Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Pottery Barn Lies

Just because their products are classy cool doesn’t mean they’re above telling little white lies, or at least stretching the truth. For example, when they say, “Creating a memory wall just takes a little planning,” they’re leaving out a few important steps. Sure, there’s the planning, but creating a “memory wall” (AKA a photo collage with frames) involves SO much more than that, as I found out the hard way.

Here's how it went down:

Step 1: Find the photos, gather the frames and fill the frames with the photos. Then it's time to arrange those frames. I put mine out in an area of my living room floor that was the same size as my wall space.



Step 2: Trace each frame on white paper, cut out each outline and mark where each nail will go on the paper.


Step 3: Now that your paper frames are ready, it’s time to arrange them on the wall using painter’s tape and a laser level, following the frame pattern you’ve set up on the floor.


Step 4: Following the nail spots you marked on each piece of paper, begin putting small nails in the wall. These will hold your frames when the time comes to hang those beauties.


Step 5: When each nail is in place, remove the paper and hang those frames, as Cor is doing here.


Step 6: At last, after a looong day of work, you have yourself a memory wall. Whew! What a relief. And what a fun addition to our home.


Trust me, when all is said and done it’s more than just “a little planning,” despite what PB may say on the matter.

BUT…

This is not to say that it’s not worth it. Sure, I spent most of my day off working on this project, but I love the way it turned out. If you want more on this look, check out this post on the subject by my creative pal, Wendy.

And take a look at this how-to video by Pottery Barn, keeping in mind they aren’t 100% accurate with their description of the work involved, and I even took some serious shortcuts, as you’ll see when you watch this little flick. Enjoy!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Winner Winner


A great big Memorial Day congrats to my Easier-than-Ever Scrapbooking 2 winners. Random.org has selected the following blog buddies:

  • CindyML: "I have been looking at this. Would love to win it. Thanks!"


  • Kim Kosmatka: "This looks like a good one!Count me in!Thanks for the chance."


Please e-mail me at M2E2G@aol.com with your name mailing address (with "blog winner" in the subject line) to receive your prize.


Thanks for all who played along. I enjoy reading your comments and appreciate you taking the time to share.


I would also like to thank the men and women of the armed forces on this, Memorial Day 2009. Your sacrifices and those of your family are deeply appreciated!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Pretty in Pink


On your mark…
Get set…
Go!

And we were off, racing for a cure to breast cancer. Women, men, children and even animals showed up in their pink pretties…pink as far as the eye could see. It was an amazing sight—both sad and wonderful. Sad, because these thousands of people have all been impacted by breast cancer in one way another. Wonderful, because there was a serious sense of unity and support in the air. Plus, this meant hundreds of thousands of dollars was raised in one day, which is awesome. My emotions were definitely running high! (No pun intended.)

Pop and I “ran” the 3.1 miles (really a brisk walk, with plenty of photo-op stops along the way) for my mom, as did three of Mom’s friends and Angie (who was also there running—and she really ran—for her SIL, Becky).


As you can see, we finished in just over an hour. Not too shabby considering we probably didn’t even get off of the starting line (because of all of the people) until about 15–20 minutes in. Okay, so maybe it's not great, but we finished, and that's what matters, right?


The race wove in and out of the streets of Salt Lake City. Many people living in the houses along the sidelines were out in their yards watching, and it’s no wonder. It was quite the spectacle. People in boas, wigs, capes, pink spandex jumpsuits (a man), even a human bowling pin. That’s right, take a look…


A beautiful, pink parade!


This is something Pop and I will definitely do again next year, and this time we’ll have Mom there with us, sporting her pink survivor shirt.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Weirdness, Winners and MORE Prizes



As some of you know, I ran a little Easier-than-Ever Scrapbooking 2 promotion on my blog last week. For some reason, I’m afraid this post wasn’t visible for those who use Internet Explorer as your web browser (most folks). I’m not sure why this happened, but I think I’ve fixed the problem with the browser. Now it’s time to make things right with you, my cute blog buds.

Since there was a technical difficulty, I’m only going to announce two winners of the brand spankin’ new CK special issue today. I’m then going to open this contest up for two more readers to have a chance.



Yes, I’m going to give away two more copies, making a total of four prizes!



So, my first two power ball numbers, as selected by random.org from the comments received on my original ETE2 post, are…

4. Flagstaff: “I like to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I scrapbook 6x6 cards for my mom & 5x7 cards for my dad with some of our older family photos. Along with the standard sentiment inside (happy bday or whatever), I include my journalling for the photo on the front. I gave my mom albums that she sticks the cards in and, voila! Two scrapbooks done.”

AND

12. Julie: “I love sketches! I have to admit, I don't use them that often (I have very limited dedicated scrap time), but they are fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win! :)”

Congrats, friends! Please e-mail me at M2E2G@aol.com with your name and mailing address and I’ll get your new magazine in the mail.

Now It’s Your Turn to Win!

I’ll announce my next winning pair on Monday. You have until this Saturday, May 23 to leave a comment on this post to be entered.

Thanks so much for your patience and support of my blog bid-naz. Sorry about the bugs.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Time to Teach

Note: I posted this on Tuesday, May 12, but for some reason it went all crazy in Internet Explorer, so some of you may be seeing it for the first time now. :(

Calling all crafty chicas and chicos in the Manchester, NH area! I’m in town and looking to meet you. I’m here to teach at the Creating Keepsakes Convention (CKC) this weekend. One of my favorite aspects of this job is meeting new friends who share my passion for making paper magic. Are you in?

I had the pleasure of doing this a few months back in St. Louis. Here are a few shots of the incredibly talented Kim Kesti and I having our Arch moment between classes.








And I’m already getting in my share of Manchester moments, including a trip to the breathtaking Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park…

The falls (behind me) felt fantastic splashing on my skin after a long, hot hike.






You know you're in New England when you see awesome covered bridges like this.




The longest candy counter in the world…


Jars and jars of beautiful bubble gum goodness!
And a super cute yarn shop, where I paid way too much for some fancy shmancy new buttons.





My longtime buddy Bobby is now an east coast kid and has been an awesome tour guide. Thanks, Bob-O!


It’s about time to wrap up the sightseeing and get to work teaching (if you can call that fun “work”). I hope to see you this weekend.

Smiles! Megan

P.S. To see just a little of what CKC is all about, check out the CK blog, where I have videos from the St. Louis show posted. Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Easy Scrapbooking and Blog Candy


Ready for some easy scrapbooking? If the answer is yes (and really, when isn't it a good time for quick and easy page ideas?), then you're in luck. Three winners are going to walk away from this post (or would that be "surf" away?) with a new copy of Easier-than-Ever Scrapbooking 2, the latest special issue from Creating Keepsakes magazine.

As the title suggests, this issue is loaded with simple page ideas, made with basic supplies found in your stash and nothing takes more than 45 minutes to create. Pretty sweet, right?

LET'S LOOK INSIDE

This page, created by Nicole Samuels, is a fun example of the "fussy cutting" technique. Basically, this means cutting out part of a bold pattern from patterned paper and using it on your layout vs. trying to make the entire sheet work. I love how she cut this on an angle.


On this page, Susan Opel used lace paper to create a fun pattern. And she didn't stop at the lace. She added foam stickers and puffy paint to give the lace some playful character.



For more layout sneak peeks from this issue, click here.

GET YOUR COPY

As a special gift to you, my blog buddies, I have a coupon code, good for 10% off this issue. Simply click here to go to the CK store and enter GOXG-5Y78-7A17.

WIN A COPY

Wait, before you head to the CK store, leave me a comment here, telling me your favorite scrapbooking shortcut. From the comments I receive, I'll randomly select three winners who will each receive a copy of this issue. You have until this Saturday, May 16 to leave your comment. I'll announce the winners on this blog on Monday, May 18.

Good luck!
Megan

P.S. I'm teaching at the Manchester, NH Creating Keepsakes Convention this weekend. Will you be there? If so, I hope you'll stop by and say hello. :)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Make a card for Mom in less than ten minutes


In need of a quick and super easy Mother’s Day card? We’re getting down to the eleventh hour, after all. This card took me no more than ten minutes to put together and the supplies required are minimal:

  • Brads
  • Ribbon
  • Cardstock
  • White letter stickers
  • Chipboard flower

To create the leaves, I simply folded a double-sided piece of ribbon together and attached it with one of the brads from my stem.



I know this card isn’t crazy complex or innovative, but sometimes those quick and easy ideas are helpful to have on hand.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the beautiful moms out there. Thank you for making the world a better place!

Schmom and Lorna (my MIL), I love you!






Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Hip Hooray to my NSD Winners!

Hola! Feliz Cinco de Mayo, mis amigos.

Today’s a special day and not only because it’s Mexican Independence Day. It’s also the day I announce my Nat’l Scrapbooking Day winners. But before I do, I’d like to thank all of you for entering and participating in my giveaway. I simply love reading your comments and couldn’t agree with you more on the wonderful reasons we scrapbook.

Okay, on to those winning names.



First, the bucket of brads. And the winner is…
Jenn: Scrapbooking lets me be me! It's my way of keeping a journal of my life and my kid's lives.





Now, on to the Chatterbox album and frames. The lucky lady giving these a home is…

Christy: I love your blog! I will definitely be checking it our more now! I give a hoot about scrapbooking when my kids sit down with their albums and look through them over and over again! That makes it worth it!





And last but not least, the Making Memories yum. Yeehaw for…

Lisa: I think the best thing about scrappin' for me is the opportunity to make friends and have social time. I do love my alone time in my scrap cave but the group scraps are the best and really helped me emerge from my post-partum blues a few years ago!

Congrats to my winners! Please email me at mhoeppner@ckmedia.com with your name and mailing address and I’ll get your prizes shipped.

And again, thanks to all who left comments and celebrated NSD along with me. Let’s do it again next year, shall we?

Adios!
Megarita

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Party Like It's NSD!




Celebrate good times, come on! Today’s a celebration of scrapbookers and scrapbooking. It’s National Scrapbooking Day (NSD). In honor of this special day, I have a few goodies to give away, but first, I want to share something with you that Jenifer, my niece, made.

She drew this picture and made this note when she was visiting last week. She’s only 14 and she already recognizes the importance of scrapbooking.


It says, "To give a hoot about scrapbooking is to give a hoot memories. And memories are a gift from you to you, so give a hoot!" I couldn't have put it better myself. :)


To celebrate this hoot-worthy hobby, I’ve got a few supplies to give away to you, my blog readers. All you have to do is be random… Well, your comment has to be one of my random winners, that is. Just comment stating what it is about scrapbooking that causes you to give a hoot.


From the comments I receive this weekend, I’ll draw one winner to receive this bucket of brads (bucket not included):


One winner will receive this Chatterbox prize package (a brand new mini album kit and frame set):


And one winner will receive these new Making Memories goodies (ribbon and brads):



I’ll announce my winning names on my blog on Tuesday. In the meantime, I hope you have a fun time celebrating NSD!


Megan


P.S. Did you know that today is also free comic book day? That’s right. My older brother is out on the town this very minute collecting his free books. If you want your own freebies, check your local comic book stores for participating locations. Enjoy!