Monday, January 31, 2011

Paper Rose Tutorial....

Ooops! It took me a whole lot longer to get the paper rose tutorial done than I originally anticipated! Here are the steps by step instructions....

The base of the roses begin with a circle. In this case, I used a 2 in circle but you can adjust the size of the rose based on the size of the circle you use.

Using scissors cut around the circle in a swirl pattern.

Fold the outside edge from the beginning to the end.

Turn the circle over.

Begin twisting the edge of the paper inward making sure to keep the folded edge folded.

Adhere the bottom with a strong adhesive. I used Stampin' Up! sticky strip to secure mine.

I hope this helps! I suspect you could use these instructions with other kinds of paper and get the same results....crepe streamers, tissue paper and maybe even some fabrics.....

Have a good afternoon!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Cutie Box.....


I'm back this afternoon with another Valentine project....and as I said last week, I have so many ideas that I can't narrow it down to just a few so I'm going to show them all here between now and Valentine's Day!

Isn't the little girl a cutie?! I love the innocence about her! And the small handmade paper roses just make it all that sweeter!

Right now the box is empty but I'm thinking about making some little 3x3 cards to match unless I can come up with something else that would work in it. What do you think?



Edited to add: I will work on a photo tutorial for the little paper roses!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Valentine Class....

In true Melissa form, I'm behind on my prep work for tonight's Cupcake Card Class so this will be a super fast post!

I'm offering another class in the next couple of weeks for Valentine's Day and here are the projects...

I want to give a big shout out to my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators for giving me the inspiration for all of the above projects. While the ideas are not new, they sure are cute! And the best part about the card is that you could easily turn it into a birthday card in no time!

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend and I'll be back on Monday with more Valentine projects!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Valentine Pillow Box....

Good afternoon friends!

I'm back with a quick box for today's post. I can't take credit for this idea because I didn't come up with it on my own. After seeing Chris' red box, I knew I had to try one in my favorite color!

Have a good evening!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Top Note Box.....

Good afternoon! It's taken me a little longer to decide on what to make for Valentine's Day because I have SO many ideas! I finally just decided to make them all and will be featuring them from now until Valentine's Day....

Today's project is a sweet little box big enough to hold chocolates, lip sticks, erasers, etc....little trinket size things and was a lot of fun to make. Here is the outside of the box:

And here is the inside:

Have a good afternoon!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Too Early?

Valentine Card 2008

Valentine Card 2009

Valentine Card 2010

Treat Box 2010

February 2010

Is it too early to move into Valentine's Day crafting and decorating?

Monday, January 10, 2011

Under the Overpass....Eye Opening!

A few weeks ago, I signed up for a book review program through Blogging for Books. This is my first review so thank you for joining me!

Choosing my first book to review was a difficult task but I'm so glad it was this one!

Mike and Sam's five month journey had me questioning my beliefs and behavior from the beginning of their story. It challenged me to look at America's homeless men and women as human beings and not as people who begged for money because they were too lazy to work. I was ashamed to realize that in some cases, that was indeed my attitude! It was then I had to ask myself how I could win people over to Christ when I wasn't being Christ-like myself.

If you are looking for an honest and eye opening read, Under the Overpass is for you!

Thank you Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for giving me this free copy of Under the Overpass to read as part of your reviewing program.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

I'm It.....

Trouble
I was tagged by Amy!

Here are the paraphrased rules:

1. Write the answers to the following questions out on your blog and replace any questions you do not like. *Since I liked all of them, I'll be answering all 20!*

2. Tag four people and they cannot refuse....um, I don't think that's necessary so while I will participate, I will not be tagging anyone else!

Here we go:

1. Do you have pets and if you do, do you see them merely as animals or are they members of your family?

We have one 15 1/2 year old cat who is spoiled to the point that she doesn't understand the word no. I figure she's earned the right to be pampered because of her age and I fully intend to let her live the rest of her life however she wants to. Within reason of course! ;)

2. If you could have one dream come true, what would it be?

I would have all of my loved ones accept Christ and live in eternity with Jesus and I.

3. What is the one thing most hated by you?

People who do not keep their word. Say what you mean and mean what you say or don't say anything at all!

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

I would give 10 percent to my church, pay off the house, set up a trust account for my niece Emma and then have to prayerfully consider what to do with the rest because that's a whole lot of money!

5. What helps pull you out of a bad mood?

I have to agree with Amy on this one. I'm a loner....my alone time is essential to my well being and when I don't get enough of it I get irritable.

6. Which is more blessed? Loving someone or being loved by someone?

I would say loving someone.

7. What is your bedtime routine?

Putting on my pajamas, making Chris' lunch, washing my face, brushing my teeth, reading or watching Criminal Minds on ION until I fall asleep.

8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?

Chris and I were matched up to walk down the isle together at a mutual friend's wedding. We walked down the isle that day and haven't parted since.

9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process who would it be?

The list is long! It's a toss up between Ree Drummond, Sandra Lee, Rachael Ray, Shelli Gardner, Teresa Collins and Bonnie at House of Grace.

10. What kind of books do you read?

This list is long too! Biographies, Christian Historical Romance, the Bible, Cozy Mysteries and any Jodi Picoult book except Songs of the Humpback Whale. I just couldn't get into that one!

11. How do you see yourself in 10 years?

Yikes! The thought of it kind of freaks me out! I would like to think I'd be healthier and more at peace but who knows? There are no guarantees!

12. What's your biggest fear?

Um, drowning!

13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?

Um, no!

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?

Married and poor as long as it's Chris.

15. What is the first thing that you do when you wake up?

Turn off my ambient noise machine. I use it every night in hopes of drowning out Chris' snoring!

16. If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be?

I would give him a passion for traveling. I could see so much more that way!

17. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?

I wouldn't change it....I like Melissa.

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that someone special has done?

Oooh....this is a biggie! I work on forgiveness everyday....some days I'm better at it than others but I believe that the trick is to keep trying.

19. If you could eat only one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

If it didn't impact my health, I would choose Smokehouse Burgers from Ruby Tuesday!

20. What is the one thing you enjoy most about blogging?

The constant inspirations!

I'm not going to tag anyone, but please drop by the sites of the lovely ladies in my side bar!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Cupcake Class....

I've been hard at work designing for some upcoming classes and thought you might like to see the first one. I love cupcakes! And lucky for me, they are incredibly popular these days.

This is the first of many to come so be sure to check back often! And as an added bonus, I now have three cards done for goal number 3 for 2011!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2011 To-Do List....

What is it about a new year that fires you up to get some things done that you've been putting off? I have a growing list of things I'd like to try and/or complete in 2011 and thought the added accountability of listing it here would do me some good! Here is my list in no particular order....

1. Clean off the top of the refrigerator
2. Scrapbook 2010 events
3. Fill my card box with cards to have on hand for various occasions
4. Add wall art above the bed in the master bedroom
5. Thin out books on the living room book shelf and add a few decorative accents
6. Buy a king size coverlet for the bed so that Chris and I will stop wrestling each other for covers
7. Plant some flowers for the spring and summer
8. Deep clean and organize the studio
9. Completely empty my closet, donate clothing that's unflattering or no longer fits and only put back things that I will wear.
10. Find a storage solution for gift wrap

There you have it.....even just making the list makes me feel better! Now who's up for keeping me on track? :o)


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