AWDML Design Team Blog

Kit Overviews

I absolutely love working with kits and since AWDML has a wide variety of past kits still available and my DT tenure is coming to an end

I wanted to showcase a few of my favorite!  AWDML’s kits always have just the right amount of elements for any scrapper!  If you happen to get stuck along the way of designing I suggest just rummaging through the array of items included in the kit and I'm always sure to find something to spark your mojo!

 

SUPERSTAR -contains several bright papers from Prima’s Dude collection mixed with My Minds Eye Dreamy Collections rounded off with fun shaped brads and festive ribbon and chipboard!

 

 

FASHIONISTA Kit that combines Fancy Pants Designs Simplicity Collection with Heidi Swapp's Carefree Collection, the colors work so well together.  I had fun creating with the stick pin embellishments and felt dimensional flowers.

 

BACK TO SCHOOL- kit contains several papers of KI Memories School Collection, alpha stickers and chipboard; not to mention a clear acrylic frame to alter!

 

 

CHRISTMAS MAGIC- A well blended collection of papers from Bo Bunny's Holiday line.  I loved the pink and aqua hues within the patterns.  Of course what kit is complete without adding some Kaiser Craft Goodness, the pink pears added just the right touch to my craft projects!

 

VINTAGE HOME- The perfect mix of October Afternoon and Pink Paisley of course don't forget the decorative brads and matching alpha's.  My favorite element had to be the raised alpha's by MM.

 

HE SAID-If you like Basic Grey you are going to LOVE this kit!  Granola, Granola, Granola....gorgeous patterns to play with that compliment Crate's Prudence Collection.  Add in some white fabric Thickers that are easily altered, glitter die cuts by Crate, decorative brads and you have yourself the ingredients for the perfect layout!

 

 

SHROOMS AND BUDS- Last but not least....a bright combination of colors from Adorn it Whoopsy  and K & Co Berry Sweet Collections.  What eye candy this is!  The decorative felt border compliments the patterns and the cute little shroom embellishments splashed with just the right amount of glitter are sure to make your creative juices flowing! 

 

You can check all of these kits out at this LINK to the store.

 

I hope I have inspired some of you along the way; Stay Scrappy! -Angie

Basic Grey Goodness!

Here are some cards I have done using Basic Grey!  Don't forget that BG products are all on sale in the A Walk Down Memory Lane store!

Ambrosia:

Sultry:

Cupcake:

Mellow:

Archaic:

Offbeat:
 

Have a terrific Tuesday!  *Lynn*

Cards

Here are two cards I did with the featured manufacturer- Basic Grey

 

April's Featured Manufacturer is Basic Grey!  Check out all of their beautiful papers, embellishments like brads, buttons and ribbon, and they now even have some fun chipboard albums!  All of our Basic Grey products are 15% off through April 30

 

Lucy Chesna

Cosmo Goodness

Have you seen the newest collection of papers from Cosmo Cricket?  I love them all!  I do have my favorites -  Girl Friday and Snorkel!   Girl Friday really matches my girly side with those cute little flowers and the muted bright colors.  And Snorkel is just perfect for summer!  Oh, it's summer where I'm from. LOL!  The bright colors, the orange and blue hues are perfect for boy layouts too. These are a definite must add to your paper collection.

Here's a peek at one altered project I did.  I'll share more about this and how I created this project in the next few days. 

And, the summer theme of the Snorkel collection did not limit me from creating this other layout.  Just goes to show you how versatile these papers are.

So head on now to the AWDML Store and grab these papers to add to your stash. 

And while you're there, don't forget that all Basic Grey products are at 15% off.  So better stack up!  Have fun!  ~~ Liza

Basic Grey GOODNESS

As you already know from some of my previous blog posts I just LOVE Basic Grey!  Their paper collections all blend so well and I just adore the variety of patterns offered in such a spectrum of colors.  As promised from the beginning of the month I would share some of my creations using some of my favorite lines.  -Angie
Archaic Collection

Offbeat Collection

Urban Prairie

Sunday Sketch

Another work week begins tomorrow and I maximized this day scrapping to my heart's content.  I decided to create my own sketch and build a layout from there.  This is the first time I tried my hand in creating a sketch.

I followed a basic pattern and just added a few bits and pieces here and there.  I created the layout for the sketch using the April Kit - Shrooms and Buds from AWDML.

I challenge you to try your hand in creating your own layouts from this sketch and share with us your creation.  Have fun! ~~ Liza

  

Sweet as Sugar

That's exactly how I felt with the April Kit - Shrooms and Buds!  Lovin' all the felt goodies from K&Company and those little bling shapes.  I tell you, this kit is really girly, which is what I am!  The pinks, the greens and the orange colors really kept me at my feet with excitement.

Here's a little tip:  I love the felt ribbon so much and wanted to maximize its use on my projects. I just cut the felt ribbon in half and saved the other half for my other layout.  I achieved the result I wanted with still enough felt left for future use. 

So go ahead to thw AWDML Store and grab for yourself a pack of the Shrooms and Buds Kit! ~~ Liza

 

Store Product Review-Lemon Grass by Crate Paper

Now I know it's spring and all but I'm a bit behind when it comes to scrapping my photos.  I had some great pics from fall and was searching for the "perfect" papers to scrap them.  Well browsing through the AWDML store I found EXACTLY what I was looking for.....Lemon Grass by Crate Paper!

I fell in love with the oranges, browns, golden yellow and citrus green colors!  I might add that they all coordinate very well together.

Now what really grabbed me was the adorable die cut chipboard shapes!  Are these not just the cutest?

My fave are the little chunky birds!  Did I mention these have glitter on them!  Lovin the "glitz"!

One more reason I just love CRATE is that the paper is double sided, so on the back of every pattern paper you have a coordinating solid color.

Of course these papers would work for some great spring shots, especially utilizing the citrus green and yellow colors!  Here is my layout using some of my fall photos! -Angie

Going Green with April Kit!

I just wanted to show you a few more things I made with the April kit.  These cute little springy buckets are actually recycled containers from American Craft's felt flowers.  I've held on to them for awhile hoping to do something like this! I covered around them using patterned paper and the felt strip from the kit! Then I added some of the cute felt flowers on the lid. I used my crop-a-dile to punch holes on the sides and then added some eyelets.  I love the crop-a-dile for this!  Couldn't be any easier!  After that I threaded some ribbon and voila!  Cute little spring presents!

And here is a card I made simply by using a circle punch!

Tips for Taking Better Photos

The grass is turning greener, flowers are beginning to poke their heads out of the ground and the sounds of kids outside are present.  Time to tune up the camera and get ready for taking some great photos.  I love taking outdoor shots!  There is just something about the crispness of the colors and lightening.

Whether you take indoor or outdoor shots these 10 photo taking tips are sure to help you enhance your photos.

1.        Get down to your subjects level.  They eye level angle will create a more inviting and personal photo.

2.       Use a plain background.  A cluttered background can be distracting while a plain background will emphasize your subject.

3.       Use your flash outdoors.   By using your flash outdoors it lightens shadows.

4.       Move in close to your subject.  By filling your frame with your subject you’re sure to make an impact.

5.       Remember to take some vertical pictures.   Your subject may look more appealing from another angle.

6.       Lock the focus.  Center the focus, press the shutter half-way down, reframe your picture and depress the shutter all the way.

7.       Move your focus from the middle of your frame.  Bring your picture to life by simply moving it off to the side.

8.       Understand your flash’s range.  Pictures you take out range that use a flash will appear dark.

9.       Watch the light.  For people shots try taking photos on cloudy days for the perfect light.  For landscape photos use early and late day sunlight.

10.   Direct your subjects.  Add props and rearrange your subjects. 

(For additional photo tips check out Kodak.com or even Snapfish.com gives excellent tips for bettering your photography skills.)

-Angie

Easter Baskets

Bunnies are starting to crop up everywhere!  Easter is just around the corner and those adorable bunnies are always the star.

Have you seen Lynn's cute chocolate bunnies? It's an awesome creation.  Here's a tandem for those bunnies -- Easter Baskets!

These baskets are quite simple to create.  I just used a 6x6 and 9x9 squares, cut into thirds, cut a portion of the paper, stick the ends together, put a strip of paper as handle and voila!  You now have these adorable baskets to put in those candies or those easter eggs you collect from the egg hunt.

I used Basic Grey products from the AWDML store.  Reminding you that Basic Grey is the Featured Product for the month and all these products are 15% less.  So check them out and start ordering.

I'm going to use these little baskets on Easter Sunday.  I'll be giving them to my niece later today. Enjoy and have fun creating!  ~~  Liza

Chocolate Bunnies!

Remember a few months ago when Angie posted the cute little Hershey Nuggets that she had wrapped in patterned paper?  Well, my friend had this bunny head stamp made just for making the Nuggets into bunnies!  I used the pp from this month's kit, put a little chalk on the bunnies' cheeks and added a little pom-pom for the tails.  I think the tails are my favorite part!  My 5 year-old helped me with these...he picked out all the tail colors (which is why they don't all match! LOL!), wrapped the paper on the nuggets after I put the tape on, and added the heads!  He is giving them to his teachers and we had so much fun, we couldn't stop and made one for everyone in his class too!  Have a happy Easter!  *Lynn*