AMERICAN CRAFT

WOW-Look what Rachel was up to yesterday!!!!!

This is the new Celebrations line from American Craft, there is matching thickers in VINYL, individual rolls of ribbon (3 yds), matching papers, solids, photo corners, chipboard, felt, rub-ons, albums, asst ribbon packs. Better hurry in because I can't keep Christy out of the thickers.

Don't forget to check your newsletter-its an awesome NEWSLETTER ONLY COUPON. Remember you must have the coupon and its only good for October 3rd.

BLOG CHALLENGE

Hey Scrappers,
The Technique Tuesday blog challenged has been extended 2 weeks until Oct 11th. Several people have emailed that they purchased the products but need more time for the blog and we are happy to do that. Create a double page layout using the Technique Tuesday canvas circles, upload to the gallery & email me your entry into the drawing.

thanks
Tammy

DIGITAL PHOTO TRIAGE

Good Morning. On my way out the door for the Scrap Pink Crop, we raised $375 for the Susan Komen Foundation in Baton Rouge. Thank you ladies for your support.

OK, so Grey's Anatomy season premiere last night, what did you think? I know that many of you were doing your homework from Photo Triage class, right?? A little tip for anyone that missed the Photo Triage Class, organizing your photos into season/year is an easy task when armed with your photo box, watching a great chick flick, eating Cal's brownies. When you don't have time to watch a chick flick-take 15 minutes each night, leave your photos by the sofa and grab at them when you get a few minutes. NOW FOR THE PHOTOS THAT NEVER GET PRINTED . . . . PRINT YOUR PHOTOS, you won't scrap photos you can't get your hands on. I know, I've been telling myself, i don't print them because I want to print different sizes as I scrap. Well, i somehow always go for the pictures that are already printed. Set a goal, triage your digital photos: Organize into files season/year Winter, 2007, etc; Then review each season/year & decide which you want to scrap, print or upload those pictures for 15 minutes each day, backup & store the ones you don't wish to scrap in your handy, dandy photo box. PRINT YOUR PHOTOS, you'll be amazed at how great you will feel once they are printed & stored.

Wednesday's Tip (A Little Late)

Okay Gang, I know I am a day late with my tip for Wednesday, especially since it is Thursday night but I didn't want to just skip out on you. So with that said here is my awesome tip using clear stamps.

When you are working on a layout and you want to stamp a word with clear stamp Alphabets, lay each alphabet down exactly where you want it on your layout, then take either your stamp press or your acrylic block and press it down over your alphabets - then just pick it up. Now your word is on your acrylic block exactly how you want it on your layout. Just ink your stamps and stamp it on your page. What this does is allows you to see exactly what your image will look like before you stamp it and allows you to make sure your word will fit where you want it.
Try this tip, when I showed it to my Crash Course class they flipped out because it is easier and quicker than trying to line them up directly on your acrylic block. You just line them up on the page then press your block to them. Now you are ready to stamp. Get going!

MASTERS KITS

WOW-this may be the most awesome kit yet!!! LOADS of product-this kit is valued over $35, and lucky kit club members get these cool products for $24.99. WOW, WOW, the ideas, personality & insight each design team member (Tania Allen, Pam Boudreaux, Maureen Gorman, Sandi Gautreau, Jansen Hebert, Noelle Landry) bring to the table each month is awesome. The pictures will be loaded real soon, look closely at each layout to see the incredibly different techniques they used with the same products. I personally love their inspiration each month and they continue to amaze me.

Master's Kit September

Wow! You are gonna love the kit this month. It is full of so many materials that I couldn't just do one layout - I did two. Tammy really went overboard on this one! I'm actually working on an "All About Me" book so this layout is 4 pages - all done with the masters kit (Imaginesce) and a few extra sheets of cardstock. Here is page 1 and 2 "My Life is full of" and page 3 and 4 continues with "Proud Moments." Page 3 and 4 will be on the gallery under Masters Kits soon! Sometimes one double page layout just isn't enough to tell the story! NOTE: Chipboard title is painted gold and reads "my" (above life) and "is full of" is on the right page along the bottom. It didn't photograph very well.

pamb

WE WANT MORE!! WE WANT MORE!!!

WOW!!! These were cries of the recent alumni of Memory Mania Crash course. Christy is getting rave reviews on her recent crash course on Scrapbooking. If you have any friends that are interested in getting started in scrapbooking, please tell them about Memory Mania Crash Course. Recent students have emailed in to say, "Please, we want more classes with Christy!!" We Don't want this class to end. we LOVE Christy! Please, more classes?" Anyway, 30 new scrappers are singing her praises. Memory Mania next crash course begins October 10th, there is a series of morning classes or night time which ever you prefer.

P.S. On a different note, the Bazzill cardstock sale-only 5 boxes left.

WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS? HUGE BAZZILL SALE

HUGE BAZZILL REORGANIZING SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bazzill boxes of cardstock for 25 cents per sheet (reg. 59 cents). After 7 days of trying to reorganize our colors per recommendation from Bazzill management. Jade has threatened to kill me or take all of the cardstock t the dumpster if I don't do something to make it disappear. I want to live until my birthday next week, SOOOOO, you get 100 awesome sheets of cardstock for $25. There is nothing wrong with the cardstock, it is not discontinued, we are just REALLY tired of trying to decide what the name of each paper is to put in the rack. It's your lucky day, we are selling this BELOW cost and we will reorder these packs with labels on them. THESE GIRLS ARE WORTH THIS MUCH TO ME, can't get them any more frustrated than they are SO, come in and take advantage of this ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT at Memory Mania.

Why are we rearranging our Bazzill paper?? As you know we carry over 600 colors of Bazzill cardstock and we want to make it easier for you to find matching Bazzill colors. Bazzill cardstock will be arranged by the colorwheel so that each family of colors is on the same rack, making it much easier to find coordinating colors for double mats and complimentary colors. It may take some time for us to get used to but it should have a lot easier in the long run.

Does Money Grow on Trees?

Nah...but aren't these cute? We usually don't have a lot of time to shop for that "special" gift. Our typical gift is money in an envelope and a homemade card. We got a little creative today. We made these money trees using garbage - really!

Follow these easy steps to create a unique party gift:

• supplies - any size can, shredded paper, wooden dowel, pipe cleaners, scraps of paper, adhesive,ribbon or any other embellishements


• cover you can with paper (it's easiest to embellish before ahherring to can)


• wrap the wooden dowel with pipe cleaners


• stuff can with shredded paper


• center the dowel in the can - use hot glue to keep in place


• tie money onto the tree using pipe cleaners

BROOKE, YOU ROCK!!!!

Good morning sunshine!!!
What a beautiful day, just perfect for LSU tailgating (unless the rain comes as projected) which is what we were supposed to be doing today, UNTIL it was changed to a day game and John had to work this morning. BUT, we even have an even better offer, going to the Templets for a Shrimp Fest and watch the LSU game. If you've ever had Mike's cooking, that's like 1,000 times better than hotdogs and nachos at the game. AND the visiting will include "scrapbook talk" which wouldn't happen at the game either. OMG, where was i, BROOKE, YOU ROCK? Do you create cards for your friends, family? I love homemade cards!! Homemade cards can take 5 minutes or 1 hour or more, depending on you. I personally like the 15 minute card more than the 1 hour card, but that's me, the lazy scrapper. Anyway, I asked Brooke to create a card for Becky's birthday-HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!!! I was expecting a 15 minute card, well, I don't know how long it took her but WOW-WOW-WOW, the cutest MICKEY card you have ever seen. I can't believe I didn't take a picture, I was just in awe at how cute it was-I'll have to get Becky to take a picture of the card in its new home-her scrapbook room and post. Its so cute that I've asked Brooke to design one of the upcoming Disney kit club layouts - I just gotta share her talent. Did I mention she is only 17, so next time you are in the store looking for ideas-ask Brooke. AND, if you haven't created a card yet, meet me at the Art Bar -Happy Hour in November. GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LUCKY ME

WOW, how lucky can one girl be? Driving home from Memory Mania tonight I was just thinking, "What did I ever do to deserve so many wonderful people in my life?" Not only do I have incredible family & friends, but my team at Memory Mania is just the BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!! I had a wonderful lunch with my 2 longtime teachers and left thinking, wow, how lucky are we to have had these 2 ladies, you know the duo, Jody & Becky, give us so much of their time for so many years and LOVE DOING IT and continuously wanting to do better & more!!!! Teaching at Memory Mania is a work of the heart, it takes so much time and research and its over in 2 short hours, then on the plan and prep for the next one. Anyway, its a lot of work and to continue searching for new things to teach and for these 2 to have done it for so long and still love to do it-we're darn lucky!!! Then I go back to the store just in awe at the girls, Christy, Rachel, Brooke are just running the store (doing about 10 different things at one time & still smiling and helping anyone that walked in) and Jade, Lexi & Rhonda, they give 300% everyday, not just on a good day, every day. They just do whatever needs to be done (have you seen the new huge Bazzill restructure? paper, FOR DAYS being reorganized). It was 8pm and they get off at say 3 or 6, but i had to force them to leave and finish tomorrow. You don't just see dedication like this everyday. You would never guess that the owner had been out all week sick because these girls had it going on. Maybe the owner could disappear for a few weeks (ok dreaming a little too big just yet). I'm telling you, i thank my lucky stars to be surrounded by such wonderful, giving girls. SO please give them a little pat on the back when you see them this week, they are awesome, and they do it because we love you & we love our jobs, its our passion. How lucky are we to work at what we love. I hope you are lucky enough to love what you do to!! Have a wonderful weekend.

CREATIVE CAFE

WOW, i've been up all night reading all of the new material on this awesome new ART BAR that is coming to Memory Mania. Its called Creative Cafe by Creative Imaginations (we have a sketch at the store for you to see what to expect). Click on this link for examples of layouts created for future projects. We have a little while to wait, the first happy hour will be Thursday, November 1st at 10:30am and 5:30pm. There will be rows of bins like a candy store filled with brads, buttons, tags, felt, chipboard, with coordinating stamps, papers, ribbons, rub ons, stickers, cards. Just think, a fat-free, calorie-free candy store. Plan to meet us & your friends for "Happy Hour" every Thursday morning or afternoon, whichever suits your schedule to complete quick & easy projects from simple project recipe cards. There is a new project every week AND when you complete 12 projects, the 13th is free. Projects range from Home Decor & gifts, Birthday Party favors, School Projects, Sports Projects, Do-it-Yourself, scrapbooking, Cardmaking, Party Favors, Thank Yous, Paper Arts and Invitations. Its the perfect opportunity to get together with friends for a stress-free, fun project hour. So mark your calendars today for November 1st.

PHOTO TRIAGE

Attention all interns in Memory Mania Photo Triage Unit, if any stamping is messed up, this is why . . . just kidding, i take all of the credit for any mistakes. Here's a pic of your resident with the flu prepping for class with the help of this incredible hot resident, he he. Sorry I think the meds are going to my head. He really is hot, though even without meds. Seriously, how sweet, i didn't have enough strength to stamp so he's showing me "the best way to do it", check out the remote in his hand. OK, are you ready for some photo triage, album picture is part 2 of our rounds on Tuesday night. Don't miss this class, you will just love me when all of your pictures are organized in scrap order. Sorry girls, Dr. McHottie won't be making rounds Tuesday night.

Perspective

Hi Everyone! I must say how excited I am that I will be going to Memory Trends in Las Vegas on Thursday!!! This will be my first scrapbooking trade show & I know I will be star struck when I see my favorites! I read loads of blogs for inspiration & love the Aussie girls. Can't wait for the kick in the pants inspiration!!!!

Let's talk basics. I know it's so easy to get caught up in the madness of having the latest products, best layout & just overthinking a page. Perspective is the thought of this blog. We all scrapbook with the ultimate goal of filling up an album. Think about who is the album going to. This layout created for my daughter's album. I had so many pages done for her, but all from my perspective. When she was 6, she really loved my scrapbooking hobby & wanted to be an artist as well. I always had a camera in her face & she wanted to do the same. So, I sucked it up and said,' This will be your page, done by you'. I equipped her a with camera (pink, from Libby Lu, of course), a roll of film & artistic freedom to tell her story. Now, in her book, Emma's perspective is fully documented, her style. Remember to love it because it came from that person's perspective & give up the latest & greatest layout thought.

One other idea for that last page is to create an "About the Artist/Author" page. I focus so much on scrapbooking everything about my growing kids and not much of myself is documented. There is a big trend for "Me pages" that I just don't find the time to make. Include a layout featuring yourself with the person(s) to whom the album is dedicated. For example, I will include in my son's album a photo of us together. I will highlight the time frame of that album denoting my favorite things to do in that year. A good idea is to hand journal b/c it's so personalized in this manner. This would be a great place to have one of those photos of you taking a picture from behind the lens, or one with just your eye, or from your scrap spot.

Off to Vegas......YEAA!!!

Posted by Maureen

DEAL OF THE WEEK - $20 off

Oops, forgot to post the big deal of the week. The excitement was so great at Scrapfest this week with the Krafter’s Komfycush™ . We sold out of all the ones at Scrapfest, but we have 4 left in the store. We are offering $20 off of this most fashionable PINK cushion. Feedback from this weekend was that the liked the added height that it added to the chairs. FOr many with back trouble, you can remove the velcro sides and wrap around the back for a back cushion. I think i'm going to have to get another one for that purpose, because i like the velcro pockets to hold my trimmer and idea book while i'm working on my layout. I can never figure how to keep my workspace tidy while working on the layout. It has an extra thick padded seat, adjustable (and fully removable) side panels. Each side panel has pockets to keep your idea books and tools/supplies handy while you’re working on your favorite craft.
Here is a list of just some of the great features:
3” thick padded seat cushion that is 18” wide x 15” deep
2 adjustable and fully removable side panels to allow for varying chair heights and types
3 pockets on each panel to hold tools/supplies while you are working
Folds up for added convenience and portability
Adjustable shoulder strap
Made of a durable canvas-type material, and did i mention it is PINK!!!!!!!!!!

It's Quiet in the Murphy Home

Ha ha, I've lost my voice and John and Justin are loving it. They don't think i need to go back to the doctor because this is working just great for them. Ha ha, what they don't know is, its kinda cool for me too, when they ask, i just point to John, i don't have to give any answers, ha ha. I think the girls at the store are kinda liking it too. They crack up laughing every time I whisper to them. So yes, Creative Escape was great, but my voice stayed in Arizona. So if anyone needs me, might be best to email me. I'm joking about it, but man, when you really need to communicate--its hard--trying to finalize details for the CCL Apparel which is absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On another note, CCL is almost 100% full-again less than 2 weeks!!!! There are about 15 spots left, however, group seating is getting a little tricky, so it would be best to email me if you have a group larger than 2. Also, for lots of people who noted that they wanted to sit by somone-we haven't heard from a lot of the someone's and i'm really getting nervous, they miss out. So if you have a friend who's meeting you there, give them a call and say CALL TODAY GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLOG CHALLENGE

Merry Monday to all of you. For the Blog challenge Sept. 17-Sept. 31st.
Create a double page layout using this new item: Technique Tuesday Texture Scallop and Circle adhesive shapes; upload your layout into the gallery & email me so i can enter your name into the drawing. These are really cool and I can't wait to see what you do with them. Tell all of your friends so we can getlots of ideas, what an easy way to be entered for a drawing on Oct 1st.

Organization - CLIP IT UP

Hey Girls,
I know its your little secret, but its mine too, i'm just as interested about organizing my photos & scrapbook supplies as scrappin' itself. I'm just so proud of myself when I can get something organized to save me time & efficiency later. The CLIP IT UP is what its all about right now. I've been eyeing this little goody for months now, but everytime I take one home to put together, another customer comes in "that needs it right now", we can't seem to keep them in stock, so back to the store my little purchase goes. I don't mind waiting, its cool when they come back in the following week to share with me how helpful it was. Clip it up is making a bit hit at Scrapfest this weekend too, customers love that you can see all of your embellishments, stickers, etc at a glance AND you will use what you already own if you can see it. So this weekend, i promise, i am leaving the store with one & immediately getting my things on it so I'm not tempted to give it away again. I've recently put some of my favorite punches & ribbons out in plain site of my scrapping area and I know how much more I am using them now, so this should help me use my stock, so I can buy more cool goodies and be assured I will use them. The store is getting a new shipment of CLip it up on Monday as we're sure that the Scrapfest shipment will be gone today. Have an awesome weekend, and post your success stories with the clip it up.

Oh... and I forgot...

When I signed on for this teaching thing I didn't know I would be blogging and posting layouts! (not that I mind...) I hope these come out ok - this is from an A- Z album I did.

Oh! and since I have 2 daughters... here is a two page layout I did on the other...

Another tip of the day

Tammy had a great time at Creative Escape - and yes it was me that called her. We had some amazing classes that will becoming to you soon - so watch out!

Getting a tip from me is probably not the best source... my s-crap office is a mess (I have to kick my way through just to get to the cardstock) and I am probably the messiest person EVER to scrap... but I am really very organized! I was just redoing the room before the big (She who must NOT be named) came in 2005... we've been busy redoing the house since then and that room is second to last on the list. I mean - don't y'all think bedrooms are more important?

BUT... here is my biggest and best tip for y'all. When you go shopping for scrap stuff - PUT IT AWAY As Soon As You Can!! Especially coming home from an event. You wouldn't believe how much STUFF we came home with from Creative Escape - right now it's over flowing in a HUGE tupperware bin!!!

This weekend I will go through it and sort it into "Yippee I can't wait to use this", "Oh this is for the XYZ project" and "This is SO not my style- let's give it away" piles. Then it will all, hopefully disappear into drawers and boxes and special places. The give away piles require calls to friends to see if they can use the stuff and if not - off to the Ronald McDonald house or another charity. I have boxes that are similar but larger than photo boxes where I put all my "stuff" for a project, be it a class or an album I am collecting items for. That way it will all be in one place and when I am done it will go back into the "general population" (like stamps or ink pads, or photos).

I hope this was a helpful hint! I'm really looking forward to teaching this semester and meeting y'all!

Just so you don't think I'm exaggerating - this is what we got at CE... (ok some was at the Bazzilll Warehouse... very little from Scrapbooks, Etc but as far as my husband is concerned it is ALL class product! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

TIP for the Week

Okay Guys, here we are again. It's Wednesday which seems to be my "Blog" day for you guys. So, Happy Wednesday to everyone and just think tomorrow's Thursday which will be followed by Friday which we all live for!!!! He He.

Now for my Awesome Tip. When working on a layout or project in your scrap space, keep a basket next to you on your table or the floor. As you work with a certain tool or punch, drop it in the basket instead of getting up and returning it to its normal spot. This way when you are done working, you can just grab your basket, walk around your room putting away your items, you are done in about 5 minutes and it also keeps your workspace clear of any clutter while you work. So I challenge you to try this tip, I promise you will love it. I did.

BLOG CHALLENGE WINNER

Hey Girls,

Thanks for participating in the blog challenge. The winner is . . . Kim Breaux. Here are a 2 of her layouts entered into the drawing. More layouts in the gallery.

Back from Arizona

WOW, so Creative Escape was A**Mazing!!!!! Pictures with Heidi Swapp &Renee Kutcher; andloo how cute Rhonna Farrer is-got to get her to LA. It was so much fun to get away and scrap. Ha ha. You may think that sounds funny and that I get to do that anytime, why go to Arizona to scrap. Well, a girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do. I've been wanting to go to Creative Escape since I heard about it last year and a good friend, Renee Kutcher called me one night about midnight to tell me she had an extra ticket-so hence, Tammy flying to Arizona. I met some really cool people and my favorite friend I met was Kim from California, a sweet little gal I met opening night. It was so cool to visit and learn what is going on in scrappin' world in California, about the same as in Louisiana, but so nice to hear about things in other places or things from another scrapper's point of view. Ok, back to CE, You know I'm not really a project girl and all of the classes were projects, but they were cool and the teachers all explained they could teach us more technique through projects than layouts, so I was down with that and the adventure began. WOW, awesome teachers: Heidi Swapp, Rhonna (like Rhonda for those like me have been saying Rona) Farrer-this class was awesome, but she is so awesome, so what did I expect? Tracey Niehues (very clever), Chris Randall (I learned to solder jewelry), Heidi Lynn Schreiber (Mr. Bazzill's daughter), Lesli Spafford (hilarious girl that her husband baked cookies for 650 ladies at the event to win us over). Guest speaker was Alison Tyler Jones-WOW, i think we cried a time or 2. Funny we shed a few tears in a few classes. You know, as a teacher, i always feel funny talking about me or my family, but as a student, i really enjoyed hearing a little more about the teacher, that she has daily struggles and trials just like us AND the funny stories about their children. We created a 21 challenge art journal with Rhonna to help us create a habit with 21 days of inspiration. We created a "Today" artboard to make us "happy" when we wake up, Heidi shared with us that she's not a morning person and has a hard time being happy when she opens her eyes, he he. Did you know that Heidi Swapp went from 3 kids to 5 in 1 year-she had 2 babies within one year and that she's moving to CHINA? WOW-what an adventurous woman. Moving on, then we created cards with Lesli-very cool. The "My Thoughts Exactly" journal with Tracey, that girl is very creative and super clever-AWESOME teacher. I enjoyed the calendar with Heidi Lynn as it was creating layouts for a calendar-very cool. Visited the 7,500 sq. foot store of Bazzill owners AND the Bazzill warehouse (I'm such a geek-this was almost my favorite thing to do, seeing it be cut, packaged and touch every color of Bazzill-i know Memory Mania already carries every color that Bazzill makes, but seeing thousands of each sheet was way cool-John was a great sport but I did see him roll his eyes a few times. The good news is, I didn't see anything in Scrapbook Etc (7,500 sq feet) that Memory Mania doesn't already have, in fact, MM has more items to choose from, but the store was really cool and a great experience. All classes were 1 page spreads, would you scream or what? Ok, this will take an hour to read, sorry, signing off.

New Products are Here!!!!

Happy Wednesday to everyone. The delivery trucks keep on coming with all new products that will make your mouth water. We have several paper lines with matching embellishments and rubons. Lots of new embellishments and also some cool organizers in new colors.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Purchase any Scrapbook Trends and receive one free of equal or lesser value. Offer expires 9/21; must bring coupon to qualify. Happy Labor Day!

PRODUCTS, PRODUCTS EVERYWHERE!!!!!

Happy Holiday weekend to everyone. I just wanted to let you know that Memory Mania is busting at the seems with all of the new products in town. The delivery trucks come one behind another so it has been like Christmas for us at the store. There are sooooooo many new products that I can't even begin to tell you which ones are in and there are tons more on the way. I just don't know where we will put it all. Hurry into the store so you don't miss out on that one product you just can't live without. If you are traveling the long weekend be safe and Happy Holiday.

MONDAY BLOG CHALLENGE

Hey Scrappers,
Congratulations to Darlene, winner of the drawing for the blog challenge. Check out her precious tooth fairy layout http://dev1.boomersdomain.com/gallery_memorymaniac/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=0;

THE NEW CHALLENGE is (Aug 27-Sept 9):
Create a double page layout using the Autumn Leaves Expressions (12x12 Transparencies).
Upload layout into our gallery.
Email me to be entered into the drawing by Sept 9th.

Masters & More

Hi Everyone. Hope the back to school craze has settled & you can find time to scrap!!! Here is a layout that I HAD to do from the Masterpiece book (page 85). I loved Lexi's layout and wanted to make my left overs from my Sassifrass kit work in double time! Speaking of time, what an incredible thing to just pick out a layout that you like & make it work. The 'Make it work' mantra shoud be used when using the Masterpiece book. Use it for a guide to layouts and don't try to copy the layout exactly to save time & fill your albums faster. I thought that using the same line of papers for the same event (just so many pics & so little time) would make for nice flow in my album. * Sorry about the funny faces, but no time to get permission to publish. They were all so adorable. Maureen

Time to Remember

Here in Louisiana, we are about to reach the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It took me almost a year to document the emotions of going through that time. Not only was a beloved city destroyed, but our state was then hit by Rita, and it seems that it will take years to recover. So I encourage you to take a moment this week and if you haven't already documented this event, try to do so now when the media will again focus its attention on our city and our state on August 29th.
To complete the layout above, I opted for a simple design so that my focus would be the photographs and the journaling. For the photographs I used Adobe Photoshop Elements to over saturate the images to exaggerate how surreal and emotional going back to the city for the first time was for me. I also used Ranger Alcohol Inks on my title to emphasize the idea of stained glass. Fortunately many MMU students will learn how to effectively use Photoshop Elements and and assortment of Ranger products in some of the upcoming classes we have at the store.
Finally, as you reflect on the last two years in a scrapbook layout, let the products and techniques you use on that page mirror the emotions that you want to convey in your photographs and journaling. I know for many of you, this layout will be difficult to do, but I am a firm believer in real life scrapbooking. Hurricane Katrina will always be a part of my life story, and I believe it is a story that should be passed on to future generations.
Jody

Masterpieces

Thank you to everyone that joined us for the book signing last week. This has been such a wonderful experience and I've had the best journey with so many special people!! I'm so proud of all of you. THe layouts are great and we are getting the most awesome response at the store. Rarely does any customer walk out of the door without a Masterpieces. And the testimonials are incredible, everyone is in the store or posting comments and emails that they are getting so much done!!!

.

Tips**News**New Products---OH BOY!

Hi Gang,

NEWS.................
Happy Wednesday to Everyone. I wanted to let everyone know that we have a new employee at Memory Mania. Her name is Rachel Vincent. She loves to Scrapbook and is eager to help you out in any way that she can. So stop by Memory Mania today, introduce yourself and give her a warm HELLO!

TIPS...................
Have you ever needed a card at the last minute and didn't have time to run out to the store to get one? Well, have I got a tip for you..........Every time you create a layout, use your scraps to create 1 or 2 cards of different varieties to keep on hand. This way, you save money and time and you give your loved one something made by you. You can even make a cute card box (index card box) to store them in.

NEW PRODUCTS..........................
Okay, the Absolute Most needed Scrapbook item EVER is definetely the Memory Mania Masterpieces Book. You have no idea until you buy one how much you will use this awesome tool. I have reached for mine tons of times. You won't be disappointed.

We also received a HUGE shipment of Thickers-foam & chipboard- in tons of different colors, Clear Acrylic Buckle ups & ties from One Heart One Mind, The new Reminisce line of papers , stickers and rubons, & Hero Arts Clear Stamps. AWESOME!!!!!!

Hurry in soon. We'll leave the light on for ya!!

25% off -- SUMMER SALE!!!! -- 25% off

Hey Guys,

Don't forget about our awesome 25% off summer sale on select items throughout the store.
Some of the items include our wonderful Pink Krafter's Komfy cushion, the All My Memories Pink 12x12 shoulder tote (big enough to tote your albums), the Fastenater (decorative stapler),
various kits on the kit wall, Foam wedding stamps and much, much more. So make it a point to stop in, say hi and check out what's on sale. We'll be waiting for ya!

Terrific Tuesday

Hey Scrappers,
I hope you are having a terrific Tuesday. Just got back from a Tuesday morning workout & I'm all energized and excited about Jody's class tonight.

Reminder-this is the last week of the BLOG Challenge- create a layout using any of these American Craft Embellishments (foam OR chipboard OR flower shapes)

AND these are also the BLOG SPECIAL for this week only: Purchase any American Craft shapes AND Embellishment box & receive the free American Craft giveaway with ribbon, rubons, brads, etc.

Having fun with Handwriting

I was asked to teach the Love Your Handwriting class for MMU. In preparing for the class, I realized how much more I could do with my layouts using my handwriting and I've had so much fun working on this layout.

I would like to encourage you to love your handwriting and use it more often in your layouts. Using your handwriting adds some of your personality and style to your layouts.

A helpful hint: look at fonts online (just google "free fonts" and you can download fonts for free), on Microsoft Word, or in magazines. It helps to get ideas for different types of fonts from other sources! I hope you will start or continue to use your unique handwriting when working on your layouts!!

Masterpiece Designers Group Photo

Thanks again for sharing this wonderful dream with me.

CAMP CROP A LOT PHOTOS

So sorry for the delay, Thanks again for attending Camp Crop a Lot and sharing your talent and time with us. Attached is the group picture. CCL4LFE - January 4-5, 2008. Early bird registration September 7th.

Thanks again to Michelle Sanders for the awesome make/takes from Hambly and the mini classes for the table contest winners. Check out Michelle's clipboard class several blogs down.

BLOG CHALLENGE

OK Girls, if you haven't taken the challenge yet, please try this one (August 13-27). Remember all that you have to do for the blog challenge, is create a layout or project using challenge products, load on Memory Mania Gallery & Email me to be entered into the drawing for a goody bag.
BLOG Challenge-for the next 2 weeks (ends August 27): create a layout using any of these American Craft Embellishments (foam OR chipboard OR flower shapes). AND these are also the BLOG SPECIAL for this week only: Purchase any American Craft shapes AND Embellishment box & receive the free American Craft giveaway with ribbon, rubons, brads, etc.

Merry Monday!!!!!

Hey Scrappers,
Its the first day of school in Ascension Parish, so I'm sure there are many moms out there doing what I'm doing this morning. . . Just taking a moment to try to figure out where did the summer go. Watching Justin walk out of the door like he has so many times before for his first day of school (10th grade now0. OMG, where did all of the years go???? (Guess I'm feeling kinda nostalgic, we had a 25 year class reunion this weekend) OK, back to first day of schoo, of course, I'm not allowed to take the bus picture anymore, but I did snap a couple by the front door like I always do. Talk about cool, to take that 1st day of school picture in the same spot each year and look at them side by side-OK i'm tearing up now because I can honestly remember the morning of kindergarten and he didn't walk out of the door without me, I was holding his hand until he jumped on the bus AND i followed the bus to school to get a picture of his grandma (she was on bus duty that morning) get him off the bus. Those days were so sweet. Its so wierd when they get older, he wouldn't even let me cook breakfast. Its great to have some freedom, but its sad that they don't need much from you anymore. Of course, the hug & kiss are non negotiable, he he. And if your kids are past the bus picture, one year I did take a cool picture of the bus driving away & journaled that I wasn't allowed to appear for bus pictures anymore, he he Anyway, I hope you all had some good memories of this first day of school. And if you're not there yet, check out the pictures in Scrapbooks Etc magazine for some cool first day of school pictures to take.

OK, for the Monday Challenge-for the next 2 weeks, create a layout using the foam/chipboard/flower shapes by American Craft-there's also a special this month on those-by the American Craft shapes and Embellishment box & receive the free American Craft giveaway with ribbon, rubons, brads, etc.

Alter Much?

This project is fun! Not only is it an altered clipboard, but it's also a little organizer for receipts, coupons and all those little bits and pieces we seem to loose track of. If you are signed up for the clipboard organizer on the 25th, this is what we will be making. If you are not signed up, better hurry!

Organized Kaos

Here’s a question I hear often: “How do you display/store your scrapbook albums?” For some time now, I’ve been on the lookout for a piece of furniture to house my albums, works in progress, and miscellaneous materials and I just found it! Here’s my new armoire neatly storing my albums and everything else that I previously had in stacks on the floor of my scrapbook room. I was surprised at how much I could actually get in there and I can add shelves.

I also found a crate to keep my masters kits (and any other already coordinated supplies) neatly filed. I used hanging folders with several manila folders inside. Now when I plan a layout all I have to do is thumb through my crate to see if I have something that I can use before I head to Memory Mania to shop!

pamb

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! 25% OFF!!!!!!!!!

You heard right. It's our Big Summer Sale. We are offering 25% off of select items throughout the store. Some of them are too good to pass up. Okay, I'll give you a hint: Our PINK Krafters Komfy Cushion will give you a soft seat for those long hours of cropping with side panel pockets for organizing all of your essential tools and keeping them close at hand.



Another must have SALE item is the PINK All My Memories shoulder tote. It is great for toting all of your 12x12 albums with you to crops or classes. This is also a great gift for all of your scrapbook friends.



And did someone say KITS!!! We have about 16 different kits on SALE 25% off so stop by the store today and check out all of the other items on SALE. You don't want to miss out.

BLOG SPECIAL

Hey Scrappers,
There is lots of things throughout the store on sale for our SUMMER SALE. I'm sure Christy will give you a few hints later in the week. But for now, the first hint is: select kits are on sale, come check it out.

Master Team Kit Idea

Hello everyone.

I am sorry that my post is a couple of days late but I was out of town.

I know that like many of you I have extra left overs with my Master Team Kits and I try to find ways to use them. One of my favorite is making cards for family and friends on birthdays, holidays, everyday, etc. I will post some sketches of some of my favorite cards to make later today in the gallery. I hope everyone will enjoy them.

Tania

CCL Make/Takes

Camp Crop a Lot Make/takes
You are My Sunshine created by Natalie Morris & Jessica COlby

Family created by Stevie Martinez

Monkey Around created by Jessica Colby

CCL - July 2007

I would like to thank the Memory Mania team for all of their hard work. This past weekends was wonderful. I enjoyed myself soooo much - meeting new people and talking to all my friends. KUDOS to Tammy and all of her girls; you and your team is the best!!!!!! No other scrapbooking store I have been to is like Memory Mania - everyone is so helpful and they all work so well together. Keep up all the good work.
Tania

CCL COUNTDOWN - 3 days

3 days until Camp Crop a Lot. Are you getting excited??? I can't wait. Its going to be the best year ever.

BLOG Challenge

Hey Scrappers,
Congratulations to Darlene Quebedeaux, winner of the blog challenge this week. If you haven't seen it yet-please check out her beautiful clock in the gallery.

WOW-HOW EXCITING

Wow, words could never describe how it felt to look at the first draft of Masterpieces!!!! A 7 year dream becomes a reality with the help of my friends. Here's a sneak peek. The finished product should be in and shipping in early to mid August. Of the 50 designers, 25 of them are from Louisiana. We will have a book signing with hopefully all of the local (25) artists on Saturday, August 11th 10am-noon. Please come out & join us.

Wanna Peek?

Ok, you CCL campers...want a peek at the Hambly make and take we will be doing Friday morning? This is a peek at a simular project...you will just have to wait and see exactly what we will be doing so get there early!

New Baby Boy

Elison Hebert!

Congratulations to Jansen & Steven Hebert, they had a healthy baby boy last night - 8lbs 1oz, 21 1/2" long at 9:58pm. Both mother and baby are both are healthy and doing great. Jansen is on Memory Mania's Design Team and if you have not checked out her layouts please do - she has a wonderful talent and gift for Scrapbooking. I hope that everyone has a great day!

Tania

BLOG CHALLENGE

Hey Guys, Don't forget about our blog challenge using the Scrap-o-dex or the CI clock. It has been extended, so no excuses..........get those projects done. We can't wait to see how awesome they come out. Check out Darlene's clock on our gallery for inspiration. It is absolutely beautiful. Remember you are not judged on your work, it is a random drawing. But to be entered into the drawing for the goodies you have to upload an image of your project to the gallery and email Tammy to let her know. Ready, Set, GO!!!!!!!

Digital Scrapbooking

Okay for all of you that are dying to try your hand at digital scrapbooking we have a new HOW TO book for you. With the Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate guide to Digital Scrapbooking you will learn how to use digital brushes, create photo borders, add journaling effects, make custom backgrounds and so much more.

Secret Sale item

SHHH................It's a secret, but did you know that we have
our American Crafts felt Photo Corners on sale at 45% off!!!
WOW....now that's what I call a sale. You get a lot of bang
for your buck with these great photo corners because there
are tons of various colors and sizes all packed into a cute little
reuseable can. Hurry into Memory Mania and get yours
today before they are all gone!!!!

JULY SALE!!!!!!!!
Memory Mania has some wonderful items available at
45% off during the month of July!!
These items are found throughout the store - many things are fairly new, so come by and check them out!! Remember that those who come first will have the best selection!!

BLOG CHALLENGE

Hey GIrls, The blog challenge with the Scrap O dex and/or clock has been extended for 2 more weeks since we had so much confusion with the scrap o dex. Good luck and please share those projects.

BLUELIGHT SPECIAL

The special for this week as well as the alternate for the blog challenge is: 20% off of the Creative Imagination Square Clocks. The clocks can be used as the blog challenge this week, however, anything created already in class is not eligible.

Thanks & have a great 4th of July!!!! Take lots of photos.

thanks
Tammy

BLOG CHALLENGE

Hey Scrappers,
Have you tried the blog challenge yet? You just gotta try it. You know you need someone to challenge you to try something new? This is it. Make a non-traditional album-a scrapodex!!!! Its great to add photos and give to a your spouse, grandparents, yourself for the office. Also GREAT idea for your coffee table, highlighting your favorite all time pictures OR a theme. Another great idea is a decoration for a birthday party and the pictures on the scrapodex could be highlights throughout the year. I can't wait to see you give this a try and load it on the gallery.

Scrapbooking Your Vacation

Good Afternoon Ladies!
As I get the family packed for a trip to the beach for the Fourth of July, I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of my favorite tips for scrapbooking your vacation memories. If we take a trip for five days or more, I will make a travel album just for that trip, but all of the following ideas can be applied to any vacation, whether it is just an overnight or a month long holiday.

1. Keep a small journal, and take five minutes to jot down what happened on that day. I have done this with every trip I have been on since I started scrapbooking, and it is extremely helpful if you plan to scrapbook the trip well after you have been home.

2. Bring your camera- everywhere you go. I always pack a plastic bag to store my camera so it can be protected from the elements, along with an extra battery and picture card.

3. Add "local color" to your journaling. For our trip to Maui, I included several Hawaiian phrases into my journaling. This helps anyone looking through your scrapbooks to feel like they have gone on vacation with you.

4. Focus on the photos. Try to vary your shots between close-up and wide angle photographs. Don't forget to put your family in front of those special places like Cinderella's castle or historic monuments.

5. Choose papers and embellishments that have a timeless look. Because you want the focus of the album to be on the vacation memories themselves, choose supplies that will not overwhelm your photos and journaling. I tend to pick a company that has coordinating papers and embellishments for each of my vacation albums and use the products on every layout.

Don't forget the sunscreen!
Jody

AMERICAN CRAFT GIVEAWAY

Hey Girls,
Don't forget to come in and take advantage of this great giveaway by American Craft while supplies last(ribbons, buttons, pen, rubons) . Receive your goody bag when you purchase their supplies-details are listed by the products as the store. I love that the manufacturers are rewarding you for purchasing their product.

Using Your Masters Kits

I just finished a scrapbook of my daughter's senior trip last summer. I like to tell a story in my books (like a real "storybook") so I always include a title page and a closing page.

My closing page usually ends with a note from me saying how much I enjoyed working on the book along with a few thoughts on the events depicted in the book. Sometimes I put a photo on the title/closing pages, but I didn't do that for this book, I put a pocket page instead. Then I ALWAYS sign and date it. For the title/closing pages in "Maddie's Senior Trip" book, I used leftover paper from one of my Master's Kits.

AWESOME **NEW**ORGANIZATION BAGS

WOW, you really have to come see these awesome new bags by Creative Options. They are so cool and stylish. Stop in soon, Christy is showing off her new birthday present.

MEMORY MANIA IDEA BOOK

WOW, we almost have all of the photography finished for the idea book. It's amazing how long it takes to get the lighting, etc set up for this shoot. But the cool part was looking at the incredible layouts in person, they are SOO MUCH more impressive in person than in the emails, and I thought I loved them through email. Thanks so much to everyone that used the 2 gallon bags, these made our job so much easier. Its been an incredible journey with the idea book, but there are a few weeks left of 24/7 computer work, so wish me luck.

BLOG CHALLENGE

THe challenge for the next 2 weeks is to create different projects with the SCRAP O DEX! This little product is GREAT, I'm dying to take a few minutes and put my favorite photos in it and decorate it as my album for my coffee table. Another awesome idea is for someone for their office desk, recipes, WOW me, what can you do with it!!!

Have a Merry Monday!!!!!

Tip/Technique Thursday...a day late!!!

Hey guys! Okay, so I'm a day late with my tip...sorry! Hope you can get some ideas from my latest layout - I had trouble coming with just one, so here are a few tips that I used in this layout:

1. Don't be limited by printed titles - this cute printed paper from Karen Foster had words about MOVING, and I loved it! But when I put it on the page, I thought...this isn't her HOME really, so I scratched out HOME, ran it through my printer to change the words, and now it reads "Apartment Sweet Apartment"!!


2. Use that new Flex Ruler from Bo Bunny! See how awesome my curves are?


3. Use a sketch!! I hardly ever scrap from scratch anymore - WHY should I when it's so easy with a sketch to guide me?? I can't WAIT till that new Memory Mania Idea book comes out - it's got over 50 sketches!!

Have a Happy Father's Day with your families!

Allison

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL

Hey Scrappers,
Don't miss out on these awesome items that are 25% off for our Father's Day Sale June 14-30; Select items are scattered throughout the store are 25% off, including some brand new items. There are little signs on the items so it will be easy to see. Stop in soon.

BLOG CHALLENGE

Ok, let's get scrappin'. Seeing all of these awesome layouts in my inbox everyday for submissions for the idea book has me chomping at the bit to scrapbook, if I could just finish this book, I'm so ready to use it to scrap. So to inspire you too is our BLOG challenge for the week -- AMERICAN CRAFT, not only is there an awesome little free gift when you buy American Craft products this week at Memory Mania, but those same products are the BLOG challenge: USE 3 or more American Craft papers, rub-ons & embellishments. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

Hey Scrappers,
Check out Darlene's challenge with the flex ruler & Tinkering ink;
http://dev1.boomersdomain.com/gallery_memorymaniac/displayimage.php?pos=-246 and Michelle's post http://dev1.boomersdomain.com/gallery_memorymaniac/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=0; Michelle used the flex ruler to spell SWEET; Awesome job girls.

KUDOS , Michelle is the winning of the BLOG drawing this week.

Tammy

Memory Mania Masters Kit Club

Have you seen the new link on the website for Masters Kit Club. Michelle Sanders has created an awesome blog just for the masters Kit club. She has invited some awesome guest designers, in addition to our awesome design team member layouts posted on the gallery. Tania Allen hosted the masters free crop this week and it was a huge hit. They have scheduled the next crop for Monday, July 2nd 6-9pm. Hope you can come.

MASTERPIECES

Sorry that you haven't heard from me lately, I'm buried under all of these layout submissions. WOW-they are awesome, I'm getting about 10 per day and still hoping to see more from my southern friends, this is your big chance to showcase your family in a magazine that will be distributed across the U.S., I hope you'll give it a try.

Update on the idea book. Studio S (Shannon LeBlanc) was AWESOME and offered her studio for us to photograph all of the wonderful layouts. Jill did an awesome job photographing the 100 layout pages that have already been chosen for the book through first set of sketches. Jill and I were calling the store every few hours to order scrapbook goodies after seeing them used on these awesome pages. I can't wait until its complete, you're going to just love seeing so many double-page spreads. Have a great day, next on the agenda today is Allison & I will be creating summer camp layouts (10 of them today) wish us luck.

tammy

NEW ARRIVALS!!!!!!!!

OKAY Ladies, You must come by the store and check out the awesome new clear stamp storage system that just arrived by Crop In Style. You can store them, hang them, add to them, and put them into the tote for travel. They are just great. And if you are a clear stamp "Collector" like I am them you will definitely want these. This system had Jessica screeching with excitement when we opened the boxes. Stop by today before they are all gone!!!!

CHALLENGE

Don't forget Christy's awesome challenge this week- Tinkering Ink & Flex Ruler.

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL

Blue Light Special this week is Technique Tuesday Stamps 30% off with this coupon-expires 6/12/07.