The Art of Scrapbooking™ by Melissa Samuels

The video tour of the finished scrapbook room

Scrapbook Room Makeover

I know it's taken a while, but we finally finished my scrapbook room.  My husband painted it a beautiful two tone aqua color that is so calming and happy.  He made built-ins for my storage that turned out amazing!  He rocks!!  For the most part, I've organized all of my "stuff" and hopefully I will be more productive.  So much time has been spent searching for things or making room to start projects.  Time has become in short supply, so hopefully the organizational makeover will make work go quicker & more smoothly.  A BIG thank you to my husband for making a girl's dream come true!!  

Thanks to my students for the beautiful birthday cards that are decorating the room!

Name tags

I almost forgot to share.  I made these cute little name tags for my students in my Nature's Gifts Album Workshop.  They are made from Basic Grey's Origins collection & coordinate with the book. 

 

A journey together

Today I taught my Nature's Gifts Album Workshop, and what a great day! Teaching is, hands down, one of the most fulfilling and satisfying things I have ever done.  The appreciation that is given to sharing knowledge and creating something beautiful and meaningful is an experience that is difficult to put into words.  To be in a room full of people that have the same passion for a craft, and who are so enthusiastic to learn is such an amazing experience.  I feel so fortunate that my life has taken such a turn, and is leading me down this wonderful path.  It's a wild ride, but thanks to all of my students who are walking with me on this journey.  

Here's a glimpse at the day we had.

Scrapbooking.com Magazine Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter - Volume 12, Issue 16 April 19, 2010

In This Issue: Magazine Quick Links: 1. Editor's Welcome 2. Information for Artists 3. Mother Layout Contest Winner 4. Complete A Survey 5. Le' Romantique  6. Our April Issue  7. Find a Retail Store  8. Premier Store Coupons  9. Online Shopping Links 10. Bulletin Board Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement     Advertisement   Blog of the Week: Anna: "My blog, Frynologia, was meant to show my decoupage works, but when I started scrapbooking it totally changed it's profile. For the 2,5 years I have it I put mainly my works there, but I also shared some techniques, prepared courses and wrote about things that I found fascinating for some reasons. You can find mini-albums, sewn covers for calendars or notebooks and layouts in a style I would call feminine, vintage and little bit trashy."     Advertisement   Welcome from the Editor  by Jami Petersen   When it’s time to shower our favorite women with love, Scrapbooking.com Magazine has the handmade answers. We’ll give you some great ideas for you next party, like an easy banner to enhance the décor of an engagement dinner. Or check out Baby Shower Gift Combo for handmade gifts from the heart. Perhaps you prefer to scrap the photos, we can help you there too, learn from the experts in our April feature. Jami Petersen newsletters@a-z.com Tip of the Week Featured Product Layout Contest "The versatility of metal and its appeal to scrapbookers of all skill levels is driving it in many different artistic directions. Metal can be used "as-is" or altered to create your own innovative designs. All you need is a little imagination. Words, letters and shapes can be purchased that are ready to go. All you have to do is decide where to attach them on your layout." Bazzill Basics introduces their new iPhone/iPod Touch application. The app brings over 500 Bazzill Cardstock Colors to your finger tips! The Bazzill app delivers details of each cardstock color including Name, Texture, RGB value, CMYK value and SKU number. Color match a photo to over 500 Bazzill cardstock colors. Create the perfect color palette with color combinations for over 500 Bazzill cardstock colors. This year give Dad a gift that will last a lifetime. Create a layout that shows how great dad is by honoring him in our Fathers Layout Contest. Being a father is fun, difficult, and rewarding all rolled in one. Remember dad and make this Father's Day absolutely terrific! Click here for more information about how to enter this month's contest. Mother Layout Contest Winner by Dawn M. Bibbs "I created the “Jet Beauty” layout of my mom as a birthday gift for her a couple years ago. I have always thought my mom was so beautiful. I was especially impressed that she was featured in Jet Magazine back in 1964 as one of their Jet Beauties. Our uncle took the photos of her and she let me have a copy that was going to be featured in the paper and magazine issue. So I decided it would be awesome to create a layout of this once in a lifetime moment for her." Click here for complete supplies and directions >>  Surveys: Enter for a Chance to Win! Computer Printers Complete this week's survey about computer printers and win BetterPhoto Basics by Jim Miotke. A friendly guide packed with tips, techniques, and tons of inspiration to help new shooters take better photos right away. From simple techniques like getting closer to your subject, turning off your flash, and locking your auto-focus, to tips on 20 ever-popular photo projects, "secrets" from the pros, commonly asked questions (and answers), and much more. And for those who want to take it a step further, Miotke reveals the secrets behind 10 advanced creative techniques in a simple, clear, easy-to-follow manner. Simply fill out our short survey. Click here to enter to win and complete this week's survey. There is still time to enter last week's survey and enter to win.  Le' Romantique by Melissa Samuels "I have a passion for paper crafting, especially unique paper folding projects, and all things vintage. This project was a merger of the two. I love the unique, round shape of this interactive album when it is opened, and how neatly it folds up allowing it to be mailed as a gift to an unsuspecting recipient. I plan to add sepia photos of my family to it to make it extra special."   Click here for complete supplies and directions >>

Nature's Gifts Album Creative Workshop

I'm really getting exciting about my upcoming workshop!  All of the boxes and boxes of product are here, and it's time to start making kits!  Exciting!!!  My hope is to make it a sort of "spa day" for my girls.  I want them to relax and enjoy the day creating.  I've reserved a room at Sergio's for lunch, so we can get some social time in as well as mixed media play. 

Nature's Gifts Album Workshop, April 24th from 10am until 5pm at Memories Galore (Brandermill) 4800 Market Square Ln-B, Midlothian, Virginia 23112.  $96 (fee includes kit, full day of instruction, and comprehensive instructional handout)

There are a handful of seats left if you'd like to make a girl's day of it, you can call (804) 744-6500 to reserve a seat.  

Why I love my non-stick craft mat

I leave my Ranger craft mat on my work space at all times because I'm a messy scrapper, and it saves my table top.  It's heat resistant, so I can leave it on my work surface to heat emboss, and it cleans up easily.  Acrylic paint, glue, ink, gel medium, you name it wipes right off with ease.  I thought I would put it to the ultimate test.  As I was frantically preparing class samples for Kickoff, I made a ginormous mess on my mat.  It was covered in acrylic paint, glaze, gel medium, distress ink, crackle paint, and Stazon.  It's been sitting for almost 2 months (I said I was messy).  I had no idea if it was ever going to come clean or if I would have to toss it and buy another one, not that I would complain if I did have to throw it out because I've gotten months of heavy use out of it.  Well, it took a little scrubbing with warm soapy water, instead of the normal damp towel wipe down, but it came right off.  I would guess it took about 5 minutes to get it sparkly clean again.  Here's the before and after:

   

Memories Galore Newsletter

Memories Galore 4800 Market Square Ln-B Midlothian, VA 23112 804.744.6500 http://www.memoriesgalore.com customerservice@memoriesgalore.com 3991 Deep Rock Rd Richmond, VA 23233 804.565.2000 Business Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm & Sun 1-5pm

Letter from the Owners To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam. To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of one minute: Ask the person who has missed the train, bus or plane. To realize the value of one second: Ask a person who has survived an accident. To realize the value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics. Time waits for no one.  Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special. Time marches on, Angela & Michele Teachers' Corner... Don't let time slip away this week.  Join us for a great class to keep you creatively inspired and paper crafting like never before! To register call the store where the class is being held. Brandermill 804-744-6500 ext. 1# or West End 804-565-2000. ~ Mon., Apr. 12th "Family First Folio" 6:30-8:30pm Brandermill ~ Mon., Apr. 12th "Foto Fixes Series 2 of 4" 6:30-8:30pm West End ~ Tue., Apr. 13th "Pop-Up Round Mini Album" 6:30-8:30pm West End ~ Wed., Apr. 14th "Digital Beginnings" 6:30-8:30pm Brandermill ~ Wed., Apr. 14th "A Year of ATCs 1/12" 6:30-8:30pm West End (pictured) ~ Thur., Apr. 15th "What Matters Most series" 6:30-8:30pm Brandermill ~ Fri., Apr. 16th "Fabulous Folding Cards" 6:30-8:30pm West End ~ Sat., Apr. 17th "Mad About Samurai: Classically-Vintage" 9:30am-5pm West End ~ Sun., Apr. 18th "Picture Perfect Frame Workshop" 1-5pm Brandermill ~ Sun., Apr. 18th "What Matters Most series" 2-4pm West End ~ Mon., Apr. 19th "Book Club" 6:30-8:30pm West End ~ Tue., Apr. 20th "What Matters Most series" 6:30-8:30pm West End ~ Wed., Apr. 21st "A Year of ATCs 1/12" 6:30-8:30pm Brandermill (pictured) Foto Fix series now in Brandermill Join Bonnie Cuddihy for a new Foto Fix series starting Monday, May 24th, 6:30 to 8:30pm at Memories Galore in Brandermill. This is a 4-week series with all classes held on Monday evenings, and the dates are May 24th, June 7th, June 14th and June 21st. In Foto Fix, there's lots to learn to improve your photos. Sometimes it's the simple correction. Sometimes it's that photo that would be a treasure if only it could be lightened or darkened or that piece of trash wasn't there. Learn how to make these image adjustments and much more in Foto Fix. Let your photos shine! Those of us who are scrapbookers understand the real star of any scrapbooking page is the photo. Foto Fix is the perfect opportunity to learn new ways of enhancing our digital photos--turning them into Black & White photos or Sepias. Your layouts will thank you. And we've had a number of people take Foto Fix that are not scrapbookers. They just wanted to learn how to fix various photo problems and be able to use and enjoy important images that before were less than perfect. We invite you to join Bonnie for this highly-rated series. Anyone with a digital camera that could benefit from the Foto Fix series--give them a call and encourage them to register by calling Memories Galore in Brandermill at 804-744-6500 ext. 1#.  The entire series is only $80--a tremendous value! Students need to bring their laptop with Adobe Photoshop Elements installed to get started. We'll show you step-by-step instructions. You don't need to know the program--you'll learn it as we go. In Stores 4 U! Memories Galore has the standard in art supply storage--ArtBin products are here! Super Satchel Series, Easy View, Click 'n Go Totes, pink ribbon products in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation & more! ArtBin is proudly made in the USA, acid-free & perfect for organizing of your papercrafting supplies. It's here! Tim Holtz's much-anticipated how to book of all things altered, distressed and creatively crafted: "A Compendium of Curiosities." Get your copy of this coveted how to book that goes above & beyond with detailed step-by-step instructions and actual project phase photographs for countless works of art. For the Free Spirit in all of us, Little Yellow Bicycle has designed a true celebration of HAPPINESS! This fun & funky flower power collection will have you feelin’ groovy! Get your share of the fun-loving patterned papers, unique embellishments and border diecuts today! Memories Galore is FEELING GROOVY! Peace, love & rainbows abound from this new fun filled line by Doodlebug Designs with bright colors that pop when mixed with the rich brown tones--patterned papers, cardstock stickers & an adorable die cut. We know this collection will help you get into your crafting groove! Memories Galore knows that little guys stay ON THE GO! And, we've got the most adorable collection of the same name from Doodlebug Designs in stores for you! Vibrant primary colors, simple design elements and playful images make this release perfect for scrappin' your little man, ON THE GO! Monthly Card Challenge March Winner & April Contest The challenge for the month of April is to make any card design you like using your favorite papers and Stickles!  Show me your creativity with a little, or a lot, of sparkle!  Pick your favorite Stickles color, and get cardmaking!  Haven't used Stickles before?  Ask a Creative Sales Associate at Memories Galore about how easy and fun they are to use! Return your cards to either Memories Galore location by Monday, May 2nd in an envelope marked “April Card Challenge: Melissa Samuels.” Your card will be judged on creativity, design, technique, and use of Stickles. A winner will be announced in the May 9th newsletter. This month’s prize is a $10 gift card to Memories Galore. The winning card will be displayed in our store. Good luck and happy cardmaking! Card entries cannot be returned, but will be donated to a local charity. Thank you for your support! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Monthly Charity Card Challenge.  The winner of the March challenge is Lois Kennedy.  Her beautiful card in the shape of an Easter egg with layered flowers was simply gorgeous. Congratulations, Lois! Weekly Special--Redeem Competitor Coupons! Monday, April 12th - Sunday, April 18th Save up to 40% on a single item of YOUR choice! Shop at Memories Galore this Monday, April 12th through Sunday, April 18th, present a valid competitor's coupon and we'll honor it!  But wait, there's more... you'll also earn your customer loyalty rewards! Memories Galore will honor competitor coupons for single-item discounts up to 40% off regulary-priced merchandise and accept one coupon per customer.  How's that for wanting to be your first choice in scrapbooking, card making and paper crafting?!?  Don't blink--this sale won't last! *Limit one competitor coupon item purchase per customer of up to 40% off a regularly-priced item. "Valid" defined as current date range, original coupons (no photocopies) and exclusive of sale/specialty items. Offer not valid on Silhouette SD machines, events or gift cards. Cannot be used in combination with any other offer. Applies to pre-tax amounts of in-store regularly-priced merchandise purchases only. No exceptions, substitutions or rainchecks. Prepaid items excluded.  Valid 4/12/10 to 4/18/10. While supplies last.

almost there...

The scrapbook room makeover is going great!!  The construction phase is over, now it's just a matter of organizing and decorating.  I had to take a little break, because the organizing has been quite the task.  I didn't realize just how much "stuff" I had accumulated.  As soon as it is finished I'll post some pics. 

In the meantime, I found this super cute dress form at Kroger!  That's right, Kroger, as in the grocery store.  I couldn't believe it either!  It's so adorable and goes perfectly with the room. 

Shabby Chic Painting

My hubby is working hard on a complete overhaul of my scrapbook room.  I picked a beautiful & cheery paint color, and he's making custom built-ins for my paper storage.  I've had the hardest time trying to find a work light that gives off lots of light, but doesn't look hideous.  I found the perfect light, but when we got it home and hung it, it just wasn't bright enough.  So, back to the drawing board on that one!  With all of my scrapbooking supplies spread out in the foyer and family room, my house looks a war zone (with lots of casualties). 

While I was waiting for my room to be finished, I thought I'd work on a painting to go in there.  It's been soooo long since I've painted on canvas, I was hoping I would remember how :-)  It didn't turn out exactly like it was in my head, but I think it will do.  I used acrylic paint, distress ink, and glimmer mist (why not use scrapbooking supplies if it gives you the desired effect, right?).  I had some Fancy Pants papers I had been dying to do something with, Prima flowers, and Webster's Pages ribbon & lace.  I wanted something shabby chic and different.  I hope you like it!

Stay tuned for the "Big Reveal" when the room is finished!!