Like almost everyone who scrapbooks I'm in love with ribbon.  I like collecting it and I can't resist the tiny spools of ribbons available now.  I love Bobbin Ribbons and American Crafts.  I always wind up with tons of tiny empty spools.  I have seen mini albums and ornaments done with the large rolls so I decided to try altering some of my little spools.  I like using them for photos, using them to hold mini embellishments, and just to have around for pretty knick knacks.  Here are some quick instructions and a few photos of my newest favorites.
 









I'm all for using up my scraps and getting more value out of scrapbook packaging.  This project is a great combination of both. Thanks for reading! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Enjoy! Love, Melissa

Supplies: Brads (Making Memories); Buttons (My Mind's Eye); Chipboard (Scenic Route) Paper (Cloud 9, Fancy Pants Designs, Scenic Route); Ribbon (Offray); Ribbon Spools (Bobbin Ribbons, American Crafts); Stickers (Cloud 9)

There was a nice break in the temperature today - the mid 40s. I had my window open to let a bit of fresh air inside. When I caught some of that nice breeze, it made me long for one of my favorite vacation spots. (I know 40s is not warm, but it is welcome compared to the temperatures we experienced the past week - LOL!)

So, I decided to scrap this charming find from a trip to the beach in September of 2006. We love to vacation in the fall - not too hot, and a bit of coolness in the air.

While taking a walk along the water, we happened upon this empty chair. We imagined not too long before it held a content vacationer taking in the scenery or perhaps catching some quiet time to read a book.



However, the sky in the original photograph was very washed out. To give it some punch, I decided to combine it with another photograph to create a new and more powerful result. In Photoshop, I simply removed the washed-out sky, created a new layer, and added the new sky.


This layout is now a great representation of this memory. Although my camera did not capture it perfectly, my layout does.
I can't wait for vacation time!
~Kim

(All digital supplies by Pixel Canvas)

I have had my 7 gypsies ATC holder for over a year now. It was my original intent to add a couple cards to it each week - well I got a whole 5 done and that is it! So one of my scrappy goals this year was to work on some ATCs. Another goal was to play more with my stash of goodies and I thought creating some of these little cards would be a fun, quick way to just create and play. Plus I will be able to fill up my ATC holder!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner so it seemed the perfect occasion to start working on some ATCs (not to mention I have a great weakness for anything red, pink, white or with a heart motif and have developed a huge stash).

Have a wonderful week! Christine

Supplies: ATCs 7gypsies. Letter card, 7 gypsies. Letter stickers, Making Memories. Patterned paper, Little Yellow Bicycle, Prima, Making Memories, Basic Grey. Bee stamp, Anna Griffin. Stickers, Making Memories. Border punch, Fiskars. Heart punches, Martha Stewart, Marvy Uchida. Bingo card, Jenni Bowlin. PIn, Making Memories. Scallop heart die cut, Cricut. Spray mist, Maya Road. Ribbon, Heidi Swapp. Clips, Making Memories. Die cut ticket, FREE FROM MEMORY MAKERS MAGAZINE!

I got my Memory Maker's Newsletter the other day.  So many great ideas in there and freebies! 



Like this awesome digital download from Crystal Jeffrey Rieger.  You can go here to download it.  What is cool about digital elements like these tickets is they are easily made into "hybrid" projects. You can easily use a program like Microsoft Word to print out these adorable tickets.  You can even resize them in those programs. 



I made the tickets smaller than their original size and printed them out on white cardstock.  Trimmed them down and added them to my Valentines Card.



I made this cute ticket large so I could turn it into a mini album.  It is roughly 4 x 6.  Printed it off on kraft cardstock and now it is ready to be filled.

So go grab those digital tickets and have some fun.  And if you haven't signed up for the Newsletter yet, what are you waiting for?

Love, always

I love making Belle's Valentine cards every year.  I try to do something a little bit different each time.  This year I thought it would be cute to use my digital supplies to design my own photo cards.  I thought it would be fun to design a 4x6 photo card and have them printed for her teacher and class.

I wanted to use the sentiment "Valentine, You make my heart Flutter!" and use a combo of my favorite Valentine's Day kit and Butterfly elements.  Once I was finished with everything except adding the digi butterflies I thought it would add dimension to use my butterfly punch. 

I really like how these turned out.   Using a digital photo card made making the cards so much quicker and easier to put together.  Adding the photo to the top of a real card and gluing down the butterflies took no time at all.  I hope it inspires you a little when you are creating your own Valentine cards!









Thanks for taking a peek at our Valentine Cards!  Enjoy! Love, Melissa

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Digital Kit: shabbyprincess.com; Pattern Paper: Crate Paper, Scenic Route, MME; Fonts: Times New Roman, Wendy Medium

I am always really good about getting my Christmas cards out on time. But, this year was different. In keeping with my goal of simplifying my life, I decided that I wasn't going to stress myself out during the holidays. We did so many fun things as a family this year. Adding a pile of cards to address and send would have been too much. So, I decided to hold off until New Year's. Well, the beginning of the year came and went. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I decided that I'd send Valentine's cards instead. I love Valentine's Day and with the overloaded schedule of the holidays behind me, I was able to concentrate on my cards. It was really fun getting the photo of my son and creating the card. I'm picking them up this morning and hope to have them out in the mail by the end of the week.

I ended up using a digital kit that I'd been drooling over for weeks. This one is called Jubilee. It's by Holly McCaig Designs. I love the colors!!

 

Moral of the story? It's never too late to get those holiday cards out to friends and family. Who says they have to be for Christmas only? Maybe next year I'll send 4th of July ones. :)

I had a wonderful time at CHA winter and I was so glad I got meet fellow masters Summer and Gretchen in person!

I am thrilled that 7gypsies has taken the designs from their self inking stamps and made them into clear acrylic stamps -these are definitely going on my shopping list.

I also liked these extra large arrow photo turns from 7gypsies

These two travel lines from s.e.i. and Little Yellow Bicycle where very cute.

My absolute favorite new product has to be these low profile punches from EK Success! Why didn't anyone think of these sooner!

Those are just a few of my favorite new products. Have a great week everyone!