AWDML Design Team Blog

How about some sneak peeks?

This month's kit is full of girly goodies!  Lots of pinks and flowers!  Here are a few sneak peeks of a couple things I have used it for already!
 
Have a terrific Tuesday!  *Lynn*

Distressed Edge Technique

I’ve always loved the distress look on my scrapbook layouts.  It gives the paper the extra texture and a bit of dimension.  It can also create a vintage look for your design if you place ink or stains over it. 

 

Sometimes though, just using a paper distresser or a sanding block just isn’t enough for the distressed edge that I want.  I tried running it under a faucet of water and discovered that I like the effect.

 

I’d like to share this simple technique with you.  Try it out and see the effect it can do for your layouts.

 

Materials:

Patterned Paper -  I suggest using Making Memories papers.  They are the Featured Manufacturer for the month at AWDML.  All Making Memories products are 15% off through March 31.

Paper Distresser

Foam Brush

Small amount of water

 

Steps:

1. Using a paper distresser, distress the edges of your patterned paper.  Just distress enough to have a frayed edge.

 

2. After distressing, get a foam brush and dip in water.
3. Brush the wet foam over the distressed edges.  This will soften up the edges, which will help you further distress it using your fingers.
4. Note:  Wet a sizeable area of your patterned paper so it doesn’t dry up as you go along distressing it.

 

5. While the edges are wet, curl it using your fingers (as shown in the visual).  Curl it to further give it that distressed look.  You may do curl it as much as you want based on your preference.

  

 

6. As an option, you can also run the paper distresser through the edges while it’s still wet.
7. After achieving your desired distress look for the paper edges, let it dry.  Note that the paper may curl a bit as it dries up. 

  

 

There you have it!  Now you can do what you want on your distressed paper.  I inked the edges to highlight it and to create a contrast for my layout.  Check out the final layout below.

 

Do try this technique and enjoy the results.  ~~ Liza

 

Eggstra Special!

Here in WI we are about to be hit by another snow storm.  Yes I said SNOW...so in order to get in the mood for spring I thought I would teach a fun Easter Decoration Class.  I know my little one had fun creating these with me!

Materials:
Coordinating pastel Pattern Papers
(I used Basic Grey's Urban Prairie Collection-Perfect for Easter)
Adhesive
Stickles
Hole Puncher
Plastic Colored Eggs-Pastel
Black Cardstock

Step One: Cut a 1" by 6" strip of paper.  Adhere the ends together to create your egg holder.

Step Two: Print out the template located at this link.

Step Three: Cut out the shapes (wings, beak, tail, or bunny parts)

Step Four: Decorate or outline cut out parts with stickles.

Step Five: After the parts have dried adhere them to your egg.

Step Six: Using your hole puncher punch out two small holes from Black card-stock.
Adhere the two circles to your eggs as eyes.

Step Seven: (optional) Fill your eggs with a candy surprise.

Be sure to check out the AWDML store for a large choice of pastel patterns to create your own holiday eggs.  Have Fun! -Angie

Little Keepsake

A friend of mine resigned from our office 2 weeks ago.  She's been with us for more than 2 years, and it is quite fitting that I create a mini-album for her.  It's a little keepsake of all the good times we've had while working together.

I used various products in this mini album like Tinkering Ink and DCWV, which are all available in the AWDML store.  Mostly, I used Making Memories products which is our Featured Manufacturer for this month. 

I then used my ever reliable Zutter Bind-It-All to bind the album together.  Love the result and most of all, my friend loved it!  She was quite overwhelmed when I gave her the gift.

Why not create your own little keepsake for a friend or a family member.  I am sure they will appreciate it a lot.

Here are some of the pages from the mini album.  Enjoy!  ~~  Liza

 

 

 

   

Tweet, Tweet, Goes the Birdie!

If you playing over at Willow Traders this week you may have seen this challenge posted already.
(Now if you remember my post last week I showcased some of my favorite lines of BG and well here is one of the projects I created using their product!)

Create a gift bag using the bird template provided in the link below, however the design is up to you! In fact you pick just how many birds you want on your bag! Dress your bag up with fun accent stickers and embellishments, use something creative for the birds eyes like google eyes, buttons, brads ect, and lastly use a bit of bling to brighten it up!
BIRD TEMPLATE
http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/images/st...9/D3pattern.pdf

Materials I used:

• Recycled Gift Bag from a Store
• Coordinating Pattern Papers – I used Pattern Paper from Basic Grey’s Offbeat Collection
• Google Eyes, or brads for eyes.
• Stickles
• Fun Accent Stickers and Embellishments

**AWDML's store has a wide variety of embellishments and papers from which these materials were provided by: http://www.awalkdownmemorylane.net/store/index.php**

These bags are perfect for spring or Easter gift giving.  Go get creative!  Post your creations in the AWDML gallery.  Have a "twee-tin" Wednesday!-Angie

Playing with Masks

My newest addiction is masks!  I love them and can't get enough!  When I first saw these I really didn't know exactly how to use them!  Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them!  I used the Concerto Tim Holtz mask which can be found here.

1. Paint:  Simply paint over the mask, let it dry for a few minutes and peel it up!  There is no need to clean the paint off...it just dries and the next time you use it, you can just paint over it!  Love that!
 

2. Chalk:  I just used an eye make-up applicator and rubbed the chalk on. 

3. Ink: I used a cat eye ink and dabbed it all over.  This does require a bit of cleaning of the mask...I just peeled it off and stuck it on a piece of paper and wiped it off with a dry paper towel.  (see #4!)

4: Ink (take 2!): This is what happened when I was cleaning my ink off of my mask!  I think I like this softer look even better than the original!  Oh happy accidents!

5. Marker: This technique reverses the look of the mask.  I traced the mask and then colored it in.  Just another way to get more use out of a mask!

6: Maya Mist:  I think this one was the easiest!  Sick the mask down and spray!  Easy Peasy!   I again wiped off the mask with a paper towel because I wasn't sure the Maya Mist would dry on it.

7: Paint on Patterned Paper:  Another slightly different look.  I used the same blue paint as in #1 but did it on some great Collage Press paper.  This is one of my favorite looks when doing titles with these masks!

My challenge to you is to use a mask on a layout or a card!  There was a great one in the February AWDML kit!  I hope you have as much fun playing as I did!  Have a terrific Tuesday!  *Lynn*

Happy Anniversary!

This is AWDML's 4th Anniversary!  To celebrate we are hosting some challenges and doing some tutorials over at Willow Traders.  You can find us here.  I'll give you all a chance to check it out and later today I'll post my mini tutorial/challenge on masks right here on the design team blog so be sure to check back!

Mosaic Maker

On one of the boards, someone posted a link that you can create a photo mosaic from your digital photographs. I was excited and went over and just went wild with it.

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php

Here is what I did with some photos

 

And here is the layout I did withe my mosiac photos

 

Why dont you try it...It will be alot of fun

~~~LUCY~~~

...and I quote...

  Sometimes a great quote can make the best focal point for a card!  With all the great stamps there are out there, I don't do it often but when I do, I usually get a response from my blog friends saying that they, too really love when a great saying or sentiment is used as the center of attention.

I love quotes.  Always have.  And, well, as my Design Team term comes to a close, you all know that I love my butterflies!!!   Put together you have this, as well as many other card possibilities.

I know I sound like a broken record, but seriously, the March Card kit is a MUST HAVE!  It doesn't matter that it's getting later ,into the month either, as you will have ALL SPRING to use it!  Easter isn't even until April 12th this year so you still have PLENTY of time!

Get on over to the A Walk Down Memory Lane store NOW and grab it...then show us what you did with it!  I will still be around, popping onto the galleries, etc. and would love to see you all using this amazingly put-together kit. It's my fave!   Cheers and hugs....Jessica :)

Basic Grey...my one true LOVE!

I started packing for a upcoming crop weekend away and I realized that most of my paper I was bringing happened to be no other than BASIC GREY!  Now what draws me to their collection I don't know...could it be the colors or the whimsical and fun patterns? Not sure but I know when I see it I HAVE to have it!
I'll be sure to post in the next month my creations using the papers pictured below.  You may have already seen one I completed using Archaic Line.  I would love to see your lo's or projects using Basic Grey.  Be sure to post them in the AWDML gallery!  You can check out many of the BG collections in the store. 
I'm going to leave you with some eye candy!  - Angie
ARCHAIC

URBAN PRAIRIE

SUGARED

OFFBEAT

And of course March's Kit "he said" showcases BASIC GREY's Granola Collection.

Idea Books

Do you have a favorite idea book that you turn to over and over?  I admit that I have quite a library of scrapbooking books.  I do however have one that I constantly grab...Becky Higgins Best of Sketches.

I am a huge fan of Becky and love this book.  It is organized by the number of photos you are going to put on your page, which makes it very easy to find a sketch that will fit your layout.  I am mostly a double page scrapper and so is Becky but her sketches work well to just use one side.  And if you have any of her older sketch books...you still "need" this one!  She has updated her layouts and gives a ton of tips about using the sketches, journaling, using patterned paper, how to place your embellishments and so much more!

If Sketches aren't your thing...there are tons more idea books in the store to get inspiration from!  I am also a fan of the Ali Edwards books! Check them out here!  Have a terrific Tuesday! *Lynn*

Made You Look Monday- I {HEART} AWDML

I have been playing with Pink Paislee , Tim Holtz grundgeboard, Maya Mists , Prima Flowers, Prima Crystals, Stickles and so much more that I got from the store to use this month :)

Here are some things that I did

  

 

 

Thanks for Looking

LUCY