My Mind's Eye Blog

2013 Year End Review | A Scrapbook Layout

Hello! Valerie here with you today. It's New Year's Eve! Can you believe it?! Another year in the books. I truly feel like this year just flew by. I know we all say that every year, but seriously….where did 2013 go?

I have a layout for you today. I took a single 12 x 12 layout and summed up our entire year with fourteen of my favorite photos and a simple list of some positive highlights and even a couple negatives from our year.

Supplies:Cut and Paste-Adorbs: "Be" Like paper, "Story" enamel shapes, "Hello" decorative brads, "Loved" decorative buttons "Story" enamel shapes, Hello" decorative brads,"Loved" decorative buttons; Cut and Paste- Charm:"Carefree" label stickers,"Sweet" tiny word stickers; Cut and Paste-Flair: "Small" enamel shapes, "Small" decorative brads;Cut and Paste-Presh: "Good Times" decorative buttons; Find Your Wings and Fly :alpha and word stickers; Collectable-Memorable: "I'm With" enamel dots; Misc: Silhouette Cameo and blue cardstock

I started with the Adorbs "Be" Like patterned paper from the Cut & Paste collection. I think this might be one of my most favorite patterns in the whole collection. I used a brayer to spread a thin layer of gesso in the area where I would be placing my photos to subdue the bright colors a bit. The zig zag pattern creates the perfect lines for running a list down the side of the page—another reason this paper was chosen.

My photos are arranged in no particular order, and my list is like that too. Not every item in my list has a photo that matches up with it. The title was cut with my Silhouette Cameo using the font Howser.

I embellished the layout with a variety of enamel dots, enamel shapes, decorative brads, and decorative buttons from the Cut & Paste collection. Those big enamel shapes are so much fun.


Happy New Year everyone!

Mini Albums with Stephanie | December 2013 (part 2!) Edition

Hi!  Stephanie here with you today to share another fun mini this month!!  I really love the new mini album starter kits and wanted to use one for a "year-in-review" type of album.  Although I do Project Life throughout the year, I always love making a mini album or photo book to finish the year off.  I love that the books are usually smaller, easy to hold and are kid-friendly.

The Lost & Found Record It albums are the perfect size for this project!  And bonus...they include all of the page protectors, inserts and dividers that you need to put together an album.  The only thing else you need are your pictures, a few journaling cards and some embellishments!  So easy!

1. Gather your supplies

I decided to use the Lost & Found Record It album since I wanted to keep the outside of my book fairly neutral.  I debated painting the beautiful embossed front white, but in the end chose to go with a full photo collage.  I wanted the book to be jam-packed with photos and having a collage on the cover was the perfect starting point.  

I created my photo collage in PicMonkey.  You could easily create one in Photoshop, but I find PicMonkey to be so user friendly that I didn't want to bother with opening up my Photoshop program.  And best of all…PicMonkey is free!

To create a collage in PicMonkey, simply select "create a collage" from the main screen, upload your photos and drag and drop them onto your canvas.

Tip // If you are using PicMonkey, size your collage at 1800x2400 pixels.  That will ensure that you picture prints at the 6x8 size for the album page protectors without being blurry or pixelated.


Once you have added all of your photos, all you have to do now is save and print.  


2. Print your cover

Here is a look at my finished collage for my cover.  It is sized a little larger than the 6x8 size, so be sure to measure your cover and decide how large you photo should be prior to printing.


3. Attach your cover

Use strong adhesive or Modge Podge to attach your photo to the cover.  I printed mine on matte photo paper and adhered it with my tape runner.  

And now you are ready to start the inside!!



4. Print photos for the inside of your album

I created a few picture collages for both of my children, my husband and myself.  I wanted my book to be pretty picture heavy since I already have tons of journaling and thoughts recorded in my Project Life album.  I save all of my photos by month on my computer, so I went through each month and chose a few for the collages.  I also created these in PicMonkey!  In addition to the collages, I pulled out some 4x6 photos and square instagram photos from my picture pile to use in the album.


5. Create journaling and filler cards for your page protectors

Whenever I start a project like this, I always like to assemble my inserts and journaling cards prior to working on the album.  I find that the process runs much smoother (for me) if I have everything all ready to go.  I tend to get sidetracked easily if I have to run to my computer, to my typewriter, etc.  Having everything already made is a real plus!

For this book, I typed up highlights and memories from this year, 2013.  I created one for each of us, and also created a few filler cards.

And now for a look at my finished album!  I just love it and I hope you will too!!  

Grab a cup of coffee and settle in!  I've got lots of pictures to share!



I used one of the tabbed chipboard dividers as my opening page.  I added my photo on top of a doily and then the "happiness" sticker in in the middle.  It's the perfect title page!


I followed the same pattern for each person throughout my album to help keep it simple and easy, as you will see.  Each person has a photo collage or two in a 6x8 pocket, as well as two additional divided page protectors.  Making these decisions and setting up my book prior to beginning the project kept me from being indecisive as I added in my photos and journaling cards.
 

Like most parents probably do , I have way more photos of my children than I do myself or my husband.  To keep our photos simple, I printed out one larger photo onto a piece of 6x8 photo paper and then added it to the backside of the collage photo.  I actually really love the balance the white adds to the book.


The best thing about albums with page protectors is the "peek-a-boo" effect.  I love adding smaller photos, confetti and stickers to the plain pockets.  Don't feel like you have to fill up every single slot with a photo or journaling card.

To end the book, I added two photos of our family onto the chipboard divider.  Simple and perfect!

Quick tips //

1. Add stickers to the outside of the page protector.  It gives your book a little bit of texture and dimension without being too bulky!



2. Create confetti pockets to add a little color and fun to your pages.  



3. Use smaller pictures, embellishments or cards inside of your pockets to create a fun peek-a-boo effect.

And that's our 2013 all finished!!  
Thank you so much for joining me today!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions!

Pinspiration Friday | December Edition

Happy Friday! We are so glad you stopped by today, it's Pinspiration Friday! Every day, we scour the Internet for inspiring MME projects. We find your work on your blogs, through our FB page,and in online galleries. We pin the ones that inspire us most!

Then once a month we challenge our designers to use one of your creations as inspiration for a layout or card.

This month Tonya  and Missy are joining us. Here's what they came up with. Enjoy and have a lovely, creative weekend!

 

Inspiration Piece: Brenda Ragsdale

Tonya's version:

Supplies: Cut and Paste: Story "Recollect" paper, 6x6 paper pad, Decorative Tape, Enamel Dots, Decorative Brads, Label Stickers, Bits & Pieces

Tonya says:I was immediately attracted to all of the triangles on Brenda's layout. Loved that they were all created from different pieces of patterned paper.

For my layout I opted to use those triangles to create flowers. Instead of outlining some of the triangles I chose to stitch between all of my petals.

Thanks for the inspiration, Brenda!

 

Inspiration Piece: Suzanna Lee

Missy's version:

Supplies:Vintage Christmas: “Chevron” Paper, Sticker Accessory Sheet, Decorative Tapes, Chipboard Elements;Mistletoe Magic: “Red Number,” “Santas,” “Snow Flakes,” “Collage,” & “Mistletoe” Papers. Decorative Tapes, Chipboard Elements, Decorative Brads;Lost & Found Record It: “Heirloom” Alpha & Word Stickers;Misc:  Watercolor paint, Heidi Swapp Color Shine – Gold, Cord, Black Pen, Stampabilities Ink, Red Floss

I’m so excited to share my first Pinspiration project as an MME Design Team member!  I love checking out the internet for inspiring projects and using them to come up with my own creations.  I searched the MME Pinterest Boards and Suzanna’s layout jumped out at me.  I just love the design and the way she incorporated so many patterned papers together.  I decided to create a Christmas layout based on Suzanna’s design. 

 

I really loved that she created a few banner shapes underneath her photo.  I cut the largest one from patterned paper and used some of the chipboard elements to layer on top of it.  I added a button sticker from the Sticker Accessory sheet to jazz it up a bit.

I also went with a circle element on the top right of the photo, just like Suzanna.  This adorable chipboard piece was perfect!  I added one of the Decorative Brads as well.

 

I love Suzanna’s chipboard banner at the top of her page!  I went with some of the paper banner pieces from the Decorative Brads package. 

 

I really loved how my project turned out!  A huge thank you to Suzanna for inspiring me and for allowing me to showcase her gorgeous layout!

 

 

 

Ultimate Craft Supply Giveaway

Giveaway!

Ultimate Craft Supplies worth over $1000!

 So, did you all the stuff that was on your holiday wish list? No? Well, don't worry, we've got you covered with the Ultimate Craft Supply giveaway! We are giving away over $1000 worth of our favorite craft supplies. These are things that we know and love, and we know you will love as well! I'm joining up with several other websites to give you these awesome prize packages:

Ultimate Craft Supplies Grand Prize - a $595 value

• Fuseworks Microwave Glass Fusing Kiln beginners kit ($100 retail) - watch a video of how to make Glass Gems in your microwave!
• Cricut Cuttlebug bundle ($150 retail) - watch a video of how to use a Cuttlebug
• Styled by Tori Spelling Jewelry Grab Bag (over $250 worth of jewelry supplies) - make jewelry with no tools
• Rainbow Loom ($15 retail)
• Tulip Tie Dye Kit ($20 retail)
• 30 rolls of washi tape ($60 retail)

Ultimate Craft Supplies 1st Prize - a $500 value

• $100 Gift Card to Hostess INK (the new printed stationery and party decor line from Hostess With the Mostess)
• Designer Fabric from Riley Blake ($100 Value)
• Scrapbook supplies from My Mind's Eye ($100 value)
• Styled by Tori Spelling Jewelry Grab Bag (over $200 worth of jewelry supplies)

Enter the Giveaway:

To enter, log into the widget below with your Facebook account (or register for a new account at Rafflecopter.com). Each action in the widget below will add an extra entry!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to these awesome websites for banding together to provide the prize packages:

• Dollar Store Crafts
• Mod Podge Rocks
• ALittleCraftinYourDay.com
• Riley Blake Designs
• U-Create 
• Pintester
• C.R.A.F.T (Creating Really Awesome Free Things)
• Hostess With the Mostess
• Tammilee Tips
• Club ChicaCircle
• DIY Candy

Mix and Match with Karen | December Edition

Hi everyone!

This is Karen and I am back with another Mix and Match! This month, I decided to match the papers from Find Your Wings and Fly - Up and Away (Harlequin) with the embellishments from Chalk  Studio. I love the way the colorful paper interacts with the kraft and black and white of Chalk Studio. Here's what I ended up with:


Doesn't the color of the paper jump out that much more with the strong black lines of Chalk Studio? For my title this time, I used up one of the chipboard embellishments from Find Your Wings and Fly, but it was a
little too big for my taste, so I cut it up.


See the "find the joy" in the title? It was a banner, but I decided I liked it better this way. Remember that just because someone designed it a particular way doesn't mean you have to use it that way. You can also
put embellishments on top of others to create your own, like the one I did here:


I put the "only you" sticker on the black tab to make it a bit more colorful.

The other thing I tried on this layout was to write right on my photos. These photos had a lot of white space and the paper had none, so I decided it would be fun to try to write on the photos instead and I like the way it turned out. I think it goes with the theme of the story, photos, and overall layout. If you haven't tried writing directly on your photos, I hope you add it to your list of things to experiment with soon.

That's it from me this month, I look forward to seeing you in 2014!

From Our Family to Yours!

Merry Christmas from My Mind's Eye!

 

_{Wishing you a beautiful Holiday season with your family, friends and loved ones.} 

card by Danni Reid

Supplies:Mistletoe Magic:Snowflakes patterned paper,Collage patterned papers,chipboard;Vintage Christmas:faceted gems;MISC: machine stitching, Cameo cut, Bazzill cardstock

 

 

From all of our family to yours, Merry Christmas and  Happy Holidays!

 

card by Danni Reid

Supplies: Mistletoe Magic paper kit, chipboard, layered stickers and vintage Christmas faceted gems; MISC: Cameo Noel cut, Bazzill cardstock, machine stitching, vellum from stash and Bo Bunny doily

May this season be the very beginning of a beautiful and blessed 2014.

 

With Love-

The MME family.

Dear Santa

It's Christmas Eve, the stockings are hung in anticipation, hopes are high, and wishes are about to come true.

Why not make Santa's traditional plate of cookies a little more special this year with at little help from the "Mistletoe Magic" collection?  A handwritten letter to Santa is a precious keepsake of childhood.

 

For the letter, I cut down a piece of the Lined "Ledger" paper, with "Christmas Wishes" printed on the bottom to 8" x 11".  I trimmed down the top and bottom of the letter with strips of decorative tapes.

 

To create a matching envelope, I cut a piece of the red striped to 10 1/2" wide and 11" high.  I scored 1" along both sides of the paper, then 4 1/4 inches from the bottom, and 4 1/4" from that score mark leaving a 2 1/2" flap. 

I embellished the envelope with blue and white chevron paper, decorative tapes, a large Santa sticker, and holly chipboard. I layered decorative blue dot tape on the tag sticker and a "Santa" word sticker.

 

The envelope was sealed with a snowflake sticker and "Merry Christmas" chipboard.  

Merry Christmas!!

Dear Santa Challenge Winner

JODI WILTON!!!

Congratulations, Jodi! Email Stephanie(at)mymindseye(dot)com with your address and collection of choice!

A Day in the Life (of a Dog) | December Edition

 

Hi!  Tina here today with my first installment in my A Day In The Life (of a dog) Sn@p Binder project.  

Before I start, I must say that this is probably one of my favorite project I've ever created and I never thought in a million years I would love creating a pocket style project.  I am completely obsessed and actually finished the entire binder in 1 day.  (but you have to wait until February to see the entire binder)! ;)

Today, I'll share a my title page, a few photo pages, a couple of my 'just because' pages.  :)

The Lost & Found, Record It collection is so perfect for this type of project.

The ephemera packet and Journal Cards make creating super easy and super quick! 

 

You can add little embellishments to each journal card to make them unique or use them as they are for really fast scrapbooking!

For the chipboard inserts, I didn't want to add any paper embellishments to the dividers, so instead, I added my own touch by embellishing each of them with my favorite stencils and embossing/modeling paste.  It really adds a unique, fun touch to the album.

Stay tuned next month for my next share on the inside of my binder!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!

December Album with Valerie

Hey! Valerie here with you today. It's the week before Christmas already….how did that happen? How's your December documenting going? Back in November I shared with you the cover for my album using the Record It Antique Sn@p album.  Now I'm back to share a few of my inside pages. 

 

Supplies: Lost & Found Record It collection: Antique enamel dots, Antique decorative tape, Antique 6x6 paper pad, Antique Record It! cards, Heirloom alpha & word stickers, Heirloom pockets. Mistletoe Magic collection: "Snow Flakes" paper, "Countdown" paper, "Trees" paper, stickers, decorative brads, chipboard elements, enamel dots, & decorative tape. Vintage Christmas collection: chipboard.Cut & Paste collection: Charm "Sweet" tiny word stickers, adorns "loved" clear stamps. The Sweetest Thing collection: Honey "One of a Kind" paper, Bluebell "Bright" tiny word stickers. Other: Merry & Bright cut file (Hello Forever), American Craft Thickers, vellum, wood veneer (Studio Calico), shipping tag, window envelope (Maya Road), small green alpha stickers (Jillibean Soup), gold sequins, doily, white & gold tiny alpha (Dear Lizzy), slide frame (Crate Paper), metal number (Tim Holtz), grungeboard 3 (Tim Holtz), Cameo (fonts: Cartwheel).

 

I chose to mix and match supplies from a few different My Mind's Eye lines.

 

My introduction page is a cut file from Hello Forever using a patterned paper from The Sweetest Thing collection. I find that when cutting blocks of text out like this, it's best to stick with solid colored papers or soft patterns as opposed to bold, contrasting patterns. The phrase will be easier to read.

 

I adhered the die cut to a sheet of vellum and added some enamel dots. The vellum adds some strength as well as adding interest with it's translucency. 

For day one, I put my son's first paper snowflake into the album using a 6x8 size page protector. The back side, as you can see in the next photo, shows more snowflake making photos and shares some fun details about this time. I added the number, chipboard, and wood veneer shape on the outside of the page protector with a little hot glue.

 

Where's day number two you might be wondering? This was the day we did my son's pre-K homework after school. I'm waiting for the decorated paper Christmas tree to return home before completing that page. I don't always work in order when I make albums like this.

 

I also might not always record events on the exact day that they happened (I think I might have heard a few of you gasp).  There's always a few days of the month where we don't do anything particularly festive, so I use these days to fill in with something general that could have happened on any day like pretty wrapped gifts, the advent calendar, decorations, or where our Elf has been hiding.

 

For day three I stamped a simple pattern on vellum using a gemstone stamp from the Cut & Paste Adorbs "Loved" clear stamp set and Brilliance gold ink. Then added my photo, number, and a little journaling with a black Sharpie.

 

This chalkboard message is so special and totally made my entire week. I'm so glad I snapped a photo of it and got to record it in my album.

 

So simple. I used a page protector with two 4x6 slots. In the top went my photo and on the bottom went one of the Lost & Found Record it! 4x6 cards.

 

Here we are with the vellum again. This page is similar to my introduction page. It's a die cut backed with vellum. The pattern is a lot more intricate, so I stitched around the edge to keep it all attached. 

 

A full page photo kinda day with gold sequins and star confetti. So much fun! The chipboard banner is from the Vintage Christmas collection and was just adhered on the outside of the page protector. I like having these thicker embellishments on the outside as opposed to the inside. The plastic lays better with the thicker embellishments on top of it. 

 

These are a couple of the filler pages I was referring to earlier. They could really fit into any "empty" day and numbers were intentionally left off until I figure out where they will end up in the album. The Dear Santa page is a window envelope where I'll put letters to Santa. I love using a variety of page sizes in my mini albums. 

 

Another page that doesn't have purpose yet. It's a pocket from the Lost and Found Record It! collection. There's a whole pack of these library card style pockets in both the Heirloom & Antique color palettes. 

 

Another hot chocolate page. It's such a special treat for my boy. This one uses a page protector with a 2x8" slot and two 4x4 slots. The title is being held in place with two little staples to keep it from shifting around.

 

One last one to share with you. I cut a coin protector page down to a size that would fit in the album. It's so much fun to fill the little pockets. I'm not sure if the number 18 will stay there yet, but it fits so perfectly so I'm going to try and make it work.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Are you documenting your December with My Mind's Eye? We'd love to see it.

 

Merry Christmas!