A whimsical place to play, where paper and ink become one.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas To My Blog Family

Hello Blog Family,

I wanted to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas. I feel blessed to have met so many crafty people this past year. I feel like all of you are an extension of my family. Just in December, I attended a local craft group (Croppin' Crazies) and met another group of amazing ladies. They had a "Make N Take" which I am sharing with you today. 


All papers were donated by the hostess of the crop along with the metallic and red ribbon. The embellishment on the front  was given to me by a girlfriend who attended the crop with me, and was working on a Christmas Scrapbook. (Thank You Barbara) All other embellishments were brought by me and it was such fun decorating this sweet little booklet. 


As you open the booklet I used a La La Land Craft Club exclusive die set to create this adorable Christmas tree. The little ribbon on top was added and is by Stampin' Up! (See below for a listing of all Stampin' Up! Products used.)


The entire project opens to reveal a gift card pocket and multiple embellishments.


The ornament Thinlits set I have used in multiple sections is the Delicate Ornament Thinlits Dies from Stampin' Up! These produce beautiful intricate ornaments and there is also a stamp set that coordinates with them. You can get the BUNDLE for 15% off.  
 


I hope you all have a beautiful Holiday season and that you will consider "Following" my blog in 2016. 

Melanie
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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Crafts & Me "Celebrate" Challenge

Hello Friends,

The New Year is right around the corner so Crafts & Me is having a fun challenge on their Facebook group using the "Celebrate" Theme. I have colored up Hannah Lynn's digital image called "City Girl" from the Crafts & Me STORE for my design team card. I absolutely love this image and had so much fun coloring it.


City Girl is ready to Par-Tay! What celebrating will you be doing this New Years Eve??? 

I have used some beautiful paper flowers along with some Stampin' Up! punches and a new die set by Little B Designs for the Sentiment. 


Here is a close up of my coloring. I have colored her with Copic Markers.

Thank you for stopping by today. Head on over to the Crafts & Me Facebook Group to participate in our "Celebrate" Challenge!!!!!!!

Melanie

 

Monday, December 21, 2015

Stampin' Up December Class Samples ~ Last Minute Holiday Gifts!

Hello Stamping Friends,

As promised I am here sharing with you my December Samples from my in home workshop. The girls and I had a lot of fun together. Our focus was on last minute Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. We made 3 individual 3-D items.

Our first project was a goodie bad which we filled with holiday peppermint patties. It was perfect because the bags are semi clear so the colors from the individual candies showed through the bag.




Our second project was creating an adorable Tic Tac holder. One of my friends said her husband loves Tic Tacs so it will be in his stocking on Christmas morning. 


 We then made a gift card holder. My mom gives gift cards for Christmas so she fell in love with this idea. I totally see using the Gift Card Envelope and Trims Thinlits Set many times in the future. Isn't the Belly Band made to look like Santa's Belt adorable? I used the retired postage stamp punch but the 1" punch would work perfectly as well. 

All the products for these 3 projects can be found below... Happy holidays everyone!!! Melanie

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Saturday, December 19, 2015

Now Offering Stampin' Up! Classes In My Home

Hello Crafty Friends,

I have an exciting announcement to make. I have been working with the Stampin' Up! Development team training offered by the Corporate Office in Salt Lake City and it has helped inspire me to grow my SU! business by beginning to hold in home classes. I want to Thank Sara Rhodes for supporting me over the past 3 months and encouraging me to focus on and develop these classes.

I am sharing with you my projects from my November Class. Our theme was "Christmas Cards" I designed 3 cards for my attendees to make and everyone at every skill level had fun creating these fun holiday inspired cards.


see all products used just below each image by scrolling using the side bar.
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With each card I challenged my attendees by upping the skill level. Even the beginners enjoyed the more detailed designs.  
 

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With this last card we got even jazzier using a scalloped shape, triple stamping and even heat embossing. 
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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. If you have any questions about the class samples please feel free to contact me. I will share December's class samples with you next Monday. "Follow" my blog or sign up for "Email" notifications so you don't miss a post. 

Melanie

Friday, December 18, 2015

Fare Well Anything Goes Design Team Challenge Card for Art By MiRan








Hello Followers,

I am sad to say that this will be my last Design Team card for the Art By MiRan Facebook Challenge Team. I feel like I have grown a lot as an artist over the last 6 months while with them and look forward to even more growth in 2016. I want to thank Mi Ran Jung and all of the amazing Design Team members for being so supportive, especially throughout my surgery. You ladies are the BEST!

Today's card is using a digital image named "Sophia". You can find her in our Etsy Shop by clicking HERE.


You all know how much I love anything with wings so when I saw this newly released digital stamp I knew I must color her up. I chose a fall color theme and used the following photos as inspiration for my Copic Coloring.




Head on over the The Art By MiRan Facebook page to get all the details of the current "Anything Goes" Challenge. I look forward to seeing everyone's entries. 

Happy Crafting,

Melanie 


Thursday, December 17, 2015

Polkadoodles DT Creation using Twiggy and Toots Festive Fun Collection

Hi Everyone,

I hope this post finds you in the Festive Mood as Christmas is only 10 days away :-) I don't know about all of you but with my Christmas tree all decorated and presents currently getting wrapped, I am getting quite excited.

For my Design Team card to for Polkadoodles I am bringing you a really "Festive" Card. I am using the Twiggy & Toots Festive Fun Collection here which is full of an array of these adorable little owls.


I have colored this beauty using Copic markers and have used Frantage Embossing Powder in the background to give it a snowy look. I have added a "Peace" Sentiment in Gold Glimmer paper along with a die cut tree using a La La Land Die. Didn't she turn out just precious?

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Crafts & Me 50% OFF Digital Image Sale..... Sunday ONLY! Don't miss out!

Hi Friends,

Just a QUICK post today to share a really good deal with all my crafty friends. Crafts & Me is having a 50% Digital image sale TODAY ONLY!!!! Click HERE to visit their site!


Happy Shopping! I can't wait to see what you all make with your new images!!!!

Melanie

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Crafts & Me Facebook Challenge ~ Christmas Using a Hannah Lynn Image

Hello Friends,

Crafts & Me has a brand new Facebook challenge that I am promoting today. Our theme this fortnight is "Christmas" I know most of you are probably not finished making all your holiday cards so there is no reason not to participate in our awesome challenge *hint hint*

I am using this brand NEW digital stamp by artist Hannah Lynn. The stamp name is Genevieve, and isn't she BEAUTIFUL???? She was a pleasure to color.


I have used some retired Stampin' Up! cardstock along with a Spellbinders die to create the unique shape of this card. My flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I have colored this lovely lady with Copic markers.

Thank you for stopping by today everyone. I am sorry to have such a short and sweet post today but I am due to have some minor surgery in the morning so must get to sleep. While reincorporating I will be watching the Facebook group closely.....how many of you will be participating????? :-)

Melanie


Friday, November 20, 2015

Art By Mi Ran Anything Goes Challenge

Welcome Back Friends,

I am sharing a project I am very proud of today. I spent a long time focusing on the coloring of this image. I think I have impressed myself, which doesn't happen often. Anyone who knows me, knows I am quite the perfectionist. It can be a curse at times, but then other times magic comes from it and here I am sharing a little of that magic. 

This stamp is named "Neve" and is available by Whimsy. They carry quite a bunch of the Art By Mi Ran exclusive rubber stamps over in the SHOP.



I thank my classes over at "Kit & Clowder" for the background technique. Alyce is the best Copic instructor and I recommend all her ONLINE CLASSES to my friends. I also want to thank a close friend of mine for teaching me the mulberry paper technique I have used here. It came out just like she explained it :-)




I have used the following Copic markers to color my stamp. 

Skin: E000, E00,E04, E11, E21, R20
Hair: YR20, YR21, YR24
Clothes: C1, C3, C5, B00, B12, B14
Background: B16, B18, B28, B29, B39

I also used white acrylic paint in the background along with Stickles for the snowflakes.

Thank you stopping by today....Happy Crafting My Friend!

Melanie

Polkadoodles Challenge ~ White Plus One Other Color!

Hi Crafters,

Today I am coming to you with my very first digital design using the Twiggy & Toots Festive Collection. These CD/Download collections are so versatile. Not only do you get digital images to color but you also get a full suite of digital papers, embellishments, and pre colored images. These will REALLY come in handy for those last minute holiday cards. The beauty of the collection is you can use any or all of it to create either a 100% DIGITAL project like I have done below, or any mix of hybrid projects using both digital and hand coloring. 


The above photograph is using the pre colored image, digital papers, frames, embellishments, and even a sentiment from the collection. Then below I have printed out the digital image ready for coloring and I colored him with my Copic Markers. 


These CD or Download Suites offer ENDLESS possibilities for the crafty person. Make sure to CLICK on over to the Polkadoodles Store to check out all of the collections that they carry.  

Melanie  

Friday, November 13, 2015

Polkadoodles Twiggy & Toots Festive Fun Collection!


Hello Fellow Crafty Friends,

I have a really fun collection to share with all of you. This is my first posting as part of the Polkadoodles Guest Design Team. I am 
part of team A and will blogging twice a month to share my creations with you as part of this team. Click n over to the Challenge blog to enter this fun "fall colored" inspired challenge.

Today we are playing with the Twiggy & Toots Festive Fun Collection. This collection is available as both a download as well as a CD version. It is filled with both digital images to color as well as digitally colored images, papers, embellishments. It even comes with cut files to make some adorable houses and the adorable owl seen below. Whoooo doesn't love owls??? Gotta love these little guys!

Image 1

Here is my project coloring the Nativity Digi from the collection. I have used spellbinder dies to cut out a scallop shaped card. I have also used Digi papers from the collection. 4 sets of digi paper are included in this collection.

 Here is a close up of a piece of designer paper. I wanted to add a little festive colors to it so I added little dots with both my YG13 & R27 Copic Markers. You could really color to your hearts content with this paper. I just love it, so many possibilities!!!!


Here is a little close up of the bottom of the card. I only had white flowers as I am waiting for a shipment to arrive so I decided to color the tips also using the R27 marker. Didn't it really tie in the flowers to both the designer paper as well as the image?


Thank you for stopping by today. Make sure to click on over to the Polkadoodles website to see the wide array of products they carry. These CD collections are amazing!

Melanie 

 

Sunday, November 8, 2015

It's Celebration Time.... Proud New Member of the Crafts & Me Facebook Challenge Design Team.

Hi Friends,


I am SUPER excited to announce that I have been chosen for the Crafts & Me design team!!!! I am sharing a very special card with you today using "Child of Healing Digital Stamp" by Sara Burrier which can be found over in the Crafts & Me online store.  I love that lots of their stamps are available both in rubber AND digital which offers a little of something for everyone. Make sure to check out their entire store by clicking HERE.


I have used beautiful papers by Crate Paper from the Farmhouse Collection I have also used numerous dies from Spellbinders, including exclusive dies by LDRS Creative. Flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.  


 Here is a close up of my coloring. I have colored her using Copic Markers. 


I created this lovely card for my Mother In Law who just celebrated her 76th birthday. We took her out to eat last night at her favorite restaurant, and as you can see below she was very happy!!!

My card has been entered into the following challenges:




Thank you for stopping by today. Please head over to the Crafts & Me Facebook page to participate in our brand new challenge. 

Happy Crafting, 
Melanie 


Friday, November 6, 2015

Art By Mi Ran Progressive Challenge ~ Come Join the Fun!

Hi Friends,

As part of the Art By Mi Ran Facebook design team we are kicking off November's Progressive Challenge today. If you would like to find out how you can earn a FREE image once a month click on over to the Facebook Group for all the details. 



I have used a lot of fun items in making this card including the exclusive LDRS Creative Darling Square Die Set for the vines and sentiment. I have also used the beautiful  Blazing Poppy's Stamp and Die set by Heartfelt Creations. Below is a close up the flower and vines that I created using these two die sets. 

 

I colored my Art By Mi Ran digital image using Copic Markers. Here is a close up of my coloring.


Thank you for stopping by today. Please feel free to leave a comment or click to sign up for my email updates. I truly appreciate your comments.  Have an amazing day! Melanie

Friday, October 30, 2015

Stampin' Up! 2015 Convention Swaps ~ Baltimore Md.

Hi Friends,

In November I will be attending the Stampin' Up on Stage Event in Baltimore Maryland. During this one day training event I will be swapping cards with 50 other demonstrators in hopes to share many wonderful design ideas with one another.

Yesterday a close friend of mine, Barbara, came over to help me mass produce my Stampin' Up! convention swap. As I stamped and die cut out the leaves she stamped and punched out all the sentiments and began constructing the card bases. Barbara had never made a card before and she seemed to really have fun.



Here is a photo of Barbara sitting across from me in my craft room. Working together was both fun as well as productive. I really appreciated the company as well as the conversation.


Here is a close up photo of the cards we made. This simple design features the following Stampin' Up Items. Make sure to check back with me next week to see 2 STEPPED UP projects using these same sets. That is the beauty of Stampin' Up, it can be as simple or as detailed as you want. It truly is a creative outlet for anybody.


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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Crafts & Me October Challenge ~ Here Kitty Kitty by Jeremiah Ketner

Hi Friends,

Tonight I have a really special project for you. Recently I entered a design team call over at Crafts & Me and I have been enjoying their facebook group and decided to participate in their monthly FREEBIE challenge. This digital image by Jeramiah Ketner was graciously made available to group members free of charge for a limited time. As soon as I saw it my I knew I was going to make something really special with it. The name of the image is "Here Kitty Kitty" and is available in both Digital and Rubber.


I instantly loved the shape of the image because it immediately got my juices flowing. I knew the shape would not look right on a 6x6 style card so I came up with this 8" x 10" frame-able art piece. The designer paper is by Heartfelt Creations, The flower is handmade using McGill punches, and the branch dies are by La La Land Crafts. The font is a Sizzix die set called "Endless Love" Which I just thought would really speak volumes on this piece. I will be framing this and giving it to my amazing husband.



Here is a close up of my coloring. I have colored her up using Copic markers in the following colors:

Skin: E000, E00, E04, E11, E21, and R20
Dress & FlowersV0000, V000. V01, V04, and V09
Green Foliage: YG93, YG95, YG97 and YG99
Stars: YR20, YR21, and YR24

Thank you for stopping by today and have an amazing week!

Melanie

Thursday, October 15, 2015

File Folder Gate Card w/ Saturated Canary


Hello Followers,

Today I have a File Folder Gate card to show each of you. I have designed this card using the Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board. 



I have used an adorable Saturated Canary Stamp called "Elphie" from Little Darlings Rubber Stamps. as my focal point and she is colored in the following Copic colors.

E000, E00, E04, E11, E15, E17, E21, E30, E33, E34, E35, E55, E57, E59
YG61, YG63, YG67, YR65, YR68, Y17, and R20

The Fall stamps I have used are from Stampin' Up!'s September's Paper Pumpkin kit. Each monthly kit comes with all the supplies to complete an entire project but the best thing about them is the adorable exclusive stamp sets that are included each month. They are so versatile and they just went perfectly with this Saturated Canary image. I even added the little hat to Miss Elphie with one of the exclusive stamps. To learn more about My Paper Pumpkin simply click HERE!

The envelope punch board does a lot more than make envelopes. With this project I used it to create the tabs in this Gate Card.


The inside has a few scattered leaves stamped. It was fun creating the two tone leaves using Stampin' Write Markers. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I always love hearing from new crafty friends!

Happy Crafting!
Melanie


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