The Art of Scrapbooking™ by Melissa Samuels

Happy Halloween

Halloween is the theme...

Have I mentioned I just love Halloween?  Here's a couple of cards I thought I'd share.

I just love this creepy spider!  I made it using Tattered Angels' Halloween stamp, some Glimmer Glaze, and a Prima flower center.
This one's just plain cute!  I used Bo Bunny's Boo Crew (last year's collection) for this one.

Have a Happy Halloween Everyone!

 

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Altered Frame Using Glimmer Mist

I didn't have time to make anything today because my little Lily Bug was sick.  Turns out she has strep:(  She's asleep in my lap as we speak (I write....you read...you know what I mean).   Here's a little project I did a while back, but hadn't posted yet. I hope you enjoy!

It started out as a plain, light wooden frame...blahh!  Using a round paint brush, I painted the frame with Glimmer Mist (Suede).  Yay!!  It came out almost velvety looking, yum! 

I used Chalkboard Glimmer Mist (Strawberry Shortcake) to mist a Tattered Angels tile, and then attached Tim Holtz hitch fasteners to it.  I Glimmer Misted (with Suede) a strip of paper, accordion folded it, taped the ends together, and attached a Tim Holtz button to create the flower on the bottom of the top frame (sounds confusing, but hopefully the picture says it all).

In the middle frame I Glimmer Misted a piece of white cardstock, and used rub-ons to create the design to go inside the frame.  I also put rub-ons on the frame itself, and added a bird shaped Glimmer Misted tile (sounds convoluted, but true).  I hung a chain with a key from the frame hardware.

The bottom frame is decorated with Prima flowers.  Yeah, I know, I use flowers a lot!  They're another obsession in themselves.  I added some more Glimmer Misted tiles, and an accordion flower.  BUT, what really makes it pretty is the pictures of Chris.

Linked:

 

 

Vintage Cards

I made this card using old book text that I sprayed with Glimmer Mist.  The images are cutouts from Crafty Secrets.  The wings are Glimmer Misted with Old Lace, and glittered around the egdes with glitter snow.

This card just makes me happy.

I like this card because the little girl reminds me of my little Lily (my miracle baby).  Again, the images are from Crafty Secrets.  I used Distress Ink-Vintage Photo on the background, and Glimmer Mist on the wings.

Hopefully, these cards will brighten your day, too!

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Altered Shabby Chic Cottage Book

I think I know what everyone is getting for Christmas this year...an altered keychain book!  This was so much fun to make, I can't wait to make more.  I think I'm going to put a picture in it as soon as I find just the right one.  I can't wait to make a Christmas themed one!  Maybe, put a family photo in it, and use it as an ornament.  Or, you could even send it in the place of a family Christmas card to your very special friends (because they do take a little while to make with the drying time).  A steampunk one would be cool, too, with lots of gears and charms....Okay, so you know what I'm going to be doing for the rest of the day :))

Here's the tutorial for this Altered Shabby Chic Cottage Book.  Enjoy!

I started by cutting a piece of scrap chipboard to 2" x 2 3/4" to use as a guide for my cutout.  Place it on top of the first page, trace around it with a pencil, and cut out the rectangular "window" with a ruler and craft knife.  I used a precision file set to sand down any rough edges.  Once the "window" is cut out of the first page, lay that page on top of the second page, trace the cutout through the hole, and use a ruler and craft knife to cut the "window" out of the second page.  Repeat with 4 of the 6 pages.  **SEE NOTE**

Using gel medium or Modge Podge, glue the two bottom uncut pages together.  Then, glue down the 4 "window" cutout pages on top of the bottom 2 pages using gel medium or Modge Podge between each layer.  Make sure your book edges line up, and coat all edges with gel medium or Modge Podge.  Clamp each side with a bulldog clip.  Use a piece of wax paper between the book and clip to prevent the book from ripping once the gel medium is dried.

Once completely dried (for a couple hours or overnight is even better), paint with white acrylic paint OR gesso.  Let dry (or if you're impatient like me, use a hairdryer).

Put the book, front side down, on the back side of the screenprinted canvas, and trace with a pencil.  Cut out with scissors.

To cut the "window" out of the canvas, use the original piece of chipboard that was the guide, add just a little bit of tape runner on the top side, and put it in the "window" cutout of the book.  I used the top from a Tim Holtz film strip ribbon container to hold the chipboard up flush with the book.  Then, carefully line up the canvas cutout over the book and press into place. 

Lift the canvas and the chipboard will be taped exactly in the right position.  Trace around the chipboard, and removed it.

Fold the canvas lightly to make a slit to get the scissors started (do not bend  the canvas).  Cut the "window" out of the canvas.  Also, don't forget (like I did) to punch your ring hole in your canvas.

Fits perfectly!

Use a generous layer of gel medium (0r Modge Podge) to adhere the canvas cutout to the book.  Cut the background paper (2" x 3") down to fit inside the "window" and adhere down with gel medium.

Use 1/8" Scor-Tape to adhere embellishments.  Cut lace at an angle where it meets the ring hole.

Note**You have two options for enlarging the ring hole so that your chain fits.  #1. You can gel medium/Modge Podge the pages together, and once completely dry, drill a hole using a 1/4" drill bit through the existing hole to enlarge.  Punch a hole through the canvas, and adhere canvas to the page.  This is how I did it, but I let my husband do the drilling.  The chipboard is fairly soft, so you must be extremely careful doing this!  If you aren't sure about using a drill #2. Use a Crop-a-dile OR Big Bite to enlarge each hole  by punching one hole, placing that page on top of the next, tracing the hole, and punching.  Repeat with all 4 pages.  Gel medium/Modge Podge the pages together.  Remove the end ring from the chain by using needle nose pliers. Feed the chain through, and replace the ring.

Both methods require tying a string to the chain and pulling through the hole.  Also, make sure not to clog your hole with gel medium/Modge Podge. 

 

A kit is availble for purchase in my shop (click here for kit).  Or, if you only need the book, that's available, also (click here for book).  Thanks for stopping by :)

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Cabbit

Meet Mao Laoren (translation:  Old Man Cat), one of Christin's creations.  He came to life while Christin was home on break from college this week.  He's a cabbit.  For those who you who might not know what that is (I can't imagine), he's part cat, part rabbit.  He loves to climb trees and hang out in the studio.  His hobbies include hang gliding,  martial arts, hiking, and tole painting.  He's currently in a relationship with a fennec fox, sorry girls.

 
  We plan to enjoy getting to know him better while he is visiting. 

Lots of unrelated news for Friday!

I thought I'd share another layout.  I made a cute little journaling pocket/envelope thingy...I'm not sure what to call it.  I love folding cards (and have taught MANY folding classes), so I thought it would be fun to incorporate a little folding into a layout. 

I just love this picture of Maddie when she was about 5 months old.  It was just before Halloween, and she had her fairy wings on-what a cutie!

 

On to other unrelated news...

Yesterday was the best day ever!! 

My card, Freedom, Art, Love was in the Top 3 of the Two Peas Member Gallery all day, it made Craft Gossip, and  Hero Arts tweeted about it!! Wowzers!

 

Then, if that wasn't enough, my Halloween House, which was accepted into Basic Grey's Gallery and was featured the day before, won their "Collection Pack-a-Day Gallery Giveaway" on their Facebook Fan Page!  EEEEE!!!!!  That means I get to pick a collection of my choice as a prize!!!  Awesome!!!

Yes, it was good day indeedy!

 

And, on to even more unrelated news...

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Flippin-Seaman Apple Orchard (I swear I'm not making this stuff up!) in Tyro, Virginia.  The leaves were just starting to change, so the drive was beautiful, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for picking apples. The girls had a fantastic time.  Chris was home from college, and she helped pick apples between texts (some things never change, lol).  They picked two giant bags of apples.  I'm not sure what we're going to do with that many apples, but it was fun!

  

 

 

 

   

 

Freedom, Art, Love...

It's tutorial time!  Today I'm going to show you how to make one of my favorite things, a card!  So you may have guessed if you've seen my Birdcage Mini Album, that I have a thing for birdcages:)  I always put the bird outside of the cage which makes it okay, and to me represents FREEDOM....freedom represents ART...art represents LOVE.  Okay, enough twisted word association.  LOL!  Ready?  Let's go...

I started by using the Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology paper that I showed you how to ink the other day and naked chipboard to cut out the birdcage & bird pieces with the Tim Holtz Alterations die Caged Bird (#656634).

I used Glossy Accents (one of my favorite glues, and it has a micro tip so I didn't have to get out a paint brush, yeah!) to glue the paper shapes to the chipboard pieces.  Be sure to wipe off any excess that may squeeze out the edges because once it's dry it's glossy and dimensional.

Next, I inked the edges with a blending tool with foam loaded with Distress Ink-Rusty Hinge (my fav!).  FYI, the same tool is used for applying alcohol inks and distress inks.  Remember, the foam applicator is used with distress ink, and the felt applicator is used with alcohol ink.

Then, embellish your cage!  I used tulle behind the birdcage, and a border punch and lace at the bottom.  I inserted sparkly brads in the holes at the bottom, and hung a mini key from the hole at the top.  Add some flowers...

Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock in half, and crease with a bone folder.  Cut the reverse side of the Pink Paislee paper to 4" x 5 1/4."  I stamped the top left corner with a Hero Arts "Old Letter" Cling stamp, ink the edges lightly with Distress Ink, and adhered it to the front of the card.  Add the birdcage, and you're done!

 I hope you enjoy!  XO

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"Dreams Are Whispers From Our Soul" Layout

I hate to admit it, but I can't even remember the last time I did a 12x12 layout.  I spend a lot of time making cards, mini albums, altered art, and lately crafty projects.  Somehow, layouts seem to have fallen by the wayside.  I know, many of you are gasping right now.  I guess it's partly because layouts seem to be such a huge time commitment.  Now, I'm not saying I'm a commitment phobe, it's just that I have a short attention span when it comes to projects.  Don't get me wrong, I have a traditional 12x12 album that I put my Christmas photos in, because it's something I've been doing for the last 11 years or so (though, I'm about 3 years behind!).  But, I often get overwhelmed at the 600 to 800 photos that I have developed each year for that purpose.  I'm much happier making a mini album, picking 20 to 40 photos to add to it, and stuffing the rest into pockets.

I actually started out scrapbooking doing 12x12 layouts, so I guess it's kinda like riding a bicycle...I hope... 

In fear of forgetting how to do a layout altogether, I have created a few that I thought I would share with you this week. So, here goes.  This is one I did of Maddie at the beach.  She was gazing out at the ocean as if it were the most magnificent thing she had ever seen.  It's moments like that I will always treasure.

Grand Finale!

I know I said I was going to post my grand finale to my week of Halloween tags on Saturday, but it took a little longer than I expected to finish (and I had a super busy weekend).  Better late than never I say:)  So, here it is.  Oh, and don't forget to check out Melissa's blog, Bursts of Creativity, to see what she did for her grand finale.

Thanks so much for stopping by last week (and today) to see my Halloween projects, and for playing along with my giveaway.  I really appreciate all of the comments.  You guys are the best!

and the winner is....

Thank you all  so much for participating in my 1500 Facebook Fan Blog Giveaway.  I feel so fortunate to have so many talented friends that share my love of scrapbooking and crafting.  Thank you for becoming a fan on Facebook (and following my blog) so we can share this wonderful journey together. 

I really enjoyed reading all of the comments everyone left on yesterday's post.  Unfortunately, I am only able to pick one winner.  That's the part I don't like.  I wish I could give each and every one of you a prize.  To be as fair as I possibly could, I printed out all of the comments, put them in a bag, Maddie mixed them up, and Lily drew a name.  And, the winner is...

    Thank you for showing us all of your beautiful work! And for the chance to win something from     the mystery bag! I found you on facebook before I figured out you had a blog! Congrats on so     many fans!

    Posted by: Scrappy Jackie | Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 07:19 PM

Congratulations Scrappy Jackie!!  Email me your address at melissa@melissasamuels.net and I will get your 5 Halloween Tags and mystery grab bag in the mail.

A Week of Halloween Tags-Day #5

Yay!  I did it!  This is the last tag of my Week of Halloween Tags!!  They  were a lot of fun to make, and I hope you enjoyed watching.  A big thank you to everyone who stopped by, and to those who left comments.  Don't forget to check out  Melissa Thiesse's Day #5 tag, too over at Bursts of Creativity.

In celebration of reaching 1500 fans/likes on my Facebook Fan Page I'm doing a BLOG GIVEAWAY!!  Leave a comment on YESTERDAY'S post for a chance to win all 5 of my Halloween tags I made this week along with a mystery grab bag from my shop.  The winner will be announced later today.  Good luck!

Melissa Thiesse is doing a blog giveaway too, so stop by her blog and tell her hello for me:)

Now that they're all done do you have a favorite?  I think I like  Day #3 the best.  I like that it looks pretty spooky. 

Blog Giveaway!!

Today I reached 1500 Fans/Likes on my Facebook Fan Page.  To celebrate I'm going to giveaway a prize.  Comment on this blog post for a chance to win.  I will pick the winner Friday, October 15th.  So comment, and come back tomorrow to see if you won!  The prize is all 5 of my Halloween Tags from my Week of Halloween Tags Blog Challenge, and a mystery grab bag from my shop.  Oh, and feel free to become a Facebook Fan if you aren't already:)  XOXO Melissa

A Week of Halloween Tags-Day #4

I've made it to day #4 of Halloween Tags...coming down the home stretch.  This one was a little rushed because I have a list of things to get to today.  Don't look too closely because you might notice the Stickles are still wet. Don't forget to check out Melissa T.'s blog, Bursts of Creativity, to see her Day #4 Tag.

ENJOY!  XOXO, Melissa

Halloween Tag-Day 3

I did it!  Another day of tags!  I really like this one!  It's good & spooky!!  I didn't do a tutorial, but I'll give you a quick rundown of what I did.  I sprayed the tag with Glimmer Mist colors Popsicle and Graphite (I did this in several layers to get a dark color).  I inked the edges with Distress Ink-Black Soot. Then, I painted it with Distress Crackle Paint-Rock Candy.  After it dried, I rubbed a little white paint into the cracks of the crackle paint, and I used the cap on the bottle to make circles.  I used a little more Black Soot to tone down the white.  I set eyelets along the side, and threaded sheer ribbon through.  I embellished, then stamped a background stamp in Stazon along the right edge. 

Don't forget to check out Melissa T.'s blog, Bursts of Creativity, to see her day 3 tag.

Also, my Birdcage Album Kit with Instructions is back in stock in my shop.  Quantities are limited, and this time when they are gone, they're gone.

Don't forget to follow my blog on Google Friend Connect under my profile pic for a chance to win a super cool prize giveaway.  Click here for details.