AWDML Design Team Blog

Saturday School :)

Oooh, that's not a good term, is it?  LOL!  I shouldn't name my class today for you guys after something that brings us back to high school (not that I ever HAD Saturday school...that was detention in its highest form!) Well...maybe this ONE time...

...anyway, I have a quick and easy class to show you today that just might help you crank out some quick cards!

How many of you have ever participated in an ATC swap?  Made an ATC for other reasons?  In case you are new to them, ATC's (artist trading cards) are a vastly popular way of swapping card ideas on a little 2.5X3.5 sized card(standard baseball card size) that is easily collected and stored for some great idea swapping!

I got on an ATC kick about a year ago and did some mad swapping!  Then I realized, although they're fun to look at,  it's almost a shame that they just sit there in a binder or in one of my drawers.  So one day, I started tinkering w/ some leftover cards I had made and turned this:   

into this:

In just a few minutes, I was able to transform my tiny little ATC's into the focal point of a full sized greeting card.

I was really happy with how these turned out and the fact that I had a whole handful of cards made up in no time at all.  I added some ribbon and a brads for balance and packaged these up to give to a friend, actually as a stationery set.

Do you guys have any ATC's laying around, either yours or others you've swapped out?  I'd LOVE to see what you create with them!  You will be so happy when you see how you can have a whole stack of cards without having to spend a lot of  time at all!

I'd love to see what you do...so feel free to comment back and let me know you've got somethin' to show us!  Or, you can upload to the Gallery at any time for us to all oogle over your fabulous creations!  Happy adhering!

Another little Peek :)

  Can you believe that in two days it will be February?  I know I can't, but we are one month closer to Spring, so hey, bring it on!

I have to admit, I'm not big on Valentine's day.  It's fun for the kids but how does that expression go, "another Hallmark holiday" LOL.  I am MUCH more partial to the little romantic moments being spread out as little surprises throughout the year instead of on a certain day.  Now, Im' not trying to sound like a party pooper, I LOVE flowers, chocolate, and presents as much as the next person!  I just prefer to get them for "no reason" if you know what I mean.

However, my kids LOVE Valentine's day and I love to make it special for them.  I usually hand craft some kind of treat.  Last year I altered lollipop covers and made little pencil holders for each kid in their class.  This year, I'm not sure what I'll be doing treatwise, but boy, are these little Fancy Pants Valentines DP by Michelle Coleman making my job easier...and MORE FUN!  Check out these AMAZINGLY cute little pre-made Valentines that make up a 12X12 page!  Aren't they darling?

You bet I cut these cuties up and made them into individual cards.  What's more?  This DP is part of our February Card Kit!  Be sure to sign up now to have one sent right to your door!  Whatcha waitin' for?   Seal 'em with a kiss and you're all set!

Just around the corner

A few more days and it will be all revealed... the AWDML February Kit that is!

You are going to love what's inside this kit.  Most of the design team have already shown you a peek at what they have created and I am about to do the same.  But before that, here are a few words to further excite you about this kit - BARE, MASK, MIST, ARTISAN, FRILLS, PATTERNS and BLING!

Think about those words and I'm sure it will make you grab a kit once it's out.  Such a tease! ~~ Liza

 

Sneaky Peaky...

I'm posting a little different sneak peak today.  I absolutely LOVED the variety of embellishments that are included in Feb.'s Kit I just have to tease you a bit.

My favorite has got to be the "fine pressed letters" with a beautiful embossed swirl!  They come in the color Alabaster which allows you to alter to any color you choose by using your stash of chalks and inks.   Wait till you see the elegant journal blocks that come in a variety of sizes and shapes from Kelly Panacci...and wait ....no kit is complete till it has a little BLING, Kaiser Crafts eye catching jewels!  Now if you like to become creative with your chipboard...your going to LOVE the Maya Road addition to this kit.  To top it off a little frill can add dimension to any page!  Next week I'll showcase the projects I created with this kit.  Check out the store, Feb's kit will be up for sale on Feb 1st, grab it before it's gone! -Angie

 

 

Look What is on the Way!

So, I know I said I would have my little mini album completed by today but it's not.  But I promise it isn't really my fault! LOL!  I was planning on using field trip pictures and making it for the teacher but the field trip was to the bowling alley and my pictures just didn't turn out!  So, as soon as I figure out what I am putting in the album...I will post the completed project!

I just loved the February card kit...so I bought one!  Here is a little sneak peek of what you can expect with that kit.  I can't wait to make some more cards with this kit!  I also think I will use it for Valentine's presents for my son's teachers! And in case you haven't seen one of the new card kits, there is plenty in there to make a ton of cards!
 

This month's scrapbooking kit is amazing too! I love the colors in it again this month!  And there are some really fun things to play with in there and although I can't tell you what they are, I'll just say one I have never tried before and another I have been obsessed with lately!  Here's a peek!

As you might be able to tell in this picture, I did the tutorial that Lucy posted on Saturday!  LOVED these flowers!  So quick and easy but they make a huge statement!  Thanks Lucy!

Have a terrific Tuesday!  *Lynn*

Feb. Kit: Sneak Peeks

I cant wait till the first to upload my creations that I did with the Feb Kit. Its just beautiful and so much goodies that you can create unbelievable layouts and cards.

Here is a sneak peek of some of my goodies that I made with the kit

 

  

   

A Little Challenge

For awhile I had been struggling fitting more than one or two photo's on a layout.  I happened to stumble across some inspiration at SCRAPBOOKS ETC site for collages.  You can digitally create one or traditionally.  Creating collages for your layouts is a great way to fit more onto a page.  You can downlad free collage templates here. They offer several different orientations to fit a certain amount of photos.  We would love to see your creations using collages in the AWDML gallery.-Angie

Tutorial: Create your own paper flowers

Alot of people asked how I did the flowers on my layout from Jan kit

Its easy and I am going to show how you can do one on your layout or cards.

--------->  Download Flower Templates by Lucy

Supply List:

Flower template

Adhesive

Scissors

Patter paper or cardstock

Pencil

Inking pad

Felt or any other embellishment to put in the middle of flower

 

Directions:

1.       Download file and cut out flower templates

2.       Trace the templates to the desired paper you would like to use. I have 3 layers on my flower and it goes from smallest to largest

3.       After cutting them then you want to ink them if desired

4.       You want to cut then after each dent on the template. You can see I made lines thru the flower template to let you know where you need to cut with your scissors

 

5.       When you cut all your flowers then pinch each petal on your flower

 

6.       Then assemble the flower starting with the largest and you work up till the last flower is on top of the other.  When you feel that the flower looks the way you want it than adhere it to each other.

7.       Its embellishment time J . You can add brads, eyelets , felt, fabric, stickles, flock it, spray mist it  even a smaller flower to the center of your flower. You can run wild with it..lol

8.       You are done and use your pretty paper flower on a layout or card

 

This is great for your scraps that you have. I even create the paper flowers with just cardstock and spray glimmer mist, maya mists or even a coat of stickles over it.

 

*** Sorry for the blurriness on the images. My camera is having issues. :(

 

Enjoy :)

~~LUCY~~

A little bird told me...

...that the February Card Kit and Copic Club (this link will take you to the Jan. Copic club in case you need to get started!) from A Walk Down Memory Lane is going to be AMAZING!

I really hope you are enjoying your January kit if you purchased one.  The possibilities w/ ALL that Lisa has been including in these kits sure do seem close to endless!  I had so much fun creating for the kit.  I have sent out a few cards, but want to keep some for myself too LOL!  Gotta love when that happens :) 

Well, I can tell you that as CUTE as the January kit is/was...I am in LOVE with the February kit!  And hey, it's Valentine's day soon...so what a perfect time for being in LOVE with something!  LOL or...better yet...someone ;)

Lots more to come VERY soon w/ this awesome new kit...but I gotta tell ya...you NEED it!

Hugs,

Jessica :)

Kids Milestones and more

We create layouts of milestones and events of children.Why dont you add more , try to capture each child's voice and personality at various stages of development. A growning changes quickly  and so does his or hers likings/ dislikings in life.

Every year I create a layout of my kids showing there likes and dislikes. Its great way to see what they like now from what they liked last year.

Here is a layout I did of my son this at 10 years old. He will be 11 next month and I know from the time of this layout till the next one things will change.

Its a great way to see a glimpse of your children see the world, who and what they care about, and what their hopes and dreams are. So the next time you are at your scrapping room, get your kids involved. It will be fun and a great layout to remember :)

* The products I used are from MME. I love using there stuff and you can check out HERE at the store. There is a great sale going on till Jan.

Have a great Thursday

~~~LUCY~~~

Color Inspirations

Do you find that you tend to use the same color scheme over and over again?  If so the following ideas are sure to help you use colors in a more inventive way.

1.) CLOTHING- Go to the mall and check out what's hot for the season. Every season is marked by a new   season.
2.) MAGAZINE COVERS-  Covers are designed to catch your eye, and the colors are a big part of that impact.
3.) ETSY SHOPS-  Try the search by color feature at etsy.com to look for fun projects and use the color schemes.
4.) PAINT CHIPS-  The paint sections of home improvement stores have walls of color ideas.
5.) PRODUCT LOGOS-  Companies pay alot of money to have logos analyzed for their impact on people.  Take advantage of the research.
6.) FABRIC- Browse through the local fabric stores for unexpected color finds.
7.) COLOR WEB SITES- There are entire web sites like colorcombos.com devoted to cool and trendy color combinations.
8.) HOME DECOR MAGAZINES- The hottest designers use the hottest colors to make magic happen in a room.

Have fun and get creative with you COLORS. -Angie
(information source Scrapbooks Etc.)

My Mind's Eye...again!

I know that some of the other dt members have already shown the creations they did with the My Mind's Eye products.  And weren't they great!  But MME has so many different lines of papers out there I thought I'd show a layout I did recently using their 29th Street Market line.  I absolutely loved working with this paper!

And don't forget all MME is on sale in the A Walk Down Memory Lane store through the end of January!  Have a terrific Tuesday!  *Lynn*