Tuesday, March 31, 2015

I Won't Forget, Card

Welcome.  I wanted to take a quick break from my craft room, and share a card I made for a special friend; Denita.  We have been getting together once a month to craft.  Now, who wouldn't love that? {smile}.  And this sweet friend, is pretty creative!  She makes me craft better!  Anyways, when we got together earlier this month she shared a book tutorial.  And she made it simple, easy to follow instructions, and even cut out 'sample' pieces for me.  How super awesome is that?  Well, I wanted to send her a thank you card for everything! Lunch, the tutorial, her time, her friendship, and just being a very giving, considerate, and friendly person.   
Anyways, to help get some of those creative juices flowing, I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  retro sketches.  I love this site, because their sketches are easy to use, and the design team is very inspirational.  Here is the currently sketch:

here is what I made:


Recipe:  I started with kraft card stock from a big box store.  I love the color.  The weight of this card stock is on the light side, so I added a matted panel to the inside to balance out the weight, so the card will stand.  
different view: straight on
I still have a few scraps from my LemonCraft purchase: Forget Me Not.  So, I matted the two different pattern papers onto some Tim Holtz texture steel blue solid card stock.  I did a single machine stitch border.  
For the half circle element, I added a tea dyed paper doily.  [yes, I tea dyed several paper doilies to have on hand when white is too bright.]  I also added some pale blue seam binding to the doily.  I just had to.  I tied a simple bow.  But you know me, there is nothing simple about it.  I tied a simple bow with cream twine to the seam binding bow, and then topped it off with a white clay blossom I had made and baked a few weeks ago.  [I always make extras when I make any clay embellishments.]
The sentiment is heat embossed in early espresso.  I wanted a stark contrast, but not black.  I added a flair button, and then some blue pearls and clear rhinestones.  
This card is pretty simple for me, but I think it still has a lot of pizzazz!  Now, I need to head into town to get this gem off to the post office.  Thank you for looking! and I hope you have been inspired to play along with the talented ladies over @ retro sketches.



Sunday, March 29, 2015

So Sweet of You!, Card

~ PHOTO HEAVY POST ~

Howdy.  Welcome.  Yeah, I have been busy crafting.  Busy making paper crafts for my upcoming craft fair, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.  But, I took a few minutes and photographed a very special card I created for a current card challenge.   It is in my shabby chic style, with my favorite color: PINK {smile}.
I started with a sketch from a great challenge site: Just Add Ink.  These ladies are very inspirational, and creative working with their sketch.  Please take a moment to head over, and have a look {smile}.

And then I headed over to a very inspirational challenge site: Shabby Chic.  For this current challenge, they have a color challenge!  Remember though, that you have to create in shabby chic style.  Also, they are restrictive on neutral colors.  

and here is what I made:

different views:




Recipe:  I used kraft card stock to create the card base.  I didn't want a color to compete with the main panel, so I choose to use a contrasting color.  The text pattern paper is actually from Melissa Frances.  I just love this paper.  The writing is in a dark grey color, on white paper, so their isn't any distractions.  Your eye moves over it very easy.
The main panel is a pink and white design and text pattern paper from Teresa Collins.  I sewn a double border simple stitch to adhere the two card stocks together.  I rough up the edges my finger nail, and the tip of scissors.

For the tag, I added the opposite side of the pink pattern paper by Teresa Collins.  This side of the pattern paper uses the same colors of pink and white, however, the pattern is all text.  I cut one white paper doily in half and adhered it to both sides of the tag.

I added 5 lace trims to the bottom portion of the tag.  (bottom to top) Cream wide lace.  White cotton trim.  Cream tulle fringe.  White lace.  White crochet trim.  These layers are machine stitched to the tag.  
I tied a multi-loop bow with some white seam binding.  Then I used some pale pink seam binding to tie the white bow to the front of the tag, and created a simple bow.  I tied some cream twine around the bows, and tied it into a simple  bow.  I cut the 'legs' off of a white sparkle brad, and used hot glue to attach the center of the brad to the bow collection.
I had a white fabric blossom laying on my craft desk, so I added it, just under the bow collection.
For the sentiment, I heat embossed my sentiment onto vellum card stock, using gold embossing powder.  I hand cut the banner ends to the sentiment piece.  I adhered the sentiment right onto the tag.
Thank you for looking, I hope you have been inspired to play along with either or both of these challenge sites.  You won't be disappointed {smile}!


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Sweet Rose, Book

Welcome.  If you stopped by yesterday, then you know that I really enjoyed myself with the current sketch from Mojo Monday.  I layered strips of trim with strips of paper to create  'rectangle' shape.   And, I did it again!  This time I used only trim.  
The lovely ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have this great inspirational photo, to guide your creativity.  And I just love it!

This photo is very inspirational.  I just love the weathered wooden structure, and the bike.  It's so sweet.  The banner and flowers really add a softness.  So, I set out, back into my craft room I went, and crafted another piece.  {smile}


So, this sweet little piece isn't a card.  I altered a mini composition notebook.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  Because this item will most likely travel along with you, I kept the front cover as 'flat' as possible.  But you know me, I'm no good at CAS (clean and simple).  This is about as much as CAS as I get. (smile).
Recipe:  Well, like so many (ok, 95%) of my crafts, I started with the beautiful heavy weight card stock from Stampin' Up!.  This sweet, soft, grey-ish green, is actually called Moss.  It is a retired color from several years ago, and yeah, I still have a few large scraps!  Anyways, I used this color of card stock for the spine of the notebook, as well as the matt for my sentiment.
The worn wood, botanical pattern paper is from a new purchase, by Our Daily Bread, Shabby Rose.  The paper 'pad' is 6" x 6", so I only used two sheets.  Yahoo!  One sheet for the front and back covers and then another for the lining inside the covers. {smile}
I added three different lace trims to the right front cover.  The strips of lace I had on hand were a bit too long, so I did a fussy ruffle machine stitch to help shorten their lengths.  There is a cream lace trim on the bottom, then a white lace trim over that.  And finally, a thin cream crochet trim on top.  
I hand stitched a trio of pearls onto the lace.  Two at the top and one at the bottom of this lace strip.
For my sentiment, I stamped this definition 'original' in going gray classic ink (slate, is the new name for this color), by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped the sentiment onto very vanilla card stock.  I wanted some  softer than stark white.  I used my small scallop rectangle die to create the shape.  I matted in onto a scrap piece of moss card stock, and then onto rose red card stock.  I wanted a pop of color that is in the roses.
To help give my piece a rustic look, I did a simple criss cross stitch with cream twine at opposite corners of the sentiment piece.
Then to finish off my notebook, I added a pen nib.   But the metal pen nib looked to plain, so I tied on a multi-loop bow made from some strawberry bakers twine, and hot glued this piece to the front of the notebook.  [I used hot glue, to give this embellishment a bit more 'staying' power.]
I used some cream twill ribbon, to hold the notebook closed.  I think this textured ribbon helps give a rustic softness to the notebook.  And finally, I had to include a pen.  I had a scrap piece of a blue pattern paper laying on my craft table, that really 'matches' the blue in the main pattern paper.  So, I rolled up a piece and stuck it into the barrel of the pen.  Now, who ever carries this little notebook, along with them, will have a place to jot things down, and an instrument to do so.  {smile}
This little treasure will be for sale at this years Spring Craft Fair @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, NM.  On the first Saturday in May, 2015.  Hope to see you there! 


Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Shabby Rose Birthday

Howdy, I hope this post find you well.  Me, yeah.  It really feels good to have less stress, less madness, less anger, less yucky stuff going on in my life.  Life is too short, to obsess over stupid, thoughtless, ignorant, and plain selfish people.  So, I have taken a vow, to choose happiness, choose love, choose friendship, and leave all that non-sense behind me.  I need laughter, love, companionship, and a place to express my creativity.  So here we are!  
I woke this morning around 3a with Mojo Monday's current layout rolling around in my mind.  I did resist the fierce urge to get up and creep into my craft room.  Instead, I went back to sleep, to give my body a change to rest, and to re charge.  And well, I bet you can guess what I did this morning!  Yeah, I headed into my craft room, and executed the 'idea' I had earlier this morning {smile}
If you haven't headed over to Mojo Monday this week, here is their current sketch.

here is what I created:


I have to admit, when I first saw this sketch, I didn't really like the circle piece so high from the banner piece.  But, after playing around with a few different arrangements, I'm embracing the height.
Recipe:  I started with Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Love their heavy weight card stock.  The pattern papers (all three) are from a new collection I picked up a few weeks ago: Shabby Rose, by Our Daily Bread.  Love the soft colors, and the beautiful graphics.
I used my thread cutter to distress (rough -up) the edges of the pattern paper.  I sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  I took two simple, polka dot-ish pattern papers, and torn thin strips.  Each strip is roughly 3/4" wide.  I also sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.
I had a short strip of this beautiful white cotton trim sitting on my craft table, so I add this wide strip first.  Then I layered the two pattern paper strips.  I added a short cream crochet trim, by Stampin' Up! and then a shorter strip of white crochet trim.  I did a zig zag stitch over the white crochet trim to hold all these layers together. {smile}  I hand stitched the pearls to the front panel.  I used brown thread, to give it some contrast.  But, now, I'm not too sure if I like the contrast.  I took an extra pink paper blossom sitting on my craft table and added some silver glitter to the edges.  Set the glitter with Aqua Net hair spray.  I used hot glue to add the pink paper blossom.  I really wanted to emphasize the pretty blue tone in the main panel, so I added an aqua blue multi-loop bow tied with seam binding.  I tucked the seam binding bow in under the paper blossom.
For my sentiment piece, it is actually an extra Birthday banner I created last week.  I originally wasn't sure what color I wanted this sentiment, so I stamped and heat embossed this sentiment in a few different colors.  {smile}.
And as always, this card remains blank on the inside.  That way, you can add your own hand-written message.   And this card is created for the craft fair coming soon!  May 2, @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, NM.
I hope you have been inspired to play along with this challenge.  I'm sure you will create something wonderful! Have a great day!

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Spring Birthday, Card

~ photo heavy post ~
WOW!  I have been busy crafting, and that always makes me happy {smile}.  I have also been busy cooking/baking!  Another happy chore!  So, lets get right to the paper craft you have come to see {smile}.  Today, I am entering a card in a few four paper crafting challenges.  Some of these challenges are new to me, and some are favorites {smile}!
For the sketch, I stopped by the Retro Sketch Challenge site.  They always have easy to use sketches, and the inspiration from the design team is always great to look at {smile}.

Then I stopped by a 'new to me' recipe challenge site:  Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge.  Their current challenge is : R#218 Pastel Shades.  Now, if you know me, I can do this {smile}!

I also stopped by another 'new to me' challenge site:  Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge.  Their currently challenge is: Girly.  Now, I can do girly very well, if I say so myself!  And I love their quote: 'less is more . . . but more is better'.  LOVE IT!   Because if you know me, I love embellishments and layers!

And my last stop is by a favorite challenge site, that I have to admit, I don't play very often with: Crazy 4 Challenges.  Now, don't let that discourage you.  These ladies are super talented and they have some very fun, and creative challenges.  I just, well, kinda get side tracked.  But check out this 'still open' challenge:  Put On A Bow!  Now, if you know me, I love bows.  I put bows on almost everything I make, and not just a simple bow, but my favorite multi-loop bows!

Ok, so with all of this inspiration! and creativity! HERE is what I made:


Recipe:  I started with white card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  They make some of the best heavy weight card stock in the industry.  
The two pattern papers are from a craft company LemonCraft, in Poland.  The paper collection is called Heart Painted.  It is a collection of sweet, floral, vintage-y papers in green, pinks, polka dots, music sheets, and text.  Yes, a treasured purchased {smile}.  I added a strip of wide cream lace between these two pretty pattern papers along the left side of the card. 
So, I used a thread cutter to rough up the edges of the two pattern papers, and in doing so, I had a heavy hand on a small section of each paper.  I added a scrap piece of music paper to fill the 'hole'.  I then I inked them with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!  I just love their products!  Great quality and beautiful production!  

I'm a big fan of sewing on cards, and so I did a double messy border stitch along the smaller pattern paper.  I made sure not to stitch over my tear {smile}.  I think machine stitching always adds such a 'home-spun' look, and helps elevate the craftsmanship.  (my opinion)

I had three small scraps of some of my favorite trims sitting on my craft table.  And you know me!  "Use what you have!"  So, I machine stitched the tulle ruffle piece under the cotton trim piece first.  And then machine stitched the white thin crochet piece over them {smile, love it}.  I purposefully left the top of the cotton trim peeking out over the crochet trim.  I also used the edge of my scissors to help 'un do' the cut edges.
I made a double bow with some cream cotton twine from Paper Trey Ink.  I just love this stuff!  And then I made a double bow out of some pale pink seam binding.  But, it looked too pink for this card.  (hard to believe anything could be 'too pink'.)  So, I had a left piece of light cream seam binding sitting on my craft table, so I tied a bow around the pink  double-bow, to create this triple-bow piece.  I think that the light cream seam binding helps soften the look, and adds a little neutral to the pink.
I took off the legs of a vintage pearl brad, and used glue dots to adhere the brad top to the bow collection.  And then I added a clear crystal dangle in the bottom of the multi-loop bow collection.
I pulled out two small pink and white paper blossoms.  I added white paint to their pink petals, and some glitter.  And adhered them to the top of my sweet bow collection.
For the sentiment, I stamped the piece onto shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up! in versa mark ink.  I added some pale pink embossing powder and heat embossed this piece.  I added some foam tape to the back and adhered it to a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I fussy cut the very vanilla piece by hand, and used a photo corner punch to make the banner ends.

I actually finished the inside of the card.  I took a piece of whisper white card stock and matted it with some blushing blossom card stock, both by Stampin' Up!, and did a little machine stitching and some hand stamping {smile}  Hoping these two steps would show some cohesiveness of the card front and inside.
Well, thank you for visiting, and getting the scoop on my creation.  Now, I need to get this card in the mail.  Yeah, it is actually going to someone special.  Sorry if you were looking to purchase this card out of my Etsy shop, HERE.  {frown}  I hope you have been inspired, or motivated to play along in any of these challenges!  All of them are great, creative, and inspiring on their own, too!


Saturday, March 21, 2015

Baby Girl Hoop

I am still crafting {smile}.  I am working on some 'home decor' items for the Mother's Day Craft Fair @ La Cueva High School.  This craft fair focuses on home decor items, and I always craft some special Mother's Day cards.
So, I was looking at some of my left over baby girl scrap papers and embellishments, from Carta Bella.  I just love pink, with other soft colors and a splash of red!  I was looking through some of hoard stash.  And came across a few embroidery hoops.  Interesting, because I don't embroider, cross stitch, or other many needle crafts.  But, I know I wanted I had an idea, just don't too sure today.  So, I used paper in place of the fabric.  And I did add some machine stitching {smile}.


Recipe:  I started with a 5" hoop.  I cut my paper just a bit larger than the hoop.  I used scor tape to adhere the pattern paper to the outside of the inner hoop.  I machine stitched the scrap piece of white cotton trim.  And then I used my hot glue gun to adhere the chipboard pieces.  I added a trio of buttons to the opposite side of the framed girl.  I used one string of cream twine and threaded it through the buttons.  I added cream pom pom trim to the outside of the larger hoop.  I used scor tape to adhere it to the outside of the hoop.  I used tea dyed and pink seam binding to create a 'hanger'.  I tied a multi-loop bow out of the pink seam binding, and then tied it to the tea dyed seam binding.  
This little  treasure was quite fun to create, so I believe that I will make another one later this weekend.  I haven't figured out the theme, but I know it will be sweet {smile}.


Friday, March 20, 2015

Birthday Balloon Card

Howdy.  Welcome.  A close, dear, and sweet friend of mine is celebrating her birthday this week.  And a celebration isn't complete without a card!


Recipe:  This sweet card was hand-crafted with various paper crafting supplies.  I started with solid card stock by Paper Trey Ink, in Ocean Tides color.  The pattern paper is actually both sides of the same page.  It is from the Birds and Blooms pattern paper collection by HeartFelt Creations.  
I added a tea dyed paper doily, a strip of ruffled cream tulle.  I added a strip of spring green seam binding and sewn the stack together.  I added a multi-loop bow made with the same seam binding.  I added a bow tied with pale blue twine.  I tied a vintage button to the center of this bow collection with a thin silver cord.  
I added a torn strip of music paper to the other side of the bow collection.  I stamped the balloon three times and adhered the pieces together, to give the balloon dimension.  I added a strip of white bakers twine to the balloon.  I stamped and fussy cut four tassels and adhered them to the balloon string.   I stamped the bow in silver ink and fussy cut it out, also.
I stamped the sentiment in Juniper classic ink, by CTMH, onto shimmer white card stock and cut a flag end.
Well, I hope my friend likes her card.  And now, I am heading into the kitchen to make her some cupcakes {smile}



Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Champagne Blossom Tree

Howdy.  I set out to finish my champagne shabby chic holiday tree.  Now before you remind me that this is only March, and November is quite a few months away; I know.  I just wanted to get a jump start on holiday craft fairs.  I didn't make this tree to sell at the craft fairs, but rather as a booth decoration.  Something to catch your eye, and draw you into my booth {smile}.


I used some champagne colored blossom trim, to cover a styrofoam cone.  I added some silver german glass glitter to the edges of the blossom petals.  And to finish it off, I added some mercury glass ornaments.  I used pearl-end corsage pins to attach the ornaments to the styrofoam cone.  And then I topped off the tree with a rhinestone and bead star.
Now that I see the photo I took, I am not completely happy with my tree.  I think I need more glass glitter {smile}.



Sunday, March 15, 2015

Happiness Cone

Welcome.  It seems that I keep forgetting to post some of my crafts here.  So, I won't keep apologizing.  YOU are important.  I'll work harder at getting items photographed during the week, and getting some eye candy posted on days other than saturday/sunday.
I made another Tussie Mussie last weekend.  And, well, as you already read, it didn't get photographed.  {frown}.  Until today!  



I always have fun making these little treasures.  {smile}  When I say 'little' I mean little.  They measure roughly 5" tall, and 2" wide (at the top). And one of the best parts, is that you can basically use your scraps to make these.  So, it's always fun to use those little hoarded pieces of pattern paper to make one more beautiful paper craft.  


And while figuring out how to photograph this little cutie, I had a wonderful (to me) idea for another project.  I will be making a few purchases in town today/tomorrow to get the needed supplies, and then watch out!  I plan on making a larger version of a tussie mussie for my craft table, for craft fairs. I'll give you a little teaser!  I currently use a mercury glass vessel to hold mints, for my customers or passers by, to have a free mint while they stop and take a look at my products.  But, what I'm thinking is, to make a beautiful larger Tussie Mussie to hold the mints. {smile}  How fabulous would that be?  I think wonderful!  



Monday, March 9, 2015

LemonCraft - Heart Painted

Howdy {smile}.  I love pretty pattern paper and beautiful embellishments.  I also, love unique, products.  And that is why I have an account @ LemonCraft.  This creative company is across the pond.  All the way in Poland.  Yeah, Poland.  My DH picked up my package from the post office today, and asked, 'Couldn't find anything in this country?'  And this product line is simply gorgeous!  I have downloaded a few images, only because my photography skills are super limited, and wouldn't do them justice.  So, without any more delay, here are some of the products I purchased.  {smile}

Let's start with the pattern paper:

the coordinating ribbon:

the coordinating brads:

and some flair buttons:

I have also purchased some paper blossoms, other flair buttons, and some pearl beads, some faceted enamel dots, and resin roses.  So, stay tuned!  I'm pretty anxious to craft something with these beautiful products!


Sunday, March 8, 2015

Sweet Vintage, Card

Howdy! and welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  Grab yourself a cup of joe, tea, or any other thirst quenching beverage, sit a spell, and have a look around.  I hope I inspire you, and give you something pretty to look at {smile}.  Life here in the country is good.  
As I said earlier, I really want to get some crafting done to participate in a few challenges.  I find it easier to double a few of my favorite challenge sites together.  More bang for my preverbal buck.

Our first stop is a recent favorite of mine:  the Card Concept.  One of my favorite things about this challenge site is that they give you some of the most beautiful inspirational photos to work from, and the other is that they welcome all crafting styles!  Me, I'm mostly shabby chic, with a touch of vintage.  So, it's always nice to feel welcome.  And don't let me forget about the design team samples.  Holy smokes, can these ladies craft.  Beautiful work in various styles, using various products.  
here is the current inspirational photo:
The instant I saw this photo, I thought, 'Mother's Day'.  The texture in the pitcher and the various blossoms really shine in this inspirational photo.
My second stop, is a staple of my crafting sketches:  Mojo Monday.  The number one reason why I love this sketch challenge site, is their user friendly sketches.  They have very workable sketches, that just about everyone can play along with.  {love it}
here is the current sketch:

The hanging piece to me looks like a tag.  And the band at the bottom looks like trim!  So, without further ado, here is what I crafted:


Before we start, I just wanted to say, 'thank you' to my family, friends, and my followers for all of your support in my endeavor to find happiness in playing with paper.  I am truly grateful that you have embraced this passion of mine, and don't give me grief over the purchase of one more sheet of pattern paper, or the idea that just one type of trim is not enough to own.  I know I am blessed.  And I thank the Lord every chance I get.  But it is this true acceptance from all of YOU, who keep this drive, this willingness to craft, this love of sharing going.  THANK YOU!
The recipe:  I started my card, just like every other card I make with Stampin' Up! card stock.  This card stock is heavy weight, smooth, and just gorgeous!  Crumb cake is the kraft color I am working with today.  Lovely stuff!
The main panel is whisper white card stock.  I ran it through my vintage wall paper embossing folder.    (love the design on the pitcher in the inspirational photo)  Matted it onto a scrap piece of blossom blush card stock (retired).  I cut a strip of floral pattern paper from the Grace collection by Authentique.  I hand cut a flag end.  Then I ran it through my sewing machine to give it several passes of a simple border.  (I selected this pattern paper, because of the various blossom in the inspirational photo.)
Now, the focal piece.  I started with a canvas tag.  I had a few different trim pieces sitting on my crafting table (aka left overs).  So, I gave the two bottom pieces a quick sew and ruffle.  The top piece I used to help hide stitching of the other two.  For my center blossom, I had this paper blossom left over from a stacked piece that I took apart.  I added a thick rhinestone to the center, and then set the blossom in a bed of ruffled cream tulle.  I hot glued this piece to the canvas tag.  I put an ice pink pearl brad from Kaiser Craft toward the bottom right of the blossom.  I added a vintage brad to the top left of the blossom.  I felt that the repeat of the circles help ground the center blossom piece.  I covered the eyelet hole on the canvas tag, with a multi-loop bow/button combo I made myself.  I started with a pale pink crinkled seam binding, and created a multi-loop bow.  I tied on a white/clear tiny vintage button to the center of the bow with cream twine, and created a bow just under the button.  I adhered this piece with hot glue in the eyelet hole, on the canvas tag.  
For my sentiment, I stamped and heat embossed in silver this beautiful font: Thinking of you, onto a scrap piece of vellum card stock.  I created the same flag end to this banner.  I weaved it thru the ends of the pattern paper piece.  And finally, I added a simple staple to the right end of it.  I didn't want this card to be too specific.  And wouldn't it be wonderful to receive a hand-made card in your snail mail box?  To finish the card, I add a pair of marshmallow sequins to the top left of the banner piece, and a trio of the marshmallow sequins to the lower right of the banner piece.
Thank you for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you or at least directed you to a challenge site to participate in!  And as always, happy crafting!


Polka Dot Book Card/Gift

Whew.  This wonderful weekend is almost up!  Yikes!  Sorry I haven't been present, but like so many of you, I too, have had several 'new' commitments this week.  And the result is this late post.  {frown}
I am still working with this wonderful Polka Dot Party pattern paper collection from American Crafts.  I am really working at using all the pieces, scraps, and left over cuts of this fabulous pattern paper collection.  Today I want to share the cover of one of my card/box combo gifts.  I really don't know what to call it.  It acts like a card.  It holds a gift.  It opens like a book.  See my dilemma!
Ok, before we begin.  I haven't yet finished the inside.  I need to make the box that holds the gift.  The box acts like a drawer.  You pull the 'tray' out of this fabulous little holder, to expose the 'gift'.  How super sweet, huh?


Ok.  Before I get to the recipe.  I will post images of the inside, once I get that done.  I am looking at finishing the box/tray compartment this evening while watching some TV.  
One more disclaimer, this project isn't entered in any challenge.  I am just crafting! {smile}
Recipe:  The outside of this 'book' is made with crisp cantaloupe card stock by Stampin' Up!  I just love this coral, peach-y, pink hued card stock.  And the heavy weight, works wonderful with this project.  I also used SU! dark grey card soick for my matts.
I used the polka dot pattern paper as my main panels for all the outside pieces.  
I took some left over scraps of this beautiful cream fabric trim and fussy sewn it to the polka dot piece.  I purposefully left it over hanging at the top and bottom.
For the focal matt, I used a piece of the floral pattern paper, matted with the grey card stock, and sewn it to a coastal cabana card stock piece.  (I just love machine stitching on a hand made card.) 
I took two white blossom shapes, stacked those.  I added a coral paper blossom to their center.  I brushed white paint onto their petal tips, and while the paint was wet, I dunked them into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I added a hoop of pearls to the back.  I adhered this piece to the front with hot glue.  I tucked in a Prima zipper pull, that reads, 'priceless'.  I tied a multi-loop bow, made from 1/4" silk ribbon, from Paper Trey Ink.  (Love this ribbon.)  I added a melissa frances crystal dangle to the center of the multi-loop bow.  Finally, I added a Prima butterfly stick pin.  I cut a pair of leaves out of scrap piece of retired card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Its a bluish grey green card stock.  I used my thread cutter to distress the edges, and crinkled them with my fingers.
Finally, I heat embossed the sentiment right onto the pattern paper.  "Heartfelt THANKS" in silver embossing powder.
This book, card, gift combo piece uses ribbon to hold it closed.  I used an Aqua twill ribbon by Paper Trey Ink.  I just love how soft, and flexible this ribbon is.  And the color really works with the pattern paper.  
Thank you for stopping by.  I am headed back into my craft room.  I want to play along with a couple of challenges.  Take care.  Remember, please do something that you love every single day!  Craft, sew, bake, paint, etc.  Simply CREATE.  It really does wonders for your heart, mind, and soul {heart}!


Monday, March 2, 2015

Pretty Heart, gift card holder

Howdy!  Welcome!  I just can't get enough of this Polka Dot Party pattern paper, from American Crafts.  It is just so pretty and very easy to work with!  I didn't want to keep cutting my large left over pieces, so I have made a few gift card holders out of the little scraps {smile}  I guess I am really embracing this 'use what you have' mantra I have been chanting {smile}.
To help with some direction/inspiration, I headed over to a 'new to me' challenge blog:  Cupcake Inspiration.  Now, for those who know me, I imagine you aren't surprised that I have stumbled upon this challenge site.  And you are probably more surprised that I haven't found it earlier {smile}.  And if you don't know me, I love cupcakes.  So much so, that I have considered owning/operating my own cupcake food truck {smile}.
Ok, back to the task at hand.  The Cupcake Inspiration challenge site, is celebrating their 300th challenge!  How fabulous is that?  And their challenge is:  Sparkle!


Sparkle!  I can do sparkle!  Rhinestones and sequins sparkle!  
and I love the color of the frosting! a nice aqua blue!
here is what I made:

sparkle: rhinestones

and another gift card holder:

sparkle: sequins
inside the gift card holder, the sentiment is heat embossed:


Recipe:  The solid card stocks are Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana, from Stampin' Up! The pattern papers are from the Polka Dot Party collection, by American Crafts.
The sentiments on the front of the card holders are stamped in grey classic ink, onto whisper white card stock.  The stamp set is retired, Water Color Trio.  I also used a retired die to cut the decorative labels.  All of which are from Stampin' Up!  These decorative labels have been adhered to the front of the gift card holders with foam tape.
The sentiment inside the gift card holders is from CTMH.  I actually received this stamp as a 'thank you' gift from my CTMH consultant. {smile}  I stamped the sentiment in versa mark ink, added silver embossing powder, and heat embossed.  I think the raised lettering adds some pizzazz and sparkle.
I used my small pattern paper scrap pieces to decorate these two gift card holders.  I am saving my larger scraps for a card-box combo.  I should be able to finish this project tomorrow or so.  Don't fret, I will post some photos here {smile}.
I added some crinkled seam binding, that I tied into multi-loop bows.  The bows are attached to the front of the holders with brads: rhinestone and pearl. 
Thank you for looking!  I hope you get a chance to play along with these talented ladies over @ Cupcake Inspirations.  Help them celebrate their 300th challenge and create something that sparkles!