MemoryWorks Retreat 2011

WOW (that word is NOT enough for the MemoryWorks Retreat).  I had an amazing time in Utah scrapbooking, spending time with friends, and relaxing (kind of).  I enjoyed and soaked up every second of it!  Here are a few photos (I took some from Janey's Facebook page & some from my phone)... I have yet to upload my retreat photos!

TeamWorks Team (Janey, Lacey & Sarah C.)

 Some of the Retreat Staff

Front (L-R): Lacey, Jodi H., Sue, Sarah, Tara

Back (L-R): Janey, Jodi S

 Good Morning UTAH - hanging out in the hotel room anxiously waiting for the day to start!  The sun was shining and it was beautiful (mountain view from the window)

 Sarah & I the first day of the Retreat checking out the Cinch Machines and setting them up for the Creative Studio event!!

Thanks to ALL the vendors at the retreat: Pink Paislee, Cosmo Cricket, My Minds Eye, Bo Bunny, BasicGrey, Simple Stories, Imaginensce (spelling??), Echo Park, Teresa Collins Designs, We R Memory Keepers and Fancy Pants.  You all went above and beyond for your classes! They were amazing!

A few things from the trip!

• It is a 17.5 - 18 hour drive from Fargo - Salt Lake City 
• I say "Put the TAGS in the BAGS" weird.  
• The NEW Simple Stories lines - ARE AMAZING (there are 4 of them)
• I fall in love with MemoryWorks more and more every day and the staff at Home Office is my extended family (love them!!)
• Simple Stories + UNITY = ONE SUPER AMAZING MATCH UP!!!  Seriously, 1 of each please!
• Zumba really gets the blood and creativity pumping before a crop (Thanks honey!  Matt taught Zumba)
• When they say you get product every time you walk into a retreat event - they are not kidding!  1 small suitcase and 2 boxes of stuff is what I came home with.  And I only bought 1 thing in the retreat store.
• When you come from the flat lands of North Dakota, mountains are amazing
• Put on 80s music during a crop and people are bound to bust out dancing and singing.
• I have memories to cherish for a very long time... Thanks to everyone at MemoryWorks and who attended the retreat.

Now, here are some of the AMAZING stamps from Unity!  I would seriously RUN out to get them...not kidding.  What is your favorite?  Check them all out on the Unity site or my personal site or the Simple Stories site. Oh and did I tell you - comment on the Simple Stories blog for a chance to WIN!!  No joke!

Now to my FAVORITES (I will own them all, but these are my MUST have them NOW)...

 

This camera is a MUST have it now.  I saw this image and about FAINTED! How ADORABLE is it?!?

 These little banners look so universal.  I can imagine MANY projects Simple Stories and beyond with this banner set!

 

I don't have kids (I do have YOUNG nephews and a niece) but this set seems very versatile. I love the label stamp and the days of the week and the report card stamp!  This set is just awesome!  Can't wait to play with it.

Another MUST Have set is the 100% Real Life.  The journal spot is awesome and the month stamps are way too cute!  Plus all the sayings makes this a winner in my book!

There you have it, I'll be back later this week with more photos.  Oh and that fabric stash I showed last week... well they are Aprons!  I made them as gifts for home office and retreat staff.  UNFORTUNATELY... I never got a picture of anyone wearing theirs...what was I thinking!  Here is the Mostly finished versions I took photos of (they are missing the flowers I made for each of them).

Sarah C. apron

Amber's Apron

Sue's Apron

Kevin's Apron

I'm not the greatest at sewing and my machine broke half way through making things.  But I think they turned out well.  I hope they enjoy them for future crafting, gardening, cooking or whatever they may use them for!

What I'm working on

Even though I'm not at dance every night now that the school year is over.  I seem just as busy! I'm still at the studio almost every night.  Yes, I'm there Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday.  That is more then the school year.  Between fitness classes and the one jazz class I'm taking - summer evenings are BUSY!

Not only that I've been working on some craft projects!  So here is a sneak peek at what I've been doing!

Build your own Cozies

This is a new concept I've introduced to my Etsy shop!  You can personalize your own cozy!
1. Add a Cozy to the cart (a Build your Coffee Cozy - Cozy Rainbow or Neutral)
2. In the comments section let me know the COLOR you want your cozy!

3. Go back to my shop and add a "Patch"
4. In the comments section, let me know (1) Patch color, (2) Thread Color, and (3) Text

I will then assemble it together for you and mail it out!!  Easy Peasy & you have a CUSTOM cozy that will style your coffee, tea or coco!!

Cute huh?

Sewing Project
The next thing I've been working on isn't complete yet.  I've been working on a sewing project(s). Now if you REALLY know me [mom] - I'm not the GREATEST at sewing.  I'm not lying.  Ask my mom.  She has evidence.  But, I can say that I CAN sew, if I take my time and am patient (I'm not patient).  But this project is turning out pretty well!  I must say.  Here is a sneak of what I'm working on...  FABRIC!

Lots of pretty fabric.  That is all I'm giving away at this point.  Full photos to come next week.  :)  I can sew, I can sew!

Dance Recital

A few weeks ago was Gasper's School of Dance & Performing Arts dance recital.  I danced in 4 numbers (I know I must be crazy!).  Our studio not only host a professional ballet company, but we also have a competition team.  Lots of opportunities for kids (and adults) to perform!  One rule at MOST competitions is that you can't take photos.  So I usually sit, knit & watch dance all day vs. taking photos of our girls.  Well that rule doesn't apply at the recital and since I typically take all the FM Ballet's photos, I wanted to get some shots of the Competition girls.  So here are a few pictures of the competition team during rehearsal.

"Roxanne" Choreographed by Matt Gasper

 

"Heartburn" Choreographed by Liz Brandenburg

 

"Catch Me", Choreographed by Matt Gasper

 

"Catch Me" Choreographed by Matt Gasper  

(He's standing on stage too)

Okay there you have it. This is what has been taking over my life.  :)

7 Days!!!

1 week from now, I'll be driving to Utah for the MemoryWorks Retreat!!! Holy man I can not WAIT!!!  I'm excited to see the MemoryWorks home office again, scrapbook, meet new friends, see old friends and scrapbook.  :)  I'm beyond excited about this adventure!

Photos from past retreats - on the Retreat website.

2009 Retreat Staff - Janey helping during a class



Kevin trying out the classes!

Goodies!!

MemoryWorks Consultants

Mary, Amber & I

I'm really excited!!  I'll be posting photos & videos throughout the 3 day retreat!!  So stay tuned to my blog as well as the MemoryWorks blog!

New Cozies

I'm so excited to introduce my NEWEST addition to my coffee cozy collection!  "Mocha Cozies"!  These cozies are a basic cozy with a patch of linen with text on it!  Check these out.  Now for sale on in my Etsy Shop!

 

More to come soon!!!  Aren't these cute??  You can also 'Build your own' cozies in my shop! All you need to do is add a cozy body to the cart, indict the color you want.  Then add the patch to your cart, indict patch color, thread color & text!  YOUR very own, build it yourself, COZY!!

MemoryWorks Blog

This month on the MemoryWorks blog I'm featuring projects, my space and a tutorial.  I'm on the MemoryWorks Design team (and the team leader).

Last month, I created project for their website, using the Lily Bee Design: Happily Lost papers as well as the Stationary papers.  Honestly, seeing these papers online does not give them justice!!

Here are a few pictures of what I've created with these papers.  To see the full projects, head to the MemoryWorks Website and MemoryWorks Blog (There are a total of 6 different projects I created using these paper lines!)

12x12 layout of my nephew and Matt (see the whole thing on the MemoryWorks website)

Notepad: I used my WRMK Cinch, Unity stamp, chipboard from a MemoryWorks express kit, Pink Paislee Twine and the interior pages are left over "stationary" theme set papers.

Mini album of my little nephew turning 2!  Photos by my brother & sister in laws photographer Kristen Pless.

Topiary made with the Stationary theme set. 

Also, SMASH is in the house.  MemoryWorks received their order of SMASH items!  Smash books are journaling books to smash in  your favorite memories, ticket stubs, photos, receipts, etc!  I ordered a book in blue!

If you want to get one of these awesome books for yourself and the fun accessories to go with it, check out my website for a great selection!!

Have a great weekend!

New Items

MemoryWorks just released some ADORABLE items in the Trend Essentials area.  There are quite a few things on my NEED to have list!  Check out some of these awesome products!  If you are interested in purchasing some of these GREAT items for yourself, shop on my website or email me.

Here are a few of my FAVORITES!
My Minds Eye: Life of the Party: How fun, bright and cheerful is this set!  I can't wait to make cards, layouts, and a mini album with these papers!

Another fun line from My Mind's Eye - Out of the Blue.  I think I adore this line because of my 2 nephews. Also, a lot of my friends have had boys lately, so lots of adorable mini albums out of this paper line!

A few other adorable items - Fancy Pants: Baby Mine.  Fancy Pants blog posts all week have been showing projects with this line all week and it is so cute!!!

What are your favorite items from the MemoryWorks catalog or the MemoryWorks Trend Essentials area?  I am excited for SMASH books to come in stock (which I hear is really soon!).

The MemoryWorks retreat is in just 14 days!  I'm beyond EXCITED!  I'll have projects to share with you in the coming days!  and some new things coming to my coffee cozies!

I get stuck

I get really excited about projects, I buy all the supplies for something I have in mind and then... I get stuck.  It sits in my craft room untouched for weeks, months and sometimes years, until I finally file it away and label it a lost cause.  HAHA.

Well right now I have that feeling about a Fancy Pants: Brag Book.

I bought Fancy Pants: To the Moon papers and embellishments to use with this album. 

I've got 2 adorable nephews.  And I thought the papers and this book would be perfect for me to journal and document their growth as individuals as well as brothers.  Lucas is 2 years old and Colin is 1 month old as of yesterday.

But now, I'm stuck.  How to I make this book what I want it?  Why am I even freaking out about this?  Do you have moments like this?  Where you are just not sure on projects you have set aside?  Do you ever complete them?

As a kid I would journal nightly or multiple times a day.  I jotted down thoughts, memories, ideas, everything!  As an adult, I've completely LOST this.  Now I blog to share my projects and ideas and bits of my life.  But I don't journal like I did when I was a kid. 

Drum roll please...

I have to say - I'm COMPLETELY exhausted today!  Dancing in 4 numbers in the Gasper's Recital was awesome, tiring and nerve wracking!  lol  I was the spaz backstage shuffling kids around before my pieces so I would relieve nerves.  But all in all it turned out well and everyone involved did an excellent job!  It was a great experience and has been a long time since I danced THAT hard...wait I don't know if I have EVER danced that hard on stage!  (I performed in Advanced Jazz, Int/Adv. Jazz, Hip Hop Teen/Adult, Int/Adv. Contemporary/Lyrical).

Okay - now onto the winners from last week!

The winner of a Unity Stamp set is... drum roll...out of ALL 116 comments... random.org picked number 17 (which happens to be my favorite number)...

Karen L said...

Being a big paper doll fan as a young girl, this takes me back! Fun and creative use for the stamps!! Love it!

Congrats Karen!! Please email me (lacey.memoryworks@gmail.com) for your prize instructions!!

NOW, said there would be TWO winners.  The 2nd winner will get a Coffee Cozy or Ice Cream cozy (see sample above) of your choice!  You get to pick which one and what color combo you want!!!

So the 2nd winner out of 116 comments is....commenter number 73 (picked by random.org)

Denise said...

Beautiful layout! I love the colors and all you details you added! Very special indeed...
DeniseB

June 1, 2011 3:28 PM

Congrats DENISE!!!  Email me at lacey.memoryworks@gmail.com, with which option you would like (Coffee or Ice Cream Cozy)

I Dance

Tomorrow is the Spring Dance Recital for Gasper's School of Dance.  I will be dancing in 4 numbers (EEKS!)!  Yes I'm freaking out, I'm excited and my costumes are PRETTY much altered.  Lots of sparkles.  I will be dancing in 2 jazz pieces, hip hop and lyrical.  This is the most numbers I've done in a recital since college.   Should be interesting and I have to remember to just have fun!

These pictures were from a recital in 2007.  We needed to eat afterwards! Long day.  I actually don't think I performed in this recital...just worked in the lobby before and after the show selling dance clothes.
Matt & I @ Buffalo Wild Wings

I'm not sure if I actually danced in this recital.  I have been doing hip hop every year for the last 4 years or so now...so it's possible.

MemoryWorks Blog

I'm so excited to share projects, my space and a little bit about me on the MemoryWorks blog the month of June.  Each and EVERY Friday in June I'll be sharing a piece of me, my projects, my space and even a tutorial! 

I have also designed the MemoryWorks website inspiration projects from June using the awesome Lily Bee Designs - Happily Lost & Stationary theme sets!

Here is a sneak peek of one of my inspiration projects.  See it in it's entirety on the MemoryWorks Website.

 

 So there you have it!  I look forward to sharing more with you this month!

Growing in Unity - Day 5

Welcome to my final "Growin in Unity" blog post!  I've had so much fun sharing my projects with you this week featuring one of my FAVORITE stamp companies - Unity Stamp Co.!!  There is so many wonderful things about Unity!  Their stamp quality, wonderful images, Kit of the Month, and the personable staff that will comment on your facebook posts, reply quickly to e-mails and so much more!  Thanks Unity crew for letting us Unity Lovers share our projects with you and your fans!

Today I'm going to share an mini album with you!  My friend Ann recently got engaged to her boyfriend Marcus!  I am so thrilled to be standing next to her & supporting her on her wedding day as a bridesmaid (I'm tearing up already).  She is a great friend and I'm so happy for her in this next chapter in her life!  I created this album for Ann & Marcus to add photos of their relationship and to be able to journal their journey or a favorite moment in their relationship so far.

I used the wonderful Echo Park paper line - "Be Mine" and Unity Stamp Co. coordinating stamp sets - "I Adore You" and "With Love".

Supplies: Unity Stamp Co.: I Adore You, With Love; Echo Park: Be Mine; Twine, Flower

This album is simplistic and lovely to me.  I cut out 6" x 12" pages, I glued each page together to create the album and added a piece for the binding.  Each page was decorated with different paper elements, stamps and stickers!

Thanks again for stopping by my blog this week!  I appreciate it!  I hope I was able to inspire you!  Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a Unity Stamp Co. stamp set!  I will pick a winner and post it on Monday!  Don't forget to check out Unity Stamp Co. site for more amazing stamps and inspiration!!

FINALLY, I have decided to do my OWN giveaway as well!! So not only do you have the chance to win a stamp set from Unity... I'll pick a 2nd winner to win a Coffee or Ice Cream cozy from me!!
Coffee Cozy sample                        Ice Cream Cozy Sample