Merry Christmas!

A quick note to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you all enjoy the day - a day to rest, relax, and savor the gifts that are among us.  

Lots of love!

Erika

Thank you, Kristin!

My dear friend Kristin is an amazingly QUICK scrapper - she is busy with a big family and all that's required in running a household. But, she always finds time to SCRAP! It keeps her sane, she says :) This year, 2008 that is, she accepted a challenge to scrapbook a page a day...yes, 365 pages in one year...and, ya know what?! She's almost DOUBLED that! AMAZING!

When I asked how she did it, part of the trick is her new found love with the simplicity of digital scrapbooking. But, she also said she scraps every night for about an hour or so before bed. It relaxes her and gets her mind off all the craziness of the day. And, it gives her the feeling of accomplishment - something neat and tidy that she actually finished.

She encouraged me to do the same, and last week, I got started! Every night before bed, I have given myself an hour (or two if I'm up for it!) to do something creative - it doesn't have to be a page, it could be a card, or just a little project. What I have done this week amazed me! I scrapped 5 pages this week! Yes...FIVE. I know that might not seem like a lot, but for me it was a really big deal...usually I spend hours and hours deliberating over my pages, stunting the creative process in exchange for my unending perfectionism. BUT NOT THIS WEEK! This week I let my little inner artist come out and play!

One of the most liberating things I've done lately has been to allow myself not only the time to scrapbook, but also the freedom to scrap any size I want. I've started dabbling in 8X8, 8.5X11 (vertical and horizontal), 6X12 or 12X6, and MORE MINI BOOKS! I'm LOVIN'IT!! The nice thing about these smaller sizes is that they're also easier to scan and SHOW YOU :) So, here are a couple pages I did this week - they're from David's graduation (yes, that was in MAY...so I'm a little behind?!?!)

For this "Ascend Together" page, I used little pieces of transparencies to soften the pure white papers. I'm really going to miss my Chatterbox letter stickers when I run out...gotta find more of these! The finishing touch was my Stampin' Up Baroque Motifs stamp - a STAPLE, I tell ya! One of the pictures is David supporting me at my graduation, while the other is me supporting him at his graduation...awwww....

This page is very Ali-esque, I know! I softened the edges of the cream colored papers by using a make-up applicator and some soft inks (SU going grey, bordering blue, and creamy caramel). The "Gifts" title is done with Technique Tuesday acrylic stamps, first in Whisper White craft pad, then with More Mustard craft pad over that. Then, I used a blender pen to join the letters together to make it look like it's all one word. YAY!

Oh Christmas TREE

This year was such a FUN year for Christmas decorating. We got started early (just the way I like it!) and we had Brandon & Susan out to help us! Definitely wonderful to have them out to visit and then to get to decorate for Christmas together?!? SO GREAT!

We found an affordable but beautiful tree @ "Can Trash" as David refers to Canadian Tire...but hey, it was convenient. We stuck with the same theme as last year: Black & White - which looks super great with all my black and white house stuff now (Darryl & Linsday would love that!) Enjoy pics of our decorating weekend below...a little peek into our home!

(Above) David's been taking guitar lessons, which has been great. Brandon and David played some worship songs for us (Sue plays too...I'm the only one who just tries to sing...) Very inspirational and relaxing :)

One of my FAVORITE Melnychuk traditions: Cinnamon rolls during the decorating! YUM!

And, thanks to Brian & Alyssa for adding another tradition: Egg Nog + Coke...yes, that's right. David loves it...me...not so much!

Thanks to Krystal, my lovely SISTER for my cute Eddie Bauer down vest - this was it's debute into the winter season! LOVE IT! Such a great pic of Sue too - I miss you already, girly!

Which is the lift?

SCRAPLIFT: to copy an element or the entirety of another's scrapbooking or papercraft artwork

Oddly enough I ended up with these two cards hanging on my fridge at the same time...one I got from my dear friend Alyssa (the sweetest thing when you send me cards, girl) and one I bought for my hubby David to tell him how thankful I am for him...Can you believe how alike these two cards are?!?! Makes me wonder if Hallmark copied Stampin' Up, or the other way around...! Food for thought :)

Learned Helplessness

Learned Helplessness: a psychological condition in which a human being or an animal has learned to act or behave helpless in a particular situation, even when it has the power to change its unpleasant or even harmful circumstance.

Have my friends given up on checking my blog?

No worries! I am posting something really fun today!!!! I have been making some more journals for the craft fair - I just love these things! They're always a top seller. Each one is truly an individual work of art - something I can't recreate. I love how each on unfolds under my diligent hands...then all of the sudden: it's there! Anyway, I've scanned a number of them and thought I would share! Most of these have been sold, but they're here for your viewing enjoyment - and hopefull INSPIRATION! Well...for those of you who are still looking at my blog ;)

Three CHECKS on my List!

This last weekend, I went to a scrappin getaway with my Victoria friends. It was absolutely amazing! We were in a lovely cabin (a great place for a group of about 8 people is Arbutus Cove B&B - http://www.arbutuscoveguesthouse.com/contact.htm) on the ocean that felt like it was in the middle of nowhere (especially if you're from Oak Bay, right Lissa?) but for me was only a 20 minute drive.

I felt immediate peace upon arrival - surrounded by laughter and happiness, and a HUGE mess of toys (although I totally won for having the most stuff...or is that a good thing?!). I ate well, I slept well, I enjoyed myself, and I scrapped a TON!

I did a little mini album of "Tea for Three @ the Empress," worked on a mini album for the craft fair coming up - as WELL as checking off two more things from my resolutions list I posted a while ago:
1) CHECK: Crystal & Peter's wedding album
2) CHECK: Big Maui Album (99% done - just gotta add the finishing touches)
3) CHECK: I had completed Krystal & Eric's painting a few weeks ago

YAY! Oh, the sense of joy and accomplishment!

Note: Currently these projects are buried in my very messy scrap room. One day...one day...you will see pictures!

Craft Fair Madness - yet again!

For all my island pals - I'm doing another craft fair this year. Here's the info; hope you can come!!!!

Cedar Hill Recreation Centre Auditorium
3220 Cedar Hill Road
Victoria, BC

Saturday, November 22nd – 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm

Back to the crafting!!!!!!!!!

Ebb & Flow

Wow...looks like I entirely missed blogging during the month of October...hm...

Wanted to just jot a note about what I'm experiencing in the "ebb & flow" of my artist life. As I write, my craft room...or shall I call it my STUDIO...is a crazy mess. After my ballet class today, I spent my time in an old DMB t-shirt (who hasn't been to a Dave Matthew's concert?!) that's got splotches of paint all over it. I've played and played and played...with paint, scrapping stuff, and stamps!!! OH WHAT A DAY!

But, I notice that my time (with regards to art) is usually divided into two parts: shopping and playing. Lately, I've done so much traveling, and with that so much BUYING. Gotta love buying new stuff! But, I don't love buying tons of supplies and then not using them :( So, now is the time to USE that stuff - and enjoy it! I certainly am...

The other area that seems to be ebbing and flowing is what I do when I play...I go from making a mess to cleaning it up and then back again...over and over I do this. I realize that this is okay - I need to create some order out of the chaos. And, then I need to create some chaos all over again! Mmmm...gotta love the artistic process...Any one relate?

Eventually I will share with you pics of what I have done...eventually...Back to CREATING!

(A note to my sis, Krystal) SISTER: YOU WILL BE SO PROUD OF ME! I finished your third painting and I think you're gonna love it! It's titled "Laugh" and says "love is life's greatest joy"! Yes, it just came to me today!

A Week in My Life...

I've introduced many of you to the Lovely Ali Edwards...and some of you knew of her before me. Although, few of you could claim to be a bigger fan than I (challenge anyone? *lol* hope Cate doesn't see this!!!)

Anyway, she's done a mini album in the past that's about A Week in My Life...and this week is when it starts! So, I'm joining in the fun and taking daily pictures (this is collection week - monday through sunday) of the little things that make up my life. They include my alarm clock, my foggy car windows in the morning, my office, my favorite mug...everything! I can't wait to enjoy doing this project and leave behind a legacy of the simple things that have made up my daily living.

If you'd like to join in on this project, click on Ali's link to the right of this post and send me the results! Can't wait to see what you all create :)

Responding to the Complaints

Hello Friends -

Many of you have mentioned that you've recently checked my blog only to find that it hasn't been recently updated...forgive me.

This is why it took me so long to join the blogging world in the first place.

I'm not very good at keeping up on these things! As I like to say, I'm too busy out there experiencing life to sit down and write about it...hahahaha...lame excuse, I know ;)

Well, I also have had a busy busy summer - trips galore and very little PLAY time to scrapbook and/or make cards...but FINALLY I was hit with some sort of illness the other day and couldn't even get up the energy to get out of my jammies. Oh yes! The perfect day to design some more cards - woo hoo!!!!

So, I designed the following cards and prepped a bunch of "kits" for our Christmas card making day at Memory Lane Scrapbooking (with all my awesome Victoria scrappin' pals!) coming up in a couple weeks. Now, I'll be able to whip out mounds of cards to give away and add to my stash...enjoy and TFL (again, and again, and again...)

08-08-08 Resolutions

Today is a very special day: 08-08-08...how cool is that?! It's a day close to the middle of the year; a good time, I thought, to review a few scrapbooking and art projects I'd like to accomplish before 2009 comes around:

- do Crystal & Peter's wedding album
- complete Krystal & Eric's wedding album (for myself)
- scan and print David's life story pictures (in a paper bag - completely disorganized!)
- Maui BIG album
- get my Stampin' Up! business items all organized and up to date (excel anyone?)
- paint gift 3 of 3 for Krystal & Eric's bedroom

Although some people (David!) dislike resolutions, I enjoy them. They help put me on track, review what's important to me, discover my values. I notice that many of the projects on my list are for other people, which can be a big motivator. When I get the privilege of watching others' faces light up with joy as I give them a handmade gift, the rewards for me are so great it seems unfair. What are your resolutions before the big oh-nine hits?

Slowly but surely, I'm chipping away at my list - tonight's another crop at Memory Lane with the gals! Maui album here I come!!!

OH MY GOSH!!! IT'S HERE!!!

I always get excited for the new Stampin Up! catalogue EVERY time...and EVERY time I have sooooooooooo many great reasons to be excited! Today not ONLY was my anniversary, but my new Stampin' Up! catalogues came in the mail!!!! WOO HOO!!! Here are some sneak peaks of the next things I am going to buy - YAY! Oh, and don't forget to visit my new SU website: www.emel.stampinup.net and come to my PARTY to see the new catty IRL on Friday the 15th...oh, I am soooooooooooo excited. Yeah, I mean, my heart is racing! There are many gorgeous new stamp sets - lots that are great for home decor too (which is becoming another fun hobby of mine!) AND, best thing yet: the prices have dropped again compared with the last catty - super great!

4 years...

Picture of US on the highest point (10,000 ft) on Maui Island...just like our love is the highest point it's been yet...Happy Anniversary Babe! 4 years of happiness, laughter, growth, joy, and love - Yours always...

Maui Mini

Made this mini album (12X6) before we left for Maui. I thought I would try putting pics and little souveniers in it as we travelled...YEAH RIGHT! But, I was able to quickly stick pictures and embellishments in when we got back so that I have something to show everyone when they say they want to see Maui pictures! So, here's the whole album...all out of order, but you'll get the drift!

I used a combo of chipboard, acrylic, lace paper (ki memories), and patterned paper (american crafts). I painted the chipboard using heidi swapp masks and colors to go with the pp. The "notes from today" stamp was a gift from none other than Ali Edwards (THANKS ALI!). I kept the rest of it simple - just hs chipboard letters and a little paint around the edges to make the acrylic stick out (thanks for that idea, Cate!!!) I had it more complicated in the beginning, with pockets and envelopes and TOO MUCH. There's a quote (which I cannot find right now) that says something like: "Real art is not so much in knowing what to add, but in what to take away." Something like that...

The M-A-U-I is meant to connect the whole album: M is for Memories, A is for Aloha, U is for Utopia, and I is for Island...Memories of Aloha and Utopia on an Island - YUP! That's Maui!