Creative Therapy

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Melissa Samuels · 12 Comments

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.

Studio Tour

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Melissa Samuels · 4 Comments

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…

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Melissa Samuels · 5 Comments

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 melissa@melissasamuels.net with your info and I'll get that right out to you.

Until the next UStream ya'll…

Dinner Theater Anyone?

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Melissa Samuels · 13 Comments

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

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Melissa Samuels · 30 Comments

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.

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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!

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