{Latest} Memory Box Layout & Cards

Today I wanted to share some of my latest Memory Box creations that you may not have seen. And yes, I even did a layout. Since the holidays are over and I know I am not going to unpack anymore boxes for a while (the basement can store them just fine), I have decided to pick up the scrapping "full force" again. I have done 3 pages in the past week, and I am having a blast. Two of the pages will be displayed in February with my Blue Fern Studios DT work so be watching for those. But for today, here is a layout I shared on my Memory Box blog along with some various cards (click the titles to go to the detailed posts with supply lists and instructions):

Mother-Daughter Duet

Heartfelt Thanks

Colorful Florals

Thanks for stopping by. And be sure to join me Friday with a very detailed post on organizing washi tape. :) See you then! Blessings,

{HSCRC12} Hymn #18, O Holy Night

Hymn Challenge #18: O Holy Night
Words Written by: Placide Cappeau
b. October 25, 1808; d. August 8, 1877

Placide Cappeau was a French poet and the author of "Minuit, chrétiens" (O Holy Night) which was set to music by Adolphe Adam. Mr. Cappeau was the son of Mathieu Cappeau and Agathe Louise Martinet. At the age of 8, Mr. Cappeau had to have his hand amputated after his friend accidently shot him while handling a gun. He was a wine mer­chant and may­or of Roque­maure, France, where he was born. He also studied literature which became his life's focus. Not much else is known about Mr. Cappeau.

I hesitated as to what to write in this post for today. I had this song picked long before the horrific events in the Connecticut shooting on Friday. Mr. Cappeau lost his hand due to a gun accident while on Friday, we see innocent children lose their lives at the hands of a troubled person with a gun. I am at a loss for words. I grieve incredibly for these families. I know those precious babies are in Jesus' hands but I grieve as a mother thinking of those moms and thinking that their empty arms. My girls have asked 'why'. We have prayed; we continue to pray. But as I look at the verses of this hymn, I am struck by several words.  First we start with the famous two lines of Verse 1: "Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!" Jesus was born. He is our light in the darkness:

Psalm 18:28 "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

Part of Verse 2 of this hymn says:

"In all our trials born to be our Friend! He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger."

Job 16:20 "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;"

Jesus intercedes on our behalf. If you are hurting during this season or know others that are, call on Him, pour out your tears to Him. He was born and knows our aches; He knows their aches. He is there helping them, helping you, or maybe He is using you to help someone else. Be there for them showing His love as Verse 3 continues with:

"Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace."

Hug someone in need today. Give them a smile. Show His love; show them Jesus. If you have not seen Max Lucado's Christmas Prayer that he posted Friday in response to this tragedy, I encourage you to read it here.

Below you will find the sheet music to "O Holy Night." Also, be sure to check out the link I have below for you today.

Listen here to hear Carrie Underwood sing "O Holy Night."

For my 6x6 page today, I used the December sketch challenge from C'est Magnifique. It's always hard to fit a lot of elements on a 6x6 page but I try. LOL! Anyway, I used the Psalm 18:28 verse listed above. I felt it was appropriate as I think of His birth and that Holy Night when He Himself was the light brought into this dark world.

Papers: Ruby Rock-It Becalm, Pion Design Silent Night cut out sheet, Memory Box mocha, Bazzill cs
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Embellishments: Poppystamps Simple Banner die and Lorelai Leaf die, Studio Calico wood veneer birds and title, Prima flower (green), misc. flower, misc. pleated ribbon, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC12 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here.

Note, I will be announcing our 2013 study in a week or so. I don't feel it's appropriate to post today. Please continue to join me in prayer for these families. May God bless each of you!

Tuesday's {Tip} Video Tutorial, Tying Crinkle Ribbon Bows

Last week I shared how I make crinkle ribbon. If you missed that post, please click here. Several of you then asked to see how I tie my bows. So, here is a quick video on how I do that.

TyingCrinkleRibbonVideo from Patter Cross on Vimeo.

And here is the bow on a card I created this morning. You can see the entire card by clicking here.

Memory Box Papers: Pool cs, Brioche 6x6 paper pack
Dies: Memory Box Pristine Border die, Poppystamps Lorelai Leaf die
Stamps: Memory Box Joy Outline A1379
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink peacock feathers
Embellishments: hand-dyed Hug Snug seam binding, Mister Huey's bonny blue mist, Paper Trey Ink button, May Arts twine, Hobby Lobby doily, misc. ticket, sewing machine

I hope you find this helpful, and feel free to ask questions in the comment section. Blessings,

Organizational {Friday} Die Cut Do-over

Okay, it's time for a "do-over." When something isn't working anymore it needs to be changed. Many of you may remember my two methods for storing die cuts. If not, you can see them here:

*Binder Die Storage
*Spellbinder Storage in Quickutz Binders

I love the binder method. It is cheap and easy to find what I am looking for; however, the binder is getting SO heavy as it has filled up. I am only going to use it now for my grand dies and my long border dies. My current die storage system needed a re-do a long time ago but I did not have time because of our move across the country. So, I collected dies, and they were just sitting in piles which made it VERY hard to find things when I wanted to use them. So, this week I took the time to get them put away and organized in a new way that I hope will last for many, many years.

I found this organizational idea on Pinterest. I loved it, and I happened to have an extra CM Mini Power Sort Box that I could use. This box measures 7 3/4" w x 6 3/4" d x 5 1/8" h.

There were a few things I didn't like about the system on Pinterest so I changed it a bit to work for me. Here is what I have come up with. First, the original idea uses magnetic sheets. Those can get expensive, and I would have needed a lot of them. Second, the magnetic sheets were glued to the Power Sort Dividers. Only 9 dividers come with a Power Sort Box so I would have needed to purchase a lot of extra dividers. I didn't want to do that. So, I used the dividers as they were intended--as dividers. Then I cut cardstock into 7 1/8" x 4 1/2" pieces, doubled up the cardstock, and placed several dies on each sheet. I cut a small piece of magnet from a roll to put behind each die. It is much cheaper to uses small pieces of magnet than sheets. This works perfectly for me. Here you can see several Memory Box dies on one sheet and then the small pieces of magnet that are behind each die.

This particular box holds my Memory Box, Poppystamps, Our Daily Bread Designs, Cheery Lynn Designs, and PTI dies thus far. There are:

*14 dividers
*38 cardstock pages
*107 dies

And this box is not full! I still have room to grow! Actually I am still putting more away but wanted to get this post up. LOL!  The dividers I have right now include:

*Alphas and Nos.
*Banners
*Birds
*Borders
*Butterflies
*Christian
*Circles
*Frames
*Garden and Floral
*Hobbies
*Holidays
*Home
*Labels and Pockets
*Wreaths

I am eventually going to do this with all of my other dies too so that I have one system not 3. This does take some time to do but in the end it is totally worth it, and this little box holds SO much! I hope you have enjoyed this. Let me know if you have any questions. I will answer them in the comment section. Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to you.

Many Creations, New Releases, & Prizes!

It seems like it's been a while since I have shared my design team work with you. I thought I would take a moment and share some of them with you here today. There is also LOTS of news to share so be sure to read closely. :) I wouldn't want you to miss out on new releases, prizes, or contests! :) Let's get started!

Memory Box Creations
First, I want to share some Memory Box creations. My layouts are my favorite because they are of a new addition we will be adding to our family! Her name is Kiwi, and we should get her around Sept. 1st. We are so excited. She is a white-bellied Caique. Our Cockatiel passed away in March, and we truly miss having a feathered friend around the house. :) Then here are some cards I have created for Memory Box: And be sure to check this Memory Box link. We just revealed our HUGE new holiday release! Lots of stamps, papers, and jewels! Yum!!! And for step-by-step instructions on any of these Memory Box creations, see my Memory Box blog here.

Layers of Color
If you haven't heard, Layers of Color is celebrating their first anniversary! Laura is giving away THREE stamp sets but you must comment on the Layers of Color blog by tonight to get entered! On the blog, you will also find out details of a contest going on too. Today is the final day to enter the contest but it's not too late. Get that crafting stuff out, and get working!

Now for my creations. Right now I just have one card to share for Layers of Color but I am working on more. This card is one of my favorites because first, I LOVE the Garden Borders stamp set, and second, it's my favorite color pink! Poppystamps
Here are a few Poppystamps creations. We are now selling woodmount and clear stamps, and you can order them directly from the Poppystamps site! Thanks for looking, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the sweet comments you always leave. I enjoy and appreciate each of you! Have a blessed Thursday!

New Stamp Company {Poppystamps}

Dave of Memory Box Co., has launched a new stamp company called Poppystamps. There are many cute images, including cats and dogs, that are all great for coloring. Here is a birthday tag I made for my aunt using the Poppystamps Catie Cupcake {220C} stamp: Papers: Memory Box Rhubarb Tart, Bazzill
Stamps: Poppystamps Catie Cupcake 220C
Stamp Ink: Memento tuxedo black, SU chocolate chip
Copics: R000, R20, R29, R35, E37, E50, G40
Embellishments: misc. ribbon & lace, Stickles diamond, Nestabilities

I didn't completely color the image in because of the beautiful patterned papers. I guess you could say I did some "sporadic coloring." :) I also colored in the cupcake icing with Stickles for a little fun.

You can order directly from the Poppystamps site, and there are several stores that are already carrying them too! Also, you can find the Poppystamps blog here. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by today! Blessings,