Time capsule ornaments

This was a great project to do with the kids over the Christmas holidays.


Ingredients:
Clear Christmas balls (I bought glass ones at Unforgettable Memories)
Photos of your lil' darlings
1/2" strips of Christmas patterned paper
Rub-on numbers
Ribbon for hanging ornament

Remove the top of the ornament.

Use your circle cutter to cut your childs face out of the photo. Roll it up tight enough to slip in the top of the ornament. I had to roll mine up quite tight and it didn't want to unroll so I used two shish kebob sticks to manuever it open again. Tricky.

Write your time capsule notes on the back side of the patterned paper strips. I wrote things like what the kids did over spring break, during summer holidays... What their favourite Xbox game/tv show/computer program is... What their favourite Christmas present of 2009 was.
If you have any suggestions for good time capsule topics please let me know.

Roll up your strips of paper and insert into the top of the ornament. Use your shish kebob sticks to open them up a bit, and to make sure the photo is mostly in front of the patterned paper. You'll be a pro at eating with chopsticks if you can get this to work.

Rub-on the year to the outside of the glass ball. I also added some SEI Christmas rub-on sayings to the back side of the time capsule ornament.

Slip the top back on the ornament and thread a ribbon hanger through the wire loop. Find the perfect branch on the Christmas tree to hang it from.

Merry Christmas

Christmas hugs.
I hope everyone of you is having a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends all around.

Last minute goodies

Can you believe Christmas is tomorrow? It seems only yesterday we were rolling our eyes at how early the stores were getting their Christmas stock in and complaining about how we were already tired of listening to Christmas Carols. And the day after tomorrow it will all be over for another year. I'm sad :(

I've been trying to come up with a plan to spread some Christmas cheer at work and finally decided on these little goodie bags last night.


I started off with the mini cards. I was going to do three Ho's stacked on top of each other(Ho Ho Ho), but once I started cutting and glueing I realized how much fiddly work that was going to be and I only had an hour before I had to leave for work. My sons science book was on the table and a light bulb went off.

My husband thinks I'm too clever for my own good and no one will 'get it'. I work with biologists. I think they'll get it.

I'm so glad I have my Revolution and don't have to 'squeeze' all those letters out. I put all three plates I needed down on the platform.


Then I cut my red cardstock into small 3/4" squares and placed one square over each letter.


I wrapped several pieces of my yummy almond roca inside snowflake cellophane and tied it all together with some green ribbon.


I'm sure everyone will 'get it'.

Still busy making ornaments

I found this idea on the Photojojo website and thought they'd be fun for Breanna and I to try.
Once I started looking I found it hard to decide on a photos to use. I didn't think peoples faces would look too good cut in strips. Here's a photo of a Toucan I took in Costa Rica.
Maybe bright, colourful photos of the garden in summer would look amazing.

I decided to try a few with various papers in my stash. This next one was made with some leftover Cosmo Cricket. I held it together with Bobunny brads that matched the paper and glued on some little blue Prima flowers.
I like that the paper is double sided so the inside isn't glaring white.

The last one I made was really hard to get a good picture of, but is so pretty on the tree. I used the Prima flocked paper that looks like lace. It's held together with decorative antiqued brads and I used the white 'liquid applique'that puffs up when heated around the top to look like snow. I added some prima pearls and I pulled apart an old Christmas arrangement for the red berries and leaves I glued on top.

Fun and inspiration....

I just came across this fun project posted on the Simply Handmade Blog.  I think these are adorable! might have to take some time with the kids to make these tomorrow....  be sure to check out the full link and instructions at the notmartha.org site!

Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!

Cheers,

Lynette

Check it out!

We have just recieved the new Epic Six by Quickutz. The new table top die cutting system. This tool can cut out and also emboss. It can cut quickutz, sizix,cuttlebug and the big shot dies as well as emboss. It has a six inch wide opening, its also contains high quality metal parts as well as light-weight and portable. This tool is ideal for scrapbookig, card making, home decor and other craft projects. ALSO RIGHT NOW ITS ON SALE FOR $89.99, SAVE $50.00. It has warranty lifetime service commitment. This is truly a product that stands behind its name.

Christmas crafts

Have you been busy crafting for Christmas? There are so many great ideas out there and a ton of inspiration if you have the time to look for it. If you're crazy busy at this time of year and don't have the time to look ~ read on. I've posted links to a couple I'm planning on trying this year.


Here are a ton of great ideas for making pretty ornaments using glitter, paints, letter stickers and rubons... This is my daughter, she's 11, making a simple ornament by dribbling Making Memories paints down the inside of a glass ball. We used 2 or 3 different colours; often using a metallic for one. Once the colour has covered the inside surface of the glass ball leave it upside down overnight for the excess paint to run out.


I used some SEI Christmas rub-ons and some pretty ribbon from Unforgettable Memories to finish of this ornament.


It's so easy even Daddy can do it.

Hmmm! We'll have to tell him not to shake it next time. I think ours are prettier.


Did you notice the little snowflake box hanging beside the 'pretty' painted ball above? I made those last Christmas and posted a 'how-to' here.

I bought these big carboard monograms by Making Memories last year but never got around to using them. So last week I picked up some peppermint candies and we glued them to the big B for Breanna. It is hanging on her door.
She told her brothers she was going to lick it everytime she went by so they wouldn't be tempted to steal her candies.

I love the idea of making a 'time capsule' ornament like they did here. I picked up another pack of clear balls from Unforgettable Memories last week so I can make one for each of the kids. It's been a busy fun year with trips, building forts, broken bones... I'll post a picture when they're done.

CROP DATES REVISED....

Sorry Folks, The dates originally posted for the retreat weekend were incorrect and have been revised to March 12th 13th & 14th.

I appologize for any inconvenience.

Regards,

Lynette

One good Christmas photo

Yesturday I dressed the girls in some matchey matchey outfits and tried to get one good photo to make some Christmas Cards using the new online options at Unforgettable Memories. Well; two hours later, some crying, yelling, laughing and complaining I managed to capture 80 or so pictures and maybe one of them is photo card material. They are so bad I feel like choosing the worst one to use on my card. I can't believe how hard it is to get one good shot of two pretty cute kids. Do any of these look like any of your Christams card photo shoot pictures?


This next one is the best shot out of the bunch. I was able to edit it online and make it look not too bad. Then I selected a photo card base. Added some text. Placed my order. And tomorrow when the store reopens I should be able to pick them up, grab some envelopes and stick them in the mail. Pretty easy.

This is one more of my precious photos. Look at their faces. So typical of their personalities. What do you think? Should I make a couple photo cards and send these ones just to the Grandmas. Hee Hee!

Get busy right now. Take some great photos of your family. Better luck to you! Go online and make some Christmas photo cards today!

Christmas Giveaways

I've been cruising the internet looking for fun ideas. While checking out the manufacturer blogs I've found a few Give Aways that (fingers crossed) I could win. Or you could...

Tim Holtz is on day ten of his annual '12 tags of Christmas'. Check out his blog to see his beautiful creations and learn some new techniques. Unforgettable Memories carries all the stuff you need to create your own tags; distress inks, paints, dabbers... and Tim posts step by step instructions for each tag with lots of pictures. That's good. I'm very visual and can follow instructions better when looking than reading. And if you leave a nice comment for Tim he might pick your name out of the hat and send you some Ranger goodies.

One of my favourite manufacturer blogs is the Prima blog. Not only do they have talented designers and lots of eye candy, they also have giveaways fairly regularly. One of these days I'll win. Check out there latest Give Away here. You might win some of these goodies. I just picked up a package of those gorgeous birds at the store last night. I can't wait to find a project to use them on.

The Scrapbook and Cards blog is having their annual “12 days of holiday giving” starting tomorrow. I'll be visiting their blog every day.

Cosmo Cricket has a give away on their blog. I love reading their posts. Even when they're not scrapbook related they are always entertaining.

You all know how much I love playing with the messy stuff, like Glimmer Mists. My Tattered Angels has a Give Away happening around the announcement of their new 'angel' who will be announced Dec 14. So head on over and make your best guess.

And lastly I joined this party late. Pink Paislee has been doing the 12 days of Christmas Give Aways and I just stumbled across it today on the 11th day. So go comment on their post and tell them your favourite Christmas movie. Don't forget to go back again tomorrow for a last chance at a Give Away.

Good Luck.
I hope you all win!

Prima's December sketch

I was going to wait till I finished my layout before posting the sketch, but it would be more fun if some of you scrapped it with me. So here is Prima's December sketch.


Check out Prima's blog to see how their designers used this sketch for their pages.

Spring Retreat Registration Opens This Saturday

Spring Retreat 2009

Whew where has the time gone. It just seems like last month we were all scrapbooking and having a great time at the scrapbook retreat in September and look it's almost Christmas! Well you know what that means....registration for our spring retreat is going to open up on Saturday December 12, 2009 at 10am.

If you're looking for a fun filled weekend away the join us for our 8th Annual Spring Retreat on March 12th 13th & 14th! (sorry this was originally posted with the incorrect dates)
Our fun exciting retreat takes place at the picturesque Log Lodge overlooking the Blueberry River Valley at the Blueberry Bible Camp. Surrounded by the beautiful landscape and cozy atmosphere of the wood fireplace we enjoy a fun filled three days of scrapbooking and crafting.

Doors open on Friday the 19th at Noon and we're packed up and ready to head home by three in the afternoon on Sunday. All meals and accommodations are included. Combined with a class project on Saturday and a fantastic goodie bag full of fun treats! You have the option as well to take a class kit and just enjoy the fun on Saturday or participate in the class, either way there's tons of treats in your class pack too!

Cost for the weekend is just $260.00 plus applicable taxes however early bird registration is just $240.00 plus applicable taxes when your registration is received before the end of the business day February 19, 2010.

Space is definitely limited so register early to avoid disappointment!  Hope to see you there!

I'll be posting the registration forms on our website at http://www.unforgettablememories.ca/spring-retreat-2009 on Friday for those who wish to print them off ahead of time and have them filled in :)


Questions? Email Lynette at unforgettable@telus.net

8 cards in 1 hour

I just completed eight cards in one hour. I used the Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses Greeting Card Kit. I love these kits. All you need is some glue and ink. You don't even need scissors. These kits are a quick and easy project. The only sad thing is that you finish them so quickly and then you have to move on to something else! I also picked up some Eskimo Kisses paper and embellishments from Unforgettable Memories and maybe tomorrow I will try to create some of my own cards. Hey, all you card makers we would love to see the cards you make using some Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses. Make some cards and then leave a link to your pics in the comments or bring them down to the store to share. Happy card making!

Oh and I will be dropping off the Christmas Mini Book tomorrow to the store. So, when you are there picking up some Eskimo Kisses check out the book and then sign up for the class on December 15th. Come on it will be fun:)

December Daily...

I printed my pictures today at the lab (actually sent them in last night via the online site :) and it was great. Tonight I picked up my pictures before leaving work and come through with putting my pictures on my page and adding my journalling block.

I had forgotten my book last night at the office so I didn't post any pictures but remembered tonight...Here's some pics of the cover and the 1st of Dec. I used mostly the new Making Memories Mistletoe lline. I just love how this line all coordinates. I really tried to pull in some past goodies but I don't think it works so well, at least not yet..

Tonight was a real treat. I watched all day for some inspirational photo's. I've started packing around my camera, along with a spare set of batteries, but didn't see anything that caught my eye and they day was almost over until we arrived home and had a wonderful surprise. While we were at school and work Jeff had a little something up his sleeve...The house was all decorated with our Christmas Lights. In years past it's been a really difficult thing to get done. Without the deck on the house it's a 12 ft lift to the peak of the roof to get the lights hung...somehow it never gets that far. Well this fall we started on the deck and so therefore there was the platform to get the lights up. We love the lights and they put a smile on our faces when we see them on the house.  Jeff you're the best and we love you!

Well there you have it page two! Hope everyone is getting in the festive mood! Jen was so right when she said having a journal like this is really inspiring and gets you into the holiday mood since you are aware and keep your eye out for something worth filling your album!

Thanks again Jen and Jen!

Lynette

Christmas Mini Album

Here are some photos of my upcoming class on December 15th. This album is made using Pink Paisley Mistletoe & Co. Collection. We will make this album from scratch and what's cool about it is that you can display it on your coffee table in a special way. Check it out...

It all folds out and stands as a star! I was inspired to create this mini book from a one similar in this months Paper Trends magazine available at Unforgettable Memories. I new just what paper and embellishments I would use for this cool book. It is actually pretty easy to make so come and join me on December 15th!

Here is a close up some pages. I will bring the project to the store this week. I have to finish typing up the instructions.

I want you to do a December Daily

Well, December is here and it's time for the December Daily album that Lynette and Crystal have told you about already. I did it last year and the best thing about it is reading it now, a year later, and being able to remember through words and the photos what our family was like then. (And of course, what the month was like for us too.) I encourage you to start one up tonight! It's only the second...and it doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to be Christmas-y. It doesn't have to have all the perfect "stuff" in it (though you know where to find it if you need any!)
It could be a plain notebook that you intentionally journal in every day this month, without any photos. It can be one photo a day on some cardstock, with a few lines about your day, or a favorite memory or a tradition you love.

I've been looking forward to starting my daily documentation for weeks. Last year, I realized that it really helps you to notice the details of your life and really enjoy them. Christmas didn't seem quite so stressful (even though the word 'sick' was written down much too frequently - oh my poor kids!) So now this book is not only fun and cool and interesting - it's also THERAPEUTIC. How can you go wrong?

If Christmas isn't a big thing for you, or you don't celebrate at all, it doesn't need to be about that just because it's December - the point is, it's a very cool and interesting project to gather the memories of a whole month and have them in one album. Your regular, everyday comings and goings, joys and disappointments, thoughts and conversations. Your LIFE, in the month of December, 2009.

This year's book is looking kind of skinny and sad still, so here's a few photos from last years album. And I'm serious! and bossy! start one tonight - you won't regret it.

31 Day's of Christmas...

So a friend of mine, Jen, came by the store a few weeks ago and mention this really cool album that Ali Edwards was doing on her blog all about the 25 days of Christmas. The chain started then, Jen told Jen who told me and I spread to the word to a few people as did they to a few others and...never thinking I would actually start an album like this but loving the idea before I knew it one thing lead to another and the inspiration must have rubber off on a few of us and after a fun evening of getting our books started......here I am on the 1st of December and I've taken my first picture and am just working on my jounalling. Jen Louie was one of the group of us that worked on these albums. (I believe I have her to thank for inspiring my other friend Jen since it was their excitement that made me want to do one too! :) )

Tonight we were off to see the lights illuminated on the large tree outside the Hospital as the Hospital Foundation winds up there annual Light a Light campaign. As we were waiting for Carol-Lyn to get out of dance last night Tyler asked me when they light up all the lights on the big tree at the hospital. This is something that my mom has usually taken my kids to and I'd never realized how much they'd enjoyed seeing the tree lite up on Decemeber 1st. (I think they're drawn also by the warm hot chocolate and christmas cookies they served there!) He called grandma as we were driving and asked her when it was starting and I could hear him tell her..." Well Grandma you could just pick me up and we could go together...yep...alright see you tomorrow...thanks Grandma!"   " OK mom it's tomorrow and Grandma's going to come get me...GRIN"  Well grandma had plans right after the light up so all of us went together tonight to watch them light the large tree up. Just as we arrived I decided I would take some wonderful pictures..perfect for the start of my album....BUT...(I can't belive i'm going to admit this) The batteries were dead...yup, went to take the perfect pics to start my album and no camera batteries.(Note to self...put an extra set in the case since it is a busy holiday season and I don't want to end up in that predicament again.) So I surfed the energetic city.ca website and managed to find an image there. Added a bit of special effects with the help of our new online photo lab and voila...here's the picture for the start of my album.

Watch for more posts as I made a commitment that this album would be filled ( the girls were giving me a bad time about the stacks of 60 some odd mini books I have that don't have pictures in them) so i'll be posting regularly and making sure I'm keeping up.... (hey girsl I'll be looking to see your book up to date too ...GRIN)

Until tomorrow,
Lynettte

Christmas Cards

Did you read Crystals post about organizing your Christmas supplies?
It's a really great idea to keep all those seasonal papers and embellishments together. I did just that last year so when it came time to make this years Christmas cards it was easy to find what I needed.


All my cards are made with the scraps and leftover embellishments from last years Christmas layouts. I've got some Reminisce, K & Co, Basic Grey, some Bo Bunny and various other manufacturers in there.


I have some favourite places to go when I'm looking for card making inspiration.
The Prima website always has beautiful card examples.

And I love Beatriz Jennings' card designs. Her blog is here.

Caardvarks is a fun challenge blog. You can get plenty of ideas and if you play along you might win a prize.

Something New

I have a solution for when you have a sticker embellishment where the color just doesn't go but the shape is right.

I love the shape of these Snowflake stickers from Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses line. The pattern was just too busy.

So I flipped the sticker sticky side up.

Sprinkled some embossing powder.

Shake off the excess.

Heat with a heat gun. And there you go. I snowflake all glitterey and white fit for any snowy day page!

Creative Christmas Chaos

So while making my December Daily journal inspired by Ali Edwards http://aliedwards.typepad.com/ I made quite the mess . My table was completely covered in Christmas craft supplies. After I finished my project and have another waiting I decided to take this time to organize. I put each individual company into a zip lock baggy.

Then complied it all together into a larger ziplock bag. So now I can set it aside and work on my next project or have it handy for when I feel like making a Christmas card or two! Plus my scrapbook table is clean and everything is all organized. Feels good after a week and a half over Creative Christmas Chaos!



Nice, clean, organized and user friendly!

Introducing myself

Lynette has been telling me to get on this blog and introduce myself...so...
I am Jen Louie.
I am a wife to Tim.
I am a mama to four boys, ranging in age from 18 months to almost 8, two of whom are already in bed for the night. Thank heavens.
I am a photographer.
I am a scrapbooker.
I am a Fort St. John-born-moved-away-for-four-years-and-came-back-again-kinda-girl.
I am delighted to be a new member on the design team here at Unforgettable. I have been coming to this store since it first opened, and I CLEARLY remember asking Lynette (7 years ago) "so, do you have any of those new 'EYELETS' I've been hearing about? They look really cool!!"
I am inspired by my family and friends - i believe everyone is creative.
I am seriously in love with this hobby. I love that the boys are old enough now to start reading all that journaling on all those pages.
I am looking forward to December.
I am still scrapbooking film photos. Don't gasp. It's true. And they aren't vintage. They're from three years ago.
I am a chronological scrapbooker, but I've been breaking out of my routine lately....I have FOUR kids. The chronological thing is starting to look like it might not happen.
I am trying to kick a Diet Coke habit.
I am officially introduced!!
(I am including a photo, because it just seems wrong to not have one.)

Upcoming Christmas Wreath class

This is a peek at the Christmas Star wreath I am making for a class here at Unforgettable Memories in early December. We will use My Little Yellow Bicycle 25 Days of Christmas paper, lots of ribbon and some other special touches. Stay posted for a finished look of this wreath as well as a date, and price. OH, It's beginning to feel like Christmas!

December Daily

So have you heard about the December Daily project over on Ali Edwards blog? If you have I hope you are very busy creating and compiling. If not check it out here http://aliedwards.typepad.com/. She talks about creating an artsy scrapbook that focuses on journaling and photos. You gather stuff you want to use, make a plan, put it together. And then when December 1st comes you start taking photos and journal each day. Here are some shot of mine...
These pictures show the side view. There is no rhyme or reason to the way or which pages I choose. I just wanted it to flow and flip nicely. This book is really full and I think it adds to the "fullness" of the holidays. I can't wait to get photos and journaling! The album is a Making Memories and I knew it would be perfect. The only problem was I couldn't grow to thick and I tried to manage that! I mostly used My Little Yellow Bycicle, some Making Memories and Basic Grey. I also tried to use bits and pieces from my stash!