Lain Ehmann from Layout A Day does a free online scrapinar every month. The one for June is TODAY and it’s called “6×6 Pads for 12×12 Pages” which is something I’m excited to learn more about.
I’ve been slowly collecting 6×6 pads this year for use in my Project Life album. But for all those cute 6×6 papers not being used in my PL, I would love to incorporate them into my 12×12 layouts. Can’t wait to see what Lain and her guest Lisa Echerd have in store for us.
The live event happens in just a couple of hours (8pm EST which is 5pm PST/my time). I plan to be there – how about you?
No worries if you can’t make it tonight. Just sign up at the link above and you’ll be e-mailed the full replay within a day or so :)
PS: I almost forgot! ECHO PARK is sponsoring today’s webinar. They will be giving one lucky attendee THREE 6×6 Echo Park paper pads! There, did I convince you to attend?!?! Just sign up here :)
I absolutely adore when scrapbooking is mentioned in the general media, even though they’re usually making fun of us. But that’s okay because, you have to admit, a lot of the things we scrapboookers do is pretty wack. And sometimes really, REALLY wack. So we deserve all the pointing and laughing. We really do.
I mean, WHO DOES THIS!?!?!?
Crazy people, that’s who.
{Myself included}
{I’m not making fun of Katie. I adore her room and am jealous of it. I just wanted to show a scrapbook room and hers is way purdier than mine}.
I had a nice laugh at this recent ARTICLE from a Joplin, MO newspaper.
I loved the “cricket or some kind of insect” part and also about his wife’s pre-done vacation album :) He sounds like a good scrapper’s husband … even if he has to take out a restraining order on his paparazzi … er, wife … when they go on vacation.
What could you relate to in the article?
PS: Thank you to REBECCA, one of my SnY peeps, for sharing this article!
A sports season recently came to an end and, for being team mom, I was lucky enough to receive a beautiful card, a bottle of wine, and a Michaels $25 gift card. However did they know that I would enjoy a Mike’s spending spree!?!?
{Uh, maybe because I was the only obsessive picture taker all season who would drift away in the middle of conversations saying, “‘Scuse me I gotta’ get this shot …”}
So I drank the bottle of wine and went to Michaels.
JUST kidding! Sheesh. Give me a little credit. My Gawd.
.
.
.
I shopped first THEN drank the bottle of wine. Duh.
It was nice to go to Michaels for once when I wasn’t trying to pinch my pennies so hard they screamed for mercy. I felt kind of like the Real Housewife of Scrapbook County, leisurely strolling the aisles in my Jimmy Choos (okay, Reef flip-flops), carrying my Birkin bag (okay, Target $20 purse), with my long blonde straw-like hair extensions flowing behind me (okay, that part is true).
But I really did feel kinda’ reckless, like I could have a little bit of fun – instead of my usual M/O of finding one item to use my 40% coupon for and leaving within 5 minutes.
So here is my Michaels scrapbook haul – and despite being Real-Housewife-Rich, I did get some great deals anyway:
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GCD and Sticko alphas, both really cute for kid pages. Both styles were on sale for $1.49/pack.
I feel compelled to buy 2 of every alpha now because I’m so tired of running out of S, T, and vowels before I’m done with a pack.
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Okay, I admit I’m obsessed with these MAMBI pocket page cards. It’s only gotten worse since I wrote THIS POST. Many of my aforementioned “one item with a coupon” Mike’s trips have been to get these packs. But I’m done now. I officially have every single pack that I want. I think. Yeah. I’m pretty sure. Maybe.
NO REALLY. I’M DONE. FER SHURE. LIKE.
So they retail for $4.99 a pack. The sign said 50% off so I grabbed the remaining 3 packs I wanted to complete my ‘set’ for $7.50 instead of $15 … SCORE! However, when I got to the register and asked to make sure they rang up for $2.50 each, I was informed that what the sign ACTUALLY said was “Buy 1, get 1 50% off.” Uh der. Make that $12.50 total, oops. Oh well, I’m a Real Housewife, what do I care?
I thought about returning one and using a coupon on it later. But then I figured I’ll just keep it and not have to worry about remembering what pack I still need, etc. Done. See? I really mean it. {I think}.
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Thickers chipboard alpha in a cute map print
I was able to ring these up separately with a 40% off coupon so they were $3.23. Here’s what’s funny. I noticed when I was taking the photo that they are in the totally wrong package! Did you catch that? Weird. Whatevs. That doesn’t make me love them any less.
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To round up the scrappy portion of my haul …
Bazzill kraft cardstock – On sale for 47 cents a sheet x 10 sheets = $4.70. In retrospect, since I was Real Housewives rich, I should’ve gotten more. I lurve kraft cardstock. I used it a lot for my base pages. It’s like a good pair of jeans – it goes with everything.
Then from the home dec section, I got a yummy candle and cute vase with fake flowers for my home office/scrap room.
These blue-y greens are my absolute favorite colors and the bottle/vase is so “me”. Not in a Real Housewife sort of way but in my poor country girl kind of way. The flowers have bling in the center of each one but I may need to thin them out a bit, do you think? The candle is Ocean scented.
Vase $3.99 on sale
Candle $3.99 on sale
Flowers $6.99 minus 40% coupon = $4.19
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Grand total $48.10
Minus gift card $25.00
Total paid $30.10
I was on a shopping high for quite a while from this trip! And I’ve already volunteered to be Team Mom again next season ;)
What are your latest Michaels finds? Or if you’re brave enough to share, what did you spend on your last scrapbook haul? Really you can tell us! Real Housewives never tell …
I’m sorry for the late notice. I got this on Friday but failed to post it. The deadline for them to include your card and/or donation is this Friday 05-31-13. So there’s still a little time left to do a quick card and get it in the mail to Bo Bunny.
I hope you’re able to participate. I think “small” gifts like this will make a big impact <3
This is my absolute all-time favorite Simple Stories collection! I probably have said that before but it’s all their fault! Simple Stories keeps putting out new things that keep topping the last. What’s an obsessed scrapper to do?
It’s now in stock on my Memory Works website and I’m SO stoked! I was lucky enough to get a box of this pre-release so I can tell you first hand – it is aMAYzingly gorgeous and fun. You are going to love it. Or should I say {heart} it?
Just click right HERE to see the whole line and place an order.
PS: Please don’t be skerred to order from me just ‘cuz I’m a ‘consultant’. I won’t add you to an annoying mailing list or bug you for future orders. I’m more like an online store – just fill your cart, check out, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice right away. Once payment is received, I approve the order and it’s shipped straight to you from our home office in Utah within 1-2 business days. {Monday is a holiday so I would order today for maximum speed, lol}.
So you heard the EXCITING NEWS that Simple Stories new “I {Heart} Summer” line is coming out 05-20-13, right?
Well, if you can’t wait until then to see this SS goodness in person, check THIS out! Free printables from the “I {Heart} Summer” line! Yep, just click on the link, open up the .pdf file, and print ’em out on white cardstock for use in your layouts and Project Life albums.
Here are some of them – sorry they’re HUGE:
It don’t get much better than that.
Word.
PS: You can find a bunch of other Simple Stories free printables HERE.
Yay, it’s almost time! Just wanted to send out a reminder in case you haven’t signed up yet :)
Make sure you’re at your computer tomorrow (Friday 05-17-13) at 1pm EST -> adjust for your timezone for “Washi Wahoo Too!” by Monica Bradford. If you’re not available then, you will be sent a replay you can watch over and over, any ol’ time.
Here’s my washi stash:
Yeah, I might have a bit of an “issue” with washi tape (gulp). But I’m sure Monica can help, LOL!
Please go see all the fun details and sign-up info HERE. If you’re in a rush, just click here to sign up!
It’s FREE FREE FREE so what have you got to lose? Hope to see you in class!
Have you heard about the latest line by SIMPLE STORIES!?!? It’s called “I {Heart} Summer” and it’s a new favorite! You can see the entire line HERE on the Simple Stories blog.
Here’s a layout **from the Simple Stories blog** to tease you:
Isn’t it lovely?
And did you know that Simple Stories has a new marketing director? It’s a name you may recognize from the scrapbooking industry: LAYLE KONCAR. {Pronounced like “Gail” with an “L”}
And she is ~ to quote the name of another SS line ~ AWESOME! I’ve seen her doing great outreach around the scrapbooking interwebs and I’m sure she’s doing more amazing things behind the scenes as well. For instance, check out THIS THREAD on the Two Peas message board. Isn’t that cool?
Speaking of how cool Layle is, look at what she sent me ~ a pre-release box of the new line, “I {Heart} Summer” !!!
THANKS LAYLE and SIMPLE STORIES!!! You rawk. Srsly.
Isn’t that amazing!?!? I was so excited to see this line in person. Believe you me, I unwrapped and fondled every stinkin’ piece, LOL. Let’s just say there was a lot of paper sniffing goin’ on in the hizzy ;)
Recently, I was fittin’ to scrapbook some photos from a weekend we spent at the beach. I wanted to get the photos and journaling in an album while the amazing weekend was still fresh in my mind.
But once I heard this pretty box was on it’s way to me, I put that project on hold sista’! I didn’t think on the surface that this line would be perfect for beach photos. It brought to mind more summer, picnic, BBQ, fishing, and swimming pool pages like these:
***LAYOUTS COURTESY OF SIMPLE STORIES BLOG***
But when I took a closer look at it, I realized how perfect it is for my beach weekend photos. There are images of surfboards, beach umbrella, “Beach” sign, sailboat, anchor, flip flops, clouds, fishies, and lots of distressed, beachy-looking wood. I can’t wait to start scrapping!
So do you {heart} this new Simple Stories line as much as I do? What are your favorite pieces? Do you have any photos in mind to use it with? I would love to hear your project ideas :)
PS: This line ships to vendors the week of 05-20-13. Of course, I would be really honored if you’d order through my MEMORY WORKS SITE. Once it’s in stock, you can find it HERE. Thank *U*
Adorable puffy stickers that will look super dooper cute in my PL?!?!?
Just when I thought I was being good and my CHA shopping tear was over and done. Then you show me this stuff?!?!? Tell you what: Why don’t I just send you my paycheck every month? Send me all you got, and then whatever $$ is leftover. Deal?
PS: If you let The Power of Washi overtake you – at Freckled Fawn or anywhere else – make sure to check out a FREE ONLINE CLASS coming up that’s all about washi! I mean, assuming you want to do something more with it than admire all the pretty colors in a glass bowl :)
Wanted to let you know that May’s FREE scrapinar (a no-cost event) by Lain Ehmann has been announced … and I’m pretty sure you’re gonna’ want to sign up :)
Monica Bradford, washi guru, will be joining Lain on 05-17-13. According to Lain, “Monica will wow you with her prowess as she wrangles her washi and makes it do her bidding. You’ll never look at washi the same way again!”
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
~ ALL NEW tips and techniques for using washi tape on your projects
~ How to incorporate popular trends using washi
~ How to create your own washi tape
~ Storage ideas for your rolls
~ And more!
Click here to learn more or sign-up for the FREE scrapinar! By clicking, you are not committing to anything. It just takes you to an info and sign up page – you can enter your e-mail address if you’d like to join in! If not, no worries. Just close the page :) Btw, don’t worry if you can’t make the exact class time. No prob. Lain will e-mail you a free replay after the event. Coolio.
I also wanted to mention that if you use the above link to sign up, you’ll be offered a coupon code to save $10.95 on Monica’s FIRST washi class called “Washi Tape Wahoo!” Whereas if you just go straight to that sign-up page, you’ll pay full price. No, no, noooooo …. we can’t have that! So use “the Free scrapinar” linkee above, girlie.
If you can’t wait until Friday 05-17-13 to get started learning and having fun with Monica, here’s one more link for ya’:
Monica Bradford is a fun and funny chick – as you can probably tell from her picture above. I love everything she does and I think you’ll enjoy her, too. And for such a low cost {ummm … FREE!}, you’d be kinda’ cray-cray to not at least check out the upcoming webinar “Washi Wahoo Too!”
I’m all signed up myself. See you there, my scrappy friend :)
As a scrap mag ho, I’ve been in serious withdrawal with the demise of most of the hard-copy scrapbooking magazines.
{Darn economy! Stupid Pinterest! Lame-o digital scrapbooking! LOL}
So I was very happy to discover a new online scrapbook magazine called “LIFE. PAPER. SCRAPBOOK.” It’s from those fab Aussies but features scrapbookers from all over the world.
I know, I know. You can thank me later. {I love Starbucks gift cards, Pashmina scarves, and turkey jerkey, in that order}.
Here is what they’re about, from the LPS website:
Life. Paper. Scrapbook is an Australian quarterly, online publication that is dedicated to showcasing designers from all around the world to inspire each other, explore current trends and techniques and most importantly to celebrate our love of scrapbooking and paper crafts. This is a place to share our style, designs and creations with like minded crafters from around the world.
“Life.Paper.Scrapbook” has it all, including:
New products
Mini albums
Traditional layouts
Info about featured scrappers
Project Life layouts (yeah!)
Just a few ads
and a simple yet lovely layout
What’s not to love? The first issue was 100 pages of pure yumminess. Next issue is scheduled for June 2013, with project submissions due by 05-31-13. Tick tock, get on that, would ya’? I expect to see some of my own peeps in there next time, mmm kay?
So go sit in the bath with your iPad and get all wrinkly while you check out this great new addition to your life.
I keep a running list of typos on scrapbooking products HERE. Sadly, it’s quite an extensive list :(
Today I have another addition … well, additions. Multiple. There are several typos on the MAMBI Project Life-type cards I blogged about HERE.
But the cool thing is: MAMBI has publicly acknowledged the mistakes and gone above and beyond to try and do right by us. To see what I’m talking about, read their blog post HERE.
In case you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to click over … {I know, exhausting, right?} … here is the important part:
To remedy this problem, we have corrected all the errors and they are all available here as free downloads. We have also included 4 exclusive cards available for free download. These cards are our way of saying, “OOPS”, please forgive us.
I can’t think of another instance where a scrapbook company has come out and acknowledged that they messed up. Much less issue printable corrections. Much less provide other free items.
Much less with such a sense of humor about the whole thing:
So all I have to say is … Good on ya’, MAMBI. Good on ya’.
On the heels of Creative Memories FILING CHAPTER 11 earlier this month … for the SECOND TIME … now Archiver’s has declared they will do the same. This e-mail was sent out today:
I’m very sad to hear this news, as I am whenever any part of the scrapbooking industry suffers a setback. I’ve never been to an ARCHIVER’S but it’s on my bucket list fo’ sho! Archivers is like The Mecca of All That Is Scrapbooking. Like Bass Pro Shops is for a fisherman. Like Dick’s Sporting Goods is for an athlete. Or a teenaged boy Nike ho’. Whatevs.
I think the e-mail does a good job of explaining their position, how they got there, and what they plan to do now. I’m happy to hear them say “we are not going out of business” because, I swear, that’s the first thing people jump on when they hear “Chapter 11.” Which is just a legal way of saying you’re having problems and need to reorganize. Yes, it’s a drastic move but it does NOT mean a company is immediately ending … although I have heard of individual stores closing lately. I wonder if that will continue?
So take heart, Dear Scrappers. Archivers may just take this opportunity to survive and thrive. Here’s hoping! ‘Cuz if they ruin my Bucket List by going out of bidness, I’m gonna’ be hotter than two hamsters fartin’ in a wool sock!!
Okay, now just TRY to get the hamster image out of your head and answer this please:
As an Archivers customer/potential customer, what should they do to remain viable? Would you change or add anything to the way they do business?
As a scrapbook consultant for the best company on earth ~ MEMORY WORKS ~ this is one of my favorite times of year . . . when a new catalog comes out. Without further ado . . .
Click on the link and it will take you to a gorgeous color .pdf version of the Spring/Summer 2013 catalog. {Because of all the graphics, it can take a while to load}.
So grab your beverage of choice, get comfy, take your time, and savor all the scrapbooking goodness . . . ahhhhhh . . .
If nothing else, you have to click over and see the the cover – could it BE any cuter? I don’t think so.
In case you’re not familiar with Memory Works, we carry all the popular scrapbooking brands including:
Simple Stories and Sn@p!
In fact, the owners of Memory Works own these two lines as well ;)
If you’re a project lifer or pocket page scrapper like me, you can see the new line of Sn@p 6×8 and 12×12 leather albums and divided protectors with tons of options. Those items are brand new, due for release in late April/early May 2013.
Other brands are Basic Grey, My Minds Eye, Studio Calico, American Crafts/Dear Lizzy and Amy Tan, Lily Bee, Echo Park, and lots more.
MW also carries products like flowers, mists and masks, a washi tape dispenser, the popular WRMK envelope maker, bling, shadow boxes, adhesives, cardstock, and YES wood veneers! {<- my most recent obsession}
My shopping cart already holds the Sn@p 6×8 calendar pages, Carta Bella ‘So Noted’ line, and Echo Park ‘Perfect Summer’.
{I would have said Simple Stories ‘Urban Traveler’ and ‘Vintage Bliss’ but I already own much of those lines, lol!}
I hope you enjoy the new catalog! Please tell me what your favorite items are :) Most of these items are in stock HERE if you’re ready to shop or would like to see bigger photos.
PS: Pssst! If you look at the catalog and see pages 14 and 15, you’re going to get some VERY GOOD NEWS!! Check it, chica!
Here’s peek from the MAMBI site that gives a preview of what I’m talking about . . .
Yes, they are joining the ever popular trend of having a divided page protector, Project Life-type line and it’s called “Pocket Pages”. As a divided page protector scrapper and Project Lifer, I am very happy about this new development. I’ve always loved MAMBI’s happy, colorful, simple designs and have a bit of MAMBI (that’s short for Me and My Big Ideas) in my stash.
To make this development even better, the MAMBI “Pocket Pages” line will be carried @ Michaels! And as someone who has no Hobby Lobby, Archivers, Joann’s, or LSS, I mainly shop at Michaels. With COUPONS . . . hollah!
You can see the entire line of 3×4 and 4×6 cards HERE!!
I took the liberty of going to Michaels and taking some photos for you ;)
And on your behalf, I also bought {2} packs of the cards to start us off. There was a 50% off coupon that I used for us, too. All in the name of shopping research … hee! Here are the sets we got – they don’t have names that I could find so I made up my own:
SUMMER
We have a pool and live near the ocean so I have scads of photos to use these with. Happy!
SPORTS
Every kid I know plays sports and I love to take sports photos. Not to mention my love of MLB games and Spring Training. There are cards for soccer, baseball, and football. Another perfect match.
I love how on the back of the package they show each of the cards so you can see what you’re getting before you buy them :)
So the card packs retail for $4.99. You get {12} 4×6 cards with no repeats and {60} 3×4 cards with some repeats but not a lot. Some of the 3×4 cards are pattern-only like polka dots, grass, etc. No solids that I can remember. All of the cards have a reverse side of white with a light grey grid or swiss dots – so if you don’t have a use for the design, you can use the reverse side for journaling. The cardstock is of lighter weight – which I personally like because it makes for more pages within an album.
I’m pretty much in love with these cards and plan to buy just about every set over time with coupons. There are also the pocket pages (I already use WRMK and Becky Higgins Design A; not sure I want to introduce yet another style) and matching greeting card blanks. You just fold them in 1/2 and pop a 3×4 card on the front for a cute and quick card.
There are more at the link above – these are just 2 samples.
So there is my MAMBI @ Mike’s news and a review of their new product! Have you seen them at your Michaels yet? What sets have you bought or do you plan to buy?
As I’ve been posting and talking about signing up for LOAD 513 – aka Layout a Day May 2013 – I get this comment/question a lot:
“I want to do LOAD in May but that’s a reeeeaaallllyyyy busy month for me. What if I can’t join in much during the month but still want to be part of the fun?”
Well, the great news is you can still do this!
I took LOAD213 (this past February) and, as always seems to happen with me and online scrapbooking classes, after a week or so real life took over and I wasn’t able to complete all of the daily layouts (I got about half of them done and only because I had a retreat in February).
However, I still have access to a list of the daily prompts – with live links to the daily videos and transcripts. I can still look through the LOAD 213 gallery and be hugely inspired by all the layouts done by other 213 LOADees. And I can still read through the forums to see what challenges, questions, and insights came up for others.
It’s now April and I’m still using the LOAD 213 materials whenever I have time to sit down and scrap. Or even just dream about scrapping, like on the iPad at a sports practice, lol.
I wasn’t 100% sure I’d heard whether or not LOAD attendees have “forever access” to class content so I e-mailed to get a concrete answer, and here it is:
YES! They [attendees] have “forever access”. In fact, we send out a link to a master list with all the prompts, so it’s even one stop shopping when they are ready to tackle the challenges!
So there you go.
If the only thing holding you back from LOAD 513 is the fear that you can’t stay on top of it all month, please don’t let that be a worry. For any LOAD event you join, you have “forever access” to the content.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns about LOAD and I’ll address them. Hope to see you in May … even if just for a bit :)
Scrapinar (noun) defined: On online event where scrapbookers gather at the same time and location on the web to interact, learn, and have lots of fun. I love to attend scrapinars put on by Lain Ehmann because they are top rate. I always learn valuable things and laugh a lot while doing it.
Lain’s scrapinar for April 2013 takes place soon and I hope you’ll sign up to join me :)
We’re excited to have Windy Robinson, Paper Crafts Magazine’s Go-To Gal joining us on April 23rd. Windy will show us how to create gorgeous hand-crafted and hand-embellished envelopes and mail art that will make even the postman smile!
The scrapinar is FREE. These events typically attract 1000 other scrapbookers and papercrafters from around the world.
Upon sign-up, you’ll receive e-mails with further instructions and then a reminder as the event gets closer. And did I mention it’s FREE?!?!? Nothing to lose there, chica!
In my LAST ENTRY, I talked about a $10 off discount for LOAD 513 – Layout a Day May 2013.
I could’ve sworn I put the code at the bottom but when I checked this morning it wasn’t there – so sorry! It’s now been added to yesterday’s post and here ya’ go:
*** $10 off LOAD513 registration with code “FNF” at checkout. Discount expires 4/10 at midnight ***
