Sorry it has taken me so long to pick a winner.....
we have been a little distracted with the newest addition to our family. :)
The winner is:
oh that is too sweet! i'd love to have one that says "it's a girl" for my baby shower! :)
Congrats Andie!
Email me with your address and we will get a sampling of Bravissimo sent out to you right away!!
Have you seen the new line of products by Making Memories called Bravissimo? It's pretty cool.... they have all of these rosettes, streamers, banners and wands. Some are premade and then they also sell the individual elements separately so you can customize and build your own! They are perfect for parties, gifts and celebrations! Here is a sampling:
Making Memories recently sent me some of them and one thing I was impressed with is how intricate and detailed they are.... There are so many layers to each of these! It would take a long time to do this on your own and I love that the hard work is already done for you!
Emily recently started a dancing/singing class and it is the highlight of her week! Each Tuesday she gets on her "dancing outfit" first thing in the morning and asks me if it is time to go about every 5 minutes! Then once she saw the Bravissimo princess wand it was the perfect addition to complete the "outfit". She carries her wand around with her all the time twirling and dancing and singing away! I love it!
I think you can tell by the look on her face that she really thinks she is a princess and is in heaven carrying around this wand! She is too funny!!
Making Memories is sharing some of the Bravissimo love by offering a giveaway here on my blog!! To enter, leave a comment on this post. I will be back next week to draw a winner at random and they will receive a sampling of the Bravissimo products! Thanks Making Memories!
If you want to check out more of the products you can visit the Bravissimo blog or Making Memories' website. Michael's also carries the full collection!
Hi there! I created a layout for the Making Memories blog and it is being featured today.
I used lots of their brand new Dilly Dally line which is so bright and fun! It's perfect for spring time layouts or just a girly layout as well!
I also fell in love with the new Tie the Knot paper.... specifically the piece I used for the background which is called "Frames" and I wanted to show you some more details about how I put the three bright patterned papers into the frame spots.
Step 1: Use an exacto knife to carefully cut out the centers of the frames.
Step 2: Choose the papers that you want to use behind each of the frames and cut them down so that they are just a bit bigger than each opening. The pink and green rectangles don't have to be cut exactly straight, but for the one that is hanging off the edge (the yellow one in this case), you want to make sure that you cut the rectangle with a nice straight edge so that it lines up perfectly.
Step 3: Flip the paper over and use adhesive to attach the rectangle squares behind the frame openings. This image shows the paper from the back with the rectangles glued down.
Step 4: Turn the paper back over and you are finished! Now you have a customized background page that is ready for your photos and embellishments!
I just love how those few little pieces of paper add so much brightness and fun to the otherwise very monochromatic background page! You can see my completed layout here on the Making Memories blog along with a list of the products I used.
Well, I didn't manage to get my sneaks up before the reveal so I will just share my completed layouts with you this month. Needless to say it is a crazy time of year for me and I am up to my ears in photo shoots and editing all of the pictures! And trying to hurry so that my clients will have them in time to create their Christmas cards and make any prints for gifts, etc. If you are a client waiting on your images, I am aiming to get everything done by the end of this week! Lots to do!!
Anyway, back to the Studio Calico kits! The design team seems to all agree that the kits for December are among their favorites and you can see that in the gallery because a lot of them went above and beyond making lots and lots of layouts! I still have a lot of things from these kits that I want to use and I may even be hoarding a few things (ahem.... the exclusive papers this month - all 4 of them!)
First up is this layout... You are HAPPY...
I used that fab calendar paper from the main kit Metropolitan and the Sassafras Las flower stickers. I also used some strips from the exclusive SC paper along with my favorite Dear Lizzy rose brads from American Crafts (from the Park Bench add on) and the MM butterflies from the Mass Transit add on. Since everyone always asks, I used the American Crafts Slick Writer in Fine for my journaling. Oh and I also used this Weekday Stamp Set that is new in the SC shop. This set was also a huge hit amongst us designers! So versatile, fun and just stinkin cute! It is a fave for sure and I'm actually surprised that it hasn't sold out yet! Get it while you can!!
Next up is... Believe...
I used a mix of papers, most of which can be found in the Add-On Patterned Paper in case you didn't get all the kits. Then I used a lot of things from the add on Holiday Lights (red MM buttons, the Notes SC stamp, the American Crafts Dear Lizzy Christmas brads and the MM gold foil "Believe"). I think the shiny gold stamped snowflakes are a favorite on this layout for sure! I used the SC snowflake stamp from the add on Busy Sidewalks along with the American Crafts Zing embossing powder in metallic gold! I am new to the AC embossing powders and now I think I am addicted!! They are so beautiful! You will be seeing more of that from me for sure!!
Finally is another Christmas layout.... Christmas Oranges....
I did some misting on the background on this one.... used the Maya Road Mist in Lemon and Cherry (which is not currently available on SC so you could also try the Mister Huey's in Schoolhouse or any other red that you have on hand.) I also used a mix of papers again here. Then again I used a lot from the Holiday Lights add on (MM buttons, tags, gold foil snowflake, gold foil Noel and ticket, the AC Dear Lizzy Christmas brads). Oh and I also used the Jenni Bowlin Lemon Drops paint dabber to paint the "Christmas" chipboard piece and topped it off with a couple spritzes of the Lemon Maya Road mist. And again I used the American Crafts Slick Writer in Fine for the journaling and doodling.
LIke I said I am hoarding the exclusive SC paper from this month! and did you know that they partnered with Sassafras Las to create the two extra exclusive papers? They are so beautiful! Both sides of all four papers are amazing!! The SC patterned paper is already sold out but you can get all 4 pieces in the More Patterned Paper add on still until that sells out as well! They are so yummy!
That pretty much wraps it up! Let me know if you have any questions on anything!
P.S. I heard a rumor that the first two of my online photography workshops for 2011 have been announced and that registration is open!! If you aren't on my wait list or if you thought you were and didn't get the email, let me know asap by emailing me!! Spots are filling!! maggieATmaggieholmesphotographyDOTcom
I have a project featured over on the Making Memories blog today and thought I would share the complete tutorial on making the embroidery hoop bulletin boards here. I have seen these floating around blog land for quite a while now and love how they turned out! They really are such a cute and easy project! I wish I would have done them sooner. Originally I wanted to do them for Emily's room but I don't have the wall space in there so I opted to put them on the wall right inside our front door.
I figure that I will change out the photos every now and then and maybe even change up the little bits and pieces that I have hanging on them over time as well.
You could easily just do this same project but without the batting but I wanted mine to have a bulletin board functionality so that is why I added it in. I have also seen these done with cork behind the fabric so that is an option as well. I just went with what I already had on hand.
Starting with the top left image and working our way across and down, here are the steps:
1. Choose your hoops and fabric. I went with a variety of sizes and picked fabric that I already had on hand. In normal "Maggie" fashion I picked random colors and patterns to mix and match. Also I took my hoops out back and gave them a quick coat of white spray paint first. (A note on the paint - the wood is very porous and so the paint seemed to soak right in and I never could get it to coat very well. It also took a while to dry on this type of wood. You may try painting them with a brush and acrylic paint and see if that works better. In the end mine sort of took on a whitewash finish rather than a super opaque finish but I like it just the same.)
2. Cut a square of batting and a square of fabric to fit each hoop. You want the squares to be a little larger than the hoops like I have shown here.
3. Layer the batting and fabric over the smaller inside hoop and fit it into the larger hoop (just like you would normally do if you were using the hoops like they were intended.) Be sure to pull the fabric taut and smooth out any wrinkles. You can also loosen and then tighten the metal fastener on the top to help with this step.
4. Turn the whole thing over so it is upside down and trim off some of the batting and fabric. Leave about 1/2 - 1 inch overhang so you have enough to tuck down and glue in place.
5. First use hot glue to glue down the batting to the inside of the hoop. Then use hot glue to glue the fabric down on top of the batting. Be careful with your fingers because it can burn even through the fabric. I used the edge of my scissors to press down the batting and fabric as I was gluing. You can be super neat and tidy or you can just get it glued down and not worry about the look since it will be on the back anyway.
6. This is how the finished bulletin board hoop will look from the back with all the batting and fabric glued down.
And now you can have fun arranging them all and hanging them in your home! (Had a hard time getting a decent shot in this spot with the horrible lighting... my wall color is really not 3 different shades like it looks! :) )If you haven't checked out the Making Memories blog you can go there next to see the detail shots of the things I cut with the Slice and the other fun things I added to decorate some of them!
Have fun!
It's been a while! Sorry for the lack of posts! We have been busy the last couple of weeks!
>>> The kids started school last Monday. They were excited and ready and in Tyler's words "I mean it is so hot we can't even go outside so we might as well be in school and be doing something like learning so we don't get bored at home."
Nathan started Kindergarten and is gone all day now (insert frown and big tears from me). Again he was more than ready to get there and start learning but I was not ready to have him leave. I cried the entire first day that he was gone and I sorely miss having him around. He is one of the sweetest and nicest little guys you will ever meet and by far our most cuddly. I miss having my snuggle buddy and hate that those days are gone already.
Emily also started school and is in the Priority Preschool at the same school as the boys. She only goes 3 days a week for a couple hours but it is weird having those spells of complete quiet around here while she is gone. I am soooooo not ready for "that" stage in my life... you know, the one most moms count down to when all the kids are gone to school. I like having little ones here more than not. When Matthew realized that she was going too, he said "Mom, what are you going to do at home all day by yourself?" Then I quickly reminded him that Emily is only gone for about as long as it takes to drive home and load the dishwasher! And I think that made him a little relieved for me that I wouldn't be all alone! I am definitely trying to slow down and treasure my time with Emily even more than normal. Having Nathan gone all day is a big reality check that these years of toddler/babyhood are soooo fleeting! One day last week we snuggled in the play room and watched Sleeping Beauty, played dolls and then we read books in her bed and we both fell asleep for a nice afternoon nap. I have to say that it was so fun just focusing on her and going with the flow -- not worrying about the house or any other busy work -- taking it easy and just being together. I loved it!
Matthew and Tyler are both loving their teachers and loving getting back to seeing their friends every day. Matthew seems to be quite busy with homework this year and has already informed me that he needed a "break" from homework yesterday since he had a homework packet the first week of school and the other boys didn't. And then there is Nathan who was devastated on "Meet the Teacher" night because we were only in his classroom for a few minutes. Once we got to Matthew's class he asked me if we were going back to his class and when I said no, he slumped his shoulders and let out a huge sigh and told me "I thought I was going to sit down at my desk and learn something tonight." This is the boy who has been telling me he was ready to go to Kindergarten for the last year and a half! He will be the best student!!
>>> I've also been having some fun in my scrapbook room now that I have more quiet time. I definitely can't say that I don't enjoy having a little more time to play around in here and be creative. :) We had Emily's birthday party last week and I spent a day creating some fun decorations. I will share pictures of that soon! I also worked on a fun project yesterday with fabric and paper! A combination that makes me more than happy because I have a collection of yummy fabrics that keeps growing and growing and I love getting to use it!! It will be featured on the Making Memories blog soon so I will give you a heads up when I find out the exact date. Here's a little sneak peek.... Notice how this project had to be created on my dining room table because I had something else going here in the scrapbook room and if you know me you know that I can't mix projects! Each one needs it's own space.... Lots of creative messes around here lately! But creative messes are good messes right?
Also making final preparations for Creative Escape! I can't believe it is already almost here! I am beyond excited and also super excited that I get to see my dear friends, Hennie and Erika, from South Africa (the hosts from the event that I taught at last year are coming to CE!) I can't wait to see them and catch up! I heard that some spots for the event recently opened up so if you still want to come, you can!! Check out all of the info here on the Creative Escape website!
My take so far on the DIY jewelry line by Making Memories:
The pieces are super cute... soooo many of them that I absolutely adore!
It is much easier to make jewelry than I thought! (trust me, I have NEVER done this before)
I thoroughly enjoyed the process - the art of being creative in a different way than I am used to.
The hardest part is deciding which pieces to use for each necklace because there are soooo many possibilities and ways of putting it all together!
Isn't it fun? I get compliments on this one every time I wear it! And my favorite part is seeing their reaction when I tell them that I MADE it!!! Love that!
You can get everything on the Making Memories Website here.
Also, Making Memories is doing a random act of kindness (RAK) on their jewelry Facebook Page. Every morning you can check the page for inspiration and a chance to win! Good luck!
I have already made more necklaces, including a couple for miss Emily Jane....
so that means more DIY jewelry ideas and tips to come! Stay tuned!
Here is the winner (drawn at random):
Congrats Didee!
Email me your info and we will get the Home Front collection sent out to you! I know you will love it!
Thanks to everyone for all of the really sweet comments about our family room and the mirrors! Who knew that you all would love those mirrors so much! :) To answer your questions -- The mirrors are from Ikea and I believe they still have them. And they weren't too hard to hang actually... lots of measuring and checking all of my marks with the level before I actually hung them to make sure they would be straight and even. And if you can believe it I hung them by myself! It was a little scary up there on the ladder but you see I have this flaw in my personality where once I decide I want to do something I have no patience and I want it done NOW because I get too excited, which usually means that I don't even wait for my husband to get home to help me.... and you think I would learn my lesson but I keep doing it -- like when I hung the cabinets in my scrapbook room by myself and when I put up the tile backsplash in our kitchen.... I must be a glutton for punishment or maybe I just need to learn a little patience! :) Silly me!
I am super busy editing photos trying to catch up and get everyone's proofs done... I will try to post sneak peeks as I go! Here are a few from a newborn shoot I did last week.... 2 adorable little girls!
(All four photos edited with my Urban Action at different opacities from the Color Mix Set.)
Oh and one more thing.... Have you seen the sneak peeks for December's kits over at Studio Calico? I just finished up my project using the Woodwinds project kit.... If you like the Making Memories Vintage Findings products then you will love this kit! At first I wasn't sure what I would do but I love how it turned out! Can't wait to share the whole thing with you! Here is a little peek....
Oops, I know I said one more thing but there is actually something else I just thought of.... I am working on some upcoming tutorials for Studio Calico and would love your input. Is there anything that you would like to see a tutorial on? It can be something you have seen me do on a layout or a project or something photography related or even something that you haven't seen me do. What techniques are you dying to try or would like more info about? Let me know by posting your comment here and your ideas may just turn into a tutorial! Thanks in advance! Can't wait to hear from you! Have a great day!!
