School Memory Pages & Back to School Cards

It's officially back to school time. We are busy this weekend looking for backpacks, tennis shoes and the perfect back to school outfits. Secretly, I love it because I remember how exciting it was for me. On the other side, the back to school 'to-do's' have been so much more complicated than I remember. I find myself looking for the best deals to save on the LONG school supplies items I have to get for my THREE girls. 

In between the hustle and busyness, I have been trying to work on the girls school memory books. For my older girls, I have skeleton books started and have to finish some grades and add some more photos. But for my little one, I am starting from scratch. Last year she started preschool. It was a trying year. She was a very good student, but really wanted to stay home with mami. This year, she is excited about school Thank goodness!! 

I have been looking for ideas on themes and products for my little ones book. The stuff I used for the older girls is 'retired' and no longer available. I was thrilled when I opened up the new Stampin' Up! catalog in June and found this stamp set. I thought, this is perfect for my new memory book!  I like using traditional colors in school books. For this one I used Real Red, Night of Navy, Smokey Slate, and Daffodil Delight. I loved the way it turned out!

Memory Book Tips: 

Making any scrapbook can be a big task. To simplify I try to come up with one layout and repeat it for each grade. So you can bet I'll be making a stack of each element on the page above to have for grades kinder to sixth.

I also made a couple of Back to School cards to give to my girls and others starting a new school year. I love the owl and the library card images. Did you use library cards in school? I asked my girls if they do and they were very confused. lol

Have a great back to school week (at least here in CA). I will miss the late nights and no homework nights. At least I have holiday crafts to keep me happy and busy. Join me live at facebook.com/mayra stamps on Wednesday 8/14 to get a sneak peak at some holiday products.

Here are some of the items I used on the Scrapbook Page above:

Check You Out Photopolymer Stamp Set

$16.00

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.75

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.75

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.75

Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.75

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

These are other colors I used on the cards:

Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.75

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

$7.50

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Washi Tape for Cards and Pages

Do you use washi tape?  Since my discovery of washi tape I have been quite a collector of it! My attraction to it was similar to that of designer series paper. I love the colors and patterns and love them all.  In the past, I would buy lots of it and not want to "waste" it.  I reserved them for special projects only!  Recently I have found several easy ways to incorporate washi tape on my cards.  Now I can justify buying more of it because I actually use it. 

For both of my projects I used the Pick a Pattern Washi Tape (144166/ $8).  I like this black and white set because I can combine it with lots of other colors and patterns.  Above is a card I made with washi tape as the accent.  I used this with the new Varied Vases bundle.  This was a super easy card to make with the stamp and punch combo. 

Below is a 2 page layout that I also made with the washi tape. Long are the days that I can (and want to) spend hours on one layout.  Now I am a big fan of the Memories and More line.  I like to use the cards in the pack in regular 12x12 page layouts.  I used a couple cards from the Delightfully Detailed Card Pack and the Pick a Pattern Washi Tape as accents to dress up the bare white pages. 

Here are some other ways to use washi tape:
- to mark phone charges
- to identify your craft tools (from your friends)
- to dress up envelopes

Check out my site for more washi tape options- www.mayramt.stampinup.net

Joy in Simple Scrapbooking

I first fell in love with paper crafts with Scrapbooking.  I truly enjoyed spending hours on a layout and enjoying the creative process.  Fast forward 15 years, I have 3 kids, a husband, a business, a job and other daily tasks.  My days of spending hours on one single layout are over!

Here is my reality.  I love taking photos and putting them in pretty pages.  I mean look at this cute photo!  It needs a pretty page, right?!

My girls love to look at their scrapbooks and feel the love I put into them, even my littlest one. Seriously, she never sits still....but she will if she is looking at these scrapbooks!

I want to preserve beautiful photos like one of my favorites here, but in a fraction of the time.  So, I have made it my mission to Scrapbook more.  In my local Stamp Club, I have incorporated a monthly layout into our projects.  The girls love it, and it gives me an excuse to scrapbook!  Here are a couple of layouts we have done this year:

Depending on your scrapbooking skill or interest level, you may or may not think these are simple.  For me the Sunshine Layout is a little simpler in the sense that I followed my own layout formula: Title + Border (designer series paper strips) + Matching Cardstock mattes + A few stamps!  I try not too spend too much time and just these key elements in most of my pages.  Oh, plus a place to journal too!

Like these projects?!  Some of the products I used are listed below.  I always use only Stampin' Up! products, which you can buy at my store HERE.  Or here are two other ways you can make these pages:

• Register by 3/18 to  Creative Escape day and pick a layout above to make.  What's Creative Escape? We have rented a church gym in Sacramento/Elk Grove area to have an all day Crafting Day on 4/22.  Ask me for details! It's a chance to come, relax, work on projects ( a few make and takes we provide and bring your own!).   If you are in my club, I will take you a surprise layout, you haven't done!  Register yourself and a friend and you can make both layouts.  This offer is good for the first 8 people who register (while supplies last).
• Sign up for my club!  We make a 2 page layout each month!  You will make similar pages each month. 

So, I realize that traditional scrapbooking is not for everyone!  Stay tuned next week for more ways to preserve your photos, still cute, but faster and easier!

Products used in the Sunshine Layout:

Whisper White 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock

$7.00

Whisper White 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock

$7.00

Brights Designer Series Paper Stack

$22.00

Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies

$27.00

Kinda Eclectic Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$20.00

Perfectly Wrapped Photopolymer Stamp Set

$17.00

Marina Mist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Products used for the Love Layout:

Real Red 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock

$11.00

Sealed With Love Photopolymer Bundle

$45.75

Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies

$27.00

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Sending Love Designer Series Paper Stack

$10.00

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

National Scrapbooking Day Ideas

Hello and Happy National Scrapbooking Day (well it was yesterday and I'm a day late-;)!

If you are like me and many, many people you have a long to-do list for scrapbooking.  For many people, photos stay on phone and computers and rarely get printed.  For some, photos sit in boxes hoping to organized.  Sound familiar?!  I thought I'd share some ideas for you to get organized with your scrapbooking, in a simple way. 

As you know, Stampin' Up! recently launched a Project Life by Stampin' Up! line.  For me the ease of use, combined with my all time favorite products (that already match my existing products, colors, etc. !!)  make it an ideal solution.  So here are a series of blog posts and videos that Stampin Up! has published and me! regarding Stampin' Up!   Give it a shot, I think you'll love it.  It's easy, affordable and super cute.
 

Here is a list of resources to see what this is all about. 

 

Introducting Project Life by Stampin' Up! (good, what is this video)

http://www.stampinup.com/home/blog-post/corporate-blog/2014/04/15/project-life-by-stampin-up

 

Project Life by Stampin' Up! Sneak Peak- my video

http://www.mayrastamps.blogspot.com/2014/04/project-life-by-stampin-up-sneak-peak.html

 

Project Life: Getting Started

http://www.stampinup.com/home/blog-post/corporate-blog/2014/05/01/project-life-getting-started

 

A couple tips from me:

• Just start!  No really, I think of scrapbooking like any other "project".  Sometimes the project can seem overwhelming and you (meaning I) spend so much time thinking about it that you never start.  Just get started and you will see it was not as overwhelming as you thought.
• Start with something that you are interested in the most.  For me I don't scrapbook in order.  Sure I always have a plan, but I don't necessarily start from the oldest years to current.  For example, if you just came back from a vacation and you are excited about that start there!  Or anything else that interests you.  There are no rules.
• Take notes every so often.  When I am excited about an event, a special day or moment, I try to write it down (even if I won't scrap it for years!).  That way I still captured my thoughts and I can use them to journal at some point. 
• Make it enjoyable and mix it up.  Some people enjoy making fully embellished pages.  Others like digital scrapbooking.  While others like pocket style scrapbooking like project life.  ME....I do a little of each.  My girls baby scrapbooks are fully embellished.  In between there and now I did some digital scrapbooking with My Digital Studio (click here for more info).  And now I am trying Project Life.  I am certain I will go back and forth as my needs change and my time!

Join me to chat over coffee about the latest scrapbooking craze, Project Life and I can share other options too.
 

Learn about Project Life by Stampin' Up!

Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 pm

 in a local Coffee Shop (TBD) in Elk Grove, CA

 

PLEASE RSVP (mayramt@hotmail.com), I'll pick a spot that is the closest for the majority of people.

 

Share your projects with my on my www.facebook.com/mayrastamps  .  I'd love to see your creations!

Project Life by Stampin' Up! Sneak Peak

**** The video link is back up!

Hello Everyone,

Today I received my very first Project Life By Stampin' Up! products and I couldn't wait to share them with you.  So much that I did a quick 5 minute video to show you what they look like and what to do with them (for those of you that have NO idea what it is!).  Right now, only demonstrators can pre-order these products, so contact me if you HAVE to have them now and NEED to sign up. lol  A limited release is scheduled for May 1st and a full released is scheduled for June 1st. 

Please join me for Coffee and Crafty Chat about Project Life by Stampin' Up! on:

 

Friday, May 2nd, 9:00 am in Elk Grove, CA

or

Wednesay, May 14, 6:30 pm in Elk Grove, CA

 

PLEASE RSVP, so I know you are coming and so I can tell you the coffee shop we will be meeting at.

 

At these two dates I will bring some products for you to view and learn about.  If you'd like you can RSVP and pre-order some products and bring your pictures and get started!  Let me know if you want this option ;)  Here is a link to the products...HERE

 

http://www.stampinup.com/home/blog-post/corporate-blog/2014/04/15/project-life-by-stampin-up

 

 

That's all for now....don't forget about the free shipping until 4/25/14!! Get your dimensionals or anything you want shipped for free on my site www.mayramt.stampinup.net

 

Use workshop code below to enter my drawing:

YMSE2HPW

Easy School Days Memory Books

 

My February Project (or one of them): School Days Memory Books for my girls

The Short Story:  I have been putting off making the girls School Days Memory Books for a while and discovered Stampin' Up! had a 2 page kit on the clearance rack for $2.99 (reg. $9.99).  I ordered 17 kits (for both books) and can't wait to get my items. I also ordered packs of 12x12 real red, crumb cake, old olive cardstock to make extra pages to coordinate. If you are interested in ordering these, click here to go to my webstore ,enter hostess code: AYXHFYPD (at checkout) ....and I will mail you some FREE coordinating journaling cards.  Plus, you get a FREE Sale-a-bration item if you spend $50+!!

The Photos Above show (1) the layouts that you can make with the kit (2) ALL of the products that come with the kit.

The Looong Story:  So as much as I love to scrapbook, I find myself with less and less time to do it these days.  One project (among many) that I have had on my mind is School Days Memory Books for my girls (now in Kinder and 2nd Grade).  I want to make the layouts for all grades PK-6 and have the pages ready to go to add pictures and keepsakes.  Everytime I think about doing it I am overwhelmed on how to start.  So.... last year Stampin' Up! had a For the Record Simply Scrappin Kit to make 2 pages that I really liked.  I never ordered it and now realized that they are on the Clearance Rack for $2.99 (reg $9.99)!!  So I decided to buy enough for both books I want to make.  Here is why:

• I love a coordinated scrapbook, when the theme is the same in the entire book....like a month by month baby book, or in this case grade by grade.
• I can easily use the same kit for all of the main pages, same materials, but change up the layout a bit on each page.
• It has tons of products and from what I hear enough embellishments left over from the 2 pages to use on other pages. 
• I can predict getting these done in a day or two as opposed to weeks. 
• Most importantly, they are super cute products!!

My Plan: I am using the kits for each grade page and then I bought extra 12x12 packs of real red, old olive and crumb cake to make an additional page or two to go with each grade.  In main page I will put the school photo and maybe the class photo.  In the next page or two I will put a pocket for a report card and extra photos.  I am also making Journaling Cards to coordinate with each main page (that I am offering for free when you order some kits from me and use the hostess code above). 

The Back Story: When I was in elementary school my mom bought me a Memory Book from a school fundraiser.  I cherished that Memory Book and every grade I put in my own photos, report cards, and other items.  I was a scrapbooker at 8, and loved the idea of capturing my school days and now more than ever feel it is important with my own kids. 

Okay, that was super long, contact me if you have questions...If you are interested in ordering these, click here to go to my webstore ,enter hostess code: AYXHFYPD (at checkout) ....and I will mail you some FREE coordinating journaling cards.   Plus, you get a FREE Sale-a-bration item if you spend $50+!!

PS.  I will try to post pics of pre-photo pages on a later date....wish me luck!

Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit: 2 Ways

When I seen the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit I pictured my home beautifully decorated for Thanksgiving using the contents of the kit.  I was eager to get a kit and make some samples.  I LOVE the White Stampin' Chalk Marker (132133/$3.50)!  It really does look like I used chalk!  The kit itself was filled with tons of goodies that are really easy to use. So, above are some items I made for my "table".  I added the Harvest of Thanks stamp to my centerpiece candle just to add a little something extra.

 

At Convention, Sara Douglas (Shelli's daughter) demonstrated another use for this kit....a Thankful Journal!  I was in awe over how cute the journal was.  Again, I couldn't wait to make it.  Here is my take on it...using items from the kit and a little bit of Sweater Weather DSP:

 

 

The kit comes with a piece of chipboard, so you just cut that in half and that is your cover and back pieces!  Here are a few pages from the inside:

 

I can't wait to add pictures to the basic black spaces in the top two pages!  She had the cutest pictures of her kids in their trampoline with beautiful fall colored trees in the background.  They were stunning!

 

SOOOO, did I convince you that you just HAVE to have this kit?!  hehehe

 

Here is the link to order and a photo of what it comes with. This is the bundle version that includes the stamp (133341/ $23.95)

 

 

Throw a Party #4: Sweet Celebration Scrapbook page

This Saturday I hosted a Stampin Party for my friend Kathy.  She is a major scrapper so she wanted one of our projects to be a scrapbook page.  Since I was still in birthday mode, I decided to do a birthday page.  I used the same colors and supplies from my birthday party projects so that I could use this project in my daughter's scrapbook. 

So here it is!  I created a simple layout that is easy to recreate with other themes or colors. 

Have a great Sunday night!
Mayra

Spring Scrapbook Pages

One if my stamp club friends is getting into scrapbooking and I offer her a scrap option at club. This month I decided to create a spring style layout with flowers and fun flowers. Here it is. Let me know what you think!