March Winner

Hi there my lovely blog friends.  Today is absolutely gorgeous and I truly believe everyone is out and about enjoying the beauty of Spring and Easter.  Even my favorite bird the "Cardinal" paid me a visit this morning, settling on one of the branches of my tree.  Just lovely I tell you.

Now on to blogging things.  First of all thanks to everyone that participated in last month's challenge.  The entries were very inspirational for me and my girls but as we all know, there can only be one winner selected by Random Generator so the winner of 5 digi images from Kenny K is...........(drumroll)

Rebecca

with entry #04

Congratulations on your win!

Please email Mema at lesia1707@att.net to claim your prize before 04/05

Next month our challenges will be posted on the first Monday of the month and there will be two winners each month selected on the 15th and the 30th.    A bonus winner will be selected on the 15th and on the 30th a winner will be selected to win the sponsor's prize.  All participants are eligible to win both prizes if they have an entry at the time of the selection.

The theme will always be "Anything Goes" but sometimes we will add an optional twist.  April's challenge does not have a twist so that is gonna be real easy because we want to see it all.

So that's it for today...after services I think I'll take a stroll around the park and see if the ducks are enjoying this weather as well.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Hugs and Best Wishes

Lesia and the Girls of Mema's Crafts

Latest Technique

Hello and Happy Easter! Today I did what everyone else was doing...buying those last minute items for Easter dinner then finally I returned home and settled in for the night.

Has anyone heard of the Filigree Card?  For the longest I have been seeing these cards pop up here and there and wondered how folks were creating cards with a filigree border.  My curiosity got the best of me, and I wasted a lot of paper trying to figure out how it was being done.

Then finally, I decided to visit the campus of my favorite university....YouTube University...and I started my search with any word I could think of to describe the card I was trying to mimic.

Well Lady Luck was with me tonight and I finally found a tutorial that described how to create that filigree edge.  So I gave it a whirl..... well to be honest with everyone I actually had to do it 3 times before I finally got it close enough to call it success and now I am going to share it with you.

The cool thing about this type of card is the effect the border has on the card.  I used Spellbinders Resplendent dies for my border and layered the dies using foam dots.

Both the ribbon and stamp I picked up from Michael's dollar bin.  This style card works best if the die has defined corners upon which you can position your top paper.

Here you can see the card from a side view giving you a glimpse of the inside.

I printed a quote on turquoise card-stock to match the front of the card and then cut it down to size before adhering it to the inside.

The tutorial is from Becca Feeken of Amazing Paper Grace.  I refer to Becca as the Bow Lady because her bows are simply amazing and I love her tutorials.

I hope you will give the Filigree card a try.  They are gorgeous and you can do so much with this one technique.

That is all I have for tonight.  If you entered my challenge be sure and check back tomorrow to see if you won, and remember you must be a follower to claim a prize.

Next month's challenge  is ANYTHING GOES and I will have some blog candy posted for two lucky followers as well.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugz

Lesia

April Challenge 2014 - Anything Goes

First of all let's give a big shout out to all our March Winners!!!! 

Yahoo!!!! Hope you had fun!

4 Winners in 1 Month....WOW!

Now we're moving on to April and there's no April Fool's Day going on over at Mema's Crafts!  This month our sponsors are:

We're always pleased to welcome back Bugaboo Stamps and her array of cute and sassy stamps. Bugaboo stamps offers freebies every Friday and there are new releases every Tuesday.  I love coloring these stamps and you will too!  Bugaboo is offering a generous prize of 7 digi stamps for one winner.

Our second sponsor is new to Mema's Crafts and offers very unique digital images that come complete with matching digital paper and the uniqueness of offering the digital stamps pre-colored. So please welcome and visit our generous sponsor "The Paper Shelter" that offers digital stamps and more!

You have to visit their site to see what they have to offer.  I promise you will visit more than once or twice or ..... you know what I mean.  Check it out!

This month April's Challenge is a favorite for everyone!

Ariana (Ari) has decided it should be 

"Anything Goes"!!

and I added an optional twist

Spring or Easter!

*********************************************************
Allow me to introduce a few talented ladies from The Paper Shelter Design Team as this month's Guest Designers for Mema's Crafts.

Shirley Chalmers of https://www.nannieflash.blogspot.com Team Leader. I'm a 71year old mother and grandmother to 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren and l great grandson. I have been on The Paper Shelter Design Team since it was created just over 3 years ago and I run it with my joint Team Leader Marie, and we take it in turns every two weeks to run it. I live with my husband in a beautiful part of England, Gloucestershire and have a 3 year old Yorkie Missy who we find rules our lives.

Anna Pysseltime of http://annaspysseltajm.blogspot.co.uk/ is one of the girls on Shirley's Design Team and lives in Sweden with her family.

Angela of the Netherlands

My card-making addiction started a long time ago with tea tiles. My latest addictions are digital stamps and my Silhouette Cameo. TPS digital stamp kits include pre-coloured stamps and papers also. Beside colouring the gorgeous images I love to play with the pre-coloured ones... I use them for making projects with my Silhouette Cameo. The Easter box card is made that way... I hope you like it.

Gail Lass of 

http://www.laceylassy.blogspot.com/

My hobbies are stained glass, gardening and paper crafts, not in that particular order. I’m a secretary by day and love making cards to relax after a long day of pushing paper. I’m married 7 years to a wonderful guy who understand my need to create and I’m flanked by 2 beagles and 3 cats who love to visit me in my craft room (and leave animal hair that sticks to all my adhesives!). I’m honored to be invited as a Guest Designer by Mema’s Crafts this challenge and love what the Mema’s Crafts Design Team has created for this challenge!

Patty Sue 2 of

Emmett, Idaho, United States

my life is blessed in so many ways. I am a Christian, a wife, a mother and a 'grammy' to two adorable little boys. They are the sunshine of my life. I have been an avid scrapbooker for many years and several years ago began my addiction to stamping and card making. I am retired. My husband of 40 years has always supported my creative adventures (and misadventures)in all my craft endeavors. I like to sew, oil paint, draw pencil portraits, garden and of course paper craft. I am active in our local Baptist Church and have worked with the youth in some capacity for the last 30 years. I hope your day is blessed and filled with joy. I pray that I can leave a little kindness along the way.

View my complete profile

Hugs to all my beautiful Guest Designers. Please visit their site for more inspirational creations and don't forget to enter their challenges while you're there!

My girls and I had fun creating these cards and we hope they will bring a smile to your face or offer some type of inspiration for you.

Gabbi

(pre-colored -digital paper)

The Paper Shelter "Sophie in the Country"

Ari

(pre-colored- digital paper)

The Paper Shelter "The 20's Girl" 

Lesia

(colored with Copics)

Bugaboo Stamps "Spring Boot"

Joyce

(colored with copics)

The Paper Shelter "The 20s Girl"

Joyce

(colored with copics)

Bugaboo Stamps "Fancy Bonnet Easter"

Lesia

(colored with copics)

Now you've seen what we have and we are excited to see what you create to share with us.  Enter your creation below.

****************************************************************************

An InLinkz Link-up

Spring Is Here

Click Here for March's Anything Goes Challenge
or click the challenge tab above

Spring is here and I didn't miss it and even the the weather was very agreeable with a nice 72 degrees.  The day was perfect with the exception that I sat inside a building looking out my window watching the squirrels play and run around.  Spring was finally here and although I do love Spring, my allergies were in full force and for once I didn't mind.  Then of course as we say in Texas just give it a day and change will come.  And change it did...the temperature dropped to the mid 40s and I think the birds went into hibernation.  It was nice while it lasted and it will come around again.

My inspiration for my card was seeing all the decorations in the stores for Easter with the yellows and bright colors.  You can't help but be happy with such warm colors, and there are a lot of challenges out there with themes of Easter and Spring so I think my card is perfect for these challenges.  I had fun  creating this card and coloring this adorable image.

My card recipe:

DP: My Minds Eye "Breeze"
CS:  Bazzill Mustard Yellow
Image: Elisabeth Bell Digis
Flowers: Wild Orchid
MS: Butterfly Punch and Lace
Spellbinders: Grand Classic Oval and Grand Scalloped Oval
Marianne Dies: Leaves and Flourish
Recollections: Bling





I added Stickles to her headband and the petals of the roses as well as the butterfly wings.

The image was colored using the following copic markers:
Skin - E00, E11
Hair - E31, E35, E47
Clothes - Y26, Y21, Y23, W3, W1, W00
Water and Grass - B00, B60, C1, BG96, BG93

The inside of the card looks like this.  The sentiment on the front and quote on the inside of the card were both computer generated.

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:

My Creative Moments- Springtime

2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Challenge #136 Easter/Springtime

Paper Creator's Crafts - Challenge#6 Spring Has Sprung

One Stop Craft Challenge - Recipe Challenge

Sweet Stamps - Lots of Layers

Lady Anne's Sentimental Friday - Challenge #7 Anything Goes

A Gem of A Challenge - Challenge #72 On the Move

Tomorrow is supposed to bring back the Spring like temperatures and the sun is supposed to rise early in the morning.  I am so looking forward to those days and while I may not be able to enjoy all of them, I will enjoy the ones I am blessed to have.  Here are a few words for thought.

Maybe God 

put Easter in the Spring

to remind us that he makes 

miraculous things happen 

when we do nothing more

than open ourselves up to him.

Where ever you are I hope your evening is peaceful and full of the beauty that surrounds us every day for free.  Breathe the beauty in and release it with your creativity in crafting.

Thanks for stopping by

Lesia

Duplication Equals Giveaway

Click Here for March's Anything Goes Challenge

or click the challenge tab above

I can't believe it but I am almost finished with cleaning my craft-room and finding a home for my items.  While on this grand organization adventure I am discovering that I should have organized my room a long time ago.  In fact I think I will do this on a regular basis now, that I am finding duplicate items of various things.  This is beginning to bug me...I must relax, release and relate to the situation....(exhaling in an effort not to curse)

What to do with these things....doesn't seem fair or practical to keep two... so I propose a giveaway that only my followers can enter....yep just as soon as I finish with the closet and gather everything together I will post my blog giveaway.

How does one duplicate Cricut cartridges and open them both without remembering they had one.  Also how does a Cricut cartridge end up in a drawer labeled Magnolia Magazines.  At least I didn't pay retail (I never pay retail) because if I had, this would not be a very happy post.

Now that I've shared my frustrations let me move on with my latest creations.  I'm working on three cards, one mini album and attempting to alter an old cigar box all at the same time.  All this multi-tasking is wearing me out.  I think it would be more restful if I just go cook a meal using my new  "NINJA" that I got a few months ago.  Soon I will have an entire NINJA kitchen, at least that is the plan...just how to execute is the question..Ummm.

OMGoodness...how did I get so side tracked?  Okay back to multitasking, in short I didn't finish any of those aforementioned projects, instead I created the following two page layouts.

This layout is a tribute to my oldest grand-daughter who garnered herself a full scholarship by strutting her skills on the basketball court.

She is always making the headlines in the sports paper and her mom was kind enough to share those with me.  I'm lucky to have a lovely DIL that I'm comfortable with.  I was going to use the paper clips but changed my mind and decided that photos told the story a little bit better.

Its amazing how kids can change in just one year...I mean growing into a mature young lady with a goal and focus of determination to win.  All I can say is "You Go Girl"!

This layout was a creation of nothing short of pure pride.  "LeLe," as I refer to her, changes everyday.  I am amazed at how well she handles frustrations and disappointments.

From tomboy, to goth, to trendy...she has went through it all in search of herself.  I'm not sure if she has succeeded in finding herself, but its been most enjoyable for me to watch her look.   So far the trendy style is holding strong (for the last two years) but who knows what it will be tomorrow.

The backgrounds for both layouts were altered using Photoshop, to hide how messy my craft-room was and still is due to my multitasking.

That's all for tonight....I really need to get back to work on my projects.  I found a few challenges I want to enter so hopefully I'll get a few cards completed before the challenge ends.  I tend to be late when it comes to challenges.

Well my lovelies, 

thanks for stopping by and 

taking time to leave me a comment.  

~Lesia~

YouTube Surfing

Click Here for March's Anything Goes Challenge

or click the challenge tab above

Hello Everyone! Yea!! the weekend has finally arrived and although it feels like Spring took a nap and Winter sneaked back in I am still glad the weekend is here.  Lately I've been doing a lot of YouTube surfing and finding some of the most hilarious things (not crafting).  I can't tell you how much I have laughed these past few days.

Anyway referring back to crafting...I found this neat tutorial for a stationary box.  I had already created one that was pretty versatile because it held notepad, stamps, pencils and those type of things which was really cool, but this box was so very different I just had to give it a try.

  I want to share this with you so although it is a demo, I'm going to share with you what I came up with and at the end I've included a link to where I found this tutorial.

If you check out the original tutorial you will see a neat twist to the box that I did not include on mine.

This photo shows the box laying down with a belly band to keep it closed.  I added very little embellishments because when you open it, you want it to lay flat.

Keep in mind, that this is my demo/practice that I created so I didn't use my strongest CS paper and it took a while for me to find scraps of DP big enough to cover most of the box.

Here you can see the two pockets that will hold both envelopes and stationary.  This would make a great gift.
 
I think you could add a set of cards with matching stationary and envelopes to make a really nice gift.

Additionally, if you check out Lyssa's  added twist you will have a really cute stationary purse to give as a gift.  Just think how cute that would be!

Lyssa Griffin is a wonderful demonstrator and has made her tutorials free.  She has also made them real easy to follow with photos and clear instructions so check out her site.  If you just want the tutorial for this Double Pocket Stationary box then just click the link.

Okay time to surf YouTube a bit more to see what else I can find.  Have fun crafting.

Thanks for stopping by

Lesia

Green Is In

Click Here for March's Anything Goes Challenge

or click the challenge tab above

I hope everyone that celebrates St. Patrick's Day celebrated with a bang and had lots of luck along the way.

There was a huge parade and celebration right here in Dallas, which I watched on the tube.

 I prefer not to fight the crowds and I'm sure parking was a adventure. I did however wear my green beads and hat to celebrate.


Speaking of celebrations, there is one going on this week over at 613 Avenue Create and its all about the color green in honor of St. Patrick himself.

The challenge is Anything Goes and the Twist is use the color green.  Of course the twist is always optional.  I like the Anything Goes challenges so much that I've decided to make all my challenges "Anything Goes" with an optional twist.

If you haven't already, check out my March challenge and maybe even enter one of your projects...remember ANYTHING GOES so why not...you could be a winner.  Use the challenge tab above or just click here to see what's happening.  There is still time.

Then hop on over to our community at 613 Avenue Create and enter your project there.  Winning is always fun and when its this easy...well that makes it more fun.

My donation to the design team uses the image Sending Love from My Heart Pieces.     I've colored her with copics and used Kaisercraft "Konstruct Paper Pad" to layer her onto my card base.  I also used my latest Spellbinders die with a couple of older ones and then pulled out my Wild Orchids flowers to create a little floral arrangement.

That's it for today my lovelies.  I'm off to do a little ironing and preparation for that dreadful tomorrow, which translates to an early rise from bed and a day of reports, numbers, negotiating and teaching.  But once I've made it through those 10 hours, I get to come back to my craft-room to relax and visit all my crafting friends in blog-land.

Until next time

Hugs ~Lesia

Cool Technique

Hi There! Surprised to see me back so soon...well I discovered this new technique and I had to share it with everyone.  The technique is called "Double Punch Inserts" and I thought how wonderful.

First of all a Martha Stewart punch around the page set is required.

I used the "Deco Flowers" punch set for my punch around the page. My designer paper and card stock is Basic Grey (pretty sure it is). I used one of my Recollections flowers and added a little stickles to it for a little shine.

The image is from Rick St. Dennis,  and I colored her using copic markers YG99,97, Y19,21,23, E39,37,13,11,00, C0, 03 and 01.  The banner and the circle was cut using a Spellbinders die.  I added a few pearls to finish my card.

After you punch around the page you create a template to use when creating your corners.
Here is a close-up of the resulting corner once you use the double-punch technique.

I thought this was such a cool technique and now I can't remember where I found it.

All I can remember is the site name was "Beehive" but try as I may I can't seem to find it again.
Additionally, I know I had to translate the instructions to English.

If anyone finds it or knows the author please let me know so I can give them credit for sharing the tutorial.




On the inside I decided to mimic the front and on the left I added a stamped sentiment.

On the final card after I took this picture I used my prismacolor pencils to color the waterfall, grass and hillside.





 I would like to enter this card in the following challenges.

A Gem of A Challenge - Easter/Spring (3/23)
Catch the Bug - March Bingo Challenge (3/23)
My Sheri Crafts - Challenge #106 Easter (3/29)
My Time to Craft - Challenge #213 Bunnies
One Stop Craft  - Challenge #220 Anything Goes
Paper Creators Crafts - Challenge #6 Spring Has Sprung
Sweet Stampin - Challenge Easter
My Creative Moments - Word Play Challenge Saturday "Springtime"
Chocolate Coffee & Cards - Challenge 35 Bring On Spring

I will post the steps for this technique later in my tutorials section for anyone that would like to have it but if I find the original tutorial I will post the link there as well.

Well my friends, time has flown by once again and nighttime has fallen.  I wish you well until tomorrow when I shall return to share more of my crafting world.

Hugz to all of you where-ever you are 

Lesia

The Day of Nothingness

Hello my lovelies! I had the day off today and I have yet to get out of my jammies.  It is a glorious feeling to just be lazy and do nothing but nap, eat and watch the tube.

Nope, I didn't wash the clothes, nor did I do the dishes, and I didn't even think of dusting or cleaning off my carpets.  Today was a day of "NOTHING"!  I unplugged my phones and locked all my doors so that I could listen to the wonderful sound of "Nothing".  I think I drank a six pack of Lipton tea, apple juice and water during this day of nothingness.  Sometimes doing nothing is all it takes to get your mojo going again.

Since my home is wireless I was able to surf the net while lying in bed doing nothing and I found enough of sights to inspire me and then I went looking for challenges (still searching).  The last thing I did before this post was to create a card, but soon I will need to take a shower and get ready to go back to bed.  I don't get these days often so this was pure joy and I savor every second because tomorrow will surely come.

Well before tomorrow shows up I'd like to share my card with you.

DP: Authentique
CS: Stampin' Up
Stamp: Hero Arts

Pennant banner created using scraps from the card-stock.  I also used a gold peel and seal sticker to highlight the words. All the panels were inked with walnut stain and the final touch was the two buttons and the border punch.

As you know I hate to waste any paper so on the inside I used the left over pieces to create a space for a personal message (on the right) as well as a space for an image (on the left).




I am entering this card in the following challenges:

A Day for Daisies - Challenge #65 Anything Goes
Lady Anne's Challenges - Friday Sentiments Anything Goes #7 (3/28)
Chocolate Coffee and Cards - Challenge #34 Banners (3/21)
Dilly Beans Designers - Friendship (3/20)
4 Crafty Chicks - Clean and Simple (3/20)
Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 260 Anything Goes (3/20)
For Your Inspiration - Photo Inspiration Challenge #41 (3/19)

Before I close for the night I'd like to remind you that there is still time to enter this month's challenge and take a chance at winning 5 KennyK digi images of your choice.

Next month's challenge is "Anything Goes" and the optional twist will be to make it "Clean and Simple" (CAS).  Additionally, remember that beginning next month my challenges will be posted on Monday, and a winner will be selected every other Monday (2 winners per month).  Hope you'll find time to play with us.

So until next time.....Hugs and Kisses!

~Lesia~

Mema's Challenges Update

Hello Everyone

This is a quick post to let you know that beginning April I will be changing my challenges to post on the first Monday of every month and run until the end of a month with a winner on the 15th and the 30th  of the month (almost every two weeks).

So the earlier you post the more chances you have to win.  A winner will be chosen on the 15th and then again on the 30th of the month.  Hope you will join in the fun and share your talent with us.

Additionally, my challenges will always be "Anything Goes" with an optional twist so if you feel like a twist take the plunge but if you're not up to it then share with us your style...its your choice.   I want my challenges to be a way for you to have fun, win prizes and share your passion for crafting with others that have the same passion.

So look for this change next month, but for now I have a couple of cards to  share with you.

For this card I used Glitz Pretty in Pink paper collection along with the layered sticker that came in the collection.  The flowers and the crystals are Recollection.  I used a piece of ribbon from my stash and a few buttons.  I inked and distressed the edges.

This masculine card was created using  "The Craftsman" a new paper pack from Prima that I just received.  I stamped the sentiment twice and then popped it up using foam dots.  I also added stitching around the outside of the card and cut out a gear from a sheet of the paper.


I think I'll enter this card in:
Penny's Paper Crafting Challenge - Stitching or Faux


Both of these cards were inspired by other designers who are a bit more talented than I am....so big kudos and thanks for keeping me inspired.

Well I hope everyone is having a great weekend and I look forward to seeing your creations.

Take Care Until Next Time

Lesia

Tic Tac Toe

Hope you had a good week and have fun plans for the weekend.  I am real anxious for spring to step on up to the plate so we can stop playing the game of 45 degrees one day and then 75 the next.
Anyway, I am here to share my DT card for this week's challenge over at 613 Avenue Create.  It's our first challenge for the month of March and we're playing "Tic Tac Toe" so get ready!

My card base and mats are Recollections and the patterned papers are from Authentique Essentials Collection 6x6 pad. The image is The Vicarage Scene by Rick St Dennis.

I printed my image on Neenah paper and colored it with my Copics. I cut it out, added a mat and then used foam dots to pop it up on my card. I added green stickles to the bushes around the house for a little glistening effect.

I punched out a few pennant flags using my Paper Studio 2" pennant punch and then outlined it with my white gel pen. I also included a couple of brads and some bling. Lastly I stitched around the outside of the top layer to box in my image. The sentiment is by Poly Cling clear stamps.

Tracing my tic-tac-toe three times finished my card. I am entering this card in the following challenges:

All That Stickles - Use Green Stickles

Catch the Bug - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and while you're here don't forget to enter our March "Anything Goes" challenge by clicking the tab above, and then hop over to 613 Avenue Create.

March 2014 Challenge Winners

Every Saturday A Winner Is Selected

March is a long month boasting 5 Saturdays therefore at Mema's Crafts we thought it was perfect for an every Saturday Winner Challenge.  

Remember to look for random ways to win from time to time throughout the year.  But for now let me prepare for our Saturday winners.

Winner 1:  March 8th (gift certificate Make it Crafty )

!!!!!!Congratulations to Courtney!!!!!!

(contact memascrafts2@gmail.com to claim your prize before 3/15)

We would love it if you would add our winners badge to your blog or site

Winner 2:  March 15 (3 digi images from SBDO)

!!!!!Congratulations to Mary J Scrapper!!!!!

(contact memascrafts2@gmail.com to claim your prize before 3/22)

We would love it if you would add our winners badge to your blog or site

Winner 3:  March 22 (4 digi images from RSD)

!!!! Big Kudos for our 3rd Winner....."Katya Bess"!!!!!!

(contact memascrafts2@gmail.com to claim your prize before 3/29)

We would love it if you would add our winners badge to your blog or site

Winner 4:  March 29 (gift certificate 7kids College Fund)

our final winner for March Sketch Challenge is......

!!!!!Caroline M !!!!!

(contact memascrafts2@gmail.com to claim your prize before 4/5)

We would love it if you would add our winners badge to your blog or site)

All winners are selected using Mr Linky and Random Number Generator to keep it fair.  Rules are enforced and the winner will have one week to claim their prize.

Hope Lady Luck comes your way.