Blog Candy Winner's!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! We are still FULL! Well, without further ado, here are my 2 winners! Picked by my son, Antonio!

******* My First Winner is.............................


NIFTY (Pat) who wrote:

Oh Melissa! I just love that clip . Where do you find the over sized cloths pins ? I want to win !!! Just so I can say I have something of yours ....... You are going to be a crafting star you know! As Always, Pat


******* And, my Second Winner is.......................

Michelle who wrote:

OOoh I always wanted one of those but never made myself one! It would be a perfect addition to my desk decorations! I'm doing a snowflake theme in there to liven it up some! I have my fingers crossed!! TFS!


Congratulations! Please email me at KeepsakesbyMelissa@yahoo.com with your addy's!!

I wish I could have given one away to all of you! This was soo hard to just give away 2! But, don't forget, I am going to have another blog candy again, real soon!! I love giving stuff away!! Thank you to all my new and old friends for all the wonderful comments! You are all very sweet!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Hugs, Melissa

Some good news! ;) and Blog Candy!

I will be joining the Moments to Remember Design Team starting in January! I am so excited! This site ROCKS! The owner, Robin, is just the sweetest! Thank you Robin, you Rock! The DT and members are awesome! And you get to have a Virtual charm bracelet and earn charms for it! You can't beat that!! hehe I can't wait to get started over there!

Oh, well enough of my news! Just thought I would share it with you! Don't forget you have until Friday the 28th,(Happy BDAY Cuz!), to join up for my Blog Candy! It is 3 posts down! Good Luck! And don't forget another blog candy is coming real soon!!

Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a Safe, Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Hugs, Melissa

Snowflakes and a Gingerbread Man!

Here are a couple more Christmas cards that I made yesterday. The gingerbread man one was made for a challenge on another blog, Mothers and Daughters Creations. We had to use light green, dark green and red colors and an extra bonus if we used a gingerbread man on it. I decided to make a file folder card. I ran a piece of light green Bazzill CS through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots Emb. folder and then added some Bo Bunny paper, lace, then a piece of MME paper. I then "glittered up" one of my wooden snowflakes, added some Martha Stewart branches with my punch, then a foam snowflake and then a K&Co. poinsettia flower. The gingerbread man is foam which I purchased a whole bag of them and other things for $1 in, believe it or not, Rite Aid!! I dressed him up with a MME paper hat, snowball pom-pom, ribbon, pearls and a "Peace" CS sticker by K&Co. To finish it off, I adhered some Pom-Pom trim along the top edge and the file tab was made with some more MME paper.

The next card was made with some My Mind's Eye PP, some more crocheted lace and white lace ribbon, another wooden snowflake drenched in pink glitter, a foam snowflake, white hemp cord, and 2 buttons. I printed the "Happy Holidays" out from MS Word onto a sheet of Vellum.

Hope you like em'!

Don't forget to leave a comment for my Blog Candy, 2 posts below!! Good Luck! And stay tuned, because after this candy ends on Friday, I am going to have another giveaway shortly after that one! I love giving things away!! SO much fun!!

Have a wonderful week!!

Hugs, Melissa

Blog Candy Alert!

You must check out Debbie's blog, Passion for Crafts! She is giving away a huge present for all the hits she has gotten on her blog! And it's worth checking out!! And don't forget my giveaway, below, on my last post!

Have a great night!

Hugs, Melissa

Winter Wooden Photo Clip **My First Blog Candy!!** YAY!!

I love altering these cute jumbo wooden clips. They can be used for any occasion. This is one of many I will be displaying on my mantle this year. This years theme is definitely snowflakes and sparkle!! I love it! I can't wait to start decorating for Christmas! It's my favorite time of year! Even more so now, that I have my little elf around!! ;) I definitely need a home just to store all my decorations though! I have way too much! (at least that's what the hubby says!) LOL
Anywho, this clip was made with some yummy My Mind's Eye papers, a foam snowflake, that I picked up a bag of them for like 2 bucks, which I coated with some Aleene's Tacky glue and then sprinkled on some silver and white glitter. So sparkly!!! I then added a button and some hemp cord to it. Behind the snowflake, I adhered part of a holiday pick and some "branches" punched out with my trusty old Martha Stewart branch punch. I used a hot glue gun to adhere everything to the clip. On the sides of the clip I glued on some white Pom-Pom trim(Wright's). And then to top it off I added a lace ribbon bow to the top.


***I hope you like it! I am going to give one of these away! So if you would like one all you have to do is, please leave me a comment! If you leave a comment and follow me and become "my friend", you will get 2 chances to win one! I will place all the names in a hat(actually probably a bowl-HeHe)and have my son pick a name or two! I will post the winner, or maybe winners ;), on next Friday, November 28th, BLACK FRIDAY at around 8 pm!! So Good Luck!!*****

Have a Wonderful and Blessed Day!!

Hugs, Melissa

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

And feel like it too! BRR! It's cold here! And I love it! Can't wait for snow! Last night I made a few more Christmas cards in between my break from making 15 Christmas Wish boxes that someone ordered! You think during my break, I would get something to eat or drink! No not me! I made cards!! LOL

This first one, is a tree that I hand drew and cut out 2 of them. I then attached them at the top with a piece of floss hidden behind the glittered Chipboard star. I ran the tree through my Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots Embossing folder. That folder is my favorite! The cute CS Ornament and candies are by K&Co. I added some ribbon, pom-pom trim, a button and some hemp cord. (click on photos for closeups!)

This next one I made using some PP by Stemma. The "Do Not Open" stamp is from the Michaels $1 bin! The tree and present are stickers but not sure who makes them. I had them in my stash for awhile. To finish it off, I added some crocheted ribbon and DCWV scalloped CS. I rounded the bottom edges with my corner punch and inked the edges with brown ink.

And finally this last one, is so much prettier in person. I couldn't get a good photograph. The tree gets lost in the PP in the photo, but not in real life! DARN! Oh well. I used some MME papers, a Maya Road chipboard tree which I drenched in Silver EP and then adhered part of a holiday pick to the front of it. I also used some felt snowflakes, buttons, Pom-Pom trim, red crystals, floss and some lace ribbon. The words were printed out of MS Word and then I used a glue pen to write over them and then added red EP.



And last but not least, I have a blog candy alert! Come help Lara celebrate her Birthday on her blog! She is giving away 2 stamp sets! She is very sweet! So go here and say Happy Birthday Lara!!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Melissa

Ornament Card

I made this fun shaped card with more of the My Mind's Eye Papers. I hand-drew the ornament, that's why it is not perfect! But what is, right?? The cute cardstock stickers are by K&Co. I also adhered some white Pom-Pom Trim as well as a satin bow, button and hemp cord. The ornament itself was cut out of Bazzill Basics CS and I inked the edges of it with Gold ink to match the bow.

Here is a shout out to my friend Lindsay who just got her first card picked up for publication in a print mag! WOO-Hoo! Way to go Lindsay! Oh, yeah, and she is also going to have one of her images made into a rubber stamp over at The Rubber Cafe! She is on a roll!! Keep up the great work Lindsay! I am very proud of you!! And check out her blog here, she has a digi giveaway to celebrate 30,000 hits on her blog!

Just a short post today! Off to do laundry and play with my son!! He can now count to six, but sometimes forgets the #2! That's funny, cause that is how old he is!! What a great age he is at now, so fun!!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by and leaving me some love!!

Hugs, Melissa

'tis the Season!

I am loving the new papers out there for Christmas this year! Not just the same old boring red and green papers! I love the mix of pinks, yellows, greens, blues and reds! And lots of glitter! Right up my alley!!

This card was made using the new MME paper pack (love this paper) and also some DCWV paper. The ornament and tis the season tag is by K&Co. I dressed it all up with some Crocheted and Gingham ribbons, hemp cord and mini adhesive pearls by Kaiser Craft.

Also, go and check out Scrapadilly.com! Starting this Friday, the 21st through the 28th, they will be having their Friday Night Boredom Crop! I will be there and my Christmas Wish Box is one of the things they will be making! So go and join the fun and make some some new great friends and fun projects! (My LO is featured on the homepage too!) YAY!!

We are expecting snow here today! I hope so! But doubtful, the sun is shining!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs, Melissa

Winter Bliss!

I made this card using the new My Mind's Eye papers. I covered the wooden mittens with the paper as well as the striped background paper with snowflakes. These papers are gorgeous. They are full of glitter! Yummy!
The wooden mittens are by Nicole Crafts (Michaels). I also used some felt and foam snowflakes, crocheted and satin ribbons, hemp cord, lots of glitter and a button. The red scalloped paper is by DCWV.

Hope you have a wonderful night!

Hugs, Melissa

Blog Candy!

Go and Visit the beautiful and talented Rina at her blog, "Heartful Stamping"! In celebration of her first 1,000 hits, all in her first week, she is having away an awesome giveaway! She is VERY generous! Click here!

Hugs and Good Luck!
Melissa

Christmas is just around the corner!

I can't believe in little over a month, Christmas will be here! Where did the year go?? Scary how fast time is flying!

Here is a cute little card I made with some Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper, Martha Stewart Flocked Deer Stickers(which I coated with glue and glitter), a foam snowflake, Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Sheer ribbon, buttons, mini Pom-Pom Trim and hemp cord. I hand wrote the sentiment on white cardstock and then inked the edges with a blue ink pad to make it appear "icy"!


And here is the Advent Calendar that I made for my Guest Designer Newsletter Project over at Moments to Remember. It was so much fun to make. Click on the photos for a closer look!

I used a wooden tray that I had laying around, and decorated it with all kinds of embellies. Felt, Foam, Chipboard, Cut Outs, Stickers, etc. The numbers were printed out of MS Word in different colors, fonts and sizes. For more details on how to make this, visit Moments to Remember and join up! I love that site!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and an even better upcoming week!

Hugs, Melissa

Rubber Cafe DT Work

Here is a card I made using my Rubber Cafe stamps for some DT work. I used a Marvy Uchida border punch on the bottom edge of the card. The paper used is by Anna Griffin. The Chipboard heart is by Inque Boutique and the key by Maya Road. The stamp used on the front is "From the heart" #F-621 and the stamps used on the inside are "Lg. Lace Heart" #J-1063 and "Happy Valentine's Day" #C-398. I also used some crocheted ribbon, mini adhesive pearls (Kaiser Craft), some hemp cord, my trusty old Martha Stewart Branch Punch and some glitter, of course!

And here is a little paper mache heart box that I made to match with the same paper.

The Rubber Cafe website is currently being made to look all new and pretty! So go and check it out and order some great stamps!

Hugs, Melissa

Tranparency Tent Card Tutorial and a Blog Candy Alert!

I actually made this card last year, but recently had a few people ask how I made it! So this is for them! And whoever else wants to know! ;)

To start, you need to make a Stair Step Fold. Here are the directions for that:
1. Cut cardstock to the size of 10.5" x 5".

2. Score your cardstock at the following measurements 1.25" - 2.5" - 4.25" - 6" and at 8.25". Fold with hills and valleys (accordion style) making sure that the smallest(1.25" fold) is folded down, as this will be the front of the card.

Now you will have the base for the card!

You would then decorate your card as you wish. I used Inque Boutique stamps for mine. After you are finished embellishing your card, you would then cut a piece of transparency the same width as the card base. As far as the height of the paper, you would determine how high you want the tent to be. But remember, not to make it too tall as it will make the card off balance. I believe the size I made mine was 5" x 10.5". Fold in half. If you want to decorate the transparency, do it now before adhering. I used little snowflake stamps on mine. Now, adhere to the front of the card base's first fold and to the back of the last fold. I used a hot glue gun to make sure it really holds, just make sure to spread the glue evenly so you don't have any bumps. Then cover the front panel with PP to hide the glued transparency. I also added a strip of PP at the top fold of the transparency.

And there you have it! A Transparent Tent Card! If you decide to make one, please link it back here! I would love to see it!

Now, go and visit Elaine's Blog, "My Creative Corner"! She is so sweet! She is giving away some awesome blog candy to celebrate her 40th Birthday! So wish her a Happy Birthday and you may win some great markers!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs, Melissa

Flurries and Stripes!

This was a fun card to make. I love the shape on the bottom. To make it, I took a small bowl and marked the bottom edge of the card with a pencil and then cut on the line! Easy Peasy! I then adhered the cute KI Memories PP, also with the same shape. On the edge, I adhered some cute mini pom-pom ribbon, I found in ACMoore. It is so cute, it also comes in several colors! Off to get more tomorrow! ;) Anywho! I then used one of those Provo Craft wooden snowflakes I picked up in Michaels, 4 for $1! Can't beat that! Painted it white and then drenched it in ultra fine glitter. I then punched out some green branches and some white snowflakes using my Martha Stewart punches! Love them! After the wooden snowflake was dry, I adhered the branches, snowflakes and Poinsettia flower(Offray) using my hot glue gun. I then adhered some matching ribbon with gold beads to the card and then my snowflake over that. The tag is by Fancy Pants(a leftover from my M2R Kit), which I hand wrote the sentiment on and adhered to the card with some hemp cord. To finish it off, I adhered some more ribbon, another punched snowflake, also drenched in glitter, and some pearls. Hope you like it!

Hugs, Melissa

Here's a Sneaky Peek...

....at my Guest Designer Newsletter Project over at Moments to Remember! It is an Advent Calendar on an altered Wooden Tray! I will post all the photos here next week. If you would like the full instructions and how to, it will be in their Newsletter next Monday, (the 17th) so go and join and become a member over at Moments to Remember. It is a fun and awesome site with friendly and talented people! Just tell em' Melissa B Sent ya! Go HERE!

I just got word yesterday that another one of my cards will be published in the July 2009 issue of CardMaker magazine!! YAY!! I'm so happy! The great feeling of getting your work picked up, never goes away! I consider it an honor and privilege when I am published, especially considering the thousands of submissions they get every month!

I'll leave you with a couple of photos of my son in his Goofy Costume that he NEVER wore on Halloween! He refused to wear it!! These pics were taken the day I purchased it and he tried it on!! Oh, well, what are you gonna do! He is only 2 and a 1/2, so there will be plenty more costumes to come!! LOL Look at that face!! He is such a little actor! LOL But, of course, now he wants to wear it!! Ughh!

Have a Wonderful and Blessed Day!

Hugs, Melissa

Blog Candy Alert!

Help Suzanne celebrate 50,000 hits on her blog! Visit her blog, Scrap Bitz for a chance at some great candy including a one-of-a-kind stamp that is signed by the designer herself! Check out her beautiful work while your there too!! Go HERE!!

Hugs, Melissa

Snowflakes and Cinnamon!

Here is a quick and easy gift for someone. I wrapped a pillar candle with some cute paper by Imaginisce. I then adhered some lace ribbon around the top and bottom of the paper. I used the same lace ribbon to make a bow. I then hot glued some cinnamon sticks together. Added some ultra fine glitter to a foam snowflake. And then hot glued the cinnamon sticks to the candle, the bow to the center of the sticks and then the snowflake over that. To finish it off, I added a red bed to the wick. It smells good, without even lighting it!

For the small ATC or Tag I cut a piece of Bazzill Basics CS to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" for my base. I then cut a smaller piece of the Imaginisce paper to mat inside of the CS. I cut a cinnamon stick down to size, glued that to the ATC and added a bow, felt snowflake and a button to it. I printed the Warm Wishes out from MS Word, trimmed it down to size and inked the edges. To finish it off, I added some mini gold brads to the corners.

Hope you like it! Have a great night!

Hugs, Melissa

Wedding Cake Boxes

I know it is not wedding season, but I am so hooked on that show "Amazing Wedding Cakes" on the WE channel! I just had to make these pretty boxes that resemble a wedding cake.

The boxes are Paper Mache that I picked up in Michael's awhile back. That beautiful and elegant paper is by Webster's Pages. And all the flowers and butterflies are Inque Boutique stamps. I used some sheer ribbon, pearls and buttons to dress it up. On the box tops, I wanted it to stay the natural color of the boxes but I just dressed it up a little by running my white ink pad across the tops, just to pick up a little bit of white color.

WOW! What a turn out yesterday in the polls!! Amazing night!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hugs, Melissa

Believe ~ Hanging Ornament Card

Made this card with my leftovers from the Moments to Remember November Kit I received as their Guest Designer for this month. The adorable ornament was made by their Super Talented Design Team Member Shannon! Isn't it just the cutest!? I love it!

To make the card, I started off with my base card and adhered another piece of paper to the center front, only putting glue on the edge of the paper not the center(you will see why shortly). I then placed my ornament in the center of that paper and marked around the ornament where I should cut my window. I NEVER measure! I am so bad! I then placed my open card on a cutting mat, lining it up with the lines on the mat to assure a straight cut. Using my ruler as a guide, I cut out a window with my craft knife.

Attach ribbon and bow to top of ornament.

Now at the top of the window, between the base paper and the top paper, it will be open. That is due to not applying glue to the center of the paper originally. Now add some glue between the 2 sheets of papers and insert top of ribbon that is attached to ornament. Seal. And now you have a hanging ornament card.

Use the cut out piece of paper from the front of the card, on the inside.

I then added some strips of striped paper to the top and bottom of the card and then some little green gems in the corners. The Merry Christmas tag on the top corner of the window is also from the kit.

Have a great night!

Hugs, Melissa

Moments to Remember Guest DT Work!

Here are some of my projects for my Guest Designer work for Moments to Remember. What a fabulous kit! You can make Christmas projects or everyday projects with it! It is so versatile. And the price for everything you get, $15, can't be beat!!

This "Christmas Wish Box" was such a blast to make! Everything was made using the kit except for the box, styrofoam balls used to make the snowman, the Wish plaque and just a few little things like the ribbon and fibers.

For the snowman, I cut the bottoms of 3 2-inch styrofoam balls with a knife, to make them flat. I then coated them with glue and then sprinkled with glitter. After they dried, I hot glued them together. I added some sturdy cardboard as the arms and the hat, scarf and sign are all made from paper from the kit. To make the hat and scarf, I misted the paper with some water, crumpled it up and then molded it into the shape I desired. The eyes, nose and mouth are made with mini brads.

The tree is cut from one of the Fancy Pants papers included in the kit. I added some buttons to it, also included in the kit, and some sheer ribbon and to make it sturdier, I attached some 20 gauge wire behind it and then covered it with cardboard. The presents are made from paper which I folded to resemble a gift bag and a wrapped present. For the gift bag, I added some ribbon as the handles and cut small strips of paper and added to inside of bag.

Here are 2 candles I made with the kit.

Here is a layout made with the kit.
Here is a frame I altered. Everything was made from the kit except for the frame, the orange button and pearl center. The paper, flowers, ribbon and chipboard words are all from this awesome kit!

And, lastly, here is a card I made. Everything was made using the kit except for the ribbon, buttons and letters.

I still have lots of leftovers from this kit! And I plan on making some more projects with them. I will post them when I am finished. Also included in this kit, is the most adorable paper-pieced ornament, made by one of their talented DT members, Shannon. It is awesome! I can't wait to use it!

I had taken my "Christmas Wish Box" to my craft show on Saturday and as soon as the show started, it SOLD!! And then the buyer, came back and ordered 10 more!! So a big thank you to Judith, if she is reading this!!

I also want to give a BIG Thank You to Moments to Remember, Robin and the entire DT and to all the members! Thank you for having me as your Guest Designer for November and for making me feel welcome to your wonderful site! I absolutely love it there! The site is awesome and the people are so sweet and very talented! Thank you again!

Now stopping reading this, leave a comment and go visit Moments to Remember! LOL

Have a great day!!

Hugs, Melissa

*****UPDATE**** The November Kit is now SOLD OUT!!