Making Memories

Great Gift Ideas

Here is another great gift options for those who need help organizing.  This Embellishment Box neatly stores most, if not all, your embellishments in this sturdy paper covered chipboard box. The top section has 32 compartments, perfect for storing alphabets. Plus, two drawers, each with 16 compartments. It makes organizing your space so easy.

Look for the Embellishment Center in your local scrapbook store.

Santa's Winners

Thank you to everyone who posted their MM Christmas list on our blog. I wish we could grant everyone's wishes. We were able to pick five.  Here is the list:

Posted by: jane jones | December 12, 2007 at 01:27 AM

Posted by: Laurie Rosenbaugh | December 12, 2007 at 04:10 AM

Posted by: chantal | December 12, 2007 at 04:04 AM

Posted by: Sharon Larmour | December 12, 2007 at 04:45 AM

Brenda Delamater | December 12, 2007 at 06:35 AM 

If you are a winner, please email me your address so I can send your prize (jweston@makingmemories.com)

I hope this season is merry for all!

Creative Bows

 

As you are preparing your holiday gifts, try this great idea.  Make your holiday bows using double-sided paper.

1. Cut double-sided paper to 3" x 12".
2. Cut into 1/2" x 12" strips and punch small holes near ends as well as every 3 7/8" increments.
3. Slip end hole of strip onto brad.
4. Take next hole on strip, loop up towards brad, twist outward 180 degrees and slip onto brad.
5. Repeat for remaining holes and strips, then open prongs of brad to securely hold paper.
6. Adjust loops for even spacing.
7. If additional loops are desired and first brad is at capacity, use second brad to create additional loops then glue to center of first loop arrangement.

Supplies: Brads, St. Nick paper, and Pebble Brads: Making Memories

Other: 1/16" hole punch

Santa-sized Scrapbook Giveaway!

You're plenty busy buying, wrapping, cooking, and planning this holiday season. How about a little treat for you? We're celebrating Christmas the Making Memories way by delivering five of our wonderful and loyal readers with a Santa-sized helping of their (scrapbook) wish list.

If you want a Santa-sized helping, leave a comment on our blog with your wishes.

Five lucky winners will be awarded on Friday, December 14th.

Decorating Your Home with MM: Looped Tree

 

This idea was created by Jill Godon. She used MM's holiday programs to create this beautiful decoration. 

1. Trim various sheets of patterned paper into 1" x 4" strips
2. Bend strips in half, creating loop, and layer over foam tree
3. Use map pins to secure each corner, making sure to overlap loops about 1/4" on each side
4. Start from bottom and work upwards
5. Glue floral wire between two chipboard star shapes, leaving 2" exposed at bottom of star
6. Use paper piercer to poke hole in top of tree and place star
7. Decorate tree with brads, gem stickers and ribbon

This idea came from Making Memories Season of Joy idea book.  Make sure to check it out for more great ideas.

Holiday Special on MM Product

Don't miss out on this holiday season's most popular gifts from Making Memories including the popular Desktop Carousel.

And to make this an even sweeter deal, you will get free shipping on all orders over $50. Use promotion code FS2007 at check out. (this is for the continental US only).

All order need to be placed before December 18th to arrive by Christmas.

ORDER NOW!

Great Gift Ideas

MM's Noteworthy collection has been a huge hit ever since it was released.  This collection features striking ledger designs dressed in three vibrant color families. It's definitely deserving of attention. Look for this collection in your local scrapbooking store or online.

As a bonus, here is a sample from Wendy using this collection.

Quick Holiday Cards

Who said that making your own holiday cards had to take hours and hours and hours?  It's simply not true. I made this set of six cards in less than one hour - and it was easy!

I just pulled out all of the coordinating holiday products, cut and scored my card bases (from white cardstock) and begun to embellish. Because the products all work together, there was absolutely no guesswork - I just picked up a few patterned papers, some fun embellishments, and put them together! Imagine how quickly I could have made all of my cards if I had been making a single design, rather than various designs. 

 

I challenge you to pull out some coordinating product and see how many cards you can make in 30 minutes - you just might be surprised. Upload your creations when you are done so we can all get more ideas.

Wendy

Gift-Card Challenge

All of the challenges this month will be geared around gift-giving since it's the holiday season.  This idea was featured in MM's Season of Joy book and was created by Jill Godon.

1. Cut and score cardstock.
2. Arrange patterned paper backgrounds onto cards and machine stitch.
3. Use decorative edged scissors to create boarder and attach to each card using decorative tape and machine stitching.
4. Apply rub-on greetings and ribbon to cards.
5. Use slot punching tool to hold gift cards in place.
6. For card A, punch four holes on all sides of gift card using 3/8" slot, weave ribbon through holes and tie into two separate bows over gift card, resembling a present.
7. For card B, use crescent punch to create slots where gift card can rest.

This is a great gift idea, espeically for last minute gift cards. The great package will make it look like you were totally on the ball this year and didn't have to do last minute shopping.

Advent Calendar

Advent calendars are always fun to create during this holiday season. Today's advent calendar idea comes from Katie from California. See below for her instructions.

Supplies Needed

• White spray primer and spray paint
• 25 magnets (preferably silver and not black because black tends to leave scuff marks)
• Cookie sheet (non-Teflon)
• Assorted pieces (for daily magnet)
• Paper Trimmer and scissors
• Wet adhesive (i.e. Fabri-tac)
• Black pen, white pen, pencil
• Paper Piercer
• Sanding block
• White paint and small paintbrush
• Instant setter
• Wire cutter

Helpful Hints

Buying the cookie sheet: You just need an inexpensive cookie sheet. The dollar store has a great selection. You DON'T want a Teflon one because the magnets wont stick.

Painting the coolie sheet: You need to use spray primer and paint. I used a primer called American Accents - Oil based primer (made by Rust-Oleum) and then followed it up with American Accents Blossom White spray paint in a smooth satin finish.

**Note: It is important to spray the middle of the coolie sheet even though it will be covered with paper. It only needs the primer and it doesn't have to be a perfect coat.  Your paper will stick to the metal better with the primer coat.

Preparing the cookie sheet: Sand the edges of the cookie sheet lightly to give a distressed look. Brush off any paint dust from sanding.

Preparing the background (2 sheets of vintage snowflake paper):Use a corner rounder to round the top two corners of one piece of paper and the bottom two corners of the other piece of paper.

1. Use a get glue (i.e. Fabri-tac), glue down the vintage snowflake papers, being sure to adhere as close to the edge of the cookie sheet as possible. Rub the paper down so that the glue underneath disperses evenly.
2. Glue down the red snowflake paper making sure the paper is centered (so the space above and below are even).
3. Create a calendar template (or email jweston@makingmemories) for one. Leave a little border all the way around instead of cutting it right to the black line.

1. Center the calendar paper in the middle of the red paper and adhere down.
2. Glue two strips of white ric-rac on the border of the red and green paper.
3. Arrange letter for the title. Distress edges for a vintage look.

Attach a wire hanger: Use your Instant Setter to punch two holes evenly apart on the outer edges of the cookie sheet. Thread a wire through, wrapping the ends up and around, trim any excess with wire cutters.