Create x3

Woodblock {Bird}

 
Papers:  Memory Box Spiceberry, Memory Box dill notecard, PTI
Stamps:  Memory Box Woodblock Bird D1307
Stamp Ink:  SU creamy caramel, SU close to cocoa, SU chocolate chip, SU real red, SU garden green
Embellishments: Nestabilities Labels 3, Smooch molasses (bird's eye), Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder, Ribbon Retreat ribbon, Spellbinders photo corners

Today's card uses the new Memory Box stamp called Woodblock Bird {D1307}.  I decided to make the bird into a cardinal with a Christmas theme. I did not add a sentiment so that I could use this card for anything holiday related!  You never know what kinds of cards you will need during the holidays!

To create the card, I inked the branch in brown ink and the bird in red ink.  Then I stamped it onto my ivory paper.  The leaves are on the end of the stamp which makes it so nice!  I added two sets of leaves to my branch using green ink but I could have added more or less leaves.

I then die cut the image out and sponged the edges.  The base of my card is a Memory Box dill notecard.  I cut the notecard down from 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 so that I would have a square card.  I then added some Memory Box Spiceberry paper, ribbon, and die cut photo corners to finish!  Simple and versatile!

Now, if you are wondering why my last two posts have not included step-by-step photos is because I am swamped here at the moment.  So, in some of my future posts, you will find I will do step-by step instructions with photos and some I will not. This will help me with my crazy schedule.  :)  But please feel free to ask questions in the comment box anytime if you don't understand how I did something. I will be more than happy to help!  Well, have a great Tuesday evening, and thanks for stopping by!

All is Calm

Today I thought I would share a quick card with you using two of our new releases.  I think this card is simple enough to duplicate so I don't have step-by-step photos today.
 
 
Papers:  Paper Trey Ink, Strathmore watercolor paper, Memory Box Dewfrost
Stamps:  Memory Box All is Calm/Bright B1301, Memory Box Tree Silhouette E1302
Stamp Ink: SU creamy caramel, VersaMagic aegean blue
Embellishments:  Memory Box sparkling diamond jewel, We R Memory Keepers photo corner, American Crafts ribbon

To create my card, I stamped the new Memory Box Tree Silhouette stamp {E1302} onto watercolor paper.  I love the texture of this paper, and I also used my Derwent watercolor pencils just below the trees in a very soft blue.  Then I stamped the new Memory Box All is Calm/Bright stamp {B1301} in the upper corner of the same paper.  I then used the star on the end of the All is Calm/Brigth stamp to stamp my star also.  I used Stampin' Up creamy caramel ink for all of the stamping except on the star.  There I used a blue ink and added a Memory Box sparkling diamond jewel to the center.  I then tore the edges of the watercolor paper and sponged them in the same Stampin' Up ink.  I layered the image onto Memory Box Dewfrost paper, added ribbon, and then metal photo corners to complete.  Simple with the focus on the stamped image.  This could be used as a Christmas card, a holiday thank you, or whatever else you can think of.  I hope you enjoyed today's creation!  See you again soon!  Happy Tuesday!

Brighter Days {New Release}!

Oh goodness, sorry for my few days of absence.  I have been really sick.  I even spent two full days on the couch, and that is very unlike me.  But, I am back, and I am so excited to share our newest release with you called Brighter Days!  You can see all of the stamps in this release here. Aren't they wonderful?  So, for today, I thought I would share a Christmas tag with you using the new Christmas Cheer Block stamp {E1299}!

To begin, I took a white tag that was laying in my craft room, and I sponged the entire tag in Adirondack Latte ink.  Here you can see part of the tag "sponged."


Next, I stamped only the top line of the Christmas Cheer Block stamp {E1299} onto the end of the sponged tag and cut it off. I knew the tag was too long and that I would not use the entire tag.  So, this worked perfectly.  I wanted the top line to be in red and on a torn piece with inked, red edges.  You can see the piece I created here: 
 

Then I stamped the entire image onto the sponged tag.  Notice how I did not stamp the word "love" in brown ink.  I did not put ink on that word.  After I stamped the image, I inked only the word "love" in red and stamped it on the tag.  That is one GREAT thing about this stamp.  You literally could use each word or line to create different sentiments for cards or tags.  It does not have to be used as one single stamp.  Next, I added a torn piece of Memory Box Spiceberry paper to one end.  I then inked all of the edges in red ink and added my satin ribbon and jewels to finish.  Here is how my finished tag turned out:


And in the close-up photo, look how the Memory Box snowflake jewel fits beautifully over the stamped snowflake.  So very pretty!
 
Papers:  Memory Box Spiceberry
Stamps:  Memory Box Christmas Cheer Block E1299
Stamp Ink:  Adirondack latte, SU real red, SU chocolate chip
Embellishments: Ribbon Retreat satin ribbon, Memory Box snowflake and diamond jewels

This tag would be perfect on a gift or a bottle of sparkling cider!  Easy to make but so pretty to receive!  I hope you have fun with the new releases. I know they have been hitting the stores, so let's see your creations!  Enjoy!

It's a Memory Box File Box {Part 2}

So, did you get a file box?  Did you start altering it?  These are so fun to do, and really nice to use when they are all "prettied up."  Today, I want to show you how to finish your box.  So, let's get started!

First, I adhered the paper piece I cut out in Part 1 of this tutorial. To do that, I standed the top of the box.  It will leave little scratches in the plastic but that is what you want so that it adheres well.  I then covered the plastic in a thin layer of Mod Podge.  I also covered the back of the paper piece in Mod Podge.  Then I placed the paper piece on top and used my brayer to make it all stick well.  I let it dry for about 30 minutes or so before moving on to the next step.

Next, I attached all of the "non-lumpy" embellishments (letter stickers and rub-ons).  Once I had all of the non-lumpy items on my box as I wanted them, I put two coats of Mod Podge over all of the paper and embellishments as a sealant.  I let each coat dry for 15 minutes before adding another coat. I also attached the two photo corners to the upper part of my box.  I used Scor-Tap, and it holds very well.  Do not Mod Podge over these, however.  I tried it, and my ink smeared.  I had to repaint and re-stamp one of the photo corners.
 

Once my sealant layer of Mod Podge dried, I attached all of my lumpy embellishments (chipboard, buttons, Memory Box jewels and pearls, etc.)  I also added ribbons to the handle and covered the Sterlite logo with my name instead.  Here is my completed box: 
 
 
 
 
Papers:  Memory Box Sugardrop
Stamps:  Memory Box script block E453
Stamp Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk chestnut roan, Palette burnt umber
Embellishments: hemp from Hobby Lobby, Basic Grey Bittersweet buttons, Deluxe Designs chipboard, Pink Paislee captivating rub-ons, Pink Paislee holly doodle alpha stickers, Making Memories manila paint, Shimmerz butter cream, misc. ribbon, Memory Box baby pink pearls, Memory Box pistachio green jewels

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Remember, this can be used for many purposes.  I hope you will share a link to your altered file box!  Thanks for stopping by, and see you again soon!

It's a Memory Box File Box {Part 1}

Okay, everyone!  Grab a file box and your Memory Box stamps, papers, jewels, and pearls because we are going to alter a file box!  I altered one of these a year or so ago, and I use it to keep my paper scraps in.  It works GREAT, and it still looks brand new and hasn't fallen apart in any way.  Well, I need one now for Bible study. I have so many files, that I couldn't keep up.  So, one day last week, I went to the office supply store to get another file box, and they had one in PINK!  My favorite color of all time!  So, I grabbed it, and I knew this would be my new Bible study file box!  You can certainly alter yours for paper scraps, home files, or anything else you can think of!  Let's get started.

First, let me mention that I will only be altering the lid of the file box.  Second, the corners of this particular file box are recessed, so I will not be covering them in paper but you will see in a bit what I choose to do with the corners instead.

To begin, I grabbed a scrap piece of paper to make a small template of part of the file box.  I basically used my fingernail to "trace" the edges of the paper and then cut it out.  It worked great to do it that way.  And when I turn the template over, it fit the opposite side perfectly.  So, this one template works for both sides.
 

Now because the Memory Box Sugardrop papers are 6x6, I had to create a "patchwork" top since none of the pieces are large enough to cover the entire top.  However, I truly wanted to use several different papers from the paper pack, so this worked perfectly.  Here you can see the right hand side of the box with pieces cut out.  Also, the Memory Box Sugardrop papers are no longer available (unless you happen to find a store that still has some in stock).  I had to use Sugardrop though because they are just the right pink and green colors that I wanted for my box!
 

Next you can see all of my pieces cut out, adhered together, and the edges inked.  I have NOT adhered it to the box yet though.  I will show you how I did that in Part 2 of this tutorial.

Next I chose a bunch of chipboard shapes and placed them on the box.  I tried many different combinations to see what I liked best.  These are the pieces I decided to use.  And you can see how I will use two photo corners in the recessed corners of the box.

To dress up my chipboard pieces, I first painted all of them in Making Memories manila paint.  After the pieces dried, I then painted them in Shimmerz butter cream paint to add a bit of shimmer.  Once all of the paint dried, I used my Memory Box Script Block stamp {E453} to stamp over some of the pieces for a fun look.  I really like how they turned out.  And notice how the flower chipboard piece will be covered in more Sugardrop paper.

So, this is the beginning of my file box.  I will share how I finished my box in Part 2 later this week.  I hope you will join me, and start your file box.  See you again soon with Part 2!!

A Card for {45 Years}!

So, do you remember the tin I created just a week or so ago for my mother?  Well, I decided to give it to my parents today for their 45th wedding anniversary!  Well, of course I had to have a card to go along with it.  So, this morning before we left for our big day, I created this card.

First, I gathered my supplies.  I knew I would use the same papers that I did for the tin--the beautiful Memory Box Dewfrost paper.  Then I wanted to use the new Memory Box Advent Calendar {CL143} clear stamp set so that I could put the number of years they have been married on the card.  I also added some miscellaneous lace that was sitting on my desk.
 

Then I trimmed the papers, inked the edges in a bit of Palette ink, and then I attached them to a Memory Box opal notecard.
 

Next, I stamped "45" on a light piece of Dewfrost paper.  After stamping, I ran the paper through my printer to add the word "years."
 

To finish, I attached the lace, a metal photo corner, and the sentiment.  I used my Nestabilities to cut out the sentiment and then added two brads to match the photo corner.
 
 

And here is how the card looks with the tin:
 
Papers:  Memory Box Dewfrost, Memory Box opal notecard
Stamp Ink:  Palette ink
Embellishments: We R Memory Keepers metal photo corner and brads, misc. lace, Nestabilities label die

Simple and quick, and it was a hit with Mom and Dad!  I hope you enjoyed today's quick card.  Have a great Thursday evening, and I will be back soon with another Memory Box creation!

Smooch & More Fun!

So, did that title get ya?  I have been giving a lot of kisses to our new baby parrot but that's not what I meant by "smooch."  LOL!  Dave sent us all some ClearSnap goodies this past week.  Oh my, it was like Christmas.  Some of the goodies included the new Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink (paint).  Oooh, I want to play more with this stuff for sure.  I will show you a bit of it today on my card.  And a huge Thank You to ClearSnap for allowing us to play with inks, paints, glitter, and more fun!  Let's look at what I created today.

First, I wanted to start my card by piecing together the Memory Box Wintry Owls {E1275} stamp.  I stamped the image onto a scrap piece of Kraft cardstock and a few scrap pieces of Memory Box Spiceberry papers.  Now if you notice, my image did not stamp completely on the edges of the kraft paper.  I didn't restamp it to fix the problem because it is going to be covered up by my pieces anyway.
 

Next, I cut out all of the pieces I stamped and pieced the tree back together.  I also goofed here.  I dropped my large ink pad right on top of this piece after I had it all together!  Yes, I wanted to cry but then I thought I would just ink the edges and give it a rough look!  Why redo it?  Hmm, two errors now on this card!  Will it turn out?  Oh gracious!  :)


So, how do you like the rough look?  LOL!  Now after I layered my image and put my card together, I decided to add a little Smooch!  It is VERY hard to see in this picture but I dotted the center of the red circles on the background Spiceberry paper.  The right hand side of this card has been "dotted" in Smooch.  The left hand side has not.  Can you see it?  Hard, huh?
 

Maybe you can see it now in this picture here.  It is SO pretty in person.  And since I used just dots, it is harder to get the camera to pick it up but it really added a lot to the card!
 

Then here is my finished card, and I didn't have any more "goofs."  :)  The sentiment is the Memory Box Peace, Love, and Joy {B1114} stamp.  I used just a portion of the stamp for this card.
 


Papers:  Memory Box Spiceberry, Memory Box dill notecard
Stamps:  Memory Box Wintry Owls E1275, Memory Box Peace, Love, & Joy B1114
Stamp Ink:  VersaFine vintage sepia
Embellishments: misc. trim, ClearSnap Smooch green apple

Well, I hope you enjoyed this, and I hope if you have some Smooch on hand that you will post your Memory Box and Smooch creations here.  We would love to see them!  And sorry I didn't announce a winner yesterday for the World Card Making Day contest.  Can you believe we didn't have ANYONE enter a new creation for the contest?  Wow!  Hopefully next time many of you will be able to play along!  Well, enjoy your Tuesday, and I will be back with more Memory Box and ClearSnap goodies later this week!

World Card Making Day & Contests!

Happy World Card Making Day everyone!  Sorry for being slow in my posts this week--it turned out to be a busier week than I anticipated!  But, I am here today with fun news!  First, Cate is hosting our next $100 Memory Box Bucks contest!  If you missed our last one that I hosted, now is your chance to enter.  You can see all of the details on Cate's blog here!  I hope you will join in on the fun!

Second, I am hosting a small World Card Making Day contest this weekend!  All you need to do to enter is create a new card, layout, or tag using any of Memory Box's new Holiday Releases seen here.  Post a link to your creation with a list of the new release(s) you used in the comment thread of this post by Sunday, Oct. 4th, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.  I will pick a winner on Monday. One lucky winner will receive a 6x6 paper pack from Memory Box!  I hope you will play along!  I will post my card later.  I am headed out to a meeting and to teach but I will be back!  Feel free to ask questions here too, and I will answer when I return.  Happy Crafting everyone!

Finishing Your Altered Tin {Part 4}

So, did you get your pages done for your tin?  How is it all coming along?  Today I am going to show you how to secure your pages in the tin and finish your gift.

Once your pages are completely decorated, lightly tie a ribbon around the entire "stack."  As you can see, I placed my ribbon in the space I left in between the flowers and the title.

Next, turn over the "stack" and cover the back page with heavy-duty tape. I love using Scor-Tape.  This stuff sticks!

Then remove the covering from the tape, and carefully place your pages in your tin.  Be super careful though. Once you put the "stack" in with Scor-Tape, you won't be able to reposition it if you mess up.  Here is what mine looks like once the pages are in my mother's tin. 

Now, one thing I should have done was paint the entire tin.  The bottom is covered in a piece of Dewfrost paper with a sentiment to my mother.  However, I thought my band of ribbon around the edges of the tin would cover all of the silver but it does not.  So, I should have painted it all.  Oh well, not much of it shows, and it mostly shows when opened.  Mom won't even notice I am sure.  Just something for me to tell you and for me to keep in mind next time I make one.  I have painted entire tins before but this time I was trying to see what happened if I didn't.  And here is the rest of the finished tin.

Papers:  Memory Box Dewfrost, Memory Box robin's egg cardstock
Stamp Ink:  SU close to cocoa
Paint:  Shimmerz coffee, Making Memories shopping bag
Embellishments: Rose Moka brown alphabet stickers, Deluxe Designs chipboard, May Arts ribbon, Prima flowers, misc. buttons, Create Café felt flowers, Making Memories staples

I hope you have enjoyed this entire tutorial.  I would love to see what you create.  Feel free to leave links to your completed tins here in this comment section, and happy crafting!

Pages for your Altered Tin {Part 3}

So, did you get your tin made this weekend?  How does it look?  Well, today we will create the pages that will go inside of your tin.  These pages can be used for photos, quotes, scripture verses, or a mixture of everything.  Make these pages something that the receiver will enjoy!

To begin, I cut two 3 1/2" x 11" strips of Memory Box Robin's Egg blue cardstock.  It matches the Dewfrost papers so beautifully!  Then I scored each strip every 2" alternating my peaks and valleys.  You can see them both pictured below.

Next I determined that I would need eight spaces for photos and one space for the "cover."  So, I would need nine sections total.  One strip did not have enough sections, so I had to piece it together with the second strip.  In the picture below, you can see the two pieces that I will adhere together.

I used my Scor-Tape to piece the sections together. Once I did that, you can barely see where this section has been pieced.  I have added an arrow in the picture below to show you where the sections are pieced together.  You can piece together as many sections as you need or want, just keep in mind that once decorated and folded, it can get a bit bulky so you need to make sure your tin will still close.

Next, I wanted to round the corners of my pages.  So, I folded my pages together in one nice "stack," and then I used my Round-it-All to round all four corners.  It cut through all of the papers just beautifully.  Now, if you are not rounding your corners, you may need to make your papers just a bit smaller so that they will fit in the tin.  You can make one piece out of scrap paper to get the size that will work for you best.

I then inked all of my edges but I did not take a picture of that. You will see it in another photo below however.  Next, I printed out some of the pictures I would use.  When making small albums like this, I usually print my pictures in Microsoft Word.  It makes it easy to insert a picture, crop and resize, change the pictures to grayscale, and print them all out on one sheet of photo paper.

You may notice a few duplicate photos.  I did that because some photos I lightened and some I did not.  I wasn't sure which picture I would like best once they were printed so this works best for me to duplicate it on the same sheet.

Now you can begin decorating each section as you wish.  On my "cover" page, you can see I left a space between the flowers and the title "The Grands."  That is because we are going to tie all of this together with a ribbon that will be attached to the tin.  I will show you how to put it all together in our next post.  So for now, just keep in mind that there will be a ribbon covering part of your first "page."

So, have fun creating your pages and decorating them.  Sometimes I think this part takes the longest; however, it is one of the most rewarding steps because you start to see it all come together!  In my next and last post for this tutorial, we will finish our tin!  I hope you are enjoying this!