Fall Pumpkins

 Fall. The most beautiful time of year and also my favorite. 

Pumpkins are quintessentially the most symbolic representation of fall and cooler weather, so I decided to create a card featuring my favorite fall food item.

 I chose to use my Flourishes Autumn Blessings stamp set and color it in with Copics. I lightly sponged the edges of the image with Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks, I matted that over a lacy cupcake doily, and some patterned papers that look like the pages of a book. I found a frame that I added some acetate to and stamped out my sentiment on it using Staz-On Timber Brown, placed some Popdots under it and placed it over my image. I added a corner diecut and some pearls to complete my look.

I really love how it turned out and wish all my cards would turn out as nice as this one!!

Happy Fall, Friends!

YOU Are Special

Hello friends and welcome back to another fabulous Flourishes card. This such a special and pretty card, I just love how it turned out!

I used Flourishes You Sentiments that I stamped and framed in a metal frame and I painted over with white paint to "shabby it up", adding some pretty pearls under the sentiment. After that, I added some Prima flowers, a half a doily, and some Flourishes May Arts Mauve Ribbon. Then I matted everything in Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock cutout into a frame using the Spellbinders Regal Frame die.

I wanted to go for a mixed media shabby chic look, so I decided to use something's I usually never use on my cards, such as Prima flowers and a metal frame to frame my sentiment. I am not comfortable in the mixed media realm, but I like to push myself creatively just to see where it goes.

I have created all of maybe 3 mixed media items or projects and I always over analyze each embellishment or accessory thinking it looks like too much or looks too "heavy". This time I just rolled with it and decided not to look at the in-process card too critically. After it came together I realized because I wasn't used to it, it was all "too much" before I even gave it a chance to evolve. So next time you're creating your next card, try using something you don't normally use or like to use, keep an open mind and see where it goes!

Thank you for stopping by and I'll see you next week with some new inspiration!

~ Amanda Havon

A Creative Journey With Melissa: December's New Release!

Welcome to the monthly NEW RELEASES for A Creative Journey with Melissa. Normally, we have a new release Every second Wednesday of the month however in January, we will be going to the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Convention so we will NOT have a new stamp release in January. The Craft and Hobby Association (CHA)Convention is located in Anaheim, California and super close to Disneyland.  We are looking forward to learning some great new things! One of the BEST things about this convention is you get to see the latest and greatest of the Craft and Hobby Industry are shown BEFORE they are released to the public! Instead of new stamp releases we will be showing you the latest products BEFORE THEY ARE released to the public. It is an amazing show and we hope you will join us in our adventure. If you are creative, you are going to LOVE IT! It will feel like you are right there with us! To check out pictures from last year, go to our Photo Album. You will see some AMAZING THINGS and we can't wait to share them with you! If you are interested in finding out if you qualify to be a CHA member visit CHA.

 I am a Design Team member for A Creative Journey with Melissa and I am thrilled to be able to share these creations with you today. The new stamp releases are the Sentiments for all Occasions and the Sign Language Numbers - American Sign Language stamp sets. We are also highlighting our amazingly cute and versatile Everyday Alphabet stamp sets throughout this hop as well. I am highlighting the Sentiments For All Occasions stamp set for this blog hop.

Here are the projects I have created using the Sentiments For All Occasions stamp set.

Because Christmas is coming up, I created gifts and items quickly whipped up as gifts with the stamp sets.
My first project is a Tea Purse gift that has pockets in the inside and slipped in two tea packets for my friend's Christmas gift. I stamped the Sentiments For All Occasions stamp on the bottom of my tea carrier, under my square diecut.

My next project is a Gift Card Holder I dressed in a Shabby Chic style for my Mom, who loves anything Shabby Chic!

I stamped the Sentiments For All Occasions sentiment on a tag right where the receivers name goes. And when you pull the top up, you see this.

Please be sure to hop along to each of the Design Team Member's blog, become a follower their blog if you aren’t already and answer the question correctly that they have posted to qualify for the giveaway.

The giveaway includes:
Sentiments for all Occasions stamp set
Sign Language Numbers - American Sign Language stamp set
Sizzix Embossing Folder set
Prima Flowers

My question is: What Crafty Item Do You Want For Christmas This Year ??

The Blog Hop line-up:

Melissa
 
Sandy
 
Haidee

Alena
 
Amanda
 
Leticia

Brandie
 
Please be sure to answer every question asked of you correctly on each blog and become a follower if you aren’t already. If you qualify, you will be entered in the giveaway for the three prizes if you do so! Entries for this blog hop will end Friday at 8 PM PT. Winners will be announced on Saturday on the A Creative Journey with Melissa's blog You must contact Melissa with your shipping information via Facebook PM, comment on her blog or e-mail her within three days of the winning announcement blog post or your prize will be forfeited. US Residents only please. Thank you for your understanding.

Be sure to check back to see if you are a winner. Thanks so much for hopping along with us!