Happy Valentine’s Day & Blog ATC Giveaway!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Melissa Samuels · 14 Comments

Hi Everyone!! Sorry I've been MIA lately. We have a lot going on with the store, and I have been as busy as a bee. We're making lots of great changes to accommodate our growth. Exciting times!

Today I'd like to show you some ATC's I've been working on. I have a fabulous group of ladies that I'm doing a swap with. Once I did the ATC's for the swap, I was having so much fun I made more, and more, and more!!! Another addiction:)

Here are the ones for the swap…

I used Ranger Kraft ATC's as the base, and the paper is My Mind's Eye Love Me. The kraft doilie is Maya Road, as well as the little canvas tag and heart trinket pin. I used my Prima Distressing Tool to distress the edges (my new favorite thing!).

And, since I was having so much fun, I made more….

and more…

and more…

and more…
I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! I'm sending a BIG Valentine hug your way! And, here's a little love to share! Leave a comment here on the blog between now and Friday, Feb. 17th to be entered to win one of the extra ATC's I made. The 4 winners will be announced here on the blog on Friday. Good luck!!

I'll be spending my Valentine's Day with my loving and wonderful husband, Bob! Love you Honey Bunny!

Tutorial Thursday: Distressed Valentine Card

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Melissa Samuels · 5 Comments

Today I made a little Valentine card using My Mind's Eye Love Me 12×12 kit pack…

and my new favorite tool, Prima Comfort Craft Distressing Tool…

This tool is so awesome because it has a fine & rough rasp surface, metal distressing brush, edge scraper and bone folder!!! AWESOME!!!!! Okay, sorry….I'm a little excited….back to the tutorial…

I cut out my pieces for my card from the paper, and popped out some of the diecuts from the accessory sheet that came in the pack. I used the rasp to file down the edges where the paper was perforated, and used the fine sander on top of the tool to rough up the entire surface of the paper. Love the look of this!
I used the brush on the tip of the tool (hidden in the cap) to do detail distressing of the heart. I then inked everything with Antique Linen Distress Ink.
For those of you who are bow-challenged (there's no shame in that!!) you're going to love this! I cut 2 pieces of ribbon (Maya Road Signature Ribbon Pack Red), tied them in a knot, and adhered it to the card with 1/8" Scor-tape. Trim your edges, and instant faux bow!
I added some Maya Road Heart Trinket Pins for embellishment, and done!
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In store news…

We are taking PRE-ORDERS for the Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Marker Canister Set of 37! If you would like to reserve yours click here. Pre-orders save 10%!!!! They are expected to ship sometime in February.

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If you missed my 2012 Calendar Class yesterday on UStream, here is the recording. For some unknown reason, the show recorded in 2 videos.

Part 1

Part 2

Lazy Day Art Journal

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Melissa Samuels · 1 Comment

Hey Guys!!! A couple of weeks ago I had a few girlfriends over for a crop! We had a blast. It was awesome to relax for a bit, and just play. I worked on my favorite thing in the world, an art journal page! I started by collaging, then I did some painting, Glimmer Misting, and inking. The stamped phrase is from the Tim Holtz Good Thoughts set, one of my favorite sets! Such inspirational and uplifting phrases. I added a Tim Holtz Glassine Pocket for catching wishes:) I plan to go back and do some doodling/journaling around the outside edge to finish it off. Until then, I thought I'd share what I have:

I made the flowers using McGill Paper Blossoms Punches! I can definitely see how these punches can become addictive. FUN!!!

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And, today at 2pm (EST) is my live UStream 2012 Calendar Class! I hope you can drop by and say hello! Click here go to my UStream Channel. Here's what I'll be making:

Kits are available in my store (click here), but the UStreams are available for everyone!

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Denise Phillips is announcing the winner to her ATC challenge today on her blog. If you entered, or you're just curious to who won, hop on over there and check her out!

http://birdnutsmixedmedia.blogspot.com/2012/01/and-there-are-winners.html

Tutorial Thursday: Hydrangea Using Paper Blossoms Punches

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Melissa Samuels · 2 Comments

Hey Guys!! You probably know by now how much I love making handmade flowers! So, you can imagine how excited I was when I first saw McGill Paper Blossoms Punches. It's an entire line of punches that are dedicated to making gorgeous flowers. You can make a rose, peony, lily, begonia, pansy, sunflower, and the list goes on!! I thought I would start simple and easy, so I made a hydrangea using the Mini Petals and Birch Leaf lever punches.

Here's a how-to video by McGill for making the hydrangea.

After I made my flower, I glued it on top of one of the stacking boxes from last week's Tutorial Thursday (click here to view post).

I hope you enjoy! To see more punches and how-to videos click here!

Valentine ATC’s by Denise & Challenge

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Melissa Samuels · 2 Comments

Hi Everyone!!! Today I have a special treat for your eyes! My very good friend, and talented artist, Denise from Birdnuts Mixed Media has put together some wonderful ATC's just in time for Valentine's Day. She has a little tutorial, 5 gorgeous ATC's, and a fabulous challenge waiting for you!! Here's a little excerpt from her blog meant to tease you!

"In case you don't know what an ATC is,

here is my knowledge on the subject.

An ATC is an 'Artists Trading Card'.

Artist Trading Cards are for the sole intention for

trading with other artists, and are not for sale.

There are a plethora of websites on the Internet just for the fun of making and trading ATC's!

And, I believe the only rule in making ATC's is that they

are to be exactly 2 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" long.

And that's the only rule!

You can use any medium in art you wish to make

an ATC, as long as you have them the correct size!"

Intrigued yet??? Go visit her blog at http://birdnutsmixedmedia.blogspot.com to view her entire post, and enter her challenge!!!!!! She'll be giving away all 5 cards, so run over there for the details!!!

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