everyone has a story...

Today marks my first day as a Guest Curator at CrescenDoh.com.  I am so honored and excited to be part of something I find so true and real.  The premise behind Jenny Doh's site is that art saves and it has and continues to save me personally...I am so thankful for art.  I have shared something very personal there and would love for you to stop by and visit...I am not one who openly shares my story...I think for me, I share myself through my art...it is how all of my feelings come tumbling out and how I deal with my personal struggles.  But, perhaps by sharing my story, someone else may be touched and helped in their own way.  I have learned that everyone has a story....there are experiences within each of us that make us who we are....you never know what is in the heart of the person sitting next to you...we all struggle, we all hurt, we all need each other.  I have learned that we need to be more gentle with each other...to not be so quick to judge, but to try to understand...You'll find some remarkable stories of the wonderful, healing power of art and love HERE on the CrescenDoh blog...I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I have.

Today is also a Crafty Secrets Design Team challenge...we were asked to share either a video or step by step instructions with you regarding a favorite technique.  I decided to share a brief tutorial with you regarding how I apply glitter...there are many ways, but this is a favorite of mine and one I use almost daily.  Glitter is such a fun way to dress up the beautiful Creative Scraps that I love to use and have used in this card. 

First, here is the finished product. 

I've used some new double sided Halloween Greetings Creative Scraps from Crafty Secrets on this card...they just arrived last week, and I couldn't wait to start cutting into them.   I love to highlight these beautiful images from Crafty Secrets with frames, glitter, distressing, stitching, and other accents.  Today, we'll use a chipboard frame from Maya Road, and a bit of stitching and distressing.

I like to start by gathering things that I think look good together...it rarely happens that I use them all...but the collection inspires me.

Next, I distress the vintage image by sanding and rouging up the edges and then using distress ink to create an aged look.

Then, to age it just a bit more, I run it through my sewing machine...I love the texture and character that stitching adds.

Next comes my favorite part...adding glitter.  I pretty much stick to my favorite spray adhesive by Krylon.  I coat my surface in a well ventilated area by spraying it on generously, and then I shake on a dusting of glitter in whatever color I want.  I coat it a second time with the spray adhesive and then glitter if I want more coverage, as I did with this frame.   

I added a simple stamped flourish in the upper left corner using the Crafty Secrets Flourishes stamp set.   

A bit of trim and scrunched seam binding to dress up the frame even more....

Then the sweet vintage image...and the final toppings, and we're set!

I hope this answers some of your questions....it's not hard at all to apply glitter...messy, yes...but oh, so worth it.

Here are some sweet places for you to visit today as all of the other Crafty Secrets designer's have something to share with you:
* Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

* Pam Hooten

* Heidi Blankenship

* Marisa Grosson

* Linda Duke

* Michele Kovack

* Flo from France

* Julie Campbell

* Deborah March

Thanks so much for your visit.  We're off to plant some flowers and perhaps swim a bit later today.  Enjoy your Monday!

Melis

 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 

Comments

[cristalfab]

Thank you for sharing your story. I follow your Blog regularly and you are a true inspiration to me. I am blessed as you have shared your heart. It helps me see something even deeper in you, in your art. As the Lord places you on my heart, I will pray for His peace that passes all understanding.

[Stella]

Thank you Melissa; not only for sharing your beautiful creations and this tutorial. But also for your thoughts; you are showing who you really are. I think you're a beautiful woman and an inspiration for all of us.
Thank you; have a wonderful day.

[Lara]

Melissa; I am a huge fan of your work & a regular reader of your wonderful blog :) Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are so not alone & there are many who KNOW daily the words that you expressed. You are in my prayers and I am sending lots of pretty pink & blue thoughts your way~

[Stella]

I have been reading your post on CrescenDoh. It made me cry; so personal. You 've touched my heart.

[Char]

Melissa you are always such an inspiration to me in every way...God gave you a blessing with your daughter...but she got a blessing with you as her momma :-)

beautiful card! Hugs, Char

[Brenda Weaver]

Thank you for being brave enough to share your story. You are not alone in this struggle. I know many people personally who are touched by infertility as well. I know from them that it can be a very painful and lonely experience. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but am so thankful that you share your heart through your beautiful artwork. We are all so blessed because of that. You are such an inspiration to so many.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[pam hooten]

So pretty as always, Melissa!

[Julie Campbell]

I'll go and read your story, Melissa...it really is hard to share our personal selves, isn't it? I'm working on it...a bit at a time...

Your work is always so lovely! I'm a glitter girl, too...just gotta have it!

Hope you're having a wonderful summer's day with your sweet family...

Julie

[Viv (VivLyn)]

Great job on the glittering! It is certainly a WOW factor and go perfectly with your image!!

[Beth]

Melissa, I cannot imagine the courage it must have taken to type your story and post for us to see. I admire you so much for doing that. You have inspired me today....

[Vicki Chrisman]

Having the courage to share you story with others... is an amazing way to those who feel alone in their stuggles. Good for you Melissa!
I love the card and tutorial!

[Rebekah]

Thank u for sharing such a personal story..i applaud your brave spirit, im touched and floored you feel it is time to share; to let us see into your life..i love your blog and you have a tremendous gift..both through your artwork and the words to tell your story... it is a joy to read your posts and drink in your artwork.. u inspire me and a multitude of people daily..
thank you so very much

[Sandy]

Dear Melissa, I love your glitter tutorial and card you did with our Halloween Scraps.

thank you also for sharing your story and I have to say it made us all cry when I read it in the office and it inspired us to make more time to play because your are so right - it's very healing and good for the soul. Plus look at how many people across the world you have inspired to create beautiful things that bring them and others joy!

God must have known that he needed someone as loving as you to raise your little girl and he knew you needed her just as much.

Hugs to you both!
Sandy

[Marisa]

Love the way you use the spray adhesive to adhere glitter. Beautiful project.

[Dell]

You have a beautiful way with words. I love what you wrote on CrescenDoh... so touching. I hope you are blessed with the desires of your heart. You are a beautiful person who creates beautiful things. Thank you for sharing.

[Linda]

Your posts, writings, and crafts are always inspiring and thought provoking. Thank you so much for sharing so much of yourself. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

[Alyssa Byron]

beautiful girl thanks for sharing!

[Carol R]

Beautiful card. Thank you for sharing your tip on how you glitter. Such a simple thing really but the steps are so important.

[Kelly Schirmer]

I wrote a comment but not sure if it went through! My first one was a bit longer, but I want to say thank you so much for sharing your story with us...today, and each time you post. I so hope that your prayers will be answered again, because I have never "met" someone who loves motherhood as much as you do. Thanks for taking care of all of us, too, with your beautiful art and thoughtful posts that really show us what is important in life!

[Linda Duke]

Your crafts and writings are alway so inspiring. I visit your blog daily. Each creation is better then the last, I don't no how you do it, always so beautiful.

[Cindy]

I, too, tried for 7 years and 10 surgeries to have a child and was devastated when it all ended in a hysterectomy. We were blessed to adopt three children with several not working out in between. I don't think I will ever get over not being able to carry my own child and each pregnant woman still tugs at my heart. I feel God gave us these children to give them opportunities and lives they wouldn't have been able to have with their birthparents. My admiration for these birthparents is tremendous as they allowed me to have the desire of my heart - motherhood. I visit your blog several times a day and am always inspired by you and your creations. You are a blessing to many of us and God will bless you for that!

[Colleen]

Thank you so much for opening your heart and sharing your story. I have been drawn to your blog for its sheer beauty and inspiration, both visual and written, by feeling commonalities with you as I too am the mother of one child a daughter. But I have always felt that you and I must have something more in common and today I have read about what that something more is. My husband and I have been married for nearly 12 years and like you, one of our greatest desires has been to have children. We tried for years to get pregnant - and have been going through it for years since that pregnancy (my daughter is 5 and a half years old). I suffered permanent nerve damage during the labor and delivery of my only child, the resulting nerve damage has caused chronic sometimes debilitating pain every day. And yet we continue to desire more children. I have lived for a decade and a half with my mother-in-law thrusting pictures of every pregnant relative/friend/coworker and newborn baby in my face and sometimes it has been more than my heart and mind could bear. But as you said, I put a smile on my face and try to be happy in the blessings others receive. People's passing comments can be cruel and hurtful - those are some of the times I feel God's presence the most as I know if he was not with me my tongue surely would spew words I may later regret. Please know that you are not alone. Please know that you are blessed beyond blessed regardless of how many children you have. Please know that you have helped many many people today by sharing your story, by letting others know that they are not alone, by being courageous, by being real. But mostly please know that you are not alone.

[Jane]

thank you for sharing your story. You're amazing!

[Abby]

Your story is very touching...thanks for sharing such a personal part of you with all of us:)

[Betsy]

A great tutorial and I love your project. As always, your shared thoughts are truly appreciated.