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WARNING! THIS POST IS PHOTO HEAVY!!

Well folks I didn't have enough of people interested in the e-certificate so I guess I will save it for another day :(

What I have to share today is a Good Ol Sports waterfall folio that I created using a tutorial from Ginger of "My Sisters Scrapper".  This lady has some of the most intriguing and easy to follow tutorials.

In her tutorial she shows you how to make a smaller folio but with adjustments you can make it any size that you want.  So let me share a few photos and I will give you the link to her video at the end of this post.

I think I will just start with the front and go from there.  On the front I used one of the journaling tags that come with the paper pack to create a pocket. After popping it up I added more journaling tags in the pocket and a few metal embellishments.

Using Tim Holtz's alphabet I spelled out the word TEAM and gave it a little depth.

The spine is simple because the only thing I did was cover it with a strip of designer paper and added a chipboard piece.  Remember you can make the spine any size you want.  For my folio I used a one inch spine which worked out great for this project.

When you open the folio you have a couple of pockets on the left where you can add photos or journaling tags.  The front chipboard piece allows you to tuck a small item behind it and it will stay in place.

On the right side you have a total of 7 or 8 photo panels which will allow you to add up to 16 standard size photos.  The band is held down by a magnet. This keeps the panels flat when the folio is standing in an upright position.

Here you can see the journaling tags removed leaving the pocket ready for up to three 4 x 6 photos and up to two wallet size photos.

Everything on this side was created using chipboard pieces, designer paper and a few items I fuzzy cut from one of the sheets.

On the right side we lift the magnetic band and now our first photo is visible.

I cut the corners of my mats with a photo corner punch from Marvy.  This was one of my better purchases, because it is used quite often especially when creating mini albums, journals or anything that will be matted for photos.

The best thing about doing the mats this way is you can swap out the photos when you like and it preserves the photo longer since no adhesive is touching the actual photo.

I really didn't need to add this photo but I wanted to show how you can add a photo on the top and the back of each panel.

My two favorite models here :)

I did this on several pages so I am going to skip to a panel without the photos so you can see the notches that hold them on the panel.

As you can see on the photo below the notches are in all four corners and there are two slots per corner.  This is so that you can trim your photos if you need to (some photos are printed with a white border) or you can use the slot made for borderless photos.

This next photo is the very end of the panels and I have left it blank so I can write dates or a description of the event where the photos were taken.

Finally we get to the back of the folio which is plain and I used one of the chipboard pieces to add my name.

I hope this didn't bore you to much and I hope you will try it out for yourself.  If you'd like to create this folio for yourself watch the video below or visit YouTube and look for My Sister Scrapper channel. 

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment.

Hugs from Texas

~Lesia~

Flip Mini Album

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I decided to pull out an old tutorial I had stashed away so I could make a quick Christmas Mini Album. I thought this was an easy and fun one when I first tried and I still think it is, therefore I am going to share the tutorials with you just in case you'd like to give it a go.

There's lots of space in this mini so I've taken a few photos just to give you an idea (if you haven't seen it) because it has been out for a while. 

Although it only measures 6 x 6 it has lots of space for pockets and photos. You can also easily adjust the spine if you'd want a thicker mini.

I created mine with a half inch spine because I didn't plan on having a lot of embellishments inside and I have about 15-20 photos I want to add to it.



It is perfect for holding those special event photos such as a baby shower or birthday or road trip.





The items I used were the Tim Holtz lamp post die, a memory box doily die, chipboard from the paper collection, WOC flowers, stickles, gesso, a few pearls of course Graphic 45 12 Days of Christmas paper collection.

There are lots of flips and folds so I want to share just a few with you.



When you first open the mini you have your first 3-way layout. I added a pocket for photos and on the side flaps I am showing how you could use them for journaling or another pocket.

Next I skip to the third layout (just to save time and photos).



On this page or layout I added a pocket once again for photos (and yes I do plan to add a mat the black pocket) On the double flaps I decided to keep them together with eyelet closures.

This is the last photo I have of my mini but there are two more layouts in this mini.



Here you can see how it looks with the flaps open and the two center flaps closed down. There is room on each side for more photos and journaling.

So there you have my first Christmas Mini Album this year.  I have seen it created by several different crafters with variations but the two individuals whom I have followed are Gloria and Zina.

Leave your comments below and let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping By

Hugs and Kisses from Texas

Lesia

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

Although they are very similar there are some differences. I've made them both and was pleased with the results of each. 

Below are links directly to the tutorials as well as a link to Gloria's video. There are printable instructions on Gloria's blog and the photo will take you there.



Link to Zina's Blog:
My Scrap and I




Link to Gloria's Blog: 
Scraps of Life:
(look for the printable instructions link)



Link to Gloria's YouTube Video tutorial:
Mini Flip Book By Gloria:

Place In Time 3

Whew! Can you believe that there were almost 150 amazing entries in this month's challenge before the first winner was selected on the 15th!  My grand-daughter stepped in and said I had to increase the limitation on the number of entries....so I did which means if you haven't entered 3 times yet, you still can.

For this post I am returning with Series III of my "Place In Time Cards" project and this series was just as much fun to make as all the others. The colors for July and September were my favorites!  So without any more chatting I'll jump right in with showing them off.

 I have an announcement at the end of this post that I will appreciate you reading before you leave. 

First as usual we will take a look at the sketch we had to follow:
I just love how the sketches are all so very similar, but they each have their own cute signature with multiple layers adding to the style.

We now take a look at all three cards together.

July - August - September

JULY

The month of July is often celebrated with the faithful colors of Red White and Blue, and Graphic 45 has stayed close to those colors with muted reds blues and an ivory in their paper blend. 

Here is a peek at the inside using the same paper sheets.  For this series I wasn't as careful in my planning so I did use 2 12 x 12 paper sheets per card.

It made it so much easier to carry the theme over to the inside of the card.



AUGUST

I'm not real sure about the photos or the color palette used for August unless it signifies harvest, since the photos appear to be focused around cooking, harvesting and planting I think.  At any rate the colors and design did lend me to giving this card as a congratulations to a new home owner.

The inside came to be quite by accident.  My original thought was destroyed when it was attacked by a bottle of ink that turned over after I bumped the table.  Why did I do that you ask?

Well when your home has been totally quiet for approximately an hour or so and then all of a sudden your dog gives out one heck of a bark...it can startle you (smiles).

SEPTEMBER

I love the colors Graphic 45 selected for September!  But of course the ABC Primer collection was one of my favorites and now it has been discontinued...guess it was a favorite for lots of folks out there.  There are very few sheets still hanging around but they won't be for long I bet.

I kept the inside real simple and hope to maybe add a pocket later as a gift card or money holder.

School will end for the summer in a couple of months but will return come September, so this is one card down and three to go.

So there you have Series III of my project and of course if you'd like to try it yourself

  CLICK HERE  for the .pdf  tutorial provided by Gloria Stengel.

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ANNOUNCEMENT

As I have stated many times, Mema's Crafts consists of a grandmother, her two grand-daughters and one very supportive friend.  For the first two years it was just Mema and the two girls creating and having fun and then for the past year Joyce Owens of My Enchanted Paper Creations has been supporting us with our designs and it has been a blast.  Unfortunately, Joyce has decided to take a break due to life catching up with her so there will only be myself, Gabbi an Ari to create for you.

We're not going away...at least not this year anyway.  However I am looking for two or three designers to join our team.  We don't require anything except that you have fun and create 2-3 cards per month that follow our theme for that month and you remain on the team for at least 4 months.

Our sponsors will provide the images to us and we create the project (doesn't have to be a card). Like I said, we're just crafters having fun and trying to introduce our sponsors products to others by bringing to life their images or using their material and/or products.

  Your journey with us would start for our June Challenge.

 If you decide that you'd like to join us for a while

simply leave a comment and add the letters DT at the end of your name.

Thanks for stopping by

Hugs

~Lesia~

French Country Tag

I can't seem to get enough of the Graphic 45 French Country Collection and I tell you I feel as if I need to buy more before they discontinue it the way they did with A Ladies Diary which left me with my mouth hanging open and my brain was a ball of confusion...totally devastated me.  Well I will not suffer that pain and disbelief again.

I plan to use so much French Country that I get sick of it and with three more packs to go its gonna take a while, so I decided that tonight I would do one of their wonderful project sheets.  This one is a tag offered by Robin Shakoor.  It was really easy to create and didn't take to much time either.

I was glad it was quick because in four days I will need to post my next challenge and announce our final February Challenge winner.  Next month every Friday is a winner so get ready...its a sketch challenge and I'll give you a sneak peek to get you started but before I do let me share my tag with you.

Here is the front of the tag.  It has a little pocket and was created using scraps and one actual sheet from the 8x8 paper pad.  I didn't need to use any of the pages in the 12x12 paper pack so there is lots more projects to be made.  Maybe my next project will be either a mini, or another printer tray.  Who knows what I'll end up doing....leave it up to YouTube.

Although the project sheet doesn't include decorating the reverse side, it felt incomplete so I decided to decorate the back with a sentiment.
I added more scraps and then used one of the cut out pages to stamp my message.  I'm not sure if you can read it or not but here is what it says:

life may not

always be

the party we

hoped for,

but while we're here

we might as well

dance!

If you'd like to try creating this little tag for yourself, click the link below and keep your fingers crossed.  It should take you right to the tutorial. 

French Country Tag.

Well this is pretty much all I have to share with everyone.  Remember next month there will be four winners and below is the sneak peek I promised.

 March Challenge "Sketch Your Way"

You choose the sketch to follow

(1 or 2)

Thanks for Stopping By

~Lesia~

Graphic 45 Release

Hello everyone.  After fighting the war with the flu I think I am finally winning.  It was such a blessing to be able to take a full shower without the fear of passing out and to sleep through the night for 5 hours without the fits of coughing.  Life is beginning to look good again, and my heart is filled with joy and peace once again.

Sounding a bit dramatic but I truly felt like I needed to call my attorney to go over my will.  The worse flu I have ever had!!  But I am winning this fight one cough or germ at a time (smiles).

Now that I'm up and on my PC again, I have to say I am real excited about all the new releases coming out next month.  Have you seen the new releases coming from Graphic 45?  They have done it again with three new collections and of course I am anxiously waiting for them to hit the shelves, although I will limit myself to just one (maybe two) complete collection.

There is the Botanical Tea Collection, All Sports Collection and By the Seaside Collection.  The colors aren't as bold as French Country and not quite as pastel as Secret Garden or Sweet Sentiments.  These new colors are rather mute and subtle so I'm not sure how I feel about them.

I decided not to do any pre-ordering this time, and my hope is that I won't later regret that I made this decision.   After looking at the new releases and the projects the team created I decided to expend the rest of my newly found energy on a project/tutorial offered by Graphic 45.

Now I am ready to share it with you.  The card is only 5.5 x 4.75 but I like how it turned out.

I used the gorgeous "French Country" paper collection and matched it with Tim Holtz's postage stamp die to create the frame.  I then layered my paper and added a border punch on one of the layers.  The center of the card I have a pocket tag from the French Country chipboard sheet.

I fussy cut the big sunflowers and used foam tape to pop them up and then I cut the words out from one of the sheets and popped them up as well.

I followed the tutorial pretty much but as usual I started making my own little changes along the way.  The inside I created using the negative of the die cut from the front and added a few leftover scraps to finish it off.

Now I'm off to bed...still trying to make sure I get enough sleep to allow my body to finish healing.

There's still time to enter our challenge to be eligible for our first prize winner, selected on the 15th as well as our monthly prize at the end of the month.

Until our next rendezvous, be safe and allow your creativity to flow.

Hugs ~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.

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-Dutch Fold Card

by Patty Bombyk

Create a unique card fold with a few score lines.

Supplies

• One 4 3/16" x 9" piece of cardstock for card base
• One 2" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock for dutch fold bottom
• One 4" x 3 1/4" piece of cardstock or patterned paper for your layer
• Scoring Tool
• Adhesive
• One large image or die cut of choice
• Stamps of choice

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Score the 4 3/16" x 9" piece of cardstock at 5 1/2. Set aside.
   

2. Step 2

   Score the 2" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock at 2 1/8" and at 6 3/8", like a gate fold card.
   

3. Step 3

   Fold the outer panels of your 2" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock in and decorate as desired. Adhere the center panel at the bottom of the back of the 4 3/16" x 9" piece of cardstock piece.
   
4. At this point it should have double folds along the left and right side and at the top.
   

5. Step 4

   The bottom of the top fold should line up with the double doors at approximately 3 1/2" from the top.
   

6. Step 5

   Decorate the card as desired.
   
7. 

For those of you that are more visual below is a video of how to make this card.