reminiscing...

i have been in the mood lately to scrapbook mallory's baby photos. technically, i have already done so...i did an album of her first year where i did a double spread for each month, the design of each month the same. it is nice to have her first year documented, but i missed out on doing those fun 'individual' pages of her. so, i grabbed january's scarlet lime kit (with some additions) and did some layouts of mallory's early months.








wasn't she just a precious little baby? thanks for looking.
xoxo

Valentine's Day Mini-Album Class

Valentine's Day will be here before we know it...are you stumped about what to get your loved one? I have the perfect idea for you!

I will be holding a Valentine's Day Mini-Album class on Monday February 7th AND Tuesday February 8th at 6:30 PM. This would be a perfect way to document your loved ones--either for yourself or as a gift for a spouse, family member, friend...the ideas are endless.

You are welcome to make more than one...but will need to let me know ASAP as I have a limited number of these albums.

More details:

*You only need to come one night, although you are welcome to come both if you are making multiple albums.

*You may come to the class and do the album without photos if you wish to add them later.

*We will be doing some painting, so keep that in mind...(I am a messy painter, ha ha).

*You will be able to fit 20 photos in the album, sized 4x4 or smaller. I printed mine in black and white, which looks great with the color scheme.

*The album (as I made it) is the typical Valentine color combo of red, pink, cream and black with a mix of vintage papers and elements. Texture-wise, we will be playing with cardstock, patterned paper, felt, burlap, vintage papers, trims, paint, and glitter...this album has great texture!

*You may customize as you wish...for instance if you want a more masculine album, you can take out the pink elements pretty easily. I will have some additional supplies on hand to help make those adjustments.

Here are some sneak-peek photos. (Pardon the glitter everywhere...I apparently didn't get it wiped off before I took photos). I will have red, pink, cream and black paint available so you can customize the color of your covers.








If you are interested in coming to a class, please message me or email me at nicmackin@hotmail.com. Once I have a list of attendees I will send out an email of supplies needed, etc.

Happy scrappin'!
xoxo

All About Vintage...new videos!

These videos highlight my vintage pieces I have in my room and how I use them to organize some of my supplies...enjoy!


You may also view by clicking here.


You may also view by clicking here.

You will probably see some of these pieces again a I talk about the individual supplies...but this will provide an overall look into how I have incorporated antique pieces into my room. Enjoy! 8 )

always dance...

mallory loves to dance. she does it everywhere. she especially loves ballet, specifically 'barbie movie' ballet (swan lake, pegasus, etc...). at home, she dresses up in her princess gowns and twirls away.

these pics were taken at the omaha zoo. we were walking along and then all of the sudden mally stops in place in the middle of the road and just starts dancing. love it. keep dancing, my girl.

New Video Blog: Paper Addict?

Ummm...the answer is yes.
Here is my video blog spotlighting how I organize my paper and scraps. Enjoy!


If you can't see full screen, view it here.

I really, really want these to organize my themed paper in...hmmmm...my birthday is coming up. They definetely beat my mis-matched,cracking paper holders I have now. 8 )

How I handle scrap paper:
In the video, I show how I store my scrap paper. How do I choose what to keep vs throw away? Well...I pretty much keep everything. The reason? I have found over the last couple of years especially, that even the smallest of scrap papers can be used. For instance-to punch shapes out of, to make paper flowers...or, as I am doing now, to make magnets out of. So--I have decided to keep it all, not knowing what upcoming craft project scraps of paper will be useful for. What I don't use over time, I will let the girls use up.

Thanks for watching!

The Intimidation Factor...

I've been there.

"I have sooooooo many photos, I'll never get caught up!"
"I haven't pulled my scrapbook supplies out for a long time, I don't know where to start!"
"I am so behind, I'm having a hard time remembering the details of what I am scrapbooking" (the chronological scrapper).
"I just don't have time to scrapbook."

Let me help.

Take the pressure off-this is supposed to be fun!

Scrapbooking is about capturing memories, not being 'caught up' (as if that will EVER happen anyway! Just do the math: Number of photos we have AND take minus number of photos we scrap...)

The freshest memories in your mind are recent-scrap those now! If you wait to get to 'today' in your scrapbook, the memories will once again be lost. (Look here-these are all recent photos). If you want to scrap chronologically, start a journal to record current memories.

Don't feel like you have to scrap all of your photos. It is OK to use regular photo albums for those you don't feel inspired to scrap. Who knows...in a few years you may decide to scrap them. But scrap what you are inspired to scrap now!

In a rut? Happens to everyone! Look here to see what I do when that happens.

There are simple solutions available for getting a lot of memories scrapbooked quickly. Look here and here. (I do a mix of both--sometimes I am in the mood for simple and sometimes I am in the mood to play. The point is...I go with the flow.)

We are all busy. But even if you work with 15 minutes a day, you will get some major memory-keeping done. Upload some photos. Edit some photos. Print some photos. Organize your photos. Put together page kits. Make a list of stories you want to tell. Pull elements for a layout together and put it together a few minutes at a time.

Attend a crop. By getting away from what all 'you should be doing,' you are able to focus on getting some serious scrapping done. Look here for my Jan/Feb. schedule. Crops are also great inspiration-you get ideas from others. Of course, it is great social time as well. 8 )

Just do it. Pull out your supplies and start playing. Maybe start by making a card or a really simple layout. Get the juices flowing.

I highly recommend this resource for inspiration in regards to keeping scrapbooking fun and fresh. There are GREAT ideas for organizing your photos and not being intimidated by them.

Make 2011 the year you choose to keep scrapbooking pressure-free!

Happy Scrapping!!!

Just do it...

I've been in a bit of a rut.
I sit down to scrapbook (I really want to!), and...nothing.
I tinker on the computer.
I reorganize something.
I am simply not inspired.
It's happened a lot lately...

So...today, I decided to pull some photos and just do it.
I pulled a matching line so I wouldn't have to think too much (Fancy Pants Lilac House).
I put the photos down and made a simple page.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing uber creative.
But it got the juices rolling...
And one page is done...
One memory is recorded...



Just do it.

my first video blog...

is now up...please forgive the 'ums' and the shaky camera. 8 ) this was truly an experiement! i wanted to give you all a quick tour of my scrapbook room and talk about some future video blogs i am working on...enjoy!



(If you can't seen entire screen, view here.)

it's been a while...

since i posted some layouts. i am cleaning my scrapbook room, which involves actually putting layouts away (am i the only one who procrastinates doing this???). so, i thought i would scan a few of them in and share.

i love these photos...nothing better than a daddy who lets his girls make him pretty. 8 )



this is a scraplift from May Flaum (via one of her big picture scrapbook classes). my favorite photo from thanksgiving day...


a priceless photo of my husband walking my youngest to preschool...



a layout about me and my girlies cooking together on thanksgiving day...




just pure sweetness...



i made this layout for nic howard's 'color...or is it colour' class on big picture. (focus color was red)




thanks for looking!!! happy scrappin'! 8 )

happy birthday...

to miss keaton. seven years ago i was giving a long but glorious birth to this sweet angel. leaving the hospital with our 1st newborn was surreal. and so amazing.

we celebrated by having a party with family and her two closest friends (one who happens to be her cousin) at our house. we had a 'tangled' theme party complete with 'reward' posters and lanterns. oh yeah, even had a rapunzel wig. after we partied the evening away with gifts, a pinata, and cake, keaton had a slumber party with her two friends, india and ellie.of course, they went to sleep late and woke up early-but such a fun, fun time.

happy birthday miss keaton. i love you soooooo much!

Upcoming crops and classes!

Following is a list of January and February dates I will be holding crops and classes:

January:
9th:1-9:00
15th:10am-midnight
21st: 6pm-midnight
22nd: 1-5:00 (this is mostly to have shop open, but you are invited to come and scrap as well!)
29th: 10am-midnight

February:
7th & 8th: Valentine's Mini-Album class (more details to come)
11th: 6pm-midnight
12th: 10am-midnight
26th: 10am-midnight

Starting January 4th, Leslie Lemke will have all of her winter crafts at 20% off. She also has a bunch of yummy food, drink, and dip mixes for sale and will be giving some of those away free with a purchase of $25 or more.

I will have all Christmas supplies at 20% off as well. You can check out my craft items above thru my etsy store. Everything listed there is at the shop...some really cute scarves, bags, and headbands left! 8 )

If you would like to hop in and do some shopping during a time I am not scheduled to be there, shoot me an email or give me a call. I would be happy to hop over there and open for ya'! 8 )

nicmackin@hotmail.com
402-984-2816
402-756-3874

Happy scrappin' and Happy New Year!!!