Memory Keeper Boxes

I just love these Memory Keeper boxes from CTMH. At first I wasn't all that thrilled, but then started to see all the possibilities. WOW! The ever talented Lisa Stenz made a bunch to hold the tons and tons of cards she has. My plan is to make one for each of my kids for their momentos. I keep buying them and then keep making other things with them. I made the "Love Box" as my coworker Danette calls it, based on the CTMH webisode. I'm actually going to be doing this as a class at the end of Jan. I think it'll be a great Valentine's Day gift. I also made one to hold Thank You cards, but thinking more, I should have made the box for some other type card as I don't have that many Thank You cards. I guess I should make some, huh?








Normally, I'm all about dimension. Rarely is anything I make flat. I decided to make the Thank You card box flat so a bunch of them could go on the shelf. It's hard not to add something, just a button or two! But, I'm holding strong and am going to do my best not to add anything else.

I've decided

I've decided to start posting things that aren't specifically for club members. I'm going to start posting a lot of my artwork. And, *gasp* it's not all CTMH. While I love our products, there is a lack of great stuff for my little men. I can only scrap my very rowdy, very active boys with flowers and swirlies for so long before I have to branch out to other products. Here are just a few of the finished layouts from our recent vacation to Yosemite National Park and Pismo Beach. Yes, the family spent 5 whole days away from it all. No internet, no cell phones, no communication with anyone we knew. It was fantastic! We hadn't been to Yosemite since we got married, so needless to say, it holds a special place in my heart. I've got tons more, but these are my favorite. I hope you enjoy them and I hope they tell you a little of our story.

Us at the Tunnel View as you enter Yosemite National Park through Hwy 41 from Fresno. This is a very simple layout, just some Bamboo Cardstock, Blooming Flourishes stamp and some dimensional alphabets. I sponged the YNP with New England Ivy ink, then Bamboo and added a little Barn Red at the bottom. That's it. I even journalled in my own handwriting, which I hate. A simple layout for a special place.

All the times we have been to Yosemite, we've never ventured up to Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake, so I decided that I wanted to this trip. Tenaya Lake was beautiful! The boys had so much fun and waded right in, shoes, pants and all. It was a bit chilly so I didn't think they'd get in the water and didn't bring them a change of clothes. We left Tenaya Lake for a bit, had some lunch, but the boys' clothes and shoes were so wet that we really couldn't do the short hike I had planned. Leo wanted to go back to "Crocodile Lake" so we wound up going back and spending most of the afternoon there before we headed back to Yosemite Valley.

Products used: Good Times, Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes, Edge Anchors, hemp, Friendship Word Puzzle, Clear tags. This is actually a layout we did at CTMH Regional Celebration in Feb and it's been sitting around waiting for the perfect pictures.

This are just some pictures of Aaron playing at Tenaya Lake. This is actually an A Page 4 All Seasons layout. I loved it so much, I bought it and after I did I thought to myself, "aren't I always complaining about scrapping my boys with flowers and 'girly' paper?" I still loved it and I think these pictures are perfect for it.

Aaron took a header into Tenaya Lake and got a lovely cut on his face. He's such a trooper though because it didn't stop him for more than 3 seconds. Here he is a few days later in Pismo Beach. He had such a great time, and I loved this picture of him.

Products used: Scenic Route Paper, Co'ordinations Cardstock, misc ribbon, CTMH charms, Basic Grey Sugar Chipboard Alpha, Giggle Alpha stamp, Tiny Typewriter Alpha stamp, some sparkly orange embossing powder on the chipboard and pretty green ep on the brads.

October Lancaster layouts

Here are the Lancaster October layouts. The first one is the Magic Moments paper pack and the layout is Cherish Rise N Shine (page 108). It calls for three to four 4x4 photos (or leave one spot open for journalling) and three 5x3 photos. We will be dying paper flowers and using Sassy Strands this month.

The second layout was inspired by Becky Higgins of Creaking Keepsakes. I made my own paper as there really isn't any "Fall" paper this time around. I cut strips of cardstock in varying widths, either 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch and glued them to my base cardstock. I can hear the groans now, after that Random Stamping we did last month. But, never fear, I did it for you! I also stamp rolled the leaves and embossed the veins. This layout calls for one 6x4 and thirteen wallet (2x3). You will not get the white mats, I just put them on the layout so you'd get an idea of how the placement of the pictures will go.

Sept Agua Dulce Layout

Here's the layout for the September Agua Dulce meeting. It's Imagine, Perfect 5. The left page calls for one 5x7 and two 2x2 (although I stamped flowers on the little pieces). The right side calls for two 4x4 and one 4x6.

This month we will be using liquid glass. It's hard to see, but on the stamped images on the left, I used some liquid glass on the "stem" part and sprinkled prisma glitter on it. Makes it nice and sparkly.

Supplies used: Perfect Day paper pack, Cocoa Cardstock, Treasure Life stamp set, Life's Creation stamp set, liquid glass, prisma glitter

Random Stamping Samples

Ladies, as promised, here are a few other random stamping samples for you to choose from. I will bring the appropriate coordinating cardstocks and we will be making our layouts using one of the four samples (sample 1 is in the previous post). You decide which one you want to do.

Both clubs will be random stamping their second layout, so if you are one of the people that purchase the other group's kit, it will only have 1 layout in it (and a reduced price).

Lancaster September layouts

Here are the September layouts. The first one is with the new Perfect Day paper pack. It's Imagine Monologue and calls for two 6x4 photos, one 4x6 photo and two 3.5x3.5 photos. BUT, there were a few more pictures of Bryce and Leo playing so I made expandable (inspired by the ever talented Nona Davenport) photo mats to get more pictures on the layout. (The 4x6 mat on the right page is expandable also).

The second page is my example of the Random Stamping we are going to be doing in honor of National Stamping Day. For those of you that don't want blue, orange, yellow, and green circles, I'll have 2 other examples for you to choose from. I just haven't taken pictures of them yet. Because we'll be making our background paper, please bring your trimmer to the club meeting.

Supplies used Layout 1: Perfect Day paper pack, September Word puzzle, coco grosgrain ribbon, clear buttons, colonial white bigger brads. Ink: Tulip, Juniper

Supplies used Layout 2: white daisy card stock, Friendship Word Puzzle, Serendipity, Angel Whispers, Star Struck stamp sets. Inks: Sunny Yellow, Orange, Topiary, and Dutch Blue

I love this layout!!!!!!

After blog-hopping one day on a fellow CTMH sister's blog (Yvonne's blog), I came across A Page 4 All Seasons. I immediately fell in love with Shyloh and her company. Shyloh and her team have predesigned (and precut) layouts that you can purchase, using the latest and greatest products from a variety of different companies.

I know, it's shocking that I'm not a CTMH "purist." ha ha ha. Anyhoo, I saw this layout and thought of my favorite wedding picture and how wonderful it would go in it, so I ordered it. AND, I wound up subscribing to one of her autoships. For the very reasonable price of $25 per month, I get not 1, not 2, but 3 two-page layouts shipped to me. No going to the store, no thinking about what to do. Basically, I get to be like all my club members and have the work done for me. And, you know what??? I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

I'm sure you all are asking why I'm advertising for someone else, but I think there's room for everyone. Shyloh's having a contest right now. Anyone who posts on their blog about her company is entered into a drawing. AND, people that get comments get 2 entries into the contest. I'd love to win some more of her great layouts so, comment away. (Maybe I'll post more if you do!)