New in the AMM Store...

The new releases from CHA are already starting to roll in the door and first up is the new My Mind's Eye with 6 brand new collection. First up is this Halloween line called Spider's Web. Here are a few papers from the very regal looking collection and you can find the rest along with embellishments here.

My favorite release is this one, Ooh La La For Him. Here are a few papers and you can find the rest in the store here. These papers have some really great patterns that would lend themselves well to handcutting.

The girl version of this line is called Ooh La La for Her and can be found here.

Next up is a Christmas line called Colorful Christmas and it is just that, very colorful. Have a look at some of the papers below and get the rest in the store here.

Aren't these chip shapes too cute!

My Mind's Eye also has a second Christmas line, The Merry Days of Christmas, with a more nostalgic and vintage feel with the more muted colors. Have a look below and check out the rest in the store.

And the second Halloween line, Boo To You, is below. I am in love with these little monsters. Check them out and the papers below. You can find the rest in the store.

That's all for today but keep checking the store as many of the new releases will ship this month!

Design Team Scraplift Time!!!

Scraplift!
The design team is at it again, stealing some inspiration from you the members. This time the team decided to scraplift Steph Devlin also known as "artsysteph" on the message boards. Here is Steph's layout, "Grace Was in Her Steps". You can see more of her gallery here.

Here is the lovely Stacy Cohen's scraplift of Steph's layout.
"Jump"

Here's what Stacy had to say about what inspired her from Steph's layout. "I loved Stephanie’s beautiful layout from the moment I first saw it. The curves remind me of waves and water, so I decided to do a pool-themed layout incorporating similar curvy waves."

Next up is Larissa Albernaz's take on the same layout. Here's what she came up with.
"I See Your True Colors"

Here's what Larissa had to say about what inspired her in Steph's layout. "I adore Steph’s style, especially her attention to colors. I’m amazed by the color palette she chose for her layout and by the perfect design, beautifully adorned by cute, romantic and vintage elements. My layout looks for the same design she chose and it adds the colors I search for in my life, celebrating the colors, Steph cheers us on her layouts and, of course, Frida Kahlo’s colors."

Larissa's journaling: "I walk around the world paying attention at colors...transforming my constant blue into a passion red.. my gray, into a vivid orange. If my life doesn’t own these colors, I borrow them…"

Last up is Rachel Hall. Here is her interpretation of Steph's layout.
"Disneyland Cupcake Are the Best Cupcakes"


Here is what Rachel had to say about her inspiration. "I was immediately drawn to Steph's layout in the gallery because of the flow that her page had with its flawless design and I was eager to see how that would translate into a shaped layout. I used the wavy lines that her layout incorporated even down to choosing dots and stripes as my pattern paper choices as well. I love how her design was so appealing to the eye and translates so well in so many ways!"


Thanks so much girls; these projects are really beautiful. Want the design team to scraplift you? Be sure to upload those projects to the gallery often, you might be next!

Gallery Trend-Grids

Trend Spotting!!

Browsing through the gallery the other evening I noticed a bit of a trend-grids. I know this isn't a new concept but it seems to be popping up more often. And as luck would have it the design team's challenge to one another this month was to use a grid on a layout, so let's take a look at how the design team did with this challenge using the August kit, then take a look at a couple examples I spotted in the gallery.

First up is Rachel Hall's layout, "So Very Summery".

Next is this layout, "At This Moment" by Lucy Edson.

And from the member's gallery is this layout by Pearl, "On the Roadtrip of Life".

Next up is this grid style layout, "You Crack Me Up" by Lori Gentile using new papers from Lily Bee.

Here's are two others from Design Team Member, Larissa Albernaz. This one uses Lily Bee's French Couture line.

"I Heart This"

Lastly, is this sweet one by Lauren Young, "So Berry Sweet".

Do you have a good grid style layout to share? Link us up or post in our gallery.

Technique Tuesday with Rachel Hall

Book Binding Technique Using Gutted Vintage Book Covers

While browsing through thrift stores I often find books with beautiful hardbound covers, but have damages, stains, water marks, etc on the pages. These can usually be purchased for under a dollar! I've begun using mine to create custom mini books and journals using the outer covers and binding new blank books for the inside!

Here's how to create your own!

1.) Choose your book cover and tear out the inside book part, leaving the covers and the spine in tact.

2.) Measure the inside in two places. The spine in width and height, and the inside covers. I like to write my measurements directly inside so I don't forget them!

3.) Cut out two pieces the measurement of the inside covers and one for the spine.

4.) Lay them out on your work surface for binding. Be sure to line them up evenly, leaving approx 1/8" gap between inside covers and spine. When covered with binding tape, this will be where the folds are to create the inside of the book.

5.) Using a book binding tape of some sort, tape your chipboard pieces together. You can use book binding tape, packing tape, masking tape or even duct tape to do this... whatever you prefer. It will barely show so you do not need to be too concerned with matching your tape to your project.

5.) Now cut out the pieces of paper that will be your pages. Each one is called a signature. You will be cutting these so that when folded you will have two pages in the correct size. For example, if your book needs 4"x6" pages, you will cut your paper to 8"x6" and fold. Ink, sand or other distress your pages if desired.

6.) Using a paper piercer, pierce the spine and the signatures where you will be sewing them in.

7.) Using embroidery floss and a needle, sew your signatures into place, tying them in place. Repeat until all signatures are sewn in.

8.) Cover the inside covers with pattern paper or cardstock of your choosing.

9.) Adhere book to cover of old book.

10.) Decorate the front of the book as desired for a beautiful and custom piece of art.

This is such an awesome technique Rachel, thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Member Monday with Tonya Dirk

Welcome to another Member Monday here on the blog. Today's pick comes from Design Team Coordinator, Tonya Dirk. She chose a very special person and layout to highlight and that is this layout by A Million Memories owner and all around pretty rad chick, Michelle Quinn, known to many of you on the boards as "MillionMom".

Here is Michelle's layout about her daughter's, Chloe, new pig tails. This layout it special because Chloe has cancer and through her chemo treatment she lost all of her beautiful long brown hair and in this picture we can see that Chloe's hair is growing back and is long enough to put into some cute little pigtails.


Here is what Tonya had to say about picking this layout. "I love the design and the bright cheery colors. Plus, I think it makes us all so happy to see this beautiful flower blooming again! Not to mention those are the sweetest little pigtails!!!!"

Thanks so much Tonya and Michelle for sharing this layout with us! Now go leave some love on this layout by clicking here or leaving a comment on this post! Have a great Monday!

Little Something Sunday with Karen Grunberg

Summer Fun
One of the few disadvantages of living in sunny California is that we don't have a wide range of weather from season to season. While I disagree with those who say there are no seasons in California, it certainly doesn't have the sweltering hot days or the freezing snow days we had when we lived in New York City. Even with the mild difference between seasons, I like to celebrate the small things that are only around for the duration of those three months. I like capturing the changing of the leaves.

Or the snow, even if it's fake snow.

One of the things that's special to summertime is all the blooming flowers. Last year, I made an album documenting all the colors and fruits in my yard (and I am glad I did because I don't live there anymore and I will get to remember that house forever through this album.) Here are some pages from my album:

You can see the full album here.

What's special about summer where you live? Do you cook different meals in the summer (maybe more salads or fruits)? Do you have a summer house you go to? Do you spend a few days at the beach? Do you go hiking? Maybe you spend your days at the pool because it's too hot. Or you're stuck in the non-air-conditioned subway stations like I used to be. Whatever makes your summer different from the other seasons, take a moment to document it. Life changes quickly. Soon, you might live in a different town or make new traditions and you will be glad you documented your life now so you can preserve its memories forever.

August Kit Debuts!

Here is the brand new August kit from A Million Memories called "The Final days of Summer". It is full of soft watery colors and vintage flair.

Here's what you get:

Papers:

2 Websters Pages Papers

1 Creative Imaginations Narratives Paper

4 Dream Street Papers

Embellishments:

Doodlebug Pink Alphabet Stickers

Set of 4 K & Company envelope & tag sets

Creative Imaginations Narratives Epoxy Stickers

Prima Pearl Flourish in soft pink

K & Company gem rubons

1 Prima Green Felt Vine

Coordinating Prima Hydrangeas in pink, soft pink, soft blue & turquoise

1 small A Million Memories Soft Blue Butterfly

1 small A Million Memories Soft Pink Butterfly

Coordinating vintage pearl and gold buttons by A Million Memories

Ribbons & Trim:

1 yard Sheer Pink Embroidered AMM Ribbon

Here are some more detailed pics. We'll be back soon with some design team projects! In the mean time, pick up your kit or sign up for a subscription here.

Happy scrapping!