Hello Monday! I do so love you Monday....familiar Monday....back to regular routines...meal planning, bill paying, tidying up after a snowy, muddy weekend, a fresh start and outlook on a new week ahead....
Today the Crafty Secrets Design Team members each have party themed projects up on our blogs....not specifically birthday themed, but any project that celebrates something...babies, mothers, weddings, friends, spring, tea parties, etc.
Since I have a thing for cupcakes lately...prepare yourself for another one....I love transforming them, dressing them up, adapting them to the chosen occasion. I used Papertrey Ink's Cupcake Collection die for this project.
I wanted this cupcake to feel fairytale-ish...leaving the occasion open for a little girl's birthday party, new baby, or wedding. The sweet crown placed on top of the cupcake is a free download from Crafty Secrets...you can find it HERE. I re-sized it to fit the top of my cupcake, colored it with some Copics, and stamped a sentiment inside the flag.
I used Crafty Secrets Card Sentiments and Message on a Bottle Clear Art Stamps on this project along with the new Double Sided Love Mail Creative Scraps for the banner and cupcake.
The flower is from Petaloo, trinket pin from Maya Road, tea stained trim is from my own stash, and the scrunched seam binding is from Kimberly.
I can't wait to see what beautiful things the other designers have to share today:
Vicki Chrisman Team Leader
Pam Hooten
Heidi Blankenship
Linda Duke
Michele Kovack
Flo Teixeira from France
Julie Campbell
Mary Hamer
Now for a couple of fun Happy Monday giveaways! I was recently asked to take part in a new special issue from Scrapbook & Cards Today....I just got a peek at it and can't wait to dig into the inside when it arrives. It's based on card sketches designed by Becky Fleck....ooooohhhh....this was so much fun. That sweet card on the cover is by Roree Rumph...I adore her happy, playful, freshly squeezed card style.
CardMaps Today will be available on March 25th, and you can pre-order your copy HERE. If you'd like to win one of the first copies, Scrapbook & Cards Today is giving one away on their blog...just leave a comment HERE!
Lastly....you might notice a new look here on my blog....sigh...it was time for a rescue effort and my sweet friend all the way in Singapore came to my aid just in time...thank you to Viola Mahr for redesigning my blog for me....I love, love, love it.
Vio has generously offered to share one of her custom made blog banners to one of you my friends! She has a few in her etsy shop now and the banner on her blog is one of her own designs....this will help you get a feel for how very talented she is....her style speaks to my shabby heart.
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post....I'll give you until Wednesday, March 2nd...10:00 a.m....or thereabouts...you know me...I'm not going to be stingy. I'll choose a winner randomly that evening and will post the good news on my blog. I wish I had a prompt question for you to answer....but I'm fresh out of ideas and anxious to get to work this morning...so whatever thoughts cross your mind and you'd like to share...we'd love to hear. Thank you Miss Vio!
Enjoy a beautiful Monday!
Melis
Your new blog banner is awesome!! Your cupcake is breathtaking!!! You are spoiling me with how often you are posting, but please keep doing!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Posted by: nancy guse | February 28, 2011 at 04:48 PM
What a gorgeous and yummy looking cupcake!! Beautiful!!
Posted by: Heidi Blankenship | February 28, 2011 at 05:01 PM
love the post.
Posted by: dee | February 28, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Your blog makeover was the first thing I noticed when I came by...it's beautiful! And the pic of the chick in front of one of your cards is too adorable...such wonderful work by Viola to match the sweet personality of your blog.
Posted by: Kathy M | February 28, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Woops! I didn't read right and entered here instead of with the magazine. Please don't count my earlier entry.
Tks.
Posted by: Lina F. | February 28, 2011 at 07:23 PM
I adore the new blog design! And that cupcake? Fabulous!
Posted by: Kerry Crockett | February 28, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Your new blog header is so you, Mellisa!! I love it! Thanks for pointing me to Viola's blog...just beautiful!
Posted by: Teresa Brada | February 28, 2011 at 08:16 PM
What's crossing my mind at the moment? Not much, just the fact that I made a pact with myself that 2011 is to be the year of not wearing shoes that hurt or clothes that don't fit. And I have stuck to it. And it is so much better!
Posted by: Alyssa B | February 28, 2011 at 08:18 PM
*Melissa
Posted by: Teresa Brada | February 28, 2011 at 08:20 PM
I absolutely LOVED the pins I bought from Vi...she truly is talented and sweet. Your blog is a blessing to me, Melissa, so the two of you together are QUITE a blessed team. Thanks for the love that goes into each post, and thanks, Vi, for being a blessing to Meli.
Posted by: Karen Letchworth | February 28, 2011 at 08:26 PM
I love the new look, Melissa!! Love the cupcake too ;) I love the fact that you make your sweet family homemade cookies every Saturday/Sunday - that speaks to my shabby heart *smiling*
Posted by: Susie | February 28, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Fabulous!I would love to be inside your head to pick up a few ideas so that maybe I could have visions of beauty as you do Melissa.
A blog banner as terrific as your would be a great start to the blog I would love to create for myself.
Thanks for sharing your ideas with us
Posted by: Christine | February 28, 2011 at 11:13 PM
wow weee! Viola is so talented and I wish i had her IT skills!!! Love your blog banner!
Posted by: Joanna Lee | February 28, 2011 at 11:45 PM
beautiful cupcake with a crown! Always love your shabbiness! Beautiful inspirational blog you have. Love it! TFS!
Posted by: gladys | February 28, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Wow!!! Your new blog header is gorgeous;) and the cupcake with the lovely crown is really omg - 100% drop dead gorgeous!! LOVE the vintagey and shabby feel and look of that beautiful artwork. U are a very talented lady ♥♡
Thanks for the chance to win :D
Posted by: E-Zen | March 01, 2011 at 01:51 AM
Wow I love your new blog banner Melissa....it is so YOU! Thanks for leading me to Viola's blog....I love her work too.
Posted by: Linda L | March 01, 2011 at 02:26 AM
Love your cupcake, just gorgeous! I always love popping by, your blog is so full of amazing inspiration, thank you. Loving the new header, it's beautiful
Posted by: Tanya Phillips | March 01, 2011 at 03:33 AM
Your projects are so beautiful! That cupcake is so dainty and dreamy, I LOVE it! Thanks for the chance at your fabulous giveaway! You're wonderful!
Posted by: Amy Baldwin | March 01, 2011 at 03:55 AM
Beautiful Melissa, your blog is full of heartfelt inspiration...I adore coming to visit here! Love the new blog heading...I arrived here from Miss Vio's blog. Wonderfully vintage blog headers, suits both of your styles!
Posted by: Andrea Ewen | March 01, 2011 at 04:24 AM
I love Viola's work too! She is so talented! Your blog looks fabulous! And your cupcake is breathtakingly beautiful! I ♥ Crafty Secrets!
Posted by: Melissa Bove | March 01, 2011 at 04:24 AM
As always, beautiful work!!! I'd love to win a lovely giveaway from you..thanks for the chance!
Abby
Posted by: Abby | March 01, 2011 at 04:37 AM
Lovin' the cupcakes! You're so darn creative...Congrats on the publication, and thanks for the opportunity to win some Viola!
Posted by: Kristin K Tierney | March 01, 2011 at 04:40 AM
I love your blog and your projects are always so inspiring...thanks for sharing a little bit of your creative process with us!
Posted by: Lara Carson | March 01, 2011 at 05:04 AM
your cupcake is awesome, as always
love love love your style =)
i remember that email picture
is that one of the peeps from last year...the little bean's chick? so cute =)
love the new look of your blog
the header is gorgeous and so are all the things Miss Vio does...
would love to have a makeover on mine =) thank you for the kind offer...
BEAR HUGS
~victoria~
Posted by: victoria | March 01, 2011 at 05:09 AM
You have done it again! Blown my socks off with your amazing creations. I would love to win the banner, I tried to create my own but it was a total disaster. Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win. Your blog makeover is beautiful.
Amelia x
Posted by: Amelia | March 01, 2011 at 05:12 AM