And the Winner is...

Me!

I can hardly believe it. Oh My Crafts was having a YouTube Contest. If you watched and liked the video for the new Amy Tan line and left a comment you were entered into a drawing for a signed Amy Tan tote and some embellishments. I'll be sure to share the goodies with you when they arrive and let you see what creative uses they will go to.

If you haven't checked out the Oh My Crafts Blog found here I suggest you check it out! There is much in the way of inspiration and a few fun contests. They even have a YouTube channel you might want to also check out for more tips and inspiration.

Excited... looking forward to my special delivery!

Valentine's Theme Sneak Peak

I love Valentine's Day for what it's supposed to stand for, a day to take a moment out of our busy schedules and remember those we love and show our appreciation for. I know I often think of my husband but probably don't show him how extra special he is as much as I should. Everyday life just gets in the way. As much as I try to remember to make time, sometimes it isn't enough. Valentine's Day is just a little reminder to do just that. I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. My sweet husband sent me this wonderful chocolate dipped Edible Arrangement. Just what a pregnant woman wants... chocolate (with fruit of course to make it healthy!)

In honor of Valentine's Day I have a sneak peak of the layout I started working on. I'm not as organized as some of you out there who do your holiday pages in advance. I tend to be inspired as I'm experiencing the holiday. I hope to have the finished project posted shortly.

My layouts often times will start with a rough sketch to focus my ideas. From here I'll embellish as the creativity flows.

My Mind's Eye valentine's papers

Great memories are made with those you love.

A Sweethaven Summer Online Launch Party! {HUGE Giveaway!}

Hey folks, 
Guess what?!?!?!... a great giveaway is available over here
 
TONS of great goodies for the scrapbooker and stamper, also Courtney Walsh's new book A Sweethaven Summer is part of the giveaway. To quote Courtney from her blog "The story of Sweethaven centers around a faded scrapbook...one that's full of secrets and stories of years gone by"... sounds like a great read :) You should stop by her blog to post a comment for her giveaway or at the least check her book out!

Again, its all about the memories...this book has it!
~Jennifer~

Bobbins, Blankets and Bleeps

I had this wonderful idea about a month ago to sew a baby blanket for one of my best friends for her baby shower. I’d seen this cute idea for a baby blanket made from soft flannel with ribbon tabs and I found this excellent video that walks you through making your own from start to finish here 

The blanket essentially went together with no problems (remember I’m not an experienced sewer and if I could manage this project from a YouTube video, so can you!)… until the last step. After turning the blanket right-side out you are supposed to stitch all the way around to secure the opening you just pulled the blanket through and finish off the edges. I decided it would be cute to use the zig zag stitch for this and add a little fun to the piece. 50+ tries later with the zig zag stitch and countless hours with my seam ripper and pulling out thread I was about ready to pull my hair out! !@#$%^&!!!

Me with my seam ripper yet again. We are becoming best friends!

Luckily, I had my sewing class the other night and… teacher to the rescue! I’m happy to say that what I thought was total user error was only partially user error. If you don’t have your bobbin in correctly, the tension is off (I know, I know… go figure, right?!) and the zig zag stitch really shows the flaws. A quick lesson in how to properly place my bobbin and I was good to go. Wow, wish I had known that weeks ago as I struggled to figure out why it was I couldn’t sew a proper zig zag stitch. Nothing replaces a good teacher, the machines manual did not diagram the thread placement in the bobbin case very well.

So the blanket didn’t make its appearance at my friends shower last weekend, but it will make it in time for the sweet baby girl’s arrival.

Ready to be cuddled and snuggled and apart of the little one’s memories.

~Jennifer~

Thursday and that means Quilting Day

So it's Thursday and I attend my second quilting class in the evening. Learning to quilt has been a “to do” list item for me for about two years now. And after blog stocking Cluck Cluck Sew (thank you Allison) for the past year, I knew I wanted to create one of her fabulous patterns one day. I finally decided this past summer that after the wedding was over I was going to find a class. Let’s face it, leading up to the wedding there was no time to indulge in new hobbies; I was so busy making so many different things for the wedding. But I digress. It just so happens that timing is everything and upon arrival from our honeymoon we found out we were expecting our first child. I had to find a class! I needed to start making a quilt asap for the baby! 

The class I attend is held at a local high school and is an intimate setting with four students and our wonderfully sweet teacher. I’ve chosen the quilt pattern Shortcake from Cluck Cluck Sew, but have altered my fabric selection to fit a modern and classic boy’s nursery. The fabric I selected is a mix of various designers and collections, but mostly I’ve used fabrics from Michael Miller. I love the colors and the quality of this fabric. So easy to work with and so fun to look at!

Fabric is quickly becoming a new addiction, like pattern paper has been for me. Just so many wonderful patterns and prints in beautiful colors and textures. There may be a 12 step program in my future if my husband has his way, LOL!

As I mentioned I’m not a quilter (yet!), and this is my first attempt really at sewing anything. I’ve made a few clutches in the past and can fix a hem or tear usually, but a real project like a quilt, never! So to start this project I first had to undergo the huge undertaking of finding 12+ fabrics that would coordinate and would complement the nursery design I had in mind. This was easily imagined but not done. After several weekend outings and a number a fabric stores across two states, I selected my fabrics, I came up with a total of 12 fabrics.

Then came attending my first class so I would know exactly what to do with these beautiful creations. I was terrified to cut into them and make a mistake (perfectionist inside coming out).  Out came various strips of 2 ½” wide to be cut into the proper squares and rectangles for my quilt blocks.

Next up, learning to sew a straight line (no small feat). I don’t have a ¼” foot yet for my machine, which my teacher swears will be a night and day difference to my comfort, so I have to use my regular foot that came with my machine for now. A few wonky stitches and a love for my seam ripper (best invention ever!) I had my first two pieces together.A few more passes through the machine and my first block is complete!

 

Not bad for a first timer if I do say so myself! I think I can handle this quilting thing... so far.

Thanks for stopping to by to read, I know this was a longer post.

Keep making memories!
~Jennifer~

What to do...

when inspiration hits? Or is it insomnia that has hit me? Either way, my mind is racing with ideas (as is normal during normal waking hours, but lately the nights are full too) and so while I find myself up for a potty break and midnight snack (as I've grown accustomed to in this pregnancy) I thought I shall take a stab at this blogging thing. So what's on my mind you might be wondering? Well, work, but that would bore you so I shall move onto better things. First there is the scrapping that needs to be done of all the wedding and honeymoon photos. Then there is the scrapbook for our coffee bean that is on the way I really want to get a good start on before our world turns upside down in the best way imaginable! (for a while that is anyways). There is the quilt I'm learning to make for the nursery, along with the curtains and other bedding items (couldn't find any bedding in the stores I liked for a baby boy so I decided to make my own, but more on this later). Then there is the scarf I thought I'd knit for my MIL's birthday. Did I mention I don't really knit... what was I thinking?!?! Oh the projects I get myself into, and its never one at a time. Feast or famine I say! But I'm not happy if I don't have on-goings to attend to. Busy busy busy. And there's more going on in the world of You & Your Memories if you can believe it, so stay tuned, I hope I can inspire your creativity or add a smile or laugh to your day. Sandman is calling. Until next time, it's all about you and your memories, so make the best of them!

~Jennifer~

P.S. Here's a little something for the eyes. Baby shower card with Kraftin' Kimmie Caroline stamp, colored with copic markers.