Joyous

Welcome.  If I said that I am making Christmas cards, you wouldn't be surprised.  Would you?  Well, yeah, I have started.  For a little background information, if you didn't know, I sell my paper crafts at local Holiday Arts and Crafts Fairs in November and December.  So, to be honest, I am a bit behind in my crafting.  I set a goal for each week, what to have accomplished, and what to work on.  And well, I am a bit behind.  Have you ever had a day (or weekend) where you had chores to do, but just didn't have the motivation?  Well, that is how it has been for me.  So, my stock is low, my motivation is low, and my mojo is low {frown}  But, I hope to turn that around.  

I stopped by a challenge site that I stalk frequent, but never participate.  Not really sure why I don't participate.  It's basically up my alley.  So, I have run out of excuses.  Until today!  Today, I have made a decision to participate and see what I can create with the many boxes of Christmas paper crafting supplies I have on hand.  But, today I want to 'play' with some new supplies I received in the mail last week: Joyous by My Mind's Eye.  I love vintage, and nostalgia.  So, this paper collection is perfect for me!

Now, let's swing by Merry Monday Christmas Challenge to see what these talented crafters have created, and what our inspiration is for the week.

Ok, so Merry Monday asks that you use polka dots, or stripes, or both.   Are you kidding?  I can do that!  Now, look at this beautiful inspiration photo: stockings, red stripes, and holly trimming the fireplace.  How home-y is that?

ok, here is what I made:

Before you say anything.  I think the pop of blue really brings out the reds in this card.  I got the idea of using some blue from the main panel on this card.  The blue bird and the blue string that is tied to the sentiment tag.

Recipe:  I started with crumb cake card stock (SU!) for the card base.  I used 5 pattern papers from the 6" x 6" pattern paper pad (Joyous by MME).  First I cut the merry christmas pattern paper (4" x 4 1/4").  Then I added a strip of the deep red flourish pattern paper (4" x 1 1/2").  I purposefully have a 1/4" overlap, to allow me to adhered these two pattern papers together.  I then did a simple machine stitching all the way around the front panel.

Next, I cut three different pattern papers 1", 1 1/4", and 1 1/2" wide, and 3" long.  I used scissors to create my flag ends.  I adhered the banner pieces slightly off center and overlapping each other.  I trimmed the blue strip and kraft snowflake pattern papers so that they would fit on the card.  I added two random staples to the upper right corner of the card.

I machine sewn the deep blue seam binding and crochet trim to the card front, using a zig zag stitch.  I tied a long strip of the seam binding into a multi-loop bow.  Then tied the bow to the card front with a piece of kraft twine.  I tied a red button to the bow center, and created a simple bow with the length of kraft twine under the button.  I secured the bow to the card front with a few glue dots.

I took a twig punch and punned out three branches.  I painted the tips with picket fence paint and then dipped the tips into glitter.  On the top twig punch I added three dots of red stickles.

I was inspired by the photo, and used stripes (blue) and polka dots (red), along with some greenery with berries.  To finish my card, I added a light misting of shimmer mist.

Thank you for stopping by.  And I'll post more projects I create with this lovely pattern paper line soon.