Design Team 2015

DONNA

Donna Idlet - 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.

BARBARA

Barbara Bruder - I am single and retired. Love to stay up late and am usually crafting into the wee hours of the morning. I am a card maker at heart.  I have been stamping for 15+ years.

Currently I am on the Craft-Dee BowZ design team. I am also a past designer at Sparkle N Sprinkle, Art Impressions, Cornish Heritage Farms and Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions and was a guest designer at Crafters Companion. 

I also teach monthly card and technique classes at a local stamp store. Prior to 2010 I was a store owner for 6+ years and offered classes at the store as well. I have been immersed in the stamping industry for quite a while.

KIM

Kim Lamos - My name is Kim and I live in sunny Southern California. By day I am a K-8 teacher and by night I am a paper crafting machine.

I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. I came by it naturally since my mom and grandma were always making clothes and costumes for my brother and I, gifts for friends and family and just were all around craft dabblers. I have tried many different crafts over the years but I always seem to come back to paper crafting. I love to work with paper to make cards, mini albums and scrapbooking.

When I am not crafting, you can find me spending time with my family and friends, watching movies, reading the latest book for my book club or making memories at my favorite place; Disneyland!

JOYCE

Joyce Owens - My name is Joyce and I reside in the great state of Texas.  I am a Registered Nurse of 20 years and an avid crafter for 8 years (since 2007).  I started out as a scrap-booker and soon after I was introduced to card making as a Stampin' Up Demonstrator.  I still make an occasional scrapbook page but I think my talents are best utilized in card making and projects such as altered art, boxes, etc.  

I think my strengths are best shown in my use of Copic markers as my coloring media, and my floral arrangements.  My style is renaissance meets shabby chic.  I love the styles of the medieval era up through the 1950s.   Most of what I know about crafting I have learned on my own; other tips, tricks, and techniques I have learned from my favorite fellow crafters.  

Being an M&M Girl will be the second time I have held a position as a design team member and I am excited about the opportunity, education and fun it will bring.  

Learning is a lifelong adventure, so I hope to contribute to the success, longevity, and the creativity of crafting whenever and wherever possible. 

PENNY RAE

Penny Rae Nantell - 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

LISA

           

Lisa Bedigian - 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. 

Welcome 2014

Howdy folks.....hope you all had a lovely happy and peaceful Christmas....that Santa popped down your chimney with lots of gorgeous presents and unlike me you didn't stuff yourself silly with food (of course you did)....Can you believe Christmas has come and gone for another year and in a few hours time we will be celebrating and stuffing our faces all over again to welcome the New Year!

As for me I am trying to play catch-up while battling a really bad cold that I must have picked up from the little ones. I love'em to death but it seems they are always carrying around some type of bug that I will unfortunately pick up because my immune system isn't at its best regardless to the steroids and other medicines I have to take.

I'm excited about 2014 because it gets me closer to retirement (smiles) and I have been fortunate in acquiring a few new sponsors for the year.  The first one is Frantic Stamper who will be sponsoring us January and a couple of other months.  If you haven't checked out her online store please go have a look because she has a lot of stuff that will make any crafter smile.

We at Mema's Crafts are starting the new year off with a BINGO challenge so get ready to join in the fun and yes I have a sneak peek for you so never fear... check it out below.

Well my crafting friends, this is all for now but come back and check out our new challenge and check to see if you were a winner on our "Friday Winners."

Thanks for stopping by 

~Lesia~

Skinny Mini with Card

Whew!! The joys of Christmas...it takes a year to get here and then within 24 hours all the hustle and bustle is over and our lives return to the ordinary and the daily routines slowly pokes its head back into our lives.

For me it was time to finish a project I was working on right before Christmas and now that the little ones are resting I managed to finish it and now it is time to share.

WARNING: This post is photo heavy! Although there were lessons learned with this project, I am still quite pleased with the way it turned out and hope you'll enjoy seeing it (or them). So if you're ready for a lot of photos...then here we go.



To start I decided to show the skinny mini along with a matching card that was made using the leftovers from the skinny mini.

Just another tutorial I found on YouTube and decided to give it a go.

Here is the set again but with the inside of the card showing.

The paper for the entire project is Graphic 45 Secret Garden. This paper is so gorgeous that I used very little embellishments and they were mostly on the cover of the mini.

The flowers are as usual Wild Orchids and then lace I picked up at my local crafting store "Crafty Scrapper" which has a little of everything.



The ribbon is Stampin Up and I inked my edges with Walnut Stain distress ink (I need a refill).  Next up are photos from the inside of the skinny mini.  I've tried to keep them in order.

The first page has a flap on the left that is held down with a magnet.  On the right you have a pocket that will hold a 4x6 photo if you'd like but I created a little pocket and inserted it in the pocket.

On the left when you open the flap you have another pocket for tags or whatever.  I added a tag using the paper to cover the tag and created a space for journaling on the reverse side.

The second has two flaps that lift upward.  On top of the flaps I created corner pockets for whatever you want to tuck away and added a couple of embellishments.  Then we lift those flaps to show belly bands that can be used to hold photos or other sentimental objects.

On the base there are two holders that hold a mini pocket album in the open position.  This pocket mini is perfect for holding 4 photos.

On the last page I have another pocket on the left and on the right a smaller pocket that is tucked in two bottom corner pockets.  I really love how this paper just seems to bring everything together.

And finally we have the back of the Skinny Mini where I added ribbon to try and add a bit of interest.  Lastly I added my signature block.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check and see if you're a "Friday Winner".

Hugs

~Lesia~

Showcase Those Photos Continues

Well my crafty friends, I promised to share another brag book with you all that was a bit different than the first one I shared, so I'm back to keep my word.  In fact I have two brag books to share so WARNING: this post is photo heavy.

To get started let me tell you that this particular brag book was made using two office manila folders. Yep the ones you would use on your job for filing documents.

Depending on your folder size you will need to trim it down so that your standard photo will fit your pages.

To see what I mean let's open this little book up to the inside.

The first page I decided to make it a journal page and then a pocket page that is holding two tickets, perfect for a sentiment or greeting.

The paper is Recollections "Documented Memories" and it is all left-over from a project I finished earlier and didn't use all the paper.

Notice the tabs at the top of the page.  Well this little book has two top tabs and one side tab.

You can use the tabs as a journal page or a photo sized 3x5.  Here I show you two photo mats (my neice and grand-daughter).

You can also see the side pocket tab that I referred to above.

I love the simple and easy and this little brag book came together quicker than my earlier one so I was really quite happy.

There is the possibility for 10 photos so this would be a perfect gift to give a mother-to-be as a keepsake of her baby shower, with just enough photos to bring back the memories and the smiles.

On the back cover I decided to use it as a pocket instead of a photo mat but when it comes to these mini books your imagination is your only limitation.

Okay, that finishes the first brag book I wanted to share but I have another one.

I did warn you that this would be a photo heavy post but I appreciate you hanging out with me this far.

My next brag book is more of a wallet style and it packs a wallop so lets not waste time and start to opening it up.

There is fold after fold and then a few more folds all designed to hold those precious photos and a word or two about each of them.

When you open your wallet and fold down the bottom flap you have three sections that can be used to hold tickets like I did on the top flap, journal is what I opted for on the bottom flap (not shown).

Lift the top flap on the bottom and add your notes and then the center which is actually a flap I added a photo. So now to fold that flap back.

Notice that when you fold that flap back you have space for yet another photo and then there is another fold flap on the right.

Yep you've guessed it and now we can move along fold that flap back to see what we have.

Folding back the right flap allows more space for another photo and then a center photo or whatever.  At first I had a belly band there to hold a smaller tag but changed my mind and just added a large tag with some meaningful words.

We have two more folds to go but I thought I would just fold them all out at once and give you the big picture, plus I'm getting tired of typing.

Its not a very good photo but is you click it perhaps you will be able to see the additional space for photos and will notice that I decided to use my side pockets to hold little sentiment tags.


Both of these were so much fun to make.  I used Echo Park scraps to as my designer paper to create the mats and two sheets of 12 x 12 Kraft card-stock to create the Wallet Style Book.

You can find the tutorial for both mini's on YouTube.
Both styles are by Dawn -File Folder Mini Album Style 1 and the Wallet Style Mini Album

If the links above doesn't work, no worries, I've added the tutorials to my tutorial lists. Just click the Tutorials Tab above and check them out.

So now I have shared with you three brag books that you can create in one day to showcase your photos.  Hope you enjoyed and will leave me with your thoughts of them.

Don't forget tomorrow we will have Friday winner so make sure you check to see if you're a winner and you have until the 30th to enter our monthly challenge.

Thanks for stopping by

May your holidays be filled with joy, love and the warmth of family

Be safe where ever you are

Hugs

~Lesia~

Showcase Those Photos

Have you ever wanted to create a mini album or brag book to showcase those special sentimental photos without the traditional photo albums and without spending the time it takes to create a mini album?  Well that was me this weekend...I wanted to create something to give as a gift but I needed it to be quick.  After creating those larger mini albums I was definitely tired of mini albums and wanted something easy, and I found it after a few hours of surfing YouTube.

Actually I found two really cute, super easy mini wallet and brag book size mini albums.  The one I am going to share will hold up to 12 photos.  I've added photos to show you how you can create this little brag book to showcase your special moments.  I used the standard 4 x 6 photo but you could cut that down and use a smaller size.  Additionally, you could add a pocket on one of the pages (which I may do later) to add a gift card or a tag to hold the photo.

This is the front of the book.  The designer paper is My Minds Eye Lost and Found Christmas collection.  I had some Stampin Up Bashful Blue card-stock and that was perfect because this particular brand of paper has a heavier weight than most which means it will hold its shape better and longer.

I had to fussy cut the word Merry from the paper because once I cut it to size it wouldn't fit on the front.  The edges were inked using Walnut Stain.

When you open the book to the first page you have two separate sides of the book (a bit like a gatefold) page.

As you can see each page holds a standard 4 x 6 photo that I have inserted in the photo slots I punched in the mat.

The photo corner punch is by Marvy Uchida and I absolutely love it!

Next we fold back both photos to reveal four new photos.  Just think of how you could create these pages into pockets for tags, inserts and other interesting folds.

And yep, there is yet one more fold back to reveal two additional spaces for photos.

This gives you a total of ten photos that you can display all in one easy and compact brag book.  I could see this on a table where everyone could see it and of course start a conversation about its existence.

And lastly, we come to the back of the book where I have simply added my signature block.

Here you can see how big the spine is which adds to the possibility of doing more with this small but very versatile brag book.

I am going to switch out a few photo mats with a couple of pockets with tags where I can add my greeting and maybe a smaller pocket that can hold a gift card to Red Lobster or Olive Garden.

It is my plan to make at least one more of these and maybe another one that is more of a wallet style.  I'll share that style with you as well.

I hope to enter this brag book in the following challenges:

Anything But A Card - Challenge #30 (12/21)
Challenges 4 Everybody - Challenge #35 Anything Goes (12/20)
The Corrosive Challenge - Challenge #189 Anything Goes (12/21)
Penny Black and More - Traditional Christmas Colors (12/30)
One Stitch At A Time - Challenge #194 Anything Goes (01/12)
Dream Valley Challenges - Challenge #72 Christmas (01/10)

Well there you have my showcase for tonight.  If anyone would like to know where to find this tutorial for this brag book just let me know.

Be safe, stay warm and enjoy the blessing of creativity

Hugs ~ Lesia

Welcome Baby

It's been three days of inclement weather and I have been forced to stay inside where all I could do was play in my craft-room...I am so sad about that.  Do you see my tears (of joy shhh don't tell my boss).  I've managed to get caught up on house work, watch a few recorded movies and of course work on Christmas gifts and other projects.

I was asked to create a card for a co-worker who will be having a baby boy soon, and to celebrate we are having a surprise baby shower and luncheon for her.  So I needed a card that would have lots of space for my team to write their sentiments, therefore I decided to create a card with an insert.

Here is how it turned out.

I designed the card using Graphic 45 "Little Darlings" collection pack.

The card-stock was bashful blue from Stampin Up and Bazzil white card-stock.

The pearl and button  I found in my stash of trinkets and such.

Because the card is going to be from a group of co-workers I needed to make sure I had space for a lot of "congrats" and other well wishes.

I added a pocket for a gift card and a personal space for writing.  Using Spellbinders label four I added a space on the left side.

Later I decided we might need more space, so created a insert that can be removed and signed on either side of the insert.

As you can see even with the insert pulled out there is space directly on the card for writing well wishes.

This was a quick but fun card to make and I hope our mother-to-be will be surprised and enjoy the card.



That's all I have for today except for the reminder that we are selecting a winner every Friday, but you must enter the original December challenge to qualify, so if you haven't entered already be sure and do so.

With Christmas so close I am sure you have a card that will fit the theme.

Until next time stay safe, warm and enjoy the blessing of creativity.

Hugs

~Lesia

Mema's Crafts DT Call

Do you enjoy creating cards? What about working with digi images? Is altered art and scrapbook page layouts your favorite thing to do? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I have got a challenge for you: Mema's Crafts Challenge Blog!

I'm looking for a few talented card-makers who enjoy creating a variety of cards and crafts using various products and stamps and can step up to the challenge of doing so twice a month.

We have very few rules but as a design team member of this bi-weekly challenge, you'll be required to complete the following:

• create two (2) projects of any type (altered art, card, page layout, tag, mini album etc.) per month based on a theme 
• comment on your assigned entries 
• when applicable pick and vote on participant entries (seldom used) 
• Most importantly create and submit your entries timely 
• Lastly have fun 

For this challenge blog, it means creating using mostly card-stock adorned with embellishments as needed. 

• Stickers, rub-ons, and other very thin embellishments (like washi tape) are okay to use 
• Enamel dots, sequins, gems, metal brads, paper brads, ribbons, lace, and other thick embellishments are also okay to use 
• Embossing (wet and/or dry) and any other technique or tool is okay 

That said, you can go super over the top or keep it CAS. The sky's the limit when it comes to style...your creation is just that..your creation so be you :o)

This call is open until December 30 and the new design team members will be announced here on the blog on January 15. The first challenge for the new team starts on February 1.

Interested? Please enter your name in the linky at the end of this post and link to your post.

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs!

Every Friday A Winner

Listen up my followers and friends!  Mema's Crafts is offering a gift certificate every Friday until the end of the year to one challenge participant.

You must enter December's challenge to qualify, and follow the rules for the challenge.  Then just check back each Friday to see if your entry was a Friday winner and remember you have 6 chances to win for each entry.  Good Luck Everyone!

I've made a few more cards to share and then I've got to get back to my mini albums.  Wow I have been very busy these last two months. Anyway I hope you like what I have to share.



Supplies: MME Designer Paper, Recollections bling and flowers, ribbon from my stash, Stampendous Greeting and distress inks.



Supplies: Bazzill card-stock, ribbon from stash, Darice embossing folder, Hero Arts stamp, Martha Stewart border punch, pearls from stash

Are you surprised how short this post is?  Well it kind of surprised me too, but sometimes we just have to be quiet and get back to work.  So I'm off to work on albums.

Sending Hugs

~Lesia~

December Challenge

Wow! Last month we almost hit 200 entries and I would like to say thanks to all you who take time to play with us.
We decided to stick with everyone's favorite challenge to end the year...but this time we wanted to add a twist which we think will be acceptable and real easy to accomplish.  So here we go!

ANYTHING GOES

and the theme for this one is 

"Celebrate the Holidays" or

"Cold Winter Days"

See I told you it would be an easy one...I mean who isn't getting those cards ready for Christmas or thinking of snow, ice and hot chocolate (smiles).

Our sponsors for this challenge are not new,
so let's welcome back:

Offering a winner their choice of digi images from a host of choices.

 Offering a winner 7 digi images of their choice.

Lots of love and thanks go out to our wonderfully generous sponsors because without them our challenges would not be possible.

To get started lets check out what the M&M Girls have created to inspire us for this challenge.

LISA
of "the Royal Pumpkin"

Stitchy Bear Image "Candy"

Bugaboo Image "Puppy Enough Reindeer" 

DONNA
of "Creative Lady"

Stitchy Bear Image - "Catch Me"

Bugaboo Image - "Christmas Teddy Cocoa"

PENNY RAE
of "Penny Rae's Creations"

Stitchy Bear Image - "Poinsetta Digital Stamp and Paper Pack"

Bugaboo Image - "Fairy Christmas"

JOYCE

of "My Enchanted Paper Creations"

Stitchy Bear Image - "O Winter Tree"

Bugaboo Image - "Nutcracker 5"

PRINCESS
of "Paper-crafting Paradise"

Stitchy Bear Image - "Criss Cross"

Bugaboo Image - "Girlz Christmas Present"

LESIA
(owner "Mema's Crafts")

Stitchy Bear Image - "Peppermint Tea"

Bugaboo Image - "Kidz Winter Girl"

Now it's your turn to play and share with us.  Use Mr Linky below to upload your creation.  Remember enter early for more chances to win and you can enter up to three projects.  Good luck and have fun!

An InLinkz Link-up