Melissa Frances

Here's a fun Christmas project by Ranjini...

 

  

 

Wishing You and Yours...

a very Happy Thanksgiving...

Fall Inspiration from Sherelle...

 

  

  

 

November Guest Artist...

Meet our SUPER TALENTED November guest Artist, Wendy Anderson!

Age: 35

Where were you born, and where do you currently live? I was born in a small Utah town called Heber City.  As I was growing up, I couldn’t wait to leave.  Then I DID grow up and realized what a beautiful place Heber was…and how lucky I was to be able to grow up there…so I got married and we stayed.  J

Hobbies & Interests: Any type of crafting, especially paper crafting.  I also enjoy writing, reading, and occasionally cooking and baking (especially this time of year!).

Pet Peeves: hmmm, where to begin…misspelled words (when they are meant for the public to see them – newspapers, store marquees, posters, etc.), judgmental people, rude people, whistling…I’ll stop there.

Favorite Magazine: I don’t really have a favorite – I love to look for inspiration in all types of magazines – scrapbooking, crafting, fashion, home décor, children’s…I love them all.

Favorite Smells: Fresh baked bread, the mountains after it rains, lemon, cinnamon and cloves, fresh cut grass.

Favorite Movies or Books: I’m still a Father of the Bride fan…and I love all kinds of books – my most recent favorites would have to be the Twilight series (I’m sure you’re surprised to hear that!) ;o)

Favorite TV show: The Biggest Loser is the only one I watch regularly (unless you count shows on the Disney Channel or Noggin).  I’m excited for the new season of Lost.

Favorite Season: I love them all…I love that I get to experience the full spectrum of all four seasons every year…love it!

What time do you wake up in the morning? Usually around 6:30 so I can get Meagan off to school before waking up the boys.

Do you collect anything?  um...besides scrapbooking supplies and photos?  ...cobwebs…

SCRAPBOOKING:

When and how did you get into scrapbooking? I started scrapbooking around 1996…after I graduated from college, but before Meagan was born.  I found a cute little store called Pebbles in My Pocket one day while I was on my lunch break from work – I went in, bought a bag full of stickers and die-cuts, and I was hooked.  Technically though…I’ve been scrapbooking all my life.  My mom started our scrapbooks when we were born – I didn’t ever know that not EVERYONE scrapbooked!

What is your favorite Melissa Frances Product? It’s all gorgeous, so it’s hard to choose.  I’ve ALWAYS loved the rub-ons…and that new holiday line looks fabulous – I can’t wait to see it in real life!

What music (if any) do you listen to while you scrap? Usually I scrap in the quietness of the night…but from September to January, you can usually hear Christmas tunes coming from my computer. J

What do you like to snack on while you scrap? M&M’s, skittles, or maybe a diet coke with lime…

How would you describe your scrapbooking style? Simple and clean.

What is more important to you…getting the photos into albums, or indulging in creativity? Can they be equally important?

Where do you find inspiration? Magazines, books, junk mail, product packaging, other scrapbookers, online, EVERYWHERE!

Do you like to crop with others or scrap alone? I usually scrap alone – late at night at home.  But I do love occasionally getting together with friends to work on a project too!

How has scrapbooking changed your life? It’s really helped me to love recording our family history – and not just the big events, but the little everyday things…so I think I’m more aware of what’s going on, I write things down that would otherwise be forgotten, and I take way too many photos!

What is one scrapbooking tool, you can't live without? My little detail scissors

What format do you scrap? (12x12, 8.5x11 etc)? A little bit of everything now…but mostly 8 ½” x 11”

Which do you prefer? Scrapbook layouts, cards, altered projects? I like to do a variety of projects – Of course I love layouts because I want to record those special days and moments…and I LOVE giving handmade cards to those I care about…and it’s so fun to be creative and alter items we use everyday.  I can’t choose, sorry.

Do you have any organization or time saving tips you could share? I’m definitely not as organized as I’d like to be…but I do organize everything by color – that helps save time in the long run.  I also keep a book of sketches and ideas that I refer to often.  I have a little bin for each family member, where we keep mementos, projects, and other things we want to save…this allows me to know right where to find things for pages.

Don't forget to stop by Wendy's blog , and now...here are some of her amazing projects she created using Melissa Frances products...

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Congratulations...

  As an employee of the Melissa Frances company who has worked hand in hand with Melissa for the past four and a half years, it gives me great joy to share the following piece of news with you.  I'm honored to have the privilege to announce the engagement of Melissa Frances to our VP of Sales and Marketing, Brian Matteo. Melissa and Brian have been a couple for the past 7 years, and you only have to hang out with them for a short while to see how well they compliment and support each other.

While in Arizona for a business trip, Brian asked Melissa to share her life and future with him. The engagement ring is all the more special as it is a family heirloom (from Melissa's side of the family) which Brian had an emerald removed from and replaced with a diamond. (what a sentimental touch!)

As of yet, no wedding date has been set, but you can be sure we'll share more details as we know. Melissa forwarded me these pictures of her and Brian in Australia, where they were recently on business. They were able to sneak away for one day to celebrate their engagement while doing some touristy things.

Please join me in congratulating the happy couple!
- Carolyn Peeler

Today, design team member Danielle Flanders, has a great Autumn gift idea to share...she created this adorable little pillow pox to stuff with delicious treats...

 

 

Getting to know DT member, Rachel Killpack...

Where were you born, and where do you currently live?  I was born in

Cedar City, UT. I currently live in Salt Lake City, UT.

Hobbies & Interests: Aside from the obvious paper crafting, I enjoy reading, antiques, decorating, flea/farmers markets, food, music, and running.

Pet Peeves:  Grocery carts with one bad wheel, people who overuse quotes from movies or TV, barbecue restaurants with happy pigs on the sign. When I’m eating candy and someone asks if they can have the red one.  Unnecessary movie sequels.

Favorite Magazine:  I’m a huge fan of Somerset Studio, Cloth Paper Scissors and Victoria.

Favorite Smells: Rain on pavement, the pages of new and old books, orange-clove pomander, the wonderful earthy smell of the mountains in autumn, Mom’s cedar chest, permanent markers, roasted cinnamon almonds, bon fires, pencil shavings, and coffee shops.

Favorite Movies or Books:

I love creepy and eerie movies. Pan’s Labyrinth was an amazing film and The Orphanage freaked me out for days. As for books, I enjoy reading anything from Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Favorite TV shows:  The Office and anything on the History Channel.  Then of course, my guilty pleasures, The Hills and those mindless blind dating shows.

Favorite Season:  Wabbit Season

What time do you wake up in the morning?  I usually get up around 7:30am

to go running. If I could, I’d stay in bed until noon.

J

Do you collect anything?  I wouldn’t say I collect anything, but I do have a few antique glass doorknobs that have kind of turned into a collection.

 

SCRAPBOOKING:

When and how did you get into scrapbooking? About six years ago I took a card making class with a friend.  I made Christmas cards that year and I was hooked ever since.

What is your favorite Melissa Frances Product?  The pattern paper. It’s elegant, timeless, romantic and classic.   Some of the patterns remind me of my Grandmother’s wallpaper.  

What music (if any) do you listen to while you scrap? Hard core gangsta rap.

Ok...just kidding. I just turn on my playlist; there is quite an eclectic mix of music on it. Anything from indie, classic rock, and electronica, to blues, jazz and classical.

What do you like to snack on while you scrap?

I don’t snack on anything.  I am waaayyyyy too messy to have food around while working on a project.

How would you describe your scrapbooking style?  I would describe my style as soft, romantic, vintage and shabby chic.

What is more important to you…getting the photos into albums, or indulging in creativity? It’s all about indulging in creativity for me.

Where do you find inspiration?  I like to go “shopping” for ideas. I look for whatever catches my eye. Ideas often pop up while I'm just browsing or scanning, whether it's at an antique shop, flipping through a magazine, browsing a fabric store or even people watching.  I also find huge inspiration from other designers.

Do you like to crop with others or scrap alone? I love to work on projects with friends, but I never get anything done when I do that. So, I’m mostly a lone scrapper.

How has scrapbooking changed your life?  It’s given me an outlet to be creative, and also the opportunity to meet some amazing people.

What is one scrapbooking tool, you can't live without? I can not live without Zip Dry. It holds anything and everything…I love that stuff.

What format do you scrap? (12x12, 8.5x11 etc)?  I’m more of a card/altered art person. But when I do make a layout, it’s usually 8.5x11.

Which do you prefer? Scrapbook layouts, cards, altered projects?  Definitely altered projects. 

Do you have any organization or time saving tips you could share? I am the last person in the world to be asking for tips on organizing and time saving. If any of you of some tips, please, for the love of all things good, send them my way!

Here is an amazing project Rachel created that was recently feautured on the cover of a magazine...

Altered Bra Contest Winners!!!

As October has drawn to a close, Melissa would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have participated in our celebration of breast cancer awareness month. It is her sincere desire that through the stories shared and projects featured it has given each of you the opportunity to think about your own breast health and to consider ways that you can get involved in the fight to end breast cancer. 

It has been our pleasure to host the 'Altered Bra Contest' here on the Melissa Frances blog. We are continually amazed by the creativity and passion for paper crafting that the Melissa Frances customers have. We thank each designer for the time they put into their entry and want you each to know that all entries, without question, were both creative and beautiful. Without further delay, please join us in congratulating the following designers for their winning entries.

First place goes to Cindy Bishop. Cindy's bra is both beautiful and thought provoking. Featuring the Melissa Frances 'Thankful' collection it's the details that make this bra stand out. On the back side of the bra Cindy added angel wing stickers. This special detail had Melissa reaching for the Kleenex as she thought about the friends that she's lost to this disease.

We had such a difficult job deciding on our second and third place winners that we have decided to call the decision a tie and give both designers the prize and title of Second Place!  

First up, we loved Cindy Luster's entry into the contest. Take a close look at that baby...Cindy covered both the cups of the bra and details on the straps with quilling! Have you ever tried that technique? Talk about time consuming, LOL! Beautiful job Cindy!

 

The other second place prize goes to Becky Wright who's negligee-like project was sexy and classy all at the same time. We love how she created her bra out of paper, and the little tufts of foliage peeking from each shoulder was an unexpected, yet perfect touch.

A special mention goes to Debbie Kavinsky and Tanya Villarreal who both took a large step outside of the box and submitted very creative entries. Great work ladies! 

 

Again, we appreciate all of the entries. We leave you with one last project created by Rachel Killpack using the Thankful line...

Inspiration from Amber Tosh & Contest Winners on FRIDAY...

Here is one last layout...we will be announcing the Altered Bra Contest Winners on Friday...so don't forget to stop by to see who the lucky winners are!