CHALLENGE

The winner of last week's challenge is Darlene Quebedeaux. Awesome layout, check it out in the gallery. Thanks to everyone for participating.

Monday Morning Challenge

Merry Monday to everyone!!!!! I hope you had a great weekend!!!! We did, we spent a couple days in Biloxi for rest & relaxation. It was nice to clear the brain, read a good book while relaxing by the pool. It was a lot hotter than I realized on that nice windy day so I got a little burned, you know how it goes, but it was wonderful. Hope you can steal a few minutes for yourself this week and participate in the Challenge - this week's challenge is using the Autumn Leaves overlays, they are really cool and I love seeing how to use these for a double page spread. That's all you need to do - create 1 double page spread using an Autumn Leaves overlay, post the layout to the gallery (remember if you haven't yet become a member of the gallery, it will take a few hours to get approval before it will allow you to post), then email me so I can print that for your entry into the drawing-please post by May 14th & email me to be eligible for the drawing.

Be sure to check out the entries from last week-we will be drawing for the winner today!!

Elsie Workshop- New Date!

Well girlies, if you wanted to join us for the I love Elsie workshop and couldn't join us on May 5th, then I have good news for you.

The workshop has been moved to Sat. June 2nd from 10am-1pm!

You will just die when you see how adorable the products are! The best part... You get to keep all the left over supplies, including the cutest alphabet stamp set ever! So don't miss out. Call to reserve your spot today. (Samples will be up this weekend so you can get a sneak peek at what we will be creating.)

Jessica

Technique Thursday

Good Afternoon Ladies! Jody here with some fantastic ideas for using the new Queen & Co. felt border on your layouts and projects. If you haven't been to the store this week, the Queen & Co. ordered at CHA has come in, and the first product to catch my eye was the felt border. The border is three feet long and three inches wide, and comes in several colors so you have plenty options for using it in your scrapbooks.

*Use it as it is, straight out of the package.

* Cut in half to create a smaller border.
* Cut out individual flowers to make embellishments.
* Adhere with liquid glue, glue dots, staples, embroidery floss, or brads.

* Get creative! Make photo corners, accent a photo with a flower, or stitch flower centers with metallic floss!

I cut the border in half and adhere it to the cardstock using a mixture of button brads and glue dots. Then I used Stickles glitter glue to "fill in" some of the flowers. I also used a few individual flowers as accents on the patterned paper squares. Feel free to copy the layout exactly if you want. All the supplies are in Memory Mania today!

Supply list: Cardstock- Bazzill, Patterned Paper- Ki Memories, Felt Border- Queen & Co., Button Brads- Karen Foster, Letter Stickers- Creative Imaginations, Glitter Glue- Stickles by Ranger. Coluzzle- Circle Template, Circle Punches- Paper Shapers.

Its what being a teacher is all about!

I was thinking after teaching a class this past Saturday, just how awesome it is to share with all of you my thoughts, ideas and layouts.

I love teaching. It's in my blood! Both my mother and my grandmother are excellent teachers. In fact, education ran a close second when choosing my major in college. So many of you are teachers, so I know you all understand the feeling of joy you get when a student "gets it!".

I appreciate the fact that I get to share with all of you. We have great plans coming up for classes this summer and for MMU in the Fall. Don't miss out on the chance to get started making those Mother's Day, Father's Day and Christmas gifts in any of our project classes. The Mother's Day Muffin tin class on May 8th, will be a great hit with mom! Or come in with your own daughter to create one for yourself too!

See you all soon!

QUEEN & COMPANY, OH MY

WOW!!! This is the one product that had Natalie, Jessica AND Jill squealing at CHA!!!!! I can't even describe these precious embellishments. You just gotta come check 'em out. But be prepared, I don't think you can choose just one of these, the ribbon, brads, I think you will want just one of everything, I know I did. I'll try to save some for you. You gotta come check these out, they are right by the register.

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL

All foam stamps are 30% off. ENjoy. Bring this coupon

MASTERPIECES IDEA BOOK CALL - HELPFUL TIPS

We want you to have the best possible chance to be published. You want true colors, and for your scan to look as much like the real layout as possible. If your current photo editing program is not sufficient, we recommend Adobe Photoshop Elements (you can get a free trial version on the internet). It is great for editing your digital photos & layout submissions (stitching, cropping, and more).

Scanning tips:
When scanning a 12x12 page, you will need to scan it (press down a bit on the lid to get the best results), in two to four parts and stitch all parts together. Practice makes perfect. You can find tips on the internet by searching for "stitching tutorial", a friend recently recommended www.retouchpro.com. Visible stitch lines, discoloration, too dark scans or too light scans are things that could alter the way we see your layout. Once you've scanned and stitched your pages, you may want to enhance colors, brightness and contrast so that the scan looks as close to the actual layout as possible.
Don’t forget:
Ø Scans must be a minimum of 300 dpi. (the publication will not accept anything less).
Ø Reduce scans to 900x900 pixels (3x3). This saves space and download time.

Photographing your layout:
If you're more comfortable photographing your layout, we recommend setting it on white poster outside in the natural sunlight which will enhance your layout colors. Avoid the bright sunlight & its shadows. Getting the picture is a little tricky, I stand right above the double page layout to avoid distortion & its easier to crop (my friends laugh at me all of the time, I look pretty goofy doing this).
Ø Please crop the background out of your layout (helpful tip, I try to line up the corner of the layout with the corner of my viewfinder of my camera to get the picture straight).
Ø Please resize the photo to meet the guidelines (no larger than 200 kb).

Now that you have cropped, edited, and enhanced your layout, you are ready to email it to us.
Please don’t forget to include in the email:
Ø Sketch number in the subject line
Ø Your full name, address, phone number, email address & alternate contact information
Ø All product information/supply list for the layout
Ø Text of your journaling if it cannot be read in the photo
Ø Check your file size it should be around 1MB, also be sure it saved as a .jpg or .tif file for proper dpi.
I can barely stand it, I can’t wait to see these layouts!!!

CHALLENGE

Good Morning to you,
Don't forget the challenge of the week is Heidi Grace, using 2 papers & an embellishment. I'm getting some cute entries. Don't be shy, it is not a talent contest, its a participation & motivation challenge, create your layout, upload it to the gallery & email me to be entered into the drawing next Monday.

Longing for more time to Scrap...

I have been so busy with school and I'm almost finished! I am having so much trouble getting myself motivated to finish the papers and projects due in the next few weeks before graduation, partly because I have other things I really want to do...like scrapbook! And Memory Mania has so many new and really cute products to work with. I probably haven't even seen some of the lastest stuff because I've been so busy with school. I can't wait to finish school so I can dive back into scrapbooking, my favorite hobby. I have so much catching up to do...don't we always! :)

My future projects include a layout with the Tres Jolie paper line. I absolutely love this paper! I can't wait to use it. I love the big letters because they are so unique. I will probably do a beach layout with pictures from my husband and I's beach trip early this month. I love how Maureen's Master Kit layout turned out with the beach pictures!

My most recent project was with my sonogram pictures. I loved the product Clear Expressions-Joy. It's an overlay that I used along with the Chip Chatter letters (the color is Blue Jeans...I think) to create the layout. I love how it turned out. The overlay and letters added so much to the layout, which was done with the Fancy Floral Chic paper by Michelle Coleman. It's so cute! The picture is coming soon...

Happy Scrapping!!

CRICUT TIPS

Below is a helpful tip from Darlene Quebedeaux, feel free to add your own tips in the comment section.
I was having trouble with a Cricut cartridge yesterday & had to call Customer Service. She told me how to reset my machine & then try it again.
First tip: Always make sure the Cricut is "off" when you put a cartridge in & take it out. Even though the machine comes on when you open it, turn it off, put your cartridge in, then turn the machine back on. Never add or remove a cartridge while the machine is on.
To reset your machine: With no cartridge in & the machine on, turn all the dials from minimum to maximum & back 3 times each. Push the cut button (nothing happens because there's no cartridge in). Then turn the machine off for 10-15 minutes. This should reset your machine. If there are problems after that, call Customer Service.
One more tip I found on their website: Cartridges can be put in the machine frontwards or backwards. If you have problems with your cartridge, you can flip it around. It works both ways.

FOR OUR LSU FANS

I just had to share Terri Smith's clock design with you from Jody's recent CLock class on Tuesday night. Don't you just love it? Great job Terri & thanks for sharing. This class was awesome, you could choose your papers to make it your own. Would love to post everyone's clock design since they were all different.

CAMP CROP A LOT

Hey Scrappers,
CCL is going to be great. We've been making plans. As mentioned at the last CCL, we would like to have a fun, friendly competition with centerpieces for the table. Participation is not required but we would love to see those that are interested participate: Here's the scoop:

• Teams are limited to 4-5 croppers (1 pair of tables) so you may be cropping with 4 other tables and its OK to create centerpieces with that same theme, but make each table a little different as they will be judged individually. Note: this does not mean individual croppers, but individual pair of tables (you know how they are pushed together 2 or 4 depending on table size)
• theme is Croppers Paradise
• Prizes: Each cropper at the table will receive a prize & priority seating at CCL-January;
• If you signed up individually or as a pair, (there are 4 croppers to a table unless requested otherwise), you may want to email me to see who is seated at your table;

Please post any comments, questions, etc on this blog so that everyone can benefit from the planning.

MEMORY MANIA MASTERPIECES IDEA BOOK CALL!!!!

Memory Mania Masterpieces Idea Book CALL!!!!!!!!
Due May 15, 2007!!! Happy Scrappin’!!!

CALL for our upcoming idea book Masterpieces. Use our sketches to create DOUBLE PAGE LAYOUTS, and email them to us for consideration. We accept color copies (full or reduced-they will not be returned), scans or digital photos of layouts, sorry no original layouts.

• Please include a complete supply list with your entry, and a copy of your journaling if it cannot be read in the picture.
• Entries for Masterpieces must be received by this deadline to be considered.
• Please make sure the files are no larger than 200kb & a minimum of 300 dpi each so that they will be considered for publication.
• Please mark your email subject with the Sketch number so that we’ll know how to organize them. Please submit one layout per email. You are welcome to submit more than one layout, just submit them separately please.
• Email your entries to: tammy@eatel.net
  
  
  If you’d like some tips on submitting great layouts, they will be posted soon on our blog http://memorymania.blogspot.com/ under MASTERPIECES.
  
  A few helpful hints:
  Ø Submissions for Sketches 1-26 are due by May 15, 2007. We have a tight deadline so we will not be able to accept any submissions beyond that deadline.
  Ø Submissions must be double page spreads; must have journaling; use your best photos;
  Ø Submissions should be UNSEEN and UNPUBLISHED.
  Ø FOLLOW DIRECTIONS carefully please.
  Ø Another helpful tip, please be sure that everything is adhered securely to avoid missing any items while scanning or photographing.

Sketches can be downloaded at www.memorymaniac.com

Scrappily yours,
Tammy
Memory Mania, Inc.
www.memorymaniac.com
tammy@ eatel.net

When You Care Enough to MAKE the Very Best...

So have you signed up yet?

Count'em...6. SIX CARDS in this class, including an accordian card/minibook. I even threw some Hambly in there for good measure! Ok, so you ready to sign up now? Well call the store now and reserve your spot. The class is Saturday, April 28th and we have a few more spots let. Can't wait to see ya there!

How are you celebrating? We're cookin up something BIG!

Why do I ask???? Because we want you to come celebrate National Scrapbook Day (NSD) at Memory Mania. We have some FUN FUN FUN things planned for National Scrapbook Day this year...Saturday, May 5th.

Come by the store from 10-12pm for Demos, and don't forget to grab your cupcake (because when you peek on the bottom there will be a discount for you to use on your whole purchase!) You won't want to miss the adorable card we have planned for you to make!

Do you want another hint????

I thought you would! How many of you love the look of journalling directly on your backgrounds and not having to spend hundreds on a 12x12 printer???? You will love the new product we found to do just this!

Be here for the drawing for the huge basket of goodies (posted to the blog a few days ago). You will receive a chance to enter the drawing :

1. With each Demo in which you participate,

2. If you are taking the Elsie Workshop

3. With each $30 purchase you make in the store between now and May 5th

So girls...if you haven't realized this yet...May 5th REALLY needs to be on your calendar! After all, its NSD! You have to celebrate!

BLUELIGHT SPECIAL!!!

Ok, you DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON THIS.
BUY one, get one free SCRAP HAPPY CLASS!!!!! You pay for yourself & register a friend for free!!

Complete TWO double page spreads!!! This Saturday, April 21 10:30-1 or Wednesday, April 21st 10am-12:30; Registration is $10 for this class & you purchase the supplies that you choose to use.

This is a blog only special, so mention the blog if registering over the phone or print & bring in the store. This special is for valid this Tuesday, Wed, & Thursday or until sold-out;

CHIP CHATTER CHALLENGE

and the winner is . . . Sandi Gautreau. Thanks to everyone for participating. Don't miss the challenge this week - Heidi Grace!!!!!

Trump Hair

My first layout for the Master's Team was so exciting! It was such a challenge because the papers were not my normal style. I loved the papers when I first saw the kit, but it really took quite a while for me to figure out what I wanted. The thought of my first layout for people other than family made me very critical of my work. I finally just went with it! Click below for the Master's Kit by Maureen Gorman - Titled Beach Babe

http://dev1.boomersdomain.com/gallery_memorymaniac/

The layout on the blog page really shows the way I scrapbook when I am relaxed and my style. I didn't think anyone was going to look at this & just had fun with the scraps from my kit. I think my son will kill me one day if he finds out this was on the web! Trump Hair is too much! This page is a good example of how to use bling for boys. I used a transparency for the journaling. The clear letters on the first page are left-overs from Jessica's Scrap Happy Class. I used a smaller chipboard kit from the same line from 3-Bugs. I also used some dimension liquid on the letters to match the clear letters. If you have a boy & a girl, this line works for both!!

**NEW **BLOG CHALLENGE

Merry Monday to all of you!!!!! I will be going to the store in a little while to pull the name of the winner of BLOG Challenge last week. Who wants to win????

THE NEW BLOG challenge is create a double page spread using Heidi Grace products (2 papers, and at least 1 embellishment. Just for participating, your name is entered into a weekly drawing for a goody bag giveaway!!!!! These products are located in the classroom area.

This is for all skill levels, your layouts are not judged, just for participating, your name goes into a drawing and we will pull 1 lucky winner every 2 weeks & post the winner's name on the blog. OK, are you ready for the challenge this week??? 1) Create a double page layout using the new HEIDI GRACE PRODUCTS, 2) post your layout in the blog & 3) email me that you have posted your layout and the name of the layout and I will put the email in the weekly drawing. As an extra bonus, I have attached a sketch created by Jody Sorey if you need a jumpstart-you are not required to use this sketch, but if you do, don't feel obligated to use stars-where the stars are located you can subsitute any embellishment.

Good luck and happy scrappin' today.

Tammy

Idea Book with some southern style???

Did you know that Memory Mania is publishing an idea book? Yes, 110 pages of DOUBLE page spreads!!!! I hinted to this during the 6 in 60 class, did you catch it? We can't wait to share the sketches with you so stay tuned. I hope you will all considering submitting some pages!!!. DOn't be shy, wouldn't it be great to see some layouts with our southern style & ideas for things we do around here. The book will be distributed nationwide and I would love to share your style & our state with many others (of course we want other pages too, not just Louisiana stuff he he). OK that's the BIG secret for today. I will try to post the pages later tonight. Submissions are due May 15, 2007.

MARK THE DATE-MAY 5th at Memory Mania

Come in the store to check out this basket & see how you can be the lucky winner on NSD - winner must be present for the drawing at 12 noon on May 5th at Memory Mania.

DISNEY PREMADE ALBUMS

ATTENTION DISNEY FANS!!!!!! Hurry down to Memory Mania to see the new 8x8 premade Disney albums. They are sooooo awesome that you will want to snatch one up ASAP! You can choose from the Red Disney characters or the Pink Princesses. These albums are filled with completed pages full of 3D embellishments such as buttons & stickers, etc. All you have to do is add your photos. HOW COOL IS THAT??? All of the work is done for you and your family will think is was all done by YOU!!!!! These also make great gifts for your scrapbooking friends. Hurry and pick up yours today before they are gone. You'll be glad you did.

Tip and Technique Thursday!!

I often create a layout and think that I need some patterned paper in a couple places, but every paper I look at seems like it would be distracting or take away from my photos. I really like all the fancy papers available, but I have to force myself to remember that my photos are the reason I'm doing these layouts! Recently, I was creating a page of Mallory (my daughter) and Dane (Tammy's son). Dane was trying to decide where to continue his education, and he had lots of questions going through his head. Mallory wanted to sell him on ULL, where she attends school. So, we made a visit there, and I wanted to scrapbook the pics we took. I knew I needed some type of background, and finally decided to create my own background on transparency by typing some of the questions he was facing, then using a variety of fonts and sizes. It turned out to be a very unique layout.

Next, I was working on an album for a family cruise we recently took, and again, I needed just a little something on the left side of the layout. So I typed words showing some of the things we did on the cruise in creative fonts and sizes, but this time I printed it directly on the solid cardstock. Again, it was the perfect complement to the photos without being too distracting...AND it served as a form of journaling, giving information about the activities in the photos!

Click on the photos to see a close-up - This technique is TOO EASY not to try! Let us know how it works for you and post some of your layouts using this technique so we can see them!

Happy Scrappin'

Allison

BLUELIGHT SPECIAL!!!!!

McGill Digital Scrapbooking CD's. These CDs are 30% off OR buy one, get one free. There are 6 different styles. This is a BLOG ONLY SALE so print for your coupon, while supplies last or 4/17/07.

I LOVE Masters Kits!!!

I loved making my last Masters kit of my godson, Elijah, and his daddy, Joby! Joby is not Elijah's real father, but has been around since Elijah was 1 and is now married to Elijah's mom. He is in the process of adopting Elijah now and the Bugs in a Rug paper and embellishments were perfect to capture the essence of their relationship-Elijah just adores Joby. Elijah loves to go fishing and hunting with Joby and also loves to cook with his dad :) The picture of them in the fire gear is my absolute fav of them (Joby is a fireman).

The title of my page says it all! "I want to be just like you dad" For more layout inspiration, visit the gallery at Memory Mania http://dev1.boomersdomain.com/gallery_memorymaniac/

Jansen

I LOVE 6 pages in 60 minutes CLASS

I LOVED the 6 Pages in 60 Minutes class recently held at MM. The layouts were awesome and relatively easy and quick to assemble. What I liked the most about the layouts is that they will display many photos. Thanks girls - another hit with your popular class. Can't wait to see what you come up with next time!

Blog Challenge Extended!

Ok my friends!!!! Its not too late to come in and scoop up some adorable new Chip-Chatter letters to create your latest layout. Once you create your layout, post it to the Memory Mania gallery and e-mail Tammy. This will enter you into a random drawing to win a bag full of scrapbook goodies! We will pull the winner next Monday. We all love a good challenge!
Jessica

BOGO Sale!

The tables in the back are full of product for our buy one get one free sale. When you purchase one item you get to choose and item of equal or lesser value for FREE! Stop by before April 13th! But come early before the Easter Bunny wipes us out! Hehe!
Happy Easter Everybody!

Clearly.

Yep, clear is all the rage. Transparentcies, overlays and clear embelishments are "in" in a big way! Companies like Autumn Leaves and Hambly are putting out some awesome transparentcies and overlays. WHAT?! No Hambly? Really? Why haven't you snatched some of this stuff up yet? Well luckily we have the new Hambly overlays in stock! In my layout above, I used some of the new "vintage patchwork" Hambly. It comes in a 12X12 sheet that is divided into 4 different 6X6 sections with different patterns. Great for pages or for projects like litte mini books. How cute would a little 6X6 book with these transparentcies be? So here is the challage...use transparentcies to create a unique scrapbook page filled with layers and dimention. Don't forget to load it in the gallery so we can all see it! Hmm...transparentcies...that would make a great class. What do you guys think?

MICKEY MOUSE IS IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!

You got it, the Disney cartridges arrived today and are as cute as you can imagine!!! I don't have any Disney pages, but I think I NEED it, I'll have to schedule a Disney trip soon. Get yours today!!

TUESDAY BLUELIGHT SPECIAL

Good morning,
THe BLUElight special this week is the American Craft & Reminisce Rub-ons are 25% off with this coupon. expires 4/9/07. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

DISNEY CRICUT CARTRIDGES

Memory Mania should receive the DIsney Cricut cartridges on Thursday this week. There is a waiting list, so if you're waiting on them, call the store today to reserve yours!!

MASTERS MAD MONEY

Attention all Memory Mania Masters Kit Club members!!!!!! We know you love your masters kits !!!! Thanks for the positive feedback. We want to motivate you to create your layouts from the kit club AND we want to see what you're creating with these cool products!!! Earn some Masters MAD MONEY -its really easy.
1. You can scraplift a layout by the masters team OR you can create your own.
2. Upload your layouts in the masters kit gallery
3. Email me your layout title & I will print & put in the drawing for each layout you complete with that month's kit;

You will get MASTERS MAD MONEY for each double page spread that you create with the current masters kit!! So if you somehow create 5 double page layouts with the kit, you get 5 MASTERS MONEY. THEN you enter your money in a drawing for a $20 store credit; Drawing will be held monthly!!!!! So that gives you 4 weeks to create layouts with the new masters kit (My Minds Eye & 3 Bugs in a Rug);

Monday Challenge **DRAWING**

Merry Monday to all of you!!!!! We have a SCRAPBOOK challenge for you to start your week off right. We will be posting a challenge each week on Mondays (we hope, he he). Each week will be a different challenge and for participating, your name is entered into a weekly drawing for a goody bag giveaway!!!!! This is for all skill levels, your layouts are not judged, just for participating, your name goes into a drawing and we will pull 1 lucky winner each week & post the winner's name on the blog.

OK, are you ready for the challenge this week??? 1) Create a double page layout using the new CHIP CHATTER, 2) post your layout in the blog & 3) email me that you have posted your layout and the name of the layout and I will put the email in the weekly drawing.

Good luck and get scrappin' today.

Tammy