August 26, 2008

Paper Tales Class & San Diego Scrapbook Expo...

We are excited to share that Melissa Frances will be hosting a special mini workshop in San Diego on Sunday Aug.31!
 
Southern California, I hope you're ready for a fun time, as Melissa is ready to teach and the project is absolutely adorable. Featuring the thankful line, you will be creating a beautiful matchbook album perfect for displaying family photos. Our hosts will be the effervescent Michelle and Helle of Paper Tales, located in San Diego. Here's a link to their blog with the store contact information.
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AND...don't forget to visit the Melissa Frances booth at the San Diego Scrapbook Expo on August 29th & 30th at the San Diego Convention Center!!!
 
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August 22, 2008

August Guest Artist...

We have decided to feature a guest artist on the Melissa Frances blog each month, and for our first month, we are pleased to have the talented Hilary Shirley from Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Hilary 

HILARY SHIRLEY

Age:
35 on 8/15... yikes!
Where were you born, and where do you currently live? Born in Utah... raised in Washington and now living in Idaho!
Hobbies & Interests: Photography, computer, baking, decorating, reading...
Pet Peeves: Whining!                                                                                                                                     Favorite Magazine: Real Simple...

Favorite Smells: Bread baking, Johnson's baby lotion, citrus, Scentsy...

Favorite Movies or Books: I love the Father of the Bride movies (and the house!), Best Friend's Wedding, Get Smart was hilarious, Mamma Mia was fun...  I enjoy Jodi Picoult books... I loved "The Host."

Favorite TV show: Lost, Heroes, Grey's Anatomy, Project Runway.

Favorite Season: Fall/Spring. Tied. I just love May and September.

What time do you wake up in the morning? 7:30 or 8:00? That's bad, isn't it? I'm too much of a night owl!

Do you collect anything? Clocks.

SCRAPBOOKING:

When and how did you get into scrapbooking? I've scrapbooked since I was in junior high. I loved the old scrapbooks with photo corners... I doodled with markers and cut things out of magazines to embellish... When I was in college a girlfriend took me to a crop at Pebbles in my Pocket and the rest is history! I was hooked!                                                                                                                                                                             What is your favorite Melissa Frances Product? I love the patterned paper and the chipboard. So, so cute! The Crystal Clear Stamps are amazing in quality... and the rubons are so adorable.                                       

What music (if any) do you listen to while you scrap? I actually prefer silence.... I don't get enough of it during the day. (See Pet Peeve!)                                                                                                                               

What do you like to snack on while you scrap? Usually nothing, but at crops I love Junior Mints and Hot Tamales. Mmmm!                                                                                                                                                          How would you describe your scrapbooking style? Simple. Clean. Sort of cutesy, I tend to be more classic instead of going with what's "trendy."                                                                                                             

What is more important to you…getting the photos into albums, or indulging in creativity? Creativity ... I'm too slow of a scrapper to be worried about catching up! I love spotlighting the "perfect" picture.                                                                                                                                       

Where do you find inspiration?  I find inspiration in the products I'm using, my photographs and browsing the internet.                                                                                                                                                                    Do you like to crop with others or scrap alone? Both, but I get way more done when I'm alone.                                                                                                                                                           

How has scrapbooking changed your life? I love capturing moments... having a little moment that I have preserved for me and for my kids. Letting them know how much I love them and cherish them. I view life differently... which I love. I notice more. I take more pictures!! I also am thankful that scrapbooking helped me embrace my creative side. It is a blessing when you discover your talents.                                                                                                                             

What is one scrapbooking tool, you can't live without? Tombow Adhesive and my Fiskars Trimmer.      

What format do you scrap? (12x12, 8.5x11 etc)? 12x12 mostly with some 8.5x11.                                             

Which do you prefer? Scrapbook layouts, cards, altered projects?  I'm not really an altered sort of gal. It doesn't come easy to me.                                                                                                                                                Do you have any organization or time saving tips you could share? Label things... I love my little Dymo labeler. Try to make your organization pretty as well as functional-- it will make you happier. If you're kind of messy, find containers to disguise your mess (baskets, tins, etc.) Don't be afraid to invest in storage containers - how can you be organized without a spot to put things?! Occasionally go through your stash and get rid of things... Simplify! I love using Plano Fishing Tackle boxes to store my little embellishments.

 

Here are some of the beautiful projects Hilary created using MF products...

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I had fun decorating cleaned out tin cans from beans and corn. Such a cute, cheap, easy container to make cute! For the can of daisies, I cut a scallop shape on one piece of paper and sewed it front to back to the other... I curled the ends of the scallop on a pencil. What a perfect, tiny present!

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With back-to-school, here's a simple teacher gift using a tin can. Before adhering paper to the can, stitch on a label and some ricrac. Use glue dots to add colorful buttons around the base. Add some colorful dry-erase markers and you've got a great first day of school gift for your child's teacher.


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I love simple little birthday gifts. Brown lunch sacks are always handy and so simple and cute. I loved this beautiful patterned paper... I cut strips and added a scalloped edge using circle punches... Distress and add the darling birthday stickers, fill with yummy caramel corn and you've got a birthday gift anyone would love."

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Baby Shower....

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Favors: Pass out delicious chocolates in cute little "sour cream" looking containers... make tubes out of patterned paper then crimp the ends in opposite directions. Attach some ribbon, a tag and a sparkly chipboard flower... so easy and so cute.

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Successful parties don't skimp on the details. Consider adding patterned paper and a chipboard flower to water bottles to carry on with the theme.

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Using Melissa Frances chipboard books, make a cute little book for party guests to write tips and advice for the new parents...

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Add patterned paper to clothespins and play the following game. Give each person a clothespin and explain the rules to them. When someone says "BABY" or "PREGNANT," whoever hears that person gets their clothespin. The person with the most clothespins at the end of the baby shower is the winner! Another way you can play this game is by watching to see who crosses their arms or legs during the shower. Whoever catches a person doing this gets their clothespin

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Another easy decoration or favor are little binkies made with white lifesavers and pink jelly beans. Just hot glue together or use white decorator's frosting to stick together.       

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August 20, 2008

Altered Bra Winner & Chicago Scrapbook Expo...

First off, here is the winner of our altered bra contest from CHA...a special thanks to all those who entered!!! Congrats Laura Vigliarolo!

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And don't forget that Melissa Frances will have a booth at the Chicago Scrapbook Expo on August 22 & 23, at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles!

August 15, 2008

CKC & a Birthday Layout...

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Don't forget to join Melissa Frances at the CKC show in Charolette, North Carolina on August 15-16 at the Charolette Convention Center


Becky Novacek has an adorable birthday layout to share with us today...

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August 11, 2008

Heres another look at some more projects using the new Melissa Frances products from CHA...

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August 06, 2008

Meet Linda Albrecht...

IMG_1497 Age: Are you kidding?!! All that I'm saying is that my oldest child is 26 ;-O
Where were you born, and where do you currently live? Born, raised, and still living in the same town in Minnesota.

Hobbies & Interests: Biking, family dinner get togethers, singing (and music), making art, gardening and yard.
Pet Peeves: Disorganization

Favorite Magazine: Country Home
Favorite Smells: Babies, laundry that hung outside to dry, cinnamon rolls, and Lily of the Valley flowers.
Favorite Movies or Books: The Wedding Planner, A knight's Tale, Drew Barrymore's remake of "Cinderella" (I'm a sucker for romance and fairytales :-)
Favorite TV show: The only thing that I watch on a regular basis when in season is American Idol.
Favorite Season: Fall
What time do you wake up in the morning?5:00 am
Do you collect anything?Mercury Glass Christmas ornaments and shabby white decor.

SCRAPBOOKING:

When and how did you get into scrapbooking? 11 years ago when I discovered that I was pregnant with my 4th and last baby, I felt guilty that I hadn't done anything with my 3rd child's photos so I started scrapbooking them.

What is your favorite Melissa Frances Product? Patterned papers-- I remember when I saw the first release of Christmas papers and the sweet Vintage looking florals and stripes from Melissa -- it took my breath away!

What music (if any) do you listen to while you scrap? Lots of different genres; from rock singers like David Cook and Vega 4--to modern country, like Allison Kraus and Mindy Smith -- to altered Native American singer, Bill Miller. I love anything that relaxes and has meaningful lyrics that inspires and uplifts me.

What do you like to snack on while you scrap? Just my BIG mug of ice water.

How would you describe your scrapbooking style? Shabby and vintage with layers.

What is more important to you…getting the photos into albums, or indulging in creativity? Creativity (now that I've relaxed a little about how many photos really need to be scrapped.)

Where do you find inspiration? Music, nature, photos of my children, vintage items.

Do you like to crop with others or scrap alone? Scrap Alone

How has scrapbooking changed your life? It's given me the opportunity to share my design work with others who have the same passion.

What is one scrapbooking tool, you can't live without? All that I really need is a scissors ;-)

What format do you scrap? (12x12, 8.5x11 etc)? 12x12

Which do you prefer? Scrapbook layouts, cards, altered projects? Both layouts and altered projects -- it just depends upon my mood.

Do you have any organization or time saving tips you could share? Everything takes me too long because I like to enjoy the process, but I do have to put everything (tools, product, etc.) back into it's place before I start each project. It just feels right and I can be more creative and inspired in a clean work area.

You can check out Linda's blog here, and here is another creative masterpiece by Linda...

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August 05, 2008

Check out this great gift idea from Rachel Killpack...

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July 29, 2008

More Layouts Using New MF Product...

here are a few more layouts from our talented design team using the new Melissa Frances products from CHA...

Layout by Amber Tosh...

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Altered Bra by Melissa Phillips...

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Layout by Ginger Williams...

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Liberty Snowman box by Linda Albrecht...

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July 28, 2008

Mark Your Calendars...

 Logo_ckc and don't forget to join Melissa Frances at the CKC show in Valley Forge, August 1-2 at the Valley Forge Convention Center!!!

July 24, 2008

Meet Emeline...

P1020300-2 Introducing Emeline...a Melissa Frances fan from beautiful Singapore! She was kind enough to share some of her beautiful creations with us today! You can visit Emeline's blog here.


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