Tag Archives | Memory Works
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Memory Works: My Minds Eye “Tres Jolie” Mega Pack

By on November 18, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

So, I have your attention now, right? LOL!

You may have missed out on THIS, but here is your second chance to get a great deal on a FEE-YOU-JUS pack of scrapbooking goodies from MY MINDS EYE for only $29.99. Or, like me, you got that first MME kit and loved it, so you want/need another one :)

“That’s right, Bob. Now tell them what they get…”

Well, you get “200 piece paper & accessories pack. This kit includes 39 sheets of 12×12 double-sided cardstock paper plus over 170 mix & match accessory pieces including frames, journaling cards, titles, quotes, rub-ons, and transparencies.”

The MEMORY WORKS SITE says this pack is worth $170, so you’re saving 83%!

If you need some prodding….erm, I mean…inspiration to buy and use this kit, HERE is the Tres Jolie gallery from the My Minds Eye site.

If you’d like more info or to place an order for the fab-O kit, click HERE. Have questions on how to place an order? Check THIS out…

Isn’t this a gorgeous kit? Now that I see this one, I like it even better than the prior one. The colors are brighter and prettier. You likee?

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Friday Night Scrapbook Randoms #5

By on October 19, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook magazines, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

So what if it’s Sunday Night when I’m finally getting around to publishing my Friday Night Randoms? Who wants to be on schedule? Not me. That is so cliche and expected….and I’m anything but cliche and expected. For shizzle.

~~ Speaking of shizzle….if you ever need a translator for when I speak Snoop Dog, HERE YA GO. Bladizzle.

~~ A bunch of (22!) First Day of School scrapbook page ideas are HERE, provided by Scrapbooks Etc. I think this one is my fave, but I loved them all…

~~ There is a wonderful discussion of why the Peas think the scrapbook industry has tanked HERE. And a related ARTICLE on SCRAPBOOK UPDATE called “Is Scrapbooking Fading….Or not?,” is asking for your thoughts so go chime in, why don’t ya? I think many “industry folks” read that website so let them hear from you. I scored the first Comment ~ yeah! Guess sometimes it pays to be up blogging in the middle of the night, lol. Anyway, if you’d like to read my ever so humble opinion on the whole thing, click on over to the Scrapbook Update article … I wrote a novel … or at least a chapter ;)

~~ Remember when I said that my Michaels wasn’t going to be putting ads in Sunday paper flyers anymore? {It was HERE}. The cashier had given me a flyer and everything, saying that Sunday flyers would be no more, and that I could get my flyers and coupons online from now on. But here it is 6 weeks later….and I’m still getting Michaels ads in my paper on Sunday. What up with that? I dunno’, you got me. Guess they changed their minds…

~~ According to the GOLLYG at 2peas, ROSS has some scrapbooking stuff again: “Enabling Alert! I stopped by Ross today and they have tons of new scrapbook stuff. They had Making Memories paper kits for $2.99, American Crafts paper pads $5.99, K&Company Stuff, and lots more!” Also, rumors of Disney scrapbooks….read the thread HERE. I used to find 12×12 postbound albums there all the time, but nothing scrappy in ages. But what do you know, there is a Ross store smack dab between my Target and my Michaels. I happen to be headed to Target for prescriptions tomorrow, so I’ll check out Ross and let you know if I find anything.

~~ “I’m so far behind!” Have you ever said that about your scrapbooking? Well, read my blog friend Susan’s great article HERE and you’ll feel better soon :)

~~MEMORY WORKS now has Basic Grey “Nook and Pantry” in stock. Here’s a peek…


Please let me know if I can get some for you. Order it HERE, or contact me HERE.

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Diary of a Scrapbook Room Makeover: Part Two

By on September 28, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook books, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook magazines, scrapbook organization, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

I’m slowly making progress on the big overhaul of my scrapbook room. If you’re not caught up, you can read the PROLOGUE and PART ONE, if you like :) But the Prologue is important reading; it’s where I tell you what happens if you make a smart ass comment about how much crap….erm, STUFF I have. Yes, I have a lot of paper. No, you can’t shop here. Yes, I have a life. Blah blah blah….

So, I’ve done lots of furniture moving. This is going to take awhile, so get comfy…

1. Unloaded everything from the desk – underneath, off the top, and in the drawers – and moved it about 2 feet closer to the sliding glass door. I didn’t repack the office supply and computer-related stuff I had in the desk cupboards; need to find a new home for all that. It’s in a pile here somewhere…

2. Unloaded all the DVDs, videos, and board games from the oak cabinet and moved them into a cabinet in the guest room/new play room. Moved a bunch of toys that were along the wall into the new play room. Moved the oak cabinet to the wall where the toys had been. Moved the Scrap Rack to the oak cabinet (temporarily, I think…). Moved office supplies, and office machines (fax machine, transcription machine, etc.) from guest room to bottom of oak cabinet (where movies and games had been). This cabinet is going to be Office Stuff Central…unless I change my mind.

3. Emptied out the legal filing cabinet, moved it from a back wall to align with one edge of the L-shaped desk, and refilled it with the same stuff I had in there before, which are greeting cards, school supplies, and more home office stuff. I gathered scrap magazines and idea books from various places around the house and piled ‘em up.

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As you can see, it’s time to purge these again. I usually do this about once a year but, yeah, it’s been awhile. A friend that I scrap with recently finished her project of pulling pages and ideas from her magazines and organizing them into page protectors in a binder. I’m so jealous….it was great! So I’m deciding now if I have the time, patience, and devotion to do the same thing. Purge or make “the perfect idea binder,” THAT is the question.

As for all those idea books….I don’t think I’ve EVER gotten rid of an idea book. Something about throwing away a book that I paid $15 to $40 for is much harder than a $5 magazine. But I should look through all my idea books and maybe toss some older ones. I’ll bet I don’t even “scrap like that anymore” for some of them, huh?

4. Moved the table that I’d been using for scrappy stuff (okay, to dump things on…) over to the area by the storage cubes. This will be the famous Homework Table.

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5. Moved the couch and coffee table from in front of the desk to behind the desk by the back window. The original plan was to put it flush against the wall and lined up directly under the window (I’m all about symmetry, baby!). But once I got it there, the couch seemed kind of squished over into the corner and the coffee table was somewhat blocking the walkway to the back part of the room. So I tried the couch at an angle, and I liked it. Bonus: It creates a hidey space behind it for ugly stuff, lol. And I felt so “HGTV” about it, too.

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6. Unloaded just about everything from 10 Store in Style cubes (see couch pic above), moved the cubes to the opposite end of the room, and reloaded them pretty much the same way. The SIS cubes are now on the wall that the oak TV cabinet used to be on. This is the area I talked about where I have to keep a walkway to get to the slider, so the cubes are a good thing to put here. They fit nicely and I can stack more on top someday if need be (God forbid!).

I first thought about configuring them like this, with a kind of “turn the corner” at one end….

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…but decided not to. The positives were that it would be a little different-looking, and it would create a handy little empty space back there in the corner to store crop totes or something. But the negatives were that it made the walking path a bit too slim, and put the cubes right next to the cord for the blinds. And when I put embellishment jars on top of the one by the door, they would block the light switch. No super big deal, but I just decided to go with putting them all flush against the wall, like this…

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All this furniture moving happened way back on 9/10 (it’s now 9/27!), so when I say “making slow progress,” I’m not exaggerating. It took me awhile to remember and write all this down, the order I did things in. It was quite the feat of engineering to move things AROUND the room while still having everything IN the room. I apologize for any dark photos but most of my madness occurs late at night after everyone has gone to bed. Man, you should’ve seen the wide eyes of my husband and kids when they came out the morning after all this! They were like, “You moved ALL that by yourself!?!? The couch???” and I’m all, like, “Desperate organizers take desperate measures.” (Like, totally…I did all that “like” stuff just to annoy you). Then the daytime photos are overly bright because of the sun coming in all the windows, so I can’t win, lol.

Once the furniture was in place, I’ve just been slowly putting things away, whether within this room or the other parts of the house where they belong, and below is what the room looks like as of today.

Down there is the new back half of the room, with my cool slanty couch, and my corner of chaos. The couch was my dad’s before he passed away so it’s sentimental. Luckily, it’s also functional so I have an excuse to keep it always and forever. That big tub is all the paperwork from my two scrapbook businesses, MEMORY WORKS and Calla Memories. I can get rid of most of it. I just need to go through it and save some paperwork for tax records and such.

The white shelving unit has all my mini album stuff – supplies and some completed albums – but I want to get rid of that shelf and find another way to store my mini album kingdom. That’s actually a shoe shelf so I’m hoping to then move it into my closet and use for, oh, I don’t know…..SHOES???

The basket on top of the white shelves contains letter stickers, which were all nicely sorted by color at one time, and easy to thumb through when I scrapped. Then….I discovered THICKERS. Dun dun dun dunnnnnnnn! I use Thickers lots and I buy Thickers lots. I have a Thicker addiction and I hope there ain’t no cure! But, yeah, I need to go through that basket and purge some old alphas I’ll never use. Like the first major set I bought oh so many years ago, of punch out alphas (I think they were by COLORBOK) in every color and pattern known to man (including plaid and leopard!), in a bubble font, a lollipop font, etc. Eek. Perfect for the kids to use on school projects but NOT for my scrapbooks).

The black boxes are POWER SORT BOXES from CREATIVE MEMORIES and that’s where most of my printed photos are. But photo and memorabilia organization is an ever-changing and never-ending project/battle for me. I’m not even gonna’ GO there right now. The white cubes they’re in are ITSO brand from TARGET. As you can see, I had more photo boxes than Itso cubes, so I bought another Itso from Target when they were on sale recently. (If I remember right, I paid $12 instead of $20). You can see it on my desk in the next photo.

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Below is my mess of a desk, and my flooded floor (flooded with scrap crap, that is). There’s the new Itso cube, and one of my new 3-drawer JET MAX cubes. Actually, “new” is relative since I’ve collected 3 of these units over time from MICHAELS using 50% off coupons. I’ve just never put them together, knowing I had this big re-org project coming up. Recently I assembled one and, man, are they a pain in the asset! Don’t get me started. If you’ve put these together, you know what I mean. (I feel sorry for THIS poor scrapper!) I’m dreading the assembly of the remaining 2 but I shall do it, I shall.

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I’ve done a little more work on the Wall of Cubes and this is how they look as of now…

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The cubes themselves were already pretty organized before I started this crazy project, as they contain the staples of my scrapbook world: Bazzill cardstock sorted by color, die cut/shaped papers, extra page protectors, scrapbook projects, etc. Most of the vertical files by CROPPER HOPPER are sorted by manufacturer and include patterned paper and all embellishments from that company. They could use some tidying but for the most part, the vertical files are good as they are. The gingerbread jars on top, however, are another story. When I first got them way back when on Craigslist (read about it HERE), I had them organized pretty well, but over time I lost control and just started throwing new things in with no rhyme or reason. I’m going to do a post soon about using 2 of the jars for my chipboard letters. There’s one full of flowers, and the rest I plan to use for random embellishments by color. I also put my ribbon jars back on my cubes…ribbons are sorted by color. I love my cubes and jars…they’re my favorite part of my scrapbook room. Can’t wait til I get this part totally done! My pretties, LOL…

So, that’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for sticking with me. I promise I’ll get done eventually, but real life has to come first, so it’ll continue to be slow progress. But progress is progress, right?

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Making Memories 12×12 D-Ring Albums

By on September 26, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

Okay, so I’m doing a BOOK OF ME, thanks to my friends at AMR. I only have a few pages done but this is definitely a project I’m going to continue with throughout my life. I’ve been putting my completed pages in a 12×12 postbound album I had already, an older one by Chatterbox. But … and I’m peeved … the album cover is warped even though it’s been stored properly since I bought it. So I need something else to use.

ETA 9-27-09: Okay, I finally took some pictures….

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It’s hard to see in a photo but look at the top 1/3 of the album. It’s all wavy. Here’s a little better view.

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Let me just say it looks much WORSE in person.

I’ve been thinking about going D-ring for this album, even though I’m pretty firm on sticking to Snapload for my everyday family albums. I hate the D-ring “interruption” in the middle of 2-page layouts, which is what I mostly do in my family albums. But so far, these BOM layouts have been 1-pagers and most will probably continue to be. So why not get a D-ring, right?

Well, the other day I was placing a MEMORY WORKS order for a friend from the crop I went to last Saturday. Tangent: She is getting these, from the Fancy Pants “Christmas Magic” line……sooooo pretty:

Anyway, I thought what a shame to pay $8.45 for shipping for just 2 little things, and have all that empty space in the box, right? I mean, it’s a travesty of some sort, yeah? So I’ll just search around the sale items at Memory Works and see if I can find something to add. You know, something I NEED not just want. I opened the SHOP OUR PRODUCTS section and noticed there was a new section called “Limited Time Only,” which are products they now have a limited quantity of and won’t be able to get more from the manufacturer (I tell ya, girls, it is SUPER hard to stock a scrapbook store or reselling company these days, with the limited and unpredictable quantities being released by manufacturers…not their fault, “it’s the economy,” right?).

So what do I see but this! The perfect color. The perfect design. THE PERFECT D-RING ALBUM!

It’s the Making Memories 12×12 embossed leather D-Ring ALBUM for only $20!! Yep, 20 bucks and with my consultant discount it’s only $16. It’s hard to see in this pic, but it has a pretty embossed design on it. They have several colors….light blue, mocha brown, red, pink, black, and yellow {you can see them all HERE} and it was hard to choose. But I went with pink since it’s one of my favorite colors, and it’s girly and “all about me.” LOL I also got some extra pages ($6 for 10 minus my discount).

If I can order one (or several) for you, please let me know. Just click HERE for info, or up in the top right where it says “I’m a Memory Works Consultant.”

Anyway, I’m so very happy…only $16 (plus $4 to split the shipping with my friend’s order) for a leather, embossed, D-ring album…I’m still in shock, but happy. And pretty in pink! Have a great day…

ETA 9-27-09: My new album is here!! So pretty….. and not warped, LOL!

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Friday Night Scrapbook Randoms #3

By on September 18, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook organization, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

It’s the Friday night before a Saturday of cropping, yahoo! Yeppers, I’m going to crop with some friends tomorrow, from about noon to 9pm. I’m working now, and I haven’t even packed yet so it’ll be the usual, me scrambling to pack my crop bags late the night before, hoping I’m remember everything and putting together some semblance of things I can use to make actual layouts with, lol! I am the WORST about packing ahead for crops. The magic package I talked about HERE did indeed arrive today, and I’m so excited to look through it all. Since I’m busy anyway, I’m saving it to look through with the girls tomorrow. If I can resist…

One of the new things I got was the “AMBER ROAD” theme set from PINK PAISLEE. I saw something today that made me love it even more…CHECK IT OUT! And THIS TOO. Isn’t she amazing and ever-so-talented? Love what she did with Amber Road…

Saw this over on 2peas and wanted to share it with you. I had bookmarked this link a long time ago but forgot all about it, so I’m glad it was posted again….Free printable graph paper, ledger paper, binder paper etc. for your scrapbooks ~ you can make some super cool journaling spots, for one! LOOKIE HERE

This useful computer tool was also posted by a Pea: SCRAP BY COLOR color matching tool It takes the colors from your photos and gives you color swatch matches to use in your scrapbooking. Love it. Thank you, ROSALYNN!

About THIS, all I can say is WTH?

I will leave you with THIS. Talk about a scrapbooker’s dream trip! Ali, Karen, and Jenni plus that amazing place. Wow. Wish I could go…

Before my crop tomorrow, I’m going to the beach ~ it’s a family tradition, Coastal Cleanup day ~ so it’s my two favorite things in one day. No, not litter and cigarette butts, silly! The ocean and scrapbooking. Hope you have a great weekend and get some time to scrapbook to your heart’s content.

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How to Order Memory Works from My Site & How to Become a Consultant

By on September 2, 2009 in scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant

If you’d like to place an order, here is my own Memory Works WEBSITE. Click on “New Customer? Start here” and register as a customer, put your item(s) in your shopping cart, and submit your order. I’ll get an e-mail right way that your order is pending, and I’ll contact you regarding your payment preference. If it’s Paypal, I’ll e-mail ya an invoice and as soon as you pay it, your order is submitted for processing. If you prefer to pay by check, once it’s received and cleared on my end, your order is submitted for processing. From there, Memory Works fills your order and mails it within 1 business day (yes, 1!). It’s shipped directly to you lickety split!

If you have questions about becoming a Memory Works Consultant, please click on I’M A MEMORY WORKS CONSULTANT here or above right, and I’ll get you whatever kinda 411 you need. You can do anything from buying things for yourself at discount to selling only to your friends to become a Mega Rock Star Consultant, hosting parties and crops to your hearts content. Me, I’m kinda between options 2 and 3, LOL!. I sell to myself, I sell to friends, and I host a crop once in a while. I earn a little extra money so I can spend on scrappy stuff without feeling guilty for impacting the family budget. And I can’t believe I’m earning money selling something I love so much….scrap stuff! It’s a win-win, baby! So, yeah, give me a shout at the e-mail listed and I’ll tell you anything you need to know.

** If you do end up signing up as a consultant, PLEEEEEZ enter another consultant’s ID number when you do. That consultant receives a $10 to 15 product credit for referring you, allowing them to invest in products for their business. I’m not saying it has to be MY consultant number…although I’d love it if it was…but seriously, enter the number of a friends or whoever helped you decide to do Memory Works. It’s a shame to let such a substantial product credit go to waste, don’t you think?

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Memory Works: My Minds Eye Christmas Paper and Accessory Kit

By on August 21, 2009 in scrapbook blogs, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

Sounds like another great deal to me! I already have one in my shopping cart before they run out.

MME: Christmas Paper and Accessory Kit
This My Mind’s Eye kit includes (20) 12×12 sheets of double-sided cardstock paper, plus over 40 mix and match accessory pieces.

Retail Price: $15.00
ON SALE Price: $8.75 (Save 42%)

I’m going to use this kit to make my 2009 Christmas cards. Get a jump on them and get started now, so I won’t be scrambling like I always am in December, LOL! If you’d like to order, instructions are HERE. Merry Christmas in August!!!

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Memory Works: Free Stuff and New Pebbles, Inc.

By on July 31, 2009 in scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

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.

New from Summer CHA 2009: PEBBLES INC!

LIL BUDDIES THEME SET by Pebbles Inc.

Retail Price: $5.00

LIL BUDDY FIRSTS STICKERS by Pebbles Inc.

Retail Price: $2.00

LIL BUDDY TODDLER STICKERS by Pebbles Inc.

Retail Price: $2.00

LIL MISS THEME SET by Pebbles Inc.

Retail Price: $5.00

LIL MISS FIRSTS STICKERS by Pebbles Inc.

Retail Price: $2.00

LIL MISS TODDLER STICKERS by Pebbles Inc.

Retail Price: $2.00

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…

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Fancy Pants “Happy Holidays Mega Collection”

By on July 22, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

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

1 – Happy Holidays Embellishment Kit (Epoxy Brads, Label Holders, Binder Clips and File Folders) $15.00 Retail

1 – Happy Holidays Printed Chipboard Shapes $13.00 Retail

1 – Happy Holidays Printed Chipboard Alphabet $13.00 Retail

2 – 3X3 Christmas Stamps $4.00 Retail Each

1 – 8X8 Happy Holidays Binder Album (includes 10 8X8 page protectors) $22.00 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 :)

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Bohemia Embossed Chipboard by My Minds Eye

By on July 16, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping

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.

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Pink Paislee, Shoppin’, and Croppin’

By on July 7, 2009 in scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

I got the box! I got the box! Pink Paislee box that is. By the time I got home yesterday with it, it was too dark to take photos. So, I just took pictures this morning and now I have to work all day. I will edit the photos and get everything posted tonight, so check back tomorrow.

I also hit Tuesday Morning and Michaels while in “the big city” yesterday. Look for posts about those stores later this week.

Otherwise, I’m preparing for my crop this Friday/Saturday. It’s the first one I’ve done since my “hiatus” from Memory Works from September 2008 til March 2009. I only have a few people signed up each day but enough to juuuuust break even on the room rental. If I don’t get any more attendees, I’ll lose money on the food/drinks and prizes. I don’t anticipate there being very many MW orders placed either. Have I said this economy sucks? Cuz it does. When a scrapper can’t even afford to go to a crop and buy a few goodies for her stash, something is DEFINITELY wrong. And, yeah, that’s what I’m hearing from my friends….they can’t even afford the crop fee right now much less doing any shopping. At least my mama will be cropping along side me both days, and I’ll get to see a few friends I haven’t talked to in a while, so it’ll be a fun weekend either way :)

See ya, homies!

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Memory Works Order is in Da’ House!!

By on July 1, 2009 in scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

Yippy skip! My latest MEMORY WORKS order arrived last weekend. They always send things in these 13×13 boxes with lots of padding so nothing gets crushed or bent. That’s one thing I really like. This is a mix of items for myself, and things I’m going to sell.

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Here’s a bunch of Cosmo Cricket cardstock stickers, rub-ons, and the free Cosmo Cricket tie I got from Memory Works as a promotional item.

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Finally! I got some BO BUNNY “ABBY ROAD.” Ever since I saw THIS layout by Chrispea, I’ve been wanting some. I’m totally going to scraplift that.

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And then there’s BO BUNNY “CALYPSO” for all those fun summer layouts. We have a pool, we go to the lake and the ocean all summer, and we barbeque a lot. This looks like the perfect line for me, don’t you think?

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This is the back side and closer look at two of the papers. These especially rock, in my opinion.

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This is the cover sheet thingee from the CRATE PAPER “BLUE HILL” theme set {oops, no linkee, it’s already sold out! you gotta’ move quick around here, LOL}. I just luuuurve this color combination. Have you ever seen Crate Paper in person? It is THE best quality patterned paper. It’s cardstock thick and has a slight texture to it. It feels so luxurious…ROWR…

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You get two of each paper and I alternated both sides so you can see them both. For instance, from the left, there are two sheets of that paper with the teal/peach pattern on one side and the solid teal on the other.

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Here is the rest of the stuff I got in this special “retreat” pack, i.e. leftover class kits or things sold at the Memory Works retreat in June 2009. This was a great deal…all this Crate Paper stuff in one pack for $17.50.

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This was also a special from the MW retreat…a birthday card set from the BASIC GREY “CUPCAKE” line. I’m going to offer them as make-n-takes at my crop. {No linkee here either, already sold out. Sheesh, glad I ordered when I did!}

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And now my whining about not having any COSMO CRICKET “EARLY BIRD” will cease because it now holds it’s rightful place in my stash. Sweeeeeet!

This the front side of the papers in the theme set….

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…and this is the back side of those same papers.

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This is the Early Bird ELEMENTS and STICKERS. I got 2 of everything ~ 1 for me, 1 to sell. Again, loving the color combo, and those cherries are so stinkin’ cute. I’ve seen lotsa inspiration on various blogs for how to use this line and I can’t wait to get started.

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It’s like Christmas in July, I tell ya’. What’s funny is I get the same amount of joy from receiving the items I’m going to keep and those I’m going to sell to customers. I don’t mind selling products that I have in stock and may really love … but I get to touch them first ;-)

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Aside

Cropping, Journaling, Inking and Decisions…

By on June 29, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

I went to a crop Saturday, the one I talked about HERE. Only 4 of us ended up being able to go. I talked more than I cropped, and we stopped to eat twice (lunch/dinner) so I didn’t get much done. I completed 5 pages and started a 6th, and I was there from about 11:30 to 9. One thing I did different this time is that I promised myself I would get the journaling done AT the crop. I can’t tell you how many unfinished layouts are sitting on my desk from past crops, that were done, they “just need the journaling.” Ya’ got any of those on your desk? I mean, they’re, like, 30 minutes of effort away from being in a scrapbook for everyone to enjoy and yet…they’re on my desk. Why is journaling something I put off? I really do like to write, it’s not that. It’s like I lose my mojo to work on that layout once I leave the crop. But anyhow, that’s why I forced myself to journal these layouts and I’m glad I did. They are going straight into the album, baby!

Another new thing I tried was a technique that’s been around awhile but I’m always late to the party. I had a white Bazzill background, and I laid out the title of my layout with letter stickers (a block style of cardstock sticker alpha by American Crafts; $1 from Big Lots, LOL!). Then I went over the title in a circular motion with deep turquoise chalk ink by Martha Stewart (it’s just like the kind by COLORBOX). Then I removed the stickers and, voila! The white Bazzill showed through the turquoise ink and it looks rad. The only problem was some bleeding around about three of the letters, but it’s not that noticeable. At least, that’s what my sweet crop friends told me, LOL! I learned my lesson, though…make sure those suckers are stuck down pretty well before you rub the ink on. I like this technique so much, I used it again when I started that 6th layout. I used a different kind cardstock alpha sticker, made sure the letters were stuck down really good, and it came out great.

The Memory Works “party” part of it didn’t work out because, like me, everyone is broke, LOL! The hostess ordered some things and I’m going to split shipping with her and throw in something with her order. I can’t decide….the new Basic Grey ‘Junebug’ or ‘Lemonade’ (see them HERE and HERE), or Little Yellow Bicycle ‘Traveler’ (which I shared HERE). Tough decision. If you could get something from these lines, what would you get?

I’ve also been eyeing this for a while…THE COTTAGE Theme Set by Scrap Within Reach, which is a company that’s new to me and I have nothing of theirs yet. I’m curious what the quality is like/what it’s like in person. I love the colors and it seems a very versatile set to work with. And the price is good ~ you get six 12×12 sheets of double-sided patterned cardstock paper for $5.75, so less than a dollar a sheet for double-sided cardstock PP…not bad.

Yeah, decisions, decisions…

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Aside

New: “Junebug” by Basic Grey @ Memory Works

By on June 29, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

I just posted all the new BG ‘Lemonade’ stuff that’s now being carried by Memory Works HERE. Now, I want to show you ‘Junebug’ by Basic Grey, which we also just got in stock. {To place an order, please click on the bold product name}.

June Bug THEME SET {Price: $7.75}

June Bug CARD KIT {Price: $15.00}

June Bug ALPHA STICKERS {Price: $3.00}

June Bug BUTTONS {Price: $5.00}

June Bug CHIP STICKER SHAPES {Price: $7.00}

June Bug FLOWER DOILIES {Price: $3.00}

June Bug NAVY DOILIES {Price: $3.00}

June Bug GLAZED BRADS {Price: $4.00}

June Bug POPS {Price: $4.00}

June Bug RUB ON BOOK {Price: $7.00}

June Bug TAKE NOTE {Price: $5.00}

June Bug WOOLIES {Price: $5.00}

HERE is some inspiration from the Basic Grey website.

My favorite things in this line are the Woolies and the Alpha Stickers. Oh, and that Navy Doilie is sooooo pretty! Did you see the dogs in the Chip Sticker Shapes? The pink poodle is especially cute.

Any thoughts on June Bug?

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Aside

New: “Lemonade” by Basic Grey @ Memory Works

By on June 28, 2009 in scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

Here is another new line we have in stock; it’s called “Lemonade” by Basic Grey.

LEMONADE – THEME SET {Price: $7.00}

LEMONADE – GREETING CARD KIT {Price: $15.00}

LEMONADE – ALPHA STICKERS {Price: $3.00}

LEMONADE – BUTTONS {Price: $5.00}

LEMONADE – CHIP STICKER SHEET {Price: $7.00}

LEMONADE – FLOWER DOILIES {Price: $3.00}

LEMONADE – GREEN DOILIES {Price: $3.00}

LEMONADE – GLAZED BRADS {Price: $4.00}

12 large and 12 small glazed brads • Coordinating colors and designs

LEMONADE – POPS {Price: $4.00}

LEMONADE – RUB ON BOOK{Price: $7.00}

LEMONADE – TAKE NOTE {Price: $5.00}

Pack includes 4 printed, die-cut transparencies with matching die-cut cardstock journaling blocks

LEMONADE – WOOLIES {Price: $5.00}

HERE is some inspiration from the Basic Grey gallery…this being my favorite…

LAYOUT by KELLY GOREE

I think my favorite products are the “doilies” papers; love the intricate cut outs. Also, the Take Note die cut transparencies with the backing. Such a unique product…don’t think I’ve seen anything like that before.

What are your thoughts on this new line from BG – like or no like?

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Aside

Going to a Crop

By on June 27, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook consultant, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

Well, my bags are packed and I’m going to a small crop with friends today. There are 6 or 7 of us who try and meet up every few months, which I love, because I never seem to crop at home anymore. The only time I get anything done is at crops. Anyhoo, since I’m starting up doing MEMORY WORKS again, I asked the hostess if she wanted to turn the crop today into and MW “party” so she could have the hostess credits. I was happy she said yes. So what happens is I take new catalogs and some products with me today and sell/take orders. Everything that’s ordered will be shipped together to the hostess and she distributes it to everyone. Which is easy, since we all live near each other and see each other often. The cool thing is you “share the shipping” that way instead of each customer paying it themselves. And the best part is the hostess, if we reach $150 in orders, gets a hostess credit. It’s a win-win. Actually, I’m a bit concerned with so few of us that we won’t meet the $150 minimum. It’s such a tough economy and I know everyone can’t afford to scrapbook spend the way they used to. If we get close to $150, I may add my own items to the order, so that my hostess can earn her rewards. But I just spent the last of my birthday money on THIS, so I don’t have a ton to spend right now either. Well, I’m just hoping it works out.

The main thing is this….I GET TO SCRAPBOOK TODAY!!!!! Even if the MW order thing doesn’t work out, I’m one massively happy camper. I was up late packing for the crop last night and am fairly disorganized. I’m here at the computer this morning printing photos (and order forms). So we’ll see how it goes. Hopefully, I packed enough of the right things to make some kickin’ layouts, LOL!

Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend. Do you have any plans for creative time?

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Aside

Thuh Blog: New Look and Linkees

By on June 10, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

I wanted to write about some changes I’ve been making to my blog and kind of ‘splain myself.

The Theme – I was rockin’ that WordPress “Albeo” theme for quite a while and I was really bored with it. I look at the darn thing every day and it just got old, ya know? It’s hard to find a format what will work with my content, mainly the larger photos I like to post…the better to see those scrapbook products with, my dear. I road tested a few new formats and have settled on this one.

The Header – This is my first theme with a customizable header and I finally figured out how to make one, LOL! The photo I have up there now is one I took of the Colosseum when I visited Rome in October 2006. I hope to occasionally change up the header photo.

The Memory Works Stuff – This is the main change I wanted to talk about. I’ve been a Memory Works consultant since February 2007 and I’ve had this blog since January 2007. So for the last 2+ years, I’ve kind of made it a point not to mix the two. My blog is about my scrapbook obsession, period. In almost 470 posts, I haven’t really talked about Memory Works or the products I sell. I’ve mentioned that I host crops, my “customers,” etc. but I think I’ve been pretty good about keeping this an obsessed scrapbooker’s blog vs. a Memory Works blog.

In all honesty, part of the reason I did it at the beginning was that they would’ve kicked me off of CKMB (Creating Keepsakes Message Board) if this was an MW blog. Their rule was that if you linked to your blog in your siggie, the blog’s primary purpose could not be to promote your biz. One time I had a close call when the CK tech people sent me a warning that I would be banned if I didn’t get rid of my blog link in my siggie. I politely explained that, while I was a consultant, the blog was a personal blog not a Memory Works blog. Then my people called their people and – badda bing – we came to an understanding. Nah, but that little episode did make me ultra paranoid about keeping it un-MW because I didn’t want to be sent packing from CKMB.

Well, since then, I’ve chosen to go packing on my own so CKMB has not been the issue for some time. I guess I just always felt weird about self-promoting, or coming off as a salesperson instead of as your scrapbooking friend who just wants to talk about the cute new stuff, ya know? But I guess the time has finally come where I can reconcile it all. This is my damn blog and if I want to talk about Memory Works and share a link or publicize my products, I’m going to! For shizzle. I figure after all the free publicity I’ve given, what, hundreds (?) of other companies over the years, it’s my turn. When I share products with you, I always make a point to provide a link where you can see more (even though some of them make it difficult or impossible to do so, something I just don’t get). My policy was to, if possible, link to the product manufacturer or however I could get you closest to the source of something. For instance, when I wrote about the Share and Tell system, I linked directly to the Pebbles Inc. website, not to an online store who sells it, or to another blogger that wrote about it. I mean, I might do all those other links in addition to, but I have always tried to drive traffic to the manufacturer.

But from now on, you will see me linking to product listings on my Memory Works site. I truly hope that doesn’t offend anyone. Why? Because I love you! I don’t want to ever become a ‘shove it down your throat’ salesperson. Heck, I can’t stand people like that (an example…a school mom I know wears her Pampered Chef polo to every. single. school event. I mean, seriously??). But I figure if I’m taking the time, love, and devotion to write up a product I love, and MW happens to carry said product, I’m going to link to my own site. Maybe you will never, ever, in a million years place an order with me and that is totally fine. But a girl can try, can’t she? {As it happens, the link to my Memory Works site is currently the “top click” on my blog and yet only one online friend has placed an order with me so far.}

This is kind of a side note but one thing that amazes me is that for all the free product endorsements I’ve provided for two years, with linkees to the manufacturer, I can probably count on one hand the number of times they have thanked me for the link. Either they are ungrateful, or they don’t know how to check their stats or run a Google check, which are basics I’d think scrapbook companies would possess. Anyway, I just don’t want you to think that all those manufacturers will be sorry to see my links go, LOL. They never even noticed them in the first place.

And just for the record, I have never received any sort of compensation for writing this dang blog. It has all been on my own time, for no financial gain. The few times I’ve received a free demo product in the mail, I’ve disclosed that in the review (the only ones coming to mind are the Ribbon Ring and the Angel Baby scrapbooking kit). I could have chosen to make some money off my blog with ads or some such, but I never did do that. I hope this MW thang is a happy medium that doesn’t bug you too much.

I guess that’s it. If I get out of hand with the Memory Works stuff, to the point where it’s so overdone that you run from the room screaming…tell me. A good smack upside the head usually works. Then in your best New York accent, say, “Snap out of it!” just like Cher said to Nicolas Cage in Moonstruck. I mean it.

If you have any thoughts on the whole matter, please share. Even if you hate everything I just said. Seriously.

Comments { 12 }
Aside

Cropper Hopper Organization at Tuesday Morning

By on May 19, 2009 in Memory Works, scrapbook blogs, scrapbook organization, scrapbook shopping, scrapbook websites

Made my monthly trip to The Big City and here is what I found at Tuesday Morning…

There were a lot of ANNA GRIFFIN packs – huge ones with 12×12 paper and tons of embellies to mini album kits.

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Here were some fun EK SUCCESS punches that were very tempting (but I resisted…can you?). These ones are a pacifier, arrow, and speech bubble. There were a few other shapes, too.

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For me, this is where I hit the motherlode….CROPPER HOPPER STORAGE !!! I had always wanting these when they first came out because I love vertical bookshelf storage for my scrappy stuff. I own stock in CH VERTICAL PAPER HOLDERS, ya know. But these items were out of my budget (because I am super cheap, yeah).

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But I picked up the 2-drawer/4-pocket binder ($8.99) which I plan to use to organize my card-making supplies. I don’t have a ton but right now they’re in some Iris drawers and not very well organized. The 3×3 embellishment drawer ($2.99) will be the perfect way to organize my Mike’s stamps finally! I’m really excited about that one. They’ve also been stacked in an Iris drawer…til now, LOL!

Here you can see the retail prices, and what a great deal Tuesday Morning has on them…

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Here is what the inside of the pocket binder looks like.

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When I get some schtuff inside my new storage, I’ll post pics and see what you think. Have you found any good deals at TM lately?

PS: Stay tuned for the next episode of Shopaholic Obsession….er, I mean….Scrapbook Obsession….when I’ll show you what’s new at Mike’s and what I picked up there….

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Aside

Getting Back Into the Memory Works Game

By on May 16, 2009 in Memory Works

I’m going to write a longer post about this later but it’s midnight and I can’t sleep so thought I’d just write up the short version. I’ve been mulling it over for the last week or so (listen to me, like it’s some huge-amic decision that will affect the free world!)…and I’ve decided to kind of reactivate myself as a Memory Works Consultant. I’ve been with the company for about 2 years, I think, and was having a lot of MW fun until last fall when I had to take a chill with it. But I’ve decided to make a comeback, LOL!

I cashed in an old $15 product credit and bought 5 copies of the new Memory Works Catalog, which came today. I’ve been looking through it tonight and making a mental list of all the scrap I dream of buying. With the same order, I got a couple things from ‘Summer Soiree’ by Fancy Pants that I desired way back HERE. I got the “Exclusive Kit” THEME SET…

…and the RUB-ONS.

I so very much wanted the NOTEBOOK JOURNAL…

…but couldn’t afford it at this particular juncture. Oh God, I am such a freak for cute little journaling notebooks like that. I want, I want, I want! (Don’t I sound like that annoying girl in Willie Wonka?)

I just mass e-mailed all my old customers and crop friends to let them know I’m back in action, and to offer a free catalog to the first 5 who get back to me. I already heard back from my friend “D”, who I’m sure is up Facebooking. I know the economy royally sucks right now, so I’m not expecting to do the amount of business that I used to. But I’m brainstorming ideas and hoping to have at least a little success.

Anyhoo, that’s what’s on my mind late on a Friday night…Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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