See her video HERE.
Here's what Jennifer's system looks like. Wow, how clean and beautiful!
So I jumped into this project head first! I removed my stamps from the CD cases. Some stuck so much that THEY ACTUALLY BROKE THE PLASTIC trying to remove them. Not good! I also had stamps stored in other bins and boxes and set aside a few sets I no longer need to sell in the next Memory Bound Garage Sale (planned for April...watch for details).
I needed to replace the plastic on a few sets, so I purchased 12x12 sheets of transparency at Memory Bound and cut them down to fit the stamp pockets. It's easy to slide the sheet in and out of the pocket.
I made labels for the pockets using Word. (You could do this with a label maker, too, of course.) I cut them out and adhered them to the top of each pocket. Labeling stuff makes me very happy! :)
Here's what the stamp pockets look like when filled. Be still my heart! :)
Following
Jennifer McGuire's recommendation, I slipped a piece of white
cardstock into each pocket for extra stability. It also helps the whole
system look a bit neater.
Jennifer uses Fridge Binz to store her stamps, but I wanted something a bit more decorative to match my craft space. Luckily I found a basket at Target that was just the perfect size for the pockets and just the right depth for the cube where I plan to store them. It was big enough to accommodate my larger stamp sets at the back. I made a label for the front using my Big Shot.
Jennifer uses Fridge Binz to store her stamps, but I wanted something a bit more decorative to match my craft space. Luckily I found a basket at Target that was just the perfect size for the pockets and just the right depth for the cube where I plan to store them. It was big enough to accommodate my larger stamp sets at the back. I made a label for the front using my Big Shot.
This new system makes me super happy! If you are looking for a new way to organize your stamps, I would highly recommend the Avery Elle Stamp Pockets. Stop in or give us a call at (515) 965-1102!
Happy organizing!
Janet
Monday, February 23, 2015
Hello, Memory Bound friends!
If there's a child in your life who enjoys being creative and learning new things, then be sure to sign them up for our next Scrappin' Kidz class! Our instructor Diana plans a different seasonal project each month, and kids learn all kinds of fun techniques each time! Our March class features a colorful Easter canvas that kids will love to display in their home. Check the details below then call us at (515) 965-1102 or click HERE to register.
Janet
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Scrappin' Kidz: Easter Canvas
Monday, March 9, 4-5pm
Instructor: Diana Tuttle
Fee: $14 / Skill Level: Ages 8+ (or younger with sibling or adult) / Bring sharp scissors & liquid glue.
Monday, March 9, 4-5pm
Instructor: Diana Tuttle
Fee: $14 / Skill Level: Ages 8+ (or younger with sibling or adult) / Bring sharp scissors & liquid glue.
Hop over and layer your way
to a colorful, creative Easter canvas that is sure to brighten your home for
spring. As you make this canvas, you’ll learn how to build your project
with tissue, pop dots, die cuts, and more.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
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February Make-N-Takes
Doodlebug Cards
Wednesday afternoons in February, 1-6pm
Materials fee: $2-3
We've had a great time this month making multiple occasion cards in the brilliant colors of Doodlebug cards and envelopes! Doodlebug cards make your card crafting a snap!
If you've never been to one of our Make-N-Takes, we'd love to have you join us! Drop in anytime between 1 and 6pm on Wednesday afternoons and for a small fee, you'll learn fun techniques while you MAKE a card to TAKE home with you!
Doodlebug Cards
Wednesday afternoons in February, 1-6pm
Materials fee: $2-3
We've had a great time this month making multiple occasion cards in the brilliant colors of Doodlebug cards and envelopes! Doodlebug cards make your card crafting a snap!
If you've never been to one of our Make-N-Takes, we'd love to have you join us! Drop in anytime between 1 and 6pm on Wednesday afternoons and for a small fee, you'll learn fun techniques while you MAKE a card to TAKE home with you!
On February 25th, we'll be making this adorable balloon birthday card featuring lots of fun techniques! Stop by between 1 and 6pm to learn new techniques and leave with a great handmade card ready to send!
We hope to see you then!
Janet
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Hello, Memory Bound friends!
If you own a Silhouette Cameo and are just getting started with it, we have just the class for you! Teresa is a Cameo expert and a great instructor, and she'll show you the basics of this wonderful machine so you can get the most out of it for all of your crafting. Check the details below then call us at (515) 965-1102 or click HERE to register!
Janet
*****************
Cameo BASICS
Thursday, March 5, 6-8pm
Instructor: Teresa Grau
Fee: $18 / Skill Level: Any
Bring Basic
Class Kit, mat, & blade. Laptop (with Silhouette program loaded) is
optional.
There are so many things you can do with the Cameo…the possibilities
are unlimited! You’ll learn how to use the machine & basic Silhouette
program functions: the library, online store, grouping/ ungrouping, compound
paths, welding, replicating, and cutting.
Hello, crafty friends!
I'm very excited about our March Graphic 45 All-Occasion Cards class. Why? We'll be making cards with some very fun techniques, like painting a teacup with Liquid Pearls and making a teabag-shaped card! I'm also excited because this month's colors -- purple and green -- are my two very favorite colors, and they are used together on this beautiful floral paper.
I hope you'll join me for what promises to be a very fun class! Call us at (515) 965-1102 or click on one of the two dates below to register.
I hope you'll join me for what promises to be a very fun class! Call us at (515) 965-1102 or click on one of the two dates below to register.
Janet
**************************
Skill Level: Any / Bring Basic Class Kit, Distress Ink (your favorite brown), blending tool,
splat mat, scoring blade, pop dots/foam tape, Glue Dots, fine-tip liquid glue,
small hole punch, 1/8” Scor-Tape, Liquid Pearls: Platinum Pearl, Glaze Pen:
Clear, Wink of Stella Pen: Clear.
Join Janet to create a set of 6 beautifully detailed vintage cards featuring new techniques, products, or fun folds. Our March set includes birthday, sympathy, thank you, friendship, get well, and good luck
Join Janet to create a set of 6 beautifully detailed vintage cards featuring new techniques, products, or fun folds. Our March set includes birthday, sympathy, thank you, friendship, get well, and good luck
Hello, Memory Bound Friends!
Everyone needs some basic colors with dots or stripes to use on a card, a layout or on a home decor project. So we were super happy to see Echo Park release new colors of their very popular Dots and Stripes collection! A must for every paper crafter!
All Dots and Stripes papers come in 12x12 single sheets, 12x12 paper pack or 8x8 paper packs.
Dots and Stripes: Summer Collection
Dots and Stripes: Spring Collection
Dots and Stripes: Neutrals
Dots and Stripes: Bright
There is definitely a color for everyone in these collections! If you need bright summer colors, soft spring pastels or basic neutrals, Dots and Stripes are for you! If you see something you would like, but are unable to make it to the store, give us a call at 515-965-1102 and we would love to help you out!
What will you create today?
Katie
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