New Japan albums available

As of today (I say this because these albums tend to go FAST!) I have 15 Japanese-inspired albums available, including the ones shown here:

If you are interested in browsing these albums or other these, simply contact me via email or through Facebook. And, as always, these albums can be personalized for FREE.

Only 6 "Blossoms and Butterflies" kits left!

If you've been thinking of joining us for the Jan. 15 Crafts and Cocktails class (or simply want to complete the project at home on your own) there are only six of the "Blossoms and Butterflies" kits left. For details, click on the Kits & Classes page tab above, or, to buy a kit, email me at jessicaguthrie @hotmail.com.

Getting a head start on Valentine's Day...

I took a break from creating Japanese albums to work on some other designs. It's not that I don't love the Japanese albums I have been making, I just don't want to burn out on them. Plus, I find that when I work with other papers, themes and media, I come up with new ideas for all sorts of projects, including new takes on the popular Japanese-themed albums. In fact, I just got some new rubber stamps... in Kanji! I am looking forward to creating with those! But, I digress from the point of this blog...

I have gotten a head start on the next gift-giving holiday (at least for Americans!): Valentine's Day. And, for me, Valentine's Day isn't just a time to celebrate your relationship with your "Valentine," it's a time to celebrate all your relationships, including family and friends. So, this week, I have been working with the theme of "love," whether it's the love of a dutiful spouse, a brand-new budding romance, the heart-clenching delight of a newborn baby, or the sometimes "tough love" you might have for a sassy teenage daughter. All of these moments deserve to be celebrated, so here are some snapshots of the album collection I have so far for Valentine's Day 2013:



"Family Time" is a horizontal 12 x 6-inch album with acrylic front and back cover, celebrating the love of family. It's perfect for Thanksgiving or holiday photos, a family reunion, or a family photo collection.




The 8x8-inch album above is unnamed, because its title should be the name of the girl or woman the album is featuring. Perfect for that sassy but sweet lady who holds a special place in your heart, it features girly flowers and polka dots, but has a bit of an edge with a few skulls and crossbones... complete with pink bow, of course!


As you can see, there are "love" albums in all sorts of shapes and sizes... I'm sure there is one that fits your special Valentine! You can read more about them by clicking the Love tab above. Of course, if you are interested in seeing these albums, or any of the themes I have available, please contact me via email, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TenaciouslyRemembered.

FREE class at the MCAS Iwakuni library!

The MCAS Iwakuni base library is hosting a series of classes in January for base personnel, as you can see by the flier above (created by my friend, Rachel, by the way, who is a graphic designer for MCCS, who runs nearly everything on base), and I was asked to teach the scrapbooking class, which I will do at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at the library. The best part about these classes? They are FREE! That's right! FREE! Just be sure to call the library to register (the phone number is on the flier.) There are only 10 seats, so be sure to sign up early!

The project we will create is the little 6x6-inch chipboard and paper album below, which I named "Konnichiwa 2013." This is just the cover and two of the layouts in the album. If you want to check out the whole thing it is on display in the library.

I'm honored to have been asked to teach and am looking forward to the class. Hope to see you there!

Only 8 seats left!

Crafts & Cocktails has been a huge hit and I am very excited about the class Jan. 15. "Blossoms and Butterflies" is a kawaii (cute!) and girl album that is perfect for the little lady in your life, or for springtime photos. There are only eight seats left for this class, so be sure to email me if you are interested in taking it. Details about the class can be found on the Kits & Classes page.

Marine Corps albums now available!

Tenaciously Remembered now offers United States Marine Corps albums! This is a great gift for your favorite Marine, commemorating a promotion, reenlistment or deployment. These are the three albums currently available, all 8x8 inches with acrylic covers. For more information, click here.

TR is now a Facebook Page!

That's right, Tenaciously Remembered is now a Facebook Page! You can find it here. I would "like" it very much if you would "like" it. We'll post the latest news so you know when to check here for the nitty-gritty details! Thank you!

Fun at the Holiday Open House ...

The Holiday Open House at my home Tuesday night was so much fun! Both Japanese and American crafters got together for a couple of hours and talked shop. Where can you find supplies, where are the best placed to print photos, which stores have which sales and when... all while we gathered around my coffee table to make a mini book. With the Christmas tree lights on, Christmas carols on in the background and the smell of freshly-baked cookies, it was the perfect way to spend a cold (almost winter!) evening.

I want to thank Joana for baking us tasty treats and bring them, and Naomi, we brought me this adorable handmade wreath, which I immediately added to my Christmas tree. I collect ornaments, so this is a wonderful addition!

Next event is Crafts & Cocktails Jan. 15, the project photo is below.. Click here for more information.

Holiday Open House Tuesday!

The 4x3-inch acrylic make and take mini book.

I have met so many crafters here in Iwakuni, and, often, they are looking for fellow scrapbookers, knitters, painters, etc., to network with. So, I figured the holiday season is a great time to share the love of crafting, so I'm hosting a Holiday Open House at my home on base from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. We'll have tea and cookies, and a (free, of course) mini album mane and take. The photo of the 4x3-inch mini album is above. After all, it's second nature from crafters to craft every spare moment they can! Contact me if you are interested in attending and I will give you my address!

Oh, what fun it is to craft...

The first Iwakuni Crafts & Cocktails was so much fun! The eight ladies in attendance seemed to have a great time, creating the "Merry and Bright" album, and learning how to use a "new" tool: a portable binding machine. Thank you, to all of you who were there... I really enjoyed being in the scrap classroom once again!

Here are some photos of the ladies hard at work, as well as the winners of the door prizes!

Yolanda won a 4x4 holiday mini book.

Theresa won a 6x6 memory album

Mayeth won a free "Blossoms and Butterflies" kit for next months' Crafts & Cocktails.

Next month's kit is "Blossoms and Butterflies," a 6 x 6 album featuring K & Company papers and Heidi Swapp transparency pages. The project kit is $40, and if you are interested in assistance in putting it together, the free Crafts & Cocktails class is 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 in Bldg. 655's community room. Click here for more details.

"Blossoms and Butterflies"

Inaugural Crafts & Cocktails tomorrow!

I am SO looking forward to tomorrow night's Crafts & Cocktails event! It will be the first time I will teach scrapbooking in Iwakuni... and, actually, the first time I have taught scrapbooking in about two years. I took a hiatus to earn my master's degree and try my hand at teaching at the collegiate level. I've missed it! There are still seats available for Crafts & Cocktails tomorrow night if you are in Iwakuni and want to come. Just email me or find me on Facebook. At the event we will have a few door prizes and a sneak peek at January's project, "Blossoms and Butterflies," a cute, 6x6-inch album featuring K & Company papers, Heidi Swapp transparencies and a cherry blossom acrylic cover.

I'm also planning a holiday open house for next week, where crafters can come in, meet other crafters, and make a free mini album. More on that later...

Crafts & Cocktails up next!

The 6x6-inch album we'll create at the December Crafts & Cocktails!

My first "Crafts & Cocktails" class event is just a week away! So exciting! For details, click here. Iwakuni ladies: Be sure to email me to register if you are planning to come.... seating is limited to 24!

So many of the ladies in the MCAS Iwakuni community have said how excited they are about the class... both because they'll have a completed album (they can either display their own holiday photos in, or have someone checked of the Christmas list!) and because they get an evening out with the girls! Not a crafter? No worries! All the supplies needed to complete the project will be provided. Seasoned crafter? No worries! You'll have an opportunity to learn how to use the Bind-it-All binding machine and have the sense of accomplishment that comes when you have a project completed!

Can't find a friend to come with you? Again, no worries! There are a number of ladies venturing out to Crafts& Cocktails on their own. Get ready to meet some fabulous new friends! Looking forward to seeing you all on Dec. 4!

The craft show aftermath...

The holiday and baby/kid albums I had at the craft fair

Whew! After weeks of preparation, the Iwakuni Craft Fair is finally over. Not that it wasn't fun... it absolutely was, I met some great people and made some extra cash. But my house needs some cleaning and my husband was starting to complain about how much time I was spending in my scrap room - when he is usually trying to get me to lock myself in it so he can have the living room to himself! The show was a huge success for me and I am so flattered by the response I got from the community for my albums. 

My booth space

Some of the Japan-inspired albums

My marketing efforts ;)

Here are some closer shots of the albums I have worked on recently.

The Japan-inspired albums the Rosa family purchased at the craft fair.

Baby London isn't born yet, but this is a gift that was purchased as a surprise for her Mom.

This album has acrylic pages, each painted with cascades of cherry blossoms for a layered effect. And don't you just love the little girl in the kimono? This album is still available. Click here for details.

Caution: Crafter at Work

Since returning from the states late in the evening Nov. 9, aside from mandatory obligations, I have been busy at work in my scrap room. Next Saturday is the Iwakuni Holiday Craft Fair and I want to be ready with as many albums as possible. Pictures coming soon! Stay tuned!

Teaching scrapbooking classes again...

I have missed teaching crafting classes these past few years, so, with some encouragement from a couple of other Marine Corps wives, I am starting to create project kits again, accompanied by free classes to those who want help putting the projects together. Below is the kit that will be available later this month, and the free Crafts & Cocktails class will be the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 4 on base. For more information, click here, or click on the Kits and Classes tab in the top right corner of this website. I'm looking forward to the class. Wish me luck!

Baby Girl Book "Phoebe"

I've been busy creating custom-ordered albums, and this baby girl album has been purchased as a baby shower gift. Baby hasn't been named yet, but the new Mom will get my contact information so that I can put baby's name on it free for her. My favorite part of this sweet 8x8 album with acrylic cover created from Basic Grey's Phoebe collection is the keepsake pocket: It has a tag for baby's first photo, an envelope for a lock of hair and a card to record the vital statistics. Mom can also tuck in the hospital ID bracelets and other must-have memories.

Steampunk Debutante

I had mentioned my love for Graphic 45's "Steampunk Debutante" line, so I thought I would share the pieces I had created with it last year. Some of them decorate my scraproom now.

The fist one is a clock/cabinet, which stands about 18 inches high. It was a flea market find in Pensacola (I miss flea markets!) that was painted in a 1990's country style that was just begging to be put out of its misery. Withe some metallic teal acrylic paint and some Steampunk paper, it has a contemporary vintage feel (yes, I realize that is an oxymoron!).

 The 5x7 metal floral frame was another flea market find, and the hexagon box was on the clearance shelf at JoAnn's.

The wall hanging below has been created with  three 33 vinyl records... and a collage of Steampunk. It's designed to feature four photos, but I kind of like it the way it is... I don't want to cover up too much of that gorgeous paper!

This metal rack and three frames is one of my favorite pieces I've ever created. The metal part is about 30 inches long. Again, I love the "contemporary vintage" feel this paper has!

"Joyful" and Japan...

I've been busy grading term papers, but I did mange to find a couple of hours for some creating! I put the finishing touches on the "Joyful" collection I started a couple of weeks ago, and filled an order for a Japanese-inspired album. Here are some photos:

More photos of the Joyful collection can be found here.

The album below was ordered as a birthday gift, and, like the Japanese-inspired album featured earlier on this blog, features the Graphic 45 line "Bird Song." I fell in love with Graphic 45's "Steampunk Debutante" line a couple of years ago and this is a very close second. Although, I may be biased since it fits in to my lifestyle so well these days!