Melissa Runcie | Uniquely Yours Scrapbooks & More

Sign of Things to Come...

My house has turned into Santa's Workshop as we prepare for this Saturday's "Partridge in a Pear Tree" event! We are busy little elves creating all sorts of easy, inexpensive, eco friendly holiday decor ideas. Materials for our Christmas display include lots of patterned and vintage papers, paper doilies, coffee filters, bakers twine, cupcake papers, coin holders and some produce from the farmers market. With a muted color palette and a few vintage inspired touches here and there, we hope the showcase of ideas will get everyone in the holiday spirit!

 

I really, really, really need to figure out how to shoot photographs that aren't blurry! Hmm...perhaps a New Year's resolution will be to read my camera's manual and take a photography class!  

It Takes a Village...

I am slowly learning the importance of collaborating with a team of creatives...team of support...team of cheerleaders...team of encouragers...team of people to pull off big ideas. Whether it's getting people on board with the ideas that seem oh-so-fabulous-in-my-head or getting people to help execute said ideas...nothing great is ever done alone.

We wanted to bring in some great vendors for our "Partridge in a Pear Tree" event that would help our small tribe of participants shop in a new light this holiday season...instead of brand name...DIY...instead of Macy's...Etsy...going back to supporting the mom and pop shops on the corner...

We received some great giveaways and exclusive discount offers from some really great indie artists and local stores who believe in this spirit of community...here are a few. I hope you will take time to visit their shops! They are vibrant. decadent. cute. vintage. lovely!

There is still some time to join our workshop! Register Now. November 20th is D-Day!

Salvage Life.

A fresh approach to yesterday's fashions, this shop's clothing and jewelry designs are not only the hippest color of going green, but they are so chic. Beth does an impeccable job at selecting and repurposing all things vintage.

Amy Hanna.

 

 Wow. If I could simply be her bag lady on a vintage treasure escapade, I would be in heaven. She is a pure genius and her jewelry is nothing short of exquisite. Seriously. Her new book, "Rejuvenated Jewels" will be part of our raffle giveaways.

Gilding the Lily.

This gorgeous shop is just around the corner from PÄS and is filled with more treasures than you can possibly imagine...vintage laces and ribbons, beads and all the trimmings for an exquisite project.

Oh, Hello Friend.

 
An artist whose love for her work and keen eye for design shines through in big way. Her necklaces, charms and pins are just lovely and make me smile.

Paper Pastries.

I never thought I would describe paper as YUM...but YUM-O! Everything in this cute shop of stationary, signage, bookplates and more are adorably whimsical.

Hearts and Laserbeams.

Sooo engaging and witty this one! The artwork and wide range of products is vibrant, colorful and, at times, just makes you want to laugh at loud.

Adorned. 115 S. Harbor in Downtown Fullerton, SOCO District

Nestled in the garden courtyard across from PÄS is this shop to INDULGE YOUR INDIVIDUALISM! Adorned boutique specializes in artful apparel, handmade jewelry, accessories and vintage & handmade gifts. Imagine handmade, imports, funky fresh, vintage all at your fingertips!

A wonderful THANK YOU for the vendors who will make our participants shine a little brighter at our workshop!

 

Partridge in a Pear Tree Sneak Peek...Workshop 2

After a long week of the flu, our household is finally getting back to normal and I can show the second workshop. The workshop is inspired by this vintage letterpress tray. We'll work with a smaller custom made unfinished wooden tray using some objects found at flea markets, vintage stores and in your own collection of goodness. Each piece will be so different to reflect each individual person's style and favorite colors.

Here is a close up of the size and scale we'll work with in the workshop:

Tomorrow I will highlight a few wonderful vendors who are providing exclusive offers, discounts and giveaways to all our participants.

We are extendeding the registration until November 20th since this week was a bit of a wash being sick. Hope you can join us! Check out all the details here!

Partridge in a Pear Tree Sneak Peek...Workshop 1

Here's a peek at the first workshop for Partridge in a Pear Tree event on December 5th. We'll work with a variety of fabric, brooches, pins, found jewelry, ribbon to create a unique, one-of-a-kind statement necklace. Perfect for a holiday gift for mom, sister, girlfriend...or yourself!

For a complete schedule and description of the workshops, click here. Stay tuned for more sneak peek samples and exclusive offers for our workshop participants! The day is going to be so fun and we can't wait!!!

Click on image to view larger.

Registration Deadline is November 15th. 

This project is in collaboration with PÄS.

Registration is Open!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...a partridge in a pear tree!

I am so excited to launch this little project in collaboration with great friends at newly opened PAS. This has been in the works since this summer and it's nice to finally share a few details.

Imagine a day to create, shop for treasures at a flea market in quaint, artistic downtown Fullerton, get inspired with great ideas in time for the holiday season!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

Registration deadline is November 15th.

Stay tuned for photos of project samples and other goodies we will offer at the event.

Indie Craft Show Calendar

On my wishlist of things to do is visit these indie craft shows in my area (Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego) in the next month to meet new people, get new ideas and really, just see how the world of handmade works.

November 1: Handmade Brigade of OC Holiday Indie Craft Show at The Camp in Costa Mesa

November 15 (Santa Ana) & November 29 (Long Beach): Patchwork Indie Craft Show in Santa Ana and Long Beach
Via: http://randomnicole.typepad.com/patchworkshow/ 

 
 
December 5: Downtown Fullerton Mercantile Flea Market, Winter Fest. As part of my "Patridge in Pear Tree" workshop at PÄS, we'll be able to take part in this holiday event. Stay tuned for more details.

December 5-6: Unique Los Angeles Holiday Show
Via: http://uniquelosangeles.blogspot.com/ 

December 6: San Diego North Park Craft Mafia Holiday Hit List 
Via: http://www.sandiegonorthparkcraftmafia.com/HHL/

I know there are others probably not listed, but these definitely caught my eye! I look forward to visiting La Maison Rustique in Temecula during the holidays and Roger's Gardens holiday shop that makes my heart SING!

Very Excited About This...

...coming to town on Saturday, December 5th!

It is interesting how things work out...I was planning to do this workshop on my own and when our friends launched PÄS, we knew it would be perfect to join forces and bring some projects to downtown Fullerton.

This workshop also signifies the official "completely" closing the doors of Uniquely Yours Scrapbooks & More blog (I had the door cracked open...) and opening the door to Madabella & Co. as an opportunity for a bit more creative freedom. While I loved doing custom scrapbooks, I had to let it go because of my full time work. Now that I am home, my renewed interest has evolved into things I am more comfortable with, intertwined with aspects of my career that I miss the most: education, events and creating projects.

There is still much planning to do, but it's in the works and I'm excited to see it unfold in the next six months and somehow scoot my way back into the "blogging" community. 

All About Me :: Book Keeper

Here's a preview of the project I am doing with the little kids at my daughter's school. The hallowed out book is an old literature textbook. I almost didn't want to show my daughter's teacher and said, "Oh no! You will be mad at me for cutting up an old textbook!" To which she reassured me that if it was for a good reason, I was in the clear!

I think this is a VERY good reason!

This is a snapshot of the minibook that will be housed inside the "book keeper".

 

A FUN Way to Start a Busy Weekend

We'll be spending part of this weekend celebrating a wonderful milestone and new chapter in the lives of our friends...come and see the unveiling of Project Art School in downtown Fullerton.

We finally got our camera back after almost two months of not having it! I will finally get the post the finished shots of the vintage secret hallow books along with pictures of my daughter's birthday this weekend...all baseball theme!

Watch the video and enjoy the delightful staircase!

Mini Book Class for Minis

So I fell off the 21 Day Challenge wagon and jumped on the mini book train! Ahhh....as I always say, I AM the Queen of BEST Intentions. Goodness. I will have to revisit that project because I LOVE doing it...I just got a little sidetracked...as per usual.

So as I was saying...mini book train.

As part of my 21 Day Challenge GOAL of being more "available, present and attentive" to my family, I signed up to volunteer in my daughter's classroom. It has been such a joy to be part of her elementary school days in a more involved way. I wasn't able to help the girls with their homework...literally...I couldn't sit still...couldn't stand it! (Terrible me!) And now...I truly enjoy it, look forward to it and, when possible, try to go above and beyond what is "required" as a homework-helpin'-mama. I am delighting in the newness of it all...

I somewhat digress. As I was saying...again...jumping on that mini book train...

As a volunteer, I have the opportunity to teach a class to the kids...and I chose to do a mini "all about me" book.  I wanted the overall style to have a school children vintage vibe...here's a sneak peek at the progress thus far...in no particular order...

Self Portrait Page:

and on the back... How Old Am I?

One of my first ideas was to incorporate secret pockets and envelopes for hidden letters. (Disclaimer: I do NOT condone passing notes in class!). Here I used a small white envelope and also a shipping envelope that I cut in half.

As I started looking through my supplies, I realized I had quite a few different kids of ledger and office/school papers, like index cards and tags. They fit perfectly with that vibe thing I am going for...and I threw in a few extra goodies too...

Can't wait to put the album together along with some really fun pattern paper of vintage school children scenes. We'll also be using this digital kit to include journaling...LOVE this kit! SERIOUSLY love it.

However, what I am MOST excited about is this:

The kids will store their mini books in these vintage children's books...I just have to hallow them out first...ugh! When I saw this amazing wedding invitation (which are to die for), I HAD to do it for this project! After all, I am competing with other mini classes like cooking and yoga and magic! I felt compelled to add a little excitement to the mix!!! I really, really really hope the kids enjoy the next couple of weeks creating their "super-top-secret-stash-books".

And since we are talking about old school vintage vibin', one of my best sources of inspiration was this amazing, amazing, amazing exhibition (from a year or so ago) at Uppercase Gallery...their flickr album is magically nostalgic... Here's a peek:

 

Image credit

WOW. Wish I could have stood in the middle of that room!