The Art of Scrapbooking™ by Melissa Samuels

Studio Tour

I've been C-R-A-Z-Y busy putting kits together, and shipping orders.  It was nuts in the online store this weekend.  Lots of things are sold out, but it'll be restocked by the end of the week.  I didn't have time to do a tutorial, but I still wanted to entertain you:)  I get lots of questions about my studio, so I thought I would post my YouTube tour here for your viewing pleasure, lol:)  I shot this vidoe a year ago, and I can't believe the changes in my life since...but that's a whole other blog post.   And, I ain't gonna lie, it stayed clean and tidy for all of about 10 minutes.  I guess it still looks the same now, only imagine every surface covered with paper.

  

 

Gypsy Twist and Giveaway Winner Announced...

Hopefully, you caught my Gypsy Journeys Portfolio Workshop Monday on my Ustream channel (click here to watch).  Today, I thought I'd show you a little twist on that portfolio.  I'm going to add a ring binder to the spine!  Cool, right!?   Here we go...

Any of the 7 Gypsies porfolios will work.  You'll need a pack of the new Tim Holtz small ring binders.  The portfolios come in packs of two's, as do the binders so it works out perfectly!  You'll need something to mark your holes like a pencil (I always use a white gel pen), and a Big Bite. 

Place your ring binder where you want it in the spine, and mark your holes.

Punch your holes with a Big Bite (the Crop-a-dile won't quite reach for this project).

Insert your brads...

This is what the outside of the spine looks like.  Not to fear, we'll just cover it up with our leftover Gypsy Mini Ephemera using 1/2" Scor-Tape.

Viola!

Add some pages, tags, etc and you've got a book within your book, LOL :)

 

As promised, today I'm giving away this portfolio and a bag of scraps!  First I want to thank everyone who watched the show, and for all of the very sweet comments here on the blog.  The winner is....

"I really enjoyed the project, but the best take-away for me was learning how to use my Crop-a-dile! lol It had been sitting in the closet gathering dust...now it will be a go-to tool!

Thanks!"

            Posted by: Lisart 2000 | Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 03:00 PM

Congratulations, Lisart!  Email me at [email protected] with your info and I'll get that right out to you.  

Until the next UStream ya'll...

Dinner Theater Anyone?

You all may have heard me mention on UStream that Bob was working on a theater for the girls.  Well, here it is! 

He started with the grill box that we just bought.  He cut out a little window for the stage, added a corrugated board (that came in the box) to reinforce the top and bottom of  stage window, cut a door and some crazy awesome scroll work out of the flap.  Don't ask me how, but I believe power tools were involved...

We both grabbed a paintbrush and some craft paint and went to town (that may be a southern expression).

This is where I become useful.  I grabbed a jar of gel medium and a pack of Graphic 45 Curtain Call paper and started covering the box in paper.

To make it totally over the top, he added Stick 'em lights to the corrugated board at the top of the window.  We added curtains and trim...

A perfect theater worthy of 2 little princesses!

Of course, the first show had to feature Barbie!

Linked:

 

 

Ustream Show, Giveaway, and A Big Thank You To Niki

Hi Everyone!!!  I feel energized after last night's UStream show!!  What a fun group!  Thank you to everyone who joined me.   If you weren't able to make it live last night to chat with me, here's what you missed:

If you aren't familiar with UStream, here's how it works.  My public shows are free for everyone to watch!  All you have to do is go to my UStream channel when I'm broadcasting live, or pick from the recorded videos to watch anytime http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-art-of-scrapbooking-by-melissa-samuels.  Feel free to click on the "Join Crowd" button on my channel to follow me.  You also have the option of purchasing the kit to do the project along with me, or watch the recording anytime you'd like to complete your projects.  Here's my store address where you'll find a selection of UStream kits, as well as lots of other awesome products including the products that come in the kit & supplies you may need for your project (ie. adhesives, tools, etc.) http://melissasamuels.net.  The kit for this project is currently sold out, but I have released another batch of pre-orders.  You can go to my store and purchase the kit, and it should be shipping within the next 2 weeks (click here to pre-order).

And, because I'm so  susceptible to peer pressure, I'm giving away the porfolio I made last night (along with a bag of scraps) LOL.  

 

Here's how you can win! 

1.  Leave me a comment on this post telling me what your favorite part of the show was last night.  If you weren't there live, you can watch the video I posted here. 

 2. Click on the "Join Crowd" button on my UStream channel to follow me. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-art-of-scrapbooking-by-melissa-samuels

The winner will be announced here on the blog on Friday, March 25th.   US residents only.  Sorry, but a girl has to be able to afford more paper:)) 

Easy, right!?!

 

Oh, and I almost forgot!  The kits for the private Ustream show, Fantastic Folding Cards, is now in stock and shipping!  If you pre-ordered you should have already received tracking notification and an email with the link and password.   This show is scheduled for April 11th.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And, I wanted to share the very special package Niki sent me from the UK!  Thank you, Niki!  You are so talented and amazing!!!  As soon as I opened the box, I ran for the camera.  So these are actual pics of me opening my beautiful package!  I can't believe all of the beautiful things.  I feel so spoiled!

 
 

    
       

"Spread Your Wings" Mixed Media Album Workshop!

As promised, here's the new workshop for April.  It's my favorite, a mixed media mini binder book.  Say that fast 10 times! LOL:)    I'm totally loving the new BoBunny Gabrielle papers!  You know how much I love butterflies.  The book is a Maya Road chipboard binder album with tabbed chipboard AND craft pages.  We'll  cover the outside in burlap, and do some serious painting.  Cuteness!  The kit is packed with yummy goodness, including acrylic paint, an alterable trinket (and yes, we're going to alter that bad boy), trinket pins, flowers, ribbons, mini chipboard pieces, transparency paper, and more!   Can you feel my excitement!?!

"Spread Your Wings" Mixed Media Album Workshop

--Friday, April 15th from 6-9pm, Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center (click here to reserve your seat)

--Monday, April 25th at 8pm (EST), UStream Channel (click here to order kit for UStream show)

If you're not familiar with UStream please feel free to visit my UStream Channel to view past recordings of workshops http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-art-of-scrapbooking-by-melissa-samuels.  You can purchase workshop kits in my store, watch me make the project live and chat, or view the show recording at a later date.  It's easy peasy!

Linked:

Blue Cricket

Tip of the Day: Reinking Distress Ink Pads

Hey, Everyone!!  Today I want to share a little tip with you.  As you may know, distress ink is one of my all-time favorite things!  I can't help but use it on most everything I make.  I love the vintage, distressed look that it creates, and there are so many yummy colors to pick from.  A pad of ink will last a REALLY long time, but occasionally, they do have to be reinked.  Here's the proper way to reink a distress ink pad:

You'll start with a dry distress ink pad, a bottle of reinker, and a piece of rigid plastic.  For the plastic you could use an old credit card, or I'm using the packing from a pack of Prima flowers.

1, and only 1, dropper full =1 distress ink pad refill.  You don't need to put more than 1 dropper full on the pad.  This means there are several refills in the bottle.  We like that!  Put your dropper of ink on your pad.

Use your piece of plastic to smooth/even out the ink.  This will help get the ink down into the pad in a nice even layer. 

See how easy that was?!?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a sneak peek of my next UStream and Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center workshop.  And, yes, distress ink is involved:))  Be sure to come back tomorrow to see the finished project, and get info on how to purchase the Ustream kit or a in person workshop seat.

Antiquing @ Hart's Place

This weekend was my birthday, so Robert and I made an antiquing date.  We went to several places looking for hidden treasure.  This trip, I was looking for something shabby chic.  I didn't find the prefect piece, but I had a lot of fun looking.  One of the places we went to was called Hart's Place in Mosely, Virginia.  I had no idea by passing by how much fun stuff was inside of the 3 little buildings they have. It was a great day!

I also want to thank everyone on Facebook who wished me a happy birthday!  I had so many sweet little messages!  It kinda made getting a year older not so bad.  You all are the best!!  XO

     

Ustream Recording-Parisian Anthology Cards

Thanks to everyone who joined me last night on UStream!  I had a lot of fun getting inky!  If you missed the live show, I'm putting the recording here for you to view.  You can also visit my UStream Channel to join my crowd or watch other recorded shows http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-art-of-scrapbooking-by-melissa-samuels

If you'd like to purchase a kit, the Parisian Anthology resist paper, ink, magnets, blending tool, or die that I used you can visit my store (click here).  You can scroll down under the kit description for a a list of related products I used.

Happy Cardmaking!!

"Fly Away with Me" Birdcage Album ARTICLE

I was excited to be asked to write another article for Scrapbooking.com Magazine.  They chose my birdcage mini album, one of my first kits, to publish.    I'm super excited to see it in the spotlight again.  I get blog hits on this album daily, and I have been asked a lot about bringing it back.  It's a very special album to me, because it was kind of the "sink or swim" for my business.  I swam!  LOL!  I am working on getting the kits together, so stay tuned to the blog for more info.  Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you'd like to get your name on the waiting list for this kit.  The kit is $45 (plus shipping).  The instructions only are available now in my store.

You can view my article here http://scrapbooking.com/article/75253.

Also, if you missed yesterday's blog post  be sure to check out the new folding card class I added to the calendar.  It's for April at the GACAC and UStream! 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And, it's Linky Party and Inspire Me Wednesday over at Passionately Artistic (click here to link up or be inspired).

New April Card Workshop!

 

I'm super excited to announce an all new card workshop for April!  I've been known locally for my folding cards, so I'm extremely happy to have an all new class to offer at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center as well as a PRIVATE UStream class.  In both workshops we'll be creating 3 awesome folding cards:  a tri-fold shutter card, an easel card, and a pull-out tag card.  You'll recieve a full sheet of Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps in your kit, so you'll have lots of extra images  to play with.  You'll also recieve all the cardstock, pattern paper, doillies, lace, and flowers to create the 3 cards shown. 

Fantastic Folding Cards Workshop DATES

-April 1st, 6-9pm Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center(click here to sign up)

-April 11th, 8pm (EST) Private UStream Show (click here to Pre-Order your kit)

This UStream show will be a private show, only available to those who purchase the kit.  This way I can give the measurements during the show.  Once your kit ships, you will be sent an email with the instructions on how to view the live show and the recording.

Sign up now and save 10% off workshop seats and kits!!

For other free show recordings visit my my public UStream Channel open to everyone! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-art-of-scrapbooking-by-melissa-samuels

Tri-fold shutter card, a perfect template for any occasion!

This easel card folds flat for mailing.  Who wouldn't want to display this on their desk?!

Pull-out tag card, a perfect accompaniment to any gift!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, my Gypsy Journeys Portfolio kit for my free UStream Show scheduled for March 21st sold out before it even shipped!  A BIG thank you to all of my awesome customers!!!  Since I know many of you did not get a chance to get a kit, I'm offering a second batch of pre-order kits.  Order from now until March 14th and save 10% off.  The second batch is expected to ship around March 14th (click here to pre-order).  And, if you ordered before Feburary 28th your kit has already shipped via USPS Priority Mail, and you should have recieved a tracking notification via email.  The pdf handouts will be emailed  tonight.

If you are local, I'm teaching this workshop at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center March 11th from 6-9pm (click here to sign up)  Hope to see you there!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One last note, to my online store customers, anytime you are waiting on a pre-order kit to ship you can place additional orders and I will combine your orders to save on shipping.  In most cases there is little or no additional shipping on the second order.  Just leave me a note in the comments section of your order to combine orders.  Easy peasy!