The Art of Scrapbooking™ by Melissa Samuels

2010: Year In Review

Happy New Year's Eve Everyone!  It's been an amazing year for me filled with creative growth and lots of adventure.  I've enjoyed sharing projects and tutorials with you, and today I want to share some of my personal favorite project blog posts from this year.  I hope you enjoy!  (Click on  the blog post dates to view the original post)

This one is very fitting because of the title "Life is a Journey."  So very true!  This is a card that I made for BoBunny's card challenge (my first ever card challenge entry), and I won!  This felt like the beginning of great things.  Blog post February 19, 2010

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This is a simple ribbon flower YouTube tutorial that I blogged about May 3, 2010 and was a huge hit.  To date, it has had almost 23,000 views! 

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This is definitely a favorite mini album!  I just love the colors, bling, flowers, and hardware.  It was a merger of all of my favorite scrapbook things.  Blog post June 26, 2010
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This was my all time favorite YouTube video I shot.  It took hours to edit it down to the 10 minute time constraint, but well worth it!   I love flowers, and I thought it would be fun to recreate some of my Prima favorites.  Blog post July 11, 2010

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This was a blog tutorial I did on recycling a Memory Glass box into a shabby chic gift box.  It was awesome because Ranger Industries tweeted about it, and Suze Weinberg left a comment!  Exciting!  Blog post August 18, 2010.
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This is one of my favorite cards!  I made it using Webster's Pages papers and stickers.  Cards are the best because they're quick and easy.  Blog post August 21, 2010.

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I really enjoy working with canvas, and Glimmer Mist is one of my favorite products, so of course this little guy made the list.  It was also published in Scrapbooking.com Magazine.  Blog post September 8, 2010.
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This album is in the shape of a birdcage, need I say more?!  I offered this as a kit with written instructions.  It was very popular, and I still get blog hits on this post.  Blog post October 5, 2010.

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I love this card because I thought the Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology paper I used was just like magic!!  I know, it doesn't take much to entertain me.  It was a fun tutorial.  Hero Arts tweeted about it.  Blog post October 20, 2010.
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I just adore this album for it's mixed media pages and soft colors.  I love the corrugated paper, felt, mirrored paper, chipboard, and canvas together.  I used acyclic paint and lots of rub-ons, again some of my favorite scrapbooking things.  It was featured on Passionately Artistic.   Blog post November 2, 2010.
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I made this using Tattered Angels Trinket Tags and Glimmer Mist.  Love it!  It was also special because I put pictures of our trip to Shenandoah in it.  It was featured in Two Peas In a Bucket's newsletter.  Blog post November 16, 2010.
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This was the first layout I had done in a really, really long time.  I was glad to learn I could still do it!  It was featured on Fancy Pants Designs' blog. Blog post  November 26, 2010.

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Thank you all so much for sharing this journey with me, and for your love and support!!!   I am looking forward to another year filled with even more creativity and inspiration!

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Cut -N- Dry Custom Stamp Pad Tutorial

Hey Guys!  I have a super easy and fun tutorial for you today.  I was fortunate enough to watch Tim Holtz do this at CHA this summer, and I thought I'd share this super easy technique with you.  We're going to make our own custom stamp pad! 

We start with Cut -N- Dry Felt (not to be confused with Foam).  It's the same felt material that Distress Ink stamp pads are made out of, only uninked.  Cut -N- Dry Felt is available for purchase in my shop.  While you're in the store be sure to watch the video I took of Tim Holtz doing this technique.   You'll also need Archival Ink, Distress Ink Reinker, scissors, and stamps.  Stampers Anonymous stamps designed by Tim Holtz are perfect for this technique.  They can also be found in the shop.

Stamp the image onto the felt (linen textured) side up with Archival Ink.  I used Archival Ink because it's a permanent ink that won't bleed when we apply the reinker.  (I used the Tim Holtz {Components} Tattered Sparrow stamp)

Cut out your stamp pad.  You'll have lots of felt left over for more stamp pads!

Ink it up!  Put Distress Ink Reinker along the black lines of the stamped image.  Don't worry if it gets messy.  I used Vintage Photo around the frame, branch, and to highlight some of the leaves.  I used Broken China on the bird, and filled in with Antique Linen everywhere else.

Stamp away!!  You can get tons of use from the same stamp pad!  And, it's quick.  I stamped these out in about 60 seconds.  This is a great technique for cards you need to make in bulk, or ATCs for swaps.

When you are finished, put your stamp pad in a plastic baggie or air tight container to use the next time you need a quick stamp.

 

Here's a card I made in about 5 minutes using one of my stamped images.  Pretty handy, huh?!

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Valentine Sweetness Cards Workshop

Announcing another class for the month of January on my UStream Channel, and at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center.  USteam shows are free to everyone, but you can purchase a kit to play along!

Valentine Sweetness Cards Workshop
Impress your  Sweethearts this Valentine's Day with handmade cards!  Create 4 gorgeous Valentine cards with envelopes using Pink Paislee's Sweetness Collection, Tim Holtz Alterations diecuts, and lots of beautiful rub-ons.  Add-on kits are available for workshops and shows at a discount.

Friday, January 28th from 6-9pm at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center (click here)

Monday, January 31st at 9pm (EST) on my UStream Channel (click here)

This kit is packed full of sweetness!

Order your UStream kits or purchase your GACAC workshops from now until December 31st and receive a 10% discount.

The Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Bigz Dies used to make the diecuts for the kits are availble for purhcase in the shop, also:

                         

  (Click here to buy now)

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Happy Holidays from My Family to Yours!

 
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and enjoyed lots of precious time with your family.  We had the best Christmas this year!  We had what I call a Progressive Christmas Eve (yeah, I totally made that up, but I'm going with it).  We got the kids up at the crack of dawn and drove to my parent's house, where we had breakfast and opened presents.  Then, we were off to my brother's house for a late lunch, and more presents.  Finally, we drove to my other brother's house and had a buffet of desserts in lieu of dinner.  Oh my goodness, it was soooo much fun!!  Everyone got a chance to entertain, it made present opening a little less overwhelming for the kids, and it was simply a good time! 

    Chris had to work, so she missed all the fun.  When we got home we put the kids to bed, and spent time with her.  She opened her presents a few hours early.  It was a perfect finish to a wonderful day.

On Christmas day we had a white Christmas.  This is a rare occurrence in Virginia, which made it extra special to wake up to snow falling.  I'm don't really like the cold, but if it's gonna be cold, and it's gonna be in December, you may as well have snow!  I can't tell you how excited I was about the snow!

After we all marveled at the snow, it was time to open presents.

Well, after I asked Robert to light the fireplace (for the first time in 3 years), and it wouldn't light, hence the reason he's belly down on the floor...it seemed like a good idea.  Then, it was time...  If Lily had actually been awake, she would have been very confused about why there were presents but we weren't opening them.

Here's Chris with her Nana and Pappy. Fortunately, they were able to make it before the snow got bad.

Family Traditions

Today,  I thought I'd share with you one of our family traditions.  Almost every year after Christmas dinner is done and the dishes clean-up is over, I make Creme Brulee French Toast while everyone chats.  I love it because it's easy to put together, and it just goes into the refrigerator to chill out until the next day.  The morning after Christmas, I pop it in the oven, usually before anyone wakes up, and within 40 minutes the house is filled with the yummy smell of baking french toast.  It puffs up, all golden-brown and delicious.  We all eat our breakfast, and have lots of energy for after Christmas shopping.  It is definitely a family tradition I look forward to each year.

In the spirit of giving,  I thought I would share my secret recipe with you!

Creme Brulee French Toast

Ingredients:

1 stick of unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/3 cup pecans

1 loaf Challah bread (Montana Gold Bread Company is a great source for this if you live in Richmond, VA)

5 large free range eggs

1 1/2 cups half & half

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon Grand Marnier or Cointreau

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until smooth.   Pour mixture into a 13" x 9" baking dish, and sprinkle with pecans.  Cut bread into 1" slices, and arrange in a single layer in the baking dish, squeezing them together to fit.  In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, half & half, vanilla, and orange liquor.  Pour evenly over bread, and chill covered in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or up to a day.  When ready to cook, remove from the refrigerator to come to room temperature a bit while the oven preheats to 350 degrees.  Uncover and bake until puffy and golden, 35-40 minutes.

Hopefully, after Christmas I will have a picture of the finished product!  I hope you try making this,  because it is so delicious and easy.  What family traditions do you have for the holidays?

Shabby Chic Configurations Worskhop

Hi Everyone!  Today, I'm featuring another workshop that I will be teaching on my UStream channel in January!  The show is free for everyone, but you have the option of buying  the kit in my shop so you can play along.  The kit contains the materials for the project and written instructions.

Shabby Chic Configurations
Create a work of art using Tim Holtz Configurations, shabby chic style!  It's filled with little trinket boxes that are decorated with flowers, hardware, pebbles, and pearls.  We'll break out the Mod Podge, and have a girls' night crafting!

**Monday, January 24th 9pm (EST) on my UStream Channel ONLY (click here to buy now)

Kit Contains: 
Tim Holtz Configurations 8 3/4" x 10 3/4," Tim Hotlz Foundations (4 pcs.), 8 tacks (for foundations), Pack Prima Flowers (6 pcs.), 7 Gypsies Clock Faces (2 pcs.), Pack of Pearl Flourish, Knob (varies by kit), Knocker, Library Label, Metal Key, Memory Frame (Chrome), Chipboard Shapes (5 pcs.), Pack Butterfly Pebbles (8 pcs.), Pleated Ribbon-Cream, Sheer Ribbon, 4 Sheets of 12x12 Prima Flights of Fancy Paper.

    Order your kit from now until December 31st and receive a 10% discount. 

Don't forget to check out yesterday's post about my winter mini album I'll be teaching in January on UStream, and at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center.

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And...

My friend Christy came over today, and brought her beautiful tags with her.   They were so pretty, I thought I'd share them with you.  If you're wrapping Christmas gifts, maybe Christy will inspire you to make a personalized tag for it. 

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Scor-tape 1/4" 202 $4.99	Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool with Foam IBT23616 $4.99	Ranger Glossy Accents 2 oz. GAC17042 $5.99	We R Memory Keepers - Crop-A-Dile - Eyelet and Snap Punch Tool 70907-7 $29.99
Ranger Inkssentials Non-stick Craft Sheet (Mat) 15" x 18" NSC20677 $17.99	Tattered Angels Misting Mat 2' x 3' (Extra Large) TAT09MMXL $54.99	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad-Vintage Photo TIM19527 $4.99

January Workshop and Winner of CPS Gifts

 This week on the blog I will be featuring classes that I will be teaching at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center, and on my UStream channel in January 2011.  UStream shows are free for everyone.  However, you have the option of purchasing the kit that contains the materials and written instructions, so you can play along.  Shows are recorded (barring technical difficulties).

"With Love" Winter Mini Album Workshop
My winter themed mini album has raw canvas covers that measure 6" x 7," and has 8 thick linen textured art board pages.  The papers used are Fancy Pants' Traditions, which are done in shades of blue, golden yellow, and deep red.  Learn to use Glimmer Mist in ways you may not have thought of before.   A perfect album for all those winter or Christmas photos.

**Friday, January 14th from 6-9pm at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center (click here)

**Monday, January 17th at 9pm (EST) on my UStream Channel (click here)

     

    
Vistit my store to purchase your workshop or  pre-order your Ustream kits.  View the description of the lising for a list of what the kit contains, and the supply list.  UStream kits will be shipping around December 31st. 

Enjoy a 10% discount on workshops and UStream show kits until December 31st. 

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And....

I know you guys have been waiting patiently for the annoucement of the winner of the Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts magazine.  (click here to view the contest post)

Thanks so much to everyone who left a comment and played along.  Don't forget, if you didn't win this time, there's always a chance next month!

And, the winner is....

I'm always looking for gift ideas From more involved and expensive to just little things. I participate in freecycle community - where stuff is given away for free and I like to give little something when I pick up things I need from others. I'd love to win this magazine! Thanks!

Posted by: Ksenia | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 09:17 PM

Congratulations Ksenia!  Email me at melissa@melissasamuels.net to claim your prize, and I'll get your magazine in the mail asap!

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Book Page Wreath

It's snowing here in Virginia!  We got a covering of snow a couple days ago, and today we're supposed to get 4-6" of snow!  It's coming down hard as I sit here in my studio blogging.  I don't know about you all, but nothing gets me in the mood to craft more than a good snow!  If you guys are looking for a snowy day project, here ya go.  It's a wreath made out of old book pages.  All you need is a wreath form, an old book, hot glue gun, glitter glue & glitter (optional), and PYMII to make it weatherproof for the front door.

 

Some of the pages are folded into a cone & hot glued to the form., and some are folded into an "S" shape and hot glued.

Stay warm, and happy crafting!

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And, if you haven't already, check out yesterday's post on how you can win a copy of Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts 2010.  The winner will be announced tomorrow, so make sure you come back to see if it's you!

Don't forget to visit the store, I'm adding new goodies all the time!

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Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts 2010 GIVEAWAY!!

Exciting news, guys!!  The editor of Cloth Paper Scissors, the most awesome magazine in the world, has asked me to be a part of their Blog Tour!!  What an honor this is, to say the least!  Every month in 2011 they'll be sending me magazines to review, and to give away here on the blog!!

To kick things off, they have sent their annual special issue publication Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts 2010!  It's a  super-sized magazine (148 pages), and is available only on newsstands  (not available to subscribers).  This means you can pick it up at Barnes & Noble or other booksellers.  You can also click here to order from Interweave.  The cost is $14.99.

It is filled with fabulous gift ideas for so many occasions!  Just to name a few ideas:   fabric flower pins, steampunk hair jewelry, jean jacket journal, folding ornaments, metal patchwork collage shabby chic winged ornament, ideas for sprucing up gift wrap, and more!  Love it!

Are you excited yet?!?  And, some lucky person is going to win a copy!!  It's so easy!  Leave me a comment on this post about what occasion you could really use a gift idea.  The winner will be announced on Friday, December 17th.

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And....

Here's a sneak peek of a class that's coming soon...

I hope you like it, and I can't wait to give you more details soon!

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We have a WINNER...

The winner of the  PYMII Acrylic Protective Sealant December 6th GIVEAWAY is:

    YAY...AWESOME demo :) Thanks for posting!!!! I am already a FAN of PYMII's fan page :)

    Posted by: Darline | Monday, December 06, 2010 at 11:11 AM

 

Congratulations, Darline!!  You won a can of PYMII!  Contact me at melissa@melissasamuels.net with your address to claim your prize!  Thanks to everyone that played along, and thank you to PYMII for sponsoring our giveaway!

Wish Book-UStream Show 12/13

 I've created a simple and easy solution to ensure everyone gets what's on their Christmas list this year.  Make a "Wish Book" that's filled with tags that each family member can write thier wish list on, and even decorate if they're feeling crafty.  Store them in the book, and when Santa is ready to shop his job just got a little easier.

For a brief tutorial, you can head over to Passionately Artist for day 7 of our 12 Days of Christmas Handcrafted.  

Join me on December 13th at 9pm (EST) live on my UStream channel to watch me create this book.  Many of the products used can be purchased in my store at http://melissasamuels.net.

 
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UStream Show & Sponsored Giveaway

I have lots of news to share today!  I'll be on my UStream channel tonight at 9pm (EST) to show the Christmas Accordion Album I did last week, and answer  any questions you may have since only a few minutes of the show actually recorded (bummer!).  I'll also be showing you the next UStream project show, which is scheduled for December 13th at 9pm (EST).  I have a couple of announcements, so I hope to see you there.

Today I'm excited to announced my sponsored giveaway!!  So, you guys probably remember hearing me gush about how awesome PYMII (Preserve Your Memories II) is, right?!  If you don't already know, it's an acrylic protective spray that is amazing!  It's acid free, water repellent, and dries in a matter of seconds.  It can be used on ribbon, photos, canvas, polymer clay, glitter, newspaper, plastics, just to name a few.  I like it because it takes on the texture of what you spray it on, so you can't see that it's been sprayed.

About once a month I spray everything I've made that month-mini albums, art journal pages, layouts, canvas, and cards.  The next project on the list to be sprayed is Bob's Christmas Cottage.  It definitely needs to be preserved.

Here's a little demo:

For more info you can visit their website at http://www.pymii.com .  They're having an end of the year sale until December 31st.

Are you as excited as I am?!?  Today they have generously sponsored a can giveaway!  Here's how to be entered for a chance to win your own can of PYMII Acrylic Protective Sealant:

1.  Go to PYMII's Facebook Fan Page  and become a fan.  Don't be shy, leave them a comment letting them know you are a fan & Melissa sent you:)

2. Leave a comment here on this post!  I love comments!

A winner will be announced Friday, December 10th here in a blog post!  Easy, peasy!!

Oh, and if you are already a fan, leave a comment and you can still win.

UPDATE:  12/10 This contest is now closed.  Click here to see the winner.

12 Days of Christmas at Passionately Artistic

In celebration of our 12 Days of Handcraft Christmas over at Passionately Artistic I did a step-by-step  tutorial on how to make an elegant and easy calendar that would be perfect for gift giving!  I've even included a PDF template of the calendar pages for printing.  It doesn't get much easier!  Click here to go to the tutorial.    Note**  When printing the template be sure to cut your paper to 5 1/2" x 11" first, and change your printer page settings to 5 1/2" (width) x 11" (height) LANDSCAPE.  Enjoy!

While you're there be sure to check out Maggie's amazing wall or desk calendar!  Gorgeous! 

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