Tuesday, December 25, 2007

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...




and my dream came true!

It did actually snow here in Portland on Christmas!

This is only the 6th time ever recorded snow on Christmas Day,
here in the Portland Metro area, since 1940!

Unfortunately, it "stuck" only for a few hours,
but long enough for Sienna to get out and play ~ until she got cold and wet,
and me to take some cute photos of her.

Well, hope you all had a great Christmas ....
and have a Happy New Year!

Happy Scrappin'!
Melanie

Friday, December 21, 2007

More Treasured Scrapbooking December kit!









TS Challenge:

We all decorate for the Holidays......

My challenge is for you to scrap your Holiday Decor!

You can take and scrap photos of your tree, table centerpiece, x-mas lights, etc.,
it's up to you ~ have fun with it!

The only restriction is that you cannot have any people in the photos.

Here is my example, of my favorite x-mas butterfly decoration collection:




Cafe Prima January Kit!!








The Cafe Prima January 2008 Kit is entitled "Black Tie" and is perfect for your New Year's Celebration projects.

We went all out for this kit, including many of Prima's fancier, specialty flowers.

This kit includes:

4 Gold Prima Fancies-1 mesh, 1 glitter, 1 silk and 1 metallic

8 Black and White Heavenly Flowers and Snowflakes

8 Gold Mesh Chatres Flowers

2 Pierced Edge "Black Tie" Flowers

12 Silk Patterned and Solid Black and White Esprit Flowers

12 Sprites

2 Patterned and Solid Black and White Flowers

20 Black, White and Grey Large and Extra Large Got Flowers

20 Patterned and Solid Black, White and Grey Bubble Flowers

5 Gold Rhinestones

5 Black Rhinestones


This kit will go on sale on Saturday, December 22nd, beginning at 12:00pm Eastern Time. UNTIL THAT TIME, the product will be marked as "SOLD OUT" because the quantity is set to "0." When it is available, the title will change to "NOW AVAILABLE" and successful checkout will be possible. It will remain this way until it is sold out and then the item title will be changed to "SOLD OUT."




Here are two of my creations using the January "Black Tie" kit


For Uncle Jr.


Sienna and I just got back from Hawaii, to pay our final respects to my God Father, and Uncle, Salvador Jr. Mendiha. It was a sad but also happy time for us. In going back home to Hawaii, I was able to introduce Sienna to many of her relatives, most who only saw her as a baby. She also had time to get to know her cousins from Arizona, who were also visting to attend the funeral.

I will always remember my Uncle's good humor and smiling face. Although he never had children of his own, he was always so kind and gentle to his newphews and nieces. And he was always asking aboutmy daughter, Sienna, whenever I spoke with him on the phone. In fact, the last time we were in Hawaii, we stopped to say "hi" to him at his apartment. When he saw that Sienna was there in the car, he quickly went in his apt., and returned with a doughnut (long john) for her. It's hard to believe that he is gone, as it always is, when it is a loved one. And it always make you appeciate the ones that are still here and makes you rethink about your life and how you are living it.

Saying goodbye is always hard, but believing that one day you will be reunited, makes it a little easier.

So, again I will say ~
Goodbye Uncle Jr.,
I love youand will miss you!
And Thanks for the doughnuts!

Monday, December 3, 2007

Treasured Scrapbooking December Kit!


This officially kicks off my term as a Design Team Member of Treasured Scrapbooking!!
This LO was done using the TS December Kit #2.
Each month TS has 2 kits, and a card kit available.
Don't wait around, these kits sell out fast......
(the best way to insure your kit is to get a subscription, for a few months at a time.)
Don't forget to check out Treasured Scrapbooking, everyday, starting today,
to participate in the 12 Days of Christmas Cyber Crop!
We have come up with lots of games, challenges, and make-n-takes for you everyday!
Also, chances to win RAKS, and the grand prize,
not to mention a new sale everyday for 12 days!
See you there!
Mel

JOIN US for our
12 Days of Christmas Cyber Crop and Sale!!
www.TreasuredScrapbooking.com


12 Days of Christmas Cyber Crop!
Our 12 Days of Christmas Cyber Crop is underway! The new Design Team has had a blast planning for this and is so excited to get started on their first cybercrop!

The first challenge was issued today, with one challenge/game/or make-n-take being issued over the next 11 days. You will have until midnight (EST) Sunday, Dec. 16 to upload your creations into the 12 Days of Christmas Crop gallery to be eligible for any prizes. Don't forget to link your creations back to each challenge post. Click here for more details!!

For every creation you complete and upload into the Crop gallery, you will get one entry for the Cyber Crop grand prize from Treasured Scrapbooking!!

Here's the Grand Prize - a Figgy Pudding Prize Pack!



And there will be lots of fun and prizes throughout the crop also the
12 Days of Christmas Sale!!

Throughout the Cyber Crop, we will have a different sale each day!!
Make sure you keep checking - you never know what time of the day one sale will end and the next one will start!!

Hope to see you there!!
Melanie Treasured Scrapbooking Design Team Member

Friday, November 16, 2007

TGIF!

Cafe Prima!


Here are some layouts that I made using
Cafe Prima's December Flower Kit!
They are yummy greens, reds, and whites.
Some are even glittered and shimmered!
Perfect for your Holiday projects.

This kit will be available November 25th, check out

for the latest and greatest Prima products!












See what my fellow DT did with their kit here: www.cafeprima.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=51




TGIF!
It's been a stressful month for me healthwise. I have been sleeping alot, thanks to my Lupus, which is a chronic disease, affecting my immune system. I also had a bad reaction to a flu shot, which gave me a fever for 3 days. No biggie, for a healthy person ~ but add it to a person who already suffers from aches and pain on a daily basis, it is a BIG deal.
Anyway, the rain has returned here in Oregon, and it fits my mood.
Hopefully I will start to feel better, esp. when my craft room gets put back together.
Sorry for the gloom today.
Have a great weekend!
Mel

Friday, November 9, 2007




Treasured Scrapbooking November Cyber Crop!!


The Cyber Crop starts tonight!! Please join us!!
Our Crop will run from Friday November 9, 6pm EST through 11pm EST on Saturday November 10.
You'll have until midnight Sunday to upload any challenge entries and be eligible for any prizes.
Come join the fun!!

Lots of challenges, games, prizes, inspiration and more!!!

http://www.treasuredscrapbooking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9202

Treasured Scrapbooking









Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Finally!









I finally dusted off the camera and took some pictures!
Fall is my favorite time of year to photograph. Here in Oregon, the fall colors are beautiful, and because of the many different varieties of trees, the colors last for weeks.
I hope you are enjoying fall in your neck of the woods! :)


New DT member for OPAAT!



Yes, that is me, I made the DT for One Page at a Time! www.onepageatatime.com

Thank you Capella, Julie and Toni, Team OPAAT !!

Can't wait to get started in December, with the January kit!
And of course, looking forward to working with all you talented ladies,
Congrats everyone who made the DT and those in the Honorable mentions too!

You girls rock!

Check out the November OPAAT Kit!
http://www.onepageatatime.com/november07kit.jpg

So, funny~ I just bought a bunch of this K & CO. Wild Saffron Paper last week!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Let's Talk Treasured Week!

Let's Talk Treasure week is this week at Scrap Treasures! http://www.scraptreasures.com/


The Design Team & mods have been planning something FUN for you!


Please come join us~ Oct.30th and throughout the week, for some very fun & creative challenges and games. (And maybe some prizes!)


Scrap Treasures is also having a SALE!

We need to make room for new products!

20% off everything starting today until Nov.5th.

The sale also applies to Scrap Treasures previous kits.

Use coupon code "Treasure".

Plus, all the idea books have been moved to the clearance section!


Hope to see you at Scrap Treasures!

**********************************************************************************



Here are my sketch and LO, for the "Monday ST sketch challenge", at Scrap Treasures!


I had fun creating this sketch on my Print Master Desktop publishing program, hope to do more soon!




Have an awesome Halloween week!

Melanie


Friday, October 26, 2007

Love Fridays!

Fridays mean that the weekend is almost here, and I can sleep in! :)

Here are some of my recent projects... these were made with my favorite flower company, Prima!





Celebrate Fall (or any season) with Cafe Prima! http://www.cafeprima.net/

These layouts were created using Cafe Prima's November kit:

http://www.cafeprima.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=873

There is a great mix, and doesn't need to be only used in "fall" layout, as I have shown with my "Sun Baby" layout.

Friday, October 19, 2007

October Guest Designer for Treasured Scrapbooking

Here are more of my projects for my Guest Designer spot at Treasured Scrapbooking! These were made from the October kit #2. They have two awesome kits to choose from every month, plus a card kit too!
I made 2 layouts, and an altered project and have so much left over in my kit, I can probably make 2-3 more LOs with.

I loved this paper from American Crafts! I used my trusty cutter bee scissors to handcut all the flowers, and layered them for this wonderful 3D effect!
Love, Love, Love it!!




I found this box at a thrift store for 99 cents. I covered it with pp, and made it into a candy box stash. I added "dulces" or "sweets" as a disguise for it in my scrap room, so that only I will know what is in the box!



Hope you all have a great weekend! Thanks for visiting!

melanie :)

TGIF!

It's been a long week...Sienna at home sick, and no school Wed-Fri, because of P/Teacher conferences. It was great spending time with my girl, but I desperately need to catch up on my DT projects this weekend!

Here is my LO for my October Guest Designer spot at Treasured Scrapbooking, using thier kit #2.



Here are some photos taken a couple of weekends ago, at a Harvest Festival, at a local Apple Orchard. Sienna had fun petting the farm animals, going on a hay ride, and playing games. But the best part was the freshly picked apples...they were delicious!




Sunday, October 7, 2007

October is here!!


Can you beleive it is October???
Leaves changing colors, and filling your yard with leaves! I see a photo OP! :)

It's been a busy few last weeks for me. So, much going on and stressing me out. The big stresser was that my Sienna (6) had to have 2 teeth removed by a dental surgeon. After a big fight, with screaming and yelling, she finally gave in to a liquid valum, some nitris oxide gas, and the anesthesia to put her to sleep. This was not a pretty site and I had to leave the room crying at one point.\
But, everything seems fine right now, she will have to get spacers to fill the gaps, when they heal.

The anoher BIG disaster. My computer, finally died, for good this time. He still holds all my photos, and important documents, and we will get it from him one day and pass it on to this newbie computer~ Who I must say, I am not liking!

My Sienna cannot seem to access her computer games, I cannot access lots of stuff that I was used to ....just very frustrating!

As far as it goes for scrapbooking...I just barely made some DT deadlines this week, being computerless all week. So, I have to do some major catch up this week.
Hope this week gets better!
Thanks for hanging in there with me!
Mel

OCTOBER IS LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH!!





SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS LUPUS
DID YOU KNOWMORE PEOPLE HAVE LUPUSTHAN AIDS, SICKLE-CELL ANEMIA, CEREBRAL PALSY, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, AND CYSTIC FIBROSIS COMBINED!

Source: Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Lupus Fact SheetProvided by the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. The immune system normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease like lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against "self."

Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous.

The Lupus Foundation of America market research data show that between 1.4 million and 2 million people have been diagnosed with lupus. (Study conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research, 1994.)

Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists suspect that individuals are genetically predisposed to lupus, and know that environmental factors such as infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress and certain drugs play a critical role in triggering lupus.
Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans. Although lupus can occur at any age, and in either sex, 90% of people with lupus are women and during the child bearing years lupus strikes women 10-15 times more frequently than men. Lupus is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asians.

Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite loss, sores in the nose or mouth or painful sensitivity of the fingers to the cold.
Sunlight, infection, injury, surgery, stress or exhaustion can trigger "flare-ups" of lupus (a more active state of the disease).
Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening and thousands of Americans die with lupus each year, the majority of cases can be controlled with proper treatment.
Increased professional awareness and improved diagnostic techniques and evaluation methods are contributing to the early diagnosis and treatment of lupus. With current methods of therapy, 80-90% of people with lupus can look forward to a normal lifespan.
While medical science has not yet developed a method of curing lupus, new research brings unexpected findings and increased hope each year.

The Lupus Foundation of America has nearly 100 local chapters directly providing patient services, education, awareness and research in their local areas.
The disease comes in three forms: discoid lupus, which is limited to the skin and often identified by a rash on the face, neck or scalp; systemic lupus, which can affect almost any organ or system of the body; and drug-induced lupus, which presents itself after the use of certain prescribed drugs.

OCTOBER is LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH
It doesn't have to be October to help spread the word about lupus.If you want to know more about lupus, contactThe Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Treasured Hunt ~ Treasure FOUND!!


I did it!







I WON!!!










I am the Grand Prize winner of a prize package worth over $250 and a $50 Treasured Scrapbooks Gift Certificate !!!
Here are some pics of just a part of my
treasure-licious PRIZE!!
PLUS...I get to be the Guest Designer for October at Treasured Scrapbooks!!
Yay for me!

Thanks to everyone at Treasured Scrapbooks, especially the Leslie and the DT, and not to forget all the prize sponsors.

It was a wonderful contest, that pushed my scrapbooking skills and style to it's limits and beyond.
I want to also send out a BIG Congrats and thanks to the 2nd and 3rd place winners : Jessica (jessicajo78) and Julie( juliesaddiction), it was so much fun to play this contest with such talents like you, and everyone else who entered!
Can't wait for the next contest...Bring it on!!























Button challenge!

Here is a challenge that I am doing on 2 Sassy Scrappers!
www.2sassyscrappers.com

Join in on the fun, and get a chance to win a RAK from me!

Mel's October Trend Challenge ~ Buttons!

It's one of the most basic scrapbook supplies, which most of us own, but a lot of the time gets overlooked.
But, thanks to some popular trends in paper crafting, buttons have once again have found their way back into our scrapbook projects.
Today buttons are available in a large variety of sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and materials.
Buttons can be found anywhere, not just at craft or scrapbooking store. Today you will find buttons that are made of chipboard, rubber, metal, and clear plastics. Also popular are theme type buttons, to fit your themed scrapbook pages. You will also find that alot of buttons are now made acid-free, lightweight, durable, and versatile, so that it is so easy to use on your scrapbook layouts and in other paper projects.

Here are a few ways to use buttons:
~Use a button for the center of a flower or flowers.
~Create bullet points for a journaling or list of things.
~Use buttons to create a border.
~Line up buttons to create a frame for a photo.
~Cluster buttons in a group.
~Use buttons to hang tags, titles and other embellishments.
~Buttons can serve as "anchors" for fibers, floss and jute.
~Create a shape, pattern, or focal point with buttons.
~OR Embellish a design on your patterned paper with buttons.

Attaching Buttons:
~Attach buttons using glue dots
~Sew buttons onto your pages
~For the 'sewn' look using buttons, tie thread or string through the buttons holes and then glue the buttons onto your page.

Your challenge is to create a LO, using at least 10 buttons, of any shape, size, and or material.

The possibilities for your buttons are endless. Be creative and you can find so many fun things to do with a button!
So, dig out your buttons, and get creating!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Treasured Hunt!! Finals, Challenge #6

I'm done, theres nothing else to do but wait, and to read everyone's comments about my LO. I had a great time with all the different embellishments that I piled onto this Layout! It may be too much for some of you, but it's supposed to be a FUN layout, so I took it to the limit! :)

The theme of the challenge was to create a LO with the title having to be a title of a board game or game show. After searching the web I found a list of old game shows, it brought back some memories! I choose "Shop 'Til You Drop", a Tv game show. My twist on this title, is that I created a roulet type design, with my favorite stores, and journaled "Where should I shop today?" with a pic of me holding my credit card.



Well, time to get Sienna from school!
Wish me luck, on my contest! I need it, Julie and Jess are awesome and creative talents to go against! Luckily we all get prizes...but I want 1st!!! :)
Have an awesome day!
Mel

Monday, September 10, 2007

I'm on a Treasure Hunt!

The Treasure Hunt is a contest at Treasured Scrapbooking - their biggest contest of the year! This is a six week contest. The Design Team votes on the LOs and picks those who move on to each round. It started off with the top 25 entries, and will move on to compete in the contest, thru to round 6. Each week there is a specific challenge with different requirements and subject matters.

SO far, I have made it throught to ROUND #6!!! I am so excited, there are prizes for the top 3, and the 1st place winner gets a ton of scrappy goodies!!

Keep your fingers crossed for me, judging is tomorrow, to see who moves on to the last round!

Here are my LOs that got me through the treasure hunt so far:


Welcome Spring!