Vintage Artisan

Aww, it's Friday!  I have been super busy over the holidays, and so I missed last week's challenge over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, among other challenges.  Unfortunetely, I couldn't find time to craft.

I am this week's 'creator' of the sketch for the sketch challenge over @ SFF.  I hope you like this sketch.  I wanted to give you something different and something fun!  Enjoy! 

Here is this week's sketch:

Here is what I created:

I used all Stampin' Up! products to create this card.  I am sharing a sneak peak of some new products that will be available next month.  I started with crumb cake card stock as the card base.  The first layer is Pink Pirouette card stock.  I added a pieced  of Tea for Two DSP for the main panel.  I added a 'new' paper doily.  (I have to admit, I just LOVE these new products!)  The square piece is very vanilla card stock matted with pink pirouette card stock.  The stamp is available during Sale-A-Bration next month as well, in a set called Vintage Verses.  The stamp is done is basic black classic ink.  The paper flower and 'LOVE' ticket are available in the Artisan Embellishment kit.  I used a retired punch to create the leaves.  I used whisper white craft ink to distress the edges of the leaves.  I wanted to add some pearls, so I took my liquid white glue and made a thin line to create a curve, and applied the pearls.  I tied some pink pirouette taffeta ribbon around the bottom third of the card.  And viola! 

I hope that you get an opportunity to play along with us this week.  The new year will be celebrated in a few days, so please carve out a bit of time to play along with us @ SFF.

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W. 

Favorite Gift Bag

I hope this finds you well and  safe.  I had a wonderful time this holiday season visiting with family and friends.  I had a bunch of laughs, hugs, and some good chat time.   I have enjoyed making paper crafts for the folks in my life who appreciate my efforts.

One of my favorite challenge blog sites is the Shabby Tea Room, and they are having an interesting challenge this week.  They want us to share our favorite paper project.  And here is what I am sharing:  a beautiful, vintage gift bag I altered, to hold a gift I purchased for my oldest granddaughter.  I love altering paper bags.  I think the blank 'canvas' allows you to create what you want!

Here is a close-up of the gift bag:

The gift bag started as a simple white paper gift bag, with one rope handle.  I had a few scrap pieces of this pretty pattern paper, so I put them together.  I used a die to cut the grey polka dot pattern paper.  I wrapped a left over piece of crochet trim around the pattern papers to hide the seam.  I then used my sewing machine to add some stitching on this panel.  I made a multi-loop bow with some pale pink crinkled seam binding.  I attached the bow to the front of the panel with a pearl brad.  The sentiment tag peaking out under the bow says, 'JOY'.  I used a wide oval punch to punch out the little girl image from a tag.  I used another die to create the heart shape from some silver glitter paper.  I tied some pink bakers twine through a white button and tied it into a bow.  I adhered the button to the heart with my glue gun.  I wanted a simple tag, so I stamped and cut out the tiny 'top-note' shape.  I sewn a fabric initial to this tiny 'top-note' piece, and attached the monogram piece to the top of the gift bag with a glittered clothes pin.

One of my friends had a jewelry party before Christmas.  I attended.  (She's a very good friend.)  Well, it was with a company called 'Origami Owl'.  Never heard of it, so I looked it up on the internet.  And, really liked what I saw!  So, when I went, I knew that I was going to make a necklace for myself, and get something beautiful for my oldest granddaughter.  If you would like to 'shop', click HERE.  Jaime, is a wonderful person.

I wanted the bag to be as beautiful as the tag necklace that I purchased for her.  So, I altered this plain white gift bag.

I tied the box with a satin ribbon, to make the box pretty, too.

Thank you for stopping by today. 

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

Gift Card Tin

Welcome.  There were a few teenagers that we needed to shop for, for Christmas, and well, I don't really know what they want.  So, we purchased a few gift cards.  But now, how do I present the gift cards?  I don't want it be to be lame, or just stupid.  So, here is what I came up with...

I took a hinge lid tin, and fastened the gift card to the top.  I used scraps of pattern paper I already had on hand to decorate.  I also included a 'tag' to the inside.  (To see another 'zipper' gift card holder, click here.)

Here is the outside:

I used cherry cobbler card stock for the base.  The gift card is sandwiched under the pool party card stock.  I used some scrap pattern paper I had left over from our holiday card.  I stamped the pointing finger to draw attention to the 'zipper'.  I found this wonderfully striped washi tape, so I added that on top of the 'zipper'.   

Here is the inside of the lid:

I adhered the pattern paper to the very vanilla card stock before I used a die to cut the card stock.  I stamped the greeting in basic black classic ink.  I used scraps of pattern paper from the Happy Trails line of Glitz paper to cover the Hershey's chocolates.  (To see the holiday card I made with this same pattern paper, click here.)

Thank you for stopping by.  Tomorrow, I'll share an altered bag I decorated for my oldest grandchild.  Hope to have you stop by.  

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Merry Christmas

photo heavy post

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!  I hope you have received what you wished for.  Me, having the luxury to craft and to share my passions, is my gift.

I have quite a few photos of some home-made gifts, that I will be giving out to family members today.  We go to quite a few family homes.  So, here we go!

I buy plain kraft bags by the case.  I just love altering the bag to match the gift.  So, I took some medium size kraft paper bags, (with handles) and altered them, with what I had on hand.

gift bags to hold the home-made goodies:

I used 3/4 of a 12" x 12" pattern paper for the toppers.  I cut snowflakes out of coffee cuffs and distressed them with paint and glitter.  I tied cream twine bows onto the buttons, and adhered them to the center of the distressed snowflakes.  The tag is a digital creation.  I stamped the 'made with love' banner and added a heart shaped pearl brad.  I added a green scallop trim to the pattern paper.  I stamped the sentiment on the lower right corner of the bag.  Viola!  I didn't personalize the bags, because I have found that my bags have been re-used for other gifts, so this makes it easier.

close-up of one bag:

 close-up of the sentiment stamped on the lower right corner:

One of my holiday traditions, is to bake Pumpkin-Cranberry bread.  Its moist and super delicious!  You can eat it for breakfast, snack or a dessert.  It also pairs lovely with coffee/latte, tea, or a glass of milk.

I wrapped each loaf in a cello bag, and then tied red ribbon around the bread.  For the tag, I added a digital circle tag.  I printed the type of bread with the computer and used a decorative punch.  The label is adhered to the circle tag with foam tape.

home-made Pumpkin-Cranberry Bread:

 close-up of the tag:

One of my favorite 'candies' during the holidays, is peppermint bark.  And it is super easy and super inexpensive to make.  I put the bark in a cello bag, added a paper doily to the top.  Added a digital circle tag, and my own label.  The label is adhered to the tag with foam tape.  I added a banner piece made from coordinating pattern paper that I had left over from some other holiday creations.

home-made Peppermint Bark:

 close-up of the tag:

I love candied nuts.  They just taste fabulous! and once agin easy and inexpensive to make.  I have a wonderfully easy 10 minute recipe, and so I made a few batches.  My husband also loves them, so I have to make extra!

Once again, I used left over coordinating pattern paper I had from another project.  I used my crop-a-dile to punch the holes.  Strung red ribbon through and tied in a bow.  I added a circle digital creation and my own label to the front.  The label is adhered to the tag with foam tape.  The bags were actually a clearance item from a big box craft store, probably 3-4 years ago.  I purchased them, because they were super cheap, and I knew that I would eventually use them {smile}.

home-made Cinnamon Nuts:

 close-up of the tag:

I hope this has given you something pretty to look at.  Tomorrow, I will be posting some photos of gift card tins we gave as Christmas gifts.   Have a safe and wonderful day!  

Merry Christmas! and Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Holiday Note

Welcome.  I hope you are well.  I have been super busy, trying, and trying to get everything done this holiday season.  Wheew!  I think I forgot how busy this season is, and I am still struggling to get everything done.  I don't even have my Christmas tree up.  So, it really doesn't feel like Christmas.  Maybe that's why I'm having so much difficulty.  

I did find an hour few hours this morning to get a jump start on a few holiday thank you notes.  (the stores aren't open yet, anyways.)  

I was shopping at a local scrapbook store several weeks ago, when I saw these papers, and I just had to purchase them.  I knew that I wanted to do something with them, for Christmas, but didn't have any idea at the time of purchase.  Well, I found a  use for them!  Christmas 'Thank You' cards!

The card base is Old Olive card stock.  The pattern paper is from Authentique, it's one of their holiday lines, Peaceful.  I guess the first thing I thought was, green, black and cream for a holiday paper?  uhm.  Well, I have to admit, I just love the simplicity of it.  I used three of the pattern papers (the bird, the stripes, and the flourish) for my card front.  Because the papers were CAS, I wanted my card front to follow.  I used the Tasteful Trim die from Stampin' Up! to make the scallop trim on the card.

The sentiment panel is from Paper Trey Ink, called Stylish Sentiments.  This stamp set, has a variety of holiday stamps that are square (like this one), rectangle tall and rectangle long, with a variety of three different styles.  So, to me, very versatile and easy to work with.  I stamped my sentiment in Basic Black classic ink onto very vanilla card stock.  I distressed the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink and sponge, and swiped Pear Pizzazz classic ink pad across various spots.  I matted the sentiment square onto Old Olive card stock and used foam tape to 'lift' the sentiment square off the card front.  

I used some of my Old Fashion Christmas crinkled seam binding from Prairie Boutique , to tie a multi-loop bow, and secured it to the front of my card with a Recollections pearl brad.  I created two different tiny tags, one is 'Thanks', the other is from a holiday post mark.  Both tags where stamped with Old Olive classic ink, and the edges were distressed with Crumb Cake classic ink.  

The sentiment on the lower right side of the card is from Paper Trey Ink, called Signature Christmas.  The thing I love most about this set, is the small, beautiful font.  These stamps fit perfectly on tiny tags, and other small places.  One says, 'just a little Christmas note' and the other one says, 'A Christmas Thank You'.  

I stamped the envelopes this time, which is something I seldom do.  Not sure why, but I typically don't. I stamped a bird on a holly branch from Stampin' Up!, called Beautiful Season, in Basic Grey classic ink.  I stamped the sentiment that is included with this stamp set, 'thinking of you at Christmas', is stamped in Old Olive classic ink.

Thank you for stopping by.  Now, I'm off to the mall.  Wish me luck! and stop by tomorrow, if you have a moment.  I'll share with you a few photos of a holiday 'thank you' box I have made for the various families we visit on this joyous day: Christmas!  

Happy Holidays & Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

Rush to No Where

I have known what I was making for this weeks challenge over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, for several days.  But with power outages, snow accumulations, last minute holiday gatherings, and unexpected company, I have missed this deadline.  

I hope that you get an opportunity to play along with us @ SFF.  Here is this week's sketch:

Robbie, has done a fabulous job creating such a versatile sketch for you to work with.  I just love the three squares.    Hope to see your card!

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

Frosty Christmas

I have been trying to post a bit more than my usual 3-4 times a week, during these last few days before Christmas.  I want to share a lot of the different things I've made, but also to keep you inspired so you can complete those paper crafts for the holidays.

One of the paper crafts I made this week, is a holiday card for my co-workers.  I give my co-workers a gift card during the holidays.  Last year, I gave each of them a Starbucks gift card.  This year, I wanted to do something a bit more.  I also wanted to present the gift card with a little bit more flair, than securing it to the inside of the card with a glue dot.

Here is the card:

The panel on the front of the card, holds the gift card.  How fabulous, huh?  You just pull down the card stock zipper and the it will open this panel, to reveal the gift card. {smile}

I found this wonderful Winter Frost pattern paper by We R Memory Keepers.  I just love these shades of blue and green, with some grey. I also love the polka dots.  

For the card base, I used Pear Pizzaz card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The first panel is Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I cut the pattern papers, so I could get 12 cards out of two 12" x 12" pattern papers.  I cut the grey snowflake pattern paper to 4" x 3".  The green polka dot pattern paper, I cut the paper to 4" x 2 1/2".  I used a piece of white taffeta ribbon to hide the seam where the two pattern papers overlap.

I used a light blue frost texture paper to cut the zipper panel.  I used the Zipper Die, from Paper Trey Ink.  To decorate the front of the zipper panel, I cut the glitter snowflake pattern paper to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square.  For the slim pattern paper on the zipper panel, I used the scrap piece of green polka dot pattern paper, I cut it to 1" x 2 1/2".   I have added a pizza gift card under the zipper panel - Dion's.

I used the Tiny Tag die, from Paper Trey Ink to cut the sentiment tag out of white card stock.  I stamped the 'Noel' in Basic Grey classic ink.  I had a package of coordinating crochet doilies, but the package comes with 6, and I needed 12.  So, I cut the doily into quarters.  That way I only used 3.  Now, I still have 3 for other projects.  I added a bow made of Pool Party seam binding.

I added a hand-written message to the inside of each card.  I hope they like them, and thank you for stopping by!  I hope you like them, too!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Just Thinking

Can you believe that Christmas is a week away?  This year is just screaming by!  I hope you have most (if not all) of your holiday shopping done.  I am finishing mine today.  I just have a few more gifts to get.

The ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a wonderfully easy sketch challenge for you.  I love how the sketches allow you to keep your paper craft CAS or extremely embellished!  Here is this weeks sketch:

Here is what I created:

The card base is made from Soft Suede card stock.  I added a panel of First Edition DSP.   I just love that text paper.  I used Comfort Cafe DSP for my large scallops.  I used the Tasteful Trim die to create the large scallops.  I'm a super big fan of that die.  (It has several different shapes of trim you can cut out, but I seem to always gravitate to the large scallop.)

The ribbon is the twill ribbon from the Holiday mini catalog.  Originally, the ribbon is 5/8" wide.  But, I felt that was too wide.  So, I cut it.  I love the soft cream color, just not that wide of width.

My focal image is a new stamp coming out in the Spring Mini catalog.  It's called, 'Just Thinking'.  I think its a great stamp.  It has a wonderful size, the trim around the sentiment is very interesting without being over bearing, and the font is so beautiful!  

I stamped the 'thinking of you' twice.  Once in Cherry Cobbler classic ink and in Soft Suede classic ink.  I cut out the center of the Soft Suede one, and used dimensionals, to lift the 'frame' off the sentiment.

I hope you have been inspired to play along with us @ Nacho Average Challenge!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Purple Christmas

This month is really racing by.  I hope all of you have some sort of handle on your chores, obligations, and other items that need to be completed.  Me, I get them done as I need to.  I feel like I am always behind, and trying to play catch up.  I think, as soon as december is over, I should be ok.  But we all know that that isn't true.  It will be the start of the new year.  So, there are those obligations.  Then, I wanted to re-start my virtual card class.  I also wanted to get some crafters together to start another stamping class, that focuses on techniques.  So, as the days pass, the list of things to get done or at least started grows.

Christina, over @ Our Creative Corner, has a delightful challenge for you to try.  She asks, 'make a last minute Christmas card or project featuring the colors Purple and Silver.  You may add other colors, but make sure purple and silver are the focus colors'.

Here is what I created:

Let me start by saying, I struggled with this one.  I don't know about you, but there are a few things I can't always wrap my head around.  I struggle with Purple and Orange, when crafting.  I also have some difficulty with some of Tim Holtz techniques.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a super fan of TH.  But, I just don't think like that.  He is super talented and does stuff that I can't figure out how he thinks of this stuff.  Now, as with purple and orange.  I really struggle with these two colors.  They aren't ugly, I just get a mental block.

I started with one of the only purple pattern papers I have, from Dreamscape.  (Yes, I had one sheet that had a piece missing from a special request.)  The card stock is Elegant Eggplant by Stampin' Up!.  The sentiment tag is from a die set, Lots of Tags, by Stampin' Up!.  As well as the sentiment and the ink I used to stamp it.  The Santa in a purple robe was a digital download.  The purple striped pattern paper is the reverse side of the purple flourish pattern paper.  The silver glitter paper is from Stampin' Up!.  I used the eyelet border punch to create the scallops.   The purple crinkled seam binding is a small scrap I found in my ribbon stash.  The rhinestone brad is from Recollections.  

I was going to add a bit more, and matt the santa image, but the challenge is to make something 'last minute' so to me that means quick and easy.  I can easily spend 2 hours making a single card.  But, that isn't last minute.  

I hope you play along with us this week @ Our Creative Corner.  We would love to see what you create.  I know you're pretty clever, and hopefully you won't struggle as much as I did.  I hope you have been inspired.  The design team has created some wonderfully gorgeous paper crafts.  You should stop on over, and take a look.  You just might be making a last minute purple and silver Christmas craft!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Paris Tag

I hope this week is ending well of you.  Me, its just another day, with more chores and errands to get done before the next day.  The wonderfully talented Patrice has created this weeks sketch @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  I just love her sketches.  Here is her sketch:

Here is what I created:

I think the sketch is very creative.  I changed it a bit.  Instead of the ribbon piece  across the right lower corner, I layered paper and tore the edge.  I thought it was a perfect solution to my dilemma. I used two of my favorite stamp sets and one of my favorite color combos.

The card base is soft suede card stock.  I added a matt in calypso coral card stock.  For the Very vanilla piece and the first edition DSP, I adhered them together.  I stamped on the first edition DSP with the medallion in calypso coral classic ink.  I also stamped this piece with the water stain in soft sided classic ink.  

For the tag, I started with a piece of very vanilla card stock and matted it onto a piece of soft suede card stock.  I first stamped the Eiffel tower and the Paris postmark in soft suede classic ink.  I then stamped the text and crown in crumb cake classic ink.  I added the flourish in calypso coral classic ink.  

I added a multi-loop bow made from crinkled seam binding and a scrap piece of crochet trim.  I tied a faceted designer button to the center of the bow with some linen thread.

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with us @ SFF.  We would really love to see what you create with this sketch!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Family Christmas Card

Good Morning.  I hope all of you are well.  How's the Christmas shopping going?  Me, I have been done for a few weeks now.  My DH on the other hand, well, let's say I know where he will be this weekend {smile}.

As I mentioned a Saturday or two ago, I make our Christmas cards.  Now, not everyone out there (yes, they do exist) appreciates hand-made Christmas cards.  So, those folks get store bought.  But, the family and close friends extended 'family', who appreciates at least my effort receives a hand-made card.  Now, with all the inspiration out there, I do make a few different versions.  But, I wanted to share the main card being sent through the USPS.  

here is the card:

For those who know me, I don't always follow the 'rules'.  The pattern paper I have used isn't holiday paper.  I saw it in the store, and a Christmas card was screaming to be made!  So, I purchased it.  The pattern paper is Happy Trails by Glitz.  

I just love the colors: deep red, a bit of white, the ocean blue, the stripes and of course the polka dots!  I have an infinity to polka dots.  (My secret obsession.

Here is a close-up of this fabulous digital download I purchased @ iralamija.  I just love her work.  (I have purchased a few different digital downloads from her, and I haven't had a problem.)  The Christmas tag is popped-up with foam tape.  I added a tiny torn piece of Washi tape.  I thought what a perfect match! the same blue, red, and blossoms.  I think that is why it was calling me at the craft store {smile}.

The card base is Cherry Cobbler card stock, from Stampin' Up!.  I layered the different pattern papers on.  I matted the floral paper with Pool Party card stock, from Stampin' Up!.  I just love this color of blue, and really wanted to make the red blossoms pop!.  I made multi-loop bows with Pool Party seam binding, from Stampin' Up!.  The rhinestone brad secures the bow to the card front.  (It's from a big box craft store.)  The tag is cut from Silver glimmer paper, from Stampin' Up!, I used the Tiny Tags die from Paper Trey Ink.  The sentiment is from an old Christmas stamp set Reindeer, by Inkadinkado.

I hope you get a chance to make a holiday card or two.  There are quite a few folks out there, who just LOVE them!  It shows us that you care enough to create!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Thank You Tag

I finally got a chance to re-open my Etsy shop yesterday.  I was having some technical difficulties uploading my images.  But, I'm pretty stubborn.  So, it's open!  If you are purchasing items that need to arrive by Christmas, remember to order by December 19th, 2012.  I should have it in the mail by the 20th, and I believe that the United States Postal Service will get it to you by Dec. 24th.

I also had my first sale yesterday.  I'm pretty excited and feel a new excitement about my paper crafting.  Stacy, is the wonderful person who made the first purchase.  I generally add a 'Thank You' tag with each order, just to give a little something sweet.  Here is the tag I sent Stacy.

  

I used some new paper from Lost & Found 3.  The blue pattern paper is actually the same paper, just the front and back.  The front of this pattern paper is the cream floral image.  The cream polka dot paper is on the reverse side.  I had a scrap piece of the black and cream houndstooth pattern paper.  I tied a scrap piece of cream crinkled seam binding around the pattern papers and tied it in a knot.  I add three tiny half faux pearls along the bottom right edge.  I figured it help balance the tag with the knot on the other side.  I cut a decorative tag with a die and stamped my sentiment in basic black classic ink.  I adhered the decorative tag with foam tape.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I hope Stacy likes this.

Hope you have been inspired to paper craft.  Thee are lots of challenges out there.  Pick one, and create something!  You could always craft that last minute special holiday gift {smile}.

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

Wedding Wishes

As this week gets rolling, I hope each of you has a chance to spend some valued time with family and friends.  I know first hand, how the holiday season can pull you in several different directions, and you feel like you are drowning in obligations and responsibilities.  So please take time (even a half an hour will work) to spend it with those who mean the most to you.  In 30 minutes, you can read a book to your child, enjoy a meal with your significant other, or sit and chat with a friend over a cup of coffee.  Not only will this give you a chance to re-charge, but it will show those who mean the most to you, that they DO mean the most to you.

Now, lets craft!  The wonderfully talented ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge, has a color challenge for you to try.  The colors for this weeks challenge say snowflakes to me.  And so, I wanted to give you a different take of the colors.  However, my card isn't 'out of the box' original, but it's not a Christmas card.

Here is the color challenge:

and here is what I created:

When I first saw this color challenge, I thought snowflakes.  And so, I didn't want to make a snowflake card.  And what if you don't own a snowflake stamp, or you just want something different?

So, I created a wedding card.  However, my wedding card, isn't all that original either [ :( ].

The card base is Night of Navy card stock.  The panels are Bashful Blue card stock and DSP.  I matted the DSP with Night of Navy card stock to give it some pop, and keep the pattern paper from melting into the solid card stock.  I used a die to create the fancy strip.  I used the silver glitter paper.  I tied some white taffeta ribbon around the glitter strip and created a multi-loop bow.  I secured the bow to the strip with a glimmer brad.  I added a tiny tag, stamped in Jet Black Staz-On ink.  I used the same pigment ink to stamp the birds and sentiment.  I colored the image with my aqua painter and re-inkers.  This card is easy to assemble and looks quite cute; I think.

I hope that you have been inspired to play along with us @ Nacho Average Challenge.  And I hope that you have a chance to sit and recharge, anyway you can.  

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

My Stitched Friend

My last Arts & Crafts Fair for the holiday season in

Albuquerque, New Mexico is today 

Saturday, December 8, 2012.

It will be at the North Valley Academy from 10a to 3p.

Hope to see you there!

For those who know me, this post is late.  Let me apologize to all who stopped by earlier, and there was nothing new to see.  I don't know about everyone else, but I totally under estimated just how busy I am this holiday season.

Now, on with the eye candy, and the inspiration!  The lovely and talented Liliana is our hostess this week over @ Our Creative Corner.  And her challenge this week, is right up my alley, so to speak.  Liliana, wants you 'create a project using fabrics and some stitching. You can use the fabrics in any part of your card, either as a flower, a small embellishment, or whatever you want.  The stitching can be either faux stitching or machine stitching.  Please specify where you used your fabric if it is not noticeable in the project.' 

Here is what I created:

(machine stitching and a fabric blossom)

You aren't surprised, are you?  I used a soft pale brown card stock for the base.  The pattern paper is from Lost & Found 2, Market Street.  The grey polka dot pattern paper is from Glitz.  I used the Tasteful Trim die to cut the large scallop trim.  I wrapped a piece of crinkled white seam binding around the card to hide the seam of the two pattern papers.  I used my sewing machine to stitch both the seam binding and the outline of the card.  I made a multi-loop bow with the same white seam binding and secured it to the card front with a Recollections pearl brad.  I made my tag from a new Paper Trey Ink stamp set, I received last week.  I stamped the tag outline in soft suede classic ink and the sentiment in basic black classic ink.  I sponged the edges of the tag and the card with crumb cake classic ink.  I added a hand-cut piece of champaingne glitter paper behind the tag to add a little sparkle {smile}.  I added three pale kraft buttons from Paper Trey Ink to the card front.  I tied each button with some cream twine.  The large blossom is made from fabric.  But I didn't make it.  Its a Prima Market flower.

I hope you have been inspired! and take some time to play along with us over @ Our Creative Corner.  We would love to see what you create!

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

Thank You Greeting

My last Arts & Crafts Fair for the holiday season is on 

Saturday, December 8, 2012.

It will be at the North Valley Academy from 10a to 3p.

Hope to see you there!

On this Friday, I am participating in the sketch challenge brought to you by Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Maria, is the designer of this weeks sketch.  Maria, does a fabulous job on giving us a very user friendly sketch.  Here is her sketch:

See, what I mean?  You can keep this sketch clean and simple, or embellish the heck out of it!

Here is what I created:

These past several weeks, I have been busy making many, many holiday themed paper crafts.  So, this week, I took a break from Christmas themed cards.

The card base is pool party card stock.  For the main panel, I used the polka dot background stamp.  I stamped the polka dots with Versa Mark ink and used white embossing powder.  I wanted a subtle and feminine background.  So, that is what I came up with.

I have to admit, that I really love pool party and summer starfruit together.  Just pretty.  So I added a strip of summer starfruit pattern paper for my horizontal piece.  I crinkled some very vanilla seam binding.  I wrapped the seam binding around the pattern paper piece, and then created a multi-loop bow.  I secured the bow to the card front with a sparkle-y black glimmer brad.  I stamped and attached the 'thanks' tag to the glimmer brad.

For my focal pieces, I stamped the 'Thank You' stamp off the very vanilla card stock piece.  I sponged crumb cake classic ink along the edges.  For my frame piece, I first dry embossed the frame in pool party card stock.  I distressed the edges with crumb cake card stock, too.  I cut the very vanilla piece to fit inside the frame.  I sponged the edges here, too.  I stamped the little girl in basic black classic ink.  I used my heat gun to speed the drying of the ink.  Then carefully, I used a blender pen to color the image.  I used crumb cake for her hair.  I used pool party of various portions of her outfit.  I used blush blossom to color her skin.  For the heart, I used pink pirouette classic ink.  Then, I used my 2-way glue pen and dazzling diamond glitter to the heart.

I hope that you have been inspired and can play along with us @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Rustic Snowflake Tutorial

My last Arts & Crafts Fair for the holiday season is on 

Saturday, December 8, 2012.

It will be at the North Valley Academy from 10a to 3p.

Hope to see you there!

Welcome.  Today, I wanted to show you how I made my rustic embellishment pieces.  I didn't make a video, I took a few pictures.  That way, you won't have to wait through buffering, or delays in streaming, etc.
Lets get started!  I frequent a particular coffee shop, and so I started using some of my 'trash'.

keep your coffee cuff {smile}.

tear off one end.

 place the coffee cuff, texture side down on die

 (look how clean the edges are on the snowflake)

 paint the edges of the snowflake with paint.

(I used distressed picket fence paint.)

 dunk the painted snowflake in a tub of glitter.

 tap off the excess glitter.  

spray with Aqua Net hair spray.  

Let dry.

your snowflake is ready to embellish.

Here is what I did with my finished snowflake.

And here is what the whole package looks like:

I created another mini gift bag.  I used aqua mist card stock to make the panels that cover the brown paper bag.  I used various pattern papers from City Sidewalk by pink Paisley.  I used pool party seam binding.  The children playing in the snow, is actually a CTMH stamp set.  The 'don't open till dec. 25th' is a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set.  I used cream twine to tie a bow on the aqua mist button.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you are inspired to create something beautiful out of paper!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.