Sewing On Paper -----PROBLEM SOLVED Thanks to Willow Traders :-)

Okay so I bought a machine a Brother, thank you to those who gave suggestions. The Janome was virtually impossible to find here and once I did find it, I had already bought this one :-) No patience. The problem is that on my practice samples the white bottom thread is showing through the top of my design. I added a pic, so I hope it makes sense. I have played with the tension, bought good thick thread, and bought a denim needle to use with it. What else can I check or what am I doing wrong.
Is there a special technique for sewing on paper?

Some Cards

Just thought I would share some projects I have been working on. All sketches are by Di Hickman who has a cool sketch blog. The papers and embellies are from the April kit and the one with the stars is from the May kit. There are a few April kits still available and free shipping over $25 still applies.

Now Is The Time....Spring Sale....Free Shipping

Hello ladies,

My husband is complaining about the ever growing amount of space the business is taking up, so I am having a sell on past products to clear out some room for new stuff and to keep my hubby happy :-)

I am having a SALE on all past kits, add ons and additional merchandise added to the store. Including products from Heidi Swapp, American Crafts, Prima, Junkitz, Fancy Pants and more. Most products are 25% off or near wholesale. We are also offering FREE shipping :-) on orders of $25 or more (will be refunded through PAYPAL). If you have been thinking about trying a kit, now is the time to do so. FREE shipping ends April 28th

May Sneak Peek

It's that time again. Photos are curtesy of our May Guest Designer Ari Macias. These kits are extra cute and perfect for scrapping Easter pics or for the males in your life or your adventuresome daughters as well.

Pics

Just some pics of the flowers Rob bought me last week. They are so pretty and fragrant. These were taken with my 50mm lens. Tootally LOVE it.

Computer Tricks for Scrapbooking by Jessica S.

I LOVE Jessica Sprague's new book: Computer Tricks for Scrapbooking. I have Adobe and I am proficient with it, but I learned so many new things. She uses simple language, great sample photos, and she really makes use of the whole program. You don't have to do digi to love this book. Most of the layouts are paper, but she shows you how to use your computer to turn your photos and layouts up a notch. She focuses on photos, journaling, titles and embellishments. Here is a Before and After photo using three of the tips in the book. I have a lot of idea books, but this one is a definite keeper and one I will keep close at hand and not on the shelf. Plus, there are awesome layouts in the book, so it is definite eye candy and inspiration.

Just For Me

I have really been feeling this creative drain lately. Something about taking your passion and turning it into a business changes how you do your hobby. This week I decided I NEEDED to scrap just for the pure fun of it. I went to Archiver's browsed around and bought new stuff that I had been eyeing. These are two of the layouts I have created using Basic Grey, Autumn Leaves, Heidi Swapp and Creative Imaginations. I love them both and had fun making them. Not sure which is my fave, but I definitely plan on submitting one or both. Any suggestions :-) Hopefully you can read the journaling b/c they are both good.

bye :-)

What did I do today??? I bought a small sewing machine and practiced sewing paper. Sewing on LO's is the newest trend and I have been wanting to try it for a while. I tried 3 machines before I found one that was cheap, small, worked, and had easy directions. I am super excited to test it out even more. Like on a real LO and not on sample pieces.

So super tired b/c I had to go back to work today after a week off. I was so upset I couldn't sleep last night. The end of the school year needs to come quick. I need a rest from this class and a fresh start with next year. Only two more months :-) and then I will be in Europe for the first time ever :-) Sweetness.

I saw some shelves in the Real Simple mag that I must have. I have gone to at least 7 different stores and no one has them. I guess I must break down and pay the Pottery Barn price, hopefully it is not too much. I will not be defeated by shelves, no not me and not today. If I finally figured out the sewing machine thing, than I should be able to find these darn shelves at a reasonable price.

bye :-)

Here and There

Friday we went to the movies to see Blades of Glory. If you like Will Ferrel, you will like this movie. It was very funny and felt like Ricky Bobby. Mindless laughter, but sometimes we need that.

After the movies we went to this new store that I read about on someones blog. It is called Lush. They make handmade and all natural body products. So freash, that some of teh stuff has expiration dates on it. They even make shampoo, deodorant, lip balm, you name it.

Soap:

Bubble Bath

Shower Gels

Check them out. You can also order online. The stuff smells like heaven and moisturizes as well. The bubble bath stuff has notes and flowers ticked inside that float up once the ball fizzes out. so super cool. The whole bathroom smelled like total relaxation.

Saturday I picked up a copy of Real Simple, and loved it. I had heard good things about it and finally decided to give it a read. Lots of great ideas in there. Such a ficus on serenity and orderliness. I really need that right now. So we are off to Target to buy some organization and simpleness :-)

Simple Scrapbook magazine has an advertisement for my business in the back. Check it out :-) Hoping this is the break the kit club needs.

Computer Tricks for Scrapbookers by Jessica Spague. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Check it out. The tips are awesome and well explained. Gotta love it. Can't wait to use them.

April kits are up for Sale

April kits and add ons are now available for sale on the site. The pictures can't do this paper justice. The colors and textures are really luscious. Check them out :-)

Meal Makers

Here is another LO using the April kit. I totally love Meal Makers and had to preserve our experience.

Friends and Creativity

We went to dinner at a friends house yesterday. It was a lot of fun and the food was really good. There were 8 of us total and we had steak, brats, potatoes, corn, fruit, and cobbler. After dinner we chatted. 4 of us are teachers, so the conversation always turns to the kids. We also played with the Wii. That game system is a ton of fun. I want one now and usually I am not in to things like. You get a great work out and you get to interact with the game. I must get one when they are available for sale again.

I am starting to feel a little restless again. I think Spring to me means new beginnings and discovering yourself and a whole bunch of other new age ideas :-) I can't help feeling like I am missing out on something greater. Something more creative. Something more meaningful. I am not sure what it is, but I know I need to actively seek it out. I really want to live more passionately even though I am not sure what that means just yet or what it entails. Only those in the scrap world may get this reference, but I want to live more like Stacy J., or Ali E., more creatively, surrounding myself with art and beauty, feeling like I am living more purposefully. They make it seem so easy, even though I am sure it is not. I don't wnat to be them, but I want to understand how they create this aura of being centered and balanced. I find it intriguing.

Anyhoo, enough of my ramblings. Have an awesome day and enjoy the start of Spring :-)

I decided to post a new LO using one of the April kits. I took this photo last fall and believe it is still one of my faves. The style is a little different from my norm, but I really really like it. The new kits will be on sale later this week. Not very many kit clubs are featuring this paper and I think it will sell out fast.

Happy Crafting :-)

Family Fun

Rob and I went to Chicago to surprise my step dad for his birthday. We had a nice time. We ate, played cards, talked, went to the movies and just hung out. Always nice to see family, but I will admit that my bed felt good last night :-) Here are some fun pics from the weekend. Nothing artistic, and that is okay b/c it is my family as we are each day and as I remember us when I was younger. I can't believe how much my younger sister looks like me. Geez louise, she is a mirror image almost. And Tiffany, you never know you may have a surprise visit this summer. Only thing is, it is hard to surprise you when you have to drive three hours to pick someone up from the airport :-) LOL LOL :-)

pics and growth

As promised here are some of the pics I took this past Thursday when Rob and I went to the park. I can't wait to scrap them. I love what this new lens can do. It is awesome. So glad I decided to get it. I am excited for the weather turning warmer. That means more opportunity to snap away with my camera.

Pssst...can I tell you a secret...starting my own business this year as really given me an entrepenuerial spirit that I never thought I had. I have been thinking of how else I can branch out creatively and I am considering photography among other things. I still have things to learn and plan to take another course or two over the summer, since I will be on break, but I think I may look into this more seriously. The kit club business has not been totally easy. I have learned some hard lessons and some easy ones as well, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am having fun and I enjoy the business side of it as much as the creative side. We are growing, and that makes me really happy and proud. So who knows, maybe before the end of the year, I will have a new link on my side bar advertising my new photography business.

Growth is my word for this year and I definitely plan to do just that :-)

Rob and I had a great day yesterday. The weather was absolutely beautiful, so went to Forest park and ate dinner outside at the Boathouse. We then went for a walk around the park and I played with my new lens. I have some great shots and will post them in a bit. It was a quiet evening and I love that we can do things like this together. Best part of being married are the quiet moments with my hubby. Love him a bunch.

Another Sneak Peek LO: Madison

Here is another LO using the second kit we will be offering next month. This kit has a different line of Prima paper and is a bit bolder than the kit below. This is my niece Madison. When my sis sent this picture I knew I had to do something with it. She is a gorgeous baby with a lot of spirit and sass. I hope you like it Tiffany and mom.

April Sneak Peek

Here is a sneak peek of some of the product in one of the April kits. Gotta love Prima, Heidi Swapp and bling. The stamp is one of the monthly add ons. Check us out at Color Your Memories kit club

50mm Lens

I was convinced to buy it by the lovely ladies at Willow Traders. I had read about it before, but seeing their pics convinced me. It works fantastic in low light situations. The fruit platter pic I took hand held by candlelight. I also love the perspective it gives on the cookie photo. It will take some time to get used to it. It has no zoom other than my legs :-) and it is a bit tricky to get it to focus on the right spot. Overall it is a good portrait lens and provides sharp details in well lit situations. Not sorry I bought it at all. B&H photo has them at a good price if you are interested.

Funny thing about this hobby is that it causes you to evolve. I became interested in photography through a desire to improve my pics for scrapbooking. Now I truly enjoy it as a hobby unto itself.

Shaking the Blahs

The last few days I have been feeling sort of blah. Nothing dramatic or tramatic has happened. I really do think it is just the weather changing. To shake the blahs yesterday, I went up stairs to my scrap room and worked on a couple of creations. I created this accordion album for a friend of mine at work. Her little boy is a cutie and I think she will get some good use out of it. This was the first time I have ever made a mini album. I think it turned out well. I used a kit from Personal Scrapper. First time in a few months I have scrapped with something that wasn't from my kit club.

I also got my new lens and I love it. I will post some new pics with it. My indoor shots have improved with this lens. It needs very little light to take great photos. Perfect for indoor portraits and it's under $100.

Color Your Memories is Having a Guest DT Contest

Color Your Memories Guest Designer Contest

Description:

Color Your Memories is in search of a Guest Designer for the month of May. Submit your designs using the Crate Cowboy or Crate Carnival collection to our new gallery area. One winner will be chosen based on style and originality. The contest is open to everyone.

Requirements:

Must use the Crate Cowboy or Crate Carnival collection Two submissions per person (can be a LO, card, or altered art) Items must be submitted by March 30th, 2007

The winner will be our May Guest Designer and receive our fabulous May kit to design with. The kit will be packed with new products from CHA (Cherry Arte and Creative Imaginations to name two). Please make sure you upload your creations into the challenges album located in the gallery.


CYM Gallery


I can't wait to see what you create :-)

It's A Card Thing

If you really want to see some cute cards and support another woman owned business, then check out the cards Monica is selling on Etsy: It's A Card Thing I am always happy to support another entrepenuer (sp?). They are cute, one of a kind and handmade.

Mom, here is the LO I was talking about :-) Wait till you see the one of Madison :-)

4 Nice Things

Four Fabulous things about Friday:

1) No School
2) Shopping with a friend
3) The prospect of spending quiet time with my hubby this evening
4) A new camera lens (the Cannon 50mm fixed, I cant wait to play)

Here are the pics for the entry below

My Week

Geez lets see where I should start...

Disclaimer: I have pics to post, but the dumb computer won't let me right now, so i will try again later when Rob gets home from class.

1) Last week I had my first photo shoot. MY friend wanted me to take a picture of her husband and his band for a tv promotion. I was way scared, but it was so low key. They just wnated a picture in front of the water fall at the mall :-) Well because I took the photo, he gave Rob and I tickets to come down to the tv station to watch them perform live. This was too cool. i had never been in a tv station before, let alone for a live taping. It was fun. They had interviews and two chefs cooking on the show as well. I think the show is called The Best of STL.

2) I debuted my March kit last week and I got a lot of positive response back and sold twice as many kits as I did in February :-) I sponsored the ladies over at Memories From Scraps and they did a fantastic job designing with the kit. Check them out!

3) Our romantic getaway was absolutely fabulous. We drove to southern Illinois and toured the wine country there. If you know me, you know I love wineries. The wine there was some of the best we have had. There are eight on the tour, but we only made it to five. Our fave was the peach port that was so smooth, you thought you were drinking fruit juice and not brandy. Each of the wineries were also hosting local artist and displaying their work, which meant a free reception at each place, so we snacked the whole day on good food as well.

4) The best part was the B&B we stayed at. It was a school house built in 1910. As a school teacher, I got a blast out of this. Our suite was an entire classroom. They even had the original blackboards up around the room. There were old school posters, maps, original drinking fountains, original wood floors and the original desks studnets used to use. It was amazing. the owner is a history buff, so he gave us a tour and explained all of the historical details. The gym is tsill there and is used for banquets and catering affairs. It was an awesome experience. The man also fixed us the most amazing breakfast. Bacon, smothered potatoes, pancakes, fresh fruit, eggs, sausage, and juice. Total experience. My hubby is fantastic for planning this all for me. I was totally unaware of where we were going and what we were doing, but it was a fab experience. I am so very lucky.

Haven't updated in a minute. I have been super busy. I still am. Rob is taking me on a secret getaway this weekend, so I won't be able to post until Sunday. I promise a big update on Sunday. TV Station, Photo Shoot, Love, and Kits = My Week :-)

I posted a little peek for you :-) Cindy Liebel's designs are now up in our gallery and they are awesome, you have to check them out.Color Your Memories

Here and There

We have had a pretty uneventful weekend, but here goes :-)

Friday: went to a great Jamaican restaurant with a friend from work and her husband. It was nice to go out with another couple and have adult conversation, laugh, and realize that your marriage is just like others. We have a lot in common and so it is great to laugh about the similarities. I absolutely love curry chicken, and sweet cabbage. Their rum punch was good too. I think the jamaican restaurant is what caused Rob and I too look at timeshares on Saturday :-)

Saturday: no we didn't get a timeshare, but we did browse. We love to travel and we love visiting Jamaica, so it seems like it would be a good fit. Just have to get over the price first :-)

Sunday: I have updated the site and made a few changes. Once I get the guest designer layouts, I will upload them and update the newsletter as well. I said the first, but I get anxious and never make it :-) The March kit has been received very well (I uploaded it early). I am so excited. I sold more March kits in the last 3-4 days than I sold of the February kit. I just want to say thanks to all who have bought and all who have offered encouragement. It means a lot to me. Color Your Memories Kit Club

March Kit Reveal

Okay, I couldn't wait to post the new kits. A special someone over on Willow Traders encouraged me to move ahead of schedule. I hope you all like it. I had great fun putting it together and even more fun scrapping with it. It is currently up for sale on the site: Color Your Memories. The Guest Designer layouts won't be up until the first still.



Here is something else I made with one of the kits.

Show and Tell

I just wanted to share something else I created using one of the kits from March. Click the pic to be able to read the journaling. I am really excited to post the new kits and to move forward with the new format. It's not easy being patient and waiting until the 28th :-) I got two of the new Prima lines delivered yesterday. The colors are gorgeous. The computer screen can't do them justice. Even my husband said, "oh those are nice, great pick." :-) It has the husband seal of approval. Look for these Prima lines in April's kit.

In other news, I am totally stressed at work, but it is totally my fault. I got behind and now my sense of right and wrong is kicking my butt and weighing me down. Darn SpongeBob for making me feel this way :-) Although I did enjoy the three new episodes :-)

Guilty Pleasure

My guilty pleasure today: Instead of using my day off to grade the hundreds of papers I have (grades are due Wednesday), I spent the day watching the SpongeBob marathon. I know, I know, I should be totally ashamed of myself. But oh well, it was a relaxing day :-)

This and That

Oh my goodness, where have I been? I need to play catch up :-)


Life: Valentine's day was very nice. Rob and I went out with two other couples from my job. We had a nice dinner at Juniper Grill and then went to the Chocolate Bar for dessert. Nothing like the softest creamiest chocolate brownie paired with a smooth port. Oh I shiver thinking about how good it is :-)

Rob and I couldn't believe that we will celebrate our fourth anniversary this year. The time has gone by so quickly. Totally know that this is the partner God intended for me.


Work: Going more smoothly since I had a revelation while talking to God one morning. I can not chnage how people act, but I can control my reaction to them. I decided to not let others control my emotions. Each time I get upset, I focus on being better and owning my own feelings. This may help me to get through one more year.


Business: Oh my goodness. I don't think I have ever crunched so many numbers, reviewed items, and made so many changes. But oddly enough I love every moment of it. It is a bit stressful and money is a concern, but I guess that comes with only being open for one or two months. I learned a lot from the mistakes I made the first month, so I guess they become learning opportunities :-) I have decided to switch up the format of the club. I am going to offer two smaller kits each month at a price of $18.50. I love planning kits, so this will give me more opportunity to do so, and the price works for almost all budgets. Here is a layout using one of the kits for March. Totally love how easy this kit was to use and the color combos. Click the pic to be able to read the journaling.

I have been tagged by Kim http://www.droopidog.typepad.com/ , so here goes:

Five Things I Love (not in any particular order)...

1) The smell of buttered popcorn
2) Sleeping inbetween clean sheets after a good shower
3) Feeling pretty after leaving the hair salon
4) When my husband kisses me on my neck from behind
5) Being understood

what do you love....

Random Thoughts

So my hubby is out of town for the weekend and I already feel lonely. I really do love just being with him and around him. And I absolutely hate sleeping in the bed when he is not home. I usually take up residence on the sofa.

In other news, I made my V-day cards, but haven't sent them out yet. I am terrible that way. Hopefully they will get to their destinations on time :-)

Rob and I are eating dinner with two other couples form my job for V-day. I am really excited. My friends are cool and I am looking forward to hanging out and celebrating with other adults.

Only another month of cheerleading activities and the season will be over. I am so tired, I really need to break. Cheerleading is year round and the girls have so many events to cheer for that it really does block up your schedule and free time.

I have almost finalized the designs for future kits. This is a time consuming process and more number crunching than I anticipated, but I really like it. I like the feeling of ownership and knowing that someone else has found your products useful.

Rob has some big plans for us next weekend, but he won't share. He told me to pack an over night bag and clear my schedule for two days. I like surprises, but I like figuring them out more. His only clue so far is that it has something to do with Egypt and is within driving distance. CSI is my fave show, so you know my sluething (sp?) hat is on :-)

Rob and I are in major savings mode and are doing very well. My mom will be happy to know the reason................................................................I have decided to rise above my fear of raising children, so we are actively planning for that in the near future. Lots of people have said very small and random things to me the last few months that have had a big impact. I hear all the stories of my neice and newphew, watch them growing up through pics and hear their voice, and I think I am missing out on this great experience because I am afraid. Well I have decided that Rob and I both have something positive to give. Anyhoo, I will probably talk more about it in another post.

Random Thoughts are over :-)

luv ya,

Friday Rob and I had a really nice evening. We went out to dinner at a new restaurant. Then we headed to this nice little Jazz club to hear Erin Bode perform. I love Erin Bode, I mean love her. Check her music ( http://www.erinbode.com/ ) out if you have never listened to hear. It's kinda like Norah Jones, but with a smoother, softer sound and feel. The performance was great.

Saturday we went back to MealMakers ( www.mealmakers.net ). We love them. The food is good, quick to prepare and helps us to eat better. I can't wait to try out some of the new dishes. I spent Saturday evening pouring over catalogues trying to figure out what to use in the kit club for the next three months. It is a hard process.

Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, so you know what I will be doing. Absolutely nothing...once I finish the chores I should have done on Saturday. I love football and I am glad Rob introduced me to it. He lost a bet about who would end up in the Superbowl, so he is providing all the food we will graze upon today. Yea, that makes me really HAPPY :-) We filed taxes today and are getting back a nice sum. Enough to pay off our upcoming trip to Europe, to cover expenses, and some to put into savings. That feels real Good.

Thought I would add a couple more cards to the blog. I plan to create some more this weekend. The scan is a little wonky on the one below. Maybe I will take a pic of it instead. Thanks for all of the kind comments about the first set of cards.