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  • Paper Flower Topiary – GTU – My Mind’s Eye

    Paper Flower Topiary

    Good Morning!  I demonstrated our CHA booth topiary on Good Things Utah this morning.  

    The subtle glittering in our Lost and Found collections add the perfect touch to this project. 

    This topiary was a hit at the show.  I know you’ll love it to!

    Supplies: To make a double-tiered topiary. Cut supplies in half to make one tier.

    • 2 ½ – Each of the 10 Lost & Found Portobello Road patterned papers
    • 1 package Lost & Found Union Square “Favorite” Trims
    • 1 – 5” Styrofoam ball
    • 1 – 6” Styrofoam ball
    • 1 – 3/8” dowel 16” in length
    • 1 package pearl head pins
    • For fun: Add Portobello Road “Buddies” Decorative brads and Trims
    • Also used: Glue gun and sticks, water bottle, circle punch, brown spray paint, glass pebbles, and 6” wide vase.

    Instructions:

    1. Paint dowel brown and allow time to dry.

    2. Gently push dowel through 6” Styrofoam ball and about half way into 5” Styrofoam ball and add hot glue to keep in place.

    IMG_4282 IMG_4284

    3. Add topiary into vase and add glass pebbles to secure in place (can cut use floral Styrofoam square in the vase for stability).

    IMG_4297

    4. Create 67 – 70 paper roses out of My Mind’s Eye Portobello Road papers.

    4a. Cut (14) – 2” x 12” strips from each of the 10 Portobello Road patterned papers.

    4b. Adhere two strips together to make a 2” x 24” strip. 7 strips of each of the 10 paper patterns.

    IMG_4286

    4c. Punch (70) – 1 ½” circles.

    4d. Lightly spritz each long strip with water, fold in half and roll up or fold up into flower shape.

    4e. Use glue gun (liquid glue or glue dot) and glue flower to a circle to keep flower together.

    5. Starting at the top of the 6” Styrofoam ball, add flowers in a random order. I created about 4 flowers and added them to the ball and then repeated that process until the project was complete.

    IMG_4290

    6. When 6” Styrofoam is complete, start at the top of the 5” ball and complete in the same fashion.

    ***You may need to make some smaller roses to fill in any “holes”***

    IMG_4305 IMG_4306 

    7. Tie ribbon in a simple bow on the bottom of each ball.

    Free downloadable instruction pdf: Download 2010_08_12_MME_Topiary

    I will add the video from today’s segment later this afternoon when it is available.

    You know, sometimes great ideas come at the last minute.  Don’t discount them if they do.  We decided to add this project to the booth just two days before those that went to the show left!Amber

    Enjoy! 

  • Song of the Week – In the Summertime

    by Zeke and Luther

    Neal wanted to choose this week’s song of the week.  I asked him why he chose this song and he said “I don’t know, I just like it.”  This is the Disney Channel version of the original song by Mungo Jerry (which I really like)! 

    I may have to use a few lines for layout titles:

    • Kickin’ it with my toes in the sand
    • Summertime gets the best of me
    • Summertime’s arrived on the block
    • See the faces of the children as emotions hit the ceilin’

    Here is the original song.  It’s kind of fun to hear the differences and similarities.  The boys and I watched this video the other day.  They cracked up at the chops on Raymond Dorset and the keyboard player.

    My parents had one of those Time Life music collections.  I think it was Songs of the 60’s and 70’s.  I used to LOVE that collection and that’s why I know so many of the great “oldie but goodie” songs.

    Anyway, this song is perfect since the theme for the My Mind’s Eye Blog Challenge is Summertime.  BTW, there is a week left to enter!

  • 15 years – Song of the week

    B & A looking @ eachother

    Mardel Photography

    It’s been 15 years since Bryan and I were married.  In that time we’ve both graduated from college, owned a condo and our current home, had two gorgeous boys and have been on a magical rollercoaster ride filled with more ups than downs.

    Thank you for being on this ride next to me.

    We are spending tonight where I want to be – at the Temple.  I can’t think of another place I’d rather be to celebrate our marriage.

    A couple of months ago, I was searching through YouTube enjoying songs I haven’t heard for a while and finding new songs when I ran across this one.  I saved this song for this week.

    There’s a new world somewhere
    They call The Promised Land
    And I’ll be there some day
    If you will hold my hand
    I still need you there beside me
    No matter what I do
    For I know I’ll never find another you

    There is always someone
    For each of us they say
    And you’ll be my someone
    For ever and a day
    I could search the whole world over
    Until my life is through
    But I know I’ll never find another you

    It’s a long, long journey
    So stay by my side
    When I walk through the storm
    You’ll be my guide, be my guide

    If they gave me a fortune
    My treasure would be small
    I could lose it all tomorrow
    And never mind at all
    But if I should lose your love, dear
    I don’t know what I’ll do
    For I know I’ll never find another you

    But if I should lose your love, dear
    I don’t know what I’ll do
    For I know I’ll never find another youAmber
    Another you, another you

  • Powell Tested layout

    IMG_3055 copy IMG_3056

    I am IN LOVE with Lost & Found, as are most of you, and knew I wanted to use it for my Summer Fun layout on the My Mind’s Eye blog. 

    I also knew it would be a little tricky since the papers do not scream “Lake”.  The subtle blues in the Portobello Road collection and, specifically, the neutral background of the First Class paper are perfect. 

    The blues compliment the blues in the water and sky and the neutral tones make the colors in the pictures POP!  It allows the viewer to feel both the serenity of the lake and the fun being had by my sons.

    I used Lost & Found Union Square stamps and Laundry Line stamps (the photo frame stamps).  I cut “Powell” using my silhouette and outlined it to bring in definition since the color blended in with the water.  Notice how I layered the outlines so it looks like ribbon

    I cut off the glittered edge of the die-cut paper and overlapped it to form a base for my title.Amber

    This is definitely a favorite of mine.

    p.s. I still need to share the “Teeter totter of Terror”!

  • A few projects…

    With all the fun of the Birthday Blog Hop and CHA projects, I realized that I haven’t shared a couple of projects that I did for the My Mind’s Eye Blog.

    This first layout was shown on the Birthday Blog Hop.  The other girls ROCKED their birthday layouts.  You need to check them out.

    On Neal’s 8th birthday, my Dad wrapped up a bunch of rocks and let Neal think that was his gift.  He wasn’t sure how to take it.  Grandpa and Grandma bailed him out with his own set of scriptures. 

    Last Christmas, my Dad wrapped up a roll of toilet paper.  Neal was on to him this time and wrapped it up and gave it back.

    For Neal’s birthday this year, my Dad wrapped up 9 Lego bricks for a 9 year old.  It was fun because Neal was anticipating it.  A couple of days before the big day, Neal said to me “I wonder what trick Grandpa is going to play on me this time.”  All I can say is: “Look out on your birthday this year, Grandpa!”

    Birthday Trick layout copy Birthday Trick layout_details

    Featured Collection: My Mind’s Eye So Sophie 

    We had a crazy-busy June!  My June Top Ten ended up being a Top Twelve and could have easily been a Top Twenty! 

    I feel like June went by at a full and complete RUN!  The minute school ended, we were in a race to get everything done: a concert, a new baby (an absolute miracle), planting the garden after the wet spring was over, swimming lessons, TWO Open Houses at the hospital and one retreat my husband worked so hard on, Cub Scout Camp, Basketball Camp, The Wasatch Back relay (third year in a row for Bryan), Father’s Day, Father’s & Sons Campout. 

    Somehow I fit in work amongst all that!  It was a fun, event-filled month with very few computer games played. 

    I can’t believe the July is almost done and I’ll get to document another fun-filled month.  I love this.  I think I may just keep this up every year.  It’s a great way to capture memories before they are lost.

    June Top Ten_page 1 June Top Ten_page 2_Detail

    June Top Ten_2 June Top Ten_page 1_DetailAmber

    Featured Collection: So Sophie, Lush and Breaking Free

    Coming up tomorrow: the Teeter-Totter of Terror!

  • 1 Year Blog Birthday – MME blog hop

    Welcome to the 1 Year Blog Birthday My Mind’s Eye blog hop! My name is Amber Packer and this is your next to last "hop"!  I you have enjoyed celebrating our blog birthday with us.

    Being part of the My Mind’s Eye blog team for the past year has been a phenomenal opportunity.  The girls on this team are incredibly talented and nice to boot!  There really is something special about My Mind’s Eye. 

    Maybe it’s because we just got home from Lake Powell that this layout caught my eye, but I love the way the Roller Coaster paper adds to the feeling and excitement of Riley getting thrown off the Water Weenie.  Can’t you just feel the joy?

    First Off

    Featured Collection: Breaking Free

    I’m sure you’ll want to be moving on, but before you go, you’ll need this word: Hooray!

    Your last "hop" will be back to the My Mind’s Eye blog. 

    I hope you took the time to comment on each blog you visited on your way here.  Remember to leave a comment on the My Mind’s Eye blog and email the secret phrase to amber@mymindseye.com (that’s me). 

    If you came to visit me (thank you!) and haven’t been participating in the hop… take a minute and hop over to the My Mind’s Eye blog so you can play with us!

    I hope you enjoyed your stop here.  Look around.  I hope you'll find Ambervalue in what I have written.

  • Map of America – GTU – My Mind’s Eye

    Map of America

    Map of America_step

    Designer: Amber Packer, Featured Collection: So Sophie 

    I demonstrated this project this morning on Good Things Utah.  This map is a beautiful home decor item, a fun way to help children know where they are going on a road trip this summer and a great help for your 5th grade child who will be studying the United States.  Or, if your family is scattered across the U.S., add push pins and string to help your children know where they all are.

    **This project is perfect no matter what country you call home. I simply searched the internet for an outline map of the United States.  I’m sure you could find a map of your home.

    Fun story: Neal came up to me as I was finishing and told me this was a “cool” project.  He then asked me what I was going to do with it when today’s segment was over.  I asked him if he wanted it and, YES, he does!  It looks like this has found a home.  Although, I may need the map somewhere that I can see it since Geography was definitely NOT my best subject in school.  Shhhh… that’s our secret!

    If you’d like to make your own, all you have to do is click here to download the instructions: Download 2010_07_15_MME_Map of America.

    When the video of today’s segment is available, I’ll add the the video to the left column on this blog.  You can also click here to read the segment on the Good Things Utah website.Amber

    p.s. Make sure you visit the My Mind’s Eye blog tomorrow!

  • NEW My Mind’s Eye

    I was gone last week enjoying the sunny weather and didn’t get to share this with you before…

    Have you SEEN the NEW My Mind’s Eye collections?  I am over the moon excited to play with them!  In fact, I have already had the chance to design two layouts (shown below) and I can’t say enough about how GORGEOUS these products are! 

    Hmmmm… double-sided GLITTER and FLOCKED goodness!  Dimensional embellishment yummy-ness, acrylic stamps and AWESOME trims! 

    Follow the links provided (below) to the My Mind’s Eye blog and enter to win the new collections!

    Alphabet Soup (Boy and Girl Color Schemes):

    MME_Summer_2010_07_Alphabet Soup_Girl MME_Summer_2010_Alphabet Soup_Boy

    You have until midnight on July 13 (tonight) to enter to win BOTH Alphabet Soup collections!

     

    Blackbird and Haunted

    Halloween 2008Isn’t this delicious?

    MME_Summer_2010_Blackbird MME_Summer_2010_Haunted 

    The Halloween contest ends midnight, July 14.  Click here to leave a comment and be entered to win!

     

    Holly Jolly and I Believe

    MME_Summer_2010_Holly Jolly MME_Summer_2010_I Believe

    You can win BOTH the Holly Jolly and I Believe collections if you leave a comment on this post by midnight, July 15.

     

    Lost and Found

    Handsome Neal 1There is SO much detail!

    MME_Summer_2010_Portobello Road MME_Summer_2010_Market StreetMME_Summer_2010_Madison Avenue MME_Summer_2010_Union Square

    This is the grand-daddy of all the giveaways!  The winner of this contest gets all FOUR Lost & Found color schemes!  All you have to do is leave a comment HERE and you’ll be entered to WIN.  You have until midnight, July 18 to enter.

    I hope you are as excited as I am!

    It’s always so exciting to see what products all the different companies come out with!Amber  (Of course, I have my favorites!)

    BIG hugs!

  • Celebrating the 4th

    Free 2 Run

    Free 2 Run, Featured Collection: Lush Red and Blue and So Sophie.

    I prefer to sleep in on holidays.  To me, that’s part of the celebration.  I am quickly changing my tune, however as my sons and husband enjoy running so much.  The first race the boys ran was a local 1K (just over 1/2 mile) three years ago.  The kids get a t-shirt, a popsicle and a medal!  They were hooked.  So hooked that last year when Neal wanted to run the 5K, he also chose to run the 1K as well because an 8 year old running the 5K won’t get a medal, but he gets a medal for running the 1K (it’s all about the medal). 

    Neal ran both the 5K and 1K again this year.  Neal beat last year’s time by 2 minutes! 

    Riley ran the 1K and beat last year’s time by 1 minute.  Boy, do I have to share something funny with you!  After the 1K, Riley came up to me with this super proud look on his face, his eye gleaming, and said: “I took a short cut so I could beat all the other kids!”  Well, he lost his medal so we’ve been teasing him that the race committee found out he cheated and stripped him of his medal.

    It is so much fun watching the boys train hard to prepare and plan the races they will run in the future.  I am glad we live in a country where you can accomplish anything you set your mind on.  And I gladly give up sleeping in to see the joy on their faces at their accomplishments.

    It was a good time for a lesson on how to race with honesty.  He didn’t realize he was cheating, he thought he was being so smart.  But, if he does it next year, it’s cheating and I won’t let him have his medal.Amber

    The rest of our day was filled with fun.

  • Song of the Week – In My Room

    http://www.youtube.com/v/pRrHw5Kn3ZE&hl=en_US&fs=1&hl=en<\/embed><\/object><\/div>";” alt=””>

    In My Room by the Beach Boys:

    There’s a world where I can go
    and tell my secrets to
    In my room
    In my room
    In this world I lock out
    all my worries and my fears
    In my room
    In my room
    Do my dreaming and my scheming lie awake and pray
    Do my crying and my sighing laugh at yesterday
    Now it’s dark and I’m alone
    but I won’t be afraid
    In my room
    In my room

    With the warmth of summer here and a highly anticipated family boating trip planned, my thoughts have been going back to when I was younger.  We were lucky because growing up we had the opportunity of waterskiing almost weekly. 

    Songs by the Beach Boys (along with Simon and Garfunkel) are a huge part of those memories.

    Our family is READY for a getaway.  The boys keep carrying their fun too far and inevitably one of them ends up getting hurt (and crying).

    I chose this song because it is a peaceful song.  I’m looking forward to letting all the everyday, mundane things go and simply ENJOY my family.

    Amber