Year End Goodies

Hello ladies---Tami here.

Okay this challenge junkie just wanted to remind you that you have til tomorrow at midnight to finish up this months challenges. Remember the prize is a gift certificate to the store--now how about that, you can spend your prize the way U want too. Here's the place to be-
http://www.memorableseasons.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=20

And remember if you complete my "reason" challenge you will also be eligible for a special drawing from me. I mean this is my first ever DT challenge so I gotta give something away. So come on over and join the fun and while your there you need to check out the sale Jill is having in the store. Can you say CLEARANCE-WHOOP WHOOP!!
I just adore that word. The best part she has alot of recent product in there-you better go snatch you some goodies before they are gone-and YES I promise I left some stuff for ya--hehehe!
Happy New Years everyone be safe!

Be on the lookout for our next crop-its coming ur way REAL soon!

Happy New Year from Memorable Seasons

Beth's DT Challenge and a Flower Tutorial too!

Everyone needs a little "Round TUIT", especially after the holidays and you can get one of your very own right here!  Once you have it... you won't have any reason not to join us at the Memorable Seasons forum for the "Round TUIT" challenge.

Here are the details of the challenge... 

Almost all of us have them… that group of photographs that we’ve been meaning to scrapbook but just haven’t gotten “Round Tuit”. You probably have a variety of reasons you haven’t scrapped those photographs yet, perhaps you haven’t found the right paper, embellishments, you lack inspiration or just haven’t found the time. Whatever the reason, close your eyes (no peeking!) and pull out one photograph (or more if you are exceptionally brave) from the pile. Consider this the moment you finally got “Round TUIT” and scrap that photo(s). Then choose at least two of the following additions:

1. On your layout, journal about the reasons why you haven’t gotten around to scrapbooking this photograph yet.
2. Use the “Round TUIT” graphic (right click on the graphic above to save to your computer) somewhere on your page.
3. Use the words “Procrastinate” or “Round TUIT in your title.
4. Use at least two different color cardstocks or patterned papers on your page.
5. Use products on your layout that are at least six months old, that you haven’t gotten around to using before now.

To complete this challenge, I first started by sticking my hand in a ziplock bag of photographs I had waiting at the ready to scrapbook (but hadn't yet, because I didn't have my "Round TUIT" yet!). I also decided to take on all the additions to this challenge by writing the journal piece about why I hadn't yet scrapped the photo (before now), used the "Round TUIT" graphic, added more than two different patterned papers which also happened to be papers that I've had since this past spring but just hadn't gotten around to using them yet.  You can buy them right here at the Memorable Seasons online store! (tip: see the complete supplies list at the bottom of this post that I used to create this layout, I've included links to the Memorable Seasons store to help find the supplies you need to create your own layout.)

Here's a close-up of the journal block, you can click on it for a size large enough to read.

I also incorporated Plaid (Mod Podge Sparkle and Pop Dots).

Both of these photos (above and below) provide a better look at the flower embellishments I created using Mod Podge Sparkle.  See all that pretty glitter? I have to tell you that I have never gotten along so well with glitter until I used in this form! Plaid created a real winner with this product! Below, I'll show you how to make these easy layered flowers in five steps.

I created the flourish that you see in the above photograph using my Cricut and the Accent Essentials cartridge. I also used my Cuttlebug to add the embossing on the leaves, I love how it provides subtle dimension to the project.

Here is how I created these simple glitter flowers with patterned paper and Mod Podge in five easy steps...

Step One:  Die Cut various flower shapes to create multi-layered flowers.  I used Sizzix Flower Layers and Beautiful Blooms Die Cuts from Papertrey Ink. "Paint" each flower front with Mod Podge "Sparkle" and let dry.

Step Two: Carefully crumple up each flower layer to create texture and then smooth back out for layering.

Step Three:  Assemble layers using Pop Dots.

Step Four:  Add rhinestones to the top of each flower layer.

Step Five:  Die cut and emboss leaves (I used my Cuttlebug) and attach to flowers when you assemble your project.

I hope you join us for this fun challenge at Memorable Seasons blog and forum this week. 

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock: "Brilliant White 80# 12 x 12"
Adhesives: Plaid: "Mod Podge Sparke", All Night Media: "Mini Pop Dots" and "Pop Dots"
Patterned Paper: Jillibean Soup: Coordinating Egg Drop Soup Paper "Ground Ginger", "White Pepper", "Sesame Oil", "Egg Yolk"
Embellishments: Studio Calico Kit: Japanese Tape, My Mind's Eye: Fine and Dandy "Tickled Pink Bling", American Crafts: Thickers "Delight", Dear Lizzy and American Crafts: Remarks "Dimensional Stickers Flutter", Hero Arts: Pearls
Other Tools: ProvoCraft: Cuttlebug and Embossing Folder, ProvoCraft: Cricut Expressions Electronic Die Cut Machines with "Accent Esentials" cartridge, Making Memories: Paper Reveries "Butterflies", Sizzix: Die Cut "Flower Layers", Papertrey Ink: Dies, "Beautiful Blooms", "Delightful Dahlia"

December Sketch Challenge

This month the wonderful and very talented Susan Stringfellow had sketched us this fun holiday sketch to play with this month ...come and play along and you might win a gift certificate to the Memorable Seasons store ...how cool is that!!!
Here is a link to Susan's sketch blog ....sketch savvy
And here is this months sketch

You have a chances to win a gift certificates to the MS store. If you complete a layout using this sketch and post it in the gallery and this thread, your name will be entered for a $10 gift certificate to the store. Wow! How about that for exciting! Deadline is Friday, December 31th at midnight!!!

Megan's DT challenge: Making Your List and Checking it Twice

If you are anything like me, you like to make lists to keep everything organized. With Christmas coming up next week, I've been checking my list several times a day so I don't forget anything that needed to be done.

One of the items on my list was to put together some teacher gifts. Between both of my kids, I have 13 teacher gifts to prepare. That could quickly get pretty pricey, so I came up with a fun idea that also helps to quickly cross the teacher gifts off my list!

 I am giving the teachers a decorated brown gift bag filled with a dinner that is quick and easy to fix: spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, green beans and a package of brownie mix. All they need to do is add bread and meat to the sauce and they will have an instant meal ready for their family. Because, let's face it, our schedules get busy during this season, and who doesn't like an easy meal you didn't have to plan out? :)

I included the brownie mix directions and a card that explains the purpose behind the gift:
"This time of the year is always so busy,
and we wanted to bless you with a dinner that’s easy
so you can spend more time with your family.
Thanks for all you do and enjoy!"

My challenge for you this week is to create a customized gift for someone on your list. It can be store bought and decorated with a card to match, or you can do a hybrid gift...partly store-bought, partly homemade. Just remember to keep it easy so you have more time to mark off other things on your to-do list! :)

Sketch Artist this Month!!!!

This is my friend Susan Stringfellow and I just love using her sketches ....she is very talented and you can see her work in many different scrapbooking or card making magazines .....here is her bio .....
I think I have been scrapbooking since about 1997. I have been writing and designing in this industry since 2002. Recently I have been involved in product development and design. Before I started working in this industry, I enjoyed cross stitching, quilting, and crochet, so I often have stitching and textiles in my projects. My style has changed dramatically as trends have changed and I am always looking for fun new techniques to try in my projects. I totally LOVE patterned paper! I am not the best at clean graphic designs, I tend to lean more toward the layered and embellished styles such as a shabby or boutique look and I really love participating in challenges. All of this has led me to designing sketches that incorporate my style.
Here is a link to her sketches ...Sketch Savvy

December... it IS almost here!

Where did October go? And November for that matter? How are we already on the eve of December? Well... we are and this December 1st is a bittersweet blogpost for me! I, like Detta decided it was time to step away from the MSDT. Working with Jill, and the various team members over the years has been great fun, and their creativity is beyond inspiring. You all know Jill as a great store owner, but she is also a great boss, and friend. I am blessed for the time with her and MS. Thank you Jill!!!

Now, onto this whole its already December freak out moment I am having! As you look at your calendar remember a few things...

1. If your December Daily makes you crazy, put it aside, and just write down a memory from each day, then go make it in January while you eat leftover cookies. Me, I like crazy, so in a fit of freakish scrapping I put mine together yesterday. We'll see how this goes...
2. If you cherish hand made gifts, but know your aunt throws them out, stop. Stop making aunty a handmade gift and get her a gift card. Save yourself time, hurt feelings, and crafty bitterness. :)
3. Make at least one card, layout, or crafty bit of something this month that is not Christmas themed. I know, crazy talk. BUT... maybe making that layout about the beach will be just the vacation you need from the busyness!
4. Above all... stop. Take time to enjoy your family, and do something fun,meaningful, and memory worthy.

Merry Christmas to all, it has been a great ride, and I am ever thankful for Jill, MS and each of you! Your new DT crew is AMAZING too... get ready for them to rock your socks off this year!!

Farewell but not goodbye

I thought I'd use my last blog post to say thank you. Thank you for being such a great group of crafters. Thank you for being such supportive friends. Thank you for making my stint as Design Team Member and Coordinator such a pleasant, enjoyable experience. The last two years have been both fun and stressful. I loved every minute of trying to make this site an enjoyable and educational; experience every time you visit. It was also stressful in that I worried I wasn't doing enough, sometimes. However, I have been very fortunate to have led a great group of ladies on the Design Team who have helped me out tremendously. Jill has been the most generous and thoughtful "boss" I could have ever hoped for. I was very fortunate to have met her in person and found her as gracious and sweet as she is on line. I promise you would love her if you met her, too.

So, it is a bittersweet thing to say farewell to this gig. I will continue to be an active member of this site because this is my scrapbooking home. However, I have just gotten really busy with work and grandkids and even occasional photography jobs that people actually want to pay me for! That last part still surprises me. haha. I have passed the baton to Telah and I know that she will do a terrific job keeping things running smoothly around here. The new Design Team looks great and I am eagerly looking forward to seeing what they come up with. I love you all dearly.

Detta

Christmas Gift Ideas

Do you like making gift for the holiday season? If you do, then you need to check out the threads from our Thursday night Happy Hour, hosted by Christy. She had some great ideas for handmade gifts. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Weekly DT Challenge--Creating a grid on your layout

It's Tuesday and time for another weekly DT challenge! 

Sometimes I just like to create a layout with lots of photos and one of the quickest ways to do that is to create a grid on your layout base, then add your page elements in the spaces of the grid.

Here's my layout:

I created a grid with the Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, to give some structure to my layout. The grid on this page reminds me of a present, so I added a red ribbon with a button center.

 The other areas that were left on my page were the bottom for my title and the top is where I added some tags with journaling and another photo I wanted to add, but since it was a little blurry, I decided to hide it in the pocket. To create the pocket, I simply added adhesive to the sides and bottom of the photo and the tags slid in nicely behind the photo.

My challenge for you this week is to create a grid on your layout--you can use pen lines, ribbon, paper, etc. Just use your imagination and see what you can come up with!

This weeks Challenge!!!!

This week I am incharge of a few things around here so get ready for a "colorful" ride ...get it ......this week it is all about color for me and to get the week started the newest rage are all the color challenges ...so I thought that I would try one this week ....here is your color challenge ...some nice warm colors ...






This is your color palette ....please use at least 3 of the colors and you can add black, white and kraft to the project ...have fun!!! Can not wait to see what y'all come up with ....

Here is my page:

November DT Kit

We were sponsored this month by Jillibean Soup ....love this company we received all this paper, trim, labels, stickers and alphabet stickers ....I loved all the different trim and all the craft colored paper ...check out all the products from the Christmas Chestnut Collection here
Here is one of the pages that I made:

New Design Team members search

Memorable Seasons http://www.memorableseasons.com/
is holding a Design Team search until Nov 6. A decision will be made by Nov 13.

Memorable Seasons is an on-line scrapbook store, gallery and message board dedicated to documenting all the seasons in your life. We are searching for two more designers to complete our team.

To apply, please email the following to memorableseasons@yahoo.com
1.links to your online gallery, blog and/or resume, if available
2. your full contact information: name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. Include your message board name if you sign up for the gallery under a name other than your given name.
3. a short paragraph or two about why you want to be one of our designers and what you would add to our team
4. a list of your current scrapbooking commitments – other DT work, etc
5. and then upload to our gallery at http://www.memorableseasons.com/ the following

photos or scans of 3 total projects to include
• your favorite layout
• one card
• one altered item or an additional card
We prefer those who are not currently on a design team affiliated with a store. Manufacturer, sketch site or kit clubs with no stores attached are okay. Additional details can be found here.

Design team members will receive a monthly kit sometime after the 10^th of the month. You are required to create and share at least 4 projects using mostly the items in your kit on the 1^st of each month. One of those 4 projects must be a card. You will also be required to choose a layout of the week, issue a DT challenge and post to the blog on a rotating basis with the other DT members. Other requirements include active participation on the message board, on line crops, occasional happy hour duties, creating a layout based on a monthly sketch and any other promotions that may come up. Term is 6 months with an option to extend by 6 more months and a limit of 1 year.

November Sneak Peek #1

Can you figure out who is sponsoring the Memorable Season's DT this month????

Come and check out all the new Halloween paper that you will need for all the cute little ghost and gobblins pictures you will be taking this weekend  ....Halloween  or all the beautiful new Christmas collections that are out in the store Christmas ......have a great day!!!

October Sketch Challenge is here!!!!

We have another wonderful sketch this month from "The Scrappiest" ..the wonderful Liz ...here is a link to her blog:
The Scrappiest


Have fun with this sketch because I know I did ...it was really easy to put together!!!

You have a chances to win a gift certificates to the MS store. If you complete a layout using this sketch and post it in the gallery and this thread, your name will be entered for a $10 gift certificate to the store. Wow! How about that for exciting! Deadline is Sunday, October 31th at midnight!!!

Doily flower

I bring to you a new flower tutorial. I went to a class at a local craft store a couple of weeks ago and made this really cool wreath with lots of hand made flowers on it.

Can you see the yellow ones? Those were made from doilies and I'm going to show you how to do it. It is really simple.

Start with a paper doilie, an inkpad, a button, glue dots and a small rubberband.

crumple it up in your hand into a little ball and then smooth it back out.

blot ink onto the doilie using a sponge or an ink dauber. Do not rub it because the edges of the doily are delicate and will tear.

Turn it upside down. Put a glue dot in the middle and place a button there. The color of the button does not matter because it won't show. This is your chance to use your ugly buttons!

Pinch the doily around the button and wrap the rubber band around it to hold it.

Then spread your flower out gently and use on your product. So easy!

Home Mini Album Prompt: Favorite Room

Good morning! I don't know if it feels like Fall where you live, but is sure does here and I'm loving it! We are now in week 5 of our Home mini album journey. If you have been following along, you should have enough pages done now to really make your mini album look great! And if you haven't started one yet, why not join in? These mini's will make great keepsakes for years to come.

This week, my prompt is for you to document that favorite room in your house. It may be the room that you love to spend time alone in. Or maybe the one place where everyone gathers and wonderful conversations fill the air. Maybe you want to remember the evenings spent on your porch with that special someone.

For me, I chose to remember our bedroom. A few years ago, we decided to buy new bedroom furniture and make it the one room that didn't have crayon marks on the walls or spills on the carpet. We wanted a room that we could spend time in and feel relaxed and at ease. We love our bedroom now (although the crayons still seemed to sneak their way in)! And even though it is our sanctuary away from the everyday chaos, the children still feel welcome. There are fun times when they all crawl into bed with us for a movie together. It is also where they come in the middle of the night after having a bad dream. The door is ALWAYS open to them and I think that is one of the reasons why this room is so special to me.

Home Album Prompt: Week 4-- Our Town

It's Megan here with your Week 4 prompt for your home album. Many of you are doing these as mini albums, but I just ended up keeping mine as a 12x12 page (actually a 2 pager). I had this cool newspaper article I wanted to use along with my photos.

The theme this week is Our Town--what makes your town unique or what do you like to do around town?

Here's my layout I created about my town:

I can't wait to see what you create about your own town!

Memorable Seasons Snap! Crackle! Pop! via #constantcontact

Memorable Seasons Snap! Crackle! Pop! via #constantcontact

October Reveal sneak peek #1

I had so much fun with these supplies. Here is just a small peek at what I did with a couple of projects

Be here Friday for the "rest of the story."

 :D  :D  :D

Week #3 Home Challenge: Around Your Home

My challenge for you this week is right outside your door ....look around either the outside of your house, or take a picture really right outside your door ....or right inside your door ....what do things look like around you!!!!




I did a page on the street sign right in our yard and the new flag that I just bought that is in our flowerbed ...thanks for looking and have fun with this challenge!!!

New Sketch Challenge this month ....

This month the September Sketch Challenge is brought to us by the wonderful Liz Chidester, who is known as “marthasdaughter” on the Memorable Seasons forum. And she will be the guest sketch artist for the next few months ....go check out her cool blog at:


http://www.thescrappiest.blogspot.com/
 
 
 
 
 

My name is Liz Chidester, I’m known as “marthasdaughter” on the Memorable Seasons forum. I have been scrapping for over 11 years now, since my first child was born. I started my sketch blog over a 1 ½ yrs ago. I am so happy and surprised at the success of my blog so far. I have been fortunate to have great designers to showcase examples for the use of my sketches. Currently I am the exclusive sketch designer for 2 kits clubs and I have been a guest sketcher several times for various challenges and sites. I absolutely LOVE Memorable Seasons so I am so excited to be the sketch designer for the next few months.
 

You have a chances to win a gift certificates to the MS store. If you complete a layout using this sketch and post it in the gallery and this thread, your name will be entered for a $10 gift certificate to the store. Wow! How about that for exciting! Deadline is Thursday, September 30th at midnight

Home Challenge. Week #2

Welcome to week #2 of our Home Challenge Series! This week is all about the place you used to call home... yep, the house you grew up in. Now, it may have been crazy, messy, neat as a pin, or always a place of peace and comfort, but whatever the home you grew up in was, pick one aspect of it to scrap about...

"Back Home: A Memory from the House You Grew Up In"

You can go alot of different angles with this challenge. A tradition, a special room, or a special treasure. Maybe it is that smell that always says "Home" to you... let's hear about it and see your creations!

Here is mine:

Just one thing- week one of the Home Mini

Welcome to the mini-book edition of the DT challenge. Over the next few weeks, the DT will be giving you prompts for pages that have a "Home" theme. Our hope is that you will take these prompts and create a mini-book that you and your family will cherish. If a mini-book is not your thing, then you are welcome to create full size pages.

Just to give you some idea of how I plan to approach this project, I am going to share my cover with you. I used a piece of 6x6 clear acrylic and decorated it with papers from the American Crafts Abode Collection. I will be using this line of papers and embellishments throughout my book to keep a consistent look to it. You certainly do not have to use the same approach. This just helps me make decisions easier. I will be binding my book with my Bind It All at the end so I have already punched the holes.

 I cut my inside pages from Kraft cardstock and made them each 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 to have a little room around the edges. I also punched holes in those pages, too so I'd know where my embellishing would have to stop.

So, your first prompt is "Just one thing." Tell me about something in your home that has a special meaning to it or is very important to you and why. I took a trip around my house and gathered up a few things that have stories and took pictures of them. Here are a few of them.

This ceramic tea lite holder was a gift that my uncle brought to my grandmother from Taiwan when he was stationed there in the 70s. When she died, it was one of the items, along with her stoneware dishes that I took from her house as a remembrance. I've had it since she died in 1977. I also still have the dishes but I did a whole page on those a couple of years ago.

 This is a piece of polished stone that my husband gave me early in our relationship while we were still teenagers. It stays on my dresser and is one of my favorite possessions.

 This is one piece from a vast collection of decorated cows that used to belong to my sister-in-law. When she died 5 years ago and my brother began the process of going through their house to sell it, he offered me anything I wanted from a vast array of decorative things and clothes and purses. I didn't want any of those things, but I chose this cow because whenever I look at it, I am reminded of her.

This is my rocking chair. Curtis gave it to me for my 18th birthday and I still have it.

I looked at these things plus a few others and decided to use the chair. I took more pictures of it and opted to go with a close up of the arm so you can see the wear on it that many years of loving touches have given it. Here is my finished page.

If you click on the picture, it will get big enough for you to read the journaling. Now, it is your turn. Find something special in your home and tell us the story.