It’s back in stock at MEMORY WORKS!! Whoo to the hoo!
Shockingly, it’s only $29.95 (over $100 value). I ordered this last time and have it; if you’d like photos or have any questions about what’s in this amazing kit, just let me know :)
The My Minds Eye “Bohemia” embossed chipboard is also back in stock. I’m getting some this time, cuz I was so mad I missed out on it before.
It’s only $3; retail value is $8. Can’t beat that, I say…These will be fun to color with chalk inks, alcohol inks, maybe rough ’em up with sandpaper or my BASIC GREY FILE SET.
They will go perfectly with the MME “French Market” set above. Eeeee! Can’t wait to get the chipboard and can’t believe it’s only 3 bucks.
Just click on the “I’m a Memory Works Consultant” up top, or through the links provided, to order these goodies. Seriously, hurry. They went out of stock very quickly last time.
I’m a consultant for Memory Works scrapbooking, and wanted to share a couple of specials we have going on right now, and some new products.
First of all, if you place ANY order with me right now, you will get these stinkin’ adorable letter stickers for free….
Submit an order for any dollar amount and receive a FREE 12×12 Letter Sticker Sheet from the “Cherry Hill” collection from October Afternoon – a $3.50 value absolutely free with your order. Supplies are limited…get your order in early becuase these darling stickers will not last long!
I’m finding that when they say “supplies are limited,” they really mean it. These are first come, first served so if you’d like some free stickers, order soon! Click on the link up top that says “I’m a Memory Works Consultant” for the way to place an order.
Now for the Big Mama of free things…
Here is how you earn it: When you place a qualifying $150 party order, you will receive a FREE MemoryWorks gift pack bursting with products from our participating vendors. Each gift pack contents vary, but has a retail value well over $50 and will be jam-packed with assorted cardstock, patterned paper, cards, rub-ons, embellishments and more!
So, how do you hold a Memory Works party when I live here and you live there? Well, you hold a catalog party! I will send you a catalog and you take orders among your scrappy friends. If you reach $150 in retail sales (before tax and shipping), you get the above gift pack FREE. Or if you just want to place an order of $150 or more for yourself, we can do that, too. Contact me and we’ll work out the details…
I’ve also noticed that the Memory Works website just added a new product category called NEW SUMMER CHA and this cute stuff by Pebbles Inc are the first additions to it.
Aren’t those cute? I’ve always liked Pebbles Inc. for their simple, whimsical style and cool color combos. Let me know if I can order some of this cuteness for ya.
I can’t wait to see what else MW will be adding to that Summer CHA category…..I’m hoping some of the new Basic Grey, Pink Paislee…oh, I could go on and on…
I’m always anxious to see what new lines Basic Grey has coming out and have been obsessively {who, me, obsessive?} checking their site and blog to see the new releases for CHA Summer 2009. Finally, they are here! See all the new BASIC GREY on the blog post HERE. As always, Kelly did such a great job designing layouts and projects to show off BG to it’s absolute best. I love her scrapping style.
Here is a quick look at each new line. If you click on the bolded name above each pic, you can see the line in all it’s glory on the Basic Grey website.
I haven’t been able to say this in a long time, because my relationship with Basic Grey has been rocky in recent years, but … I LOVE THEM ALL!! As in LOOOOOVVVVEE and will NEED to have some of each. I’m sure MEMORY WORKS will get some of the new BG the quickest and, yes, I will be ordering me summa that! Yay, totally made my day. THIS is the Basic Grey I love and I’m so glad that it’s back.
I got this a couple weeks ago but wasn’t able to load the photos to my computer until now. I heard these are still at some TUESDAY MORNING stores so I thought I’d show you what a great deal they are.
Here’s what the tote looks like. I chose this blue pattern but there were others, too.
A close up of the price tag, so you can see what a mega deal this is….and a list of what’s in it (hope it’s readable, though blurry…sorry).
And here are all the contents…
Honestly, I bought this for the bag more than anything. I’ve been looking for a large and cute tote to carry all my MEMORY WORKS stuff in, including catalogs and products. This will be perfect because it zips closed so my things won’t get damaged or dusty; it holds the heaviness of the catalogs because it’s sturdy; and it even has lots of cool pockets inside and out to hold my calculator, pens, scissors, blank price tags, etc. The tote alone would sell for about $30.
And I love HEIDI SWAPP embellies, so that’s just icing on the cake.
Oh, Memory Works, WHY must you tempt me so?? I opened up my MW website today to see if the MME MEGA KITS and MME BOHEMIA CHIPBOARD KITS were still in stock {they’re not; they were very popular as predicted … and gonzo}. But there is this next “mega” deal…. {The colors look quite nice with my blog header, don’t they?}
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Fancy Pants: Happy Holidays Mega Collection
Come celebrate Christmas in July with the Fancy Pants Happy Holidays Collection.
RETAIL VALUE OF $80.00 which we are selling at only $34.99
This collection includes:
1 – 8X8 Happy Holidays Paper Pad (32 Sheets) $9.00 Retail
(Retail) Price: $80.00 ON SALE Price: $34.99 (Save 57%)
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Looks like such a cool way to scrap one entire holiday season, or else maybe a “layout a year” type Christmas album. My normal scrap size is 12×12, but this 8×8 would be fun to keep out on the coffee table each Christmas season to share with guests. And the kids would love it, too, I’m sure.
Alas, I cannot afford this sweet deal at this particular juncture. Just blew the rest of my birthday dough on the MY MINDS EYE KIT {which has arrived in my hot little hands, btw!!!!}. But click up top on the “I’m a MW consultant” (or here’s a direct LINKEE) if you’re interested in it… Then I can live through you vicariously :)
According to THIS post (copied below) from the SCRAPBOOKS ETC magazine blog, there will be some changes coming to the magazine. If I’m understanding the announcement correctly, I’m not liking it. Why don’t we all read it together and then discuss, shall we?
Note: All of the bolding is mine My notes are in brackets :)
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Scrapbooks etc. News!
Posted by Michelle Rubin @ SBE at 7/20/2009 5:20 PM CDT
We’ve got big things in the works for the coming months. Here’s a press release on all of our exciting news!
Scrapbooks etc. Aims Broader Readership with New Look & Expanded Content
ORLANDO, FL (July 20, 2009)— Advertisers and industry professionals will get a sneak peek at Scrapbooks etc. magazine’s new look, a first-ever mobile scrapbooking application, and enhanced “etc.” content at a special event here on Tuesday, July 28, the first day of Craft & Hobby Association’s 3-day Summer Convention and Trade Show. The magazine’s enhancements, which hit newsstands on September 8, target the passionate scrapbooker as well as a broadening readership in a changing marketplace.
Under the leadership of Editor Michelle Rubin, America’s No. 1 scrapbooking magazine offers readers creative inspiration in a friendly, knowledgeable manner through ample use of visuals, tips and ideas. To do this, the magazine constantly monitors—and responds to—changing reader interests and trends. For example, today virtually all of the magazine’s readers participate in other forms of crafting, including paper crafts (68%), stamping (67%), and home décor (38%). [This does not necessarily add up to “virtually all” readers. Shouldn’t it have said “a majority” to be more accurate? Also, because they do other crafts, does it mean they want them in this magazine?]
“We’re beginning to see true scrapbookers grow their skills and interests in a way that broadens the definition of ‘scrapbooker.’ Therefore, along with exciting new features for traditional scrapbooking, the magazine has been updated to empower scrapbookers to put their passion, skills and tools to new uses—that’s the ‘etcetera’ in Scrapbooks etc. We are a gateway into everything that is scrapbooking, and everything it can be,” Rubin says.
New features include:
Redesigned cover: A new logo, tagline (create*share*remember), hallmark creative page designs from top designers, and prominent display of “etc.” projects are designed to add interest and promote newsstand sales.
Updated features and departments: Distinct department pages call attention to helpful hints, designer tips and other insights; Dynamic feature layouts add energy and simplify navigation throughout the issue.
Enhanced scrapbooking pages: Including rich photography; bigger scrapbooking layouts and more detail shots; larger step-by-step technique photos; top tips and ideas; product shots near corresponding layouts for easy shopping; “How Do I?” call-outs that anticipate and answer reader questions; special icons to help readers save time, money and more. [This sounds awesome….mad props!]
Etc., Etc., Etc.: To take scrapbooking enthusiasts to the next level with their craft and entice other crafters into the Scrapbooks etc. community, the magazine is introducing:
o Inspired new projects for preserving memories, showcasing photos and creating cards and keepsakes
o Projects such as pencil holders, artwork, and much more—all made using scrapbooking skills and supplies
o Step-by-step instructions and visual detail to ensure project success
“We’re all about giving current and prospective scrapbooking enthusiasts everything they need—right down to the finest detail—to help them enjoy and advance their craft,” Rubin says. “The new Scrapbooks etc. has as many scrapbooking ideas as ever, and now include the latest, emerging trends in preserving and sharing memories.”
First-ever mobile scrapbooking application rolls out
Also unveiled today, a sneak peek of the first scrapbooking mobile application for use with Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch devices, ScrapApp, created by Scrapbooks etc. ScrapApp provides consumers the ability to customize their Apple iPhones and iPod Touches with the hottest scrapbooking styles and gives insider scrapbooking inspiration, exclusive coupons and more. Consumers can download wallpapers from the hottest designers as well as make personalized mobile scrapbook pages.
Scrapbooks etc. Scrap App will be available on August 3 from Apple’s iTunes Store. [I’m an iPhonie and this sounds great!]
The July 28 CHA event will be highlighted on Scrapbooks etc.’s “I Scrap, U Scrap” blog on July 29, 2009 (scrapbooksetc.com/iscrap.
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THIS is the 2peas discussion, and HERE it is on AMR. I love to post these issues to my favorite message boards because I want to hear all the differing opinions. As you can see, there do seem to be two camps: Those that welcome the look at new crafts and those that want it to remain a scrapbooking-only magazine. I don’t think you’re surprised at what side I come down on. Hint: The blog is called SCRAPBOOK Obsession, not All Kinds of Papercrafty Obsession or Pencil Holder Obsession.
Needless to say, I am not happy about this and think it’s the beginning of the end for this magazine. I’m not blaming Scrapbooks Etc. (SBE) for making this change, don’t get me wrong. I assume they’re in a position where they have no choice, or feel that they don’t. But just because I’m not blaming SBE doesn’t mean I can whine, complain, and say this whole thing blows, right? Sheesh. It’s my All American right to complain. So here I go….
1. There are just 2 scrapbooking-only magazines left on the market (Creating Keepsakes and Scrapbooks Etc.). I’ve already endured the huge impact of (don’t shoot!) digital scrapbooking on these formerly paper-scrapbooking-only magazines. I have grinned and I have beared it. But now they want to take me down to, like, 1.5 scrapbooking-only magazines. I’m sorry but I’m gonna’ pout.
2. Remember when Memory Makers and Creating Keepsakes tried magazine makeovers? How’d that work out for ’em?
3. I know what’s done is done and SBE is so far into their makeover scheme that they aren’t gonna listen to the likes of me. But I’m going to let them know my thoughts and I encourage you to do the same. Even if you feel the opposite, and welcome these changes. More power to ya, sister! May the best scrapper win! Wait, may the best paper-only-scrapbooker or papercrafty-altered-cardmaking-scrapbooker win!
I could not find a direct e-mail for Michelle Rubin, so we can go to the BLOG post and leave a comment.
As I get ready to post this, I see that readers are starting to leave both “yes” and “no” feedback, and that Michelle has just left a comment herself that includes this:
Also, thanks for all of your feedback! We are super excited about the refreshed design and want you to know that we are still focused on scrapbook pages and albums. We’re just adding a little more of the “etc.” projects. We have had cards, paper crafting and craft projects in every issue, but now we’re just making sure you don’t miss it!
I appreciate her leaving a comment and staying in touch with the readers. I’m not sure how you only add content without taking scrapbook content away, but okay. Either way, I still prefer a straight scrapbooking magazine. I know I should be all charitable and nicey-nice about this. “Let’s give them a chance. Maybe it will be better!” But I just can’t bring myself to do that anymore. I’ve seen scrap mag after scrap mag disappear and it makes me very grumpy. Okay, whining over….
ETA 7/21/09: Just when you thought my griping was over….They’re going down to 6 ISSUES A YEAR starting in October 2009….grrr…. The paragraph below was added to her blog post after I copied it….sorry I missed it :( And, yet, sorry I see it now:
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About Scrapbooks etc.
Scrapbooks etc. is America’s leading and only ABC-audited scrapbooking magazine. Beginning with the October 2009 issue, Scrapbooks etc. is published six times per year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. Scrapbooks etc. has an ABC-audited paid circulation of 220,000 and is part of the Better Homes and Gardens family of magazines serving American women with a passion for the home and life they create there.
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Sock it to me! What are your thoughts. Don’t sugar coat it. You like the new proposal or did you like SBE just the way it was?
Lots of changes going on in the scrapbooking industry these days. Just want to help you stay on top of it all. On the heels of the HEIDI SWAPP news…
Heidi Grace: She’s one of my favorite designers so I’m glad she’s back. Read about it HERE. Nothing is on her “clever” BLOG as of this posting, but maybe she will address it soon.
Luxe Designs: Unfortunately, Luxe Designs will close. Read all about it HERE. I don’t know much about Luxe, don’t own any of their products, but HERE is their site if, like me, you’re unfamiliar.
Chatterbox: As of last April, MELODY ROSS is no longer with Chatterbox, the company she founded. The news is HERE. She blogs about it HERE. I have always really admired Melody…even wrote about here HERE, way back in December 2007. I hope she’s doing okay and that all goes well in her transition.
A big Shout Out to Nancy Nally of SCRAPBOOK UPDATE, my favorite source for scrapbook industry news. Love that girl!
While I was searching around for any other industry news I could give ya, I found THIS. The article has no links, unfortunately, but it’s a good rundown of industry happenings this year. Depressing, I tell ya’…
I’m also very sad to see that one of my favorite stores, Santa Barbara Scrapbooks, is closing in August 2009. I couldn’t connect with their website (maybe down already?), but I did find THIS article about the closure. As you can see from the comments left by the owner Barbara, she is a lovely woman who ran a pretty cool store, in my opinion. SBS is not in my area, but any time I traveled through SBA, I made it a point to stop. Just for record, I always received great customer service :)
THIS post @ 2peas scared me for a second! But it turned out to be good news, as it sounds like K&Company is thriving, not closing. Finally, some good news…
In a nutshell, Heidi’s husband is going to finish his Chinese degree at BYU. The moving truck has left and they are on their way. In the blog entry, she talks about her future with ADVANTUS (oh, they of INTERESTING BUSINESS PRACTICES), the HEIDI SWAPP BRAND, and with her primary focus, HOUSE OF 3, which is her project with RHONNA FARRER and JANET HOPKINS. I found THIS blog entry that describes House of 3 really well, just scroll down a bit and it’s under the ALI EDWARDS stuff.
If you’ve been looking for Heidi Swapp sneak peeks for CHA-Summer 2009, this is why you haven’t seen any (from Heidi’s above blog entry):
I will not be attending CHA, and I do not have a new product release at this show. The Heidi Swapp brand will continue through Advantus… I will continue to teach classes, travel and promote it along with House of 3. Our relationship will move forward on a per-project basis.
So that’s the big news. It sounds like it was a good time for a change for her and her family. As the scrapbooking industry evolves, so must she and those like her. I admire her for weathering PAST STORMS, having a good attitude about the changes, and being thankful for all the good things in her life. I wish her all the luck in the world….
Here is where they are talking about it on 2PEAS and AMR
I notice that is says, “Exclusively at your local independent store.” I guess that means they won’t carry it @ Michaels, like they do the green one? I don’t know. Either way, I won’t be buying one but I thought you PINK LUVAHS would want to know, LOL! I finally came to peace with the fact that the Baby Bug (Cricut) is enough and I should be grateful I have it :)
Will you be shopping for a pretty pink Slice?
PS: It’s prolly too late now since this is tomorrow (!), but I just remembered this from my Michaels e-mail…
FREE Making Memories®
SliceTM Machine Demo
Saturday, July 18, 1pm–3pm
Watch the SliceTM die cutting machine in action. This cordless, portable cutter creates hundreds of shapes with Making Memories® exclusive design cards.
Mr. LANDRY is our 9-month-old puppy. He is an outdoor ranch dog, and too big to bathe in the tub like we did in the early months. So we got brave and gave him a bath on the front lawn the other day. It’s in the 100s here so don’t feel sorry for him about being cold or anything. I’m sure the water felt good, but he does not seem to particularly care for water. Well, he’s pretty ornery in general so I think it’s more that he doesn’t care for 1. being told what to do, 2. being held down, and 3. being laughed at.
What??? Of course, we laughed at him. We couldn’t help it. You understand since you can see the photos below, right? I mean, what else are we gonna’ do??
First, let me illustrate one of the many ways Landry gets so dirty.
Here is a post hole my husband dug, which happens to be in Landry’s pen. It’s muddy from being soaked to soften the ground for more digging.
Here is Landry in the hole. He curls up and sleeps in it during the day. “Ahhh…so cool,” he tells us.
So let’s get some dirt off the kid. Here he is partially hosed off when we were done washing.
Landry walks away. “Uh, we weren’t quite done yet, dude.” Couldn’t care a lick.
Lying on the porch looking pathetic. “I’m so very put upon. Why must you bathe me?”
Partially dried, as much as he would let us. Lookin’ kind of snazzy there, Lands…
See why we call him Rat Boy? LOL
He is a holy terror so don’t you dare feel sorry for him. I keep telling him that it’s a good thing he’s so darn cute….
Sorry for another Memory Works “advertising” post so soon, but I just saw that they had this other new item and it would go so well with the MME 29th Street Market MEGA PACK.
MY MINDS EYE – BOHEMIA EMBOSSED CHIPBOARD
Distress it, paint it, ink it, sand it, show it off. Unique mulit-dimension Bohemia Chipboard. Includes 52 shapes and pieces. An $8 retail value for only $3.
Here are some sample layouts from the MY MINDS EYE GALLERY, showing this cool product being used:
ALL THREE LAYOUTS BY “KRISTEN”
Wish I would’ve seen this stuff before I placed my order yesterday. Just the package itself didn’t catch my eye, but seeing it in use makes me want some….want some BAD. If you’d like to order some ~ maybe throw it in with that MME mega kit ~ click on “I’m a Memory Works Consultant” at the top of this page.
If you’re not a shopper, I hope you enjoyed the layouts anyway. Aren’t they gorgeous? Kristen is such a great photographer and I love the way she used all of the MME products, not just the chipboard. I like going straight to the manufacturer’s galleries when I have a certain product I’m itching to use. They give such wonderful ideas.
As always, THE PEAS are the ones who told me about it, LOL! There have been sightings! Report yours in Comments, please. I’ll take some pix and post them later if there’s any new stuff at mine.
EDITED TO ADD 7/17/09: Today, I got this in an e-mail from Memory Works: “We’ve had a huge response to our new Steals & Deals program! We’ve already sold out of one shipment and are almost sold out of our last shipment of the My Mind’s Eye 29th Street Market Kit! Don’t miss your chance….supplies are limited and kits are going fast!”
SO IF YOU’RE CONTEMPLATING THE PURCHASE, DO IT! And thank you so much to those of you who have placed orders for this kit. I’m sure you’re going to love it…can’t wait to get mine. It’s due to me on Monday, July 20!!
DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION? LOL…
I just got an e-mail about this amazing deal through MEMORY WORKS. All this awesome 29th Street Market stuff from My Minds Eye for only $29.95 {Wow, I felt like an infomercial announcer for a second there..}. But that’s really the price, if you can believe it.
It’s over $100 worth of stuff. Amazing. OVER 300 PIECES
This kit contains 34 sheets of 12X12 double-sided cardstock paper plus over 270 mix & match accessory pieces including titles, journaling cards, die cuts, and transparencies.
This kind of thing tends to go quickly so I placed an order for myself already. {I had some other orders to place from my crop last weekend, so I put them all together to save on shipping}. I don’t know if I’ll sell it or keep it. Hmmm….
If you would like to order one, please click above on “I’m a Memory Works Consultant” and follow the instructions to place your order (this MME deal is under Shop Our Products, Steals and Deals).
Seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if these were gone by the end of the week if not sooner.
A while back, ANGIE on the AMR message board asked how we all store our punches, so I took a pic of my awesome, high tech punch storage system {insert eye roll here…}. I also have my handy little Xryon “X” ADHESIVE MACHINE and Pebbles Inc. RIBBON IRON in there, too.
It’s just a nylon tote I picked up ages ago at Michaels, but it’s good quality and has held together well given how packed I have it and how heavy it is. I think it was by Crop, Paper Scissors but the tag and receipt are long gone, so I’m not sure. I can’t find a photo online anywhere either, which is bizarre.
Anyway, here is why I like my punch storage:
1. It has handles and I can easily take it to crops, where I share them with everyone. {Punch love cannot be contained, and should be shared in the interest of world peace}.
2. Because it’s not hard-sided, there is some flexibility on where I can cram…ahem, PUT…punches of different sizes and shapes.
3. It was inexpensive.
The only con:
1. It is full.
Yet I don’t feel like I’m done buying punches. Not sure what to do about this dilemma yet. Yeah, I should probably stop buying punches. Hey, it’s not my fault. They keep coming out with new ones that are soooo cute. And with a coupon or sale, they are way cost effective for the use I get from them.
Last weekend, there was an online crop at ALL MOMENTS REMEMBERED, “the nicest message board on the internet.” I happened to be holding my own crop IRL all day Friday and Saturday, so I took my laptop, used the WiFi at the hotel, and followed along with the AMR crop. I even participated by completing and posting some layouts for the first time in a very long while. {To be honest, the talent over there intimidates me but I’m sure YOU would be fine, LOL}.
I did this layout for the “A NEW LAYOUT” challenge hosted by STACY aka CyCy. The only requirement was to post a layout you did during the crop.
The journaling reads: Can you hear little Landry? He is saying, “Will you please let me out?” I think I also heard him say, “But I’m so very cute. How can you keep me all locked up like some kind of criminal?” You’re right, Mr. Landry. You did nothing wrong. ‘Cept maybe chase the bunnies, chew through the drip line, dig up the grass. Misdemeanors? Maybe. I used Cosmo Cricket papers from THIS Memory Works Express Kit (Sept. 08),…
Bazzill cardstock, and the Cricut font “Doodlebug.” The stamped journaling box is from a either THIS or THIS journaling spot swap. There was no writing on the back so I’m not sure who made it unfortunately.
I did this layout for the “THINK BEACH” challenge hosted by JEN aka ScrappyJen. The challenge was to scrap your favorite part of the beach.
Papers are Heidi Swapp and 7 Gypsies, and the title was cut with the Cricut alpha “Opposites Attract.” Usually, the cursive font on that cartridge is long and low but if you put it on “upright” mode, it comes out like this. Cool, huh? The little black alpha is 7 Gypsies and the journaling box is again from one of the swaps I did, artist unknown.
The journaling reads: My favorite part of going to the beach is he feeling of calm that comes over me the second I see the water. The ocean is my favorite place in the world, the place I feel most at home, the place I am most myself, the place I feel most serene. The sound of the waves creates an almost spiritual feeling in my heart. The ocean gives me Serenity.
I did this layout for the “OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME” challenge hosted by NICOLE aka NicoleP. But I pulled a blond moment and it wasn’t actually eligible because I did not use a “summer” photo as instructed, LOL. These photos were taken in February, silly girl! Major duh. I mean, the entire theme of the crop was “Summer.” Oh well, it’s all good. I’ve been wanting to scrap these photos for a long time anyway.
The journaling reads: When it rains, we often get to see these amazing full rainbows off of our back patio. If you’ve ever wondered where the rainbow ends, just come to our house . . . we’ll show you the spot.
I used Bazzill cardstock, DCWV glitter papers from the NANA’s KITCHEN stack, and some plum metallic paper my mom gave me for the letters in RAINBOW; then I used GLOSSY ACCENTS {for the first time} on those letters. In person, this layout looks shiny and pretty although I don’t think you can tell that in the photo. The letters were again done with the Opposites Attract font on my Cricut. I only have 4 Cricut cartridges, can you tell? LOL
One of the highlights of the crop was the Virtual Bingo game run by Michelle aka Shelle’s 2 girls. Ahead of time, you picked 25 words from a long list of summertime words to be on your virtual bingo card (aka a list in Word or whatever). Then at the designated time on Saturday night, she began posting sets of 5 words while we marked any that we had off of our sheet. When people were starting to match up to 18 or 19 words, she slowed it down to 3 words at a time until the winner called “Bingo!” Along the way, it got very competative. Players tried to send other players off to get lucky kisses from their DH’s or to go check on the proverbial crying baby, etc. {“the better for me to win while you’re away from your computer” tactic}. They even tried to tell me a Journey special was on TV so I would leave, LOL! It was HUH-larious. All the feedback was so good, I think there will be virtual bingo at all the future AMR crops.
If you’d like to join us next time ~ or just join the AMR message board for everyday chatting ~ come on over, we’d love to have you. Just drop me a line (see my About Me page) so I can tell board admin DENISE aka denisewalks to expect you (lotsa spammers unfortunately).
Over at my favorite message board home ~ AMR ~ we are just starting a Book of Me challenge. It will be going on in the coming months, with periodic layout challenges by ABBY aka ScrapbookFrenzy.
The first challenge was “Stuff That Brings Me Joy.” Here was a sample layout Abby provided to give us some inspiration:
Here is Abby’s submission for the first layout. She liked the above layout so much, she chose to scraplift it. I love her take on it. It’s going to be so fun to learn more about my online friends through these Book of Me layouts, like this:
The base is Bazzill cardstock (is there any other kind?), and everything else is from the PINK PAISLEE GRAB BOX I just got. I think I’m going to try and do most of my BOM layouts with the PP stuff, so I will actually use it and not hoard it like I usually would cuz it’s SO cool. What could be more special to use it on than a book about moi, LOL!
So, “Stuff That Brings Me Joy” is AMR friends, summer rain, lazy Sundays, hugs & kisses, Bible study with my girlfriends, down time with a good book, vanilla lattes, good wine made by friends, and scrap mags. Wouldn’t this be a fun layout for YOU to do? {Hint, hint}. What stuff brings YOU joy? Don’t you think your family and friends would like to know? I had so much fun doing this layout that I went on to create another layout about my job. {The journaling is not done or I would post it}. The BOM challenge at AMR is very easy going; you can do the challenges presented, skip the ones you don’t like, add ones from other sources, whatever you want to do, in whatever way, size, or style you’d like. I love that, because this is a very personal book so I’m glad I can make it the way I want to and not feel pressured to work on it when I get busy and don’t have time.
I posted my layout at AMR asking for some CC (constructive criticism), asking if I should maybe replace the photos with black and white or sepia versions, because I almost feel like all the color looks too busy. But the consensus SO FAR seems to be that it’s fine the way it is. I love those girls over there….they are so encouraging and made me feel a lot better about it. {Can you tell I lack scrap confidence?}. I can scrap shop like nobody’s business, but when it comes to putting my layouts “out there,” I feel so inferior and talentless after seeing all the beautiful work ~ all the artistry ~ that is out there.
But I decided to take the plunge because I feel like doing a Book of Me is SUCH an important thing to do. For all the scrapping you have done, for all the birthday party and travel and Christmas layouts you’ve completed, what do your scrapbooks say about YOU? How many photos of YOU are in them? If you were to die tomorrow, how much of YOU would be left behind for your family?
When I think about this subject, ALEIDA FRANKLIN always comes to mind. Please think about doing a Book of Me for your family. There is a ton of inspiration online for doing one, and we would love to have you join us at the All Moments Remembered message board. It’s quick/easy to become a member and it’s just one big bunch of friendly and helpful ladies over there.
Have you or will you do a Book of Me scrapbook? If you have linkees, I’d love to see them :)
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