Scor-Pal

So simple, yet ingenious!  Have you ever set out to make a handmade card, only to discover that folding it straight was the hardest part!!??  Well, I recently came across a tool that helps with just that...plus you can do so many more cool things.  (Stay with me and I'll show you!)  It's called a Scor-Pal and it looks like this...

The designer of Scor-Pal, Diana, was kind enough to send one for us to keep at Maple Memories.  YEAH!!  Now, when you come, you can try it out as well!!  Thanks, Diana!!!  Scor-Pal® creates accurate and precise scores giving you professional looking folds, no more crooked cards. Multiple scores are done in seconds without moving the paper. Perfect for accordion folds, boxes, fancy fold cards and other interesting projects! 

There are so many fun things that you can make with this thing...like these adorable little boxes.  You can find the step-by-step tutorial here.

This coffee cup box is just too cute!  What a great gift to give to a friend.

You can use it to score paper for cards, boxes, mini albums, or wherever you need a straight line! 

This little album was made using several scores with Scor-Pal.  Their blog is full of great projects and tutorials for you, so head on over and check it out!

Scor-Pal has other great products as well.  Including Scor-Tape, a double-sided adhesive that is available in many different widths...perfect for card and box making!  Oh, and did I mention that they also sent us a Scor-Pal!!???  It's a smaller version of the Scor-Pal...great for taking with you to your favorite crop or retreat house when your space is limited!  ;)  There's more, so head on over to the store, blog, and/or Facebook to check it all out.  Be sure to let them know that Maple Memories sent you!!  Happy Scoring!

Scrapbook Garage Sale

I was asked to pass this along...  

ANNUAL SCRAPBOOK GARAGE SALE

September 10^th

9-1

Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church

3700 E. Mt. Vernon

Wichita, KS

It’s that time of year once again.  Come and sell your new/used supplies.  Come and shop ‘til you drop!  Email me at Jhuelsman@keymgmt.com or call me at 619-6226 after 5:00pm for information on the sale.  C’mon girls make some extra spending money and sell your unwanted or leftover supplies.  Tell everyone you know that is a scrapbooker or cardmaker that this is the sale you can’t miss.

Table rental is $10 (same as last year).  Invite everyone you know to come shop or get a table with someone if you don’t have enough.  One table is included in the price of $10, and it is either a Round or Long table.  Get your reservations in early as they will sell out once again.

Monogram Crayon Teacher Gift

My friend, Michelle, made this...isn't it adorable!? She made this Monogram frame for her sister to put in her classroom. I think it would make a great teacher gift as the school year comes to an end. I am planning on making them for my kids' teachers this weekend, so hopefully I will have some pictures for you later. It's just crayons...some broken to make the shape of the letter and glued to scrapbook paper with embellishments of scrapbook paper, ribbon and some stickers...perfect! She found the original idea here and then this one gave her additional ideas to help her create her own unique monogram. Thanks for sharing, Michelle!

What do you give your teachers for the end of the year?

Crafty Storage

Isn't that a clever idea for storing ribbon!!? I found this picture on someone's blog over a year ago. I've been searching to give them credit and can't seem to find it. Sorry. If it's yours, let me know and I will be sure to recognize you!

I was going to do this post on storage ideas for all your crafty items. Like the use of towel bars to store punches. Have you seen this? So cool. And simple. Genious.

ANYWAY, while I was searching for the latest and greatest in storage ideas to share with you. I found a blog that had already done it for us!! It's called Crafty Storage and I plan to spend hours pouring over it when I have more time!! Here's just a small sampling of what is in store for you...

I FINALLY found time...

to scrapbook at Maple Memories!! Funny how when you own a retreat designed to help women find TIME to get away, you find yourself with less of it! HA! :) I really DO love my "job" and all the wonderful women that enter our doors. We are so blessed by each of you.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to spend a wonderful weekend at the house with some of my friends. I got more than my "normal" number of layouts completed and had lots of fun, so it was a success!! My friend, Jodi, got 66 pages done...WOW!! Here are a few of mine that I thought I would share with you.

I often receive comments about how "beautiful" my youngest daughter is, which makes me beam because I know that she is just as beautiful on the inside! This layout is my way of telling her exactly that and hopefully it will serve as a reminder as she gets older.

BEAUTY

more than just a pretty face.



Scrapbooking tip: I used letters in coordinating prints. They blended in a little to much, making it difficult to read, so I outlined each letter in a brown pen. They now stand out much more. Also, I leave journal boxes, but don't typically journal at crops or retreats. I save that for later, at home, when I don't need to get all of my stuff out...just a marker!

TORNADO SLIDE

I had fun finding paper that tied in the many colors of the tornado slide. Take a look at the picture on the far left, where my daughter is coming down the slide. The blue paint is chipped and worn. I loved how the patterned paper on the right carried that same effect on the edges.

SNOWBOARDING FUN

I'm a color matcher. I get giddy when I find paper that matches the kids clothing! Or even, like only a scrapbooking addict like me would understand, when I find CLOTHING that matches that cute paper I've had tucked away for so long! HA!!

I used a chipboard snowflake and covered it in stickles. Carried the shiny effect onto the 2nd page by adding some blingy swirls!! I LOVE THOSE SWIRLS!! So pretty.


i love you.

The lettering says, "I want to remember (on the left page) the way we felt about each other on this day (on the right)." Like most siblings, my kids fight...ALOT. I wish they didn't, but it's life. Sometimes, I even forget that there are times that they don't fight. This is why I am so grateful to have pictures...PROOF that they really DO love each other!!!

I have 3 kids. I do albums for each of them. Crazy, I know. But, I do. Every once in a while, I "copy" a layout. The picture on the right is my "girl" version and the one on the right is the "boy" layout. Hers has more texture, flowers, bling. His uses more "earthy, boy-like" colors AND it compares him to a SUPER HERO...what more could a big brother ask for!!??
HAPPY SCRAPPING!!!

Get Scrappy 2010 - YWCA Women's Crisis Center

Get Scrappy is a fundraiser to benefit the YWCA Women's Crisis Center. This year they are welcoming ALL crafters to join the fun and fundraising. This event will be held at the Beech Activity Center in Wichita, KS on March 26 and 27, 2010. Please click on the logo or links provided for more information on the dates, times, and details of the event. Maple Memories is proud to support this effort by donating to the Silent Auction, so be sure to check that out while you are there!

"Get Scrappy" began in 2005 as a memorial to Crystal White, who was killed in a senseless act of domestic violence. Since it's beginning, Get Scrappy has raised over $50,000 for the YWCA Women's Crisis Center. Domestic violence is a tragedy of our times and, unfortunately, with the changes in our economic stability, the instance of violence is increasing. At “Get Scrappy 2009” they discovered that almost half of the attendees had been touched by domestic violence - either personally or through a family member or friend. The primary purpose of “Get Scrappy” is not just another crop. Born out of a personal tragedy affecting their lives, this event is, first and foremost, an event to raise funds to assist victims of domestic violence and an avenue to heighten awareness of this tragic issue in our community.

I hope some of you can make it, but regardless, I encourage you to take a look at their website. Some of the statistics will chill you...Every year 3.3 million children witness their fathers beat their mothers...Studies suggest that one-fifth to one-third of all women will be physically assaulted by a partner or ex-partner during their lifetime (American Medical Association)...63% of prisoners between the ages of 11 and 20 years doing time for homicide killed their mother's batterer. But, YOU CAN HELP! Attend events, volunteer time, donate items, or simply educate yourself AND your children.

A DATE A MONTH

This is the gift that I gave my husband for Christmas this year. I had spent time shopping in different stores and just couldn't find the right present. You know, that one thing that he REALLY wanted. On his list...a ladder (um...how am I going to hide THAT!?), hunting pants (now, THAT's exciting! HA!)...and then it hit me! He's always saying that he enjoys the time we have together...just the two of us. With 3 kids, jobs, a business, and other activities that time is sometimes hard to come by. When we DO have time alone, we often start in on some project that needs to get done because it's "so much easier and faster to get it done when the kids aren't around." Can you relate to that!?

So, I decided to give him "A Date a Month in 2010." I made the book out of chipboard and covered it with scrapbooking paper and stickers. Tied it together with jute. Keep in mind, this is for a man so I didn't need all the bling and fancy stuff. I kept it simple.

I went downtown to some of our favorite spots (the ones we never manage to get to) and a few NEW places that would be fun to try out. I bought gift cards or certificates for each place. 12 places total...one for each month. If they had one, I tried to pick up a business card from the business. It served as the "pocket" to hold the GC (see November's page above). I then attached them to each page, along with a little note.

He liked it! Really, he did! AND we are both looking forward to our "January Date"...breakfast at the the coffee shop!

In case you're interested, I did try to pick a variety of places AND times. Here are a few examples:

January - gift card to The Well. The note said, "Pick a morning. We'll drop the kids off at school and head to The Well for coffee and cinnamon rolls!"

March - 2 movie tickets. "MOVIE NIGHT (Popcorn's on me!)"

April - GC to Main Street Deli. "Block some time on your calendar and join me for lunch!"

May - GC to AutoZone. "Need some company while you're working on your car!? I'd love to join you for a good conversation and maybe to lend an extra hand." Note to readers: My husband has an old car he is working on in the garage. Your "date" doesn't have to be going out to dinner...be creative!

August - Chamber Check (these can be used at businesses that are part of the McPherson Chamber of Commerce). Used scrapbooking paper with a deck of cards as the background. "It's your lucky month. Pick a place and I'll join you...maybe over some BBQ!?

LAYOUT PARTY

We're having a "Layout Party" at Maple Memories!! No, that doesn't mean that we're all grabbing our swimsuits and lawn chairs and basking under the sun all day. That would certainly get the neighbors attention wouldn't it!!?? :)

We want to see your SCRAPBOOK layouts!! So, add your link to MrLinky below. Remember to insert the link to your POST showing the layout, and not to the main blog. Send your blog viewers over to see others work for inspiration!

"MOM, can we please play with the rice buckets?"

Ribbons and Stickles have become some of my favorite embellishments. What are yours?

"it all leads to a TICKLE FIGHT!"

There was such an odd combination of colors in what the people were wearing and the carpet they were on. A multicolored patterned paper tied it all together.

Don't forget to add your link so that we can see what you've been up too!!

2009 Trends in Scrapbooking

I stumbled across the following list of predicted scrapbooking trends for 2009 on Scrapscene.com. What do you think!!? Have the predictions come true? What has your "trend" been this year!?

1. Small album projects will continue to be popular. They are time-limited, economical, incredibly satisfying—and they make super gifts.

2. Flock, fleece, and felt will go on adding interesting dimension and weight to pages. They provide great touch-ability and a down-to-earth feel as well.

3. Swirls and filigrees will make ongoing appearances in die-cuts, laser cuts, and inked images (stamped or hand-drawn). These fill the odd corner, direct the eye, and add a touch of sophistication. (Provide the perfect backdrop for flowers and gems, too.)

4. Doodling will rock on and on. Viva the scribble!

5. Hand-journaling will keep contributing a lovingly personal touch.

6. Interactive layouts will be given more attention, as paper engineering leads to a deeper level of involvement by the viewer and the creator both.

7. All things handmade will be hot, hot, hot. Nothing is perfect, but handmade is near enough to heaven for most of us.

GRADUATION LAYOUTS

It's hard to believe that it's already the middle of May and Graduations are just weeks or days away. Preschool Graduations...Elementary School Graduations...Middle School Graduations...High School Graduations...College Graduations...it's such a wonderful and exciting time for students and their families!!! CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!!! Here are a couple of layouts to inspire you when you are scrapbooking all of these special memories.

In a CLASS of Her Own
by Micupoftea
Scrapbook.com

Friends
by -Robbie-
Scrapbook.com

Maple Memories Gift Certificates make great gifts!! Get one for the graduate on your list (or for the Mom that needs some rest after it's all over)!!!

Scrapbooking Outside The Box

Many "traditional" scrapbookers seem to be getting discouraged by how far behind they feel with their scrapbooks. I must admit that I sometimes feel the same way, as I am trying to keep up with books for all 3 of my children. So, during my last weekend of scrapbooking with the girls, I decided to break away from my traditional scrapbooks and try making an altered project. I made a growth chart to give as a baby gift for a friend. I have to say that actually COMPLETING a project...start to finish...has rejuvenated my scrapbooking spirit!! If your feeling the same way, I encourage you to get out your scrapbooking supplies and find a different use for them!! I purchased my growth chart from a LSS, but I found it online here.