Creative Stretch Part Two

Only one more day in May's Challenge and then we select our bonus winner but I can't tell you how it works until after tomorrow.  All I know is that the winner will be one of our entries. Make sure you check the Winners Tab above to see if you were selected a winner.

For now I want to share my newest attempt at creativity beyond my norm.  It is called a Flip Card and let me tell you this card has more flips and flaps than some minis.  I wonder if it isn't really a little biddy mini album.  The finished size is 6" x 6.75" and it is cute.

Okay enough with the chit-chat, but I warn you this post may be a little long so beware.

This is the front of the card and I used leftover paper from my Graphic 45 Wizard of Oz paper pack.

When you open the card you are presented an area that you can decorate if you want or even add a 4 x 6 photo if you wish.  I checked and they fit perfectly.  The little smudge is where I added adhesive to the wrong side and didn't remove it quick enough.  Don't fret I have no plans to give this project to anyone.

Open the second flap and you have a center that is yet another flap.  I told you it had more flaps and flips then I expected.  But think of all the possibilities this card possesses.  You could definitely use this card for group signatures and if you decorated it really soft it would be perfect for guest to sign at a baby shower.  What potential it has.

Here I opened the center flap and flipped the next layer of flaps and replaced the center flap back down.  I could have easily opened the other side instead, but this is what I decided to take a photo of , and I did that without logic or reason.  I'm allowed to do that you know (lol) 

The center flap has been folded back and the next two flaps have been moved back to show even more flaps.  I added a pocket in the center and inside the pocket is a 3x3 tri-fold card.  A lot of space in this "Flip Card".

Here you see the gate flaps opened revealing more space for sentiments, photos or journal tags and etc.

 Lastly, I removed the tags, journal tags and tri-fold card to reveal the inter-workings of this Flip Card.  

It's an amazing card designed by Gloria Stengel and I've provided the basic instructions for constructing it below, but if you would like to see more photos then click on any Flip Card link within this post.

The link will take you to the Graphic 45 blog and once there you will need to scroll down a bit until you see the photo below.  She has several photos and of course her tutorial is posted as well.

Well my crafty friends, I hope I have inspired you to go and take a look.  Thanks for hanging out with me tonight and come again soon.

Basic Instructions 

1. Cut (1) 6 x 12 piece of cardstock. Score at 2 1/4, 3, 9, and 9 3/4 inches.
2. Cut (4) 6 x 6 pieces of cardstock.
3. Attach 2 pieces of 6 x 6 cardstock to the 2 1/4 inch left flap at the 2 1/4 inch fold, sandwiching the flap between the cardstock.  Repeat the process by attaching the other 2 pieces of 6 x 6 cardstock to the 2 1/4 inch right flap.
4. You will end up with a base page that is 6 inches tall and 19 1/2 inches wide. Score again at 6 and 6 3/4 inches from each end. This is your Album Base. Set this aside. 

1. Cut (3) pieces of cardstock to 6 x 12 inches. Score each piece at 3 and 9 inches. Attach the three pieces of cardstock together by the 3 x 6 inch flaps to form a 6 x 24 inch section that has a center section with "doors."  
2. Fold the two 3-inch center flaps towards the center.

1. Fold the 3-inch right flap in and fold the 6-inch right panel towards the center.
2. Fold the 3-inch left flap in and fold the 6-inch left panel towards the center. Now you have the Album Core. Once it is folded, it will measure 6 x 6 inches.
3. Attach the Album Core to the inside 6x6 center panel of your Album Base, by attaching adhesive to the back of the Album Core and placing it onto the center of the Album Base.
4. Fold the right panel to the center.
5. Fold the left cover panel to the center. (It may be helpful to label your “naked” panels and flaps prior to decorating.)
6. You may choose to ink all edges and folds.
7. Now you are ready to decorate!

Design Team (M&M Girls)

A few weeks ago I announced I was looking for a few designers to join Mema's Crafts.  I asked for volunteers because I felt volunteers would best represent my blog's purpose of learning and sharing from each other.  The ladies that have volunteered also enjoy sharing their talent with others and that makes them perfect to be Mema's Crafts Design Team Members.   

Today, I am thrilled and just soooo excited that a few very talented ladies answered my call and now Mema's Crafts has a Design Team.  YAHOO!!!

I don't want to waste time so to all my 

crafting friends and followers please meet 

Mema's Crafts Design Team. 

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

PENNY RAE

Hi my name is Penny Rae.  I am a mother and grandmother.  I work full time in the Marketing Department at a Resort & Casino.  I've been crafting in one form or another since I was a child.  My favorites are card making, hand decorating gift bags and paper crafts.  I also perennial flower garden and am an amateur photographer.  I like to take pictures of my flowers and animals. I use my flowers for inspiration in my crafting.  My other passion is Zentangle drawing.  I teach drawing at one of the local art centers.  I have Celiac's Disease & Arthritis and my crafting and drawing help me deal with them.  To see some of my paper crafting please visit my blog at Penny Rae's Creations. To see some of my Zentangling and class info visit my blog Penny Rae's Tangled Journey  I am currently on 2 design teams- 613 Avenue Create and Left of Center Creative Challenges   I am a past designer of My Heart Pieces Digital Stamp Challenges

PRINCESS

Hi everyone.  Just a little about me...I'm single with no children and poor sleeping habits so when the inspiration comes I'm up creating at any time. Since I love all paper-crafts, I can't say which one is my favorite.  Mini albums are dear to my heart though.  My inspiration comes from my surroundings and challenges for the most part.  I have a scrapbook club and enjoy having others join the circle.  Whenever I can, I love to get children inspired to create, learn to preserve their memories and family treasures. Come visit my world at Papercrafting Paradise. 

JUDITH

HI folks I m 54, married with 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. I have lived in the North West of England all of my life and have been Crafting in my Adult life about 10 years. Following a Career in Finance I did lots of Crafty Courses and Studied Design at University specializing in Textiles. I have been Paper Crafting now for about 18 months and love it. I love to be inspired by and
to inspire others. My husband I also love to travel but we're unable to do that at the moment as we have 2 diabetic dogs to care for.

Looking forward to being a member of the Design Team and getting to know you all xxx

LISA

             

My name's Lisa and I'm the computer-savvy half of this mother-daughter card business. I spend most of my life on the Internet--every minute not spent covered in paint and ink--so I loooove having a blog to share my projects with everyone. I've been crafting pretty much my entire life. I remember making construction paper chains as a kid, then ornaments and handmade greeting cards and even my own Barbie doll clothes. Stamping and jewelry making are the two things that have really stuck with me. I've been selling my cards for a few years now, at craft shows and fairs and on ETSY at our shop, The Royal Pumpkin. 

DONNA

Hi---I love making cards! But first and foremost I am a wife, mother and mema. My husband is a retired colonel from the U.S. Army, who served 30 years of service. He is truly an amazing husband, father, and papa who is dedicated to his family and supports me in all of my endeavors. I have a son, a daughter and three beautiful grandchildren, who are the loves of my life.

My travels have been vast as I was fortunate to live abroad and in multiple states around the Country. The most interesting thing about traveling is seeing all the beauty that surrounds the World which has shaped my life and eye for creativity.

I have always loved crafting and I inherited that trait honestly because My mother was a home economics major in college. Growing up I always wanted to be in fashion shows, because she would make me new clothes. She is truly a talented and inspirational artist. She makes quilts and wearable art clothing, so this is why I give all the credit to her.

Moving forward, I love Scrapbooking--traditional and digital. I love, love, love making cards, altered art, and photography. I always strive to integrate my joys that I captured or created in my designs to share with others through blogging. I just wish there were more hours in the day.

I look forward to sharing my designs with Mema's Crafts and the other Design Team Members.

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

THESE LADIES ARE THE M&M's OF MY BLOG

 SO THE TERM OF ENDEARMENT I'VE SECRETLY GIVEN THEM IS:  

"MY MM GIRLS"

(mema's girls)

Look for their talent next month in our June Challenge

where the theme is  "Only Men Allowed".

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

My Creative Stretch Part One

There is still time to enter 

May's Challenge and the 500 follower goal is closer....

so spread the word.

Hello Everyone! Are you watching my count of followers? I surely am and can't believe that I am almost at my goal.  This is very exciting for me so to all my followers I send out a big YIPEE YA YEAH.

I've been busy surfing the net as usual and visiting folks along the way when at one stop point I was introduced to the most talented lady by the name of Debbie.  Her work is beyond amazing and there is so much to learn from just looking at her work.  Her work will inspire you to stretch beyond the norm.

So today is a card I created that is just a bit outside the norm and although it is simple enough, I think it has that little bit of extra that adds the wow so as to grab your attention.

I decided to use Sunshine Orange and White.  This combination is happy and yet not to bright to be considered yellow, although I do love those yellow canaries.  There's also an inspiration photo over at "For Your Inspiration" that has a beautiful golden scenery to spark up the old mojo.

Y'all let me know what you think...okie dokie?  Oh BTW, my photos came out rather dark and I tried to fix them in PhotoShop so forgive me for the funky coloring in the backgrounds.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Recollections

Spellbinders: Botanical Die

K&Company: 3-D Sticker

Sizzix: Embossing Folder

Challenges I Want to Enter:

Sister Act Card - Challenge #8 - Anything Goes (5/29)

Sweet Pea Stampers - May Challenge - Birds of a Feather

As you Like it - Challenge #2 -Favorite Two Colour Combo

For Your Inspiration - Challenge #46

Have a Safe, Happy

and Creative

Day

Hugs ~Lesia

Southern Belle

Don't forget there is still time to enter 

May's Challenge and the 500 follower goal is closer....

so please spread the word.

Wow it has been over a week since my last post and so much has happened in that week.  First of all I spent time dodging the multiple tornadoes that touched down here in Texas...and then, managed to survive the wind, rain and hail that lasted for hours.  But after hours of watching and waiting it all died down and the earth stood still again.  I peeked outside and it appeared to be okay with a few branches thrown here and there...decided to clean up the yard after the sun came up.

When the sun appeared, I took time to clean up a few branches before getting back into my routine which including fighting traffic to get to work.  But later when I returned home I had a pleasant surprise...new stuff sitting at my door waiting to be opened.

As usual when I get something new, I have to play and test it out therefore I spent time just cutting different things with my new Marianne and Spellbinder dies.  So now I have a basket full of die cuts that I hope will at some point find their way to a card or page layout.

Today I am going to share a card where I used a couple of my new dies.   Hope you like it or find it interesting.

Title: Southern Belle
3 Layers, 2 dies, 1 image

Supplies:
Card-stock: Bazzill
Spellbinders:  5x7 Elegant Labels 4
Marianne Designs:  Parasol
Flowers:  Wild Orchid
Recollection Pearls

Entering in the following challenges:
Crafty Catz - Challenge #183 "3-2-1"
Digi Haven - Challenge "Mother's Day/Floral" (5/22)
Inspire Me Fridays - Challenge #103 "Anything Goes" (5/22)
Simply Create Too - Challenge#37 - "Anything Goes" (5/23)
Sister Act - Challenge #7 - "Anything Goes"
Wags and Whiskers - Challenge #104 - "Anything Goes" (5/29)
Penny Black Saturday - Challenge "Anything Goes"
Kraftyhands Challenge - "Anything Goes"
My Sheri Crafts - Challenge "Flower Power"
One Stop Craft - Challenge 229 "Anything Goes"

Card For Mom

I hope everyone had an opportunity to celebrate their moms, in a very special way.  My mom passed a way years ago and yet I confess to her my love and explain how much I miss the cooking lessons over the phone and our Sunday calls to discuss the week and all our activities.

I celebrate my mom by being the woman she raised me to be, and making sure that I buy and plant begonias in multiple colors to represent her flower garden which I complained about having to work when I was younger.  I still hear my mom telling me that life wasn't easy and neither was it going to be what I wanted it to be all the time.

She told me that

"Life is like a flower, 

every bloom is different in every way 

but each holds its own beauty, 

if we just take time to look beyond the flaws".

My mom was a strict, firm, God-fearing woman that had a heart filled with love for God and family (in that order).  Anyway to move this post along I would like to announce that we have our first winner in May's Challenge.  Click the Monthly Winners Tab above to see if you're a winner.

Here is a quick and simple Mother's Day card I'd like to share with everyone.   My grand-daughter made it for her mom and her mom was really pleased to know that her daughter stayed with Mema for the sole purpose of creating what she referred to as a masterpiece.

The paper she used is from DCWV and Recollections.  The verse on the inside she typed using Word and then printed them out on Neenah paper along with the image.

SB Deckled Rectangles and Lacy Circles were used and WOC flowers.  On the inside she used a doily to take up space and then added a small circle to add the sentiment.  Lastly she made the envelope using MS Scoring Board and hand-crafted the flower for the closing flap.

She was proud and so were her mother and I.  Leave a comment and let her know what you think.

Don't forget to check the Winners Tab above to see if you're a winner and if you haven't entered May's Challenge there is still time before our second draw.

Until we meet again

Stay Healthy, Be Safe, and Create Create Create

Hugs from Texas ~Lesia

Sharing My Demos

Looking For May's Challenge 

Click the Challenge Tab Above or Click Here

Well I finally got to the post office so my winners will be getting their packages within the next 3 days.  When you work long hours you tend to miss things before they close, so making it there today was a blessing.

So to my blog candy winners...."the packages are on their way."

As usual I am always looking for new techniques or folds and this time I found a cute little card and decided to give it a try.  Keep in mind that both cards are demo's therefore they aren't the best I could do but you can get the idea.

Well let's get started.

The newest card I found is called a "Block Card" and it is the cutest thing with lots of potential.  The best part is you can use up all your scraps.

For this one I used some scraps left from my Graphic 45 "Birdsong Collection."  I adore this little block card and can't wait to do more and decorate them all up.

One thing I need to warn you about is if you decide to make this card make sure you use some heavy card-stock,  like the paper from Stampin Up or even some DCWV.

This card I created to be a display, which is why it is sitting on a base.  I added the tag for a sentiment and then if I can find a few lightweight birds I can set them on the steps.

Although the card has lots of folds it can still be folded flat to fit inside an envelope.

Here I am showing a block envelope that you can make for your card.  It will accommodate any decorations you may want to add, to include bulky items like charms or flowers.

Like the card, the envelope is really easy to make and can be decorated to match the card.

When you create these type cards you will need to decorate both sides with 1.5 inch pieces of scrap.  I didn't mat my pieces on these demos but I will when I create one to actually give to someone.

And I will definitely use Stampin' Up card-stock for my base.






Well I just thought I would share these demos with you and maybe inspire you to give it a try.

If you want to try, watch the videos below (hope they work).

If the video does not activate click the words beneath the video.  This should link you directly to Youtube.

Tutorial for the Block Card

Tutorial for the Block Card Envelope

Well my lovely friends...I must call it a day because tomorrow will come forth early bringing with a whole slew of things I must get done.

So until another day, take care, live well and play hard.

Hugs ~Lesia

Ladies Diary Heartbreak

Click Here for this month's challenge or use the challenge tab above.

Hello Everyone.  I am so frustrated at the moment, because I just discovered that the 8x8 paper pad from Graphics 45, A Ladies Diary is no longer available, and there are no plans to send this particular collection to print.

Can you believe this madness!  No one has the smaller pad and very few places have the 12x12 paper pack.  So far I have went through two of the 8x8 paper pads and now need at least two more.  Gosh darnit!!! Arghhhhhh!!

My scrapping BFF (Joyce) gave me her 8x8 paper pad (bless her heart) because I was delirious with frustration.  I still have 3 projects to complete and I need that paper.  Oh well since that just isn't going to happen, I guess I will have to find another collection to use...(crying softly).

Before I pass out from pure heartbreak allow me to share a tutorial on how to create a gift voucher card I found on the Graphic 45 blog.

The DP is all Graphic 45 "A Ladies Diary" and the card-stock is Stampin Up. The pearls are prima and I fussy cut both the lady and the flowers.  This was a very simple and easy card to make.

The inside I used paper from the same collection and then cut out a couple of the stamps from some scraps I had left.  There is a pouch on the right hand side where you can add a few vouchers/coupons for a spa treatment, or a gift card or even a simple tag with a sentiment.

I'm entering my card in the following challenges:

Splendiferous Creations - Bloggers Challenge "A Feminine Touch" (5/9)
Annabelle Stamps Challenge - #162 Anything Goes (5/15)
Brown Sugar - Challenge #40 "Mother's Day"
Chocolate Coffee and Cards - Challenge #38 "Mother's Day/For Mum" (5/18)
Creative Corner - #17 - Flowers and/or Mothers Day
Inspire Me Fridays– Hosted on New Blog - 101 - Anything Goes! (5/8)

If you'd like to try this card for yourself just click the link below, and let me know if you post it on your blog so I can check it out.

Click here for the tutorial

That's it for tonight my crafty friends.  I'm going to sulk just a little bit more about the paper being unavailable, before I move on to another paper collection. I hear Graphic 45 has a new collection being released next month but in the meantime Prima has some really lovely paper collections.

Until next time hugs and smiles from me to you where-ever you are.

May Challenge 2014

Wow!!! We had 200 amazing entries this month and I looked at every single one.  Unfortunately for those with the moderator turned on I could not get past the moderator but please note that I comment on every entry (thus the limit).  But now its a new month and time to see more amazing talent. 

May's Challenge is:

May Flowers 

(add lots of flowers to your creation; stamp or embellishment)

OR

Celebrate Moms

(make it special just for Mom)

Now for May's Challenge Sponsors:  

Again we are lucky enough to have three very special sponsors.

Offering the winner a store credit of $15 for use throughout the entire store

Offering the winner their choice of 3 digi images from over 600 images


Offering the winner a choice of 5 Precision Dies from the Frantic Stamper Die Collection

This is going to be a month of fun and lots of prizes so stay tuned and remember you have several ways to win so enter early and often!  Now moving on to my favorite part of this post and that is seeing what the girls have been up too.

Joyce

Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps

Image: Post Card Set 1 - Crafty Girl Creations

Lesia

Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps

Image: SBDO - Easter Bouquet

Lesia

Rick St Dennis

Frantic Stamper Accessory Dies

Image: French Flower Cart

Joyce

Rick St Dennis

Image: Buttons and Bows Dress Form

Ari

Frantic Stamper

Image: Old Rose Botanical

Supplies used to create these projects can be purchased from Frantic Stamper.

Open Spring Sprig Precision Die

Carrot Seeds Cling Stamp

Old Rose Botanical Cling Stamp

Tomato Seeds Cling Stamp

Graphic 45 Designer Paper Collections

Copic Markers

Spellbinders nestabilities

Prima and Petaloo Flowers

Tim Holtz and Sizzix Dies

So there you have what we came up with to celebrate Moms everywhere

and to display our love of May Flowers.  Now its your turn to share with us....LET'S GO CRAFT!!! 

An InLinkz Link-up

May Challenge Winners

Sorry for the delay guys but without a PC I couldn't catch up fast enough.  But finally I am back and ready to get back in the groove.  First of all I have a question????

Did anyone notice that May has 5 Fridays and 5 Saturdays!!!  That means that Mema's Crafts will throw in a bonus winner.  So here are the dates for winner announcements:

Winner 1:  May 10th (e-card to Mo Manning)

Congratulations to: Entry #26

Treva

Please remember to claim your prize by contacting 

memascrafts2@gmail.com

You have until May 16th to claim your prize

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

Winner 2:  May 17 (Stitchy Bear Store Credit $15)

Congratulations to: Entry #30

Vinita Jain
With her beautiful "Wall Hanging Beauty"

Please remember to claim your prize by contacting 

memascrafts2@gmail.com

You have until  Friday, 05/23 to claim your prize

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

Winner 3:  May 24 (Rick St Dennis 3 Digi Stamps)

Congratulations to: Entry #36

Debi B
with her adorable dresses with aprons

Please remember to claim your prize by contacting 

memascrafts2@gmail.com

You have until Thursday, 05/29 to claim your prize

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

Winner 4:  May 31 (Frantic Stamper 5 Precision Dies)

Congratulations to: Entry #47

A J
with her bouquet of flowers "From The Heart"

Please remember to claim your prize by contacting 

memascrafts2@gmail.com

You have until Friday, 06/06 to claim your prize

Congratulations to all of this month's challenge winners.  My girls and I would really appreciate it if you would grab our winners badge and display it on your blog.  Thank you for taking time to stop by and visit with us and a big Texas Thanks to everyone who takes a moment to leave a comment for us.

We love the love you show us!  Come back next month for more chances to win wonderful prizes from our wonderful sponsors.