Coffee & You, Card

Oh my! I had a lot of fun creating a card for the Friday Mashup challenge this week.   Their challenge this week, is to use their sketch or project or 'mash up' and use both!  So, I did!  Let me first say, that the sketch is super user friendly and easy to work with.  The project is to use 2/+ embellishments.  How fun will that be?   I used both the sketch and the project requirement of 2/+ embellishments (pearl brad, 3D paper embellishment, sequins, and bakers twine.)

I used the same new pattern paper pad for this card, too:  Signature, by Color Bok.  I also used the same stamp set: We Go Together, by Paper Trey Ink.  Here it is:

I wanted to  make a special card for a super special friend.  This fabulous lady, Nichole, has been a great source of comfort, support, encouragement, and just a plain super duper great friend!  And one of our favorite past times, is to drink coffee and visit.  How wonderful is that?  So, I wanted her to know that I love her more than coffee! {smile}

Recipe:  The card base is crumb cake card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  The pattern papers (3) are from the Signature pattern paper pad by Color Bok.  I sponged the edges of each paper, and then layered them on top of each other.

For the banner piece at the upper right corner, I first added a journaling tag from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  Then I stamped my sentiment onto shimmer white card stock, with baked brown sugar classic ink.  I stamped the sentiment again on a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock, and fussy cut the 'my coffee' line and adhered it onto the sentiment banner with foam tape.  Finally, I stapled this collection to the upper right corner of the card front.

I wrapped some bermuda bay bakers twine around the bottom third of the card.  I tied a multi-loop bow with the bakers twine and secured it to the card front with a pearl brad.   

I added a paper 3-D 'coffee break' embellishment just above the pearl brad.  I love how the to-go coffee cup is sitting in a bouquet of flowers, along with an 'imagine' tag, a heart bubble, and a lone blossom are elevated with foam tape.

To add a little sparkle, I added a trio of sequins by Studio Calico.  A pair of green sequins above the to-go coffee, and a brown striped sequin just below the pearl brad.  I thought the mix of these two sequins added a little 'pretty' to the card front!  I'm pretty sure Nichole will like my card.  But mostly, I just want to send her a hand written note.  Because who doesn't love getting this kind of snail mail?  Just curious, but how do you mail your hand-made cards? Translucent or Opaque envelope?

I hope you get a chance to create something beautiful and creative this weekend.

Smiling Today, Card

I got a chance to head into my craft room today.  I have a few cards that need to be mailed out.  But, sometimes most times, I need a little inspiration.  I had recently purchased a few new items, and wanted to craft with those.  I just need a sketch.  So, I headed over to a 'new' favorite:  Friday Mashup - #195 sketch and project (use 2/+ embellishments)  I used the sketch and the embellishment requirements ( paper blossoms, a button, resin lock, lace, cotton ribbon, and pearls).

I purchased a new pattern paper pad from a big box store: Color Bok:  Signature.  It is a collection of shabby chic double sided patterns.  Very pretty. {smile}  The thing that really caught my eye, is the tab piece at the upper right corner.  Just love the thought of that.  And so, thats just what I did!

The sentiment says:  Thinking of you today and smiling.  I really love this sentiment.  {smile}  I will be mailing this card out to my friend Denita.  She is a very good person, and we have a good time when we get together.  I just want her to know that I was happy she came out to my house so we could craft.  {smile}

Here is the recipe:  The card stock is crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!  The two pattern papers is actually the same page, I just use both sides {smile}.  

I cut a piece of blushing bride card stock, by Stampin' Up! and trimmed the edges with the open scallop trim hand punch.  I thought this type of scallop would look prettier.  I adhered these pieces together, and then used my sewing machine to add a simple machine sewn border.  I thought it added a bit of charm to the card front.  

I stamped my sentiment onto vellum card stock, by Stampin' Up! in versa mark ink.  I sprinkled on some white embossing powder, and then heat embossed the sentiment.  I used the  We Go Together stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.   I layered a piece of white polka dot and light aqua pattern paper under the vellum.  I cut the same flag end to both pieces.  I also made the polka dot pattern paper a bit longer.  I stapled these two papers to the upper right corner of the card.

I added a piece of white lace to the lower third of the card.  I strung blushing bride cotton ribbon, by Stampin' Up! through the 'holes' in the lace.  I adhered a white resin key hole over the lace/ribbon combo. 

I distressed two paper blossoms and a vintage button with white paint and glitter.  I thought it added a little shabbiness to the card {smile}.  I first added the pink blossom above the key hole.  Tied some cream twine through the light aqua button and tucked it just under the pink blossom.  And finally, I slipped the white rose bud in at the top of this embellishment pair.  

Finally, I added a trio of white half faux pearls to help add some softness, some sweetness to the card front.  I added a medium pearl to the right side of the staple, and a pair of tiny pearls between the embellishments and the sentiment banner.

I hope you get a chance to create a card for this challenge.  I'm sure you will fall in love with the sketch!  Carve out some time today, and create something beautiful and wonderful!  But, before I go, I was wondering, do you hand deliver or mail your hand-made cards?

Love, Miss You Card

~ photo heavy post ~

This post is  l o n g  and has several images.  So, grab a latte, tea, or any other beverage of choice. {smile}  Lately, I have been surfing the internet.  Love the internet! and Pinterest!  With this 'free' time, I wanted to create something pretty.  Only because I don't feel so 'pretty' today {frown}.  Ugh.  So, let the crafting begin!  I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Mojo Monday: #382 - tall & skinny.  If you aren't a fan of 'tall & skinny', you are free to adapt the sketch to whatever length/width that fits your fancy*.

I also stopped by a favorite color challenge: Creative Color Challenge: #28 - photo inspiration

use pink, green, pattern papers and laces

And then, finally, I went to a challenge site I frequently visit: Craft Hoarders Challenge:  choose your challenge.  For this month's challenge, there is a grid of different crafting elements, and you are to select at least one option from the list in each category (coloring medium, fiber, technique, texture, and embellishments).

ok, so that you have an idea as what I need to craft, let's just get to it!  

Here is my card:

So. let me explain my card, and how it fits these challenges.   Let's start with the sketch - I turned it upside down!  How clever, right?  For my circle element, I used a large fabric blossom.  The green polka dot pattern piece is the 'grey' rectangle piece. The 'green' rectangle is actually a layered element.  I used a wide, silk ribbon.  Then sewn a piece of layered, ruffled tulle, and sewn a piece of crochet trim on top of the tulle.  And finally, the thin banner piece was created with two elements to create a line: the 'love' bulb, and the green seam binding bow.

The creative color - I used two pattern papers.  The largest pattern paper has pink blossoms, and pink stripes over a sheet of music.  The large blossom and large sequin are both pink.  The small, green pattern paper has green polka dots.  There is a green seam binding bow, and a pair of green sequins.   The lace portion, is a bit of a stretch.  I have a piece of layered, ruffled tulle, along with a piece of crochet trim.

And finally, the craft hoarders challenge -  the coloring medium: ink and paint.  The 'miss you' sentiment is stamped, and the edges of pattern papers are sponged.  I painted the edge of the pink button and white resin frame, with white paint before dunking them in glitter.  The fiber choice: twine, ribbon, and seam binding.  The twine was tied through the distressed button.  Pink silk ribbon, cram tulle, and crochet trim across the card front.  Green seam binding tied into a bow.  The technique I used was stamping.  I stamped the sentiment.  The texture I selected was distressing tool.  I distressed the edges of the pattern papers with a thread cutter.  The embellishments I selected were flower, button, and bling.  Bling was defined as glitter, pearls, and sequins.

Ok, now for the recipe:  Whew!  Never thought that we would get to this part!  The card base is blushing bride by Stampin' Up!.  Love their heavy weight card stock.  Just wonderful to work with.  The two pattern papers I used are both digital papers, and from the same collection.  I used a thread cutter to distress the edges, and sponged crumb cake classic ink.  I ran a simple stitch along the edges of the pattern papers.  I also did a little zig zag stitching to add some pizzazz!  

I wrapped a wide strip of pale pink silk ribbon around the card front.  I did some sewing to hold the layered, ruffled tulle to the silk ribbon, and then one more layer of sewing - the crochet trim on top of that!  I think it adds a sweet, soft, delicate, shabby chic-ness to the card {smile}.

For the blossom, it's a Prima pink, felt-like flower.  I painted the edges of the petals with glue and then sprinkled some fine gold glitter from Martha Stewart, onto the blossom.  I just love how pretty gold and pink are together!  I used my hot glue gun to adhere it to the card front.

I tucked in a Prima treasure 'love' light bulb.  I just adore these little treasures {smile}.  To give my blossom some foliage, I added a light green multi-loop bow, made with 'Ocean Front' colored seam binding.  I tucked in a white distressed, tiny pink button tied with cream twine, just below the seam binding bow.

I stamped my sentiment with baked brown sugar classic ink, from the Mixed Messages stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.  I adhered a tiny white resin frame, from Melissa Frances, around the sentiment piece.  I painted some glue on the edges of the tiny frame, and added more fine, gold glitter. I also tucked this piece in between the blossom and green bow.

To add a little bling, and continue with my shabby-chic look, I added two faux pearl swirls, and a pair of faux pearls at the bottom right corner.  And finally, I added a trio of sequins: a pair of small green sequins near the top right corner, and a lone large pink sequin above the bulb.  I thought these little touches help create a home-made, shabby chic card {smile}.

Whew! a lengthly write-up.  But, I like to give you info on what I used, so you have the information.    And as always, if you have any questions, please let me know {smile}.  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I sure do love the company.  I also hope that I have inspired you to participate in any or all of these challenges!  And remember, whatever you do, do it from the heart {love}.

Vintage Cars Card

Welcome!  A very special person, my step-father, asked me to make a very special birthday card for his brother, with a vintage automobile on it.  'Sure', was my response.  I'd pretty much do anything for a family member, if they simply ask.  I'm pretty sure, you would do something similar.  I hold family, and very special friends near and dear to my heart.  So, a simple request, like asking me to make them a card, is always a 'yes'.  However, masculine cards are extremely difficult for me.  And I hope and pray, that they don't want a style other than shabby-vintage.  Because then I'm seriously lost.  But, no style or color combo request was made.  Just add a vintage car.  So, a birthday card for a brother.  Easy Peasy! Right?  Ugh.   NOT SO MUCH!

I can add flowers, buttons, white resin embellishments to ANYTHING!  but not a masculine card.  And I need to add an image of a vintage automobile too!  Ummm, what to do!

Hand-made cards typically take me an hour or two.  And if it is a special request, can easily take me upwards of three hours.  So I set out to my craft room.  Looked through some pattern papers.  Looked through the scrap box.  Looked through some Tim Holtz embellishments.  Looked through some other odds and ends embellishments.  Looked through stamp sets.  And finally, looked at Pinterest.  Because, when I don't have a clue where or how to start, I can ALWAYS find some inspiration on Pinterest.  Right?  Well, Tim Holtz likes to do steam punk and tags.  And Frank Garcia has a more feminine touch.  Ummm. I'm kinda in the same position I was in before!

But, I am always up for a challenge and a dead line keeps me focused!  Here is what I made:

Ok, now some of the pattern papers are from my scrap box.  So, I can't guarantee that I have the manufacturer correct.  So, lets just get to it!

The card base is lagoon by Stampin' Up!  I use their card stock for almost ALL of my card bases.  They make this wonderfully heavy weight card stock that holds up to my embellishing.  (Always a good thing {smile})

The ledger paper is from a paper pad by Die Cuts With A View.  The large text paper is actually an eye chart pattern paper.  I believe its from Teresa Collins.  But I could be completely wrong.  The other side of this pattern paper has flourishes in the same lagoon blue color.  Very pretty.  I distressed the edges with both scissors and sponging.  I had a heavy hand with the scissors on a couple of spots, but it only added character.  Right?  I did some machine stitching to hold these two layers together.  And who wouldn't love a little zig zag stitching?  I thought the fussiness keeps it from looking too girly.

The green and blue polka dot pattern paper I truly have no idea.  (sorry) I matted it on a scrap piece of the lagoon card stock.  

The automobile photo is actually a digital download from Haute Graphique.  It's a shop on Etsy.  I wasn't sure what size of car photo I was going to need, so I wanted a digital image, that way I can create any size I need.  I matted the digital image onto pool party card stock.  I wanted to bring out the blue flames on the forward car.

I stamped my sentiment on two separate pieces of white card stock, in jet black star-on ink.  I used crumb cake classic ink and my sponge to add some color.  I didn't want the stark white paper.  I curled the ends of the banner ends to help give it a worn look.

I added a torn piece of text paper to the lower left corner of the card.  I thought it added some visual interest.

I stamped the 'water spots' in versa mark and dusted them with silver embossing powder and heat embossed.    Love the random look.

Ok, now for the embellishments.  I added a vintage price tag brad to the sentiment corner.  But it needed something, so I added a flat-back TH crown.  Love it!

I added a metal thunderbird wing set just above the text piece.  I tied a multi-loop bow with a dark blue seam binding, and adhered it just inside the wings.  And finally, I added a spark plug embellishment from Prima.  

I'm actually proud of myself for creating a beautiful masculine card.  Now, just don't ask how much time I spent on it, or how many days I had to walk away, or how much card stock/pattern paper I cut, matted, and un-adhered.  You don't really want to know.  Let's say, lots.  But, I'm very happy with my final card! and I hope the 'brother' loves it too! {heart}

Vintage and Shabby, right next door

Howdy, and welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  It really does make my heart happy to have to visit.  {smile}

One of my favorite shops in town (Albuquerque, New Mexico) is the Specialty shop.  That's where I rent pans when I need to bake more than 2 cakes or 3 dozen cupcakes at once.  It's also where I buy edible glitter, flavorings, boxes, and a variety of many more baking supplies.  

Anyways, a shop that shares their parking lot is a 'new' shop named: Vintage Market and Design.  Ok, just from the name alone, it sounds fabulous!  And so, when I was returning a few pans from baking a three layer German Chocolate Cake yesterday, I went inside this 'new to me' shop!

To start, just look at their business card.  How clever, unique, and stylish is this?  The inside of this store is just as fabulous!

Oh my!  I was in vintage, shabby chic heaven!  It looks like a European flea market on the inside! rooms filled with all things vintage and shabby!  They have linens, furniture, nick-nacks, wall art, calendars, do-dads, books, sheet music, and so so so much more!

They also have a room dedicated to paper crafting!  YES, they do!!! Tim Holts, G45, Authentique, and a few other brands of this style of paper crafting.  But, they have tons of stuff.  Tons of unique and different stuff from the big box stores! and their prices are comparable to those big box stores.  And one of my greatest finds there:  Scor Tape!  Yes, we no longer need to make those purchases off the internet!  And all widths!

Ok, I just wanted to share this store with you.  I hope you venture in.  It is actually very neat, and wonderfully 'old'.  {smile}  They just may have a new stocker frequent visitor {smile}

Have a great day!  I am heading into my craft room.  I have a few special orders that I need to work on.  And yeah, I'll share a photo or two with you when I'm done.  Take care!

Tulips, Please Card

Happy Friday!  I hope this post finds everyone well, happy, and ready for the weekend!  Me, I am!  I have a wonderful friend who needs a German Chocolate Cake for a party on Sunday.  So, she asked me to deliver her cake on Saturday.  So, I am excited to bake something wonderfully yummy!  (I'll post a photo or two this weekend {smile})

But, before I tie on an apron and get the oven heated, I wanted to share a sweet card I am teaching tonight.  Yes, I do workshops on card making.  LOVE it! and I really get energized by the ladies who come out to my classes.  A lot of fun!  So without further ado, here is tonights workshop card:

Recipe:  (all products used to create this card are from Stampin' Up!)  The card stocks used are: pool party, lagoon, and whisper white.  The stamp sets are: Dictionary, and Love is Kindness.  

I stamped the dictionary stamp onto the lighter blue cardstock and heat embossed the lettering with white embossing powder.   I stamped the Love is Kindness stamp with Black ink.  I used my blender pen and ink pads to 'color' the tulips.

I poked a hole on either side of the newspaper roll and threaded my gold bakers twine through and tied in a simple knot.

I wrapped gold satin ribbon across the large, embossed panel, before adhering it to the card front.

I matted the small panel with lagoon card stock and used foam adhesive to adhere it to the card front. Viola!

Ok, some tips and tricks:  You want things to repeat, so that they belong.  Use a small print back ground stamp, or pattern paper that coordinates with your focal image.  You don't want the background to be too busy.  Also, use 'matching' ribbon and twine, so the colors repeat.  You also want your ribbon/twine to compliment the card stock.  And finally, use the same color of card stock, but different shades, to ground the card.  

The card is pretty, didn't use every technique or tool in your craft space, and you didn't have to spend a $100 in supplies.  Remember, to use what you have.  And have fun doing it {smile}

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day!

Sweet Floral Card

Howdy!  I needed to make a card for a Stampin' Up! customer, to simply say 'thank you'.  I wanted to use only Stampin' Up! supplies, so I went browsing the internet for some inspiration, and well . . .

I went to the Friday Mashup Challenge to see what they have this week, and well, look at this impistaional board:

these lovely ladies ask you to make a project using the triple layer technique, or floral, or both.
(I made the Friday Mashup Glamette list with this floral inspired card!  Yahoo!)

I really had a fabulous time with this weeks sketch over @ retro sketches.  So, I decided to play again.   (I received a retro shout out list with this floral card, using this sketch!  Yahoo!)

this week's sketch:

and here is what I made:

I really liked the cascading roses in the Friday Mashup inspiration photo.  So, I decided to create cascading roses for my corner embellishment.  I used the masking technique for the roses and leaves.

Recipe:  I used the pink pirouette card stock for the card base.  I used whisper white card stock as the main panel, and matted it on strawberry card stock.

I used the Stippled Blossoms stamp set to create the 2-step blossoms and leaves.  

To create the random dry embossed dots with the swiss dot embossing folder and a stylus.  I added a trio of bright pink sequins to the card front to add some sparkle.

For my sentiment rectangle, I stamped my sentiment from the Hello There stamp set, in baked brown sugar classic ink.  I matted this piece onto a scrap piece of brushed gold card stock.  I cut a scallop rectangle out of pink pirouette card stock and adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  I stamped the 'thank you' in basic black classic ink onto whisper white card stock.  Then cut it out with my scissors and adhered to the sentiment rectangle.

I tied a simple bow with gold bakers twine, and added it the side of the sentiment rectangle.

Thank you for stopping by!  I just realized that I used the same sentiment for the other card I submitted.  And I also did the same simple bow on the side of the sentiment rectangle.  {ugh}  oh well, I guess I really liked the sentiment and the bow {smile}

Sherbet Heaven

Howdy! I'm so happy that you could take a moment, and stop for a visit, here in my little piece of blog-land {smile}.  I went exploring the world wide web this morning, and decided to play along with some 'tried and try' challenges, and a brand-y new one to me {smile}.

Each Monday, the super talented ladies over @ Mojo Monday (#381) give you a sketch, and then give you some fabulous inspiration!  And well, this Monday, was no different!  The sketch is basic, but that only provides you with an opportunity to add your own flair!  here is this week's sketch:

And the wonderfully talented and gracious ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday (#166) share with us scripture each week, along with some very creative inspiration!  Their challenge site, has real life stories of people triumph and pearls and teaches us each, to have faith, to be good Christians, and in turn to be better human beings.  If you haven't had a chance to stop by their challenge site, I encourage you to do so.  You will not be disappointed.  And please, take a moment out of your busy day, to read their post.  It will truly inspire you!

Their challenge this week is Anything Goes.  So how fabulous is that? scripture and the freedom to create!  A true blessing to share your talents with them, and us {smile}!

Ok, and so I did stop by a 'new-to-me' challenge site this morning, to see, a wonderful color palette, right up my alley!  cure for the monday blues.  This week, we have been provided us with an inspirational board of pink, yellow, mint, and geometric shapes.  What fun!  and here it is:

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used Crisp Cantaloupe card stock, by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  I just love this soft peach-y color.  I used Lullaby DSP, by Stampin' Up!  Since the inspirational board has mint in it, I used the blue/green version of the polka dots.  I used Daffodil Delight card stock, by Stampin' Up! for my matts.  I just love this sunny shade of yellow, without a tinge of green.  I used the pink/brown version of the looped circles, as my main panel.

For the long rectangle at the top of the sketch, I used this to hold my sentiment, which is this week's scripture from Word Art Wednesday.  I added two aqua mist vintage buttons, from Paper Trey Ink to either side of the scripture.  I also threaded some 1/4" gold ribbon, from Stampin' Up!, through the buttons.

For the large circle piece, I machine stitched three different ribbons to a Martha Stewart doily.  I used a crochet trim by Stampin' Up!, an Aqua Mist satin ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink, and a pink, gold, and sheer ribbon I had in my stash.  The lacey blossom for the center of my doily is actually a 'flower' from Prima Marketing, their Coffee collection (#578527).

To help give my card a 'home-made' feel, I added some simple machine stitching around each panel piece, and finally to the rectangle.  I think it helps make the card look 'finished'.  To help tie in the pearl button center on the lace blossom, I added a trio of white half faux pearls, and a pair of clear faceted sequins.

Thank you for stopping by {smile}.  It is always great to have company.  If you see anything that inspires you, please let me know.  Your comments do make me happy! and helps motivate me to keep crafting.  Sometimes, we all need is a little encouragement, to know that what we do, does make a difference. {smile}  Have a great Monday!  Oh, and as usual, this card will be in my Etsy shop.

Sweet Gold Card

Howdy!  I got a chance to head back into my craft room, again.  And that makes my heart happy {smile}.  I stumbled upon a challenge site, that I haven't seen before.  And thought, I should give it a try.   It's called: cure for the monday blues.  How fitting, huh?  The theme was 'golden gathering'.   Very classy, and chic.

*when I went to upload my card into this challenge, it had already closed. {frown} I missed my upload time by just a few hours.  But, I still urge you to check them out.

I visit retro sketches constantly.  However, I mostly don't play along.  Not that they don't have great sketches, or inspiring design team member... I don't really have an excuse {frown}.   Their sketch:

So, please don't let my absence influence you.  Play along with either or both of these challenge sites! here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used white card stock by Paper Trey Ink, for the card base.  It's a nice heavy weight card stock.  For the main matt, I used basic black by Stampin' Up!.  Love the true black color of this card stock.  The text pattern paper is actually a retired DSP from Stampin' Up!.  It's a newsprint pattern.

For my decorative corner, I added a 4" circle doily.  I purposefully allowed it to hang over the side and top.  I added a 2 1/2" circle of a yellow, glitter, text pattern paper, from My Mind's Eye 2.

For my sentiment block, I used the Hello There stamp set, by Stampin' Up!  I stamped the sentiment in Versa Mark, and added gold embossing powder.  Then heated it with my heat gun, and viola!  Beautiful gold raised lettering!  I used a scallop rectangle die, retired from Stampin' Up! to create the beautiful shape.  I layered it onto gold glitter paper, and then a scrap piece of the newspaper text DSP.  I took a fabric daisy and folded it into quarters, then tucked it under the sentiment stacked rectangle.  I also added a white button, by Bo Bunny, Enchanted collection.  I swiped some glue to the edge of the button, and then added gold glitter to its edge.  I tied a piece of white and black baker's twine to the button, and into a simple bow, and adhered it to the center of the quartered fabric daisy.

The card remains blank on the inside.  And will soon appear in my Etsy shop.  

hello, you Card

Welcome!  Sorry I have been absent lately.  I haven't really been paper crafting.  Shocking, I know.  But, I have been trying some different recipes to use the Meyer Lemons a sweet, and dear friend sent me {smile}.  I tried an 'easy' lemon chicken, from the barefoot Contessa.  And it was delicious!  and a Lemon Glazed Zucchini Bread.  I loved it! {smile}.  And a favorite: Lemon Bundt cake by Martha Stewart.   Cooking always gives me a break from the hum of life.  It allows me to slow down and concentrate on creating & crafting.  {smile}  Several of the grand kids did spend a few days at our house.  Anyways!  I did get a chance to head into my craft room, pull out some supplies and craft!  Yahoo!

To help give me some direction, I went to the internet and went to find someplace to play {smile}.  I stumbled upon a challenge site, that I don't believe I have ever played along with.  the Card Concept.  But, I do love their inspiration boards, and their design team will certainly inspire you.  And well, this weeks board really spoke to me!  Look at this!  I was inspired by the blossoms and the colors! (pinks, blush, and green)

I also stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Cardaabilities.  These talented ladies, always have a great sketch, and the design team is sure to inspire you.  Here is their latest sketch:

here is what I created:

To start I need to give you the disclaimer -  this card was not created in simply an hour.  It was rather a labor of love {heart}  I will give you the supplies and tips of creating this card from the base to the last layer.

Recipe:  I used white card stock from Paper trey Ink.  They make great heavy weight card stock that will stand up to an embellished card.  The creamy, tan card stock, is actually Toffee card stock by Amuse Studios.  I just love the soft color.  The floral woodgrain pattern paper, is actually a digital download from a favorite shop of mine @ iralamija.  I added a simple machine stitch along the edge to create a sweet border.

The circle, is actually a cross stitch hoop shape.  I used a die from Paper Trey Ink.  It has a hoop and banner in the set.  I used a piece of a wood sheet, by Stampin' Up! (these wood sheets are retired. {frown})  I brushed clear crackle paint on the wood and then dipped the whole piece into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I cut a 2 1/2" circle from a canvas sheet, by Stampin' Up!.  I sponged some crumb cake classic ink on the canvas circle to help give it some dimension.  I used a liquid glue to hold the canvas piece and the wood piece together.  

I used flowers from Prima marketing.  The larger pink blossom is from their Symphony Blend Amoraso Pink collection (#537852) and the two littler blossoms are from the Cabriole Aqua collection (#566807).  I used my hot glue gun to adhere them to the wooden hoop.   I tied a multi-loop bow with some old ribbon I had on hand.  Its a sheer shimmer vanilla 1/4" ribbon.  I tucked the bow just under the larger pink blossom.

For my banner piece, I stamped my sentiment onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used Versa Mark ink, and gold embossing powder by Stampin' Up!.  I cut a flag end and an arrow end on the sentiment strip.  I used foam tape at each end, to attach it to the card front.  

I cut my leaves with a leaf die, using some retired pear pizzazz polka dot dap from Stampin' Up!.  And finally, I added a trio of white half faux pearls, by Mellissa Frances to the card front, along with a pair of clear sequins.

This hand made greeting card will be for sale in my Etsy shop.  Thank you for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you to play along with either of these challenge sites, or simply craft something pretty! {smile}

Choose Happy Card

Welcome.  I was looking around the internet yesterday, and ran across this challenge site.  It's not new, but I don't think I have played along with this talented group of ladies before.  CAS(E) this Sketch.  They create Clean And Simple cards.  So, I thought I'd try my hand at this {smile}.

here is this weeks sketch:

When I first saw this sketch, it seemed too simple.  But, then, after I looked at the design team samples, I was truly inspired!  And now I am a believer, that sometimes, 'less is more'!

here is what I created:

Recipe:  The card base is made from Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The aqua script pattern paper is from Carta Bella, their 'so noted' collection.  The floral pattern paper is from Teresa Collins, I believe it is from their 'sweet afternoon' collection.  (But I could be wrong.  I only have a scrap piece left.)  I added a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I wanted it to have a home-made 'feel'.  

My sentiment circle with banner, is actually a chipboard piece from Heidi Swap.  I added a multi-loop bow from this blue-green ribbon I had on hand.  I tied a pink blush vintage button from Paper Trey Ink to the center of the bow.  I used bermuda bay bakers twine to tie the button to the bow.

I added a trio of pearls, and a trio of aqua blue rain drops, to the card front.  

This card was actually fun to create.  And I know its not my usual 'shabby chic' style, but I do love the mix of script, polka dots, and floral images.

If you have a chance to play along with the ladies over @ CAS(E) this Sketch, I am sure you will have fun, too {smile}.  I have also placed this card in my Etsy shop.  There are a few extra photos there, too.  

Pink Sparkle

Welcome.  I've been a bit busy, so I apologize for my absence.  I ordered some crafting supplies from a few different places:  an Esty shop, and Stampin' Up!.  Stampin' Up! has started their Sale-A-Bration campaign.  They have some new pattern paper collections and some new designed rubber stamps.  Always a great purchase!  {smile}  

I haven't 'noticed' flair buttons before.  But lately I have noticed them everywhere!  and well, I want to see how fabulous they are to craft with.  So, I headed over to Easy, and found some that are reasonably priced, great graphics, and wonderful customer service, @ aflairforbuttons.  One of the packages of flair buttons I purchased, are these: {Aqua} Let Them Eat Cake.  I know that I am typically a 'pink person', but the shade of aqua, caught my fancy {smile}!

Ok, now that I have some great supplies, I needed a little direction, so I head to Mojo Monday, for their sketch challenge this week.  And since this is the first Monday of the month, it is a prize challenge.  Here is their sketch

and here is what I made:

Recipe: the card base is white card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The tannish grey pattern paper (sahara sand and whisper white) is called Something Borrowed DSP, by Stampin' Up!.  The floral pattern paper is Sweet Christmas, from Tilda.  I matted the floral pattern paper on Rose Red card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  

The silver glitter paper, was cut with the tasteful trims die, both by Stampin' Up!.  I added some pale pink seam binding.  I attached these to the front of the card with some machine stitching.  I tied a thin silver cord into a simple bow.  I added a multi-loop bow of the pale pink seam binding.   The rhinestone flat-back button is also new this season.  

I cut a tiny tag from whisper white card stock, using the tiny tag die by Paper Trey Ink.  I stamped the sentiment in sahara sand classic ink, using the fancy flexible phrases, both by Stampin' Up!

I added a appliqué I found in the clearance section of a big box sewing store.  There were actually three in the bin, so I bought them all.  {smile}  I added a flair button to the upper corner of the appliqué.  I selected the Marie Antoinette image with an aqua polka dot background.  I loved the matching pink dresses.

I added a trio of white sequins and a trio of rhinestones to add some bling and some visual interest.  I have posted this card in my Easy shop: InkwoodDesigns.  I have also entered this card in the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hopefully, I get a chance to craft more items and I promise to share with you.  {smile}

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Howdy!  I hope your weekend was productive! {smile}  Me, yeah!  I was surfing Pinterest over the weekend.  As most folks know, St. Valentine's Day, is my favorite holiday.  So, I was looking for some new card ideas, decorations, and of course food items!

I ran across a recipe of Strawberry Chocolate Chip cookies.  Ummm.  Interesting.  So, I read the recipe, and it sounds good.  And so I baked some.  You know, a trial run.  Will they bake as great as they are said to?  Will they taste wonderful?  And YES they are & do!!!

I got the recipe from Sally, HERE.  My cookies don't look as pretty as Sally's.  But, they will work.    Remember, this is the trial run.  and no, these are NOT pink chocolate chip cookies.  Remember, they are Strawberry flavored cookies with milk chocolate chips.  So, when we bit into them, it did take us by surprise.  Not overly strawberry-ish.  But, there is a strawberry flavor.  Not too surprising.  Just delightful!  

My next St. Valentine's Day treat, to try, will be Strawberry-Cherry Hand Pies.  Now how yummy does that sound!  Who knows, I just might make them heart shaped {smile}.