Thursday, July 15, 2010

DAY 3 - Mark's Finest Papers' Blog Hop

Good Morning!  It's Day #3 of the Mark's Finest Papers' Blog Hop and we are sharing projects with a stamp set called "Flourishes and Frame".  This one is loaded with beautiful sentiments and a wonderful set to add to your collection.

There are prizes to be won!!!  So make sure you scroll down to see all the details!

I put together a a birthday card and a little gift box.  This little matchbox is by Creative Cuts and More.  I love all the great 3-D items you can get from them.  Lots of gift containers already cut and scored.  All you have to do is fold and adhere.

Did you know that MFP carries cardstock, ribbon, and other embellishments to put the final touches on your projects!




If you like Spellbinder's then you will want to pick up a new set when you order your stamps.  Mark's Finest Papers' has 10 pages of them, so lots to choose from!



See ya tomorrow with more MFP!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

DAY 2 - Mark's Finest Papers' Blog Hop

Double post today because I am blessed x2.  Today I am posting projects for both of my Guest DT gigs.  To check out Layers of Colors, please scroll down!

We are back again today to share with you another fun stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers' and more opportunities to win!!  All the details for the prizes are at the bottom of the post!  The set we are showcasing today is called "Southwest Cowboy".  I decided to showcase the images on 2 12x12 Layouts and a mini-album.




 





This mini-album is from a kit by Cosmo Cricket way back when.  It was easy to put together, you just punched out the pages and folded as directed.  Can you see the little cactus charm??  It's from MFP as well.  I colored it with my copics.
Faith has 10 pages of charms to choose from over in the store!




See ya tomorrow with more of MFP!

Layers of Color Scrapbooking!

Double post today, because I am double blessed!!  I'm am blessed to be on both the Layers of Color and Mark's Finest Papers' this month.

Today I am sharing projects I created using 2 of Layers of Color stamps sets.

This 12x12 Layout features "Joyful Noise" .   As soon as I saw this set I fell in love and new I would be able to use it for more than just card making, since my daughter plays the violin.  I used the butterfly, treble clef, and musical flourishes.  But there are 2 other stamps in the set, so take a peak at the link above.
I wish you could see it up close.  I used old music paper and distressed it to create the border along the side.  And the background DP is so cool.  All the flourishes are velvety feeling.



Frame Tutorial
I started by drawing the outlines of a rectangular frame on cardstock.  The outside measurement was 4 3/4" x 5 3/4"  and the inside was 3/4".  You want your pencils lines light enough to go back and erase later.  Then I stamped and embossed the musical flourish around the inside of the frame, allowing some parts to extend outside the lines of the frame.  I decided which parts of the flourishes that extended outside of the frame I wanted to keep.  I used an Exacto Knife and metal ruler to begin trimming along the pencil lines, making sure not to cut off the part of the flourishes I wanted to keep.  Then I used sissors to trim around the the parts that extended outside the frame.  The I adhered this peice to the brown paper and began trimming to create a mat.



 


Flower Tutorial
I made my own paper flower on this one.  Very simple to do.  I cut multiple sizes using my Spellbinders Scalloped Circles dies from old book paper.  Before cutting, I had colorized the paper using some pigment ink.  I simple folded over and layered the different scalloped circles until I got a shabby look.


The card below features "Royal Birds" and "Touch of Elegance".  These images are just a sneak peak of the whole sets, so make sure you click the links about and check them out!


Frame Tutorial using Spellbinders
Begin by tracing around the edges of a Spellbinders die - Classic Frames on patterned paper or cardstock using a marker to create the frame.  Then stamp the decorative swirlies at the top and bottom.  Trim around the inside and outside of the frame.  


I have had so much fun designing with these stamps, they are just gorgeous!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Altered Wooden Box


Good Morning!  It's time for another Creative Belli Challenge and this challenge we were ask to alter something we had in our stash.  My stash is HUGE in this catagory.  I love to alter, so when I see neat things to alter I grab them. Of course I always plan on getting it altered asap, teehee.  HUGE STASH.  Hmmmm maybe I should offer some up for blog candy. 

I went with red/ black again.  Sorry if you are sick of it, but I wanted this little box to match my craft room.  Aren't those roses on top gorgeous!  Well they are from Layers of Color.  I'm so excited to be a Guest Designer for Layers of Color this month.  They sell the most wonderful stamps and stencils.  You can check them out HERE.  This particular set is called Vintage Roses.


I started by removing the hinges on the back and lock on the front.  When I'm shopping for alterable items, I always think about how easy it will be to disassemble and alter.  Then I painted the base black around all the edges.  I use old music paper around the base.  I had this really cool 3-D frame made by Making Memories that I thought would look good around the glass window.  It was part of their "Sabrina" Collection. 
Then I stamped and colored my image from the Vintage Roses set.


Hope you were inspired to alter something you've been hoarding. We would love to have you join us over at the Creative Belli Challenge Blog.   You can check out the challenge details and more wonderful altered projects there by their awesome DT!

But before I go, I want to share one more Layers of Color project with you using Vintage Roses.


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

You can view all of my Altered Projects HERE

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Confessions of a digi hoarder ...

They say the first step to recover is admitting you have a problem  ....  My name is Melisa and I hoard digital stamps.  It's true!  But not today ...


I used this sweet summer strawberry image from McMahon 5 Designs.
DP : red flourishes with scallop - Making Memories and background pink - Basic Grey
Spellbinders die and Fiskars deckled sissors
pearls by The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)


See ya tomorrow with another Creative Belli Project and a Layers of Colors altered project!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Back to School ...

Back to school is right around the corner for some of you.  But I'm done with all that, woooowhoooo!!  When my children were in school I did my best to always support and let there teachers know how much we appreciated them, especially my son, teehee. (ADHD, need I say more).  He put many a grey hair hairs in some heads.  I keep telling him "I can't wait til YOU have children!".

This set is perfect for letting those teachers know how much you appreciate them.  And you can start with a "Welcome Back" card.  Send it in with the LONG list of class supplies, you know, the kleenex, pencils, paper, I'm surprised they don't just put toilet paper on the list, teehee.

This one is from another new release from Mark's Finest Papers.  You can check this one out on 7/16.  There will be a blog hop with lots more idea's from their fabulous DT on this day!
Have I mentioned that they host fun challenges as well every Saturday HERE.


Stamp Set : Mark's Finest Papers  Apples and Camellia
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black
Clear embossing powder on the title
DP : it's ancient, possible 10 years old, I love it when I use something from my stash!
Cardstock probably Bazzill
Die : Spellbinders Circle and Scalloped Circles  SA114/SA124
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Border Punch : Fiskars Treading Waters
Buttons : Unknown
Ribbon : Mark's Finest Papers
Charm : Mark's Finest Papers

Technique / Tip
My apple charm came gold.  You can customize it to match your card colors with your Copic Markers.  I used R29 and YG03 on my little apple charm.

You can view more of my Back to School / Teacher Appreciation projects HERE.

Sunday, July 4, 2010


Here's is another one designed using Mark's Finest Papers - Flourishs and Frame.  Are you see a pattern yet??  This one is LOADED with awesome sentiments!  I can't wait for you to see it.  Remember the Blog Hop for the July releases begins July 13 and wraps up July 16.  We will be revealing 1 of 4 stamp sets each day.

DP - My Mind's Eye 6x6 paper pad "Home"
Border Punch - Martha Stewart

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Purr-fect Friend


Isn't this image adorable!  The girls on the Crafty Secrets Challenge thread are creating non-patriotic red, white and blue projects this week.  So I started going through my Heartwarming Vintage images and found this little cutie.  It is just one of many adorable sewing images from the from the "Sew Nice" Creative Scraps line.  Did you know that Crafty Secrets has an online store that you can order from??  HERE it is.

The bag is one of the wonderful pre-cut and pre-scored items over at Creative Cuts and More.  I just love that I don't have to do any cutting for these.  This one is the Tuck and Close #2.  This style comes in a larger size as well.
Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Designer for Mark's Finest Papers!

Good Morning.  Today I am sharing with you a sneak peak of 1 of 4 new stamp sets being released by Mark's Finest Papers this month.  I am thrilled to be the guest designer for them this month.  Never heard of Mark's Finest Papers??  Well maybe you have heard of the owner, Faith Hofrichter.  She is a very talented stamper and long time member over at Splitcoast Stampers.  You may know her better as "markie's mom".  Not only does she create the most beautiful cards, but now she has ventured out and developed her own online Stamp Store and line of "Speedy the Cat" stamps.  Their store is loaded with lots of other products as well.  You can hop over and check out the store HERE.  And you will want to check out their blog as well.  They post challenges every saturday.  BLOG HERE.  I will be sharing projects using all 4 of their new releases for July!!  You can view and purchase these stamp sets during the release party,  July 13-16. 


Stamp Set : Flourishes and Frame by Mark's Finest Papers
Flowers : Prima
Spellbinders Die : Labels One
.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Altered Paper Mache Pot

Good Morning.  I am so excited to announce that I have the pleasure of serving as a guest designer for Layers of Color this month.  I will be sharing projects using several of their stamp sets this month.  Layers of Colors sells the most wonderful artisitc stamps with a vintage flair!  They also just released a line of Art Stencils that are fabulous.  Their design team has been showing off lots of idea's for using the stencils.  Their GALLERY is just loaded with awesome idea's to inspire you.  You can find more wonderful inspiration on the Layers of Colors BLOG.  Laura with LOC is making my guest DT announcement on her blog today, so if you get a minute to hop over and leave a comment, that would be awesome.
LAYERS OF COLOR

Today I am showing off "Nature Walk".


I thought this project would be a great gift for a co-worker or friend. They could sit it on their desk at work to brighten their day. The Birthday Wishes sentiment could be removed later. It's a fun and easy altered item. I picked up this paper mache' pot at a local craft store, covered it with old music paper and coated with a red glaze. You could probably create your own glazes by thinning down acrylic paint. But I have several colors made by Golden. I also have a bottle of "Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid". I mix this with acrylic paint to create my own glazes. Glazes are fun because they are translucent and allow you to add color without covering up whats below.



I did add a decorative image from another LOC set called "Touch of Elegance".  I used it in the center of the smaller flowers. I found these fun fabric brads at Hobby Lobby. They are called "Spare Parts" and made by Paper Studio.


You can see the back doesn't look so great. I twisted green floral wire to create the stems. I punched white circles to help secure the wire to the back of my flowers. 

I will be sharing another altered project using Layers of Color stamps next wednesday!  So please stop back by.

You can view all of my Altered Projects HERE

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Poor Man's Copic Organizer



I call this my poor man's copic organizer because I created it using cans.  The bottom piece is a spinning spice organizer for your kitchen.  I spray painted it black.  Then I saved up some soup cans.  I used 2 large fruit cans, 3 regular vegtable cans, and 2 small soup cans.  This combo fits perfectly in the spice organizer.  Now of course this want hold all your copics, but I'm not planning on owning them all.  If you have more, you could set up 2 of these.  I own 162 and there is room to add a few more in this system.

How do you store your copics?

You can view all of my Altered Projects HERE

Know your politics ...

Disclaimer :  I know this is a crafty blog, and I don't usually share alot of personal stuff here, but please bare with me while I share a little about something that is so important to me.  I promise I'm not going to start spewing my personal political views on here.  I just wanted to share some information that has be helpful to me.  Keep in mind I am no political expert, teehee!

In our busy lives, it's so hard to keep up with what is going on in the political world.  But it is important to educate ourselves about what is going on and how to vote based on issues that are important to us.  There are some very important changes that are being made in this country that are going to affect our lives and the lives of our children for a very long time.  A few years back I began searching for reliable information that gave me the facts.  You are not going to get the facts from mainstream media.  So I wanted to share with you a few sources that I have found reliable.  Keep in mind that I am a conservative who is registered to vote as an independent.

1.  Bill Bennett's Morning in America. 
It is a radio broadcast that comes on at a time that I would NEVER listen to live (6am-9am EST).  So I signed up to listen online at my convenience.  When you sign up to listen online, you also eliminate the commercials, cutting your listening time in 1/2.  I listen while I'm doing laundry, cooking dinner, or other task.  This show is not like other talk shows that spew inflammatory dialogue ie. Rush Limbaugh, Shaun Hannity, Laura Ingraham.  They have losts of expert guest and calm political discussions.  The cost is only $5 a month and I have learned so much listening to this program. You can check it out HERE.

2. The Heritage Foundation.
If you want facts ...  this is the place to go.  They have a whole list of issues you can choose from.  So much information here.  AWESOME site!!  Check them out HERE.
" Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

We believe the principles and ideas of the American Founding are worth conserving and renewing. As policy entrepreneurs, we believe the most effective solutions are consistent with those ideas and principles. Our vision is to build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.
Heritage’s staff pursues this mission by performing timely, accurate research on key policy issues and effectively marketing these findings to our primary audiences: members of Congress, key congressional staff members, policymakers in the executive branch, the nation’s news media, and the academic and policy communities."

3.  Christian Coalition of America.
I get their weekly emails.  Check them out HERE.
"You have come to the home of one of the largest conservative grassroots political organizations in America founded by Pat Robertson in 1989.

Christian Coalition offers people of faith the vehicle to be actively involved in impacting the issues they care about - from the county courthouse to the halls of Congress.
The Coalition is a political organization, made up of pro-family Americans who care deeply about ensuring that government serves to strengthen and preserve, rather than threaten, our families and our values. To that end, we work continuously to identify, educate and mobilize Christians for effective political action.
Our Mission:
•Represent the pro-family point of view before local councils, school boards, state legislatures and Congress
•Speak out in the public arena and in the media
•Train leaders for effective social and political action
•Inform pro-family voters about timely issues and legislation
•Protest anti-Christian bigotry and defend the rights of people of faith
Effective citizenship begins with knowledge. Since its inception, the Christian Coalition has worked to provide critical education and political training to the pro-family community in order to challenge and equip individuals and churches to make a difference at all levels of government.
Our hallmark work lies in voter education. Each election year, Christian Coalition distributes tens of millions of voter guides throughout all fifty states, (up to seventy million in 2000 alone!). These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues - before they go to the polls on Election Day.
Our efforts do not stop with voter guides. We actively lobby Congress and the White House on numerous issues and hold grassroots training seminars and events all around the country that draw thousands of pro-family supporters and help organize activists on critical issues facing our country."

4. The Clarmont Institute - founding.com
If you want to learn more about the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

I hope you are inspired to learn more about what's going on in the world around you!

On a personal note. 
We are FINALLY in Houston!  Still looking for a few things.  Looks like the movers lost a few things.  How does that happen???  They put multiple families on one big truck.  Very frustrating.
I'm going through emails today, trying to get caught up and hoping to get back in the swing of things and creating very soon.  I'm missing the kids, but I guess I will get used to that.  Thanks for all of your wonderfully supportive comments and prayers while I was going through all of this!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Creative Belli Sketch Challenge #94

It's time for another Creative Belli Challenge. 
This week our challenge is to use the sketch below and make it patriotic.  Creative Belli is all about inspiring you to use some of those old, neglected supplies you have laying around.  I used this patriotic paper I have had for years and the PTI stamp set I have had for probably a year and never used.   So here is what I came up with :


DP  : Carolee's Creations, Basic Grey
Stamps : Papertrey Ink
Lace unknown
Ink : Versa Magic Night Sky
We would love to have you join us!
Hop on over to the Creative Belli Blog right now and check out what the rest of the DT came up with and how you can take the challenge!
Here's the Sketch:

While I was in patriotic mode, I decided to create another card using one of Creative Cuts and More's window cards.  CC&M produces a fun selection of window cards using various shapes.  You can check them out  HERE.   You could have alot fun creating with these!


Stamps : PTI, Stampailities (word star), Limited Editions (title)
Ink : VersaMagic Night Sky
Thanks for stopping by!!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Layers of Color - Merci Bouquet

This set by Layers of Color is so pretty.  It's called Merci Bouquet. 

I used Core'dinations cardstock.  It was brown on the outside and pink on the inside.  I ran it through the cuttlebug using one of their embossing folders and then lightly sanded.  I like that aged effect you get with this.   I rubbed on pink acrylic paint to distress it more.   I used a background stamp on the Spellbinders die cut and distressed it with brown ink and a stipple brush. 

I just love the stick pin I used on this one.  It's by Jenni Bowlin.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Summertime, summertime!

Good Morning.  Well I don't know about where you are, but here in Florida things are heating up.  And summertime is definitely here.  So what better way to kick off June than with a summer project!  I used Crafty Secrets Seaside stamp set for this project.


This is a layout I created using the Seaside stamp set, last fall.  But I decided to wait for a warmer day to post it.  I had ALOT of fun with this one.  I started with distressed background paper by Basic Grey.  As you can see I stamped the shells to create my on designer paper.  I added a strip of blue down the center of the layout.  I found the perfect sheet of blue dp in one of my Crafty Secrets Paper pads to mount my photo's on.  Then I started adding elements that work well for a beach page.  If you know me, you know I love texture.  On the detailed photo's below you can see how I layered Course Pumis Gel (gritty medium found in artist section at local craft store) and cheese cloth.  Add of course I had to throw some raffia on there. 



I created my own chipboard charms to dangle.





And I embellished the rest of the layout with some of the wonderful images from the Seaside set.




Doesn't it make you want to head out to the beach??

Thanks so much for stopping by!
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