Making Memories

Organizing Your Stickers

My new and most favorite way to organize my stickers is this "Clip It Up" System. It is a circular hanging rack that comes with clips to which you hang your sticker packages from. I love that I can organize them by color, manufacture, type, or any other way that I can think of. Storing them in the packaging keeps them clean and helps me remember where I got them from. It also works well for rub-ons. Having these at my fingertips keeps them fresh in my mind and has become an instant source of inspiration on more than one occasion.

Joey

What's New in January?

We are excited about the following items that will be shipping to your favorite retail store this month:

 

Garden Party Collection:

Spring fever has arrived at Making Memories in the form of classically clean, yet hip designs. Our new Garden party collection will, just like the season itself, refresh your creations with everything from paper, stickers, die-cuts, blossoms, and more.

 

5th Avenue:

Few places in the world promise the sophisticated fashion found on New York's 5th Avenue, the inspiration for our latest collection. Both Elizabeth and Sophia lines are centered on bold black and white designs, accented wtih red, orange and pink or blue, aqua and olive. Let the albums, papers, trims, and embellishments of Making Memories 5th Avenue collection class up all of your projects.

Blossoms and Button Boxes:

Our blossom and button box collections include 100 buttons, 40 printed paper blossoms, and 20 felt flowers for a total of 160 pieces. The come in three styles: in blooms, funky, and lemonade.

 

Spiral Journaling Books:

Taking notes just looks and feels better when you do it in our 4" x 6" Spiral Journaling Books. Each page features one of six patterns (five of each) for a total of 30 die-cut edge sheets. Tear them out, just like you did during your old school days, for that great frayed-edge look.

We Have a Winner!

Thank you to everyone who posted their organization tips and tricks. Sorry for the delay on my end, but we finally have a winner. Congratulations to Rachal Perry. She is the winner of a MM Carousel. Rachal, email me (jweston@makingmemories.com) so we can send your prize!

Congrats!

Inspiration From Joey - Organizing Your Thoughts

All month you have been learning various ways to organize your tools, embellishments, ribbon, and paper. Now it's time to organize your thoughts.

I am in dire need of a way to organize my thoughts so I decided that a weekly 9x9 inch journal might help. It is nothing intense or complicated - just a simple page with plenty of writing room to capture random thoughts and photos from the past week.

Here is my first page. I used the MM Noteworthy collection because it's gorgeous. I decided to use two small pictures from the past week that captures something about it that I want to remember. The key here is the journaling. I used the extra space to capture random thoughts. That's the way I like to journal because it makes the journal all the more 'me.'

Best of luck organizing your thoughts. If you have more idea on how to do that, let me know.

Joey

CHA Winter Sneak Peak (1 of 3)

If you have been scrapbooking for a while, you know that during the beginning of each year, we head to a trade show where we release lots of new products. The trade show is in Anaheim California on February 10-13. Make sure to keep yourself posted so you can see the latest new products first.

We are going to give sneak peaks on every Friday leading up to the show.

We hope you enjoy.

 

Check back on Friday, February 1st for more.

Organizing Your Paper

I actually have a few different systems going on at the same time for organizing my paper.  I’ll share a few of them – perhaps one will work for you! 

This is my first system.  I’ve shared photos of my ScrapBoxes before – I love them and I love the way they help me organize all of my scrapbook supplies.  These upright containers are perfect for organizing patterned papers.  I used some of the Making Memories 12x12 file folders (trimmed slightly) to divide and organize my patterned papers into categories – Seasons and Colors. 

I like to keep my newest papers out where I can see them.  I have a shelf lined with these Cropper Hopper paper files. Each file holds all the papers from the newest collections.   

Speaking of keeping my newest papers out…here’s another organization tip that involves paper – AND lots of other things!  I LOVE the new Making Memories desktop organizers. I love being able to put all of the coordinating items from a new line in one little box so I can have every single item at my fingertips!  The back slot is perfect for holding 12 x 12 papers and it holds TONS.  The middle slot is perfect for holding paper scraps, stickers and other larger embellishments.  The front slot holds smaller embellishments packages.  There are three little drawers in the bottom that hold other loose embellishments too.  There are also fun little label holders on each drawer and on the end of the entire unit – I’m sure I’ll be collecting these organizers so I can have one for each new collection as they are released!

I hope this gives you some helpful ideas if you’re looking for ways to organize your paper – and if you have a great tip, please share it in the comments below!!

Wendy

Layout by Jennifer

Valentine's Day holds a special place in my heart. It was the day my husband and I had our first "fight" as a couple. I went all out, sewed felt hearts on expensive wool socks, showered him in delicious candies, and made a special tribute present to commemorate our first few months of dating. He greeted me with, "I bought you a rose, it's in the fridge."

Thankfully our Valentine's Day celebrations have improved greatly since that first one, and I look forward to getting in the spirit a little more each year. I love the new Love Story line of papers and embellishments- they make it so easy to create an eye catching layout that celebrates the special connection with your loved ones.

Jennifer

How Do You Organize?

We have been talking about organization all month. We have even been giving tips from our designers on how they keep their stuff together. Now, we want to hear from you. What do you have the most trouble organizing? What organization products do you love? Do you have any tips and tricks for storing paper, stickers, embellishments, tools, etc.?

Let us know by posting a comment. Your comments will be entered into a drawing to win some of our own organization products (hint, hint, our Desktop Carousel). The winner will be announced on Friday, January 25th.

5th Avenue Eye Candy

How about some good ole eye candy for a Monday? This eye candy comes from our 5th Avenue collection that starts shipping at the end of this month. You'll love this program because it's so easy to use and it's great for all types of occasions.

Here are some of my favorites from this line including beautiful trims, epoxy brads, journaling books, and die-cut papers.

And, here are some great samples to get your excitement going.

It's Time to Vote

We had lots of great suggestions on new names for our blog-now it's time for you to vote. We've picked our favorites (in no particular order) and listed them below. Let us know which one you like best by posting a comment with the corresponding number.

1. Be Inspired

2. MM Blog (I know this isn't new, but lots of people still like it)

3. BIB (Be Inspired Blog)

4. Noteworthy

5. MM Inspiration

Let us know what you think.

Organizing Your Ribbon

I made this very easy ribbon box to organize my beautiful Making Memories Noteworthy trim in. It came together so quickly that if you will be surprised once you start! First I covered a pizza box with Making Memories Noteworthy paper. Then using the grommet tool, I made 12 holes and inserted 12 grommets. I added some text and threaded the trim through.  Now look at my pretty box that fits neatly in my chest on drawers and is not only beautiful, but functional too.

Happy organizing!
Wilna

5th Avenue Layouts

MM's new 5th Avenue collection ships out at the end of this month. We wanted to give you a heads up so you can start thinking of all the great things you can create with this new collection.

Today, Julia was kind enough to show us two of her layouts using 5th Avenue. Take a look at her blog for some additional samples using the 5th Avenue collection.

Here are some instructions on creating these pages.

Through Those Eyes

1. Cut a 7 by 12 inch piece from black floral paper. Adhere onto aqua cardstock 2 inch from top edge.
2. Paint onto the black paper using MM Meadow paint.
3. Cut a 2 1/2 by 12 inch piece from blue polka dot paper. Cut bottom edge with large wave decorative scissors.(Save the negative from the strip you cut off) Ink the edges and adhere to page.
4. Cut a 2 by 12 inch piece from the blue squared flower paper. Following the pattern trim along creating a zigzag look. Ink the edges and adhere.
5. Cut a 1 by 12 inch strip from the striped paper. Ink the edges and adhere. Add black ribbon.
6. Use notebook paper from journaling book. Print our type in word processing program. Use chalk to highlight words. Add embellishments and add to page.
7. Use leftover piece from blue polka dot paper. Ink edges and adhere to top of page.

You Make Me Smile

1. Cut out flower design from side piece of flower cutout paper.
2. Stitch a wavy design using sewing machine around green cardstock. If you don’t have a machine, a black detail pen will work perfectly! Ink the edges of the paper.
3. Mat the photo with blue cardstock. Use corner punch to round the edges of the photo and mat. Ink edges.
4. Cut an 11 by 7 inch piece from the blue polka dot paper. Ink edges and adhere to background paper.
5. Using the packaging insert from the chipboard alphabets, trim the black polka dot print to an 8 by 5 inch size. Adhere over polka dot paper.
6. Adhere photo. Cut a 1 1/4 by 8 1/4 inch strip from striped paper. Ink edges and add to layout under photo.
7. Use small die-cut tag, ink edges and add letters and ribbon.  Use die-cut frame for “me”. Ink edges and add blue cardstock square behind frame.
8. Use scalloped paper from journaling book. Tuck under striped paper. Add “smile” and die-cuts.
9. Use die-cut quote circle and brad on side flower paper.
10. Hand cut leaves and additional flowers to layer onto side flower paper. Add brads to flowers and adhere with foam adhesive square.

Spiral Journal Album

Trish Turay emailed me this great idea. This used MM's Noteworthy Spiral Journaling book as her scrapbook album. Take a look.

Pick up a Spiral Journaling book and give it a try.

Candice Stringham's Giveaway

Today Candice Stringham is doing a giveaway.

Take a look at her blog. You will love the prize. I'm sure you will want to participate.

Thanks and the Winner Announced

Thank you to everyone who posted their organizational tips. It was great to hear how everyone organizes.

Congratulations to Suzie. She will be receiving an MM Embellishment Center to add to her scrapbook room.

Suzie (jweston@makingmemories.com), please email me so I can send your prize.

Come back and visit on Monday, we have another giveaway coming soon.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Organizing Your Embellishments

We all have a ton of embellishments and we all know that they can be really hard to organize! I am always looking for great ways to organize things and I found these plastic boxes at Ikea a while back. I just knew that they would be great for something (and they are really inexpensive) so I threw some in my cart! Now they are all filled up and I really love the functionality of them!

I hope this gives you some ideas that you can incorporate into your space! I am always looking for great new ways to organize so feel free to share yours too!!

Maggie

For larger embellishments I have been using these wire metal baskets from Target for years now and they work great. (I believe they still carry them!) There are two sizes - a larger one and a smaller one and I have tons of each! Many of the MM products fit perfectly in these baskets - like the mini rub-ons, brads, sheer frames, and lots more!! Then, it is really easy to flip through them to find just the right thing! 

I can sort like things together but still have them separated by type, color, or manufacturer. I will also sort some things into small baggies and then put the baggies in one of the sections. That helps me to keep things separated if needed and it is also nice to be able to grab the baggie that I need and keep everything else put away.

Layout from Keisha

Check out this great layout from Keisha using MM's Fresh Anthology line. She used the instant setter and slot punching tool. She used those tools to apply her brads and create notches to slip a tag and journaling strip under.

If you want to make it for yourself, here's a quick how-to:

1. Cut ledger paper to 10" x 9" and attach to background paper.
2. Add ribbon cut to the width of ledger paper. Use instant setter to apply brads. Then use stapler to staple ribbon project.
3. Cut a 3" and 2" circle to add to project.
4. Use instant setter to apply snowflakes and brads.
5. Add 4" x 6" photos.
6. Add notches with using slot punch (with the crescent punch) and slide journal strips and tag under.

How Do You Stay Organized?

We want to know how you keep yourself organized and we are giving a great prize away as an incentive.

What is your number one tip for getting and staying organized?

To participate in this contest, you need to post a comment on our blog to answer that question. On Friday, January 11th we will award one lucky winner with a new MM Embellishment Center. We will post the name of the winner on Friday, so make sure you check back to see if it's you.

It's our way to help you stay organized in 2008.

We Need a Name

We need a name for our blog and want to hear your suggestions. What do you think we should call our blog besides the "MM blog." Let us know your thoughts and suggestions by posting a comment. We are going to pick our favorites and then have you vote on them to chose the final name.

We can't wait to hear from you.

Meet Julia

 

We love meeting new people that love to scrapbook. We hope you enjoy it also. Today we are spotlighting Julia who is from Oakville, Missouri.

Julia has been scrapbooking for over 12 years. She started by way of magnetic albums and stickers. In 1999 she saw a scarpbooking kit on QVC, and the rest of the story is history. If you take a look at her stuff, you will see that's she's awesome.

Currently her favorite product to use it the MM's Noteworthy Collection. This program works great for Julia's style. She's also a big fan of brads, ribbon, albums, and glitter.

Julia does have some must-haves when she is scrapbooking. She loves Ju Ju Bees candy along with either a lemonade, Arizona Tea, or a Sonic Fruit Slush. Lately she has been listening to Nickelback, Madonna, OK Go, Top Pop music, 80's hits with Duran Duran, and Depeche Mode. If she's watching TV while scrapbooking, she is most likely watching Grey's Anatomy, The Amazing Race, Survivor, House, Private Practice, or CSI.

Julia loves to learn new things about scarpbooking. Currently she loves the flower and felt craze. She loves to combine the two by layering for a perfect accent. Now that Julia has a sewing machine, she is getting excited about getting crazy with it on her projects.

Julia is always on the look out for inspiration. She finds it on the Internet because there are so many fantastic places to visit. Just seeing how someone places a photos is enough of a jump start for her. She loves to look at Pottery Barn catalogs, Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, and Martha Stewart.

Thanks for letting us know you a little better Julia!

Check back on January 16th to see a layout made by Julia featuring our new 5th Ave collection.

Organizing Your Tools

January is a notorious month for organizing. I don't know about you, but it always makes me feel like I'm starting a new year off right when my things are organized. My scrapbooking stuff is no exception. Scrapbookers have a lot of tools paper, ribbon, you name it.

Every Thursday this month MM's designers are going to share their organization tips with you. If you check back each week and organize along with them, by the time the end of the month comes, your scrapbooking supplies will be in perfect order.

Today Laura Vegas is going to share her tips for organizing your tools and paint. And by the way, we definitely don't have all the answers, so feel free to post your tips each week. Also, if you have organization problems with certain supplies, let us know so we can help.

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If you're like me, you've probably built up a good sized collection of paint. Who can resist those little bottles of color? And they are so inexpensive. So I like to buy every color in every shade possible because you just never know what you might need. But then you have to store them, right? I got tired of digging around looking for that color that always seemed to be at the bottom of the pile. So I decided on a small paint shelf to hang on my studio wall. I drew up the dimensions to fit the bottles perfectly and then my handy mom built it for me (thanks mom).

She made this shelf using simple strips of scrap wood that are 1/2 inch thick and 2 inches deep. The entire shelf is about 12 1/2 inches wide by 33 inches tall and it takes up so little space on the wall. The best part it holds 56 bottles of paint! Just walk over, scan the colors, and easily find the one you need.

Of course, I do have more than 56 bottles of paint. So I also do use the jar method which does require some digging. But I love how these smaller jars look on my studio shelves filled with my paints and glitter paints. I have smaller amounts in these jars. It makes it easier to dig through than a big box like I used to do. And I use these paint jars as a decorative element in my studio at the same time.

And then I have to find a place for all of my tools. My punches, circle cutters, tag maker, scissors, staplers, eyelet setters, extra blades, paper piercers, and so much more. I keep mine in baskets, grouped together in like items. I have an island in my studio that I work on. And the top shelf all the way down the length of the island is about six inches tall, just enough to hold these inexpensive baskets. I have eight of these all lined up that contain all my tools and main supplies. It makes it so easy to just slip the baskets in and out, and grab what I need. And when I'm done working on a project. I just drop everything right back into the baskets and it's all hidden away.

Of course, the new MM desktop carousel is a new favorite of mine to hold some of my most loved tools and supplies. I have recently emptied some of my baskets to fill up the carousel with goodies to keep close at hand! Guess that just means I have room for new tools!

Great Idea from Wendy Bretz

I know you are busy, so today we are featuring a great idea that doesn't take a lot of time to create. Today's idea comes from Wendy Bretz.

Here are some instructions to create this page for yourself.

1. Trim white cardstock to 9" x 9" square.
2. Adhere 8 1/2" x  3" sheet of polka dot Audrey Noteworthy paper, small strip of Kraft paper and stitch using sewing machine.
3. Print journaling on a plain transparency and title on white cardstock.
4. Using Making Memories Tag Maker, create tag, overlap them and adhere to the right-side of layout.
5. Trim Noteworthy Glitter Die-Cut and align along top and bottom of black tag.
6. Add photo, white brads, and Noteworthy Pebble Clip.
7. To finish, add digital sewing (twopeasinabucket.com) to border.

Happy 2008!

Can you believe another year has passed and it's already 2008? It seems like time sure flies by. We are excited about the coming of 2008. We have lots of cool products coming out this year and updates that we know you will love. I can't spill the beans yet, but keep checking back so we can share the latest news.

Happy New Year!!!