My MS Journey:

 Living with Multiple Sclerosis Since 1993

In 1993, at just 19 years old, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. More than three decades later, MS is still part of my everyday life.

It is difficult to put that many years into one blog post. My journey includes things people can see and things they may never notice. For me, fatigue and memory difficulties are part of that story. Sometimes, a flare means changing plans or putting something I wanted to do on hold.

I share this because behind my blog posts, handmade cards, and creative projects is a person living with MS. When I need extra time, postpone a project, or forget something, there may be more happening than you can see.

Making Room for Creativity

Card making, scrapbooking, and sharing my projects are meaningful parts of my life. I love creating something with my hands and connecting with others through paper, color, and a thoughtful message.

MS sometimes affects when I can create and how much I can do. I have had to move plans around when my health needs more attention. That can be frustrating, especially when I have ideas I am excited to share.

I am learning to give myself room to rest, adjust my plans, and return when I can.

Encouragement Through Handmade Cards

My experience with MS is also part of the reason Cards for MS Warriors means so much to me. I want to collect handmade cards to send encouragement to others living with Multiple Sclerosis.

A card cannot take away someone’s symptoms, but it can carry a personal message: someone is thinking of you. Your experience matters. You deserve kindness and connection.

From one MS Warrior to another, that is what I hope to share.

My Story Is Still Being Written

I was 19 when this journey began. Since then, MS has been part of many years of my life, and I am still finding ways to make space for the things I love.

I want this blog to be a place where I can share more of that journey honestly—the difficult days, the creative moments, and the experiences that have shaped me.

If you live with MS, care for someone who does, or simply want to understand a little more, thank you for being here. Every person’s experience is different. This is mine, and I am ready to begin sharing it.

With love,
Melissa 🧡

Living with MS since 1993 • Creating and sharing encouragement, one card at a time

Crafting with Melissa........

 

Stamping with Melissa

 Create, Share & Inspire! 💗

Hello, crafty friends!

I have something fun to share today—my new personalized crafting picture! From the curly hair and glasses to the scissors, markers, and colorful ink pads, it brings a little piece of me into Mommy Stampin’ Creations. I love how it turned out!

The words Create • Share • Inspire capture what I hope you’ll find here: a place to enjoy paper crafting, try an idea, and share something handmade with someone you care about.

As a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I love turning paper, stamps, and ink into cards that brighten someone’s day and scrapbook pages that preserve special memories.

Whether you’re new to crafting or have a room full of supplies, you’re welcome here!
Look for:

• Card Sketch Monday for inspiration to start your week.

• Scrapbook Sketch Saturday for ideas to help tell your stories.

• Handmade projects and creative encouragement along the way.

Sometimes all it takes is a sketch or a pretty piece of paper to get started. Your project doesn’t have to be perfect to bring someone joy!

What do you think of my new crafting picture?
Leave a comment and tell me what you enjoy making most cards, scrapbook pages, or a little of everything!

Ready to create with me?
Browse my Stampin’ Up! shop or
email me at melissastamps2@hotmail.com with questions.

Thank you for being part of my crafty corner. 💗

Stampin’ hugs,
Melissa
Mommy Stampin’ Creations
Stamping Cards • Scrapbooking • Everything Paper

31 Days of Halloween..Day 13,14 and15....

 

31 Days of Halloween

Fun & Easy Halloween Cards!
Days 13, 14 & 15.....

Welcome back to Mommy Stampin’ Creations!

Today I’m catching up with three fun, simple cards for Days 13, 14, and 15 of my 31 Days of Halloween series. These little greetings are a reminder that a handmade card doesn’t have to be complicated to make someone smile!

Day 13 — No Tricks, All Treats! 👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

This little green monster is ready for Halloween with a sweet treat in hand! Orange, purple, and gray patterned papers stand out against the black card base. A purple banner, ribbon, and flying bats bring it all together, while the “No Tricks, All Treats” greeting finishes this playful card.

Try this idea: use small pieces of coordinating patterned paper to create an easy background. It’s a fun way to put those paper scraps to work!

Day 14 — A Friendly Little Ghost
👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

Who says Halloween can’t be pretty in pink? This soft pink card features a friendly white ghost on a black tag, with a dotted banner tucked behind it. Orange and purple stars add a pop of color, and a black-and-white twine bow gives it a sweet finishing touch.

Try this idea: make one small tag the focal point and leave plenty of open space around it. A simple design can be so charming!

👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

Day 15 — Trick or Treat!  👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

A black card base makes the soft pink and lavender details shine on this easy Halloween card. A patterned strip sits behind a “trick or treat” tag, topped with a black bat and a black-and-white twine bow. Just a few layers create a fun little greeting!

**Try this idea:

Reuse your favorite tag layout
with different papers and accents.
 You can make several cards
 without starting from scratch each time. **

Keep Your Halloween Crafting Simple.....

*Choose a card base, add a little patterned paper, and finish with
a tag or favorite Halloween character.
 Cut pieces for a few cards at once so everything
 is ready when you sit down to craft.

Which card is your favorite...
*The Little Monster,
*The Friendly Ghost,
or the
*Trick-or-Treat Bat? 
Leave me a comment.....

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my 31 Days of Halloween adventure!

Happy stamping!

Melissa
Mommy Stampin’ Creations
Stamping Cards • Scrapbooking • Everything Paper

Shop with me: https://melissastamps2.stampinup.net/

31 Days of Halloween Day 12........

 

31 Days of Halloween 

 Day 12: Sweet & Spooky “Hey BOO!” Cards

👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

Welcome back to Mommy Stampin’ Creations for Day 12 of my 31 Days of Halloween!

Today I’m sharing two sweet Halloween cards made using the Sweet and Spooky Card Kit from Stampin’ Up! I paired the kit pieces with Fresh Freesia cardstock for a soft purple background that looks so pretty with the Pumpkin Pie #105117, black, and white details.

Both cards feature a playful “hey BOO” tag and a black-and-white twine bow. One has a smiling pumpkin and a little ghost, while the other features a friendly bat. The dotted paper strips behind the tags add another fun layer without covering up that beautiful Fresh Freesia!

*Standard A2 bases are 8½″ × 5½″, scored at 4¼″

Supplies Used:

• Sweet and Spooky Card Kit — Stampin’ Up!

• Fresh Freesia Cardstock — #155613

• Basic White Cardstock — #166780

Make It Your Own

Try using pieces from a card kit with your own cardstock to create a different look. Switch the patterned strips, mix up the little characters, or arrange your tags in a new way. These two cards show how similar supplies can give each card its own personality!

Which one is your favorite—the pumpkin and ghost, or the bat? Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear!

Visit my Stampin’ Up! store for more crafting inspiration and supplies.

Thanks for stopping by! Come back for Day 13 and more Halloween fun.

Happy Stamping!

Melissa
Mommy Stampin’ Creations
Stamping Cards • Scrapbooking • Everything Paper

🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻

31 Days of Halloween...Day 11.....

 

31 Days of Halloween
 Day 11: A Purr-fect Halloween!
🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

Welcome back to Mommy Stampin’ Creations for Day 11 of my 31 Days of Halloween!

Today’s card features the cutest Halloween cats from the Frightfully Fun Designer Series Paper. Their playful expressions make this card more sweet than spooky!

I paired the cat print with orange striped paper and arranged the two pieces at angles for a fun, layered look. The Very Vanilla background lets the patterns stand out, while the black card base frames the design. A “Happy Halloween” greeting, a little bat, and black dots finish it off!

Card Base

Start with a 7" × 5" piece of black cardstock, score the 7" side at 3½", and fold. The finished card measures 3½" × 5".

Supplies Used

• Basic Black Cardstock — #121045

• Very Vanilla Cardstock — #166784

• Frightfully Fun 12" × 12" Designer Series Paper — #168168

• Dies — #159183, used with the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

• Adhesive-Backed Bats, Ghosts & Dots — #168180

Try This Layout

Choose two coordinating patterned papers and tilt them in different directions. Add your greeting where the layers meet, then finish with a few embellishments. It’s a fun way to let your favorite paper do the decorating!

Are you a fan of Halloween cats? Let me know in the comments! 🐈‍⬛

Visit my Stampin’ Up! store for more paper-crafting inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by for Day 11. Come back for more Halloween fun!

Happy stamping!
Melissa
Mommy Stampin’ Creations
Stamping Cards • Scrapbooking • Everything Paper