Scrapbooking Ideas From The Memory Zone Scrapbook Store

Hi everyone!Just wanted to drop in and say hello to you. I met some of The Memory Zone team at CHA last month and they were super cool. I’m sure their store is equally cool. You would know, right?

Doodlebug Plain & Simple Chipboard Houses

I absolutely love these houses! I lose sleep thinking about all the ways they can be decorated. The possibilities are endless! One for every holiday, especially Halloween and Christmas. What a cute gift for someone who has just purchased a new or their first home.
Wedding gifts, teacher gifts, centerpieces oh my!
They would also be a fun project for kid’s. The included templates make it easy! What more can I say about these home sweet homes?!

Heather

Out of the Box–Trash to Treasure

I am a big fan of altered art and altered items.  You have to think “out of the box” before throwing away any packaging these days—at least in my home!  Before the item becomes trash or recycle, it gets the once over by me.  Coffee canisters, gift boxes, food packages, Altoid boxes, cookie tins, popcorn tins, toilet paper rolls, old notebooks, old folders, older manila folders, embellishment containers from embellishments I bought at Memory Zone, etc. are all fair game.   I have a stash of such things in one of my closets, ready to be used at a moment’s notice.  They can make quick gifts for teachers or kids.  My coffee canisters are often used for custom crayon holders.  The lid is an added bonus and seeing as though I drink LOTS of coffee, as you could imagine, I have lots of coffee canisters.  I have made paper flower pots, pen/pencil holders for people at work, business card holders, medication holders for my purse, etc.  During the Christmas Season, when businesses hand out pocketbook sized calendars, I often alter them for my purse instead of advertising for them (!).  I have done the same thing with free nylon bags I have gotten.  In fact, I recently altered the bag I got at CHA this summer (see picture).  Be sure to check out my gallery and see what else I have altered.

The main thing to remember is that the item you may be considering trash, might actually be a treasure waiting for its true destiny! 

Tricia

Re-viving something old!

Are you stuck in a rut?
Do you need to go back to something you love…..
but haven’t done for a while?
Or are you not confident in the process, but want the nudge to git’ir done!?

The next technique on my list may be long forgotten, or not recently used,
or just plain “never seen before your very eyes.” It doesn’t take very much to do wonders with this old technique (if you have all the right tools).  Soooo……first off, for those of you who haven’t HEAT EMBOSSED yet,
let’s make a list!
*Heat gun(the kind they carry at the Scrapbook store)
*Embossing Ink Pad (like Versa Mark)
*Embossing Powder (clear, black, colored, etc.)
*Tweezers
*Heat resistant pad

You can Heat Emboss practically anything! Stickers, paper, stamped images,
die cuts, rub ons, buttons, pictures (but, you want to be careful not to melt
the pic ink off the paper…lol!), flowers, brads, etc., blah, blah, blah!
Take your desired item to Heat Emboss. Let’s say it’s a chipboard tag you
painted and then placed stickers on. You’ll take your embossing pad and
dab right on top of your embellished tag. Then you will take your embossing
powder and cover the embossing ink with powder. You will do this in your
embossing tray, or on your heat resistant pad so you can
tap the excess powder off of the tag, and then replace it in the jar. ‘Cuz you
wouldn’t want to throw gold away would you?!
Then, with your heat resistant pad you will place your tag on top and start to heat the powder with your Heat Gun.
This is where your tweezers come into play! You could easily burn your fingers,
‘cuz all this stuff heats up fast! Just use your tweezers to help keep your tag
steady. When you see the powder turn to liquid, you have SUCCESSFULLY
completed the Heating of the Stuff! haha! Don’t forget to let it cool for a minute
before you adhere your finished masterpiece!
And if you are an old pro at Heat Embossing…pull it all out again and try some
Resist Embossing. Heat Emboss a stamped image onto your paper….and then
paint on top of it. Then quickly rub the paint off! You will have a cool new patterned
paper design!
Enjoy the process!!!
Cheers!
Charity

My new discovery!

I attended my very first crop several weeks ago. I really had a good time and also discovered a product that I don’t know how I lived without it. I had seen these in the store and really thought they looked kind of strange….that is until I saw a couple of people using them and then I knew I had to have one. I not  only will use it at my future crops but also at home.

I used to have my tools laying all over my workspace and would search under paper and everywhere for them…now I know where to look. Are you wondering what it is?  It is the Tote-Ally Cool tote by AMM.  Be sure to check them out the next time you are at The Memory Zone Scrapbook Store.

There are unlimited uses for these great totes…scrapbooking, gifts, carry-all, and basically anything you can dream up!

Really BIG Paper Clips by Bazzill

Hey, have any of you  tried the Really BIG Paper Clips by Bazzill? I just opened my first pack last night to use on one of the Design Team challenges for the month, and I’ve got to tell you I LOVE THEM!!!  I tied on some coordinating ribbons, and added the cutest Flair Designs charm with a jump ring and WAH LAH! It just made the page. 

Now they have my wheels turning for other uses for these whoppers, like maybe glueing a chipboard letter or title on it, maybe even a photo,  they are available in many other colors and metal finishes. Who knows where you may find these things on my projects in the future…I’m hooked…check them out!

Let me know how you like them or if you can come up with any new twists on these cool new items!

Happy Scrappin!

123D Paper Crafting System by EK Success

Our Design Team has recently been challenged to use the new 123D Paper Crafting System by EK Success.    This new tool consists of a dual sided craft mat (one side for scoring and one side for cutting), a ScoreAline Ruler for cutting or scoring straight lines, the ScoreAround  guide for cutting or scoring curves and circles, the NotchAbox for cutting out the corners for boxes and a scoring tool and a cutting tool. 

One may ask: “Who needs another tool?”  EVERY SCRAPBOOKER OR PAPERCRAFTER NEEDS THIS TOOL!

 Reading the instruction manual for this tool does not do it justice and can be quite confusing.  It comes with a DVD that goes through each technique, step by step, and reviewing this DVD is well worth your time.  This tool can easily create boxes with lids, pop up cards, pillow boxes, round boxes, envelopes, etc.  The possibilities are truly endless!  Sizes range from one inch to 12 inches in width but the heighth of your project is limitless!

They have made the mat large enough to hold a 12 x 12 peice of cardstock.  The ruler marks are clear and easy to read.   And, it is color coded!   To score, you use the pink scoring tool on the pink side of the mat.  To cut you use the blue cutting tool on the blue side of the mat. The blade has a child resistant cap.  You slide the cap off-don’t try to pull it off or the whole blade will come out.   There is an extra scoring componnent and blade that is stored right in the lid of the tool!  Now, how convenient is that?!

We suggest practice making a box and lid with scrap paper first so that you get a feel for how you should be applying pressure.  Too much pressure will cause your rulers to bow and your cuts to bend.  It will also cause your score marks to crack your cardstock.  Once you feel comfortable, you can start creating gifts and crafts for everyone!

What about using the circle cutting feature to cut a 12 inch circle for a circle layout?  What about making rings for your child’s solar system science project?  Party favors for a birthday party or wedding?  Wowee!

 Look for the interesting projects the Design Team has made using this tool on the gallery.  You will definitely want one for yourself!

Tricia

July 19th Quickutz In-Store Event! (review)

All who have taken part any of the Quickutz visits can atest to the fact that we always have a great time. Well, while this one was a bit more (or less) su”spence”ful, it was just as fun. For those of you who were here you know that the QK Guys (Spencer and Kyle) arrived just a mere 7 minutes after they should have been back on the road to the next event. As always we did the best we could to avoid having the customers feel the bumps. While we were in constant contact with them to revise the plans we pulled our own event together. Make and takes, demos, and giveaways were available while everyone patiently awaited their arrival. I have to say at several points I had to step outside just to take a breathe of fresh air and regroup. The store was succesfully filled with excited customers who were waiting for no less (I am convienced) than the arrival of “Spencer”. Well as promised they did arrive and they came baring gifts, make and takes and knowledge. As mentioned previously they were to go to another event following and since they were basically already about due to be there when they arrived Spencer made a brief appearance and handed it over to Kyle and left him behind to continue to hold a event as promised.

While there were dozens of givaways, some went away with what might be concidered a dream come true to any Quickutz fan. After all what’s not to love about a $300 shopping spree. That’s right The Memory Zone threw in some extra drawings to make up for the delay in the event. Three very lucky women won a Quickutz shopping spree. Wow can you imagine choosing what ever you want from the complete line of Quickutz for free!

The following is a copy of what Spencer had to say abou tthe event.

Dear Memory Zone,

Thank you for your amazing store event July 19th. As you know, we were greeted warmly by the cozy Chicago traffic, which put us way behind schedule. A special thank you goes out to all the customers who waited around to see us. I know the wait was long, but hopefully we made it worthwhile with the make and takes and the product we gave away (sometimes it pays off to have the Director of Domestic Sales along for the ride) We had a blast. I have to admit that we were a little concerned walking into the event so late. I felt a little like I was being thrown to the wolves, however, everyone was very nice and understanding, which speaks volumes about the quality of customers you have, as well as the quality of your store.Thanks again for taking the time to put on such a successful event.Hopefully we can do it again sometime soon, (this time, we will be on

time!!!)

Thanks!!

Spence

Thank you all for a great time! Be sure to visit the gallery for pictures from this and other events.

Marlene

The Friends Crop

Well guys, you missed a fun but quick little crop.  I attended the Friends crop on Saturday, August 11th.  It lasted from 9am-9pm and I must say it flew by fast.  When we arrived we received a Brianiac Workout.  I had unpacked, started on a project, and it was already lunch time (which was good cuz scrappin’ makes me hungary).  Lunch consisted of a sub sandwich ( which was soooo tall I had to flatten it before I could even get it in my BIG mouth) , chips, and assorted salads.  Then after lunch Amy had us playing Friends Trivial Persuit.  It was then, when I learned about Rebecca Stone…..a woman who knew more about the show Friends than what Rhonda or even Amy did!  She kept answering all the questions and winning all the prizes!  Guess I should have studied up on the show a bit more!  HA! HA!   Anyways, I made new friends while watching the show Friends all day long.  For supper, we had Crock Pot Pizza (which I had never had before) and was quite yummy.  I had a couple of projects done and before I knew it , it was time to pack up, and go home.  Okay!  Okay!  I was tired and my bed was calling me…..but I was sooooo glad I only had a 20 minute drive home instead of driving back to Chicago, South Bend, Portage, or even Knox!  For now though….I can only dream of when I’ll see my NEW friends again!  Take Care Everyone!

Your Friend,

Molly

Organizing your Thoughts

I find that when I am preparing to complete a project, it is very helpful to doodle on a piece of paper any thoughts or ideas that I have about the project.  I start early and I keep my notebook with me.  During the day I often hear something at work, or see a color combination or get a brilliant idea that I can use on my project and I can just jot it down.  This also provides a reference list for supply shopping at The Memory Zone when I am ready to assembly the final project.  I am amazed at the development that occurs with this method and how things just go together smoother.  Try it–you can start with a sketch and add your embellishments and ideas from there.  Maybe you can even dedicate a notebook just for this.  Grab a small one that will fit in your purse.  Or better yet, get the new Karen Foster Designs memory planner.  I have notebooks scattered everywhere: one in my purse, in my scrapbooking bag, in my car, and on my desk at work. 

Tricia