The Art of Scrapbooking™ by Melissa Samuels

Tool School with Melissa Day #2-Scor-Pal

Hey Everyone!  It's day #2 of Tool School with yours truly.  Today I'm going to show you the Scor-Pal (the makers of Scor-Tape).  In my video, I show you how to make envelopes with it! 

Be sure to tune in tomorrow!

Tool School with Melissa Day #1-Corner Chomper

Hi Everyone!  Here's the first video of my Tool School video series.  They are just short, very basic videos that give you instructions on how to use what I think are the most useful scrapbooking tools.  The first tool up is the Corner Chomper made by the makers of the Crop-a-dile, so you know it's awesome.  Enjoy!

 

UStream Show Recording & Spring Cleaning Giveaway

Hi Everyone!  Thanks to those who joined me on UStream last night.  It was a lot of fun.  If you missed the show I posted the recording for you here.  I made my "Spread Your Wings" Mixed Media Album.  You'll be amazed at how easy it is to create.

If you follow my show regularly, you may remember me mentioning a few shows ago that I wanted to do a giveaway to give my scraps to a new home.  They're really piling up, so I think it's time.  To make it really interesting, I'm going to do a little spring cleaning too, and I'll include some other things besides scraps.  Maybe some mini albums, Prima flowers....who knows what I'll find once I start cleaning. 

Here are the rules:

1.  Leave a comment on this post about what your favorite part of the show was last night.

2. Come back on Friday to see if you won! 

EASY, PEASY!

Be sure to follow the blog this week & next because I'm going to be doing some short "Tool School" videos to help you learn all that you can about your scrapbooking tools.  Can't wait!

New UStream Workshop Kit for May!!

Create this adorable chipboard mini album along with Melissa live via UStream, or watch the recording to work at your own pace.  Learn how to cover chipboard with paper to create a sturdy album that will last, create pockets to store tags, and use Glimmer Mist.  Melissa also incorporates some of her folding techniques in a pull-out page great for adding photos and journaling.  This kit is packed with product:  paper pad, album, laces, ribbons, Glimmer Mist, flowers, and more!

Fairy Home Tweet Home Chipboard Album Workshop, May 23rd at 8pm (EST) on Melissa's UStream Channel

PRE-ORDER from now until May 9th and save 10%!!  (click here to Pre-Order)
 

Pocket for storing tags and goodies...

Pull-out page for photos and journaling...

_________________________________________________________

Just a little reminder, my "Spread Your Wings" Mixed Media Album Workshop is Monday, April 25th at 8pm (EST) on my UStream Channel. There are only a handful left in stock and ready to ship (click here for more info)

  ____________________________________________________________

And, a little FYI, there are only 14 seats left for my Luxury Scrapbooking Retreat Getaway  July 15-17th at the Sheraton Richomond Park South. 

(Click here for more info or to reserve your seat)

Winner, Retreat Announcement, and Project Sneak Peek...

Hi Everyone!  I know, I'm a day late.  I was really busy yesterday filling orders from the weekend, and a Prima shipment arrived.  Sorry!  But, better late than never, right?!  Today I'm going to announce the random winner of Friday's giveaway.  First, if you missed it let me tell you about the event of the summer I am hosting.  I'm so excited!!  You'd see me doing the happy dance if you were here.  I've been working on putting this together for over 3 months, and  the moment is here.  I'm throwing a luxury retreat this summer!!  Here's the details:

Luxury Scrapbook Retreat Getaway

July 15-17, 2011

Join Melissa Samuels, your hostess, for a fun filled weekend of being pampered, meeting new & old friends alike, and preserving memories of a lifetime.  Be inspired, and ignite your creativity in the beautiful setting of the Sheraton Richmond Park South.  Scrap the weekend away in the Chesapeake Room, an atrium with natural lighting seemingly designed for scrapbooking.  Every guest will be seated  at their own 6' table with electricity.  The crop area will be available 24 hours, but if you need a break enjoy the indoor/outdoor pool,  jacuzzi, fitness facility, or use the hotel shuttle service to take you to an appointment at the Salon del Sol only minutes away.  A mini-store will be setup on site to ensure you don't run out of essential scrapbooking supplies, and there will be exclusive deals for Retreat guests.  Registration will begin Friday, July 15th at 1pm outside the Chesapeake Room, where you will be greeted by Melissa with a swag bag filled with amazing products.  Meals are included from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. 

         
The cost is only $299 for this unforgettable weekend of scrapbooking (does NOT include hotel overnight accommodations).  A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of your reservation.  June and July payments are due on the 1st of the month.  A PayPal invoice will be sent 5 days before your payment is due.  Late payments are subject to a $25 late fee.  Or, you can pay the fee in full (click here and choose "Pay In Full" from the drop-down "Retreat Payment" menu).

Hotel room accommodations are NOT included in the Retreat fee, however, a special block room rate of $99/night has been reserved for this event.  Feel free to share a room with a friend.  Upon payment of your Retreat deposit, you will receive information on booking your room, and you'll be signed up for the Retreat newsletter updating you on the agenda.  Melissa will be teaching a workshop TBA on Sunday (fee is a la carte).  Details in the newsletter.

Sheraton Richmond Park South, 9901 Midlothian Turnpike

Richmond, Virginia 23235

(Click here to reserve your seat)

Registration for this event just began on Saturday, and we're 1/2 sold out already! Don't delay in reserving your seat!

As you can imagine, I'm beyond excited about my event.

_________________________________________________________________

In other news, here's a little peek at a project I was working on over the weekend.  I started it as a stress reliever, however, I'm thinking of doing it as a UStream kit because I  thought it was so cute.  What do you guys think??

__________________________________________________________________

Here's what you've been waiting for!  The random winner of Friday's giveaway.  Thank you all so much for playing along.  I appreciate all the wonderful comments.  I used random.org to pick a winner.  And, the winner is...

I can't pick just one!!!! They are all beautiful but I guess if I had to choose one . .it would be Fridays. . . because I am currently using that paper as well!! You continue to amaze Melissa! would ♥LOVE LOVE LOVE♥ to win the giveaway!(I'd have to add on uhaul style! LOL)

Posted by: Nikki Brown | Friday, April 15, 2011 at 10:26 AM

Congratulations, Nikki!  Send me your address at [email protected] to claim your prize, which by the way is my newest UStream kit, "Treasured Memories" Double-Page Layout.

There are only a couple days left to purchase your kit at the 10% pre-order discount (click here).  Kits will start shipping today, and they should all be shipped by Thursday.

Retreat Registration Now Open!!!!!

  

Luxury Scrapbook Retreat Getaway

July 15-17, 2011

    Join Melissa Samuels, your hostess, for a fun filled weekend of being pampered, meeting new & old friends alike, and preserving memories of a lifetime.  Be inspired, and ignite your creativity in the beautiful setting of the Sheraton Richmond Park South.  Scrap the weekend away in the Chesapeake Room, an atrium with natural lighting seemingly designed for scrapbooking.  Every guest will be seated  at their own 6' table with electricity.  The crop area will be available 24 hours, but if you need a break enjoy the indoor/outdoor pool,  jacuzzi, fitness facility, or use the hotel shuttle service to take you to an appointment at the Salon del Sol only minutes away.  A mini-store will be setup on site to ensure you don't run out of essential scrapbooking supplies, and there will be exclusive deals for Retreat guests.  Registration will begin Friday, July 15th at 1pm outside the Chesapeake Room, where you will be greeted by Melissa with a swag bag filled with amazing products.  Meals are included from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. 

          The cost is only $299 for this unforgettable weekend.  A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of your reservation.  June and July payments are due on the 1st of the month.  A PayPal invoice will be billed to you 5 days before it is due.  Late payments are subject to a $25 late fee.  You can reserve your seat at http://melissasamuels.net.  For questions email [email protected].
Hotel room accommodations are NOT included in the Retreat fee, however, a special block room rate of $99/night has been reserved for this event.  Upon payment of your Retreat deposit, you will receive information on booking your room, and you'll be signed up for the Retreat newsletter updating you on the agenda.  Melissa will be teaching a workshop TBA on Sunday (fee is a la carte).  Details in the newsletter.

Sheraton Richmond Park South9901 Midlothian Turnpike

Richmond, Virginia 23235

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN (Click here)

Week of Cards Day 4 & Giveaway!

Yay!  I made it!  A week of cards!  This one is made from BoBunny's Gabrielle collection.   Love that paper!  I used a layer of Webster's netting over the first layer of paper, a little pleated ribbon around the cutout that I pop-dotted, and viola!  Easy!  

Here's the fun part, a GIVEAWAY!!! 

Leave me a comment here on this post about which card was your favorite this week, and on Monday I will pick a random winner.  The winner will recieve my newest store kit, "Treasured Memories" Layout that you can make along with me via UStream on May 9th.

Be sure to come back on Monday to see if you won! 

And, BIG NEWS, registration for my Luxury Scrapbook Retreat Getaway will open tomorrow!  ***Click here for details****!!! I can't wait to meet some of you in person!!

See ya on Monday!  Have a wonderful weekend. 

Week of Cards Day 3

Hey ya'll!  I'm keeping it simple again today.  This card is made from more of Pink Paislee's Butterfly Garden paper.  Can you tell I like this collection?!  The doilie is sprayed with Honey Dew Glimmer Mist, and inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink around the edges.  I cut the butterfly out of the Butterfly Garden paper, and the sparkly body is a button that I again removed the shank from with my handy dandy shank remover.

Week of Cards Day 2

So, it's Day 2 of my week of cards.  Did anyone notice I started Day 1 on Tuesday?  LOL:))  So, it's almost a week.

Today's card is made from the same collection as yesterday's, Pink Paislee's Butterfly Garden.  I did more layering with Webster's Page lace, and some Maya Road rose ribbon. 

This one I liked a lot, so I thought I would give it to one of my good friends for her birthday.  Yes, I do occasionally give them away:)

Come back tomorrow, and see if I can keep up the cardmaking.

Week of Cards

You guys probably know by now that I'm all about cards.  I love making them because they are quick and easy.  This week I'm going to show you a new card here on the blog every day.   On Friday you can tell me which one was your favorite, and we'll have a little random giveaway just to keep it interesting.

On this card I layered different textured laces in different shades of cream.  It was really easy to make. The paper is Pink Paislee's Butterfly Garden.

I used my new favorite tool, a button shank remover.  I was amazed at how easy it took the back (shank) off the button so it would lay flush on my card.  A while back I fell and injured my wrist, and I still have some wrist pain from it.  I wasn't sure if I'd be able to use it, but it worked great.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another card.

Linked:

Limited Re-Release Now Available

I have had many requests to re-release my Birdcage Mini Album kit, which was published in Scrapbooking.com Magazine's March 2011 issue.  It's taken a little longer than I had hoped, but it is back in stock!!  Okay, that's the good news.  Now for the bad news.  The manufacturer has discontinued the album that is in this kit.  I know, I know, what were they thinking, right?!  This was the reason it took me so long to get the kits together, and it means I have very limited quantities.  Unfortunately, once this album is sold out, it will be retired.  You can click here to purchase your kit.  They are in stock, and ready to ship. 

I will NOT be doing this kit as a UStream show due to the limited number of kits available.

New UStream Workshop Kit

I'm excited to announce a new UStream workshop for May.  This one is extra special because it's my first layout kit since I opened my online store.  What took me so long?!  I really enjoyed making it, because the new Webster's Pages papers are just divine, and that little ballerina silhouette is absolutely gorgeous.  Here is the workshop description:

"Treasured Memories" Double Page Layout Workshop UStream-Monday, May 9th at 8pm (EST) 

Use Webster's Pages newest collection, Ladies & Gents, and Prima flowers and Candy Gems to make this beautiful mulit-photo double page layout with lots of layers and dimension.  Purchase this kit to work along with Melissa live during her UStream show, as she takes you step-by-step through the process, or view the recording at your convenience to work at your own pace. (click here to pre-order your kit)

*****PRE-ORDER from now until April 21st and save 10%!!**** 

The live show or recording can be viewed at Melissa's  UStream Channel (click here).

I added beach photos of my little girl, but imagine how beautiful Easter or simply spring pics would be?!  Or, maybe pics of a tea party.  So many possibilities. 

Inside the Studio and Store News

Having help in the store has been wonderful!!  I was actually able to get some studio time in.  Here's a little peek at what I'm working on.

Speaking of store, I thought I'd tell you about some of the deals and new product arrivals.

Basic Grey Monthly Page Kits are available in the store now.  They are like having a class in a bag!  Each kit comes with all the materials you need, along with instructions for completing your layout.  The layouts are designed by Basic Grey professional designers, and are perfect for anyone who likes working at their own pace as they have time. 

Kits have to be purchased  two months at a time.  Pre-order your May and June kits from now until April 30th and save 10%!  That's ONLY $17.99 per double-page layout.  Kits shipping together sometime in May (as soon as I receive them).  Quantities are very limited.   When they are gone, they are gone!  Don't miss out, get your order in soon! The May kit will be featuring Sweet Threads and the June kit will be featuring Lauderdale.  Click here for more details or to buy now

___________________________________________________________________

Tattered Angels goodies arrived at the store last week, and in honor of National Scrapbooking Day I am having a 50% off sale from now until May 7th on all of the non-Glimmer Mist products by Tattered Angels that arrived.  That includes stamp sets, screens, Glimmer Chips, Glimmer Glass, and more.  He's a video of yours truly opening the shipment.  It's pretty funny.

If you caught the little blurb at the end about the retreat, none of the goody bag loot is for sale.

_________________________________________________________________

Webster's Pages is now in stock in the store!   We have Ladies & Gents paper kit packs, as well as Country Estate-two beautiful collections!  Coordinating trims, journaling cards, 6x6 paper packs, Princess Petals, buttons & twine, and more!  The very popular silhouettes, bloomers, and resins are also in stock.

_________________________________________________________________

I've also restocked BoBunny's Gabrielle and Timepiece colllections.

_____________________________________________________________

Pink Paislee's Butterfly Garden was sold out the day after it arrived, but is now restocked.  This collection is stunning!  This is the perfect spring collection with lots of gorgeous embellishments.

More Art Journaling

I thought I'd share another art journaling page with you today.  I have to admit, this page was just an excuse to use one of the new silhouettes by Webster's Pages.  It was a very easy page.  I just Glimmer Misted the pages with Carribean Blue, rubbed it with yellow chalk ink, and used Vintage Photo Distress Ink on the edges.  The left page has a vellum overlay & butterfly from the Webster's Page Wonderfall collection.

Creative Therapy

This weekend I had to take a little time out for some creative therapy.  My business is thriving, and growing at the speed of light, which is awesome except that it means 14+ hour days everyday.  The goal of my business is to make the art of scrapbooking accessible and affordable for everyone, because I want everyone to experience the happiness & joy that comes from creating.  I've been going at such a fast pace, "I" needed to stop and indulge in the happiness of art journaling.

Art journaling is one of my favorite things because to me it's almost like word association for art.  I'll try to explain that, because I know it sounds a little strange.  When I'm creating a mini album or layout I'm constantly thinking about composition and color...how all the elements are going together...does the design flow, make sense, etc.  When I do art journaling it's as if I don't think, I just start.  It's my book for my eyes, and it doesn't have to be perfect.  I start painting, water coloring, ink...just adding layers and layers.  It doesn't have to "make sense."  It's just fantasy...it's my world where metal gears have pearls, and butterflies turn the gears of a pocket watch.  Since I'm not a writer, it's like my diary but with layers and design elements  that tell the story instead of a page of words.

Be sure to come back tomorrow, and I'll share another art journal page with you.