Trick or Treat

So, I am a few months behind in my own scrapbooking. But, here is a look at what I came up with. I designed this layout for a Memory Works challenge using all Memory Works products. I love how it came out. I didn't win the challenge but I had a lot of fun trying something new. Enjoy!


Behind each door, I hid more photos and journaling spaces.

I love how Talia is peeking out from behind this door. My little brown eyed girl!

Love is in the air!

Tonight was another creative night in the studio. This time, Lisa and Allie joined me for my "Be Mine" Valentine's themed class. I knew it was going to be a great night when my brownies turned out perfect and the girls showed up with a bottle of wine in hand. (Thanks girls!!! Sipping as I blog right now...)


In between all the laughing and storytelling and sipping ;0) we managed to whip up some adorable projects... altered tin mailboxes, conversation heart candy bags and a handful of love notes. Here are Lisa and Allie proudly sharing their creations...great job girls!



It's hard not to fall in love with Memoy Work's products! I think Allison's face below says it all. :0) Memory Works has just released some brand new merchandise...this stuff is GORGEOUS!

Visit my website, jcamacho.memory-works.com to view these items in the new Spring 2010 Catalog.

The BEST Saturday I have had in a long time!

I am still giddy about this past Saturday... it was filled with new experineces and new friends and lots of creativity! I just had to share...

Pete and I enjoyed a wonderful day in Manhattan. He surprised me with tickets to see West Side Story on Broadway. Gotta love him! He really is amazing. I am super spoiled. We drove in early to take advantage of our child-free day. We explored the Guggenheim Musem for the first time together. It was amazing to be inches away from Picasso's masterpieces and surrounded by so much creative energy. My two favorite pieces were "Helene with Colored Turban" by Alexej von Jawlensky and "Woman Ironing" by Picasso.

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We hopped in a cab and headed back to Times Square for a bite to eat at a great Irish Pub. Then, it was off to see
The show was amazing! The music was phenomenal, and oh... the dancing! I fell in love with this classic love story all over again. Karen Olivo, starring in her role as Anita, was a show stopper. She was so fiery and passionate...my favorite, by far.

When Pete purchased our tickets, he had no idea that I had already registered for an all-day crop in New Jersey. He was such a good sport... he drove me all the way to the crop in East Rutherford, NJ after our show so I could still have some fun. I did mention how spoiled I am, right?
I am soooo happy that I was able to make it. The Cropper's Delight Scrapbooking Crop was so amazing. The crop was actually for the entire weekend, but I opted to go for the day with my friend, Allison. The hosts, Meryle and Susie (seen below) were so welcoming and funny.

The theme of the crop was "Under the Big Top" and they had carnival games set up for people to win raffle tickets for prizes. They had a DJ during the entire crop playing my favorites (Ga Ga, anyone?) and provided cotton candy, fried oreos, homemade zeppolis and popcorn, in addition to the fully catered meals! The people there were fantastic...sooo friendly, outgoing and creative. Everyone was upbeat and having a ball... it was infectious! There were a slew of scrapbooking and non-scrapbooking vendors there, including my all time favorite, Scentsy!

I even loved the little touches...waterbottle gifts for everyone, garbage bags taped to the tables at every seat, getting everyone together for a group photo. It was a great time with great people! Here are a few of my favorite pics:




One of the highlights of the crop were the endless prizes being given away. Everyone was entered into the raffles and you had the chance to earn extra raffle tickets throughout the weekend. They even raffled off a GYPSY (retails for over $300!) And guess who won??? You got it, ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am thrilled to be a Gypsy owner. I always dreamed about owning one and I can't wait to see where this takes me and my business! I will be back for some more Cropper's Delight fun! Hope some of you will join me at an upcoming crop! You'l have the best time... I'd be willing to bet my Gypsy on it! LOL

My Lazy Sunday Creation

Yesterday, was a lazy Sunday. I spent a little time in my studio and made a Paper Bag Scrapbook highlighting a special Winter day... Talia's first time sledding with Uncle James. :0)

This scrapbook is made from two brown paper lunchbags...yes, you heard me right! I used the 3 Bugs in a Rug "Simple Pleasures" theme set and Prism Cardstock that we sell at Memory Works. I LOVE the colors of this theme set and simply adore the coordinating stickers (you'll see a few here too!). If you want to purchase any of these products, visit my Memory Works web page to place your order. (The ribbon is Martha Stewart and the button is a random one I found in my stash. :0) )

Hope you enjoy this and keep your eyes peeled for a Paper Bag Scrapbook class coming soon! If you haven't already done so, sign up to follow Creative Corner Designs on facebook!

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Page 3 & 4


Page 5 & 6


Journaling Tags:


I love how these tags slip into the openings of the paper bags. These pokets are perfect for storing other things like extra photos, ticket stubs, and other momentos.

FIVE

I am a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a social worker, a business owner, a consultant and a friend. Some days I feel like I am in a million places at once....constantly on the go. Checking off my "to-do" list...making phone calls, writing case notes, checking emails, scheduling doctors appointments, cooking dinner. You get the picture.

With so much going on, the last thing I wanted to do was bake a cake last night. But, we were clebrating Talia's birthday this weekend and I wanted to make it extra special. The look on her face when I showed her the cake when she woke up this morning completely made up for my lack of sleep. To see her smile and excitement, made it all worthwhile. Truth is, I would go without sleep for the rest of my life if it brought my daughter joy. She is what truly sparks my creativity. She has been the focus of all of my creative efforts for the last five years...handmade costumes, scrapbook layouts, pajama play-doh playdates...

These last five years have been such a gift. I can't wait to see what creative adventures lie ahead of us! Happy Birthday baby girl!

And baby makes three...

This past weekend, I was wrapping a present I made for my friend Dawn's Baby Shower. T came into my studio and asked what I was doing. Of course, she wanted to help. After explaining that this was a one-woman job, I prompted her to make a gift for Dawn. She flew into her playroom and quietly went to work. Talia met me upstairs with this picture in hand. I couldn't believe my eyes.


She commented, "Look Mommy...it's Dawn, Jon and Dawn's baby in her belly...like I was in your belly!" :0) It's hard to imagine that my "baby" will be turning five in less than a week. It feels like only yesterday that I held her in my arms for the first time.

This Valentine's Day, Let's All Get Together and Make Love

Last year, I was fortunate enough to be hired to make a scrapbook for actor & Tony-nominated Broadway performer, Craig Bierko. I received an email from his mother today, with an attachment written by Craig. With her permission, I am posting it to my blog.

Craig's creative fundraising idea makes so much sense and Pete and I have quickly climbed on board. I hope you all do too.


This Valentine's Day, Let's All Get Together and Make Love
By: Craig Bierko

Like most Americans I have been horrified by the devastation in Haiti - and deeply moved by the waves of humanitarian compassion, a significant portion inspired by celebrities like my friend Alyssa Milano who challenged corporations to match her generous donation of $50,000.

These are difficult times for many people financially and yet many are finding a way to participate by texting ten dollar donations through the Red Cross, Yele and other charities offering immediate, desperately needed aid.

Sadly, according to reports from Haiti, the state of emergency is long from over - and, in the words of a newly arrived humanitarian volunteer, recovery will not be a sprint but a marathon.

Last night I made a donation while watching CNN. A young girl had been trapped between two massive sheets of collapsed cement. She was terrified and the rescue workers kept her spirits high as they labored to free her, which they eventually did. Overcrowded conditions and the general mayhem of disaster complicated her delivery to a hospital and, by the time rescuers finally got her to a doctor the young girl had died.

My heart ached for this child - and it broke for her injured mother who was too weak to be told the news just yet.

I thought of my mother, my nieces, my beautiful girlfriend Meg and our dog Boo. I felt my heart swell to the point of bursting because all of the beautiful ladies in my life were healthy and out of harm's way tonight.

And that's when the ache in my heart became an idea.

Valentine's Day is approaching - a day reserved for couples to celebrate their love for one another by giving flowers, candy, sharing a romantic dinner, exchanging gifts or spending a night in some cozy out of the way hotel.

I am suggesting we dedicate Valentine's Day to those men and women who lost the love of their lives this week - or, right this moment, await news regarding a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or child.

I'm not talking about romance - I'm talking about love.

And I'm talking about money. The money you'd spend on the flowers, the candy, the dinner, the cozy out of the way hotel. That money.

Ladies, take your boyfriend or husband by the hand and tell him that instead of roses, candy and dinner, you prefer to celebrate the miracle of love this year by giving - together, as a couple.

Let's unite our hearts - right now, today - and offer a piece of the love in our own lives to those who need it desperately.

Gay, straight, Republican, Democrat, high school sweethearts, elderly and middle-aged couples alike - let's celebrate this Valentine's Day early by making love now.

Ladies, you know that this will be a lot easier if it comes from you, not us. Let your man know you'd like to donate the money you'd spend on indulging romance - and offer it together as a gesture of gratefulness for your good fortune - and in the name of those who suffer alone in misery.