Friday, June 28, 2013

Soft Kindness

Happy Friday.  While paper crafting, I have discovered a new favorite color: Soft Sky.  It really pairs wonderfully with alot of different neutrals.  The talented Deb @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has given us an unique sketch to work with this week.  Please, play along with us this week.

  
I really love a sketch that is easy to work with.  I love the circles, and the tag shape.  Very pretty and very easy to embellish.


I used soft sky, bermuda bay, and very vanilla cardstock.  I used subtler dsp and modern medley dsp.    Instead of a circle, I used a scallop circle.  The floral image and sentiment are from blooming with kindness stamp set.  I wanted to add a bit of glimmer, so I added a scallop trimmed piece of silver glitter paper.  To jazz up the tag, I added a simple bow tied with seam binding.  I added a trio of tiny trinkets with a vintage clothes pin: a heart shape, a LOVE tag, and a button.  
Let's see what you create!  Play along with us @ SFF.


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Mixing

I started teaching technique classes again.  I really love teaching.  The reason I love teaching, is that I love sharing what I love {smile}.  I have a passion for paper crafting, and I want to share what I love with others.
I taught a 'Mixing Pattern Papers' classes this past weekend.  When I started writing down the principles that I use, I found it a bit difficult.  Not that I don't 'know' what I'm doing.  It's just that it was hard to put what I do into words.  The 'why's and 'what to do's.  Each person who attended this class was given my guidelines of mixing pattern papers.  

a full-size card:


a refrigerator magnet, to hold a wallet-size photo:


We used different packages of pattern papers and supplies from Stampin' Up!  I also taught them how to make my favorite multi-loop bow.  
My next technique class is in July, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I'll share what we make in that class, too.  Thank you for stopping by.  {smile}


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Oh, Hello

A sad day.  On this particular Tuesday, in June, is the last challenge for the Nacho Average Challenge, #52.  At this point in time, the current design team is taking a break.  We are planning on re-starting, possibly seeking new design team members, and maybe changing the format.  Alot of decisions to be made, and some plans to be hammered out.  So, please check back and visit the Nacho Average Challenge site, to see what changes have been made.
Ok, onto the current challenge.  This week (#52) is a color challenge.  I was completely at a lost as to what to create with these colors.  But, all in all, I am happy with what I created {smile}.


when I saw the colors in this week's challenge, 
I knew that I wanted to use Melon Mambo as an accent color.
my card:


The card base is Bermuda Bay cardstock.  This teal color blue is rich and beautiful.  I inked my en francias background stamp with bermuda bay classic ink, and stamped onto whisper white cardstock.  I did the tap technique, because I wanted a random-ness.  I matted the text with bermuda bay cardstock.  
I cut a piece of subtler DSP (pool party) polka dot pattern paper and matted it with a solid piece of pool party cardstock.  I added some machine stitching along the border.  I wrapped a piece of pool party seam binding to the polka dot pattern piece.  I machine stitched this ribbon to this polka dot piece.  I tied a multi-loop bow.
For this round sentiment piece, I stamped the sentiment in bermuda bay classic ink.  I stamped the flower in melon mambo classic ink.  I used the 2 1/2" circle punch to create the round shape.  I really wanted to add a scallop trim, but SU! doesn't make a large enough punch/die.  So, I did it 'old school'.  I punched several 1/2" circles from the silver glitter paper and adhere circles around the circles.
Thank you for stopping by.  Please take a moment to create something beautiful and enter our last current challenge site @ NAC.


Monday, June 24, 2013

Sweet Shabby Home

I know that I am blessed.  Thank you to everyone who has touched my life.  And thank you to all of my dear, wonderfully supportive friends.  You all mean so much to me, and I do truly appreciate you all!  Today, is a wonderful day!
Wow! I have been asked to be the guest designer over @ the Shabby Tea Room, for my third week in a row.  Thank you, to the lovely, and super talented design team, for their kindness and generosity.  I earned this guest designer spot with a win, on their #167 challenge, found here.
This week, the Shabby Tea Room, has a beautiful inspiration photo, along with a wonderful creative challenge.
here is the inspiration photo:
use the colors in the photo, along with a fabric embellishment

Ok, when I saw this inspiration photo, I fell in love with the quilts!  I don't know why, but, they look, so soft, and the colors are just so beautiful!  There are patterns of florals with pinks and blues, and it is just gorgeous!  It reminds me of my great-grandmother.  She made quilts for everyone!  They were all hand-stitched, and made of these beautiful materials.  They are all treasures!
and, here is what I made:


I started with a blushing bride cardstock for the card base.  I love this soft, tan-ish pink.  It looks a little dusty, if that makes sense.  I had a piece of this mixed pattern digital paper, that really shows the colors of the inspirational photo.  There are six squares and they all have pinks, blues, florals, and text.  A lovely match.  So, I matted this piece to vanilla cardstock, and ran a border with some machine stitching.  I thought the stitching would help translate the stitching from the quilts.
The sentiment is quite large, but very appropriate.  I imagine if it were smaller, it might loose some of the impact of the meaning.  This stamp set, Home Sweet Home, comes from Close To My Heart.  It was an exclusive, that could only be purchased for a short time.  Once I saw it, I was in love.  I cut the decorative shape out with the label collection die from Stampin' Up!.  I wanted a label/frame that was unique and pretty to the eye.  I stamped the sentiment in soft suede classic ink, and sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  But the label looked too plain, so I adhered it to a scrap piece of blush blossom card stock and fussy cut it to match the curves of the label.  I adhered the sentiment label to the card front with some foam tape.
I added two different trims.  A vintage inspired tea-stained twill tape, and a cream crochet trim.  I just love the softness of these two pieces, and the over-all vintage home-made feel of them.  And yes, i did machine stitch the tea-stained twill tape to the front of the card {smile}.  I made a multi-loop bow with the twill. (The staining of this twill tape really softened it, and made it very easy to work with.) But it really needed some 'jazzing-up', so I added some trinkets to the bow.  I made a tag, stamped 'LOVE' on it.  Punched out a heart shape from a piece of cardboard and distressed the edges.  I found this cute little button, and the color was spot-on, so it was added.  I gathered up this little trio of trinkets, and attached them to the bow, with a tiny vintage clothes pin.  I love the contrast of the metal with the cardboard.
But, my card was still missing something.  I wanted to add a blossom to the bow, but nothing looked right.  You know how that goes.  You spend more time fiddling then creating.  I found this tiny paper blossom in a stash I had, and i loved the color.  But it wasn't right.  UGH!
When I think of home, the word, I immediately think of a nest.  Don't know why.  Maybe its because I love birds.  Maybe its because the whole idea of a family living in close quarters seems cozy to me.  So, that's what I made.  A nest, so to speak.  I had a scrap piece of this beautiful brown netting, so I made a stitch along the edge and gathered it.  Glued it in a circle, add the blue paper blossom to the center, and viola!  I think the netting adds a softness, and the blue blossom goes well with the tea stained twill tape, and contrasts the pink button beautifully.
I hope that you have found some inspiration to play along with this fabulously talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room.  I know you will have fun creating something gorgeous and cozy!
Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy life, to see what I have created!  Come again, soon {smile}!


Sunday, June 23, 2013

A Gardener's Journal

Welcome.  I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend.  I wanted to share a covered journal I recently created.  A fellow blogger had sent me an email about a submission call to an International crafting magazine, and suggested that I apply. So, I did.  The submission guidelines stated to create an altered project with a 'summer-time' theme.  Sounds easy.  Sounds fun!

I altered a hard-cover journal for writing down notes, from my garden.  I thought the whole thing sounds wonderfully summer-y!
here is what I made:


I really had fun altering this hard-cover journal.  I purchased the 'book' from the $1 bin @ a big box craft store.  And altered the front cover.  Because who wants some random image with horrible yellow stripes?
To start, I covered the front of this hard-covered journal with white cardstock.  I adhered it right to the cover, and sanded the edges, so it would be flush.
I used pattern paper from the Secret Garden collection of G45 (Graphics 45).  I just love this paper.  The images are so sweet, and pretty.  Very appropriate for a summer growers journal {smile}.
I layered a large scale floral print to the blue matt, for my 'base' piece.  From there I added all the layers and pieces.  In this G45 collection are some framed images that coordinate with their collection.  So I selected my favorite.  Are you surprised that there is a bird cage in the image?  I love the bird and floral piece, with the background text.  I looks so vintage, and pretty.
I matted it with a blue checkered piece.  I really wanted to do alot of blue accent pieces.  They contrasted so nicely with the corals.  I added a white resin architecture piece, from Melissa Frances, to the top of the framed image.  I also distressed some blue buttons in varying sized.  I tied each button with cream twine and added a pearl to their centers.  I stamped the sentiment on this piece, 'Plant a SEED.  GROW a dream.' in basic black classic ink, right onto the paper.  

I added a chipboard piece, that is also with the Secret Garden collection.  The clock image reminds me that we don't always have enough time, and planting season is pretty short.  I kept with the vintage-theme, and distressed the edges with white distress paint and glitter.  I tied a piece of peach-coral colored ribbon to this piece and added a color spritz paper blossom.  I made the leaves with a piece of green pattern paper from this collection, and distressed the edges of the leaves with paint and glitter.  And adhered it to the chip board piece.

I made a small trim piece with soft suede cardstock and the text pattern paper.  I love the contrast between the text and the floral images.  I machine stitched some tea-stained trim and seam binding to the accent piece.  I added a multi-loop bow with my own collection of trinkets.  I added a tag to the bow.  I stamped 'Fleurs' (french for flowers) in basic black classic ink, on to the tag, and distressed the edges with paint and glitter.  I added a 'crystal' dangle, from 7gypsies, to the tag.  I added a flat back jeweled 'button' from Webster's Pages, to the center of the bow.  And I topped the bow with another spritzed paper blossom with hand-made leaves, those edges were distressed with paint and glitter.
I had alot of fun creating this altered journal.  But, my creation was not selected to be published.  I'm sure their crafting magazine is packed with gorgeous creations, maybe next time.
Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  

Friday, June 21, 2013

Butterflies and Flowers

As this work week comes to an end, I hope you find the energy to play in one more challenge.  The talented Tammy, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has an unique sketch to push your creativity.


here is what I made:


I used things that I love.  Circles, butterflies, buttons, flowers, and burlap-type ribbon, and a lot of machine stitching.  I do know that not all girls are girly girls, so this card is for them.
The card base is baked brown sugar cardstock.  I used two different pattern papers from the same collection: Etc. dsp.  
The circles are made from soft suede card stock and Etc. dsp.  I used the ruler print.
The butterflies were cut from soft sky cardstock and stamped with en francias inked in crumb cake classic ink.  The centers are different.  I thought it would add a bit more visual interest.  I used the trio blossom punch for two of the floral shapes and the floral fusion die for the 4 petal flower.  The bottom flower and the top button are created with clay and the Buttons and Flowers molds.  The center butterfly has a simple floral shape with a pearl center.
All edges are sponged with crumb cake classic ink.  (all edges: the panels, the butterflies, and the blossoms).
I love adding machine stitching to my cards.  And this card is sporting some stitching {smile}.  I did a simple border around the center panel.  I also did a quick stitch through the strips of burlap ribbon.
The butterflies are adhered to the card front with dimensionals.  The floral centers are adhered to the butterflies with dimensionals
I added a simple sentiment tag.  I really wanted to add a tiny tag, but its retired.  So, I have to move on, and embrace these current products.  I added the simple 'Thanks' to the lower wing of the middle butterfly.
Once the card was complete, I spritz it with some smooch, and a few splatters of crumb cake ink.
Thank you for looking!  Now head to your craft space, and share with us what you create with our sketch over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  


this card is now available for sale in my Etsy shop, here

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Classic

My apologies, for this being tardy.  There has been a bit of a jumble in our household, and it has thrown me off my schedule.
This is week #51 for the talented ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge.  I know what you are thinking . . . #51, what's the significance.  Well, at this point in time, #52 will be our last challenge.  Sad, huh?  There have been some real gorgeous challenges to play along with, and some real tuffys!  So, all in all, it has been wonderful, challenging, and full of creativity!
this week's challenge:


Oh yes!  a card full of banners!  Yahoo! what a gorgeous sketch, if I say so myself.  And yes, I had to add a little bit of my style to my finished card.  Here it is!


I have a girlfriend who just adores black and white, with a splash of color.  Any color, she doesn't care. And so, with her in mind, I created this card to go with this week's sketch!  And I have to admit, that the splash of color really makes this card look classy and elegant!  Thank you, Nichole {smile}.
The card base is basic black cardstock.  I wanted to add a splash of a soft, pretty color, so I added soft sky cardstock.  But the blue became over powering, so I matted a piece of very vanilla cardstock on top of the soft sky cardstock.  I cut my banners from the Modern Medley DSP.  Love this paper.  The possibilities are endless.  I made the banners in various widths.  The middle music sheet is 2 inches wide.  There are two @ 1 1/2" and two @ 1 1/4" wide.  I stacked, layered and staggered them.  There is a tiny piece (1/2" wide) of soft sky card stock at the top of the banners.  I cut a strip of silver glitter paper with my scallop edge.  That piece is butted right up to the soft sky cardstock.  I didn't have the energy to dye my seam binding with soft sky re inker, so I left it vanilla.  I machine stitched a strip across the card front.  I made a multi-loop bow.  (love those bows!)  I also added a new subtles button to the center.  I used a skinny strip of vanilla card stock as my 'thread', and adhered it to the center of my bow.
The sketch doesn't have a sentiment 'spot', so I improvised.  I created a label with my four frames stamp set.  I stamped the frame in basic black classic ink.  The sentiment comes from a new hostess stamp set, 'Express Yourself'.  I really love the font in this stamp set, and can you really have too many sentiment stamp sets?
Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you find some inspiration to play along with our challenge over @ NAC.  I know we would love to see what you create with our sketch!
Have a wonderful day.  Stay cool, and see you soon {smile}.


this card is for sale in my Etsy shop, here

Monday, June 17, 2013

Ruffles & Ribbons

Ruffles are a girl's best friend!  Welcome.  I am creating for the Shabby Tea Room today.  I have won a guest designer spot with these fabulously ladies this week, for my win, posted here.   I have been a fan of this challenge team for quite a few years.   I have played along with them from time to time.  But this year has been a wonderful year for me.  I have found direction in my paper crafting.  I have also found more time to craft.  Which has allowed me to express my passion in this craft.  I truly love the whole process of paper crafting.  And it gives me pleasure, when I see my final product.  Which, I'm sure alot of you can relate to.  
This week, over @ the Shabby Tea Room the ladies have a wonderfully inspiring photo and challenge.


they also ask that you use: pink, green, ruffles and ribbon.  Sounds easy, sounds pretty, and I hope it is delightful {smile}.  So, use this gorgeous inspirational photo, the requirements, and CREATE!


Using pink, green, ribbon, and ruffles, this is what I created.  I hope you find it beautiful.  I'm pretty happy with this card.  At first glance, you can see, this card is 'clean and simple' for me.  I love layers, I love lots of embellishments.  So, when I saw this inspirational photo, I knew that I wanted to keep it 'simple'.  
To start, I used a lovely pink polka dot floral pattern paper and a vintage green houndstooth pattern paper.  To help add some interest and requirement, I created a box pleat with the text paper.  But I wanted to add some softness.  So, I did a quick rouching with a cream grosgrain ribbon.  Then wrapped some pale pink crinkled seam binding around the card front.  I'm a super fan of multi-loop bow, so I added one, and I distressed a floral button to the center of the bow.
I love shabby/vintage type paper prints, embellishments and trim.  To keep with the whole over-all look, I added a strip of vintage floral tickets to the side of the card front.  I fussy cut this strip of tickets and sponged crumb cake classic ink along all the cut edges. 
Personally, I cherish family and friends, and at times I think I'm a hopeless romantic.  So, this great stamp set, Love Lives Here, from Paper Trey Ink, is a wonderful collection of sentiment stamps.  The sentiment stamp that I used on the label, is one of my favorite.  To stay with the theme and sentiment, I added a resin heart, from Melissa Frances.
I machine stitched a border around the whole card.  I think this little addition adds some home-made character.  
At a quick glance, this card looks simple.  But with a second look, you'll see the added feminine touches, the touches of softness, and the sweetness of a home-spun quality.  I know that I, along with this fabulous design team, over @ the Shabby Tea Room would love to  see what you create!


love this card? you can purchase it, in my Etsy shop, here

Friday, June 14, 2013

Mixing Pattern Papers

Thank you for stopping by today.  I've been a bit busy behind the scenes.  (that translates to me creating stuff that I can't share yet.)  and well, it has put a kink in my routine.
I am the sketch creator over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday this week.  And, I based my sketch on a card I had created several weeks ago.  I just didn't post it.  I'm kinda weird about posting photos of my grandkids on my blog, and the card has a photo of my oldest granddaughter at last years ballet recital.
Anyways, here is the sketch:


I think it's easy to work with.  But, maybe it's because I created it?  The circle can be changed to any shape.  Make it match your theme.  The rectangle can be a large stamped piece, or pattern paper.  You can add more to the sketch, too.  Maybe add a scallop trim border just under your ribbon/seam binding.



I just love mixing pattern papers.  I used paper from two different packages.  The houndstooth and the advertisement paper are both from the new Ectetera DSP and the white text on the black background is from the Modern Medley DSP.  I love how they work so wonderfully together.  I also used a new vanilla button.  I love this collection of buttons.
I matted the light blue pattern paper on very vanilla card stock.  I machine stitched around the whole piece.  I added crumb cake seam binding, and yes, added  multi-loop bow.
I matted the advertisement pattern paper onto a scrap piece of old olive cardstock.  The stacked circle is tucked under this piece.  I tied some linen thread through the button and adhered it to the text circle.
I inked the sentiment in basic black classic ink, and stamped right on the pattern paper.  This is a new hostess stamp set: express yourself.
Thank you for looking.  I hope that you have been inspired to play along with us this week over @ SFF.  Remember, you can use whatever products you have on hand.  The design team uses Stampin' Up! products {smile}.


this card is available for purchase, in my Etsy shop, here

Monday, June 10, 2013

Shabby Sweets


I'm not usually fond of Mondays.  It's basically bitter-sweet for me.  You see, I don't work weekends or Tuesdays.  So, Monday, is basically a lone work day.  But this Monday, is especially wonderful to me! No, I don't have the day off.  I am a guest Designer @ the Shabby Tea Room {smile}!  How fabulous is that?  I know!
Well, over this past year, a few design teams I was on, changed owners or shut down, which opened some of my free time.  And as a paper crafter, if you have extra 'free' time, that just means you make more stuff for family, friends, and yourself.  So, I have been doing more paper crafting, and it has given me 'time' to actually play along with some of the challenge sights that I use to just visit.  
I earned the guest designer spot this week @ the Shabby Tea Room, from my win in their Challenge #164, found here.  That inspiration board had beautiful spring flowers and some canning jars.  I made my mom's Mother's Day card using their inspiration photo.   That card was alot of fun to create.  I was super excited when I found out that I won, and then I was even more excited to be asked to be a guest designer.  I have to admit, I mostly paper craft for myself.  I truly find joy in the whole process of creating.  But, when someone loves your stuff/work so much that they comment, purchase, and/or ask you to create something for them, well, it's pretty intoxicating.

Ok, enough of my blah, blah, blah.  Let's get to this weeks challenge, over @ the Shabby Tea Room! The super talented ladies, have come up with this great inspirational photo.  They ask that you use: blue, pink, white, and flowers.  

Sweet As Sugar

This has got to be the cutest cupcake ever!  (And yes, I bake, too!)  The colors are soft and sweet.  I just love the polka dot paper, the pink sanding sugar on the pillow of frosting, and that delicate pink rose. Yum!  I hope you get inspired! I sure did!


I didn't have any restrictions as to what products/companies I can use.  So, I basically used stuff from everyone.  This card, is basically a mish mosh of the collection of products I have. All the paper pieces (pattern and solid) came from scrap box.  (It's a box that originally held a case of printer paper reams.)
The card base is crumb cake cardstock from Stampin' Up!.  I love this stuff.  The paper is basically kraft.  But the weight and coloration is excellent.  I used whisper white card stock to matt the main panel on.  I really wanted to accentuate the white pattern in the main panel.  The main aqua blue panel is Be Amazing from Mind Mind's Eye.  I just adore the softness of the aqua -blue shade and the pattern is easy to coordinate.  The bold pink polka dot pattern paper, is from Lost & Found 2 Blush collection, is cut to 1 1/2" wide and flagged at the end with a square punch.  
For the middle panel, I used pink pirouette cardstock, from Stampin' Up! as my base for this.  I matted a piece of that beautiful floral print pattern paper from Lost & Found 2 Blush collection to it.  I just adore this floral paper.  It has pink roses on it, in various shades of pink, everything from light to dark pink.  The aqua leaves on the pattern paper is just gorgeous.  The white lace trim I added, has an unfinished side, so I machine stitched that, so it would be all gross, with jagged pieces poking through.  Then, I machine stitched a strip of Aqua Mist satin ribbon, from Paper Trey Ink, to the card front.  This aqua color goes so well with the aqua-blues in the card.  I created a bow through a rhinestone buckle and adhered that to the card front.  I really loved the sparkle from the sanding sugar in the inspirational photo, so I really wanted to add some sparkle to my card.  I tied a white Paper Trey Ink vintage button with some pool party bakers twine from Stampin' Up!, and added it to the other end of the satin ribbon.  I love how this little addition really balances the card.  To create the tiny tag on the button, I used a sentiment from the fancy flexible phrases stamp set and jewelry tag punch, both from Stampin' Up! 

For the collection of tickets/tags, I used two different digital downloads: vintage tickets and shabby tickets, found here.  I fussy cut them out and layered them on top of each other.  I used foam tape behind the cupcake ticket to lift it off the card front.
The paper blossoms were hand-made.  I used three colors of cardstock to create the progression of blossom's color: whisper white, pink pirouette and rose red, from Stampin' Up!  I used the vintage floret dies from Heartfelt Creations.  I used my foam pad and stylis to create depth to the petals.  The petals are held together with a pale aqua-blue brad.  Once assembled, I sponged blushing bride classic ink to the tips of the petals.  Then, all the petals received a brushing of picket fence distressing paint, from Ranger, and a dunk into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter, from Stampin' Up!.  I created the leaves with aqua mist card stock, from Paper Trey Ink, and sponged Juniper classic ink, from Close To My Heart, over the leaf tips.
And finally I added a lone half pearl from Melissa Frances to each of the corners.  I thought this little addition would help soften the whole look of the card, and help pull some of the whites forward.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope the design team has inspired you to play along this week over @ TSTR.  I know the ladies would love to see what you create with this week's fabulously yummy inspirational photo!


this card is for sale in my Etsy shop

Friday, June 7, 2013

Pennant Baby

Have I mentioned that I love the new in colors from Stampin' Up!?  I just love the soft and pretty colors.  I used some of the new colors earlier this week, and continued with today's card.  The talented Robbie, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday has a wonderful sketch for you to try this week.


I love how versatile these sketches are.  I remember how overwhelmed I would feel, when I looked at sketches.  I didn't always know where to start.  So, I always feel some sort of obligation to help you 'see' the sketch.  Thank you for your patience.   For the 'star' see an object, like a blossom, a butterfly, or a star.  For the 'banner' piece think a sentiment piece.  As for the three lines across the card front, think of ribbon, scallop trims, ruffles, a torn edge, or any other type of divide.


The card base is crumb cake card stock.  The main panel is soft sky and natural ivory cardstock.  I didn't have any new pattern paper, so I made my own, so to speak.  I used the ledger stamp from The Open Sea stamp set, to create a little visual interest to the soft sky cardstock.  I also used some white embossing powder to heat emboss the flourish from the Everything Eleanor stamp set.  I used the Needlepoint Embossing folder to create the faux stitching and scallop trim border.
I made my own pennants.  I used the polka dot embossing folder and the houndstooth embossing folder, floral stamp, music notes wheel, and the text wheel, to create the different pieces.  I matted the pennant in crumb cake and used the natural ivory scallop pennant.  I used calypso coral bakers twine to hang the pennants across the card front.
I stamped a polka dot frame in soft sky.  I love how soft this blue is.  I stamped the flower onto crisp cantaloupe cardstock and heat embossed it.  I used foam tape to lift the blossom off the card.  
I stamped the banner with the itsy bitty banners stamp set, in soft suede classic ink.  I fussy cut the banner out.  I matted it onto a scrap piece of soft sky card stock.  
I hope we have inspired you to play along with us @ SFF.  We all have different styles, but that doesn't mean one is wrong or right.  Just different, and hopefully inspiring.  Play along, use our sketch, and lets see what you create!


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

with Love

The summer is off to a quick pace again.  I hope you get a chance to slow down and relax.  Me, it has been a whirlwind of weddings, graduation parties, baby showers, and cocktail parties.  Whew, I'm tired just thinking about what all I had to attend last week {smile}!
And you know I carved out some crafting time.  Some days its harder to get my mojo moving, and it only gets worse, if I'm tired.  But the talented ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a sketch for you to try your hand at.
here is the sketch:

Before you get frustrated or lost, just take the sketch apart.  Sometimes its easier to see it in pieces and not a 'whole'.  For the orange half circle, think a large shape, like a top note.  Or a decorative edge with a creative cut.  Then for the teal label, think 'label'.  A sentiment 'box', a tag, some place to add a sentiment or a decorative piece.  Don't forget, you can also rotate the sketch.  Now, let your creativity soar, and let's see what you create.
here is what I made:


First things first, I rotated the sketch 90 degrees.  Crumb cake cardstock, goes with anything.  Have I mentioned that I love this color!  The card base is crumb cake.  The main panel is very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped the Ex Libris background stamp in coastal cabana classic ink.  I love how this panel gives you some visual interest without distracting.  I wanted to add some text paper, and I just now realized that first edition dsp was retired.  A bit shocking to me.  So, I made my own text paper.  I used very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped en francias in basic black classic ink.  I did the 'tap' technique so some of the words would be faint and/or missing.  I matted the text onto crisp cantaloupe cardstock.  
For my half circle piece, I added a doily.  I just love these things.  So feminine and a beautiful addition. I just love the seam binding, and really wanted to add this beautiful 'ribbon'.  So, I wrapped a piece of very vanilla seam binding around the card front, and tied it into a multi-loop bow.  I just love the new clay molds that Stampin' Up! has come out with.  So, I made the button with some clay, and tied it to the center of the bow with some linen thread.
I wanted to add some flowers, but I don't want my followers/readers to get bored with my hand made paper blossoms.  I stamped the blossoms from the Fabulous Florets stamp set in versa mark ink.  I did some masking, heat embossed some blossoms onto shimmer card stock and color washed the flowers.  I used crisp cantaloupe re inker for the 'paint'.  I then set them a side to dry.  Once dry, I fussy cut them out.  I used some foam tape to pop them off the card front.  
For my 'label' piece, I did a sentiment piece.  I stamped a frame from four frames stamp set in basic black classic ink, onto a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock.  I used a sentiment from the Field Flowers stamp set, and tucked this 'label' into my multi-loop bow.
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that we have inspired you to play along with us @ NAC.  The design team uses Stampin' Up! products, but remember, you can use what you have on hand.  But, if you see something you just love, you can shop at my Stampin' Up! store 24/7!  A link is on the right hand side of my blog.


love this card? purchase it here

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Gingham

I just wanted to share a card I made this morning.  I used some of the new products in the Stampin' Up! Big Idea & Catalog.  I was surprised when so many wonderful stamp supplies retired.  But, after looking through the new catalog, I know room was created for more wonderful stamping supplies.
I held a class this morning to show some of these new products off, and to give some of my hints and tips.
Here is the card we made:


I just LOVE the new incolors.  They are soft, sweet shades of some of the prettiest colors.  So, that just makes them super easy to work with.  The new stamp set I used is very versatile.  Easy to work with.  And then there are some of my favorites: a wheel, and a gorgeous new button!
I used some of my favorite products that are still current.  I just love the kraft colored cardstock, called Crumb Cake.  The color goes with jsut about everything!  So, I used the cardstock as the card's base and again as a matt for the polka dot embossed piece.  I really wanted to help tie the color in, so I also used the same color in classic ink for the polka dot frame.
Two new in colors that I also used are: Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe. 
I used two different label-type stamps: four frames and label love and layered them.
The polka dot frame was stamped in crumb cake classic ink.  A large oval was punched from baked brown sugar cardstock, to create the center of the frame.  I stamped the label love in crisp cantaloupe and stamped the same stamp in the baked brown sugar.  I fussy cut the sentiment bar and adhered it to the center of the label with foam tape.
The gingham strip is actually a wheel stamp.  I inked the wheel in baked brown sugar classic ink, and stamped on a strip of very vanilla cardstock.  I used a square punch to create the banner end.
I used my favorite crochet trim across the middle.  I tied one of these new buttons onto the card front with some calypso coral bakers twine. 

Thank you for stopping by!  I am adding two more crafting classes to my calendar.  So, if you are in the Albuquerque area, and are interested, please attend a class!  Stop by tomorrow, to see a list of new classes during the summer.