Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Create Blue

It's Wednesday, so that means its time for another sketch challenge from the Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.  One of the things  that I love about these sketch challenges, is how versatile the sketches are. Here is this weeks sketch:


See what I mean?  I just love the simple sketches, so I can add my own flair!  Here is what I created:


I used all current products.  The pattern paper is Twitterpated DSP.  I just love it!  I created a card last week using pattern paper from this collection.  (see that card here.)  I am using  a new stamp set; Everything Eleanor.  The 'label' and flowers were created with this stamp set.  

I stamped the 'label' in baja breeze classic ink, onto white card stock.  I hand-cut this image, and sponged the edges with the same ink.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink.  I added a gray brad to the open side.
For the paper blossoms, I stamped the pink flower in rose red classic ink onto pretty in pink card stock.  I stamped it twice and hand-cut both blossoms, and stacked them.  The blue flowers were stamped in baja breeze classic ink onto baja breeze card stock.  The leaves were pretty simple.  I used the build a blossom punch to create the shapes.  I crinkled the card stock by hand, and then swiped the leaves with certainly celery classic ink.  I added a half faux pearl to the center of the pink blossom.
Thank you for looking, and i hope that you get a chance to play along with us!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

My Original Tattered Rose

I hope that this past holiday weekend, gave you a chance to spend time with family, friends, and honor those who have fought for your freedom.  I have many armed service members in my family.  Every generation has served their time, and given for their country.  


This past Saturday, I showed you a card that I made utilizing a fabric blossom that I learned how to create.  The card that I showed on Saturday, was an abbreviated version of the first fabric blossom that I created using a tutorial found here @ Katies Rose Cottage.

This original fabric blossom measures about 4" inches across.  I tea dyed some white muslin, a pink crochet trim, and added a scrap piece of white tulle.  I hot glued a rhinestone to the center of this tattered rose.
When I first made this, I thought how pretty, feminine, and vintage looking.  So, I altered a paper macho box and added this gorgeous fabric blossom to the lid.

I altered the lid by heat embossed some vintage white embossing powder using a detailed doily stamp.  I added some crochet trim around the lid, and I adhered some beautiful pattern paper from Prima Marketing.

When I created this altered paper macho box, I didn't anyone in mind for it.  I just thought it was pretty, and so it sits on my shelf, waiting for a new home.  
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you have a chance to 'play' and try a new technique.  You'll be amazed how intoxicating it can be.  Until next time, keep crafting!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Love Shabby

For those who have followed me and have seen my work 'grow', know that I have a weakness for shabby chic, vintage, retro, and nostalgia.  I truly believe that times were simpler, back when.  Maybe because everything had its 'time'.  You planned for your day, and not too much was 'instant'.  Maybe, I'm just getting old.
Anyways, Sue over @ Our Creative Corner, is our hostess this week, and would like us to create something 'a little shabby chic'.  Sounds wonderful!  Here is what Sue said, 'a little shabby chic means the shabby part of vintage! The challenge requires you to pull elements together, the more old/worn and digressed the elements/images the better, muted colors, layers and roses, burlap and pearls.  You do not have to use all the these elements.  The effect you are aiming for is a soft warm palette.   A picture for your inspiration:


I wanted to make something pretty, vintage, and shabby.  So, I set out to craft!
I found this tutorial, @ Katie's Rose Cottage, on how to make a tattered fabric rose.  And thought how perfect for this challenge.  So, I did.  I really enjoyed the whole process.  The tearing the fabric, tea dying, and the sewing.  But, this flower was too large for my paper craft.  So, I made a different fabric blossom.  I took a piece of white muslin, and cut it into a scallop spiral shape.  I tea dyed the fabric.  Hung it outside to dry.  I sprayed it with starch to help stiffen the material.  I tattered the edges with a blade of a scissor.  I ran it through my sewing machine and gathered it all up.  Then I let the material spiral itself, to create a blossom.  I hot glued a rhinestone to the center.  I then hand-cut two leaves out of burlap and hot glued them to the blossom.

Here is my card:


I started with a scrap piece of pattern paper from my scrap box.  I thought the paper was perfect: some text, swirls, roses, and glitter accents.  Then I ran a pink grosgrain pattern paper through a die to cut those large scallops.  The green rose pattern paper is actually a digital paper.  The green in this floral background paper matches the green in the leaves on the main panel.  I inked a random swirl in VersaMark and stamped onto the right upper corner.  I sprinkled it with clear embossing powder and heat embossed, to add a little visual interest.
The chipboard frame has an embossed design.  I didn't want to cover up that detail with ink, or paper.  So I brushed the edges with VersaMark and dipped those edges in pink vintage embossing powder.  I heat embossed the edges.  I added some half faux pearls to the chip board frame, hoping to add some glamour to the frame.
I wanted to keep my card soft and feminine. So I selected a crochet trim to cover a paper seam.  I thought the trim looked flat, so I added a scrap of pink taffeta ribbon and a scrap piece of kraft seam binding.  I tied the ribbons into a simple knot.  Then the simple knot looked like it was missing something, so I added a heart shape cut from silver glitter paper and added another half faux pearl.   
I like odd numbers, so I added three neutral colored buttons to the crochet trim.  I didn't want the buttons to distract the viewer.  But rather give the eye a place to rest.
The main panel is matted onto a piece of kraft card stock.  The card base is made from a natural card stock.  
Now, I hope that I, or at least my associates have inspired you.  Inspired you to create something shabby chic and a desire to play along with us @ Our Creative Corner.  Thank you for stopping by!

Friday, May 25, 2012

seed to friendship

I'm so happy it is Friday!  I need a break, and not just from work.  This week has been busy with work, house, dog and husband.  ugh!  So, to help me distract from all this caos, I have spent some time in my craft room.   Robbie R., from Sketch Frenzy Friday, has given us a creative sketch to work with this week, and here it is:

This sketch really has a lot of potential.  If you have the opportunity, you should play along.  But please at least follow this weeks blog hop and see what the other design team members have created.  Here is what I created:


This is really a CAS card for me.  I apologize.  I couldn't get my mojo working.  Your next stop is Tammy F.'s blog!
I hope you have an chance to play along with us!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

French 'Thank You'

On this Wednesday, I think I have found my vintage soul.  I love the look of shabby chic things, but I don't think I have the skills to really show case this style.  Even tho I try!  But, practice makes perfect, they say.  And so, I have been practicing.  I spent some valuable time in my crafting room, playing.
The lovely ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge have been hard at work, to create some beautiful cards, to help inspire you.  So, let's take a look at this week's sketch:


When I saw this sketch,  I saw: open space to create, embellish, or let a pretty piece of pattern paper take the center stage.  The diamond at the top, is a wonderful shape to add my sentiment or just 'pretty' it up.  And the bow is always a welcome sight!  I think I can create something just lovely.  
So, here is what I did:


I'm actually very happy with how my card turned out.  The pattern paper is Twitterpated DSP.  Yes, both pieces.  The subtle blue pattern on the card base, and the gray floral on the main panel.   I used Basic Gray card stock as my base.  I love the soft, smokey look of this card stock.  
I matted the floral piece on top of a Baja Breeze card stock.  The decorative label is from the Four Frames stamp set.  I stamped this polka dot frame in Cherry Cobbler classic ink.  The sentiment, is stamped in Basic Gray classic ink, onto a piece of very vanilla card stock, and then punched with an oval punch.  The Merci is a stamp, from the french version of Rue Des Fleurs: Grenier Victorien.  And yes, I own this stamp set in English and French.
The banner strip is cut from Baja Breeze card stock.  I made (another) multi-loop bow, and attached the bow to the banner piece with an Antique Brad.
Now, to get the worn, vintage look of this card, I distressed all the edges.  I used a thread cutter to wear the edges of the card stock.  I sponged all those edges with Crumb Cake classic ink and then Baja Breeze classic ink.  I then took a blank red rubber stamp and added some tea stain to various portions.  I had a small piece (2" x 2") of First Edition DSP.  So, I added pieces of my scrap piece to the holes made by my thread cutter.   For the top corner piece, I curled the edge with a stylus.
For the ribbon, I took the edge of my scissors and ran it under the seam binding ends, to help fray them.
Thank you for looking.  I hope you have an opportunity to play along with us @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.  


Note: I'm not French, but I do purchase some of my stamp sets in the French language version.  I just love the look of a foreign language on some of my cards.  I think it helps give them a romantic and 'worldly' look.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Retro Garden Party

Let me welcome those of you who are new to my blog.  {smile} 'Welcome, have a seat and browse.  I hope you find some inspiration here, to go and create something beautiful!'
Over the weekend, I looked through different blog sites, and wouldn't you know it?  I have created a card!  And I am entering it into two of my 'go-to' challenge blogs.  We truly are creatures of habit.  And habit has it, to create something vintage, a little shabby chic, and feminine.
The creative ladies over @ Retro Sketches have a wonderfully user-friendly sketch: #12.  And the talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have a wonderfully inspirational board!  So, I combined the two challenges and created a lovely shabby chic card.   Here are their challenges:

Here is what I created:


Beware!  I used products on hand - so everything except the kitchen sink.

I wasn't happy with the above photo, so I have added another:


One of the sponsors @ the Shabby Tea Room, is the Digital PAPER SHOP by Janet.  So, I took a quick detour of her vital shop on Etsy, and found some beautiful papers to work with, for my card: Romantic Paper Roses and Pastel Flower Labels.
Both the card base and the first panel are vintage cream card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  The next panel is aqua mist card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  The gingham pattern paper is from Lost & Found.  It is the back side of this beautiful yellow glitter paper.  For the next panel, I used rose red card stock form Stampin' Up!  The floral paper is actually a digital 'paper' from Janet's shop.  I wrapped a piece of crochet trim from Stampin' Up!, tied it in a simple knot and hot glued a paper flower from Prima.  The floral panel is lifted off the card front with foam tape.  The buttons are a mixture of Paper Trey Ink, and Amuse Studios.  For the tag, that is another digital label from Janet's shop, too.  I stamped the sentiment in Basic Black classic ink from Stampin' Up!, using a sentiment stamp from the stamp set; Dress Form from Paper Trey Ink.  I added a white architecture corner piece from Melissa Frances.   Note: I sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink from Stampin' Up!.
I really wanted to add some rhinestones, to give this card some sparkle.  But I couldn't find a place to apply them without them looking too odd.  So, no rhinestone bling for this card.  But, I just love how warm and inviting this card turned out.
Thank you for looking.  I hope you have a chance to play along in either, or possible both, challenges.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

YOU make my life beautiful

Happy Saturday!  Love that you stopped by!  Meihsia, @ Our Creative Corner has given us a color challenge with an inspiration photo.  She is one clever girl!  Meihsia, wants you to use orange, blue, white, cream, and brown.  And here is her inspiration photo:


The thing that attracted me to this photo, was the clean lines.  Not overly embellished or cluttered.  So, here is what I came up with.  Warning: not my usual card.


So, here is what I created!  Not my usual work.  I kept the card un-cluttered, just like the card.  I used pattern paper from the same collection: Gathering from Authentique.  I used some retired vanilla velvet ribbon.  I thought it added a softness and elegance to the card.  I cut the leaves from a scrap piece of Bermuda Bay card stock.  I thought it was the closest in matching the 'blue'.  I punched the flowers out of a piece of Tangerine Tango card stock.  I inserted a brown brad in the center of each flower to hold them together.  I 'label' was cut with a die, and the stamped sentiment was actually created with two stamps.  
Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you get a chance to play along with us @ Our Creative Corner.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Twinkle Rhinestone Brad

It's Friday!  And you know what that means? The weekend is quickly approaching! and I hope you have some great paper crafting plans!  And to help get it started, the lovely Patrice @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has an interesting sketch for you to try!
Here is her sketch:


Here is what I created:


When I saw Patrice's sketch, the first thing I thought of was those oriental picture panels.  I thought who lovely, to make one.  So, I stamped the large floral image (from the Elements of Style stamp set) in Versa Mark ink onto Very Vanilla card stock.  Then, I sprinkled some white embossing powder onto the image and and heat set it, with my heat gun.  I put a drop or two of different light subtle classic inks onto a plastic plate and used an aqua painter to 'color' the images.  I then cut the large rectangle, into three equal parts.  Then, I matted these pieces onto some silver glitter paper.  Instead of stamping my sentiment onto the card front, I made a tag.  I took the pink pirouette taffeta ribbon and created a multi-loop bow and attached the bow to the card front with a retiring pink square rhinestone brad.  I gave the whole card front a sprtiz of home-made glimmer mist.  The card base is crumb cake card stock.  The main panel is blush blossom card stock, matted with basic black card stock.
Now, to keep the momentum of this blog hop going, stop by Tammy F's. blog to see what she has done with this fabulous sketch!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Bye-Bye Flower

I hope this Wednesday finds you well.  Me, I had a very productive day off.  So, I feel this new energy and I have found my creative spirit.  I need a day off from work, here and there to re-charge my batteries and get a chance to play 'catch-up' with chores.  So, I started my day-off, by creating this card.  I made some Candied Mix-Nut clusters, and several Pumpkin Cranberry Bread, for a Bake Sale at work, today.  I got some laundry done.  The kitchen is cleaned, as well as other house work.  I made a delicious home-cooked dinner.  And relaxed  during the evening, and watched some TV.  See, a day, to re-charge and take care of some chores!
Now, for a little creativity!  The Design Team, over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, have been busy creating some very inspirational cards for you!  So, why don't you join us in another wonderful week of creativity!
Here is this weeks sketch:


Here is my card:


It's May, and so there are quite a few products that are retiring from Stampin' Up!.  I just love this DSP!  We all had an opportunity to purchase the Everyday Enchantment DSP.  The stamp set that I used for this card, Notably Ornate, is on the retiring list, too.   I used the Top Note die to create the fancy rectangle piece.  I used the scallop circle die to create the 'flower'.  I used Pure Poppy card stock for the largest scallop circle.  I made an accordion flower using the First Edition DSP.  The smaller scallop circle was created with the Everyday Enchantment DSP.  I stamped the bird in Pool Party classic ink and fussy cut.  I punched two tiny flowers and added them to the bird, using a brown brad.  The sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede classic ink onto a piece of very vanilla card stock cut into a banner shape.
Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found some inspiration, and join us this week, in our sketch challenge @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Je t'aime

First, let me welcome my new followers!  I hope you find some inspiration here.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me @ bachnucmed@excite.com
Second, I want to wish every woman out there who is a mom,  Happy Mother's Day!  I hope that this special day, is lovely, and that you are surrounded by both family and friends. {smile}
Third, I have a card to share.  I woke up kinda early today, as my dog was getting restless, so she was my alarm clock.  After enjoying my first cup of coffee, I went browsing the internet to help get some creative juices flowing.  And, I saw this weeks sketch @ Card Patterns.  And, I knew exactly the papers I wanted to use.  (Now, if you visited yesterday, these papers are familiar, but never tiresome.)
Here is this week's sketch:


This sketch was very easy to work with.  And I'm pretty happy with how my card turned out.  See:


For those of who aren't familiar with my work, if I don't have restrictions as to company/products to use, I pretty much use everything.  And this card, (like yesterdays) is no exception.  
The card base is Autumn Rose by Paper Trey Ink.  I sprtiz the card front with my own home-made shimmer mist.  I then stamped the flourish form the Creative Elements stamp set by Stampin' Up!, using Versa Mark ink.  The brown matt panel is Early Espresso by Stampin' Up!.  The two pattern pieces are the Pretty in Pink collection from Glitz.  And so is the pink striped paper I ran thru my Big Shot, using the Tasteful Trim die by Stampin' Up!.  The ribbon is a vanilla velvet ribbon that Stampin' Up! sold during the holidays.  The butterfly is cut with the Beautiful Wings die and Silver Glitter paper by Stampin' Up!.   The pretty beige flower is from Prima Marketing.  The glitter trimmed button is from Bo Bunny.  The rose shaped bead is from Close To My Heart.  The sentiment panel is a collection of different die cut and printed heavy card stock by Stampin' Up!, so all I had to add was the half faux pearls by Close To My Heart.  The kraft button is from Paper Trey Ink, as well as the cream twine I used to tie a bow.  The heart is die cut from a heart die from Stampin' Up!  
The main panel, as well as the sentiment panel were adhered to the card front using foam tape.  This card is still blank inside.
Thank you for looking.  I hope you have an opportunity to do what makes you happy today.  Me, well I spent my morning in my craft room.  And this evening my wonderful daughter and I are going to see a comedian.  So, hopefully, we will be driving home with tummy aches from laughing too much.  
Take care, and come back soon.  You never know when I will be posting something new!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

My Apology

This weekend, is a welcome sight.  The mere thought of sleeping past 5am, and schlepping around my house in my pjs, drinking coffee with no urgency to leave, is intoxicating!  So, that is my plan this morning; drinking hot coffee, sitting in my rocking chair, looking out the window across my back deck.  It started raining yesterday, and we have a forecast for more rain today.  So, I'm going to welcome the moisture in spirit, and stay warm and dry inside.  Later today, Sasha, will be traveling with us into town for a vet appt.  She will have her stitches removed and her knees will be checked.  
I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, and get a chance to do something 'good' for your soul: relax and craft!  And, I have a challenge for you to join!  Meihsia Liu, @ Our Creative Corner, has a wonderful sketch challenge for you to try.  This sketch is just fabulous to work with!  Here is the sketch:

Don't forget, there is a requirement of including a ribbon bow on your project.  Here is my card:


I purchased these beautiful pattern papers a few months ago.  You know how that is.  You are shopping and see some pretty pattern paper, and even though there aren't any immediate plans to use them, you purchase them anyways.  And that is how I acquired these pattern papers.  
The pattern papers come from a collection called Pretty in Pink by Glitz.  (The pink rose paper, the music sheet paper, the pink stripe paper, and the pink drawing paper.)  I used a die called Tasteful Trim by Stampin' Up! to create the large scallop trim on both the First Edition DSP and the Pink Stripe paper.  The crochet trim comes from Spare Parts.   The sentiment tag was created with the flourish from the Creative Elements stamp set and one of the sentiments from the In A Word stamp set.  I used foam tape to adhere the circle to the card front.  The ribbon bow was created with rose red Seam Binding. I used a random brad to connect the multi-loop bow to the card front.  I used a hot glue gun to adhere the resin flower to the brad, by Prima.  The paper blossom and the resin frame are also from Prima.  The buttons are from Paper Trey Ink.  The metal rim butterfly 'button' is from K & Co.
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you have found some inspiration and interest to play along with us @ Our Creative Corner.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Elements of a Card

I hope that your week was productive and you were able to find some time to craft.  And what ever that craft is: sewing, quilting, paper crafting, baking, canning, ceramics, painting, etc, just do it.  I believe that our lives are getting more and more stressful, and if we don't find time to do something creative, we won't be able to start to think clearly.  Work for me (Nuclear Medicine) has been brutal this week.  But, I didn't let that consume me.  I found time to make home-made dinners, work with my dog and her physical therapy, do some chores, and make some cards.  It is the sneaking away into my craft room, that allows my mind to 'be set free', to think creatively, to change my focus.  And it is these creative moments, and the rituals of taking care of my family, that keeps me grounded and connected to my 'life', to my family, to my friends.
The talented Maria, over @ the Sketch Frenzy Friday, has provided us with a creative sketch this week.  
Here is the sketch:


The sketch looks pretty much straight forward.  But, come on, you know me.  I can't (physically) put 4 circles in a row.  I want to show you something you don't typically 'see' in this sketch.  I want to inspire you!  To stir a creative juice that only you hold!  But at the same time, keeping the sketch true to heart.
Here is what I made:


See what I mean?  
I wanted to work with a color combo that isn't saturated by the internet.  So, I selected soft colors:  Baja Breeze and Perfect Plum.  I love how the colors look so rich and elegant next to each other.  I used two stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, and Elements of Style.  This card is pretty straight forward.  I stamped the floral image onto very vanilla card stock and used my blender pen to color the flowers and leaves.  I used a 1 1/4" circle punch to punch out three images.  I added half faux pearls to the center of the flowers.  I used a strip of First Edition DSP to cover the seam of the Baja Breeze DSP.  And then I wrapped a piece of perfect Plum taffeta ribbon around the center of the card.  The simple knot looked 'bare' and un-interesting.  So, I tied a clear tiny button to the knot.  I selected the same shape as the paper blossom I created with the text paper.  To keep the card stock from looking so flat, I stamped a flourish design in a water mark ink pad, in the same corner as the paper blossom.  I added a lone silver glitter butterfly to take place of the three brads in the sketch.  For my sentiment tag, I stamped the same flourish in the same water mark ink, then swiped a sponge over the pattern, to help bring out the image.  I stamped the sentiment in Perfect Plum classic ink.  I adhered the tag to the card front with foam tape and added half faux pearls.
Now, please continue on with our blog hop, and visit Tina's blog to see what she has created.  And, I hope that we have inspired you, to play along with us.  

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Home-made, Hand-made

I have really embraced making things from scratch.  For those who don't know, I'm a baker at heart.  I make quite a few cakes for family, friends, and folks who are referred to me from family and friends.  There is a 'joy' from making something from your heart.  And I truly believe that.  
As I get older, (that sounds funny to me) I enjoy the simpilier life.  I enjoy a really good, home cooked meal.  As well as the process.  I still make my turnkey stock the old fashion way.  I still brine that holiday bird.  And I still enjoy the 2 day process of it all.  (Thanksgiving dinner is an absolute feast for my family.)  
A few years ago, I found a recipe for Blueberry Maple spoon fruit.  Its fresh blueberries that you cook and can.  The blueberrry mixture is so thick and rich, you spoon it on whatever your heart desires: ice cream, waffles, pancakes, you get the idea.  I never canned before, so I was pretty excited to try.  Well, the spoon fruit came out wonderfully and the experience I had canning (all by myself) was wonderful.  My full attention was on what I was doing, and the mere process of it all, was rather therapeutic.  
A few weeks ago, my oldest granddaughter asked me if we could cook something.  After several questions as to what she wanted to make, I discovered that she wanted me to teach her how to can.  Isn't that just precious?  Well, she wants to make cherry jam.  Ok, I have to admit, the thought to pitting all those cherries, was not an excitement I wanted to endure.  So, we agreed on Strawberry Jam.  
I can buy Strawberry Jam at any grocery store.  Heck, we all can.  So, let's use our time and efforts alittle more productive.  We made Strawberry Lemony Jam, and Vanilla Strawberry Jam.


The recipe for Vanilla Strawberry Jam, calls for a Vanilla bean cut in half and length wise to be added to the strawberries when you are cooking them down.  The Strawberry Lemony Jam, calls for the grated peel to be added to the strawberries when you are cooking them down.  We also cut our sugar from 7 cups to 4 cups.  I added a half a pat of unsalted butter to the cooking strawberries, so it wouldn't foam.  We canned these wonderfully delicious jams in these little jars.  The write-on labels will come right off in the wash.  I wrapped this beautiful red striped baker's twine around the lid and made these cute tags.

Note: these were canned 4-25-12.  I wrote the wrong year.
To make the tag, I colored a strawberry stamp with red and green markers and stamped on a wood sheet from Stampin' Up!.  I used a 1 1/4" circle punch to punch out the tag.  I used a fine tip sharpie to write the canning date.  I punched out a tiny white cardstock blossom, added a yellow brad to its center, and attached to the baker's twine.  On the back I wrote on three lines:  3 weeks opened ~refrigerate~  1yr on shelf.  Some of these little yummies will go along with hand-made, hand-stamped Mother's Day cards I made.   It's easier for me to mass produce, so here is a sample of the 26 cards I made.


I made them in a variety of different colors, but they are all the same.  I don't have 26 mothers, but I know 26 very special ladies who are mothers.  So, these will go out in today's mail.  I'm hoping the buttons don't make the postage crazy high.  Typically a flat card (which is hard for me to make) costs 64 cents to mail using the U.S. Postal Service.  A card with bulk, but fits in a regular envelope costs $1.24 to mail.  So, hopefully this one is closer to the 64 cents, and not more than a buck.  We'll keep our fingers crossed.  
For more details on the making of this card, please look at this post.  The change I made was adding the banner piece for the sentiment, and the button center paper blossom.  But, the technique remains the same, as well as the large background stamp I used.
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that your week holds a chance for you to express yourself creatively.  Take care!
Note, I don't want to sound lazy, but we opted for Jam versus Jelly because of the whole cheese cloth and measuring the liquid process.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Just Because

This week is a crazy weather week for me!  I live in central New Mexico, and you'd think we would have the best weather around.  But, as I am writing this, I woke up this morning to 42 degree temperature.  Oh my, is that a bit chilly.  The skies here have been cloudy and dreary the last two days.  I wish it would either rain, or let the sun out.
And for those of you who have been following my dog Sasha's progress, she is getting around more.  However, she is not liking her physical therapy.  She usually shows us her teeth and attempts to snap at us.  She does not like you touching her back legs.  (Sasha, had bi-lateral knee replacements one and a half weeks ago.)  And we (me and my husband) are still taking turns sitting with her.  As she is not to be left alone until she is 8 weeks out from surgery.  This translates, to me being home bound, and I'm not really a home body.  (I enjoy the energy of the city.)
Anyways, the talented ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, have been hard at work, creating some gorgeous cards to help inspire you to play along with us!  So, grab your Stampin' Up! supplies, and lets create something beautiful!
Here is this weeks sketch:


Here is what I made:


And this is how I did it, and what I used.  The card base is Rose Red card stock.  The bottom panel piece is made up of First Edition DSP matted onto a piece of Soft Suede card stock.  The main panel of the card is a piece of Naturals card stock matted onto a piece of Pink Pirouette card stock.  For the stamp, I colored the image with my markers, huffed on the 'colored' stamp and then stamp.  I cut the banner piece from the same naturals card stock.  I stamped the sentiment twice, once on the card front, and then again on the banner.  I made the paper blossom from the text paper.  I used the Floral Fusion die.  I crinkled the petals, and stacked them.  I outlined the petals with a glue pen and dipped the paper blossom into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I adhered a small leaf sprig made from Pear Pizzazz DSP and the leaf die.  The top piece is actually a scrap piece of fabric.  I used the Lots of Tags die to cut this shape.  I added a mini vintage tag to the center and attached the tag with a vintage trinket brad.  I stamped the '4 you' in soft suede classic ink.  I spritz the whole card with some home-made shimmer mist.  I added two half faux pearls to the floral centers of the stamped piece.
Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with us this week!  I hope you are all well, and that you have a good week.  Stop by soon, for a visit. {smile}

Monday, May 7, 2012

Blue #58 Mother's Day

Last week, I shared the Mother's Day card I made for my mom.  (here)  And, if you remember, this card show-cased a button card.  Now, my mom isn't one of those mom's who sew everything.  But, when I was a kid, she did sew some of my clothes.  ANd, the whole idea of a button card, just seemed warm and cozy; like home.
This week, I'm going to share the Mother's Day card I made for my daughter.  (Yep, she is a mom, too.)  She is a good mom.  She really gives her children her time and attention.  I'm very happy with how she nurtures her children.  My daughter isn't one of those girl-y girls.  She is a tom boy.  She drives a motorcycle, and can keep up with her husband, who is a professional race car driver.  One of her favorite colors is blue.  So, I set out to make her a beautiful, blue Mother's Day card.  Because she is truly a beautiful person, and mom
I stumbled upon this creative sketch challenge site, and the sketch looked perfect for what I am creating.  The talented Chupa, has given us another sketch challenge this weekend @ Sketchbook Saturday Challenge.  Here is her sketch:


Once I saw this sketch, I knew that I had to play along.  I love the layers and the open space.  Awhile ago, I purchased this pretty pattern paper by Teresa Collins, called Everyday Moments.  This pattern paper has blues, yellows, text, polka dots, stripes, flourishes, and flowers.  It's pretty without being too girl-y.  Just right for my wonderful daughter.  Here is what I created:


The card base and satin ribbon are from Stampin' Up!, Marina Mist.  The color is blue with a slight complexity and depth.  My first layer is the yellow floral text background pattern paper.  I added a trio of half faux pearls to the right upper corner.   I used the venetian design as my horizontal layer.  I had a scrap piece of white crochet trim, so I cut it in half length-wise and adhered the top to the top of the horizontal piece, and the scallop bottom to the bottom of the card stock piece. 

I had a scrap piece of the blue flourish piece, so I matted what with a darker blue texture piece.  I added a lone pale yellow paper blossom from Kaiser Krafts.  I used a glue pen on the petal edges and dusted it with dazzling diamond glitter.  I adhered a trio of half faux pearls to the bottom right corner.   
I had to include a piece of the text paper.  I matted the text onto a scrap piece of stripes and words. I stamped the sentiment onto my banner piece. I added a row of 5 half faux pearls to this piece, also.  I had a white button, that I just had to add.  So, I tied it onto the bow with some cream twine.  I tied the cream twine into a bow that matches the ribbon bow {smile} and added a half faux pearl.
Thank you for stopping by.  I'll be posting more this week, so swing by later.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Marvelo{US}

Howdy! I'm so happy you have stopped by.  For those who know me, this is a really late post.  I apologize.  When I was creating my project for this weeks Our Creative Corner challenge, I misunderstood, misread, something.  I created a project using yellow and grey.  Don't ask me how that happened, because I really don't know.  I had written my post last night while taking care of my dog (who is recovering from bi-lateral knee replacements).  When I went to upload my project, I found out I was wrong.  So, I had to delete the original post I wrote and work on another paper craft item.  It was late, and I'll confess, I was tired.   I got up early this morning to work on another paper craft, and came up with a card.
Here is the inspiration board, for this weeks challenge:


Anne Marie, is our hostess this month.  And just look at this fabulous board!  I love how she has included color swatches and an inspirational photo.  I created a card for this weeks challenge.  And I used scrap pieces from my scrap box.  (I'm a big fan of using what you have.)  I also used the sketch from Willow Sketchie Challenge.  Here is their current sketch:


Here is my card:


I used quite a bit of different products, so grab a cup of coffee, tea, a snack, something. {smile}  Here we go.  The card base is crumb cake.  The main layer is a pattern paper from Authentique - Blissful collection.  I love how the large print makes a great background piece.  The polka dot paper is from Authentique, also, but from the Delightful collection.  I matted the polka dots onto a piece of crumb cake card stock.  The 'label' piece and postage stamp are from Authentique, a sheet of different shapes and tags, called 'Tabloid'.  The postage stamp is adhered to the card front with foam tape, to lift it off the other 'label'.  I hand-stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink.  The stamp set is from Stampin' Up!, called 'In A Word'.  This stamp set is retired, but I just love the different sentiments.  The fabric blossom I made from some scraps of flannel material.  I'm working with this material, along with others to create another rag quilt.  To create it, I cut 8 two-inch circles and folded them into quarters and layered them on top of each other.  The beautiful metal brad is from Spare Parts - antique brads.  The horizontal layer is pattern paper from Teresa Collins - Fabrications.  I wrapped a piece of crochet trim from Spare Parts crochet trim collection, around this horizontal piece.  I just love how it helps soften the card and give it some texture and movement.  I wrapped a piece of Paper Trey Ink twill ribbon in Kraft, over the crochet trim.  I tied a single bow and then tied a yellow button to the center of the bow.  The button is from Amuse Studios, 'not your grandmothers buttons' in buttercup.  I used cream twine from Paper Trey Ink to tie the button to the bow.  I tied the twine into a bow, too.  I just love this layered look.   
I hope that you get a chance to play along with us this week!  We would just love to see what wonderful paper project you create with Anne Marie's inspirational board.