New Project Life App

WOW.

This is a mind blower.

Or for me it is anyway.

I created this layout on my phone.

Yes, you read that correctly.  ON MY PHONE!!

If you haven't heard already. . . or if you are interested in this sort of thing. . 

Becky Higgins. . .creator of Project Life. . .created an APP FOR YOUR PHONE where you can create layouts on your phone with some of her fantastic Project Life products.

I follow her on Facebook and instagram. . .and she has been alluding to the fact that an app was coming out for awhile.

I was like that sounds cool. . . .not sure how I would use it.

Ummm. . . .it is cool. . .and I am going to use it!  A lot!

I was excitedly telling my husband all about it. . .that I had created two layouts while he was in the shower. . .his response. . .well why do we need all of that fancy scrapbook equipment then?

Now. . .hold up a minute. . . this isn't going to replace my fancy scrapbooking all together.

So don't get all delusional that we will get rid of all of the stuff I have collected over the past decade plus some. . . 



What this app WILL do for me. . . 

         Help me keep UP and record our daily lives!

         I can scrapbook anywhere or anytime!  

         In line at school. . . at practices. . .lots of waiting on kids. . .heck while my husband 
        watches TV! 

         
       >>>>> I take A LOT of photos with my phone<<<<<

         
       My phone is handy and pretty much always with me.  
        
       And the pictures are OK.  Sometimes pretty good. . . sometimes not so good . . . 

       how easy will it be to document daily life?

       To snap a picture a day and have your week scrapped in minutes?

      I've never scrapbooked like that before,  because it was too overwhelming.

      It will enable me to DO SOMETHING WITH ALL OF MY PHONE PHOTOS!

     Like I said, they aren't the best photos. . . but they are a record of our daily lives. . .

     The little things.

     This WILL allow me to keep up a little bit better! 

    


What it WON'T do for me. . . . 

    replace my traditional scrapbooking all together. . . 

   I love to work with the products and pictures

   
   And I love to learn photography and take pictures with my      

     fancy camera

   There is still a place in my heart to scrapbook this way.

   
    BUT, I won't feel the pressure and I won't feel so overwhelmed     

     with it all!


Go to the APP Store and check it out!!!  

Read more about it HERE

Check out Becky Higgin's website here

For all of you who want to scrapbook. . .

 you just don't have the time or know where to start. . .I am so excited for you! 

HOW COOL IS THIS!

You may be asking, but what do I do with the layouts once they are created?

There will be in app printing options sometime in the future.

She recommends Persnickety Prints (they have an app too), which I have never used, but I have heard good things about.

Close to My Heart  does 12x12 printing as well. . .and I am hoping I can upload these photos to the Studio J website and print them!  

And YES. . .I am still a Close to My Heart Consultant and I LOVE every minute of it!
I love their products and the company.  They are a very nice company to be a part of.  They treat us very well and it is an awesome community.

But, if you know me. . .well then you know that I love all sorts of scrapbooking and I have always loved Becky Higgins and her style!  I just had to share!!!

Have fun!  

And post some layouts!  




 


   

Lollydoodle

I am loving the Lollydoodle Paper!!!  

I created this 12x12 two-page layout using the following items!

Lollydoodle Paper Pack

Lollydoodle Stickease

Lollydoodle Assortment

It is perfect for Spring, Easter, or girly layouts!

I am loving the fact I can make some girly layouts now!!

To get your hands on this kit, just contact me or come by the Fundraiser crop this weekend (April 11 &!2)

I will have a limited supply of page kits, but can order more!

The cost is $15 for the page kit and includes:

Lollydoodle Paper

Cardstock

Stickease

Assortment

Instructions

OR order your own Lollydoodle items and I can send the instruction sheet right on over!  

Or if you are on my team. . . and if you are not, this month is a GREAT month to join. .. best promotion I have ever seen. . .you can get any of my instruction sheets anytime!

Picture Overload.

I struggle with picture overload and I am guessing a lot of you do as well.
I have even gone so far as to "forget" my camera, so I wouldn't have to deal with all of the photos I would take.

I love taking pictures.

I love working with those pictures.

I hate them sitting in a box or on my computer.

But that is exactly where a lot of my pictures are.

I want to see and enjoy my pictures!

I have been struggling with this syndrome for a while.

There just doesn't ever seem to be enough time!
Who can't relate to that?

And if I do happen to have time, sometimes I just don't know where to start!

Well, along comes Close to My Heart.  My dear,old company that I have been a part of for 9 years! How'd that happen??

They had one of their very successful consultants, Lynn Como (thanks Lynn!), post a video about something that works for her.

Flip Flaps.

I was so very excited when Close to My Heart released this product a couple of years ago.

12x12 Horizontal Pocket Page

   I had been using some pocket pages to display my excess photos. . .and that works well, BUT, that can get kind of boring too.  There are just less options when you are always working with a certain size photo sleeve.  Pocket pages are very easy to use. . .no guessing. . .but there are less options!  And I like options!

In the video, she uses Flip Flaps on tons of her layouts!  A great way to incorporate lots of pictures, but to still have the look of a nicely done scrapbook page.

Sad, that I have owned these Flip Flaps for quite a while, but haven't really dug into using them, until now!  I've tried a couple of times, but I wasn't really sure how to use them. . .so that made me give up easy and move on to something else.

My family takes an annual Lake Trip to the same resort (which I have posted about before). . . and I take lots of pictures each year.  I have an album that is all about this trip and I love looking back on each year and seeing how the kids have grown!!  But, I do have a lot of the same types of pictures. . .going down the waterslide, swimmming in the same pool, mini-golf, etc. . . I don't need a gazillion scrapbook pages of each year.  

Enter the Flip Flaps.

I really hate to leave out some of the super cute pictures, just because I have enough.  I am a hoarder by nature and getting rid of perfectly good items is very tough for me!  Not as tough since we have moved several times. . ..but still tough!

Here is the first layout I did using the Flip Flaps. . . .

Above, is the page how it looks in the album.

Here the Flip Flap is open revealing the pictures underneath. 

It is like a complete other page under there!

And it is accessible. . no having to pull anything out.

And here is the Flip Flap partially open, so you can get a better idea of how it works. 

 

Here is the 2nd page of the layout. . how it would look in the album, with the Flip Flaps closed.

The Flip Flap completely open.

And again, as you open the Flip Flap up.

They come in several different sizes. . . 
The Flip Flaps I used was the Large Assortment z1325 4.95.  You get eight Flip Flaps (4) 6x12  (2) 4x12  (2) 8x12  
I used the 6x12 on both pages of my layout.

I have also used the 4x6 Flip Flaps.  
You get 15 4x6 for 3.95 Z4114.

Another option is the Small Assortment of Flip Flaps.
You get two each of 2x2 3x3 and 4x4.  3.95

Or the 6x6 Flip Flaps for 4.95

Flip Flaps have a sticky strip that you glue right to the outside of your page protector.  So you slip your Scrapbook Page into the Page Protector and put your Flip Flap on the outside.  That way, as you are flipping through your scrapbook album, it is easy to access all of your photos!!!  

If you want me to show you how to use these Flip Flaps, I would be happy to show you how!!!  I am so excited to use them! 

Just purchase whatever size flip flaps you would like to use and we can set up a time to go over them!  We can do this in person, via internet, or on the phone.  Whatever works best for you!

Other products used on these pages:

Surf's Up Paper Pack 9.95 x7168b

Surf's Up My Stickease Assortment 4.95 x7168c

Surf's Up Paper Pack 9.95 x7168b

Surf's Up My Stickease Assortment 4.95 x7168c

Dream Pop Scrapbook Layout.

Here is a layout I did using the Dream Pop Paper Pack. . .

the Special for May!!! Read below for details.  Or go to my website meredithburgess.ctmh.com

The hot pink elephant paper is so cute!!!

Items I added:

Slate Cardstock
Slate ink
Slate Polka Dot ribbon
Pixie Glitter Alphabet
White Cardstock
Circle Punch (to make the rosettes)
Bitty Sparkles
Liquid Glass
Little Reminder Stamp Set
Sparkle Button

Just about a month and a half to go and maybe we will get to meet our little miss!  

To make the Rosettes. . 

I just punched a 1 1/4 Circle.

I used my tombow and ran glue all over it.  I like the Tombow, because the glue is dry, so no waiting for it to dry.

For the large Rosette I simply took the ribbon and stuck a corner of the ribbon onto the glue.  Then, I folded the ribbon over and placed a corner of the fold above where I had just placed the ribbon. I went all the way around the circle doing this.  When I got to the end, I used a glue dot and tucked the end of the ribbon in (after I cut it) so it would have a nice edge.

To make the smaller Rosette, I did the same thing, except I folded the ribbon in half, so it would be a smaller rosette.

  

What's Happening around here.

 Dream Pop is the National Scrapbooking Special for May!  

You can totally just skip over this part. . . . 

I really can't believe it is already May (well one more day) and I can't believe they are calling for snow this week!  What?  I have never heard of snow in May around here.
It is going to be 85 today.  Snow on Thursday.  Crazy weather.  We farm, so that is the top concern, of course, but my son's field trip is Thursday and it is our town's biggest festival this weekend.  It looks absolutely miserable for those two events and that is never any fun.

Anyway. . .I got a little of topic.

I will be hosting a Workshop the first part of June.  
Everyone is invited. . .like always!.. . BUT I will be giving a FREE Workshop to anyone who purchases the Dream Pop Paper in May!  

Here are two of the layouts you can make in the Workshop.  
The Cardstock is printed with a glossy design on each of the papers!  
It is too cute!  Very summery, fun colors!

There are also three cards and some party favors that you can make in the workshop. 
PLUS, the Paper Packet itself comes with some pretty awesome ideas!

They have paired the Dream Pop Paper Pack with the May stamp of the Month!
Pretty clever of CTMH, I must say!

Notice the cute pinwheels?  

You can check out the stamp set by going here

The Cricut Cartridge Artiste will cut out the large pinwheels for you!  
Then you just stamp them in the color you want!!!
If you come to the Dream Pop Workshop, I will cut these out for you!
Even if you cut them by hand, which is actually quite easy. . . you are going to LOVE the pinwheels!


Even if you don't opt to come to the Workshop. . .or if you do and just want more ideas. . .
Your Dream Pop Paper Pack comes with this wonderful insert with all of these great ideas!  And it also lists all of the supplies used in the Artwork!  
So no guessing, how'd they do that?

Now, don't worry, I am going to give you a complete run down of all of the items you may need to complete this fabulous artwork at the end of this post. . .
I know it is already getting kind of long, but that is the way it goes sometimes!  
I have a lot to share!

Here is the insert that comes with the Paper Packet!

And don't forget May's Featured Kit is Surf's Up.
Here is the featured layout from the WOTG Kit.
Or you can make your own kit with a combination of coordinating product.
Just go to my website and see all of the options

 Now. . .here is a run-down of all of the items that coordinate with the Dream Pop Kit.

For the Workshop. . .these are some of the items you will need.

1385 White Daisy Cardstock (I will have some on hand for you to purchase.  I will provide scrap pieces for stamping)

Z1817  Slate Polka Dot Washi Tape  4.95

Z1701 Baker's Twine Neutral  4.95

Z1752 Sparkles Clear 2.95

Z1825 Keyboard Kraft Sticker Alphabet 4.95

Z1844  Color-ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes 6.95

Z1777 Color-ready Canvas Alphabet  4.95

Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim  4.95

Z1807  Pink Glitter Gems  3.95

Ink Colors Used:  Honey, Lagoon, Gypsy, Cranberry, Sunset, Desert Sand, Cotton Candy, Slate.

Z534 Micro Tip Scissors

Cricut Artiste Collection

Other Coordinating items:

C2535 My Acrylix Puns of Praise

Hollyhock Ink Pad

Z1779 Houndstooth Alphabet Irresistibles

Z1760 Burlap Ribbon

D1534 My Acrylix Patterned Pennants

Z1838 Hinged Display Tray

Z1812 Sparkle Clear Flourishes Small

C1534 Sightseer 

Juniper Ink

Z1776 Pixie Glitter Alphabet

z1802 Slate Polka Dot Ribbon

So, if you spend $35, you can get the awesome Dream Pop Paper Pack for $10.  That brings your order to $45.  If you spend $5 more, you can get the Stamp of the Month for $5!

I know it is a lot of information. . . if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

You can email, call, or text me your order.

OR you can order online!!!  

Just use the May Ordering link located in the bottom right part of my website page.  

It will ship straight to you, with no waiting!!!!  

Choose the cheapest shipping option and your shipping costs won't be much different than if you ordered it straight from me!  

And if two of you go together, than that will help even more!!

I will be announcing the date of the workshop a little closer to time!  Get the orders in ASAP!

The online ordering link will expire May 24!!!!!!!  Just to make sure we get our kits in on time!

Our Reward's Earner for May is Karen A.!  You get to pick out $30 in Free items!!

Next up are:  Tina R, Paula, and Linda W!  

Claire.

Two layouts using the Claire Collection.

The first layout was straight from the Claire WOTG Kit.

The second layout is a bit of a knock off from pg 40 of the Spring Summer 2013 Idea Book.  If you click on the link, you will also see a place where you can view all of the recipes from the wonderful artwork in the Idea book!  

I did change things up a bit on the second layout. . .I added Colonial White Cardstock bases (in the Idea Book they used patterned paper for the base pages). 

 I wanted to save my patterned paper.  

I also added the Claire Stickease to this layout (something that doesn't come in the WOTG kit).  

And in the picture, it appears they used a darker pink Cardstock (Hollyhock) for the title piece (where the So Happy is located).  

I decided to save this paper and use the pale pink, which is Blush, to make the title piece. 

The Girls Rock Stamp Set is a fun stamp set that coordinates with this kit!  

Girls Rock C1538

The flowers in the stamp set are also available on the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge!  

Just cut them out and then stamp them whatever color you want!  

Claire WOTG Kit 29.95

And I figured out my iPhone can crop photos just about how I want them!  Yippee!

I still need to figure out how to do it in CS5, but for now this will definitely work!  

And it will make blogging a little easier! 

For Always.

I created this layout using the For Always paper pack and a little help from our current Idea Book/Magic Book/WOTG guide!

You can find this spread on pg. 36 of the Spring Summer 2013 Idea Book.   It is also featured as the second layout in the WOTG layout guide (which comes with the kit).  The recipe can be found in the Magic How-to-book!

I, of course, changed it up a bit.  

I need to learn how to crop better in CS5.  I can't figure out how to crop around an image.  I know it must be easy. . .and hopefully I will figure it out soon!  I know the picture would look much nicer!

I have lots of current art work to share.  My goal is to get it posted!!

Fall and Back to School.

 Here are a couple of pages from some of the new CTMH WOTG Kits that I have put together recently.


The first is from the Flirty WOTG Kit.

I absolutely LOVE the colors in this kit!  Very on trend and very fun!  

The next pages are from the Scholastic WOTG Kit. 

This Kit is   PERFECT    for back to school pictures!  

I wish that I would have taken the time to get some better photos of the kits, but I just went with the ones I had handy.  

And with MY blogging record, it is better to just go with it than to wait until its perfect, because it probably isn't going to happen! 

Something I am currently working on here and there is photo organization on my computer/discs/hard drives.

And by organization I actually mean just backed up and moved off of my computer. 

Do any of you struggle with this?  

My computer says it is full. . . and I think the biggest culprit are my large photo files and large number of photos.

It is scary to me to only have photos located in one place.

So, if I don't load them onto my computer, but straight onto a hard drive, what if that hard drive crashes?

 I am attempting to burn all of my photos to discs (that haven't already been burned. . .I quit burning about 2006, so I have a LONG way to go).  

Long story short. . . I need to be better about keeping up on this, so I don't have  large jobs ahead of me like this. . . I feel like I have said this before??? Ha!

Let me know how you store your photos. . . . and if you have any good photo organization tips!