Making Memories

MM Halloween Party

Today we had a Halloween party at Making Memories.  Everyone dressed up.

This is Waldo.

Can you find Waldo in the rest of the pictures?

Then we played the "mummy game."

Happy Halloween

It's Halloween and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than to give a lucky winner a prize pack of MM Halloween goodies.

Post a comment and tell us what you or your kids are going to dress up as this year.

Happy Birthday

Someone is having a birthday today.  Join us in sending birthday wishes to Christy Tomlinson by posting a comment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

How can we improve?

What would you like to see Making Memories doing for next year?  How can we improve our blog, our website, our product, our packaging, our promotions, our ads, you name it. 

What are we doing well that you would like us to continue?

We want your feedback.  Let us know what you think by posting a comment on our blog.  We will pick three winners on Friday to receive the newest products from Making Memories.

Our ears are open, so let us know what you think.

Multiple Year Photo Layout

I love looking back through my scrapbook albums to see all the fun Halloween costumes that I use to wear.  My favorite by far is my scarecrow costume.  I even won an award at the party I attended that night. This year, I was inspired by an idea from MM's Show & Tell book by Erin Terrell.  This is a great way to show multiple Halloween costume photos in one layout.   

1. Trim 9" x 9" background out of cardstock
2. Add various photos to showcase Halloween through the years
3. Trim patterned paper and ribbons for boarders
4. Add rub-ons, stickers and metal accents
5. Place small envelopes on page
6. Cover chipboard letters with black paint and allow to dry
7. Add chipboard letters and brads to envelopes

• Brads, cardstock paper, charmed enamel, colorboard stickers, patterned paper, word fetti, scrapbook colors acrylic paint and rub-on mini: Making Memories
• Ribbon: Michaels
• Envelopes: Bazzill Basics cardstock

Inspiration for a Friday

Today's inspiration come from Jeanette.  Take a look at her blog for inspiration incorporating MM's Desktop Organizer.

Use the new Making Memories Mini Halloween album to create an album featuring Halloween costumes through the years!  I used the album and lots of the new Halloween papers and embellishments to put together a mini album dedicated to my kids and their costumes (along with some fun memories) over the years.  I started with my daughter’s very first Halloween (way back in 1997) and created pages to hold photos through 2015! 

This is a project I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and I’m so excited to have it done.  Now, for the next 12 years, all I need to do is add a photo and fill out the journaling card that is tucked behind each photo mat!

Wendy

   

   

Do you ever get stuck trying to figure out what to do with all of your Halloween photos?  Well today is your day because we are going to show you a bunch of fun page layouts using MM's Halloween program.

Take a look for ideas and instructions.

Todays Halloween layout comes from Amber Packer:

One technique I used on this layout, is that  I allowed myself to change my mind.  I originally designed this layout for a different photo.  It’s a cool photo and I still need to take the time to scrap it before I forget about it.  Even though I designed the layout for that photo, the layout wasn’t right for the photo. 

My tip for you today:  Trust instincts.  Allow yourself the freedom to change your mind even if you’re almost done with your project. 

"The only one telling you “you can't do it” is you.  And you don't have to listen.”   ~ unknown

Most of all … ENJOY! 

Would you like to make this layout?  Follow these simple steps:

1. Trim Foiled Black paper to 4 x 12, adhere black scalloped ribbon to left side and adhere to 4 ½ x 12 Bank Roll Bazzill Bling cardstock.
2. Adhere to back of Large Dot paper.  Sew, zigzag & straight stitch, along left side.  (To protect your sewing machine, do not put adhesives where you will sew)
3. Trim Funky Stripe paper to 2 x 12 (vertical stripes).  Rip the bottom (the messier the better). 
4. Trim Glitter Check to 1 x 12.  Tie ribbons to right side.  Adhere to Funky Stripe paper with ¼” of stripe paper showing on top.
5. Glue Funky Orange trim to bottom of Glitter Check paper.  Zigzag along top
6. Trace file folder pattern on Flocked Spider Web paper & cut out.  Fold over as desired.  Adhere to page.  Add black foil title on file folder.
7. Add photos, white rub-ons, journaling (in white pen) and Halloween Colorboard photo corner (top right corner).

CKU Orlando

CKU-A Orlando was a blast! Jayme, Hillary, and I had the best time with the best students and some of the best classes. We were even lucky enough to use MM new program – Noteworthy. Everybody love, loved the new product. The classes we taught were filled to the brim with amazing women who were so excited and gracious. I love it when everyone is so excited about scrapbooking, learning new techniques, and making new friends.

We had 80 fabulous women in our album track. We had close to nine hours together “sharing” The Fresh Anthology album was packed with beautiful product, fun techniques and key words to journal about! We were so thrilled to have had such a great time with new friends, old friends and each other! I loved being at CKU with my dear friends and co-workers Hil and Jaymes!

   

Thanks for another wonderful time, creating more memories to scrap!

Loves…

Kiss kiss

m

Halloween means parties and parties, especially during Halloween means spooky decor.  This idea comes from our Show & Tell book and was created by Christy Tomlinson.

How To:

1. Adhere "Happy Halloween" rub-on around edge of plate and place gems in between any repeated sayings
2. Tie ribbons and the letter "H' around base of goblet, placing gem on alphabet
3. Gather and tie silverware together with ribbon
4. Cut a small piece of cardstock, add letter "H" sticker on top and punch hole in corner for threading ribbon
5. For place card, cut and fold cardstock in half, adding an accent strip of patterened paper across top half
6. Use rub-on and pen for guest's initials
7. Place two gems under left hand side of patterned paper strip

My children are just at the perfect age where they love to play games and Halloween parties are no exceptions. We love Halloween because it’s a time where we are allowed to be silly in our decorations, parties, and games too.   There are lots of games you can make and play with using the MM Halloween line. I decided to create these easy bingo cards for a game to play on Halloween night. Plus they are easy enough to create, that your kids can help make them as well.

Instructions:

1. Download the Halloween Bingo Card template from this blog.
2. Print out onto 8”x11” cardstock or paper. I used the Making Memories Kraft Paper.
3. Use the MM foam stamps and paint to stamp the inside squares of each card, EXCEPT for the middle.
4. The middle square is considered a “free” square so feel free to decorate it anyway you like!  I used MM Halloween wordfetti and colorboard stickers.

For the circles, I used the MM Halloween paper and punches circles out, to cover up the squares as they go. I also punch out several circles from Kraft paper and stamped each image I used on the bingo cards, onto the circles.  I placed them into a bowl and when we are ready to play I will simply draw one from the bowl for the kids to find on their cards and cover up!

Have fun and enjoy!
Christy

This project comes from Jamie Harper. She used MM's new Halloween line to create a mini book. We loved it and wanted to share.

 

I am so lucky to have a craft room such as this all to myself. 

We have 4 bedrooms upstairs and I took over one that we used to use as a playroom. The girls never played in it and all it did was store toys. I was out growing the little office we have downstairs pretty fast.  One day it dawned on me that I should take on the extra bedroom for my “toys.” 

   

My husband offered to have a craft table made for me, so of course I took him up on his offer.  Not long after that I had a desk with shelves made that was supposed to go into the closet. The measurements were off so it doesn’t’ actually fit in there, but still works in my space perfectly.

I love the six windows and high ceilings that flood the room with natural light, especially on sunny days.

There really isn't anything that I would change. It makes me feel good to be able to scrap in such a great space. I try real REALhard to keep it clean and organized.  My husband and the girls are often in here with me, they usually take over the computer while I am scrapping. It nice to have them around so I am not alone! I am lucky...and I am very grateful!

~Keisha

Today Julie Turner is celebrating a birthday.  Great birthdays include lots of birthday wishes, so join us in wishing her a happy day. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!

Here are the answers to the Halloween guessing game.

#1: Maggie

   

#2: Wendy

#3: Kelly

Congratulations to Kim Faucher for guessing them correctly. Kim, email me your address (jweston@makingmemories.com) so we can send your Halloween prize.

There are parties that can be thrown together quickly, with food, some friends, and a game or two. But Halloween parties are all about the atmosphere and that is where decorations come into play! Nothing too complicated, time consuming, or expensive - you will still have plenty of time to transform yourself and your little goblins into other worldly creatures!

We begin with an extremely simple, but effective project using these fabulous Line Art Stickers. By simply adhering the stickers around a 6-inch pillar candle, you can create a work of art - letting the candle's flame make a creepy and somewhat elegant atmosphere for your party. Try putting this candle in a bathroom, or group several of different sizes on a fireplace hearth.

Next is a centerpiece - you need an attention grabber to help balance out all of those delicious concoctions on the serving table. A haunted pipe cleaner tree is the perfect base for these darling decorations which are also extremely easy to make. This time we use the velvet stickers for our bidding. The flat black of the stickers against the colored cardstock draws your eye, without overpowering the effect of the tree. Adhere the sticker to cardstock scraps in colors of your choosing and cut them out, leaving a small border and a little tab to attach the ornament to the tree with a ribbon.

And finally, another but completely different candle creation - the spider web candelabra. These Chipboard Buttons look like glittering gems in the candlelight, wound around the tapers with a black wire - a little like a spiders web. This is also a simple project with a very big impact.

1. Cut a piece of 18 to 22 guage black wire about 18 inches long. The larger the guage, the thinner the wire and thinner wire is easier to weave the buttons on. I used 18 guage.
2. Using some small needle nose pliers, bend the end of the wire to create a small swirl - this will just put a finishing edge on the wire. 
3. Now start with your first button and string it on the wire. I recommend you do one hole at a time, stringing the button almost to the end of the wire before you pull the wire through the other hole. The wire is stiff and not as pliable as thread or ribbon - this may take some time, but it is worth the effort.
4. Once the first button is on, use the candle as a template. Hold the button in place on the front of the candle and wrap the wire around the back (doesn't need to be tight), starting the spiral of the wire upward and decide where the second button will go. String it on as you did the first. 
5. Continue in this fashion until you have added all the buttons you want. The candle is only a template and you can take the wire spiral off each time you add a button. Trim off any excess wire and use the pliers again to round off the end. Once finished, slide the completed button spiral onto the candle and make adjustments as needed.

I hope these few projects give you some decorating ideas for your Halloween party! I know Halloween is a time for tricks so I just wanted to share a few of my treats with you. Happy Haunting!

Joey

 

It's time for another guessing game. Can you tell who is in these Halloween costumes?  Guess by posting a comment on our blog.  Put the name of the person next to each number.

NUMBER 1

NUMBER 2 (for this picture you need to look at the tall girl in the back with the blond wig)

NUMBER 3

Guess from:

MM's Publicist - Kelly

MM's project designer - Maggie

MM's project designer - Wendy

   

I'll pick a winner on Friday, October 12th.  The winner will get a prize package including the latest MM's Halloween supplies.

Good luck guessing!

Sometimes I wonder how I lucked out to get such a fabulous job! I LOVE to travel – anywhere or anytime, it doesn’t matter to me. When the opportunity came up to travel to the Netherlands with Patty Smith, MM’s Director of Sales, I jumped on the chance. The purpose of us going there was to teach classes at an event hosted by our distributor KARS.  Traveling with Patty is always an adventure and this trip was no exception.

Next we took a train to Belgium, since it is only a few hours away, and we spent the afternoon touring Brussels before heading to the KARS event in Tiel. The event at KARS was wonderful, the staff could not have been more helpful and welcoming, it was all very well organized and they are just fun people.  It was a wonderful way to end our trip.

Patty and I were determined to take advantage of the fabulous opportunity of being in this beautiful and fascinating location. We both had the usual jet lag, but didn’t let that get us down. We spent a couple of days in Amsterdam powering through the Van Gogh and Rembrandt Museums as well as the Anne Frank house.  We toured the city on foot and through the canal on a tour boat.

The flock and foil kit is really a fun and unique way to add an accent to your page.  It’s easy too!  Here are some step-by-steps on how to use it.

   

1.  Find the design you like and cut it out (backing too)

2.  Decide where you want to put it on your page

3.  Remove the backing

4.  Rub the sticker onto your project

5.  Place the foil sheet (or flocking sheet) directly over the sticky design

6.  Rub with the craft stick

7.  Carefully remove the foil sheet

Have fun adding foil and flock to all of your Halloween projects – pages, cards, gift bags, etc.!!

Enjoy

Wendy

Amber (from purchasing) is getting married this weekend, so we had a bridal shower for her last week. The menu for this party was a deluxe salad bar with lots of yummy toppings. And, since we ate so well, we finished off with lots of delicious cakes, brownies, and cookies. 

The hit at the party was the two electric fondue pots that she got. I hope Amber knows that she'll be in charge of the next party because we are all in the mood for some chocolate dipped strawberries.

Join us in congratulating Amber and her husband on their new life together.  We are so happy and excited for both of them.

    

I can't believe it's Fall already! The Summer just flew by, didn't it? I think this was the fastest summer ever for me. School is in full swing now, and Halloween is just around the corner.  For the month of October we are going to focus on creating little project that will help you prepare for all of your Halloween parties.  Today we are going to show you a great invitation.  Check back each Thursday for ideas including decorations, party favors, and even ideas for all the photos that you have for this season.

This Halloween invitation was made using MM's new Halloween line of papers and embellishments, which is really fun stuff!

Here's how you make the invitation:

1. Cut Halloween Foiling paper (the black patterned paper) to 5 1/2H x 5 1/8W". Cut Halloween Funky Stripe paper to 5 1/8H x 4 3/4W". Round all corners with a corner rounding punch then adhere the Funky Stripe centered onto the black paper.
2. Cut Halloween Paper Word paper to 4 1/2H x 4 3/4W" and adhere to the center of the card.
3. Cut Halloween Large Dot paper to 3 3/4H x 4 1/4"W and adhere to the center of the the card (black side up). Machine stitch a zigzag stitch along the top of that paper.
4. Print words on Halloween Paper Word Pattern paper (on the solid orange side) then cut to 2 1/8H x 4 W", round corners and adhere (solid orange side up) right below stitching.
5. Print words on Halloween Paper Word Pattern paper (on the solid orange side) then cut two 3/8H x 4 1/2W" strips and adhere (solid orange side up) as seen in the picture.
6. Punch holes, add pebble brads, bat clear shape, ribbon and trim. The cover of the invitation is made using Halloween GlitterCheck paper, Halloween FlockedSpider paper and an epoxy curling tag.

Enjoy the season! 

Leah

Are you crafty? Sometimes I want to do something a little different and be crafty on my pages...really get down and create something from scratch. But, sometimes I just don't know where to start. Inspiration can come in the form of a simple design - a small flicker of an idea.

In my "cat" page, I came across a Halloween spider web on a shirt and immediately thought of being crafty! I decided to take the simple design and transport it to my page - using fabric paint to make the dots. The fabric paint comes in a nifty bottle that has a small and pointy top for easy dot creation. Some light pencil lines are all that was needed to keep the web lines straight. When using fabric paint, give yourself plenty of drying time and be extra careful not to smudge. Once the paint is dry, erase the lines.   I then added some embellishments from MM's Halloween collection to complete the look.

The final look is clean, simple, and a little creepy - just right for H