Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Magnetic Monograms

Howdy.  I am trying to make a conscious effort in photographing what I create, to sell at the Holiday Craft Fairs I am participating in this holiday season.  And, so, I have a few photos.  I hand-craft magnetic monograms, and price to sell.  I take chipboard, and cover it in beautiful paper, paint it, and then decorate it.  The final touch is adhering two very strong magnets to the back.  That way, you can add your initial to any metal surface: locker, refrigerator, metal door, metal message board, and similar items.


Fancy cotton trims, sweet wrinkled seam binding, pretty vintage buttons, and interesting stick pins adorn these 4" letters.  Two strong magnets are adhered to the back of each letter.


This is all that I crafted today.  I could have finished a few more.  But, I have a habit of crafting the 'same'.  So, I figure I would take a break, and then come back to finish several more.  And maybe {fingers crossed} they all don't look alike.  {smile}
Now, I'm off to finish a few more gift bags.  I'm using Tidings pattern paper by Authentique for several of the gift bags (7-8).  Just incase a buyer would like a set of three or four.  {smile}  But, as you know, arrive early to my booth, at the craft fair, for the best selection.    If you would like a post card that has my craft fair schedule, please email me your address, and I'll drop one off in the mail {smile}.


Monday, October 26, 2015

More Holiday Gift Card Holders

Howdy! well, I finished a few more of the traditional colored holiday gift card holders.  I am running out the door to head into work, but I wanted to share another photo.  I am still using the new Tidings collection from Authentique for these.  I'm happy with how they turned out.  {smile}

Authentique: Tidings
I used Stampin' Up! card stock as the base.  I just love the heavy weight of this card stock.  And the colors are just gorgeous in real life.  {smile}  I added burlap ribbon, cotton ribbon, crochet trim and gold cord to the covers.  I found a few stag silhouettes in my stash, and added those, too.   I made a few tags, and added them randomly to the finished holders.  
I purposefully made some 'flat' and some bulky.  I made some 'flat' ones if you need to mail one, the postage won't be expensive, and they will slide nicely in a card.  Or if the gift card holder is the 'gift' the bulky ones are perfect for a box.  Think of it as a treasure in a treasure.  {smile}
And here are a few more retro styled gift card holders.  I thought I had posted this photo yesterday.  :/

Simple Stories: Claus & Co.
I'm off to start crafting some gift bags made with the same pattern paper.  I also need to swing by the craft store and purchase more 'green' ribbon.  Thanks for stopping by!  and if you would like a postcard with my arts and craft fair locations, just email me your mailing address.  Remember, all my holiday craft fairs are in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Hope to see you there!


Sunday, October 25, 2015

Holiday Gift Card Holders

Howdy, and welcome.  I have been busy making holiday gift card holders for a few upcoming arts and craft fairs.  
Crafting by Design has a get ready for Christmas challenge this month.  So, I am entering the challenge with my traditional holiday gift card holders.


I made a bunch of holiday gift card holders in red and green, using two different styles: retro and traditional.  Authentique has come out with two different holiday pattern papers: Tidings (shown here) and Christmastime (I'll share later).  Both collections are beautiful with retro and nostalgic images.  Simple Stories has created a holiday paper line as well: Claus & Co.  Their pattern paper is filled with retro style holiday images.  These paper companies really have created some beautiful pattern papers.  And here are the gift card holders I created with them:  {smile}

traditional:

Authentique: Tidings

I used holiday pattern paper that is red and green on kraft.  These are the 'red' ones I made.  I'm finishing the 'green' ones this morning.  I used gold accents on the fronts, because the sentiment inside is gold embossed.  I think the gold looks so elegant with the red and kraft.  Some have red cotton ribbon, some have red burlap ribbon, and some have lace.  I love the polka dots and deer heads, and the florals are precious too.  {smile}

retro:

Simple Stories: Claus & Co.

The holiday pattern papers that I used here are more nostalgic : plaids, wood-grain, music sheets.  I used cotton ribbon, plaid ribbon, and red burlap ribbon on these also.  I used silver accents on the outside, because the sentiment on the inside is embossed in silver.  I found these sweet tiny silver glitter light bulbs, so I just had to add those.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by.  I need to finish the last few, get them packaged and ready for sale at my upcoming holiday craft fairs.  If you are in the area (Albuquerque, New Mexico) please stop by and say 'hello'.  It is always nice to see folks.  {smile}  If you would like a post card mailed to your home address, with my holiday craft fair schedule, please email me your address, and I'll drop a postcard in the mail, to you.  {smile}  My first craft fair starts the first weekend in November and my last one is the second weekend in December.  


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Sale

Howdy!  I just want to share a quick post with you today.  I know that most of you, are like me, and just love a sale.  So, I wanted to get the word out, and let you know that Stampin' Up! is having a sale on ALL of their stamp sets this week.


You can place your order @ my on-line Stampin' Up! website.  I have a link, here on my blog, on the right side-bar 'shop 24-7', or click HERE.  Once on my Stampin' Up! site, click on the 'SHOP' tab, and place your order there.  Your order will be shipped directly to YOU!  How easy!
If you have any questions, please let me know.  Have a great Tuesday!  and stay tuned for more images of paper crafts.


Sunday, October 18, 2015

Shabby Chic Holiday

Howdy.  I shared earlier a romantically shabby-chic gift card holder.  I just love these little beauties. {smile}  Well, I got to crafting, and made more.  And well, I wanted to share them with you.


A mix of sweet, romantic pattern papers from Tilda; the Sweetheart collection.  I even made a 'thank you' and a 'birthday wishes' gift card holder from these pretty papers.  I think the florals and blues and pinks are just super sweet!
Thank you for stopping by.  I'm off to make a few (ok, several) more traditional colored holiday gift card holders.



Friday, October 16, 2015

Sweet, Vintage Christmas Gift Card Holder

Howdy my paper peeps!  I've been busy.  Busy like a little bee {smile}.  But, I did want to take a moment and share a new craft I am working on.  It's a gift card holder.  And I make a lot of these.  So the idea, or template that I use isn't 'new', but the holder is.  {smile}
I make many of these for the holiday craft fairs.  They are super sweet, and super easy to use during the busy holiday season.  They make perfect stocking stuffers, sweet little additions to gift bags, and boxes, great teacher gifts, or hostess gifts.  Purchase a gift card to your recipient's favorite store, and simply tuck it inside to a wonderfully beautiful holder.  Easy peasy!


I love adding machine stitching, it is so sweet, and home-y.  The round tag is hand-stamped with 'Merry Christmas'.  Simple and sweet.  And here is the inside:


The sentiment on the inside is always heat embossed.  I believe the raised lettering is a very elegant touch.  I tucked a gift card inside, from one of my favorite shops for the photo shoot.  I defaced their logo for legal reasons.  But, we all know I have a deep love for them.  {smile}  There is room on the panel where the gift card sits, to write a personal message for the recipient, too.  
Oh yeah, the pattern paper is from Tilda.  The card stock is a very old retired card stock from Stampin' Up! (bordering blue).  I used a very retired stamp set by Stampin' Up! to stamp the tag: Fancy Flexible Phrases in brocade blue classic ink.  And finally, for the inside, I used a stamp set  from Paper trey Ink: season's greetings.  I tuck the finished gift card holder in a clear cello bag, with a bag topper, so whoever purchases one of my gift card holders, the holder stays fresh and untouched.  {smile}
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope all is well, where you are.  I'm off to finish several more. {smile}


Saturday, October 10, 2015

Vintage Farm Happiness: Card

I actually was able to photograph this card during the daylight! Yeah!  Love it.  But, that also means that I wasn't able to complete my chores.  {frown}  Well, there is always tomorrow.  {smile}
I saw the sketch over @ Mojo Monday earlier this week.  And all I can say, is wow!  I will be using this sketch for several paper crafts I have on my 'to do' list.  
Here is the current sketch 

So when I saw this sketch, I thought blossoms in place of the stars.  
But, I didn't do that.  Here is what I created:


Ok, this is another small A6 size card: 4 1/4" x 6".    I just love this 'new-to-me' size card.  The card base is made from Ocean Tides card stock.  I added a matt of kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  The pattern paper is another digital download.  I did a single border machine stitching around the main panel. 
I added a strip of white cotton eyelet trim, then a scrap of mint macaroon lace trim (by Stampin' Up!) and cream twill ribbon (by Paper Trey Ink).
My focal piece is another digital pattern paper from the same collection as the larger piece.  I did another kraft card stock matt.  I did a single border machine stitch, but only on the bottom half of this piece.
I added a vintage price tag, and a vintage mini milk cap.  The vintage scale was hand-stamped from the A Second Helping of Sunshine stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink.  The sentiment is from Close to my Heart: Country Born stamp set.
I also added a Tim Holtz safety pin to the bow, and created a tag from the packaging of the 'helping of sunshine' stamp set.  I used a sentiment from the Friendship Jar stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink.  
I added a very vanilla card stock panel with a kraft card stock for the inside.  I also re-stamped the vintage scale on the lower right corner.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful!  Now I'm off to start my chores.  {frown}  And then I'll have a few evenings this week, to continue crafting! {smile}


Life is Sweet with You: Card

Howdy! and welcome!   I hope your weekend is off to a good start.  Me, I've been crafting, and will be heading out the door soon to go for a run.  [so for me . . . pretty good {smile}]
I have several challenge sites, that I visit on my day off, and on Tuesday, I saw the notice that one of my all time favorite challenge sites is stopping.  Card abilities  {frown}  This breaks my heart!  I have found their sketches to be very easy to work with, and the inspiration from the design team has always been spot on!  But, I must admit, that I totally understand their decision.  So, here I sit, with my fingers crossed, that they will find the opportunity to continue their sketch challenge site.  
So, for their last sketch (for now) I really wanted to play along.  I felt that I just had to!  And my week was spent trying to find the 'right' paper and the 'right' embellishments to play along with this awesome group of ladies.  I didn't just want to play along, I really wanted to show them my love for them, and that I will miss them {frown}.  So, here is the current sketch over @ Cardabilities :


Ok, see what I mean about their sketches?  Just gorgeous!
and here is what I created:


This greeting card, pretty much says it all:  Life is sweeter with you!  And it sure is!  This greeting card measures 4 1/4" x 6".  It's a tad smaller than an A6 card, and a bit larger than an A2 card.   I use A6 envelopes for this size card.  It's a bit large, but it really works with my embellishments.  And there is a nice size of blank space inside to write your message.  {smile}
Recipe:  The card base is made with cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  They make wonderful weight card stock.  The 'brown' matt is actually kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  And that gorgeous  pattern paper is actually a digital paper.  I brushed some shimmer paint and white paint randomly (and lightly) on the digital paper.
I machine stitched a simple border around the digital paper and the kraft matt.  I used an aqua polka dot pattern paper from Paper Trey Ink, some cream lace trim from Walmart, and cream twill ribbon from Paper Trey Ink, to give this card a shabby chic look.  And I machine stitched them to the card front as well.
I stamped my sentiment from Close To My Heart, in going grey classic ink, by Stampin' Up!, onto very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up!, too.  I added a matt made from textured pool party card stock, by Stampin' Up!  I hand cut the circle.  I used some sanding paper, to help smooth out the uneven edges.  I cut a scallop circle with my extra large scallop punch by Stampin' Up! and adhered this piece to the card front with foam tape (dimensionals) by Stampin' Up!
I added a trio of buttons.  [I love buttons.]  I had a lone pink paper blossom sitting on my craft desk that was the perfect color.  So, I brushed on some shimmer paint to the petal edges.  I made a bow from the cream twill ribbon and adhered them to the card front with hot glue.  I tucked three leaf sprigs under the paper blossom.

The bumble bee I made with some sparkle white clay.  I recently purchased the mold from a shop on Etsy.  And I love how they came out.  [I typically make several clay pieces, from several molds at one time.]
I did finish the inside of the card.  I started doing that recently, and I am happy so far with the look.
I used the kraft card stock to make the matt.  I added very vanilla card stock for the inner piece.  I had a scrap piece of the aqua polka dot pattern paper on my craft desk and thought I should add that to the inside.  I also machine stitched a scrap piece of cream pom pom trim.  I think it looks sweet.

I will have this card for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.
I hope you get a chance to play along with this wonderful collection of super talented ladies over @ Cardabilities.
Thank you for stopping by.  I am heading out the door for a run.  I am happy that I am sticking with this running thing.  It really does give me a chance to clear my head, and do something good for my heart {smile}.


Thursday, October 8, 2015

Marquee Sign

Welcome.  I've been busy.  Busy crafting.  I've painted and distressed more clothes pins for message clips.  I've started working on more magnetic monograms.  And a few marquee signs.  Yep, marquee signs.  No, these won't be for sale.  I am planning on having them in my booth for the craft fairs, to get peoples attention and hopefully they stop by my booth {smile}.
So, I'm sure you won't be surprised when I show you my shabby chic marquee sign.  Here it is:


The marquee letters and symbols come white and blank.  That way, you can 'decorate' them anyway you want!  Paint, paper, tape, glitter, whatever your little artist heart wants.  I think that's pretty fabulous!   
So, I started with a super pale pink chalk paint.  (love chalk paint!)  Two coats.  The texture of this paint is soft, and rustic at the same time.
I cut my pattern paper just inside the lines of my template.  That way, the paper didn't fit perfectly inside.  I wanted a little bit of a border.  I used pattern paper from Tilda.  Love the 'faded' print.
And then, before the final assembly, I added silver leaf, randomly.  I wanted the marquee sign to look old, weathered, and worn.  As if someone painted over the metal, and over time, the metal has started to peek through.  Now, my distressing technique isn't perfect, and I probably should have used an additional color, but I am happy with it.  
I sealed the silver leaf to the paint, added the lights and bulbs, and viola!  Oh, and the best part is that it's battery operated!  No outlets needed to have a little 'light' in my booth, at this year's holiday arts and craft fairs.  My booth has white table cloths with burlap over lays, and the display pieces are either white or silver mercury glass.  So, I think this little gem will look right at home!

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  I'll get more photos of projects soon.  It's easiest to photograph during the weekend.  {smile}

  

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Holiday Craft Fair

Hello.  I just wanted to check-in with my paper peeps.  {smile}  I've been busy crafting for the Holiday Arts & Craft Fairs.  So please have patiences with me.  I have a current list of places, dates, and times as to where I will be selling this year, on my Craft Fairs 2015 tab, and on my Etsy home page under 'local market' HERE.


I will have greeting cards, (of course!) as well as new larger-size gift bags, gift card holders (2 sizes this year), jar toppers, desk-top calendars, treasure tins, magnetic photo holders, book marks, magnetic monograms, message clips, note books and note pads, and so much more.  My style is shabby chic and vintage, with a little farmland through in for good measure.  But, I have added a few items with a little more traditional style, and of course there will be a few things in a retro style.  I hope you get a chance to come out and see my crafts in person.  And say 'hello'.  It is always wonderful to see you, and chat for a minute.  See ya soon!