Another 2012 Valentine Project

Ah yes. I forgot to mention the super simple project that we're offering at our upcoming class for those who only have a few pictures...or about 10 minutes to finish a project!

You finish the project the exact same way as we detailed in the previous blog entry. The beauty of this project is that it's so fast that you can make one for each family member!

Free downloadable file for project here: Love Blocks Valentine Project .pdf. Just be sure to use a laser printer!

Beth Graham is an amazing photographer. She shared some darling pictures of her own kids which we used for this sample. Be sure to check out her blog for more examples of her work.

2012 Valentine Love Project

One of the sweet things about going through Grandma's house this past Christmas was the wonderful pile of family photographs that we discovered. Up to that point, I had about 3 photographs from my husband's childhood.

We are gearing up to teach another holiday class at Deseret Book in February. (We'll be there February 4th from 10-12.) Our ornament projects are pretty popular there and with Valentines Day right around the corner, we thought of another simple project that uses the 2" wood block.

Suni was tasked with coming up with our samples. Imagine my joy when she returned these using pictures featuring photos from the life of our mom and grandma that had just passed away. I think it's the perfect way to say I Love You!


Of course, we want to share this project with you...
First, you need to gather some supplies:

2" Wood Blocks
Decorative Paper - or print out our Love Blocks Valentine Project .pdf. Just be sure to use a laser printer!
Decoupage Glue - We like ModPodge's Matte Glue
Foam Brush
Scissors
2" Pictures (Print these on regular paper using a laser printer.)
Sandpaper / Sanding block
Distress ink / chalk (optional)
Finishing Spray

Step 1:
Prepare your pictures. You have two options. Either print each picture to be at least as large as your blocks. Use the edge of the block to trace around each picture and cut away the excess. Or, you can use the Photo Wizard to get your picture to the exact size that is needed for this project. [Use the Block/Box - ORNAMENT option for the 2" block.] Need help using the Photo Wizard. See our demo. Still need help? We're only a mouse click away. Just email us at mythoughts@storiesbyme.com. Cut each picture to size.

Be sure to print your pictures using a LASER printer! Ink jet colors tend to smear when they get wet!!

Step 2:
The cut ends of the wood absorb more glue than the grained ends. Before beginning this step, apply a layer of glue of glue to the ends with the rougher (cut) surfaces. Let glue dry.

Apply a thin layer of glue to the first side of one block. Place picture over glue and press in to place. Remove any air bubbles.

Check for overhanging paper edges. It is important to WAIT for the glue to dry before attempting to remove any excess paper.

Once all of the picture are in place, add decorative paper to the top and bottom of each block. Don't worry about matching sides. A random look is great!

Step 3:
If you like the vintage look shown in our example, sand all the corners of the block being careful not to sand across the picture.

This step gives the block a worn look; like it's been around for ages. We darken the exposed wood to make the project look even older!

Video of the entire process - long and BORING...but very detailed!

Step 4:
Protect the pictures by adding several layers of decoupage glue over the top of the photos. This process is time-consuming because you must wait for the glue to dry. Instead of glue, we'll sometimes add several light coats of a matte acrylic spray when pressed for time.

Sending much love your way!

More Christmas Memories

When I was a little girl, our Christmas tree was decorated with homemade ornaments, most that were the edible type. It was such a temptation. By the time Christmas arrived, you would be hard pressed to find an untouched 'ornament'. One year, I remember my little brother actually pulled the tree over trying to discretely remove a decoration.

I had BIG plans for this year's tree. I really thought I'd have time to locate all of my mother's old cookie recipes and decorate the entire tree with recipes and homemade cookies. That didn't happen, but I'm still LOVING what I DID ACCOMPLISH!

Yahoo! Memory Puzzle Kits are Back!

We are now ready for Christmas! We only say that because our puzzle kit order arrived and we can now help you get your gifts ready for the holidays!

You didn't think we meant that WE were READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS? Oh yeah, we can't even find 15 minutes to blog about our lives right now. (One of us...only trying to save face here by not mentioning names, actually mailed last year's holiday cards in April.) OK, I can't drag Suni down into my world. She is MUCH more on the ball than I am. Knowing her, she's already scheduled a photographer for this year's family picture. I think we'll just be using last year's picture again!

Life might be out of control, but I do have some fabulous memories that will be enjoyed for years and years! Here are some of the puzzles that I've made over the years. I wish that we had kept count of all the puzzles that we've made or helped to make. It is easily in the thousands by now.

As you can see, every one is a masterpiece!

Grandma's Teacups

We're at it again...using Grandma's old teacups. If you remember, we first put grandma's teacups on display as a bird feeder. I had more cups that needed to be out there! Once I saw this beautiful lamp I knew I needed my own personalized version.

What you'll need:

A variety of teacups and saucers
Bowl for base
Diamond drill bit (I used 1/2")
Cordless drill
E6000
Lamp Kit (I found mine at WalMart for around $5)
Lamp shade

The hardest part was figuring out the configuration. Play around - use different pieces, upside down, matched or not, big and small. Once you know how you want it, take a picture! It will be helpful to reference when putting your lamp together.


Now to drill. Remember, you MUST use water with this drill bit! (or you will be very sad when your drill bit is ruined.) I eyeballed the center of each piece and went for it. I'm sure if you want it perfect you could measure! Drill each piece.


Now for assembly. I started with the bowl at the base and threaded the cord through the holes. Then the next piece. And the next. I put the cord through one piece at a time, and glued as I went. It's helpful if the cups and saucers balance on their own, but if not, hold them together until the glue sets.


Once your lamp base is done, wire the light socket, put a light bulb in and put your lamp shade on.

Enjoy your own creation featuring Grandma's teacups!

For a more detailed tutorial check out Vintage Revivals.

Family Scrabble Names

What a FUN way to display your family names. We saw this idea over at the Creative Homemaker and had to show you!

This past week has been a crazy one for me. My cute mom gave us quite a scare with a mini-stroke which has resulted in many, many tests. She is doing fine and is excited to have found a fabulous doctor to help her figure things out. This whole week I have been reminded of family and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful one! Now go give your momma a hug!

~suni

Remember Me Bingo

Wow. Where does the time go? I can't believe it's nearly been a month since our last posting. It's not that we have nothing to talk about. We're just running too fast to share what we've been working on.

Last week we attended the South Davis Family History Fair. We enjoyed sharing our ideas for telling family stories and LOVED hearing all of your great ideas. One idea that we've just gotta try is the family calendar challenge:
Every year there's a family out there that creates a new and unique family calendar. One year they challenged extended family members to submit pictures of where (or what) they want to be 10 years from that date. Kids shared photos of career dreams. Adult shared visions of exotic trips. The family patriarch wanted to share his picture pushing daisy at the local cemetery. His wife overturned that idea! What a great way to share family pictures and preserve history and capture future dreams!

We were excited to share our newest project. It was received with lots and LOTS of positive comments.

Remember Me Bingo

We partnered with Lasting Impressions to create another Quick Mix to be used with Memory Mixer.

For six big ones...yep, that's right (Six bucks will buy you the Quick Mix to make 1 or 100 of these bingo games. (Remember, you need the Memory Mixer software in addition to this Quick Mix.)

It's as easy as dragging pictures on to the page and typing up a short story for each picture.

If you set up your pictures ahead of time you won't need to make any alterations.

The Quick Mix will even add a name (just follow the instructions that are included).


The project comes with 4 different background designs. Make 4 boards or 40 boards. It's a perfect project for an upcoming family reunion, school party or special birthday party.

You'll make one call-out card for every featured picture. Here are a few of my stories:

Remember, you won't find the software on our website. You've gotta go to Memory Mixer to check it out. Just be sure to come back and tell us what you think!

For those of you who came to the Bountiful event: If you want the same professional print job as our sample set, send your final file to Tueller's Press. You know we can't say enough good things about Tueller's Press!

Top Ten LOVE Pocket Book

Just in time for Valentine's Day ~ we released two new Pocket Books with Memory Mixer.

Perhaps you remember the Top Ten Pocket Book that I made this past summer? You can find the new template for this project here.


But what you really need to check out is our Top Ten LOVE Pocket Book.

In less than an hour, Suni created this book. She'll tell you that deciding on pictures is what took the most time.

HOW AWESOME is this?!


If you haven't tried Memory Mixer, you'll be amazed at HOW EASY it is to use. All you do is drag and drop your pictures into the picture place holders. We even tell you where to add the text.

Once the album is created, the real fun begins!

First, gather a few supplies...

Cut away all the white space around each picture.

Run a score line between the pages to make folding easier.

We like to use heavy weight paper (card stock) for our pages.. When you fold thick paper, it will sometimes show some of the white paper. A quick rubdown with distress ink will make the white disappear.


Take a few minutes to share a short story or memory on the insert cards.

Punch holes in the top of each page. Seal the top and one side of each page with double stick tape. (You can also sew down the edge. This option LOOKS GREAT!)

That's it. All that's left is to 'bind' the pages together with 2 book rings and fill your pockets with special memories!

And don't forget our Top Ten Reasons I Love You project. We've created a Quick Mix for this too. And here's the best part...It's TOTALLY FREE!