Saturday, December 27, 2014

love u

Howdy!  I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday! and that you were able to share it with family & friends.  We did!  We had a wonderful Christmas.  My mom came into town, and as always it is wonderful to spend some time with her {smile}.  We got to spend sometime at our daughters house.  Her children are just so precious.   Anyways, one of my new years resolutions (typically every new years) is to spend less on crafting supplies, use what I have, and get my supplies in order.  So, before I head into my craft room to clean up the clutter of holiday crafting these past several months, I want to share a card I made this morning.
The wonderful ladies over @ Divas by Design have a final challenge: anything goes!  
And here is what I made:


I didn't purposefully set out to make a valentines card.  It just kinda happened.  So, lets get started with the recipe and a few close ups {smile}.
The card base is aqua mist card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  I just love the weight of their card stock - heavy, yet workable.

The matt is lagoon from stampin' up!.  I just love this new color.  The floral pattern paper is a digital paper I recently purchased.  Love the polka dots and the colors.    The middle panel is also a recent digital purchase, also.  I thought the blue 'love' piece matched the blue in the floral pattern paper.  i also loved the flowers on this piece.
I matted that piece onto a textured pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  
I did a little machine stitching.  I just love the look.  The top banner piece is actually a christmas pattern paper that I had a scrap of, so I just flagged the end.  I did a sloppy machine stitch.
I tied a blush button by Amuse Studios with a thin silver cord.  I added a white tag that I had laying around my crafting space.  I die cut the 'U' from silver glitter paper, by Stampin' Up!.  

I added a scrap piece of white lace trim piece I had left over from holiday card making.  I also added some pink pirouette seam binding, by Stampin' Up!. I tied the seam binding into a multi-loop bow, and added a vintage kraft button by PTI.  I hot glued a Melissa Frances key hole.  And I added a pink heart stick pin.  To finish off the card, I added several white faceted sequins.

All the edges of the different papers were sponged with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!

Thank you for stopping by.  Now, I must head into my craft room, and clean up the mess I created from my crafting for the past holiday craft shows.  See ya soon!


Friday, December 26, 2014

Happy Holidays

I want to wish everyone, including my family, friends, customers, visitors and supporters the Happiest of Holidays!  
I also want to announce a sale I am having at my Easy shop.  Use coupon code 'NEWYEAR' and take 20% off anything and everything from today till Jan 3rd, 2015.  

here is a little eye candy:


This ornament is not available to sale.  I made this for a very special friend, my daughter last year.  But I did want to share it with you {smile}.
Be safe out there if you are traveling.  And I hope this holiday brought you all your heart desired!
Happy Holidays!  and happy crafting, Sharon W.


Friday, December 19, 2014

Desktop Calendar

~ large photos ~

Welcome.  I have been a bit busy making some last minute special orders.  A very sweet, dear friend has asked me to make her a desktop calendar in my traditional shabby chic, vintage style.  And well, I couldn't say 'no', so I set out into my craft room, and started crafting.
I wanted to make her something 'one of a kind' and something very special.  So, I located some beautiful digital papers I had recently purchased, printed them, and then started crafting.
I am happy with how it turned out, so I wanted to share a few photos with you.  This first one is of the cover.  And the next two are of my favorite pages. {smile}


This is the cover.  These desk top calendars measure 4" x 4".  I use a 1" spiral ring for the binding. I love the large spiral, and the color of the metal {smile}
I used one sheet of this digital paper.  I love the mix of text, floral images, polka dots, calendar numbers, and ledger writing.  I added a spool label to the year.  I thought the colors and images looked perfect with the cover collage.  [My struggle with these pages is to keep them flat, and not too bulky.]
These are my two favorite months {smile}


February is my birth month, and so I believe that, that connection, helps my creative side craft something pretty, and St. Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday, so  there is a special place in my heart for this whole affair.  {smile} 
I used another collage digital paper for the main image.  Yeah, love the white text, the polka dots, the floral images, and the hand-writing.  I used another spool label behind the glitter trim.  I used a scallop trim border punch on a thin piece of gold glitter paper.  I machine stitched a piece of cream crochet trim to help add some softness.  I cut a tiny tag from a pink checkered digital paper.  I added a digital scrabble word across the tag.  I distressed a pink button with white paint and glitter.  I tied the button to the tiny tag with strawberry bakers twine.  I just love this month!


And here is my other favorite month: September.  Not necessarily the month, but rather the page.  I used another digital collage paper.  Again, a mix of polka dots, florals, text, and hand-written ledgers. I stamped the mason jar onto a different digital pattern paper and fussy cut it out.  I added a scallop trim piece of a different digital polka dot pattern paper.  I added a simple knot of a cream crochet trim.

All of the months have a simple machine stitch border.  Each month is matted with kraft card stock.  I hope my friend Cathy (MB) really loves her desk top calendar.  And I hope that you enjoyed my little share.  {smile}


Sunday, December 14, 2014

Jumbo Gift Card Holder

Howdy! and welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I'm so happy that you could visit.  Sit a spell, have a look around, and hopefully I have inspired you {smile}!
Yesterday, I confessed that I have already started thinking about next years holiday arts and crafts fairs, and a few new items I would like to sell.  Well, today I have a little sneak peak.  {smile}
If you are like me, you do give gift cards to those who either love them, or you aren't quite sure what they would like from their favorite place.  And if you are like me, sometimes these gift cards are purchased from grocery/drug stores.  And yeah, they have this big cardboard piece that advertises who they are, and they have that 'gorgeous' hanger hole at the top.  Sound familiar?  Well, the gift card holders I sell at my booth, only have space for the card.  Crazy, right?  Well, sometimes, you just don't want/can't tear that thing apart to get to the card.  So, I have made a 'Jumbo Gift Card Holder' for just that situation!
Well, to get some direction, I stopped by the Divas by Design challenge blog.  And well, they have a great challenge this week!  Seeing Red!  So they ask that you use lots of red!  And I think I have!


Ok, lets get started.  This is my version of the jumbo gift card holder.  {smile}  It measures 5" x 5 1/2".  In this view, the measurements look 'wrong', but they aren't.  Promise.  Anyways, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  I am thinking of possibly making a belly band, to help hold the flap closed, but haven't 'married' that idea yet.  I'm also thinking the belly band could potentially give me another pattern paper, to help give this large piece some more pattern.  I could attach the 3" x 4" 'tag' to it, also.  Hmmm, options, options, options.
Anyways, back to this one.  I used kraft card stock by Recollections for the base.  I used this new 'vintage'-y pattern holiday paper 'Snow Village' by Pink Paisley.  I just love the soft pretty colors and hip patterns.  {smile}
I cut a medium snowflake with the fancy snowflake die by Paper Trey Ink.  I used the gold glitter paper by Stampin' Up!.  Love the glitter/sparkle and shine!  I wrapped some of the new holiday Cherry Cobbler Sheer Linen Ribbon, by Stampin' Up! through the center of the snowflake and tied a simple bow.  I stamped the sentiment onto a tiny tag in Cherry Cobbler classic ink, by Stampin' Up! The tiny tag was made with the Tiny Tag die, by Paper Trey Ink.  The sentiment came from the Holiday Friendship Jar stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink.
I altered a jingle bell, and tied both the bell and the tag to the large bow with some thin silver cord, and made a simple bow with the silver cord.
Just like my other gift card holders, the inside flap of these will be embossed with a holiday message.  
This sentiment card came in the paper pack.  I did stamp the 'Love & Laughter welcome here at Christmas and all year', in cherry cobbler classic ink.  I felt the tag piece needed a little something more.  I hope my friend likes it! {smile}
Thank you for stopping by.  Now, I am off to cut card stock.  I have finished my 'sample' for our holiday Christmas card, and I need to get those made.
If you placed a special order, I will be working on those tomorrow and Tuesday.  Don't fret, I will have those done and ready to wrap by their guaranteed delivery date.  So, until we meet again, happy crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.


Saturday, December 13, 2014

Peace & Joy

~ large photo post ~

Howdy, howdy, howdy!  Whew!  my craft fair circuit is done.  And I have to say, 'thank you!' to all of the folks who had stopped by my booth to look, investigate, and purchase my hand-crafted paper goods.  It really feels good, to have folks (other than your family) 'like' what you do.  It validates your efforts, your vision, and your artistry.  thank you so much! {smile}
I already have ideas for next years craft fairs.  How crazy, huh?  But, before that, I need to work on the job at hand: my Christmas cards.  Yeah, I haven't even started making them.  But I know what I am going to make.  And I have already calculated how much pattern paper and card stock I need to make my Christmas cards.  So, before I head out to the store, let me share a craft with you.
The wonderfully talented ladies over @ Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge want to see your holiday hoard collection being used.  I know you aren't surprised that I have quite a hoard collection.  So, let me share with you another craft I made.



These gift bags are made with a majority of Stampin' Up! supplies.  Yeah, I have a hoard collection of that, too! {smile}   The finished bags measure 3 3/4" x 8 1/2".  The bag inside measures roughly 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 2".  So, not a lot of space.  But, these are so sweet, that the bag also works as part of the gift.  So, small trinkets fit: lotion, candy, jewelry, gift card, gloves, perfume, etc.
Recipe:  The bag base is made with Pool Party card stock.  The matt is made with Lagoon card stock. I used the new All is Calm DSP (designer specialty paper).  I just love the blues (and greens) with white and silver sprinkled through.  So, I paired two 'similar in concept' (snow falling) pattern papers.  (dots and snowflakes).  
I did a single machine stitch border around the top pattern paper.  The bottom pattern paper is able to 'stand' on its own, with the large silver embossed font.
I stamped the sentiment in versa mark, and sprinkled with silver embossing powder.  And heat embossed: this creates a raised lettering.  
To hide the seam, I wrapped a piece of white lace trim around this piece, and topped it off with a piece of the lagoon satin ribbon.  I tied a simple bow with another piece of the lagoon ribbon.  To jazz up the bow, I tied another bow with a piece of thin silver cord and an altered jingle bell*.
For the top of the bag, I cut two snowflakes.  The large snowflake I used dazzling diamond glitter paper.  The second snowflake I used the silver/vellum pattern card stock.  I added a bermuda button and tied it with thin silver cord.
The angel is a free download found here.  I adjusted the size and printed onto whisper white card stock.  I used foam tape to pop the angel. {smile}
To finish the bag, I glued a piece of the white/silver pattern paper (from the same collection) to a small clothes pin.  I also added a long piece of pool party cotton ribbon (2 feet).  I used coordinating but different ribbon, to repeat the different colors of blue in the pattern paper.  
For the tag at the top, I stamped the sentiment in lagoon classic ink onto whisper white card stock, and matted it onto pool party card stock.  I used the cordinating oval and scallop oval hand-held punches by Stampin' Up!. 
The stamp set  used to stamp the bags is Snowflake Serenade.  The stamp set used to stamp the tags is Signature Christmas stamp set.  The die to create the snowflakes is the Fancy Snowflake die.  All of which are from Paper Trey Ink.
Thank you for looking.  I hope you all are having a great weekend.  I am off to town, to pick up the last few sheets of pattern paper, and rolls of ribbon to complete our family Christmas card. {smile} Don't forget to head over to Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge.  I'm sure you can whip up something with your precious collection of holiday crafting supplies! {smile}


*altered jingle bell: paint your jingle bell with acrylic paint (I used titan white). While the paint is still wet, dip the bell in glitter (I used dazzling diamond glitter).  Once the bell is dry, spray with Aqua Net hairspray.  This will seal the glitter to the bell, so it doesn't flake off.  

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Coffee, Chocolate, & Friends

Whew!  I apologize for being absent lately.  But, yeah, I've been crafting {smile}.  My last craft fair for this holiday season is Friday.  And well, between working full-time, taking care of my DH, attending 3 holiday dinners, and one doctor visit (that left me unable to walk for a day and a half) I haven't had a lot of time to post.  But, I have been taking pictures, so soon, my life will slow down a bit. {smile}  Pipe dream?  I hope not!
The wonderful ladies over @ Craft Hoaders Anonymous Challenge have a great challenge this week.  They want to see your holiday craft hoard used.  I don't know about you, but I have tons of holiday crafting supplies: pattern paper, embellishments, stamps, sentiments, trinkets, ribbon, buttons, and oh so much more!  I actually have so much holiday hoard supplies, that it is boxed up after each holiday season, because I don't have room in my craft room for all of it.  How incredibably crazy is that?  (between you and me, my husband doesn't use the word 'crazy' when the subject is brought up.  Lets just say that.)
Ok, so for this first project, you are probably thinking that I am not really showcasing my hoard collection, but this is a super cute gift.  


I attended a holiday dinner with a gift exchange for the lovely ladies that I stamp with.  For the gift exchange, there was a price limit of $10.  Ok, do you know how stinking hard it is to make a gift for $10?  If you craft, I'm sure you know what I am talking about.  If you don't, lets just say, it's difficult.
Anyways, these ladies are all Stampin' Up! demonstrators, so I felt the need to use current SU! products.  Hmm.  Maybe this doesn't qualify as a 'hoard'.  But, I have a lot of stuff!
I used the new holiday DSP (Nordic Noel).  I just love the houses.  The bright cheery colors is always a plus!  So, I positioned my DSP, so that the cut would be a row of full houses and not chopping them off. (It's the OCD in me.)
I matted this pattern paper onto coral card stock.  I added a strip of pool party cotton ribbon.  And yeah, I had to sew it on.  I made a simple bow.  But it still needed something, so why not add another bow.  Right?  So, I added another bow with the new gold shiny ribbon.  It help pull the baked brown sugar colored house out.  I also added one of the new snowflake charms to the gold bow.   To keep the sewing stitches from showing on the underside, I matted this whole piece onto a piece of cherry cobbler card stock.  I used a corner rounder punch to all the corners.  You know, since the corners are rounded on the tin.  (OCD shining through)
I used one of the new coffee collection stamp sets.  I stamped the coffee cup twice on shimmer white card stock in chocolate chip classic ink.  I stamp the coffee cuff onto  the back side of the house pattern paper, that how I got the stripes.  I fussy cut the cuff out and adhered it to the top coffee cup.  I put foam tape between the two coffee cups and adhered them to the front of the tin.  To jazz up the coffee cup, I added a tiny pool party button tied with white bakers twine.  I thought it gave the coffee cuff that 'home-made' feel.
For the inside of the tin, I wrapped some chocolates with the same DSP, and added a Starbucks gift card.  I actually found a Starbucks gift card, that had the same colors in it!  Yahoo! (another OCD affliction)  It's the one with the holiday Christmas tree that is decorated with ornaments.


And yeah, I added a piece of the coral card stock to the bottom of the tin.  (another OCD problem.)  I like things to look 'finished'. Not just 'done'.  I hope someone out there knows what I mean.  And now I realize that when I took this picture, I forgot to add my gift card addition.  Ugh!  
Anyways!  the lovely ladies over @ Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge want to see you use a portion of your hoard collection, and make something!  Oh, and don't forget to share!
Have a great day!  And who knows I may end up adding another project!


Saturday, December 6, 2014

Angel Gift Card Holder

Whew!  Sorry I have been absent.  I have been crafting all hours.  I did very well at the Tramway Community Church Arts and Craft Fair last month, and have been busy making more stuff to sell at todays Arts and Craft Fair @ La Cueva High School.  And, well, I did very well at todays craft fair, too. So, I am heading back into my craft room to get more stuff made.  My next (and last) Arts and Craft Fair this holiday season is Friday, December 12th, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Here was one of the new gift card holder I made:  


I found these adorable angel buttons at a big box craft store.  I just love how it looks with this holiday pattern paper.  I was busy getting these crafted, and packaged, that I forgot to take the photos before it was packaged.  {frown}  
What is stamped on the bag topper is what is stamped inside the gift card holder.  Also, it is heat embossed in white.  (the back of the topper shows what color of embossing powder I used on the inside.)  The tiny tag says: Holiday Happiness
I used Snow Village pattern paper by Pink Paisley.  The base is made with pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The tiny tag was made with the tiny tags die by Paper Trey Ink.  The tag was stamped in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink by Stampin' Up!  The sentiment is from a tiny sentiment stamp set that is easily 8/+ yrs retired by Stampin' Up!  I believe that it was from a spring/summer occasional catalog.
Thank you for stopping by.  I will try harder to get some photos posted before the Arts and Craft Fair.  I know for sure that I will be making another dozen of the dry snow globe jar toppers.  Take care, and have a great weekend.  {smile}



Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Roses & Reindeer

Well, the crafting hasn't stopped.  But, I am taking a small break to post a few pictures.  I love sharing what I create, but I always under-estimate the amount of time it takes to photograph, edit, and post images. {frown}
A wonderful lady who works at my Dentist office, came by my last craft fair (@ Tramway Community Church) and purchased all of the gift card holders I had created.  {smile}  It is very nice to 'sell out'.  And this gave me the push to create some new ones, using some different pattern papers, and embellishments.



These little cuties are a blast to create.  It really forces you to think differently.  The space to embellish is only 4" x 2 1/2", with a slope.  So, it needs to be minimalist, without looking bare.  It's always good to have a challenge, right?
I forgot to photograph these before I packaged them.  So sorry for the cello bag glare.  
Speaking of packaging.  What is stamped on the bag topper is what is heat embossed on the inside.  Also, there is a dot on the back of the bag topper, to show what color of embossing powder was used for the inside.
Recipe:  The top gift card holder:  I used the roses G45 Christmas paper for the outer flap.  The polka dot pattern paper is Aqua dots & stripes by Echo Park.  I used garden green card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base.  I also used the new real red cotton ribbon by Stampin' Up!.  It is soft and ties some beautiful bows.
The bottom gift card holder:  I used Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey.  That paper is easily 3 yrs old.   I only had scraps, so the top panel piece wasn't wide enough to fit across the whole card.  So I made it into a panel.  I added a text pattern paper So Noted by Carta Bella.  The gift card base is made with Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I also used the new cotton ribbon by Stampin' Up! in blushing bride.  
I tied on snowflake charms from Stampin' Up!.  Yeah, they are new this holiday season.
I created two different by equally perfect sentiment pieces.  I stamped both in real red classic ink onto whisper white cardstock; both from Stampin' Up!. 
Look for these and many more different styles of gift card holders at my next craft fair this Saturday @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Thank you for stopping by.  I'm heading back into my craft room, to finish some more gift card holders.  And a few more cards, gift bags, and gift card/box combos. {smile}


Monday, December 1, 2014

Inked Rose

I supported a local small business on Saturday.  Yeah, a local scrapbooking store.  I made a paper purchase, because I needed a few sheets to complete a project.  But, while I was there, I found some beautiful pattern paper. {smile}
I took a small break from holiday crafting, and made a Thank You card.  I used pattern paper from three different collections, three different companies.  And I am happy with the outcome!


the card recipe:  The card base is made with Not Quite Navy card stock by Stampin' Up!.  And yeah, it's a retired color.  But I still have a package of card stock.  I love the color.  It's dark blue without being too dark, and with a subtle gray tone.
Ok, the polka dot pattern paper is from Echo Park, Quotes.  This is actually the reverse side of the paper.  I love polka dots!
The text paper is from Carta Bella, their Sew Lovely collection, Lovely Floral.  And yeah, another reverse side of paper.  The paper on the other side, has single blossoms repeated.  But, I love the text. I adhered the text pattern paper onto the polka dot pattern paper, and then ran a simple border stitch with my sewing machine, before I adhered this piece to the card front.  That way, the stitching isn't seen on the inside of the card.
The bold floral pattern paper is from We R, Inked Rose.  The reverse side of this patten paper is stripes in the seafoam green color.
I matted the floral pattern paper onto a scrap piece of NQN card stock.  And then matt this piece onto Rose Red card stock.  
I added a banner piece to the top right corner and the lower left corner.
The upper right corner is a scrap piece of the polka dot pattern paper, matted onto a scrap piece of pool party card stock.  I added a button tied with silver bakers twine.
The sentiment was stamped in NQN classic ink, onto a scrap piece of whisper white card stock.  I created the flag end with scissors.  And stapled this piece.
I will have this card for sale in my Easy shop, HERE.  and if it doesn't sell this week, it will travel to my next craft fair on Saturday!  {smile}
Well, thank you for looking {smile}.  I'll post a few gift card holders I crafted this weekend, later this week.  Hope you come back for a look {smile}


Sunday, November 30, 2014

Gift in a Jar

The title says it all!  A trend: gift in a jar.  A creative use for mason jars.  These glass jars don't hold just jelly anymore!  And who ever got us hooked, I thank you!  I can.  Yeah, I have a little farm girl inside of me.  I can blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and peaches.  I make Blueberry Spoon fruit, Christmas Cranberry Relish, Low Sugar Strawberry Jam, and Vanilla-Spice Peaches.  I love the whole process.  It's not hard, but you do need to pay attention to what you are doing.  And you get to enjoy the ripe fruit through out the year.  Oh, and I buy from local farmers.
Anyways, I have canning jars.  All sizes: 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz.  Wide mouth, and regular.  But, back in Sept. I saw these super cute jar toppers.  A creative person, Betsy Veldman, created a die and stamp set, so you could create snow globes to put on your canning jar lids.  These were a limited edition, so only a few were made.  And so I placed my order on Oct. 2.  Well, they were already sold out (sales started Oct 1).  Do to the high demand, they did one more production and my order was finally filled Nov. 2.  But once I received them, I have been making little houses, tiny deer, and tiny snowman.  
I had created a few for the last craft fair.  (My order arrived the night before the craft fair.) and they were a hit.  So, I started making more.  The selling point: they are just too cute! and creative!  So, without further ado, here is a close-up of my favorite house color combination:


When I crafted these, I thought it was obvious what to put inside.  And to some shoppers, it wasn't so obvious.  So, for next Saturday's craft fair, I have added an idea list to each jar:


This is a finished jar.  To the outside of the jar, I added a trim around the lid, a 'Merry Christmas' banner, and a bow.  And yeah, no two are alike!  Inside the jar I have added an idea list of what to put inside the jar, and a tag.  These are actually a lot of fun to create!  But I imagine that they will sell fast, so let me get back into my craft room, and whip up some more!
Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  To see more of my crafts in person, visit my booth at this years La Cueva High School Craft Show!  I am @ booth B-34.


Sunday, November 23, 2014

Magnetic 'A'

Howdy! and yeah, I have been crafting more {smile}.  It's really a joy and not a job.  I sometimes wonder what my dear husband thinks.  Hummmm.
Anyways, one of the items that I make and sell at the Arts and Craft Fairs that I attend are magnetic letters.  The letters measure approximately 4" tall, and anywhere between 3 1/2" to 4" wide.  I make them with the intention to be a monogram of sorts.  But really, after you make your purchase, you can use them in any fashion you desire.  {smile}
Each letter is uniquely decorated, and the back and sides are painted.  I adhere two very strong magnets to the back.  They cling to most metal surfaces: locker, metal message board, refrigerator, and such.
Now, from my style (shabby chic), you would think that my customer base is women.  Well, that isn't exactly true.  My youngest recipient has been a 5 year old boy.  And I sell almost half my letters to teenage girls.  Who would have thought?  But, if truth be told, I don't have a customer in mind when I create them.  I just love to craft.  So any (and all) sale is a good one!
Here is my latest addition to my supple:


To craft these letters, the easiest way for me to do these, is to think of someone whose name starts with that particular letter, and craft for 'them'.  I know, it's not very scientific, or easy to duplicate, but that is my process. {smile}  
And here is a little more truth: I crafted this letter with Rachel Ashwell in mind.  She is the creative mind behind the shabby chic couture collections at Target: yeah, the store.  I don't know her, but I was inspired by her 'work'.  
I do take special orders on magnetic letters.  Just convo me as to what letter, and what your likes and dislikes are.  For example:  'F' - love florals, polka dots, buttons, keys, pale purples, and silver.  dislikes are birds, hearts, and pinks.   I sell these letters for $8 each.  There isn't an extra fee for special orders.  Just a time frame.  I can easily create one in a two week time period.  But, I have done a special order in a week.  
So, if you are looking for an unique gift during this holiday season, for someone special: mother, grandmother, sister, bff, teacher, baby sitter, or a great co-worker, these make wonderfully personal gifts.  {smile}
I'm heading back into my craft room, to craft a few more! {smile}  On a crazy side note, I can't find any 'Z' letters.  {frown}.  I think that's odd.
Anyways, have a great day, and enjoy the last of your weekend!  


Saturday, November 22, 2014

Pink Tree

~ second post for the day ~


Whew, I think I am on a roll!  I need to get a few more holiday crafts complete for another upcoming arts and craft fair.  So, I have visited a few of my favorite craft challenge blog sites and here is what I have been inspired by!
Festive Friday. has a wonderful nontraditional holiday inspirational photo:


Just look at this!  How great is that?  pinks, kraft, gold, silver, green, glass, warm wood, and a tree!
Now, I need a sketch, so I headed over to Mojo Monday.  Let's face it, I need a sketch, and this is one of my favorite go to places.  here is their sketch this week:

And for good measure, lets swing by a favorite shabby challenge site, and see what they have.  Sugar Creek Hollow.  They want a vintage/shabby Christmas card with a twist: non traditional colors.

Here is what I created:


Here is the recipe:  The card base is made from Kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The pink polka dot pattern paper is actually from a baby girl collection.  The text paper is 'twas the night before christmas' by Amuse Studio.  The blue and pink floral paper is from Maja Road spring collection I believe.  I matted the text and floral papers onto kraft card stock by Recollections.  
I wrapped a piece of cream satin ribbon by Paper Trey Ink around the floral paper.  I then added a piece of white silk ribbon by Paper Trey Ink.  I tied a multi-loop bow with the silk ribbon.  I tied a clear button to the center of the multi-loop bow with thin silver twine.  
I added three pinkish pebbles and three half faux pearls to the card front.
My focal piece is made with a glitter paper die cut snowflake and a 'painted' bottle brush tree.  I spritz a 'white' bottle brush tree with ink and then painted white arcrylic paint on the tips of the branches.
I stamped the sentiment and matted it with kraft paper.  I adhered and stapled the sentiment to the card front.
due to the bulk of the tree, I decorated a glassine bag to use as an envelope:


thank you for stopping by!  I hope you have been inspired to craft something beautiful and non traditional!  


Blessings

The holidays are quickly approaching! and I have been a little busy getting some crafts complete.  To be efficient, I have combined some challenges.  I know, I could probably make more stuff if I separated the challenges, but I am in a pinch for time.
We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year.  And, well, I always do more than I have to, and I really like everything to 'belong'.  So, I do a place setting, a Thanksgiving trivia card, and of course a little 'party' favor.  So, I sent out to find some inspiration to get my decorations in order.
I went to some favorite challenge sites, and found some great inspiration!  First stop:  the Shabby Tea Room.  They have a great fall inspired photo to help get those creative juices flowing! oh, and a requirement: burlap and/or twine.  How country/shabby is that?  Awesome!
Here is their inspiration photo:


and then I headed over to Word Art Wednesday.  Their challenge this week is: Anything Goes!  They always include a wonderful scripture, and this week, it fits perfectly with the above inspiration photo.


here is what I made:


I needed to make 5 cards,  and well, the only 'thanksgiving' pattern paper I had, that had colors in it like the inspirational photo, were only scraps (Authentique).  So, that is what dictated the card layout.  I used Scarlet card stock for the card base, by Paper Trey Ink.  I matted the two pattern papers onto Linen card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.  [it is very close to River Rock card stock by Stampin' Up!]
I machine stitched a purposeful 'sloppy' border stitch around the card twice.  I just love how random, and home-y it looks. {smile}
I cut a large scallop trim piece from kraft card stock, by Recollections.  I used this piece to hide the seam where the two pattern papers meet.  
I wrapped a piece of Scarlet satin ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink around the scallop trim.  Then I wrapped kraft twine by Paper Trey Ink, around the ribbon and tied on a wooden button.  (I used glue dots to hold the button in place, so it wouldn't flop around.)
I printed the scripture onto very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  Then I did a double matt: scarlet and kraft.
Easy peasy, and pretty plain for me.  But, I do love it!  
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have been inspired to play along with both of these fabulous challenge sites!


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Next Holiday Craft Fair

Howdy!  I hope this post finds you well.  
I am getting ready for another holiday arts and craft fair.  This one is at a local high school:  La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It is on the first Saturday of December, so please mark your calendars and I hope to see you there!  


The craft fair is on Saturday, December 6th, 2014.  From 8a - 5p.  and I will be located @ B-34.


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Light Bubbles: bokeh

Howdy!  I hope you are well.  Me, yes.  Thank you.  I had another arts and craft fair this past weekend (Friday and Saturday) at one of my favorite places:  Tramway Community Church.  The folks there are so nice, helpful, and just a joy to be with.  {smile}
Anyways, my mom came up to spend some time with me, and help me sell my paper crafts.  And let me just say, that it was pure joy!  We talked, and sold, and talked some more.  It was really wonderful to spend some time with her, and just hang out!  I made a little money, which is always sweet, especially during this time of year.  So, pluses all around!
For those who don't know, I live in the east mountains of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  And well, we are just below 7500 feet.  Sunday it snowed like crazy.  So my husband got a chance to use his snow plow for the first time this winter season.  And the weather created a delay in my mom getting back on the road to head home.  It did give us a little more time together, but just not the same.  It's kinda like be held hostage at the airport.  You have food, a bathroom, and the people you are traveling with, but all you really want to do is leave.  [No hard feelings mom {smile}]
I wanted to make my mom a card, to say 'thank you' for her help, and let her know that I really enjoyed the time we spent together.  So, I went looking on the internet, and wanted to see if anything out there inspired me.  Well, of course I found something!  
I ran across this photography technique called: bokeh.  It's when parts of the image and/or light are out of the field of focus.  So, when you are photographing something and there is light in the background or side portion, and this part of the image just isn't in focus.  Looks pretty.  And so I ran with it!  

gold, is the accent color

silver, is the accent color
So, both cards are made with soft suede card stock as the base.  The 'blue' piece is aqua mist card stock.  I cut 3-4 branches from a Memory Box die.  I punched 1", 3/4", and 1/2" circles and a trio of snowflakes from vellum card stock.  I added several clear faceted sequins, and then added gold/silver sequins.  
I die cut the letters for 'JOY' out of gold glitter paper.  For the silver version, I heat embossed 'noel' in silver and then stamped 'JOYEUX' in soft suede classic ink.  
The final touch, was a spritz or two with iridescent spray.
But now, that I am writing this post, I think, why did I make my mom a holiday card to say 'Thank You'???  Ugh, sometimes my mind just gets stuck.  As I am preparing for yet another holiday craft show, my mind is stuck in holiday mode.  Sorry mom.  Let me get back into my craft room, and make something a little more appropriate. 
Anyways, I hope you like these, and I hope I have inspired you to create something unique and wonderful!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Red & Green Christmas

Oh my goodness.  I forgot to photograph my red and green Christmas card today.  Sorry, I had to take a few photo real quick, and edit.  I'm super proud of myself for creating a red and green card.  I don't typically make holiday cards with these colors.  Not that they aren't pretty.  It's just not my comfort zone, and so it takes a bit of time.


The pattern paper is from Yellow Bicycle.  And probably about 2 years old.  So, I don't know if you can still find this pattern paper at your local scrap book store.  The tree was purchased from a big box craft store about 3years ago.  The red ribbon is actually new!  Its the current real red ribbon from Stampin' Up!.  The sentiment is heat embossed in early espresso powder by Stampin' Up!.  The stamp set used is Love Lives Here Holiday, by Paper Trey Ink.
Thank you for stopping by!  I am finishing a few more items for the craft fair tomorrow.  If you are in the area (Albuquerque, New Mexico) please stop by Tramway Community Church on Manitoba & Montgomery, from 10a to 4p.  


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Love Pink

Howdy.  Yeah, busy crafting.  {smile} I have to admit it, I really love it!  I enjoy the whole creative process.  But, I did want to take a break and share with you what I made.  It's small, and very sweet.  It is a magnetic wallet-size photo holder.  Before you say anything, let me explain.  You know those very unique and memorable school photos you have of your children?   You probably have a hundred.  You order enough for grandparents, neighbors, friends, and your children's friends.  But some how you always have extras.  Right?  Well, why not display them with pizzazz!  Either on your locker at work, or your frig, or how about providing a way for your child to 'frame' her BBF's pic?
And look!  I made a few.  And the others I made,  aren't so shabby chic, feminine, girly.  But, I really love this one {smile}.


I used Camilla pattern paper by Anna Griffin.  I just love how beautiful and elegant this paper collection is.  I cut a scallop trim piece from Silver glitter paper.  (Love the sparkles.)  And I took some pale pink scrunched seam binding and machine stitched them together (seam binding and glitter paper).  I also made a multi-loop bow from the seam binding.  
I made a blossom out of white sparkle clay, and distressed it with white paint and dazzling diamond glitter.  I also did the same distressing on the two white pearl vintage buttons.  
I added a little hand-stamped sentiment piece.  I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap piece of digital pattern paper in basic black classic ink.  Matted the sentiment circle with the same pale pink cardstock as the photo matt.  The sentiment is sweet, and fancy {smile} 'Absolutely Fabulous'.  Basically to 'match' the design and feel of the pattern paper.
Oh, I almost forgot.  The finished size of these little gems is 4" x 4".  Small and very sweet.

Thank you for looking.  Just a heads up, tomorrow I will post a few photos of a few crafts I created using red and green.  Yep, no kidding.  Traditional Christmas colors.  Real red and garden green.  See you tomorrow.