** Interactive Pages using Memory Files - Part two **

After completing my first Heidi Swapp Memory File page, I wanted to be a little more adventurous with the design of my next page.  I chose a couple of pages from the travel-themed range 'No Limits'.  There are six different files in a pack and 3 different shaped designs.  This means that 2 of the files can be used together without overlapping.  I also experimented with adding my own inserts and creating places for memorabilia and a mini photo album, all within the one file.

 Cover Page with punched circle window

 Inside page with corner pocket holding a mini photo album, bound together using washi tape.

 Insert page created by adding in another of the Memory Files.  I used a circle punch again to make another window to below and also as a place to turn it over.  The map was printed from Google maps and attached with washi tape.

 The inside pages - view one

The inside pages - view two.  The extra insert provides more space for photos and I also added a postcard as an extra flippable insert.

The inside pages - view three.  Here you can see the pocket that I created to hold memorabilia.  By trimming down another Memory File and attaching the back part to the original file, adding adhesive along three sides, a large pocket can be made.  I used the circle punch again to cut an indent out of the pocket.

Again, I've made a video to try to explain how I put the file together and how the different elements work:

Using the Memory Files has really got me thinking about alternatives to the traditional scrapbook page and I particularly love how I've been able to scrap events without worrying about not having space for all of the photographs.

If you've been inspired to try out the Memory File System, I'd love to see what you create.  You can leave a link here or on our Facebook page.

Click on the links to find the products in the shop:

*** Interactive pages using Memory Files ***

After watching this video clip from the most recent CHA, I was really keen to get my hands on the new Heidi Swapp Memory File System.  I really liked the idea of interactive pages that could hold lots and lots of photos.  I was lucky enough to see the products in person at the recent Retreat.  I decided against buying the actual boxes to store the files, not because I didn't like them as the Teal one in particular is gorgeous and it was very difficult to resist it, but because I realised that the file pages would also easily work within my existing albums.

The first Memory File that I created used the 'Sugar Chic' range.  The colours were a perfect match for a page to record our Mother's Day activities.  I wanted to demonstrate how the Memory Files can be used as a way to incorporate a lot of photos and information into a layout: they're perfect for recording events.

The Cover Page

The inside left-hand side:a flip photo album to house multiple photographs and a pocket with a pull out card for a personal message.

The inside right-hand side: a fold-down photo album held down with a couple of photo turns and a space for more journaling.

The double page spread.

To help you get a better idea of the interactive parts of my pages, I thought that I would make a video to demonstrate all of the different components.  Please be gentle with me, as this is my first attempt at making a video like this and really hope that it is okay!

Come back tomorrow to see how I used the travel-themed files.

Click on the links to find the products in the shop:

{More masking}

I'm carrying on today with using masks in different ways to simply spraying with mist. Although misting does give a lovely effect for your pages, I like to mix things up a bit & use my masks in slightly different ways. I've already looked at using masks with embossing powders, so today here are a couple more ideas to try.

This time I used the mask as a template. I held the mask in place and drew with a pencil around the design, then I coloured in the pattern using pen (paint would also work well here), and edged it using stickles.  Once dry I punched out shapes of the design to use on my page. This is a fun way to add pattern to your pages in small segments, and of course it's completely customisable! I love making my own embellishments, and am happy to have found another way to add interest to punched shapes.

 

This page uses a mask in a slightly more traditional way, with mists. Instead of simply spraying a colour of mist over the mask I used four different mists on different sections. I used four shades of one colour, but this effect would also look great with contrasting colours.

To get the effect I positioned the mask on the page then used scrap paper to cover over the sections I didn't want coloured. I moved the scrap paper after spraying each colour, to get different shades in different areas. It doesn't matter if the mists overlap each other a little, that just gives you amnother shade! 

The background cardstock I used here is Bazzill swiss dots - I love the effect of mist on textured cardstock, as you can dab off the excess after spraying, and then lightly sand to see the pattern of the dots through the colour.

 I hope you've found something to inspire you to get those masks out. As always we love seeing your creations so send us a link to your work in the comments section or via our facebook page.

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{Beyond the mask}

 I love to find new ways to use products, and this month I decided to have a look at using masks in ways you might not think to straight away. Masks are usually designed and sold with lines of mists, and they work great together, giving lovely patterns to your pages. However, there are other ways they can be used...

I took this gorgeous new chevron mask from Studio Calico and put it to work on my layouts.

For the page below I used the mask along with Zing! embossing powder and a white pen. I held the mask in place on my layout and stamped over the top of it with a versamark ink pad. I then removed the mask and embossed the design left of the page. It's best to do any embossing like this onto your page before adding other elements as it's easy to get embossing powder stuck in everything else! 

 Once the image was embossed I took a white pen and followed the underside of the pattern to draw attention to it as a feature on my page. Kraft cardstock plus white pen plus brown sugar embossing powder is now a firm favourite combination of mine, I love the subtlety of it, and yet it's enough to catch the eye.

I mixed up a whole bunch of lovely new products for the rest of the page, including designer tape from Bella Blvd, wood veneer pieces from Studio Calico, letter stickers from Jillibean, and papers from Simple Stories, Fancy Pants, Echo Park and Crate Paper. See below for full details. 

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