Back in the Craft Room

Well everyone, I think I have won the battle of the flu and am now out of the danger zone.  My energy levels are back and I can't get enough of my craft-room and all the fun little gadgets it holds.  Now after all the Christmas and Birthday gifts can get the appropriate attention, I feel the need to purge but I really don't want to....who can part with their gadgets, flowers, ribbons and such....it would be a crime I tell you (even if they're everywhere!).

Well after giving the purge idea a great deal of thought, I figured that this was one event I would choose to procrastinate on and move to the next project which would be more fun and besides I had a lot of catching up to do.  To start my catch-up routine I created a birthday card for a very dear friend who has been there to guide me along the way after my mom's death.  She knits, sews, cross-stitch and all sorts of things with material so I think she is going to appreciate this card I made for her which was inspired by Linda Duke.  Thanks Linda.

The card base is 5x7 and was made using Kraft paper.  The designer paper is Authentique and the cream card-stock I picked up at Hobby Lobby.  I used a Martha Stewart punch around the border to add a little flair for the eyes.  The flowers and the lace is Wild Orchids and the pearls are from Prima.

On the banner on the left side I plan to stamp Happy Birthday, but I want this certain stamp that I know I have but hadn't found it at the time of this photo (to much stuff).

I want to enter this card in just a couple of challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge - Challenge #77 "Anything Goes"
Craftitude - Challenge #56 "Anything Goes or Ribbon and Pearls"
Sister Act Card Challenge - Challenge #40

Thanks for stopping by 

and don't forget to check the Winners Channel

to see if you were a winner!

If you didn't win this time remember, 

there is still time to enter for our next random drawing.

Sending Hugs

~Lesia~

New Challenges

Hello to all and many thanks to those of you that continue to support Mema's Crafts by participating in our challenges or by simply making comments on our posts.

Mema's Crafts has upgraded her monthly challenges to bi-weekly but you only have to enter once a month to be eligible for both prizes.  This month the challenge is "ANYTHING GOES" so get those projects ready and enter early for an opportunity to win not once but twice.

Just click the April Challenge tab above to enter or just click HERE!



Once you've entered my challenge I would like to invite you to visit "613 Avenue Create" where there are more prizes to be won and the challenges are always fun.

This week the challenge theme is "flowers", so hop on over and take a chance at a few prizes.  Here is my donation as a DT member.






Card Supplies:
DP: Prima
CS: Recollections
Flowers: Prima and Wild Orchid
Other Embellishments:  Stick Pin: Wild Orchid; Martha Stewart border punch and Spellbinders dies. Recollection pearls and Ranger distress inks.

Don't forget, click the tab above to enter April's Anything Goes Challenge and  then visit 613 Avenue Create.

Thanks for stopping by and I would appreciate it if you would tell a friend about Mema's Crafts!

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~

First Anniversary Card

Click Here For August Challenge

Don't Forget: Sign In To Be Counted For The Top Follower Prize

Hello all, hope you had a wonderful weekend.  My weekend was uneventful for the most part but there were a few events of interest. It was a 3-day weekend for me so that made my weekend even better (yipee!). I managed to get my hair taken care of, so as not to scare any more little babies at the grocery store and to eliminate all the stares.  Guess I should have kept my wig on...oh well, that wig just got to hot and since it was mine, I didn't think of what would happen if I  politely removed it from my head. Underneath the wig I did have my hair twisted so it wasn't a horrible sight at all, but it scared the dickens out of one little kid which disturbed the mother who stared at me with eyes of ice. I didn't respond to her stare...she looked younger and in better shape so I just prayed that her daughter would quit screaming.  I didn't kill anyone with my wig...I just took it off.

Anyway, I was enjoying the mornings without an alarm and the rush to shower and dress, let the dog out, put the food down and all the rest of a working morning. I didn't miss that routine at all.  Mother Nature cooperated this weekend by cooling the temperature with a few rounds of nice soothing and cooling rain.  Those beautiful drops of water falling from the sky were welcomed and appreciated after suffering the triple digit temperatures for a while now.

Our 100 store outlet mall opened this weekend and it was tax-free weekend as well here in Texas.  But trying to get to that mall was harder than trying to hide an elephant downtown.  Every highway was crowded and God forbid if you had anything going on in your vehicle because there was a policeman at every stop and turn.  Some folks love the thrill of the fight...its an adventure for them.  If my wallet had just a bit more green in it, I would have been out there with the rest of the bargain hunters, all for the deal of a discount.

During this wonderful weekend I had the opportunity to create an Anniversary card for a co-worker.  I tried to add a bit of elegance and flair and then afterward I decided to create a matching envelope.  I'll know tomorrow if she likes it, but I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts.

The CS and double-sided DP is by Anna Griffin.  I found one of her paper packs in my stash and it had the perfect pastel colors that I needed, so whoopee.

The bling and the flower is by recollections. I used a Cheery Lynn die to cut the doily and then inked the edges with tumbled glass distress ink.

In this photo you can see a snippet of the matching envelope I made.  I added a sentiment in the lower left corner of the envelope and on the inside I folded the paper so the coordinating pattern was visible on the opening flap.




The sentiment is computered generated and I picked up some chipboard stickers at Tuesday Morning that had numbers included.

I continued on the inside with the same paper and added a verse for my co-worker, while leaving room for a personal hand-written message.

Well that's my anniversary card and I can't wait to read your comments, so don't forget to give me your thoughts.

Quick Post

Click Here For August Challenge

Don't Forget: Sign In To Be Counted For The Top Follower Prize

NOTE:  Changes were made to this post to protect the innocent and those with vivid imaginations!

Today has been a day of hope and daydreams.  The Power Ball lottery is up to 320 million so talk about daydreams...wooowewewe.  What would I do...well with only one ticket the odds don't look that good but what the heck you can't win if you don't play so I think its okay to pay $2 on a dream.

This post will be shorter than normal because I am rather tired.  After working all day, I had to come home and convince my daughter-in-law to take the braids out of my hair when she left work at 9:00 pm, and that took about an hour.  Then into the shower I went to finish up with some hot water running through my hair, and that killed about 30 minutes.  Now I am sitting here in front of my computer wearing a nightie from the 1930s that has been cut to resemble a shirt (someone got happy with the scissors, so there's not much marterial left in my opinion) with the ugliest birds flying on it....where in the Sam Hill did I get this thing, and the bigger question is why did I keep it.  Who put this thing on me? (God I hope my webcam isn't on).  Did I mention that I am also talking to my BFF (Joyce on the phone) with a towel wrapped around my wet noggin as the water drips down my neck and face and I continue to stare at this screen.

Guess I should go and at least blow dry this mess before I get to tired, after all I am expected to go to work tomorrow.  Wonder what outfit I'm going to wear...I mean it has to match this hairstyle I'm fixin to whip up (surprise surprise).

In between everything that I did today I was still able to pull the winner for my mid-month challenge entry draw, so without holding you guys in suspense any further allow me to send a great big

CONGRATULATIONS TO

LISA S.  FOR HER ENTRY #8

YOU ARE THE WINNER OF A SATURATED CANARY DIGI IMAGE OF YOUR CHOICE

(please contact Mema usingthe "email me button" in the right sidebar or just email Lesia at lesia1707@att.net)

Remember you have until August 18th to claim your prize

Now that we've taken care of announcing our winner, I'd like to remind you that we will have another drawing on August 30th so hang around for a while.  Additionally, we might have a grab bag winner should I get 7 more followers so tell your friends to check out my blog and if they like it then join our team.

I never like to blog without sharing something so I am going to post a few scrapbook pages that I did a few months back.  I hope you enjoy them.

They look like sisters but they are actually cousins.  Go Figure.

This is my one of my girls (grans)

This photo is a glamour shot I had taken to celebrate reaching the big 50. 

My grand-daughter and name sake.  She is very versatile in her extracurricular activities.

Well my lovelies, it is now past 10 pm and that is not a good thing for me.  I should be snoring, slobbering, moaning, groaning or yelling at the dog to scoot over or something.  In other words I should be in the bed and close to meeting Mr. Sandman, so I am going to wish you all a good-night and and best wishes for a better tomorrow where ever you are.

Remember to find beauty in all things and then...take time to create your own.





Pocket Card With Tutorial

Hi Everyone, Mema here with a card for you. I created my first version of this card last year, and since then I have gotten a couple of request to create a tutorial.  This design and tutorial was created by Camilla Bakke  and all I did was try to convert it from centimeters to inches.  This year I have created this card for a co-worker to give her dad who's birthday actually falls on Father's Day, so to knock out two birds with one stone I am creating this card for her.  You will see how this card is perfect for a dual occasion in a moment.

Warning: Because I have added the tutorial this may be a rather long post so be prepared.   Here is a look at my card.

I used paper from a DCWV paper pack and Recollections cardstock.  They had the packs on sale at Joanne's so I picked up a few packs.  The 3-D tree I added to give it a bit of depth and my co-worker enjoys being able to feel the elements. I used Martha Steward punch to add a border and a couple of brads I colored with copic markers finishes the front of the card.

The inside of the card has two pockets that allows you many options.  Money  or gift card in one of the pockets and your personal message in the other pocket.  Since this is going to be for two occasions I decided to put a Father's Day greeting in one pocket and the birthday message in the other pocket.  Additionally there is a smaller pocket that holds a notecard for my co-worker to write her personal message on. 

Lastly, here is a photo of the card inside with the messge tags showing for a better look.  I hope this will inspire you to try it out.  I've included the tutorial on this post but you can find the original tutorial by clicking on Tutorials on my menu bar above.

Camilla's Tutorial Follows:

1.       Start with a sheet of cardstock 12 x 12 (30cm x 30cm)

2.       Fold in half on both sides to create four sections 6 x 6 (15cm x 15cm)

3.       Then cut it in half but stop in the middle as shown in the photo

4.   Next cut off a part of that section.  I cut off 2.75 so that my pocket is 3.25 tall (the more you cut off the smaller your pocket). See photo.

5.  For added decoration use a punch of your choice and punch around the edge of the pocket that is left. (the photo shows a Martha Stewart border punch being used)

6.  Now for the next pocket cut about 2 inches (3cm) leaving about 4 inches (12 cm), then measure and mark at at angle or 6 cm.

(You will be cutting this at somewhat of an angle as shown in the next photo.)

7.       Fold the pockets up and your card should look like the one in the photo when it is open.

8.       Now to decorate. Cut your CS so that it measures 1/4 less than the size of the side of your card

9.       So if your card side is 6 x 6 then you would cut your next layer at 5.75 x 5.75

10.  Then your Designer Paper (DP) or top layer would be cut at 5.5 x 5.5

11.  Ink all your edges  Now adhere all your layers together (if you plan to sew around your edges do NOT add glue to your edge! Just tape the pieces to hold them in place until after you sew them.  If you do not plan to sew then use adhesive on the edges)

12. Here is a peek at the finished inside…isn’t it gorgeous.

 Decorate the front of your card and glue all the parts together

Add your image or sentiment and any embellishments to make your card stand out and you are complete!

Thanks to Camilla for this wonderful tutorial.  Have fun with it!

Remember..."find beauty in all things and then go create your own"

Thanks  for stopping by

Fan Cards and Tent Cards

This is starting to be a habit...finding tutorials and trying them out. You've seen my little gift box which wasn't so bad, but for my next test I had to contact the creator of this little fan card. Granted mine is amateurish (is that a word) to say the least so if you would like to see the master creator's version visit Inky Angel's blog for one of her fabulous fan designs. This is my first attempt but I promise you I will try again and hopefully will do better. 
When I tell you that I had to bring out math books, reach out to family members I am not joking! Between radius, diameters, protractors and compasses, I wasn't sure I would get the concept...but now that I have, everyone should watch out.   
This first snapshot is the card laying on its side (It's a bit darker than it really is). The Tim Holtz clip in the upper right corner doesn't belong (that reminded me of the kid's song that says "which of the items doesn't belong", and for some reason I found my words funny...go figure. Anyway as I was saying the clip is there because I made a small mistake that couldn't be corrected so I had to use the clip to keep the card closed. That's how we learn right? Well the next snapshot is the fan standing up.
This snapshot got lighter (but a more true color) and I'm not sure why, but here you can see the little pocket on the front that holds a tag where the sentiment can go.  By the way before you put the pieces together you really must decorate...that was mistake number 2 for me. Yep this little project had lots of mistakes for me...but it sure was fun figuring out things.  Glad I used regular paper and not my paper stash that I have yet to convince myself that it will be okay to cut.  I know you ladies know what I am talking about....be honest.  .    

My final snapshot shows the fan open. Excuse the non-decorations but like I said lots of learning opportunities came with this project. Katie was kind enough to share her secrets with me just so I could get started. Be sure and visit her blog so you can see how lovely this fan can truly be. Here's the link to her  Shabby Vintage Fan Card and the link to fan #2.  She also created a tutorial along with another fan card which is stunning.  Click here for the tutorial and yet another fan card.

The next card I want to share was fairly simple if you follow the instructions correctly. By the way I recommend that everyone have at least one cutter that has measurements in centimeters and inches.  It comes in handy. The next card is another tutorial so I didn't do a lot of planning for it but it turned out okay.  Here you go.

It turned out really cute although my snapshot doesn't show it that well.  I stamped and colored Tilda and then cut her out so she could dangle in the oval cutout. In hindsight the next one I make I will add a scenary behind the oval so it will add an illusion to the card, additionally decide a different way to dangle the image should I use one.  This little card has great potential and has invoked a lot of ideas for me.  I actually excited about creating my next one.  The next snapshot is missing...forgot to take the snap.  It was one from the side so you could see how I put the pieces together to form the tent. I'm adding the tutorial to my blog in case anyone wants to try their hand at it. You would put your personal message on the back of the card and by the way it folds flat to create a 6x6 card. I wasn't going to show the back because it is so unfinished. 

Like I said on the back you would place your personal message and/or greeting.  I was trying to show that but was in to much of a hurry and the camera captured my mistake....my sentiment is crooked...not a little...it appears to be the Leaning Tower of Pisa..(so sad).  But it is what my BFF (Joyce) and I refer to as a demo card, but I broke the rule that states a demo will never be posted.  She is going to talk about me and I can hear her now "what were you thinking" or "how do you plan to fix that." She's a funny gal but she is my BFF and she'll get over it, then proceed to figure it out and show me the error of my ways.  After all in the end she'll love me anyway (at least I hope so).

And to all my followers I love you guys and hope you will continue to

"find beauty in all things, and then go create your own"

Little Gift Box

This week for some reason I have been finding tutorials and trying my hand at them. Rather than chat you up, I think for this post I will just let you see my creations and hopefully get inspired.  So here we go.....

This is the box standing up on it's side.
The paper is from Die Cut With A View and the flowers are Prima. I used a Tim Holts fastener and a few brads to work as hinges.  The pearls are Zva creation.  I left an open space beneath the pearls in the corner to add my sentiment or greeting later.

This view allows you to see the hinged brads that work to allow the top to open and shut.


Not real sure why I took this photo but anyway it shows the box from an angle with it closed.

Here you can see the box opened and filled with the little Ande's mint candies.


Well that's all I have everybody.  Hope this inspires you to challenge yourselves and try new things.  This was a huge step outside my comfort zone but I enjoyed it.


And now I'm going back to YouTube University for another adventure...not Master Level but interesting enough to challenge me, and make throw a few things and maybe even stomp my feet.

I'm think I'm getting sleepy so until we chat again remember...."find beauty in all things and then go and create your own"

Mother Day Wishes

I want to wish all my mommies out there a Happy Mother's Day! I was treated to breakfast/brunch by my grand-daughter and her mom. Actually it was more like brunch with all my breakfast favorites. Then after getting full and feeling quite lazy my boys decided it would be good to take me shopping and it was such fun.  I didn't drain them and I did remind them to grab the coupons out of my bin and off we went to get more stuff for my crafting room...like I really need something else and where to put these things will be a challenge all by its self (laughing right about now). My cards were all gorgeous and I find the words carry such a different meaning for me now that I'm older (empty-nest syndrome..going on 35 yrs) (he he laughing again). 

Most folks when they divorce they don't keep contact with their ex, but my ex and I are the best of friends.  I can count on him to remember all the holidays and sometimes the just because kicks in.  This year he got me once again a Coach purse (my favorite brand), and a pair of diamond stud earrings.  Between the cards, the gifts and the attention I think I cried to hard for make-up so I looked a hot mess and then memories of my own Mom settled in and more tears came.  I did eventually stop crying long enough to say farewell to the youngin's and the phone finally stopped ringing and I was able to just sit back and relax.

It must have been to much for my heart to take because today, is a different story. I didn't get out of bed until after lunch time and was totally starving but could tell that it would not be a good idea to eat what I had in my house but going outside with my allergies was a NO NO so instead I ordered Chinese food and had it delivered.  So now that I've wolfed that down, and made this post I think I will say good-nite to all my lovely followers.

Thank you for taking time to stop by and visit and I hope to see you again real soon.  Don't forget to .............."find beauty in all things and then go create your own."

BTW: If you haven't entered my Bingo challenge scroll down and join us!

Double-Pocket Card (Inside Pockets)

First, gather your supplies ... You will need:
· Two stamped images (I have used Willow with Coffee to Go )
· Sentiment (I used General Sayings , Season's Greetings - frame )
· Two 12 x 12 sheets of card stock
· One sheet of coordinating cardstock for matting
· Patterned paper for your cover and card folder
· Ribbon
· Extra tack adhesive tape
· Scoring tool
*****************************************************************

  
Taking your first piece of 12 x 12 cardstock, score it in half at 6 inches


Turn this card stock 90 degrees and score it at 6.5 inches



Your cardstock sheet will look like this:


Fold the cardstock in half score at the 6 inch, and place this in your paper trimmer, and cut diagonally from the intersection back to score the corner edge of the cardstock of the shorter 1 5 / inch 2 section



When opened out, your cardstock should look like this with the two sections at the top rectangle measuring 6 x 6.5 inches and two triangle pieces at the bottom measuring 6 x 5 .5 inches
 

Apply some extra tack adhesive tape to the sides of the triangle ends



Magical Cut two tags from your coordinating cardstock and trim one of those tags about half way along. Then attach this tag to the edge of your right side rectangle section half way along the edge. I trim the edge so that it does not interfere with the card when it is inserted later on.



And then remove the tape backing from the adhesive tape and stick the triangle sections to the rectangle sections lining up your edges carefully 


Decorate the inside of your folder keeping in mind that you do not want it to be too bulky as you need to be able to insert your card and gift and close the folder




Then create a folder for your topper and decorate it making sure to attach your other Magical days to the side of the topper exactly in line with the tag below 



From you second sheet of card stock, cut it at 5 1 / 2 inches and score at 6 inches so you have a card measuring 5 1 / 2 x 6 inches that will fit neatly inside your folder. Decorate this card to match your folder cover, but again Ensuring that you do not have extra bulky embellishments that will hinder the folder closing neatly.



Stamp your "Seasons Greetings" frame onto white cardstock, add your sentiment than from your 'Sayings General "set and line up your guide to clear and mark the small dots, align the die and cut out your sentiment.

  
And here is the finished card and folder and the inside of the folder with some yummy goodies caffeine.



These folders so make cute covers for sending out to stash your crafty friends! I hope you find this tutorial useful and have a wonderful weekend!