June Workshop: cards return!

"Stash Management... Strips & More"

Sunday, June 22

Nishida residence in Aiea

Kit Cost: $15

RSVP by Friday, June 20

bring your tape runner

Bliss is making good use of her "stash" of assorted printed paper for this month's workshop.  Hope you can join us for another relaxing afternoon of card making!

Trying Out Ahni & Zoe Albums

Letting go of the traditional scrapbooking method of starting with a blank page has been difficult for me, as I've been making albums since my sophomore year of high school.  So I was a little nervous when I tackled my first Ahni & Zoe Fast2Fab album last month. However, I resolved to fully embrace the new method of completing albums...

Once I opened my "Tangerine, Plum, and Then Some" album, I realized that pre-printed pages help immensely with the design process. It was nice to already have the basic layout done. After I completed a few pages, I was addicted... 

Sample page from a A&Z "Fast2Fab" album.
Looks pretty simple, right?

What a difference a few pictures makes!
I even went "outside the lines" on the bottom with two photos...
Gotta love that you can still add a little creative touch to these pages.

Along with Fast2Fab albums, Ahni & Zoe has also developed a new "Slide-In" album (similar to CM's "PicFolio albums).  Pocket pages come in vertical and horizontal packs, and just like the name implies, photos simply slide in the pockets... no adhesive required!  One of our workshop participants decided to showcase her pictures in a Slide-In album, complemented nicely with "Tangerine, Plum, and Then Some" slide-in packs. These double-sided 4x6 fillers are the perfect way to finish a page!

The simplicity (and joy) of completed album pages!

Hope this post inspires you to think about what photos you have that can now make their way into albums... I'm definitely excited to finish my Fast2Fab album, and I already have plans to begin a Slide-In album.  Stay tuned for updates!

Baby Card and Gift

With the loss of all the traditional Creative Memories products, I have to be a little more innovative with my gift giving... I used to love using Paper Albums for group cards, as the multiple pages affords enough space for everyone to write a note.  So when I wanted to make a baby card for my co-worker and his wife, I remembered a booklet/journal that my friend created from several pieces of 12x12 paper. All I needed to do was cut the 12x12 papers in half to make my own version of a 6x6 book.  Since I used some of the old CM "shimmer paper," I added cardstock inside to make it easier for writing messages with any type of pen. Love this simple project!

Finally... March Workshop: Flaps & Patches

"Flaps & Patches"

Sunday, March 16

Nishida residence in Aiea

Kit Cost: $15

RSVP by Wednesday, March 12

bring your tape runner

We skipped our card making session last month, but we are ready to go in March!  Hope you can join us to make this cute set of cards that incorporate flaps and some simple patchwork designs.  Here are Bliss' samples... love them!

A Retirement Party Album

Last year, I helped my good friend and her family celebrate her father's retirement by designing the invitation, journal cards, and favor labels.  I was also asked to complete an album, incorporating pictures from the party as well as the journal cards that guests filled out.  Although it has taken me a year to tackle this project (my album making skills are a little rusty), once I started, I was able to complete it within a week!


So most of my projects start off like this...

Thankfully, pages always seem to come together with a little inspriation.

 

I finally incorporated slide loading pages and CD pocket into an album... fun!


Putting together this album realized how much I miss this... Looking forward to my next album project!  What will it be?  Not sure, but I'm excited to use the new Fast to Fabulous albums to keep the process simple and fast!  

January workshop = crafts + coupons

For our first workshop of the new year, we did something a little different... I was inspired to combine my two favorite hobbies at the current moment: crafts and coupons!  The workshop was designed to give participants a chance to personalize their very own coupon binder. Every kit came with printed paper to insert into the binder's protective front, spine, and back sleeve.  A large monogram alphabet sticker added a simple, personal touch.  I had so much fun prepping for this workshop!  I also included a tip sheet ("Couponing 101"), summarizing everything I've learned from this unique past time.   



Yup, those are coupons in the back.  Each person selected a few,
as I encouraged everyone to practice what they learned!

Every kit included a zippered pouch, protective sleeves,
tabs, and a binder clip... those are just the essentials!

I loved how simple this project was! Here's a peek at our finished binders...

 

Gifts for the co-workers

I'm always a little nervous when I plan to make something for my co-workers for Christmas.  The pace inevitably picks up during the holidays, so I worry that I won't be able to follow through on my idea.  This year, I planned a very doable craft - a mini clipboard with a personalized post it pad.  I did my shopping early for the supplies and even spent Thanksgiving cutting and decorating the "clipboards." After unsuccessfully trying to design a post it from scratch, I selected one of the templates from Vistaprint... When all the components came together, I was quite pleased with the end result!

I snapped this shot of the clipboard on my co-worker's desk, ready to be used. Yay!

Because packaging always matters...
I also included a mechanical pencil as part of the gift.

 Yup, this is how many I made...

This is a custom order for my mom.  She'll be using it as a favor
when she has a Christmas brunch with her friends.