AMM Blog Hop!!

If you are here right now, you must be ready for some fun summertime inspiration! Welcome to the AMM blog hop. In honor of all the summer fun and out new Design Team members, we want to inspire you to create something fun this holiday weekend. We have projects, technique tutorials, sketches, and downloads to get your creativity working!

So what is up for grabs you ask? How about a collection pack by the new company, Echo Park, that everyone is buzzing about? So what do you have to do to win this little beauty? Well read the rules for our hop below.


RULES:
**The hop starts TODAY!! Friday July 2nd through Sunday July 4th.

**Each AMM designer blog will be showcasing a different project inspired by summer and all of its glory! Hop through each blog to check out the instructions for creating each project, then choose a project to recreate.

**Post your project in the AMM gallery and in this thread.

**You will have until Friday July 9th at midnight to post your project to be eligible to win the Echo Park Collection pack, Sweet Summertime!

**More than one project created earns you another chance in the random drawing. Please be sure that projects are created especially for this contest.

This is your first stop, next you will head on over to Carole Janson's blog! Have fun

June Design Team Challenge Winner!

Say a big congratulations to our June Challenge winner, BarbP! She created the layout below based on Rachel's sketch and Kat's twist to flip the sketch somehow.

BarbP has won a $10.00 gift certificate to the AMM store as well as a selection of vintage trims!

"Oh Mom!" by BarbP


Look for a new Design Team Challenge coming July 1st with a new chance to win!

Technique Tuesday with Larissa Albernaz

Inspiration!
Be inspired by a card and create a unique scrapbooking design! I found this cute card when I was visiting France in May, and I knew I wanted to incorporate it to a scrapbooking page, using patterned paper to reproduce that image.


I think the Hopscotch image is perfect to illustrate happiness, so it´s also perfect for a colorful summer project. And that´s what I did: a summer project using the new Echo Park Sweet Summertime Line.


To start, if you´re afraid of drawing, all you have to do is use vellum or a scanner to help you transfer the image.

Anyway, I´m giving you the Hopscotch template here. Print and re-size it if necessary.

Then, using the template, cut and glue the pieces to reproduce the Hopscotch idea.


Now, pierce holes through the paper.


Embroider the hopscotch lines using stitching.

Incorporate it on your page the way I did below.

We are having a SALE!!! Get your Echo Park Paper Pack TODAY and save 10% off of your entire order. Just use code 630 at checkout. Remember, US Customers get $5 shipping too. Enjoy!

Member Monday with Kay Rogers

Happy Monday. Hope everyone had a good weekend! Today we have a new Layout of the Week chosen by Kay Rogers. She chose this layout by AMM Newbie "christinescraps". Kay said, "I love the fun and bright colors and her use of the Sassafras."

"It's A Zoo Out There" by christinescraps


Here is a short interview Kay had with Christine to help us get to know this AMM Newbie a little better.
1. What are you favorite color combos? I am very eclectic person so it's hard to tell you what color combo I like best. I love to work with all kinds of colors but my favorite color is green so I find myself using that color alot paired with yellows and blue for spring and summer layouts and orange, red and brown for fall and winter themes. Pairing just about any color with black is also a big hit in my book.
2. Who are some of you favorite scrapbooking manufacturers? I really have a lot of favorite scrapbook manufacturers but ones that I couldn't live without are Bo Bunny, Nikki Sivils, Pink Paislee, Iron Orchid Designs, and Basic Grey.
3. When is the most productive time of day for you? The most productive time of the day for me starts around 2:00 p.m. I like to get all of my chores and errands done and out of the way so that I can just concentrate on creating. I prefer working late into the evening rather than getting up early in the morning
4. How long have your been scrapbooking? I have been scrapbooking since 1996. Things have changed so much since I first started and I have learned so many fun new techniques since then that keep this wonderful hobby fun and fresh.

Check out her gallery here and be sure to leave this newbie some love on this post!

Little Something Sunday with Rachel Hall

Summer Fun List Clipboard



Materials Needed:
Clipboard (I found mine cheap at Walmart)
Patterned Paper and Embellishments (I used the Echo Park Sweet Summertime Collection)
Strong Adhesive like Fabritac

Directions:
1. Choose paper to cover clipboard and trace and cut.

2. Cut a space where the clip is... don't worry if it is perfect, you will be covering it up anyways.

3. Adhere paper to clipboard. There will be a small portion of the bottom of the clipboard that is uncovered.

4. Sand edges smooth if desired.

5. Cut four strips of patterned paper 1 1/2" wide and approximately 10" long. Scallop and distress edges.

6. Adhere strips down on bottom of clipboard overlapping them how you prefer. This will cover that bottom area of exposed clipboard.

7. Add some trim to the top of the area of overlapped strips if you like for a finished look.

8. Print out your summer to do list and cut how you prefer.

9. Mat your list on top of patterned paper of your choosing.

10. Clip to board. Adhere if you do not plan to change out your list.

11. Add your letters, embellishments, etc.


To cover the metal clip:


1. Cut a piece of patterned paper to 5 1/4"x 5".


2. Wrap the patterned paper around the clip, cutting where the hanging metal piece will stick out and around to the back of the clipboard. It will be held in place on the front by the clip and adhered using your adhesive on the back.

3. Go out and do all of the things on your list and enjoy your summer!!

July Guest Designer Reveal!!

Please say a warm welcome to our July Guest Designer, Jenni Hufford! I am really excited to see what she does with our awesome July kit. I stumbled upon her blog while doing some Internet surfing and really just fell in love with her pretty work. So read on to get to know more about her and see some samples of her work.


Hello! My name is Jenni Hufford and I am the Guest Designer for A Million Memories for the month of July! I am so excited and really looking forward to it! I live in Indianapolis, IN with my husband Todd and two children, Jonah James (4) and Jordan Nicole (2). While I was growing up, my mom was a scrapbooker and even surprised me at my high school graduation with four amazing albums. It wasn't until I had my own son four years ago that I began scrapbooking myself. I enjoy every aspect of the hobby-- retelling the stories, the creative aspect, and even the friends I have made in the scrapbooking community. I am currently a designer for Lily Bee Designs and Elle's Studio (although my design team term ends in June). I would love for you to stop by and visit me on my blog at www.huffordhouse.blogspot.com

Here are some samples of her super awesome work. Have a look below!

I adore the layering here!


Love this two-pager and all the white space.


Again, more beautiful layering


I love the mosaic/grid patterned paper on this. Definitely something I want to try.


This is adorable too. Love the misting and splatters.

Tune back in to see what Jenni creates with the July kit and be sure to welcome her by leaving a comment on this post! Stop by her blog for lots more inspiration!

Meet Zoe Nembert-New AMM Designer

Hi there! TGIF! Today I would like to introduce you to the 4th newest member of the AMM Design Team, Zoe Nemburt. Have a look below at some of her incredible work and read a little more about this talented lady.


My name is Zoe Nemburt and I live in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia, with my husband of 8 years and our 3 children Yasmin 7, Aydin 6, and Ceyda 3, I work for Canada Post by day as a letter carrier and scrap obsessively on my days off and evenings, My husband just graduated as a Carpenter and he also volunteers for the local Fire Department.I was born in southern England and we all moved here to Canada in 2006 and have never looked back this is our new home and we are proud to be Nova Scotians!I've always enjoyed playing with paper and have dabbled in scrapbooking for many years however in February of 2008 I got bitten by the scrapping bug and have never looked back, I am now proud to call myself a scrap-a-holic. I am so happy to a part of AMM’s DT I’m very excited to inspire and be inspired over the next 6 months.

Have a look here at some of her beautiful work. I have been wanting to do one of these trays and this one is so inspiring and romantic.

Here is a little interview I did with Zoe to help us all get to know her a little better.

1. How did you get started in scrapping? I have always loved being crafty. I even remember being at my nan’s house with an old fashioned sugar paper scrapbook and cutting and gluing pictures from old cards and magazines. Since having my children, I started to make some cards, and it very soon evolved into the 12 x 12 format! I didn’t have an LSS, so I always had to order online. So I went online for my inspiration too, and the rest is history as they say.

2. How would you describe your style? Well this is a good question. Nine times out of 10 I would say Shabby Chic. I love a touch of vintage, pretty flowers and lace. But then of course sometimes I love clean lines too!

3. What are your favorite manufacturers? October Afternoon, The Girls Paperie, American Crafts, Pink Paislee & Prima.

4. What is your favorite color or color combo? Teal and Brown – Although I don’t think I have ever scrapped this combo. Hmmm a future project no doubt. :)

5. Do you have any other hobbies other than scrapping? I love to read. I got sucked into the Twilight novels like most others! I love to be outside whether it’s raining, snowing or the sun is shining. We go to the beach a lot as a family too.

Thanks for sharing with us Zoe. Be sure to stop by Zoe's blog for more inspiration!

Meet Carole Janson-New AMM Designer

Today I would like to introduce you to the third of our four new designers, Carole Janson. Keep reading to learn more about her and to see some samples of her fantastic work!

Hi, my name is Carole Janson, and I am a married mother of two children and a very supportive husband Michael. I live in Gladstone Central Queensland, Australia. I am very excited to be joining the AMM Design Team. I have been scrapping for over 7 years now, and I love it. It really is a big part of my life, and it is a way for me to express myself and just enjoy creating and having fun. I am a 3 dimensional scrapper. I love to layer my projects using pattern paper etc. I love texture and plenty of color. I also love to embellish, so the use of stickers, chipboard, flowers etc., are always on my layouts along with some hand stitching. I have been lucky enough to be on several manufacturing Design Teams, and I am currently designing for Karen Foster Design, Petaloo, and Bo Bunny. My hobbies other than scrapbooking are jogging, reading, jet skiing and of course spending time with my family. I am very excited to be joining the AMM Design Team and just can't wait to get to started.

Here are a few projects by Carole that are just too cute for words, so I will let them speak for themselves!

Here is a little interview to help us all get to know this lovely lady better.

1. How did I get started into scrapbooking ? I was introduce to scrapbooking by a friend, and I loved it straight away.

2. How would you describe your style? I am a 3 Dimensional scrapper. I like lots of layers, and plenty of color. I love any type of embellishment such as stickers, flowers, chipboard etc., and you will always see plenty of embellishing on my layouts. I like to scrap boys and girls layouts, and I love fussy cutting.

3. What are you favourite manufacturers ? I love Bo Bunny, Crate Paper, Cosmo Cricket, Petaloo, We R, Websters Pages, Sassfrass Lass. Actually I like lots of manufacturers, especially if their products are very pretty or very cute. Any of these things draw me into a manufacturer.

4. What is your favourite color or color combo ? I love purple, but I love mixing colors, so I wouldn't actually say I have a favourite color combo. Just what ever takes my fancy at time.

5. Do you have any other hobbies other than scrapbooking ? Yes, I love reading, jogging, jet skiing (have my own) and absolutely love it, and just spending time with the family. I love taking holidays.

Thanks Carole and welcome tot he family! Be sure to stop by Carole's blog for more inspiration. We will be featuring our last but not least new designer Zoe tomorrow.

Technique Tuesday with Staci Taylor

Handstitching
I am going to show you how to do handstitching to add a little something extra
on your layouts. There are many templates out there for handstitching, but I
prefer to make my own by simply making holes with my needles around the outside
of a shape (or a word).

As you can see here, I used a die-cut star paper as my template. I began by using my needle to poke holes around the entire star.

Next, to make a simple backstitch, I began by bringing the needle up (from the
backside) through hole A.

Then, I brought the needle back down into hole B.

The entire process started again with hole C. I next brought the needle up through hole C
and down hole A. I continued this process until the entire star was stitched.

I now had a neat stitched shape on my background paper, and I built my layout up
from there.

Hand stitching is not only easy to do, but it's a lot of fun and adds great detail to a layout or card!