First name: Melissa
 

Screenname: Meli
 

My craft supply 'must have': I cannot get on without a good paper trimmer and a good pair of detail scissors for fussy-cutting or tiny trimming.

 

What inspires me to create: Color was always probably my first love. Scrapbooking is such a great way to really combine different colors, patterns, and textures. There is nothing like that feeling when you find a way to unify two very different colors/patterns into one cohesive project. I also lately have been very inspired by YouTube videos of other scrapper's techniques, thought processes, and ideas. They really serve as a springboard for new ideas to grow for me. I love experimenting with new techniques to find my own style.

 

Most readers don’t know this about me: Most of my family is multicultural and we speak another language in the home. My mother was German and immigrated to the US at the age of 26. My husband is Mexican, and we speak Spanish in the home (yes, I learned to speak fluent Spanish, but don't ask me to remember much of my German!). Sometimes I scrapbook in Spanish, sometimes in English.



BIO: I am 31 years old and will be celebrating my 13th wedding anniversary this January. We married young (18 and 21) and are blessed with a strong and happy marriage. We have a 5-year-old daughter and I am expecting a son on her 6th birthday in November! I work full time in Program Management for an electronics manufacturer and am also a full-time student working to finish my business degree.

 

My life is very full at the moment but I still make time to scrapbook because it makes me happy and is my passion. I love to scrapbook and have been scrapping as an adult for about 10 years now. My first foray into scrapbooking was when I was 12 with my Aunt, who is the family memory keeper and also a long-time scrapbooker. She and I get together when we can to scrap together. My daughter is very creative as well and I would not be surprised if she gets into this hobby or similar at some point.

 

*Click for Challenge #1   *Click for Challenge #2   *Click for Challenge #3

*Challenge #4  * Challenge #5

 

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Project #1:

Moments - layout featuring the Indigo Hills 2 collection - Pinkfresh Studio
 

products used:

about this layout:

This first layout was done using the Pinkfresh's Indigo Hills 2 collection. This collection is absolutely making the list for my top favorites *ever*, the colors are beautiful and new. The papers are very high quality and an impressive weight. I fussy cut part of the wreath on the Meadow paper and used it to anchor my pictures as well as a place to add my journaling. The pictures were first matted in white, which I inked in navy, then backed with a lavender-pink vellum. I didn't want to use simple white cardstock, so I chose the beautiful blue pattern on the Eminence paper for the background. I finished it off by using a few different spray inks to replicate the beautiful inking that was on the meadow paper.

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Project #2:

Home Is Where Your Story Begins - layout featuring the Magnolia Moments collection - Fancy Pants
 

products used:

about this layout:

I never use black and white photos, so I challenged myself to go outside of my comfort zone and I am loving the results. The first layout came together really easily for me because the papers were just so pretty together. I love the mix of bold black and white with the floral and woodgrain. The doilies were the perfect addition and made great places to embellish the layout. I fussy-cut the little flowers I used to embellish the layout from a large circular wreath that was in the ephemera pack because I felt the layout needed a few more touches of green to bring together the color scheme.

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Project #3:

Happy Birthday - layout featuring the Magnolia Moments collection - Fancy Pants


products used:

about this layout:

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All of us here at A Cherry On Crafts would like to welcome Melissa as this month's Guest Designer! Please be sure to check out her inspirational gallery and plan on participating in all of her Guest Designer Challenges. You can find them on our Message Board! One participant per challenge will receive a $5 eGift Certificate to A Cherry On Top Crafts!
 

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