CM SOLID CORE CARDSTOCK IS BACK!!!

Ahem…sorry for shouting.  I’m just a tad excited!!! 

White, Raspberry, Brown, Royal Blue and Black Milled (solid core) Cardstock are now available in the Going Gone! section of my CM Advisor website. Sold in single-color packs of 10 for $10, all are while supplies last.

This solid core, smooth-like-butter cardstock is same as what the “old” CM offered. Exactly. Same supplier, quality, photo safety, the works!  In fact, CM is even using the 2013 SKU numbers!

You know I'm not one to push sales but I would like to remind you about what happened with the 8x8 albums. LOTS of people said they wanted these and CM brought them back, but they weren’t great sellers so CM removed the 8x8 albums & pages from the product line. If you like it buy it I guess I am pushing sales - but I LOVE CMs CARDSTOCK and hoping that if they see good numbers with these colors they’ll bring back more (oh, how I miss my CM Cranberry cardstock)!

Update: If you’re hoping to order these beauties CM just shared they are going fast!  You can find the Spring, Pastel & Elegant Embellishments in the Going Gone! category on my Advisor web site.

Layouts…From Simple to Grand

This is the 2nd post in a 3 part series – be sure to check out Julie Tambrini’s post on simple layouts and Diana Brinsley’s post on grand layouts! Visit the CM Blog for more info!

Do you have a “style” to your scrapbooking?  While there are probably as many different styles as there are scrapbookers it seems like there are 3 basic types of layouts.   First, there is the simple layout.  This focuses mostly on the photos and often the stories behind the photos, using maybe only a bit of cardstock on their pages and just a few, if any, embellishments. Then we have the “grand” layouts.  These pages often incorporate different techniques and many products and tools are used to create them.   That leaves us with those layouts that fall somewhere in between the simple & grand styles.   These pages dip their toes in the fun stuff but resist going in head first.  Pages that have just enough fun stuff to compliment the photos.  It’s these types of pages that I  seen to complete most often.
Before going any further I want to say that one style is better than another and there is room for ALL types of scrapbookers! 
There are no scrapbooking police.
(Thank goodness!) 

These are your pages and you have permission to do what makes YOU happy (not that you need it but there it is just in case)!  And just because you are usually are a more simple scrapper does not mean you can’t do a grand page whenever you want & vice versa!
Whatever your scrappy style is, I think you will find the Fast2Fabulous (F2F) pages from Creative Memories a nice option.  These pages are pre-decorated (some more than others) – many have matching coversets and they are so versatile!  You can easily use them as is - simply adding your photos for a very quick page or you can get creative and use them as a starting point.  Most of the pages have coordinating papers and Slide-in packs and a few of the F2F packs (Be Bold and Flourish (BB&F) and Look on the Bright Side) have pages with just a bit of decoration & plenty of open space. 
Below are 2 simple layouts using F2F pages from the Be Bold and Flourish pack.

All I added to the BB&F F2F page above is the element to the right.  I cut a bit of turquoise paper from the top so it would stand out more. It is from the Be Bright and Flourish Slide-in Pack.   The yellow boxes are printed right on the page – perfectly sized for 4x6 photos. 

I again added pieces to this F2F page from the Be Bright and Flourish Slide-in Pack (the striped papers) and also I matted one of the photos with paper from the Be Bold and Flourish paper pack.  I wanted that to stand out a bit from the others because I <3 it!
With the addition of journaling I’d be happy to put these in our family album.
Sometimes I want to be just a little more creative so I add a little bit more decoration to those layouts – like the ones below.

The new  Black ABC/123 Stickers were perfect for adding a title to the page – not necessary, I included that info in my journaling, but I like it!

I added a little more paper from the Be Bold and Flourish paper pack, some more ABC/123 Stickers (Gold and Black) and added a little bit of detail using the Black Dual Tip Pen. That helped the Gold ABC/123 stickers  & lighter paper stand out a bit.

Take a closer look at the new & improved ABC/123 stickers from CM in this video:

I’m satisfied with this layout but if I wanted to make it a little more “grand” I could add some detail, maybe a border using the Border Maker System, to the bottom of that journal block – or over the white line behind the photo of the sunflowers.  Other ways to make these pages a bit more grand:  double mat the photos (or just the favorites) use the Two-Way Corner Rounder on the photos, add some more decorative elements from the BB&F Slide-in Pack or Paper Pack…the sky’s the limit!

Click here to see the papers in the BB&F Paper pack.

Click here to see the papers in the BB&F Slide-in pack.
Click here to see the pages in the BB&F F2F pack.
What is your scrappy style? 

Now Enrolling Kiwi Lane Instructors!

I have the official go ahead to start sharing info with those that want to become Kiwi Lane Instructors!! KLD is still in the pre-launch phase and this round of sign-ups will be limited to the first 50 (total) for now.   For now, you will be able to hold Kiwi Parties & Classes and place orders but you won’t be able to sign up new Instructors just yet (just like when I first signed up.) This is a great opportunity to get in on the very beginning of this fun direct sales company. Please email me if you're interested and include your email address. I'll send details and a link to sign up out shortly after!! The link will be deactivated when the first 50 people become Kiwi Lane Instructors.

More CM Border Maker Ideas!

Sharing some fantastic ideas from my sister CM Advisors! 

CMA Jill McLeester shared a great tip for using smaller pieces of paper in the Border Maker System:

To use paper strips that are not wide enough to fit in the Border Maker System take an old Cricut or Silhouette mat &  cut a strip off the mat that is 12 inches long and 2-3 inches wide.  Put the paper strip on the mat and then place it in the Border Maker System so that the magnet is grasping the mat.

What a great way to use up those scraps!!

Here are a few ideas shared by Candace.   Visit her blog for complete instructions and more fun ideas!

Features the Film Strip cartridgeSome fun variations for this:  You could make this a limo, a boat, add school photos in the windows (maybe grades 1-11 with Kindergarten & Senior year elsewhere in the layout.)  What else could you use this idea for?

Features the Bubbles Cartridge and the Picket Fence cartridge that comes with the Border Maker System.

Shared by the CM Home Office:
Features the Film Strip Cartridge and the Star Place & Punch

(Click to enlarge)

Shared by CMA Sharon Oliver
Features the Bubbles Cartridge
From CMA Kate Shields:
Featuring the Red, White & Blue Paper Pack, Star & Picket Fence Cartridges.

Shared by CMA Diana Brinsley.
Features  Be Bold & Flourish paper and Slide-in Pack and the Shades of Neutral cardstock. Filmstrip and Bubbles cartridges.

Have fun!!

Cricut is looking for Affiliates!

Do you own a crafty website or blog? How would you like to make money promoting Cricut?

Cricut is looking for people to become affiliates.  As an affiliate you'll earn money every time someone clicks on your unique affiliate link & makes a purchase at Cricut.com. 

Need a little incentive? Cricut has increased the commission rate available through August 31st. You will earn 17% base commission and 20% commission on orders of $100+!

If you click my referral link below and sign up to be an affiliate I'll earn a bonus when you're approved! 

http://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=598872&u=818133&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=

Being an affiliate is a great way to earn money while sharing products and projects you love! 

CM - FREE Gifts with Purchase ~ Dream Big!!

The only thing better than shopping for your favorite CM products? Getting rewarded for it!

Now through August 18 (11:50 p.m CT), you'll receive stunning free gifts with each qualifying order from Creative Memories! The coveted flower & rhinestones pack will give your pages color, depth & pizzazz.  The Dream designs with their shimmery accents are darling for baby, kids, summer vacation, dream or faith albums and much more!

Dream Big!
Spend $100, get over $25 in FREE gifts:

You'll get:

• Pastel Embellishment Pack (30 paper flowers, 40 gems)
• Dream 12x12 Specialty Paper Pack (11 sheets in each pack - 8 different designs with shimmery accents & 3 die-cut pages)
• Dream Layered Stickers (2 sheets in each pack)

Dream Bigger!
Spend $501, get over $100 in FREE gifts:

You'll get:

• Sleek White EveryDay Magnetic Display (+ six white magnets)
• Dream 12x12 Specialty Paper Pack (11 sheets in each pack)
• Dream Layered Stickers (2 sheets per pack)
• Dream Big Simply Said Book

PLUS two flowers & rhinestones packs!

• Pastel Embellishment Pack (30 paper flowers, 40 gems)
• Spring Flower & Sparkle Embellishment Pack (36 paper flowers, 40 gems)

To redeem:

• Log in to your account (or create an account) using your CM Advisor’s link.  This is a link to my CM Advisor page:  http://www.creativememories.com/user/lisagraham
  (Thank you for shopping with me!)
• Go shopping!
• When your retail product total reaches either $100 or $501, you will see a large notice and image when you visit the View Cart page.
• IMPORTANT: Click on Add to Cart to have the free gift applied to your order.
• You will see the collection of free gifts included with the other products in your Cart, showing a price of $0.00

One free gift per order. Customers and Advisors may place as many qualifying orders as they wish during the promotion period. Promotion ends 11:59 p.m. CT Tuesday, August 18. Substitutions of equal or greater value may apply.

I have rounded up some ideas and inspiration (including those shown above) for the Dream items on my CM Dream Pinterest board.  Enjoy!!

Multipurpose Tool - Making A Comeback!!

THE MULTIPURPOSE TOOL IS BACK!!! 

There are other versions of this little gem out there – but none, IMHO, can hold a candle to the original.  This is EXACTLY like the first MPT that CM offered – NOT the one that was sold in the tool kit or offered by other companies.  This baby is strong yet flexible.  It removes, repositions, lifts, separates, punches, pokes, embosses, scores and I bet it could even dice & slice if you tried hard enough!

The MP Tools is available to order on my CM Advisor site along with another new item - the gorgeous Now Boarding 12x12 F2F (bookcloth!) album & F2F pages.  Orders that contain these items will begin shipping Wednesday, August 5th! 

The album is bookcloth and features four (si, quatro!) different foil stamps. The breathtaking design continues with "Explore, Dream, Discover" on the inside cover and some of the most beautiful pages yet!

See all of the Now Boarding refill pages by clicking here. 

CM Border Maker Mania Blog Hop

Welcome to the CM Bordermania Blog Hop featuring ideas for the Creative Memories Border Maker System!  This wonderful tool makes punching borders a breeze!  It’s super easy to use, is almost fool-proof (I can attest to this!) and there are some really fun cartridges available with more on the way!  Be sure to visit all the stops (there is blog candy)  You should end at the CM Blog and have a chance at a great prize.
You should have arrived here from Stefani’s blog - be sure to visit all the blogs so you don't miss anything!!

Mouse Memories

I love how versatile these cartridges are!  The bubble cartridge could be used for bubbles, of course but how about snow or confetti or mouse heads?
The above layout was inspired by an idea shared by CMA Susan Bashey Brandes (she used a hole punch to add ears to the bubbles to make mouse heads.) 
To make this layout first use the Border Maker System to punch out a border at the top using the Film Strip cartridge and another on the bottom using the Bubble cartridge.
To turn the bubble border into a mouse head border punch out 2 bubble borders – one using the red cardstock from the Shades of Red Decorative Cardstock paper pack and another using the dotted yellow paper from the Primary Paper Pack.  Use a white 12x12 refill page under the black background paper or cut a strip to go behind each of the borders from white cardstock or paper. Using the circles punched out when making the red and yellow bubble borders, fill in the larger circles as shown and tuck smaller circles behind them, adhering them to the page.

For the top border add Gold ABC/123 stickers to spell “memories” and add red stars punched out of Red Decorative Cardstock using the Star cartridge.

Add a few pieces from the Be Bold and Flourish Slide in Pack & all you’ll need to do is add your photos! 

Supplies used for the Mouse Memories page:
Neutral Paper Pack (black background paper) Shades of Red Designer Cardstock (Red mouse heads & stars) Primary Paper Pack (yellow mouse heads) The Original Border Maker System with Bubble, Star and Film Strip Cartridges. 12’ Straight Trimmer (It really cuts straight!!) Be Bold & Flourish Slide-in Pack
Gold ABC/123 Stickers
It’s easy enough to change this layout to one that is more feminine!  The steps are the same as above – with a little extra touch from the bows.

Those cute little bows are really easy to make!

Punch out a few stars using the Star Cartridge with the Border Maker System and trim off 2 of the stars “arms” to make each bow.

Adhere two “arms” from the star, points touching in the middle of the girl mouse’s head. Use one of the small circles punched using the Bubble cartridge for the center of the bow.
Supplies used for the Girl Mouse Memories page:
Neutral Paper Pack (black background paper) Shades of Red Designer Cardstock (Pink mouse heads & stars) Primary Paper Pack (yellow mouse heads) The Original Border Maker System with Bubble, Star and Film Strip Cartridges. 12’ Straight Trimmer (It really cuts straight!!)
Look on the Bright Side Slide-in Pack Gold ABC/123 Stickers
BLOG CANDY!!
Thank you so much for stopping by! Be sure to leave a comment listing which CM Border Maker System cartridge is your favorite. I’ll randomly pick one person that leaves a comment on this post to receive the borders made featured in this blog post (and a few other goodies)!  I’ll contact the winner for their mailing address. These will be mailed after August 17th…I’m blogging while on vacation (LOVE my job!!) and unfortunately I won’t be able to post them until then.
Your next stop on the CM Blog Hop is Diana Brinsley
Here’s a list of all participating in this blog hop in case you get lost:
Creative Memories Blog
Stefani Jones
Lisa Graham (you are here) Diana Brinsley
Creative Memories Blog  - be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a FANTASTIC prize!!
Good Luck!  If you’re not the lucky winner please visit your CM Advisor’s website to place your order.
Need a CM Advisor?  I’m happy to help!! If you click on any of the product links in this post you’ll be taken to my CM Advisor site. (Thank you!)