While my blogging hiatus continues, I do feel that it is important to breach it one last time to share one of the layouts I have created as of late. Because of the inspiration, among other things, that I felt to create it, I also felt compelled to put it out there as well. Done in my gawd-awful handwriting, I felt it was more important to use that than the computer as it is more from-the-heart and personal than the other way. It is not the greatest of creations nor is it the greatest of representations but I think - - - I hope - - - it is the greatest representation of how I am feeling.
I belong to an awesome messageboard called Bad Girls. (yes girls, even though I lurk, I am still there ... lol) where a Secret Sister's Swap was organized. As you can see by the pictures, my sister totally OUTDID herself:24 pcs of patterened paper and cardstock
Maya Road sheer scroll frame album
Thickers foam letters
Amy Butler Glitter Rub-obs & Gems
Bling word & scrolls
Making Memories mini shimmer alphas
Felt Flowers
Chipboard album
5 rolls of satin cord
SU! embossing powder
A mini beach scene canvas to paint
and much, much more.
One element of the swap was handmade items. Look at all these goodies. Embroidered sayings and gorgeous flowers, hatpins ... oooohhhh the hatpins! I can't wait to get home and dig in!! (Did I mention that I am doing respite work today with a former student and we went for a drive to kill some time. I stopped by the post office, got my box of scrapping goodness, and opened it right there on the front seat ..... then I got in the van! lol)
I love it all, my Secret Sistah. You made my day.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
(PS - I now return to my hiatus status. This one was for you, cherie. I hope you had a happy read, Stéph! teheehee)
I know, I know. Hard to take a break when I don't update that much ... much to the chagrin of those who check in. At least now you know so there is no reason for me to disappoint! :-)
Happiness and well wishes to you all. Enjoy each day as summer turns to fall which will quickly become winter before we know it.
m.
This was the shadow box I was ask to make for a teacher that supplies at our school frequently. While I am no where near one who is boastful of her work, I have to honestly say that this photo (and the one of the shadow box below) do not do them justice. Pop up dots were used to create depth and dimension which is lost in the photographic translation as is the clarity and colour. Either way, it's a share and thanks for looking. *
Not shown is the frame that housed the photo. It is made from wood that had the rustic look of barnboard.
We had a bonfire on Saturday night and I was mesmerized by the beauty of the flames. After taking some photos from my chair, I decided to hit the ground. I smoothed the grass from out in front of the camera and even picked a few blades - apparently, it wasn't enough because the flames of the fire peek through the blades of grass. It's not what I had envisioned entirely, but I am pleased with the look of it.
I made this very simple shadow for the teacher I spent the year working with. Truth be told, she is the best teacher that I have ever worked with. To have had her as a teacher myself would have been a blessing. She is a self proclaimed grouch who can pull incredible amounts of knowledge and confidence from any student blessed to be in her class. She is respectful, caring, loving, crabby, creative and funny. Kids dread going into her class only to realize that, while she is strict, she does it in a way that exudes acceptance and respect. Each child reaches beyond their expectations in some way, shape or form, at least once during the year and fills with pride because of their success. I have come to love and respect this teacher on many levels - as a teacher; as a colleague; as a mentor; as a woman. *note - there are details on the photos that didnt show up well in the picture taking. Each photo has a rub on detail of some sort. Photos are on three different levels giving it some depth and dimension. While it truly is very simple, it looks much better IRL. I also put this together with relative speed so the attention to detail and overall layout of photos and embellishments is not my favourite. She, on the other hand, absoltely LOVED it so .... I guess that is all that matters. :)
What a great evening of friends and fun. We try to do this once a year and I always love the results. While we do have many wonderful shots, it is the unsensored, fun ones that I wanted to honour. The ones that always get left behind. A special shout out to Tanya's husband for taking photos along side my camera & tripod. Because of it, the silliness was captured ... and these photos don't even touch on the seriously silly ones.
I finished this mini album a while back and am just getting around to posting it. I painted it blue, applied a crackle medium then finished with the pink paint. The inside pages were raw chipboard spritzed with glimmer mist. I love that look BUT, the raw chipboard soaked it up so much that it took me an entire bottle to get good coverage of all the pages. 90% of the materials are from Noteworthy-Delanie. The rest are other Noteworthy lines as well as Doodlebug glitter. Thanks to the wonderful Maya Road for the album AND for their initials embossed on the back. I was able to glitter it, write above and below "Created by" and "Mellisa Ross," respectively. Gotta take the opportunity while you can! :)
Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians.
