Projects using K Andrews stamps :)

Good Morning!  I wanted to show you some projects I made recently... I made these to apply for K Andrews design team. Although I didn't make it and am thrilled for those that did get that honor, I wanted to show you what I made. I used the food for thought set and you can see how versatile it is... The last card is a die cut from Sizzix that is a rotating card so that each box has a different phrase in it- I used K Andrews Stamps which you can find here,  Bo Bunny,  my stash of flowers and bling, Quick Quotes chalk ink, Prima butterfly, string, my cricut, my gypsy (baby), heat gun, ranger embossing powder, sand block (to bring out more texture of the orange) and I am sure I am missing something but I can't remember what!  Have a wonderful weekend! I am taking a copic class with the amazing Jennie Black and I can't wait! 

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me!

And as always, make today and every day 

A CREATIVE JOURNEY :) 

With Love & Creativity, 

Melissa

Make your own Baker's Twine-IT'S SO EASY!!!!!

Hi Crafty Friends!

I have been a crafter since as long as I can remember but I love all things crafty! I am what you call a COLLECTOR of many things (lol a nice way to put it! LOL) but I am VERY frugal as well... I love creating cards and layouts but sometimes the embellishments cost more than the paper and photos!! Well, I knew there had to be a way to create my own baker's twine and being that it is becoming a staple in many crafters tool kits and I just HAVE TO HAVE every color...... I had to find a more economic way to do this so THANK GOD for google - I found this AMAZING video that makes it so easy it's almost LAUGHABLE!  Be sure to thank UK Maryanne for the great idea and leave her some love on her video comments :)

I hope you squeal with delight just as I did!!

Have a wonderful weekend and

as always make today & every day

 A Creative Journey :)

WE HAVE A WINNER & ANSWERS TO THE BLOG HOP QUESTIONS!!!!!!

Hi fantastic followers!

Sorry I am running late today but I went to Costco (it's like Sam's or a wholesale large quanity store) and I spent over $400.. which is bad enough but to PUT IT AWAY IS WORSE! LOL

I did want to clarify as to why no one qualified for the blog candy- in the instructions you needed to comment AND answer the questions EVERY DAY of the blog hop. Unfortunately, no one commented on all four of the days and also answered the questions. I had some that commented all four days and some that left answers on 3 of the four but not all of it. In order for me to feel as if I was being fair, I decided to offer the blog candy this way AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!   I asked my son to pick a number between 1 and 7 and my son picked #5 which said


The Bookin Room said...



OH my!! No blog candy should go to waste!!! Thanks for offering it again!

Please contact me so I can put your blog candy in the mail for you ASAP :) Also as stated on the original post- due to postage costs, I will be either taking the folders out of their packaging or if you would prefer me to fold it/cut it in half I would be happy to include the packaging- I am just trying to avoid high postage costs due to the large size.

Thank you for all of your comments! I often give away blog candy and next time I won't make it as complicated... Sorry- I thought it was something cool and different for others to read as well....

Now answers to the questions I received during the blog hop:

What cart was used for the school house card? Wrap it Up

Who makes the border punch that was used for the note book paper effect? Stampin up has a smaller version or they make a larger one from EK Success and you can find it at Michaels or Joanns. I HAVE BOTH :)

Was the book from scratch or did you use composition notebooks? I used composition notebooks and covered them with the paper and embellishments- VERY inexpensive to buy now BTW.. Walmart has them for 40 cents EACH and that is regular price.. WHO KNOWS what it will be if they clearance them!!

For the composition notebook, the binding was actually PAPER of all things... It was paper, not tape although that is really fun to work with as well!

Again a HUGE thank you to Rebekah for hosting!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me!

And as always, make today and every day

A CREATIVE JOURNEY :)

With Love & Creativity,

Melissa

DO YOU WANT TO BE A WINNER?????????????????

Good Morning! Hard to believe but sadly I didn't have anyone that commented on my blog all four days AND answered the questions soooooo.. THERE IS NO WINNER! I went back and checked 4 times! DO NOT FRET! I will have my boys pick a number and if you leave a comment here... YOU CAN WIN! I don't want this great blog candy to go to waste! Just leave me a comment and YOU CAN WIN! Don't forget to leave me a way of getting in contact with you too! I will pick someone after 3:30 PM Pacific time so LEAVE A COMMENT!!!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me!

And as always, make today and every day

A CREATIVE JOURNEY :)

With Love & Creativity, Melissa

LAST DAY OF BLOG HOP AND I AM A WINNER- #6?!

LAST DAY OF THE BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP! Don't forget to post on ALL of my BACK TO SCHOOL blog hop posts and follow the directions so you can qualify to win the blog candy!

I AM SO FORTUNATE! I won BLOG CANDY!!!!  This is AMAZING and I am so blessed in so many ways... but seriously?? 6 times in 6 weeks?  HONORED to say the least! Please go show some love to Dawn at http://dawnsdesignsthatdelight.blogspot.com/ ! She has an amazing blog with great ideas! 

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me!

And as always, make today and every day

A CREATIVE JOURNEY :)

With Love & Creativity,

Melissa

BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY #4 and VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD!!!!!

If you are coming here to check out the winners or accept your 

VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD please click HERE

If you are here for the BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP please click

HERE for the BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY #1

HERE for the BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY #2

HERE for the BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY #3

BE SURE TO follow ALL of the directions for EACH DAY and COMMENT ON EACH DAY IN ORDER TO WIN THE BLOG CANDY... I would HATE to not have to send it to anyone and I KNOW the USPS REALLY wants the business! LOL The question for today is, do you have any questions for me? I have received a few from you throughout the blog hop and I will post the answers this week depending on when my boys are feeling better and figured I would open it up if anyone else had some:) If you don't, that's OK TOO :P

I had originally planned on finishing a canvas scrapbook or wall art for my last and final project-I got a little carried away the last few days with extra projects and figured today would be a great day to make my last but not least project.. Well, as it turns out, I had to meet with a client today, I have one sick one and one REALLY sick one with a fever and time just got away from me. I figured I ended up putting out more projects than I was asked to so far anyway so I hope you FORGIVE ME :) I asked my youngest what should I do because I needed to create something but my oldest wanted to snuggle with me and when your 13 year wants to snuggle.. YOU STOP AND DO IT because before long... he may not want to. Soooooo, my awesome 11 year old said what about a clip? So this is what I came up with... Another REALLY great gift that would go great with the previous project of the composition books... and SUPER DUPER easy AND FAST.. which is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered..lol

So for the larger one, I took one of the pre-made sayings from the Bo Bunny paper and cut it out, matted it twice and then took the same paper that was used as the bottom mat and put it on the other side of the clip so the clip is sandwiched in between the triple matted set of papers and the one paper. I used Beacon 3 in 1 glue and pop dots to be sure it was secure and let it dry over night. Beacon glue dries quickly but it isn't worth the chance that it MAY be wet and ruin the project. The clip I used is a large paperclip (approximate 3"-4") that you can purchase from an office supply store or if you are me, you go in your stash :)

As if that wasn't easy enough this is even EASIER! It's also a great project for kids to make for Grandparent gifts for holidays and you can even use a picture in the middle of the clip instead of a decorative paper and it makes it even all that much more personal :) Just remember it doesn't matter what shape you use-flower, heart, circle, square, label, etc. it all works!


So, I took two circle punches (1 1/4" & 1 3/8" and you could use any size really) punched out two of each size (one set for the front & for the back.)  I put the one circle and matted it to the larger circle and repeated for the second set. I took pop dots, placed them in a u shape to surround the paper clip, used beacon glue to secure the clip and let dry over night. That's it... and what a wonderful gift for a new reader!!!


It has been a wonderful blog hop & I really appreciate each & every comment that you have left! A SUPER DUPER THANK YOU 2 REBEKAH & all of her hard work getting this blog hop rolling-U ROCK!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me!

And as always, make today and every day

A CREATIVE JOURNEY :)

With Love & Creativity,

Melissa

I WON AN AWARD AND TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF OUR BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP!

DON'T FORGET TO COME BACK TOMORROW TO SEE THE LAST PROJECT FOR THE BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY# 4! Scroll down to see days 1-3 projects!

 

I am so honored! I received the Versatile Blogger Award! A HUGE THANK YOU TO Sabrina! Please be sure to stop by her blog at http://pinkytopiaboutique.blogspot.com/ and show her some love!

The rules after accepting the Versatile Blogger Award are:

1. Thank the person who gave the award and link back to them in your post.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass this award along to 15 recently discovered blogs.

4. Share 7 things about myself

Seven things about me:
1.  I have the most wonderfully supportive husband anyone could EVER hope to have and he
     had me at hello when we met over 20 years ago. When I told him I was thinking about
     starting my own business all he could be was supportive and didn't even blink one eye..
     HE IS AMAZING!

2.  I have the best two children EVER and they make me more and more proud EVERY

     DAY! And I can't tell them that ENOUGH!
3.  I LOVE to create while my hubby and kids ride their motorcycles in the desert. It's like

     therapy for the whole family! LOL

4.  I wish I finished college and may go back some day.

5.  I am teaching myself how to use Adobe Illustrator CS5.5  and I am GOING TO EVEN IF
     IT KILLS ME! LOL
6.  I LOVE BRIGHT COLORS and fiber
7.  I AM SOMEDAY GOING TO FINISH MY OFFICE!!!  (It's been a 2 year struggle for me
     trying to figure out exactly what I want... SOMEDAY I will just JUMP!

  

Here are my picks for The Versatile Blogger award

1.   Shen http://mycuriouscrafts.blogspot.com/

2.  Rebekah http://colorkraft.blogspot.com/

3.  Doreen http://scrapbookertink.blogspot.com/

4.  Amanda http://aremus.blogspot.com/

5.   April http://aprilmariecole.blogspot.com/

6.   Gina http://canoncreativegirl.blogspot.com/

7.   Mona http://scrapbookingforjoy.blogspot.com/

8.   Justina http://justmycrafts.blogspot.com/

9.   Laura http://lauraleesdream.blogspot.com/

10. Leslierahye   http://leslierahye.blogspot.com/

11.  Madison http://funkycards.blogspot.com/

12.  Dr. Sonia http://cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com/

13.  Brynn http://flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/

14.  Gabriela http://www.gabycreates.com/

15. Kristal http://www.gettingcricky.com/

Please be sure to check them out and show them some love!!!!  They are ALL AMAZING!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me!
And as always, make today and every day
A CREATIVE JOURNEY :)
With Love & Creativity,
Melissa

****A Creative Journey***: BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY #3

****A Creative Journey***: BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY #3: "Welcome to the BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP, DAY #3 This Blog Hop is FOUR DAYS long with a new project for EACH DAY! Please be sure to chec..."

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me! And as always, make today and every day

A CREATIVE JOURNEY :)

With Love & Creativity,

Melissa

BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP DAY #3

Welcome to the BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP, DAY #3 


This Blog Hop is FOUR DAYS long with a new project for EACH DAY! Please be sure to check back each day because I know the ladies have worked really hard to create something awesome to share with you! There will be a bunch great projects and FUN with the possibility of winning prizes along the way!! All of the blog hop ladies are new crafty friends and I just know this is going to be an AWESOME HOP! 
A HUGE THANK YOU to Rebekah for organizing this!  
If you have come from Amanda - you are in the right place! If you happened to stop by today and would like to start at the beginning of the blog hop, please start  at our fantastic hostess' Rebekah's blog so that you can join in on ALL OF THE FUN and CREATIVITY! 


Now I KNOW I LOVE TO WIN PRIZES and if you have followed my blog, you already know I have done really well in the past 6 weeks (WINNING FIVE TIMES!) so of course I LOVE GIVING AWAY BLOG CANDY TOO!!  One lucky blog candy winner will receive some really cool stuff! Now to win on my blog, you will need to be a follower of my blog, 
comment on ALL FOUR DAYS OF THE  BLOG HOP and answer the questions for the day- so far there has been two questions and it looks like I may be stuck with this AMAZING BLOG CANDY!!! So today's question is what is your FAVORITE school supply to use when you are creating? I have three that I CAN'T CREATE WITHOUT! Punches.. all kinds, staples, all sizes and colors and clips.. I just love all kinds of paper clips, clasps and stuff that adds a little dimension and pizzaz to the page!

For an EXTRA chance to win, place my button on your blog and


comment that you did so! It's just that simple :)

The blog candy winner for my blog will be announced on Monday, August 15th by noon PT. EVERYONE is eligible to win-I have been VERY fortunate to win blog candy from two different countries and they were generous enough to allow me to win even though I am in the US- I CERTAINLY want to pay it forward :)  Here is a pic of the blog candy one lucky winner will receive which includes a Cuttlebug embossing folder, two Tim Holtz embossing die folders and two sheets of mini alpha stickers. To save on shipping, I will be taking the Tim Holtz embossing folders out of their packaging.

Now onto APRIL'S AMAZING BLOG so see what great project she has in store for you!


In case you get lost, here is the line up 
Rebekah - http://colorkraft.blogspot.com/

Doreen - http://scrapbookertink.blogspot.com/

Joyce - http://www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com/

Amanda - http://aremus.blogspot.com/ YOU CAME FROM HERE**

Melissa - http://acreativejourneywithmelissa.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE**

 April - http://aprilmariecole.blogspot.com NEXT STOP**Gina - http://canoncreativegirl.blogspot.com/Be sure to come back every day to check out the amazing projects!

Now for my project.. I am going to start by apologizing because this project, albeit small.. it is quite mighty and I had to take A BUNCH OF PICTURES to show you the inside pages so... I AM VERY SORRY! LOL  I used a ton of different items including, Tim Holtz stamps, stampin up, Technique Tuesday, some I am not sure who made them. I used paper from Becky Higgins, Bazzill, Karen Foster , my stash & DCWV. Various fibers from Michael's, Joanns, my stash, jillibean soup, and string from my stash.  I used a real label maker and the labels from my stash.. I LOVE THAT THING! I used numerous embossing folders by sizzix, quick Kuts and Tim Holtz. I am sure there is more stuff and  I apologize if I am forgetting anything or anyone. It is not for any reason other than I didn't have the packaging to be able to give credit where credit is due.  I apologize that the pics are sideways in some cases but I downloaded them 5 times and no matter what I did, that is how they came out so I am tired and it's time for me to go to bed (it's almost 4 am) so this will have to do until tomorrow if I figure out how to fix it! LOL


Now for the pictures... I am just going to post them.. I did as much as I could without making it too personalized for fear that the person that wants it may not want it themed directly for a certain grade.. besides,  I think the pages are pretty self explanatory :)

 

 

Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to visit me!

And as always, make today and every day

A CREATIVE JOURNEY :) 

With Love & Creativity,

Melissa