Together Forever ~ The Wedding Issue

Our May Paper Crafters Sampler blog hop as arrived!  This month, we celebrate weddings.  The hop doesn't 'officially' begin until May 1st.  So if you're coming a day early, be sure to check back on the 1st to run through the entire hop.

 If you've already started the hop you probably just came from Laurie Forehlich's blog.

Our "Together Forever" issue offers ideas for invitations, favors and gifts for the bride and groom.  Each design team member will be sharing a small preview of the project they are offering in the May issue.

This month's issue offers the Pyramid Box template.  There were so many ways to use this box, it was hard narrowing it down to just one!  I decided to use it as a bridal party favor.  Tucked into each box is a pearl bracelet.  The template includes a lid, but I cut it off so the tissue could pop out of the top (it added some fun color).  Of course you can choose any type of gift to tuck inside or maybe just some chocolates.

The Pretty in Pink and Mellow Moss pair together so well.  Very girly.. 

I love all things nature and that includes bare branches.  The simplicity of the branch compliments the frilliness of the boxes.  The brances are held in a crystal vase with some epsome salt.  Clever huh?!

I hope you enjoyed my projects!  Now, if you select the button below it'll take you on over to Tiffany Bauer's beautiful pyramid box project!

Here is a list of blogs you can check out to see this fun pyramid box:

Tiffany Bauer
Lisa Hensley
Cherie Franklin
Andrea Buckland
Laurie Forehlich

The Poet's Attitude (preview)

If you're an avid reader of this blog, you're in for a BIG weekend!

First up we have the Paper Crafters Sampler blog tour highlighting sneak peeks of the May sampler, "Together Forever, the wedding issue".  Included in this blog tour are samples offered by the design team of the pyramid box template in the May issue.  The tour takes place Saturday morning.

What else is happening?  Well, I was asked a few weeks back to be on the design team for the new challenge blog "Paper Cubed (p3)".  It's a site designed to challenge crafters to create 3D paper projects, which pretty much leaves card making OUT.  I have to say, this is something right up my alley as I LOVE 3D projects!

Saturday will be the first launch of the P3 design team challenge.  We were asked to create a shadow box.  I'm going to offer a little sneak peek of my project below.  You can view the full scale project Saturday morning on the P3 blog.  I'll have close-ups on my blog Sunday, so check back then.  I'll be anxiously waiting like you guys to view the projects.  Design team members have to wait and see the projects on Saturday with you, so we have no idea what other  members have made.

Here's a snippet of my shadow box.  I LOVE the way it came out!

Together Forever

What's more popular during the summer than the beach?  Weddings!

Ever hear of the phrase "June bride"?  Well of course you have. June is one of the most sought after months for a bride.  The beautiful weather no doubt (that's my guess).   With a month so popular with brides/couples, it only seemed fitting to offer an issue of Paper Crafters Sampler dedicated solely to weddings.  I did mention the themes were planned months ahead of time didn't I?

With May right around the corner and the release of another sampler issue, it's time for another sneak peek blog hop.  Out theme is appropirately named, Together Forever, the wedding issue.  Mark you calendar for Saturday May 1st, as the design team members of PCS host another blog hop.  Each team member will share a glimpse of the May project and their take on the new Pyramid box template.  This template is offered in the May issue of PCS (available May 10th).

If you missed our April hop featuring the exclusive PCS "Paper Lantern" template, you can check it out on the "Winged Things" page.

Here's a little glimpse of what you're in store:

The Sunshine Award

I'd like to thank Lisa Young of Add Ink and Stamp and Gretchon Barron of Inspiration in Action for nomiating me for a sunshine award. 

I'm flattered to be nomiated by both of these fabulous artist!  Their artwork is amazing and unique, always sharing and full of inspiration. 

As with most blog awards, it's customary to pass along the award to other bloggers who are always sharing their beautiful artwork with the blogging community.

The rules for nominees:

1. Put the award on your blog
2. Pass the award to other bloggers who bring you sunshine.
3. List the Nominees in your post.
4. Let the Nominees know you nominated them by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award!

Here are my nominees:

Catherine Snipes ~ Cathy's Stampin Place

Lee Conrey ~ Stampingleeyours

Brandi Wiggins-Côté ~ The Squareheaded Stamper

Sarah Stetler ~ Stetler Arts

Ilona Kozok ~  Stempelhouas

Thanks again for the nomination ladies.  Hope your weekend is full of creative adventure.

Tour de Freaks ~ April

Welcome to another wonderful Tour de Freaks blog hop.

If you're already been hopping, then you've probably come from the fabulous Gretchen Barron's site.  We missed Gretchen last month and are so happy to have her back!

The theme for April consist of anything "Floral, Wedding or Mother's Day".  I pretty much covered all three categories at one time.  I've been on a roll creating these hand-made flowers.  This would be such a beautiful accent topper for a wedding or gift for mom.

Here, take a look:

Aren't those colors yummy?   Here's a different angle.  The flowers are placed diagonal on the box to give it a bit more interest.

....and a close-up: 

The flowers were made with the Birds and Blooms sizzlit.  I can't get enough use from that die!  The center bead is from the Pretties kit.  The flowers were held to a piece of floral wire.

I hope you've enjoyed my little project.  Now, hop on over to LeeAnn Greff's blog and see her fabulous designs.  Selecting the link below will transport you there.

Wood Block Gift Box Tutorial

I've created a video walks you step-by-step for creating a gift box from a 2 x 4.  It's a great way to utilize those extra sheets of scrapbook paper, or any paper scraps for that matter.

Here's a little close-up:

This bag uses the same technique, but instead of the wood block I used a paper back book.

On another note.  All those interested in the Miniature Mixed Media Lab, should know that early bird registration ends tomorrow!!  So, if you'd like to save a few bucks, sign up before midnight tomorrow.

The mixed media lab gives step-by-step instruction on creating two 4" x 4" mixed media canvas's.  We use those watercolor crayons that have been collecting dust on your shelves, as well as those the small craft stampin' spots.  Full list of supplies included.

Remember, just ONE MORE DAY for the earlybird special.  Register now using the "Buy Now" button on the sidebar. 

Cascading Blossoms Paper Lantern

Working on some spring projects this past week.  Today I wrapped up this spring piece.  The stamped image on the roof and frame is from the Always stamp set.  The flowers were created using the Birds and Blooms sizzlit.

Want to make your own paper lantern?  The template is available in the online pulication of "Paper Crafters Sampler".  This template is available only in the April issue.  Be sure to check out the other paper lanterns the design team has created.

Maximizing Your Supplies

Dust off those watercolor wonder crayons, craft pads and die cuts.  Reacquaint yourself with your art supplies to make a 4"x4" miniature art piece.    Don't be intimidated because it's Mixed Media. 

What to expect from Miniature Mixed Media Lab

• Over 1 1/2 hours of STEP-BY-STEP video instruction
• Videos viewable online or download to your own computer.
• Supply list (you'll need at least 1 brown Watercolor Crayon, craft pads and die cut of your choice)
• Class opens April 19th
• All videos and directions uploaded to "Pockets of Inspiration.NING"

The cost of this class is $28.97.    Here's a glimpse of what you can expect:

Untitled from Melanie Schulenberg on Vimeo.

Winged Things

Take a look of what's inside the April "Winged Things" issue of Paper Crafters Sampler.


PCS ~ April promo from Melanie Schulenberg on Vimeo.

Redefine Creativity

Ya Know that feeling when you look at something, hold your breath and try to take it all in?  That's what I did when I came across this colorful creation from artist Alisa Burke.

Do you know what I like most about this?  It is created on book recycled pages.  In fact, many of the projects Alisa creates are from recycled material.  Take a look at her recycled box cityscape.

I could spend hours writing about how Alisa's colorful and carefree art inspires me.  Unfortunately if I did it would keep me away from creating my own art, which is what I hope many of you will be doing this weekend.  Maybe I'll try my hand at her altered parasol. 

If you're looking for a larger dose of carefree creating, check our Alisa's video AND her amazing blog where she shares lots of tutorials.

its all about the journey from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

Lovely Lanterns

Just three more days till the April issue of Paper Crafters Sampler is released.

I've created a special wedding lantern complete with "Winged Things".  Here's another sneakity peekity:

"Here birdy birdy"

A few of the PCS design team whipped up a few extra samples based on the upcoming April issue "Winged Things".

For this little hop you will be visiting three design team blogs.  The links are provided before and after so you can hop in any direction.  If you've already started this hop you might have visited Lisa Hensley blog "Shabby Stamper" just before mine. 

If you are familiar with chipboard at all you know how much fun it can be for altering.  I went a step beyond and decided to emboss my ENTIRE bird!  Here, take a look:

Using the Manhattan Flower embossing folder, I inserted part of my bird and ran it through the folder.  I then repositioned the bird and ran it through again.  

After running the chipboard through, I applied a Real Rose craft pad to the entire bird, used a heat gun to dry it, sanded the top layer of the embossed area and then applied a white craft pad to the top of that.  Whew!  That was a lot!

Several other pieces of cardstock and designer paper were used to embellish the birds; more distressing and sponging.  Can you see where I used the Perfect Polka dot embossing folder?

What 'cha think of this head piece?  It was a last minute detail and gave the bird an entire different look.  The pink part of the eye is a "Sweet Pea Felt", topping it all off with a half pearl from the Pretties kit.

Overall I think this came out rather nice.

I've completed one other bird for the April sampler.  You can get a sneak peek below.  It was designed for a girls room with fun flowers, a crown and polka-dot ribbon.  Full directions for recreating this can be found in the April issue of PCS "Winged Things" (release date April 10th). 

Now, you can hop on over to Tiffany Bauer's wonderful blog and check out her awesome samples.

Thanks for stopping by!

Color Revamp