Birthday Card

I made this for a friend's 40th birthday.  I wanted it to be a fun card to match her personality. Vibrant, colorful, fun! I used a polka dot paper in the background, and a shimmery tissue paper on top. I rolled pieces of cardstock to make candles and topped them with rhinestone "flames." I handmade the red flowers too. Some final touches of ribbon, alphabet stickers, and labels complete the card. We had a good time celebrating with her. You only turn 40 once! (whew!)

Miles of Smiles,

60th Birthday Card

I made this card for a dear friend's 60th birthday. It is a shaped card (not rectangular) and the front folds so it stands by itself. I think it may be called an easel card. The pink polka dot paper is flocked so it's soft. I added some silk and paper flowers, pearls, a cut and embossed border, and an intricate silver sticker.

Miles of Smiles,

New Year's Eve Time's Square!

New Year's Eve 2014, my hub and I were lucky enough to attend a party in Time's Square, New York City! It was one of the most AMAZING experiences of my life. The party was at Bubba Gump's right on Time's Square, with endless food and drink and THEE best spot to see the ball drop. I still get teary-eyed thinking about it cuz it was so surreal. We coordinated our outfits of polka dots with a pop of red. The hub was super cute with his red bow tie. We got compliments all night long. We witnessed another couple at the party get engaged at midnight. We saw the superstars perform on stage right outside, including Taylor Swift (eeeeek!) And she sang "Welcome to New York."  I could've died.  It was beyond perfect. And we met some cool gals from New Zealand. The image with all the confetti and the ball drop was taken by me as we stood outside. It was freezing that night! But we only went out every now and then and of course, to watch the ball drop. The rest of the time we were partying inside all toasty and warm. That's the way to do it. Those people who wait out on the street all day are crazy. We also did a little sight seeing while in NYC and we'd like to go back to visit when it's not below freezing. What a way to bring in the New Year. Afterall, it is the Year of Melissa, as I've dubbed my 40th year.  All good things.

Christmas Decorations

I made a couple large paper Christmas decorations for our house last year.  An accordion folded medallion, and a fancy star. 

Miles of Smiles,

Some Christmas Cards

 Here's a few Christmas cards from 2014.  I made many more, but I can't find the photos.

Miles of Smiles,

70th Birthday Card

I made this card for my Father-in-law's 70th birthday. A little vintage and masculine. Some Graphic 45 paper, metal pieces, a fabric sticker, and the numbers cut from glitter paper.

Miles of Smiles,

Starfish Birthday

This is a birthday card I made for someone special.  The paper is Graphic 45 (my fave) and I used some Anna Griffin dies in coordinating colors in the background. I hand cut the starfishes from another patterned paper. Little pearls were the perfect accents in coral and blue. I added tinsel behind the big starfish, which was pop-dotted for a 3D effect.

Miles of Smiles,