Mr & Mrs, card

Howdy!  Holey moley is there a lot of snow outside!  I hope you are inside staying warm.  If you do need to adventure outdoors, please bundle up! be safe! and take your time!  Remember, 'arrive alive'! That use to be a DOT campaign many, many years ago.  I believe they used it, when they changed the interstate highway speed limits.  Anyways, I digress.
I have another Black, White, and Blue wedding card to share with you.   The lovely ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday have an anything goes  challenge this week.

This week's scripture is from John 15:9, and speaks about love.  The love our Lord has for each of us, and how we need to share that same love with each other.  So, I thought it was fitting to share this card.  And here is what I made:

I really wanted to make something sweet, soft, and simply pretty.  I hope the bride and groom, love this!  Anyways, lets get to the recipe:  I used soft sky card stock by Stampin' Up! to make the card base.  This card is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2".  A bit large for me, but I am really starting to embrace this larger canvas!  This card fits wonderfully into an envelope made for  5" x 7" cards.

Ok, I did a pure black card stock matt, by Paper trey ink.  I added two scrap pieces of pattern paper.  The light blue text is from the Noteworthy collection, by Carta Bella.  The blue damask pattern paper is from Melissa Frances.  I added a simple machine stitched border, to help 'adhere' it to the black matt.

For my scallop collection, I added a strip of winter white scallop trim that I think is just lovely.  I added on top of that a scallop trim piece of blue texture card stock.  And to top that, I added a piece of Raven scallop lace trim.  I really love how these three trims look together. {smile}

For my blossoms:  The two tall blossoms are painted with white paint and glittered.  I sprayed these with Aqua Net hair spray to 'seal'/'set' the glitter.  I tucked these two tall pieces behind my big blue blossom.  That blossom is from Prima.  I added some white paint to the petals, to help give it a shabby look.  I tucked in a dark grey felt rolled blossom from CTMH.  I thought the contrast really worked well.

To balance the blossoms, I tucked in a white resin frame from Melissa Frances.  I just love her frames!  I don't have many, and they can be a bear to get your hands on, so I do hoard these.  I added a small blue paper blossom inside the frame.  I painted the petal tips with white paint and added glitter.  {smile}  I also added some blue rain drops inside the frame.  While adding these little gems inside the frame, glitter was adhered, too.

The focal collage looked 'open' at the bottom, so I made a multi-loop bow with some beautifully deep blue seam binding.  So, I tucked that bow in at the bottom of that big blue blossom.  At this point I noticed that I didn't have a sentiment, so I made a tiny tag that simply reads: 'Mr. & Mrs'.  I flagged the end, to give it a little pizzazz.

I thought the card looked a little flat, so I added some rhinestone swirls here and there.  The largest of the rhinestone flourish is at the top of the card.  I didn't want it to look odd or out of place, so I added a little strip of rhinestones inside the white frame, and then two rhinestone curves at the bottom of the card.

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something for yourself, or someone special.  There is joy in just making something beautiful, just for the sake of crafting {smile}.  

Well, I am off to my craft room.  I feel the need to sit and play with paper.  The snow outside is measured in feet, and its too deep for me to run errands.  So, inside I will stay inside.  Maybe later today, I'll adventure in the kitchen and make a beautiful pot roast with all the fixings for dinner.  And some home-made yeast rolls.  Ahh, this is what I need to relax, recharge, and find some inner peace and happiness.  Take care.  Stay warm.  Be safe.  See you soon!

Simply Thank You

Busy, busy, busy.  But I imagine you are too!  So, this post will be a bit short, and to the point.  I will have more to share soon.  {smile}
For those who have been waiting on my Explosion Box Card, ugh.  That project has been push to the back burner.   Not that I don't want to make this project.  I am just second guessing my products for this year's Spring Craft fair.  Sorry.  I hope to either finish it, or make more.  {smile}
I need to make a few more items for my Etsy shop, here.  So, I broke out some beautiful pattern paper from Poland: Lemon Craft: Forget Me Not.  I used the current sketch from Mojo Monday.

sketch:

and here is what I made:

here is the recipe:  I used Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  Love this color of blue, and I think it really works well with the blue blossoms on the pattern paper.  I adhered the pattern paper of forget me not blossoms and white music scores to the same size whisper white card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I then added a simple machine stitch border to this paper.  I wrapped a strip of gold satin ribbon around this panel and adhered it to the front of the card.

The smaller/focal panel was created with a different pattern paper.  I matted this paper onto a pool party card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I added a simple machine stitch border to this panel, also.  

I had a left over canvas tag on my craft table, and a scrap piece of a thin cream crochet trim, so I sewn them together. {smile}

For the blossom, it is actually made from Very Vanilla satin ribbon, by Stampin' Up!  It is twisted and tucked.  I added two card stock leaves to this blossom.  I hot glued the blossom to the canvas tag.  I tied a multi-loop bow with pool party seam binding, by Stampin' Up!.  I added a short length of crochet trim behind the bow and tied to the tag with a thin piece of white tulle.  I used the tulle to tie the white vintage button, from Paper Trey Ink.

The banner piece was made with a 1/2" short piece of shimmer white card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I used the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, and inked with Soft Suede classic ink, both by Stampin' Up!.

And to give my card its finishing touch, I added a trio of marshmallow white faucet sequins.

Thank you for looking.  I am heading back into my craft room, to work with some beautiful pattern paper from American Crafts.  It's not a company I work with, a lot.  But they have this gorgeous pattern paper I am anxious to work with.  {smile}

Love Birds, Card

I love to paper craft {smile}.  And I sometimes love a challenge.  A very dear, and special lady had asked me to make her a Black & White & Blue wedding card.  But she didn't have any other requests.  Wow, creative freedom!  She must know a few artists {smile}  

I like choices.  And I assume everyone else does too.  So, I made her a few cards to choice from.  I posted one yesterday, and I have one more today.  So, lets get started!

To help me focus on the task at hand, I stopped by a new favorite challenge site:  Friday Mashup.  This week's challenge over @ Friday Mashup, they have both a sketch, and a theme (Up and Away).  I didn't get that creative and incorporate a hot air balloon.  {frown}  In my defense, I was looking for a sketch and not a theme.  I have a theme wedding.  And now, I am kicking myself, I think I could have done a wedding hot air balloon.  And this is New Mexico, we host the world's largest hot air balloon mass ascension.  Hind sight, right?  Let's see the sketch:

and here is what I made:

This special occasion greeting card is a large card for me {smile}.  The finished card size is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2", and has an accompanying envelope for a 5" x 7" card.  I wanted to make sure that my embellished card would fit inside, without mashing any of the embellishments.  

Recipe:  The card base is Pure Black by Paper Trey Ink.  Love their heavy weight card stock.  

The blue matt is Island Indigo card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used Authentique pattern papers, Classique and Spirited.  I used the tone on tone blue pattern paper.  I wanted blue, but not a specific pattern.  The black doily pattern gives interest without competing with the focal piece.  To help convey a home-made touch, I added a simple machine stitch border.

I used a wide white crochet trim and a pale blue velvet ribbon.  I just love how soft and classy these two trims looked together.   This main panel is adhered to the card front with foam tape to allow space for the crochet trim and velvet trim room to wrap around the card front.

The focal image is actually one of those journalling blocks from the Classique collection.  I selected one with no quote or busy graphics.  I hand stamped my sentiment, in Jet Black StazOn.  I used two different stamp sets, but love how the fonts really work together.  For the journal block: Fancy Flexible Phrases.  For the sentiment banner piece: Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Both of these stamp sets are from Stampin' Up!

Focal Piece:  I cut down a 3" x 4" journal block.  Rounded the corners and adhered to a scrap piece of pure black card stock.  I stamped my sentiment, with my fingers crossed.  I adhered a bird cage metal embellishment from Spare Parts.  I added a large blue blossom above and just left to the top of the bird cage.  I added a scrap piece of cream lace trim to the 'bare' side of this blossom.

For the two white and two blue blossoms flanking the large blue blossom, I first added some white acrylic paint to the petal tips, and then immediately dunked them into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I added several leaf sprays cut from black tone on tone pattern paper from the Classique collection.  I adhered this piece with foam tape to help lift it off the card front, and to allow for the height of the trims.

Finishing touches:  I wanted to add some classic and sparkling touches.  So, to finish the focal piece, I added two pearl string loops.  And then to continue with the classic pearl touch, I added a spare black pearl flourish piece to opposite corners of the card.  And finally, for the sparkling touch, I added a collection of blue faceted sequins in the same opposite corners.

This card is also finished on the inside.  I have a white panel matted with a piece of the Island Indigo card stock.
Thank you for stopping by!  Hopefully I have more time to craft this week!

Teal Newlyweds

Wow, this past week was crazy at work.  And I was unable to craft this week.  When the week is like this it really makes my heart sad.  I love crafting.  I actually love to 'craft' all kinds of things.  I made some cream puffs this week, but didn't remember to take a photo {frown}.

Anyway, back to paper crafting {smile}.  A lady placed a special order for a Black & White, with Blue wedding card.  She didn't care about the layout or any specific embellishment.  So, I had free rein.  Yeah!

I went to Cardabilities for the current sketch.  I pulled out this beautiful black and white/cream pattern paper from Authentique.  And some coordinating embellishments, and (hopefully) crafted a beautiful card.  

Here is the current sketch:

my card:

Recipe:  Ok, this is NOT an A2 size card.  I wanted a large card, to provide me with a large enough 'canvas' to create something beautiful.  My card is 6 1/4" x 4 1/4".  The envelope is for a 5" x 7" card.

The card base is pure black card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The 'blue' matt is cabana by Stampin' Up!.   The black and cream pattern paper is from the Classique collection, by Authentique.  I used a thread cutter to 'rough' the edges.  I tore a small slit in the pattern paper and used a bamboo skewer to roll the torn paper.  

To add a delicate piece, I added a cream trim just under the tear.  I wrapped a wide piece of cream lace around the card front.  Then I added a simple border with my sewing machine.  I love to add machine stitching to my cards.  I think it helps convey a 'home-made' feel {smile}.  

I added a scallop trimmed piece of of aqua mist polka dot pattern paper, to keep the color on this black and white card.

The only black lace I have is a 1/2" Raven Lace Trim.  But, I wanted something a little thicker.  So, I just added two strips, back to back.

I added a large single blossom to the card front.  This is an old Prima blossom: Cherise Taos.  The bottom and top petals are velvet.  There is a layer of sheer fabric petals between.  And topped with white feathers.  For the center, there is a beautiful cluster of rhinestones and pearls.  I just love these blossoms, and hoard them {smile}.

I added an 'US' light bulb towards the left upper corner.  To help 'hide' the bottom of the bulb, I added multi-loop bow made with black seam binding.  I added an aqua blue pearl brad to the center of the bow.  To help balance that end of the card, I added a clear crystal dangle tied to the bow with thin silver cord.

I added two black pearl swirls to opposite sides of the large teal blossom.  I made sure I stayed inside the machine stitching.

For my sentiment, I used the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped with Jet Black StazOn ink, onto shimmer white card stock.  I used my scissors to create the banner end.

The inside of the card is also finished.  I matted a piece of shimmer white card stock onto Cabana card stock, both by Stampin' Up!.

Fabric Banner and Tutorial

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy!  If you were here this weekend, I had great asperations to have an Explosion Box to show you.  Well, I have never made one, and so my first attempt is taking longer than I expected.  Therefore, I don't have mine finished.  But it is underway.  And yeah, its a Baby Girl theme.  {smile}

I hope to have it done in a few days.  You see, I won't be able to work on it until the evenings when I get home from work, and finish my wife-ly chores (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc).

But I did want to share with you another craft I finished Sunday evening.  {smile}.  I have been wanting to make a fabric rag banner for quite a while now.  I see them on the internet, and the tutorials say they are 'easy'.  So, I have finally sat down to create one.  There are quite a few photos, so grab something to drink, and take a look at what I made! {smile}

Fabric Banner

I made a shabby-chic fabric strip banner!  I have to admit, when I was done, I was sooooo happy with it!  I couldn't stop smiling!  I love a project that comes to together with ease and actually looks the way you believe it will, when you are done!  So, let's get started with this tutorial!

I have looked at several (and I do mean several!) tutorials.  They all basically say to start with 5 different fabrics.  Well, I didn't.  I wanted my banner to be a product of a mixture of what I had on hand, and what I envisioned it to be.  I wanted something shabby chic, farm-land, country, sweet, and a lot girl-y.  So I started with three fabrics I had purchased just for this project.  These fabrics are from Tilda.  Love their stuff: paper, fabric, ribbon, embellishments, etc.

these are the fabrics I used.  Fat Quarters

I used fat quarters for my fabric sizes (18"  x 22").  I didn't want a long banner, or a super short banner.  I washed and dried my fabric before I started.  I wanted that soft, 'worn' look. 

I laid my fabrics out, and with a ruler, cut a slip at each inch, on the long side.

cut slips one inch apart

Now, this will seem a bit rash, but tear your strips.  Tear the fabric.  It's ok, tear it.  By tearing it, you give the fabric a rough edge.  Which is what I wanted.  But, if that is NOT what you want, cut it.  I would suggest a rotary cutter, so your cuts are straight.  You could also use peeking sheers, so you have a decorative edge.

Now, gather more 'material' that you believe coordinates, and cut/tear lengths that measure the same as your fabrics.  I used trims: ribbon, lace, seam binding, and decorative trim.

my three fabrics, white lace, trim, gold satin ribbon, blue seam binding and pink seam binding

I used a thick twine for my 'sting' to loop my pieces onto.  I simply pulled out a length of the heavy twine that roughly measured the length I wanted my banner, and then added a foot and a half on each end.  That way, I would have plenty of length to tie my banner.  
To start, I looped a strip of the white lace at each ending point.  This served two fold: mark the end and to keep my banner confined to a measured space.
Next, I only had enough length for three strips of the gold satin ribbon.  So, I tied one to the center of the banner space, and then eye-balled the placement of the other two strips.
Next, I only had four lengths of the cream ball trim.  So, I looped those pieces onto the twine, so that the banner was divided into quarters.
This type of measuring isn't exact, but it did help guide me as to how many fabric strips to add to my banner, so that it looked balanced, and not too wonky.
Lets get those fabric strips on the twine!  My pattern was simple.  Fabric. Fabric. Fabric. Lace. Fabric. Fabric. Fabric. Lace.  I think the blue floral pattern fabric looks the boldest/strongest, so I used that fabric strip as my middle fabric.  I repeated this pattern across the whole banner length.
I added the seam binding last.  I didn't have a lot of either seam binding.  So, I added a length of the blue seam binding to each side of each gold satin ribbon.  I added a length of the pink seam binding to each side of each cream ball trim.

To finish, I simply fixed any places where the fabric was bunching up, too much, and viola!

close-up of a section of my banner

Now, you are probably wondering what I am doing with the banner.  I don't plan on selling this one.  If you would like me to make you one, just convo me, and we can talk particulars: size, length, price, etc.  This one was made for a friendship high tea I am hosting at my house this year, late spring.  But, I love it so much, it just might make it into my display booth at this years Spring Craft Fair on May 2nd, 2015!

Stay tuned, I promise, I will have photos of an Explosion Box this week!

Life is Sweeter With You, Card

Howdy!  WOW, I didn't realize so much time had passed since my last post.  My apologies.  I have had some health issues, work has been crumb-y, and various other life happenings.  {grimace}

But, have no fear, I will continue to carve out time to craft!  It's in my blood!  I dream of pattern paper {smile}.  

I am getting my crafting focused.  I have a craft fair in 2 months.  I also am hosting Bunco a few weeks following that.  So, I am trying to keep my crafting prioritized, so I can make the most of the time I have.  And trying not to get tunnel vision.  {fingers crossed}  I will post projects completed for Bunco when I get them done, so stay tuned. 

card flattened, so it will fit in an A-2 envelope

But, before I get started on some of the Bunco stuff, let me start with a new item I will be selling at this year's Spring Craft Fair on May 2nd, 2015.  I call them 'cards with movement'.  I have a board on Pinterest with the same name HERE.  I will have several of this type of greeting card (card-in-a-box), with a few different occasions.  But, I will also have a few of the 'explosion box' cards, too.  (stay tuned for a post on those, this week.)

So, without further ado, my version of the 'Card-In-A-Box' Card:

an angled view:

I used some pattern paper I already had on-hand, Signature Homespun.  I figure I should use the stuff I already have, instead of just spending more money on new stuff.  Right!  (One of this years New Years Resolutions.)

Recipe:  The card base is Cherry Cobbler card stock.  I used a numeric pattern paper and matted with Early Espresso card stock.  I also used a rustic red blossom, aqua polka dot pattern paper and matted that onto Cabana card stock.  (I am a fan of red and aqua.  Love the contrast.)  

For the center piece, I stamped the 'tag' in Chocolate Chip classic ink, onto very vanilla card stock.  I stamped the 'label' piece in cherry cobbler classic ink, onto very vanilla card stock.  I sponged the edges with soft suede classic ink*.  I used foam tape to life the label off the surface of the tag.

For the side panels, I cut 1 1/4" circles from the back side of the numeric pattern paper.  I cut a 1 3/8" circle with early espresso card stock.  Adhered them together.  I stamped the bow in versa mark ink, onto very vanilla card stock.  I added pool party embossing powder, and heat embossed.  I fussy cut each bow out, and used foam tape to adhere them to the center of the matted circles.

I stamped each blossom twice.  I used a hand held punch for the larger blossoms, and fussy cut the smaller blossoms.  I adhered two the same blossoms together, back to back.  So that the blossom would be seen from any view.

I added gold embossing to the center of the larger blossoms, and rhinestones to the center of the smaller blossoms.  

The bird is stamped in versa mark ink, onto whisper white card stock.  I added gold embossing powder, and heat embossed the bird.  The bird is adhered to the back of the card with foam tape.  

The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip classic ink, onto cabana card stock.  The large scallop circle is punched from cherry cobbler card stock.

I added leaves here and there, to give the illusion of a flower garden.  The back panel is left blank, so a hand-written note can be added.  These cards will be packaged with this 'note' panel un-attached, (so the piece can be laid flat when writing).

Thank You for looking.  This card is my 'sample' for the Spring Craft Fair.  I am heading back into my craft room, to make a few shabby chic 'card-in-a-box' cards.  {smile}.  Tuesday, I will be working on my sample 'explosion' box card.  I will try my best to get it photographed, and posted.  It will most likely be baby-girl themed box card.  I say that, because I already have a paper collection in mind.

If you have any suggestions, as to what you would like to see, let me know!  I'd love to know what folks could potentially be shopping for.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

*the edges of all solid, and pattern paper, as well as all stamped items were sponged with soft suede classic ink.

Bee - lieve, Card

Howdy!  Welcome! have a look around, and sit a spell.  {smile}  I had a great visit with a wonderful girl friend today.  She always makes me laugh, and we have a great time together.  Anyways, a mutual friend of ours, is having kinda a difficult time these days.  So, I set out in my craft room, to make her a sweet card!  I just want her to know that we care about her, and that she can always call.

I stopped by Mojo Monday to play along with their sketch challenge.  You see, its the first Monday of the month, so it's a contest/prize week.  So, here is this week's challenge sketch:

It was a lot of fun working with this weeks sketch, so don't be surprised if I submit more than one card for this challenge {smile}.  Here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used baked brown sugar card stock by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  Love their heavy weight card stock.  Very sturdy and beautiful colors.

The pattern paper is Just Saying, by My Minds Eye.  I just love the bright vibrant colors.   The gold accents really add a bit of sparkle. (smile).

I matted the largest pattern paper and the smallest pattern paper with the bright melon orange peel solid card stock.  The gold star pattern paper is matted onto a scrap piece of matching cardstock.  

I added a circle embellishment from this pattern paper coordinating embellishment.  It's a floral circle that has a sentiment inside. 'believe in yourself'.  I think the sentiment is perfect for our friend.  {smile}  I added a white resin crown from Melissa Frances.  I think it adds a little fanciness.  I wrapped apiece of sage green ribbon from Inspired Stamping, and tied it in a simple bow.  I added a piece of elastic trim just under the ribbon.  I love the gold arrows on the cream.  

I thought that there was something missing just below the bow.  So, I looked through my stash for some gold embellishments, and look what I found!  a gold bee.  I thought it looked great with the crown and 'believe'.  Queen Bee, and Bee-lieve in yourself.  Doesn't it look good?  I also added a trio of sequins.  A pair of small gold sequins and a large pale pink sequins.  The sequins are from Studio Calico.

Well, I need to go, so I can get this card addressed and ready to be mailed.  Take care.  and if you get a chance to play along with this weeks sketch challenge, good luck on the contest. {smile}