Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Holiday Happiness: Card


Sorry, it's another holiday card.  And I imagine that I will be posting more and more holiday paper crafts here.  I will be making a few non-holiday items, and yeah, I'll post some images here, too.  {smile}.
I had ordered some Scandinavian pattern papers from Italy, and they arrived yesterday!  and yeah, I just had to play with them.  
To give me some focus, I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Mojo Monday.  The sketch challenge is not only a sketch, it has a specific card shape, too:  Tall & Skinny.  Their suggestion is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".  I am not too fond of tall and skinny.  It's very hard for me to work with.  So, I gave my card a little leeway: 4 1/4" x 6".  It's tall, but not too skinny.  {frown}
here is the sketch:

But just look at this sketch!  WOW! wonderful!  I love the layers, the trio of embellishments and the ribbon piece.  I got this!
here is what I made:


The photos aren't that great, sorry.  I actually finished the card this morning before work.  So the sun hadn't even rose yet.  (It was completed before 6a.)  I took photographs of it once I got home, after work around 6p.  The sun was going down, so I went outside to get the most light.  Please bear with me.
I used my new Tilda pattern paper: Sweetheart.  I fell in love with this pattern paper as soon as I saw it.  The large scale polka dots, the sweet animal silhouettes, the floral images, the mixture of blue and red with pink thrown in the mix.  Just beautiful!
My first layer is the red large scale polka dots.  Then I added the blue animal silhouette pattern paper. I wanted to show as much of this pattern paper as possible.  And then finally, the sweet, small scale floral bouquet pattern papers.
I matted each of these pattern papers with kraft card stock, and then machine stitched them.  I did a double border of a simple stitch line, purposefully sloppy.  {smile}
I added two ribbons/trims instead of the one.  I added a white pleated glitter tulle, and then machine stitched a light blue gingham pattern ribbon to the card front.  I tied the ribbon into a simple bow, and tied on a silver snowflake charm.  
For the round element on the small square, in the sketch, I added a flair button.   Santa is wearing a pink coat.  {smile}.
I replaced the trio of embellishments, on the sketch, with a scrap piece of crochet trim, that had scallops. I thought it added a bit of softness and elevated the home-made feel.
I used a retired Stampin' Up! card stock for the card base: bordering blue.  It matched the blue in this pattern paper perfectly.


I hand-stamped the envelope flap with my branding, and the inside sentiment, in cherry cobbler classic ink.  I also stamped the front of the envelope in bordering blue classic ink.  I added a banner made from the pattern papers I used on the outside of the card, and machine stitched them to the very vanilla card stock.
Thank you for looking!  I am planning on making two desk top calendars, and a few gift card holders, with this pattern paper collection.  I think they are just lovely {smile}.  Please check back later.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Ho {cubed}; It's Christmas

~ photo heavy post ~



The paper crafting continues {smile}.  I was struggling earlier yesterday, and couldn't figure out where to start.  So, I simply just started {smile}.  I used the current sketch from Cardabilities, to get the creative juices flowing.  And it did!  I created a pair of holiday cards using some sweet vintage-y style pattern papers from Paper Studio.  And I purchased these pattern papers on sale.  Cha-ching!
current sketch:

I'm also entering the current challenge over @ the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  Their current challenge is: Christmas; it will soon be here.  Check out their creative design team.  Very talented!


and what I created (the red version):


and the green version:


and yeah, I did stamp the inside:


The sentiments were stamped on very vanilla card stock.  I used two new holiday stamp sets by Stampin' Up!. (outside the card, uses Oh What Fun stamp set, and inside the card, uses Cozy Christmas stamp set.) They were hand-stamped with basic black classic ink.  All the pattern papers are from Paper Studio.  For the inside of the card, I cut a narrow strip of the margin pattern paper, and tore the end to resemble washi tape.  
I sponged all the edges, of the various papers, with crumb cake classic ink.  I also added machine stitching along the bottom portion of each card.  And machine stitched the cotton trim and cotton ribbon.  The cotton trim was purchased from a local sewing store.  The cotton ribbons are from Stampin' Up!
I added buttons from my stash (red corduroy and garden green button) are retired from Stampin' Up!. And a silver reindeer charm is tied to the bow with cream twine.  
Thank you for looking.  I'm planning on making a few gift card holders and gift bags using this festive holiday pattern paper.  Stay tuned {smile}.  And these cards will be for sale in my Etsy shop.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sweet Music Note; card

Howdy!  Today I had a rough time getting started.  I have a list of paper crafting projects that I need to get done.  Get done in 4 weeks!  Yikes!  But to be honest, I feel overwhelmed.  Very overwhelmed.  So much so, I don't know where to begin, so I spent most of the morning looking @ Pinterest.  And its a love-hate relationship.  {smile}  I love the inspiration and ideas.  But boy is it a time sucker. Ugh.  At this point in my crafting, I just have to sit down and start.  Start somewhere.  Start with a theme, a color scheme, a layout, a project.  Just START!  
And so that is exactly what I did.  I picked up a digital image I just printed, and used that as my starting point.  Either way, I need to get stuff made, because time is running out.  My other obstacle is that I don't just throw stuff together.  Cards easily take 1 - 2 hours, and other paper crafting projects take more time.   I like balance, I like cohesiveness, I like shabby chic, and I like pretty things. 
So with my digital ATC card in hand, I picked up a sketch I had printed from a favorite sketch challenge site: Cardabilities.  I love their sketches, because they are super easy to work with, and the design team will certainly inspire you!
Before I show you what I created, I need to give a few explanations.  I used a whole doily, instead of a half doily.  I used a rectangle piece instead of the circle element.  I figured that the shapes were interchangeable.  And I used another rectangle piece instead of the leaves.  I kept the lines long to mimic the spray of the leaves.
here is my card:

I kept the colors of the card stock and pattern papers neutral, so they wouldn't compete with the digital ATC card, as my focal piece.  
Recipe:  I used vintage cream cardstock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  I just love the weight of this card stock.  The main panel is a ledger pattern paper by Melissa Frances.  I heat embossed some water spots on opposite corners of this pattern paper.  I added a strip of music paper.  I wanted to repeat the music script that is on the ATC card.  I layered a burlap doily over the music paper.  
For the trim, it's all machine stitched to the card front.  I first machine stitched the white cotton scallop trim.  Next, I machine stitched the rose pink scallop trim.  And finally, I did a zig zag stitch to attach the white crochet trim to the card front.  
I cut out an ATC size card, and used foam tape to adhere it over the layered card front.  I die cut a piece of card stock weight vellum, by Stampin' Up! for my sentiment piece.  I used a black ink and hand-stamped 'Just a Note' by Paper Trey Ink.  And then I added a white resin blossom, by Melissa Frances to the right of the sentiment piece.
To add a bit of sparkle, I added white, pale pink, and gold sequins to the card front.  
Thank you for looking.  This card will be for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  I hope that your weekend is going well, and that you get a chance to do a few fun things {smile}.



My card was selected as a winner for this sketch, on Sept. 29, 2015.
I'm super happy and proud! {smile}

Tea

Hello.  Earlier this week, I went to afternoon tea with a couple of girlfriends.  And well, we had a blast!  There is a 'new' tea room in Albuquerque, NM, call the Ivy Tea Room.  Let me just say, that it was wonderful!  The decor is fresh and fabulous! and the food was excellent!  Did I mention that the three of us are true foodies?  Yeah, we know food, and we know great food!  and this was GREAT!

For those of you who do tea, you know about the tiered dish, but for those of you who don't, all of your food is served at once.  You eat your way up to the desserts.  There is a tea that is paired with each course (or level of the service).  At the Ivy Tea Room, you are given a menu of the teas that they serve, and your attendant will help you select a tea that will go nicely with that days menu.  It was rather refreshing to select our own teas.
Please note that the food needs to be prepared, so that it is easily eaten in several small bites.  So, you won't see large portions served.  Remember danity size food, to compliment the delicate tea service and doilies.
Here was our service:

Ok, as you can see, I have labeled some of the foods.  Let me first start by saying that everything served was delicious!  The atmosphere was upbeat, the furniture was unique, eclectic and comfortable.   We felt welcomed, and relaxed.
1st course (bottom layer):  We had open faced egg salad sandwiches, cucumber and lemon aioli sandwiches,  pea puree with manchego cheese crisp topped with prosciutto, and the center item was a beet waffle basket filled with goat cheese and turkey, topped with dried cherries and pistachio dust.  
2nd course (middle layer):  We had a warm broccoli, roasted red pepper and cheese stratta, and cranberry orange scone with orange glaze.  The clotted cream served in the middle was a fresh vanilla bean clotted cream.  
3rd course (top layer):  We had a salted caramel cream puff with toasted almonds, and two seasonal cakes:  a layered chocolate cake with a whipped peanut butter filling, and a blondie (brownie).

If you are new to 'tea' or simply want to experience something 'new', this is the place to go!  There are several seating areas.  Each seating area has beautiful furnishings, that are a bit hip and fresh.  The atmosphere is relaxed, but exciting.  And the service is impeccable!  This would be a great place to hold a bridal shower for a young bride, or a red hatters luncheon.  And yes, I would definitely go again!  {smile}

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Vintage Winter Treasure Tin

Welcome!  I was surfing the internet, and stumbled upon two new challenge sites, that I should play along with.  I say 'should' because I need to get more holiday crafts completed.  
I stopped @ the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  They have a new challenge, titled: it will soon be here: Christmas!

I also stopped by A Snowflake Promise challenge site.  Their current challenge is: winter/Christmas.



here is what I made:



I have really loved decorating these blank tins.  {smile}  I first paint the tins with chalk paint, then distress with various sand papers, and finally seal the tin surface.  I wanted to make some tins that were event specific.  And I had some scrap pieces of this beautiful winter holiday pattern paper from Authentique.  {smile}

the outside of the tin:



I distressed the pattern papers, too.  I layered some of the papers, and added some machine stitching.  
This blank tin measures approximate 3 3/4" x 2 1/4".  
Thank you for looking.  I'm working on a few tins for 'new' babies.  {smile}


Monday, September 21, 2015

Magnetic A

Welcome.  Yeah, I've been busy crafting! and all I can say, is, YAHOO!  I just love it!  It really does my heart and soul good to create something with paper, seam binding, and buttons!  happy, happy, happy!  {big grin}
All of the items I am sharing with you, are for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  And what doesn't sell, will be for sale at several local (Albuquerque, New Mexico) holiday craft shows.  [please note, that I have not shared everything I have made for the craft fairs on my blog.  some items either don't photograph well, or don't ship well.]
One of my top sellers, are magnetic monograms.  I take 4" tall letters, and alter them.  I use pattern papers I have on hand, and add various embellishments.  You know me, seam binding, and a vintage button or two, and always something feminine like a rhinestone(s) or pearl(s). {smile}


All I have left to do, to finish this monogram, is to adhere the two round, strong magnets to the back, and viola!  
I used a scrap piece (4" x 4") of my favorite text pattern paper from Melissa Frances.  I love the dark grey color of the text, and the beautiful font.  This pattern paper is very easy to work with.  You add the color you love!  I painted the letter with a pearl cream color paint.  I wanted to keep the letter neutral, so the color doesn't compete with the pattern paper.
I wrapped some white crochet trim around the lower portion of the wide leg of the letter.  I wrapped some pale pumpkin dyed muslin around the middle of the letter and tied it in a simple bow.  I added a light coral lace blossom from Prima, Coffee Break collection.  I just love the soft, beautiful look of these lace blossoms.  
I added a light coral paper blossom just above the lace blossom.  I added some of the pearl cream paint to the tips of the paper blossom.  I tucked in a clock stick pin from Prima.  And finally, I added two berry sorbet vintage buttons, from Paper Trey Ink.  And finally, I wanted to add some sparkle, so I cut the legs off a rhinestone brad, and tucked it in close to the muslin bow.
Want to see more photos of this gem?  Head on over to my Etsy shop!  and Thank You for taking the time to visit me, and I hope I have inspired you, to create something beautiful, and in your favorite color!


Sunday, September 20, 2015

Garden Glacier Treasure Tin

Howdy.  I had a lot of fun creating a few more treasure tins.  The tins aren't actually Altoid tins, they are jus the same size (3 3/4" x 2 1/4").  I use chalk paint to paint them.  I use three different grits of sand paper and a wet sponge to distress them.  Once I am finished distressing them, I apply by hand, a cream sealant.  That way the tins are protected against any more distressing.
This tin, I painted a pale blue color (glacier) and created it for a girl who loves her garden.  {smile}


and the outside


The wheel handle is actually screwed to the top of this tin.  I used my husbands tools, to knock the hole through the lid, to tread the wheel handle to the top of the tin.  I added some various pattern papers and a few embellishments to create a pretty treasure tin!  I added three tiny paper blossoms to the neck of the handle wheel, to help soften the over all look.
This tin is for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  Remember, if you want something custom made, please convo me, and let me know what you are looking for.  Please allow me a chance to create something beautiful and unique just for you!


Sew Sweet Treasure Tin


Howdy!  I finished another altered Altoid size tin.  I painted it with two contrasting colors of chalk paint: cotton (white) and mint (pale green).  I used pattern papers from Tilda: Happiness is Homemade.  I just love this collection.
I added some machine stitching and various beautiful embellishments.


This treasure tin, is for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  There are also a few more photos of just how beautiful this little tin is!  The tin measures approximate 3 3/4" x 2 1/4".


Thank you for looking.  Remember, if you see anything you love, but want something a bit different, just message me.  Let me know if you want a different color, or theme, and allow me the opportunity to create something unique and beautiful for you {smile}.  I do custom orders at my Etsy shop.  


Saturday, September 19, 2015

Advent Calendar and Contest

Welcome!  As you know, the holiday season is quickly approaching, and I have been busy crafting for several upcoming Holiday Arts & Craft Fairs being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the upcoming months.  Unfortunately I have several works completed, and packaged, and have not shared, yet.  But I will!  This past week, I showed you photos of a desk-top calendar I made.  I sold these last year, and they did very well.  But as you had seen, they take-up a lot of posts.  So, for the future, I will only share 3-4 photos, so you don't get bored looking at the 'same' thing.  {smile}
I have been making more decorated tins, gift card holders, gift bags, and more.  Next week, I'll start on my jar toppers.  Those were a huge success last year as well. {smile}
But today, I want to share a little project I have been working on, and have been stuck for over a month.  UGH!  For those of you who don't know, when I decide to make a craft, I always make a 'sample'.  That way, I know what I'm doing, and it gives me a chance to experiment.  It also gives me an opportunity to decide if I will spend my time creating more of these.  This project wasn't hard to do, but a bit time consuming.  The success of this project determines if I make anymore of these advent calendar box trees.


I call this craft a 'Advent Calendar Box Tree'.  I have 24 boxes, that are 2" cubes.  All of them have been edged in gold ink, and papered with a new holiday pattern paper collection by Echo Park (I believe).  The boxes open in different directions, to help keep the daily surprises 'fresh'.  I haven't put the 'numbers' on the box fronts yet.  I have those done.  Here is my 'problem' and my opportunity for a 'contest'!  Submit your idea on how to indicate which way the box opens (up, left, etc) and the idea I love and use, will win a prize! 
So, please keep in mind, the base has not been done; it will be a round paper mache box that is covered with the same pattern paper.  The topper has not been done; it will be another box.  And the numbers have not been adhered to the front of the boxes.  [the number circles are done in the same shades of green and red.]


Thursday, September 17, 2015

the last few months

and here are the last few months of the desk-top calendar I created earlier this week.

gold rim pearl brad

the tiny safety pin is stapled to the page

love all the layers

I added tiny holiday treasures, along with more machine stitching

the back cover.  Love these images.
thank you for stopping by!  I hope you loved what I created.  Now, I need to craft several more, using different paper collections.


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

a few more months

here are a few more months of the latest desk-top calendar I crafted:

more machine stitching, and a decorated paper clip 

 I created the ruffled lace trim by hand, while sewing.
The kraft twine is tied through the button and paper blossom, before tied into a simple bow.

 more staples


I loved this pattern paper so much, that I didn't want to 'hide' any of images by layering other pattern papers on top of it.  The cluster of images are just gorgeous to me.

Thank you for stopping by to see more of the calendar pages.  More will be posted tomorrow.


Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Legacy Desk-Top Calendar

Welcome.  I have been busy crafting items for several holiday craft fairs.  I didn't get a chance to finish the cover to this calendar, until today {smile}.  I didn't find a sketch, or a layout that I liked, and wanted to use with these papers.  I looked at a few sketch challenge sites yesterday, to see what was new, and I was pleasantly surprised.
I stopped by Vintage Cafe Card Challenge, and instantly fell in love with their current sketch challenge.  These wonderfully talented ladies are sure to inspire you, if you aren't instantly inspired by the sketch.

Their requirements: vintage or shabby chic styles, and your creation must remain horizontal.
here is what I created:


I crafted, by hand, this desk-top calendar.  This is the cover.  I used Legacy pattern papers by Simple Stories.  I used a digital 'ticket', a blue vintage button, mustard twill trim, and kraft twine.  I used my Rol-a-Desk punch to create the unique holes on the floral pattern paper, and added two staples to add a metal embellishment.

here are the first few months:

yes, the circles are machine stitched

gold glitter hearts add pizzazz

the polka dot pattern paper was torn to resemble washi tape

I added machine stitching to almost every page.  I kept the pages as flat as possible, so that the calendar wouldn't become too bulky.  For those who know me, this 'flat' style was 'difficult' for me.  I love to add multi-loop bows, paper blossoms, buttons, and pearls.  This pattern papers were fun to work with, but different for me.  I typically 'collect' pink, vintage, shabby chic inspired pattern papers.  You know, sometimes, it is really nice to stretch your creative muscle {smile}.

Thank you for stopping by!  I'll be posting more photos over the next few days.  I am still working on my box advent calendar.  I have been stuck for several days.  I don't know what to add to each flap, so the recipient knows the direction the boxes open.  So, if you have any suggestions, please comment.  The boxes are 2" cubes.