some creations

I created these cards earlier this week (finally took pictures last night, that is always a slow process for me.) I used Crate Paper: Brook theme set for these cards. I had some scraps laying around after completing a few projects with it. And this year I'm really trying to USE my paper up. So what better way to do it - make cards! I also used some Ippity Stamps (I bought from my friend Bonnie) and some Unity stamps.

I also finished making some coffee cozies for my friend Jamie for a silent auction. I need to get them packaged tonight or tomorrow and mailed off on Saturday. I played with some great color combination and can't wait to make more with these colors. If you want one for yourself, please email me and I can make a custom order of the color combo you want!

This one has a fold over top

There you have it. Some Thursday inspiration. If you are interested in purchasing any scrapbooking items head over to my website: A Swirl of Memories and I also sell pre-made 4x6 albums and coffee cozies over on my Etsy site. Have a great day!

Prop Insanity - GIVEAWAY

Check out this website - Life.Camera.Actions|Prop Insanity. My friend Amber posted this great giveaway on Facebook! I love actions and these ones are AMAZING!!!!

Check it out - you won't want to miss out on this giveaway. Plus there are MANY chances to enter to win! And really it doesn't take long and who knows, you could win!

GOOD LUCK!!

New Products in stock

I wanted to point out some new products that are in stock at MemoryWorks. BasicGrey has come out wish some really nice lines this season including some great BASICS!! I love these basics and especially the stamps in the set!These papers and coordinating pieces will work perfect with paper lines in your stock or even other lines MemoryWorks carries. If you need suggestions for what it goes with, please email me.

And how great are these stamps?!? There are two other sets on my website.

Here are a few other products that I ADORE:
Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist - Adventure (I'm looking forward to expanding my collection and adding Sand & Surf soon! But I love my Adventure, the yellow, green and brown mists are beautiful.)

Pink Paislee: Queen Bee Them set. This is a beautiful line in person and I ADORE the flip notes. They are great journaling spots or elements to use on your projects! I can't wait to add additional Pink Paislee lines to my collection of papers.Fancy Pants: Road Show - theme set, I personally do not have this line, but my friend Mary (and MemoryWorks Creative Team Member) used it on a MemoryWorks blog 7 gypsies tray project and I LOVE the line (and the project)! The patterns & colors are soft, but make an impact!

If you love any of the products above and are interested in purchasing them for yourself, head over to my website and shop my products!

Have a great Wednesday!

New Adhesive...

I decided to try some NEW adhesive. I ran out of my Tombow runner the other week and was just using whatever I could find at home.

I ran to my LSS on Saturday afternoon to pick up more and saw the American Crafts: Strip adhesive runner. So I thought, why not try it. It is a new product MemoryWorks carries as well. So I bought one (It's cheaper then my previous adhesive, so why not).

I tried it out this afternoon, while creating a card and I actually REALLY like it. I love how it feels in my had, I can easily get a grip on the adhesive container, it rolls very nicely and easily, and it seems VERY sticky! Which is always a huge plus, I hate when I go back & pieces on my layouts or projects are falling off because my adhesive isn't tacky enough.

The only down side of it (for me) is the cap is detachable and I'm afraid that will be lost right away. Other then that - it's GREAT so far. I do however like solid adhesive runners and plan on purchasing this one soon, to see which I like better.

I'm really excited to try this new product though. I'm usually so set on my adhesive, so this is a nice change.

World Record?

I finished my mini 4x6 Punta Cana Album. This is a huge success as I'm still working on my cruise album from 2007 (also a mini album). I love how this album turned out. I used Bo Bunny Paradise line. It is a great tropical feel! I'm not the BEST at journaling, but I think I captured some moments we want to always remember.

Here are a few pages from the album. To view the entire album, head over to my website blog.

Creating this album made me miss the beach, the warm weather, the mojitos, the relaxation, the water and no technology! I don't miss the food however. That was very bland, but I did enjoy my yummy bread with every meal and the FRESH pineapple!

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! I have been doing a lot of thinking lately of habits or things I do that I can cut back on. Each year I try to do one thing that 'helps the earth'. Last year was to not use as many plastic bottles (which I did awesome on!!) and I also started using knitted coffee cozies for my coffee I get at the coffee shop.

I have realized that I use a lot (I mean A-LOT) of plastic bags. This year I plan to cut back significantly on this. If I don't purchase a lot of items (like yesterday), I will just carry my items out (no bag). If I'm purchasing more, I plan on using reusable canvas or knitted bags. Now to make some of these bags and REMEMBER to bring them with me!

I started a fan page on Facebook about a week ago called LaceyBug Creations. Head on over and join my fan page and leave a comment about what you plan to do this year to "Go Green" - on my status "Happy Earth Week" by Friday at 11:59pm and you will be entered in a drawing for a knitted coffee cozy!

Photo from: Photobucket

April Layouts

I played around with MemoryWorks April Express Kit and came up with these (3) 8x8 layouts (plus some cards). The express kits are full of great products. Everything from pattern paper, cardstock and embellishments!

Here are a few of my layouts I created:

a quick sneak

I just wanted to share a quick sneak peek of what I'm working on for my May newsletter! I will be discussing a little bit about Photoshop actions and adding a Retro / Vintage look to your photos. Some of my favorite photographers do this to some of their shots and I too love to dabble with actions when I have time to do so.

Here are a few photos I used actions on from Matt & my vacation.

E-newsletter

If you haven't subscribed to my E-Newsletter, I would recommend it! Each month I share my favorite scrapbook products, what I see as a hot trend in the industry, a project (scrapbooking, paper crafting, knitting, sewing, etc), and much more. I'm so excited about the project I'm sharing this month. I'm inspired by all the "garland" projects out there in the crafting industry. The project I'm sharing with you in my newsletter could be done with either paper or fabric. I created mine with paper. Here is a sneak peek of it! If you subscribe to my newsletter (which I will send you when you sign-up) you will find full directions with photos of the project!

To sign-up for my e-newsletter, put your e-mail address into the slot on the left side of my blog where it says: My E-Newsletter.

Teresa Collins Album

I posted my entire Teresa Collins Album today on the MemoryWorks Blog. Head over to check it out. I have added a sneak peek. View the entire thing at the MW blog though and to see the rest of my projects using the Teresa Collins: Welcome Home line go to the MemoryWorks Main website!

I also want to share some photos from Matt & my trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We went on a week long trip to Punta Cana where we relaxed on the beach basically the entire time! We also went on one excursion where we toured a cigar factory, ate lunch on a river boat and walked around an Amphitheater / Arts school. We also got a couples massage on the 2nd day of the trip it was so relaxing! I miss the white sand, Pina Colada's and the beautiful blue ocean, oh and the HEAT!

I will be creating an album with some of the photos using Bo Bunny's Paradise paper line.

First Drinks
Amphitheater - goofing around on stage (being cheesy)

Picture on the Beach

Picture by the water / well in the water


What we looked at outside our room every day :)

So sad to go... tear


Don't forget to sign-up for my e-newsletter if you have not done so yet. The April edition will be out this weekend. I'm excited to share the project with you!! To sign-up, put in your email address on the left hand side of my blog!!

How Cool...

Look at what I found today. Well I didn't do much searching, I found it in the Moo.com newsletter! It's a Fuji Instax Mini Instant Camera!! How cool is that?!?




















I personally love the look of Polaroids and with digital software it has become easy to create, but I just LOVE these mini Polaroids! Too cute! It says they are business card size. Imagine all the fun things you could do with them!

April Inspiration

This month my projects are featured on the MemoryWorks home page! I worked with the Teresa Collins line - Welcome Home! I love this paper, it is so classic and definitely captures my photos. It works well with both full color, sepia and black & white photos!

I used some photos of my nephew, brother & sister in law to create a layout that I'm so pleased with! I used some paper tearing techniques, sewing on the layout and made my own flower! To view all my projects head on over to the MemoryWorks website. Also, this Friday I will feature the entire 6x12 album on the MemoryWorks Blog! So make sure you check that out as well!

Here is a sneak of my layout!