Judges' Notes

This girl’s got talent! How CUTE and totally scraplift worthy is the layout ‘the nuts and bolts of us’. We love the Melissa's unique take on the popular robot trend of products. The BFF layout is simultaneously one of the most technically difficult and unique layouts I have ever seen! On the surface its like a cute flower shaped layout with each petal a different photo, but behind each photo petal is another petal that slides out to reveal journaling. This layout took real planning and ‘mad skills’. I’m beyond impressed! I’m so jealous of her precision AND outside the box interpretations. So ingenious. OH! and the way she inks like, everything, in different colors of ink gives all of her work a glow. Like a colorful halo around everything. I bet she has permanently stained fingers!

Username: Mellyanne

Blog:www.scrapthatmb.blogspot.com

Location: Eugene, Oregon

I started scrapbooking when I was 11 years old. My mom came home from a Creative Memories party with a few supplies, and I was hooked! It has been fun to watch the scrapbook industry evolve along with my own personal style. My scrapbooking style tends to be simple yet detailed. My biggest supply weakness is patterned paper. I can't seem to get enough of it! I love looking at the different patterns and seeing how I can cut them out to create my own embellishments. Another technique I love is hand stitching. I don't own a sewing machine, so I love to pull out my DMC floss and see what patterns I can stitch up by hand.

If I were stranded on a remote island I would need my paper trimmer, scissors, tons of fun patterned paper, cardstock, adhesive, my circle cutter, and maybe a couple of edge border punches. I think I would be happy with just those few supplies. Might be a nice challenge to see what I could come up with!

Scrapbooking allows me to be creative while also preserving memories. I find that I appreciate the past more as I capture it on my pages. I see where I've been and how far I've come. A quote that really sums it up for me is:

"Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopeful. I had an idea and I had a good purpose and that's why I made works of art." Felix Gonzalez-Torres

Some of my favorite scrapbook companies are: Making Memories, BoBunny, Fancy Pants Designs, Cosmo Cricket and My Mind's Eye. What really captures my attention is product that is fun and colorful with endless possibilities.

My scrapbooking process starts with either the photos, the story, or an idea that I've come across online or from a magazine. It really depends on what I'm in the mood to create. I keep all of my pages chronologically, but I scrap whatever inspires me at the moment.

Time that I spend crafting varies from week to week but I do try to do a little something everyday whether it is putting together a quick card, crocheting part of an amigurumi, working on a scrapbook page for a family member or friend. I find that I'm happiest when I make the time to let the creative juices flow!

If it were possible for any song to play when I walked into the room, my personal theme song would be What Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) sung by Doris Day. Love it and I love Doris Day!