WaterColor Blossoms; Card

Hello.  I made a card to say 'Thank You' to those ladies who placed orders @ Ashley's KEEP Collective party.  {smile}  The ladies she invited were funny, personable, and friendly. 

The wonderful ladies over @ The Paper Players have a current challenge that fit this bill!  Their theme for their current challenge is to create a clean and simple card with a Spring theme! Yahoo!

And, the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge have a similar challenge: Welcome Spring, and use ribbon, lace, or trim on your project.  Easy!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock for the card base.  The matt is made with crisp cantaloupe card stock.  I just love this color.  It's a softer version of the Coral.  

I stamped the floral image in Black detail ink, on to white shimmer card stock.  I used re-inkers to water color the blossoms with aqua painter.  I used crisp cantaloupe, pink pirouette, blushing bride, coral, pear pizzazz, and pistachio pudding.  

Once the blossoms were water colored, I sprayed the panel with a shimmer mist.  I really wanted the sparkle!  Finally, I hand-stamped the 'thank you' from the hand-scripted stamp set by Amuse Studio in Basic Black classic ink.   

I used my paper piercer to create two tiny holes on each side of the blossom stems, and strung a thin, sheer, coral ribbon, and tied a simple, single bow.  I wanted another embellishment, so I added a trio of marshmallow sequins.  The water colored panel was adhered to the cantaloupe card stock with foam tape.

I plan on dropping these beauties in the mail, once I hear from KEEP Collective, that Ashley's party orders have been shipped.  {smile}  I hope the ladies really do love their cards and unique jewelry.  {smile}

Uniquely YOU!

Howdy.  and welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I was a bit preoccupied yesterday.  I mailed a Birthday card to my mom, last week.  Yes, last week.  And everyday since her birthday, I have been checking-in with my folks to see if her hand-made card arrived.  And everyday, both my mom, and myself were disappointed that her card did NOT arrive.  So, I had to make a trip down to the USPS to see what I could do to track down her card, or to see if it was returned, or simply what was going on.  No luck.  {frown}  And then, I got a call from my mom.  Her card had finally arrived!  My mom lives in the same state as me - New Mexico.  She lives 270 miles south of me.  And so, I originally figured 4 days for the USPS to deliver her card.  No!  they look 7 days!  yes, 7 days!  Anyways, mom, was very happy with her card! {smile}

I {heart} spending time finding junk

I have a girlfriend who decided to host a KEEP Collective party, to help me sell some of these fabulously unique statement pieces {smile}.  Her 'party' is still open to allow her family and friends to look, create, and select the right pieces HERE.  So, if you too would like to place an order, please use this link.  If you would like to host your OWN party, please get in touch with me {smile}.  You can do an on-line party if that works best for your schedule.  {smile}

Thank you for looking!  I hope your weekend was good, productive, and relaxing! I had a good one!

sorority

KEEP Collective is excited to announce their first ever 

Official Sorority Licensed product!  

https://www.keep-collective.com/with/sharonwheet

While you have always been able to buy any combination of their Greek Letters, you have not been able to buy combinations of real Sororities! Until now!  KEEP Collective has officially licensed three Sororities!  The letters in each pack are the same as the individual Greek Letters, they are just simply packaged together!

Book your next Social with me, to get your Sorority sisters their own KEEP Collective Sorority Greek Letters!  

Happy Birthday Mom; Card

Hello, and Happy Birthday Mom!  I made a birthday card a few weeks ago, and have kept it under wraps.  My mom reads my blog.  {smile}  The birthday card I made, is, yeah, for my mom.  Her birthday is actually today.  So, I can 'share' my creation with you today.  My mom's Birthday card will be in her snail mail box today!  Sure happy and sure excited for her!  Because who doesn't love snail mail that isn't a bill or some junk mail [that doesn't even make it in the house]. {smile}

Ok, this card is an A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Love this size!  So, let's get right to business, so you know how I made it, and you can use some of these techniques yourself.

For the card base, I used Wisteria Wonder card stock by Stampin' Up!  It's a beautifully heavy weight card stock.  I used a light weight card stock by Amuse Studios in Taupe for the matt.  I used three different, but coordinating pattern papers from Tilda for the card.  I added a pale grey blue floral pattern paper for the main panel.  I added a darker blue tiny floral pattern paper and a pink leaf pattern paper.  [I matched the pinks in the blossoms when selecting the pattern papers.]

I used the edge of my scissors to rough-up the edges of the paper panels.  I did sponge some kraft ink onto the edges to help convey the 'time' or 'age' of the card.  I also used the edge of the scissors to create the 'rip'.  I added a polka dot pattern paper in that area.  I wanted something contrasting, but coordinating.  {smile}

I added a purposefully sloppy double border with my sewing machine.  [I love this look.]  I added some sponging on top of the stitching, to help them 'pop'.  

I had a scrap piece of white cotton trim that was tea dyed, so I stitched that piece onto the front of the card too.  

I strung kraft twine through a trio of lavender moon vintage buttons by PaperTrey Ink and adhered them to the pink leaf pattern paper.  I kept the twine long on purpose.  

The TAG:  this is the focal piece, and one that I'm super happy with {smile}.  I used a scrap piece of taupe card stock for the tag base.  I tied a small piece of wisteria wonder seam binding through the hole, but wanted something more.  so I added a bow tied with lavender thin tinsel.  I love how it adds some sparkle and softness to the over-all whole look of the card. {smile}

My sentiment was created with heat embossing and simple stamping.  I stamped the sentiment in versa mark onto vellum card stock and added silver embossing powder and heat embossed.  I just love how soft and elegant the silver embossing looks.  I used the hand script stamp set by PaperTrey Ink.  I added my adhesive to the back of the vellum piece where the sentiment is to help 'hide' the adhesive, which can be seen through this semi-translucent card stock.  I stamped the 'happy birthday' onto whisper white card stock in basic black classic ink, using Teeny Tiny wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up!.  Then I fussy cut the sentiment and adhered it to the vellum piece.  

I added a gift card to the inside of the card.  That way, my mom can celebrate HER day, anyway she wants: shopping, dining, relaxing at the spa, or simply going to afternoon tea with girlfriends.

Happy Birthday MOM!  I hope your day is fabulous and you get a chance to do what your heart desires.  Love you!

Thank you for stopping by and taking a moment to look at what I have been creating!  Enjoy your day! and come back soon.  I'll be sharing more.

Say Cheese!; Card

Howdy and welcome.  Today is the first day of the Rubber Stamp Show, here in Albuquerque, NM! Yahoo!   This annual event is a great opportunity for rubber stamping companies from all over the United States to set up shop and sell their wares.  The show runs from 9:30a to 5p today and 11a to 4p tomorrow, I believe!  

During the show, they have a card contest.  Two contests (one of each day) and I entered this year.  It's actually a big accomplishment, because I always say that I will enter, and then life gets in the way, and I don't.  But, I actually sent in a card for this year!  I entered Sunday's contest, that has the theme 'Say Cheese".  [Saturday's contest theme is 'Across the Miles'.]

Sunday Card Contest theme: Say Cheese

My card was selected as their First Place winner!  I received $100 in 'show bucks', to spend at the Rubber Stamp Show.  I'm super excited and very proud of my work!  A huge 'Thank You', to everyone who voted for my card.  I appreciate it!
This card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  

When I read what the theme was, I instantly thought of a camera.  And I have a camera stamp.  So, I set out in my craft room to see what I could create.  The only stamp I have with a camera, is this one from Paper Trey Ink: Shutterbug.  It's a 'vintage' camera, but so perfect for me, right!  I stamped the camera onto very vanilla card stock three times.  Yes, three times.  And then I fussy cut it out.  One whole image, and the then two downsized portions.  I used foam tape to stack the images on top of each other, to give the illusion that the camera is coming out of the card.  Perfect.  but now I needed paper.  

Since my camera image is 'vintage' why not pair it with 'vintage' paper.  Tilda, came to mind.  It's a craft company from Scandinavia and the pattern papers are just vintage, shabby chic perfect!  I layered three different pattern papers (large floral, tiny floral, and polka dots), and adhered to a Taupe card stock matt, by Amuse Studios.  I added a single, simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  Wrapped some crinkle seam binding, and crochet trim.  I didn't want to add adhesive to the trims, so I machine stitched them to the card front, using a zig zag stitch.

Adhered the card front to an A2 size card made with Crumb Cake card stock by Stampin' Up!  I just love the heavy weight of this card stock for the base of my cards.  

Tied a multi-loop bow, added a simple bow made with metallic bakers twine just under the seam binding bow, and topped that piece with a small, simple paper blossom.  Not too fussy, just simply pretty!

The Shutterbug stamp set has this adorable sentiment: Say Cheese & Eat Cake.  So I stamped it onto a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock.  Used a hand-help circle punch to create the sentiment tag.  I added a single faux brad to the top of the circle and adhered it to the card front with foam tape to get it over the edge of the camera.  I also made another sentiment tag, 'happy birthday'.  Its from the Tiny Wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up!  I just love the typewriter font.  I hand cut the sentiment out into a rectangle.  I sponged the edges of both sentiment pieces, to help convey the 'vintage' look and feel.  And it helps give the sentiment pieces some dimension.

Thank you for looking, and here I am with my fingers crossed, hoping I win, place, or show.  {smile}

[Win, Place, Show - are horse racing terms.  Win - 1st place, Place - 2nd place, and Show - 3rd place in horse racing.   The rubber stamp show is held at the Albuquerque Fair Grounds, which has a horse racing track.]  The prize for having your card voted 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place is receiving 'show' bucks to use at the Rubber Stamp Show.  It's like free money! {smile}

Green Shamrocks that Sparkle

Wear what matters to you!  Create your own one-of-a-kind statement piece.  

Invite your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, the ladies in the school car pool, the PTA board members, the ladies at the church social, the ladies you have lunch with, the ladies you chat with, the ladies who you love the most/best, & your BFF.  Invite those women who you like, who's friendship mean something to you!  Share this new and exciting way, to wear what matters most to you!

Don't have time to clean the house and bake a few goodies, host a On-Line Social.  

Easy, just ask ME how!

or visit my page @

https://www.keep-collective.com/with/sharonwheet

Sweet Blush Thank You; Card

Howdy! and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  Here, is where I share my passion for card making, and sometimes cupcakes {smile}.  I really do find joy, and peace when I am creating.  And it doesn't matter if it is baking or paper crafting.  The joy is the same.  

I wanted to make another card to add to my Etsy shop, located HERE.  But I needed some inspiration, so I set out to a favorite challenge site, and stumbled upon a new (to me) challenge site {smile}.  

One of my favorite challenge site I visited, Just Us GirlS #333.  It's their 'word week', and this week's word is FLOWERS! On my! I love adding flowers to my paper crafts, so I am playing along with these beautifully creative ladies!

The last challenge I am entering is a 'new' challenge site for me.  I stumbled upon this challenge from visiting a fellow blogger that I follow.  This challenge site is eastern European.  They do not have a 'translate' button, so copy and paste the text into Google Translator.  Shabby Scrap - use rose(s). 

here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used Cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  This card stock is a heavy weight, and wonderful as a card base.   The card size is A6 (4 1/4" x 6").

The three pattern papers are digital papers.  I just fell in love with the pale pink, and blush colors!  I sponged the floral digital paper with crumb cake classic ink.  I trimmed and sponged the library card digital paper.  I rounded two of the corners for a different look, other than a right angle.  I adhered these two digital papers together before I added the machine stitching.  I also added dimensional glaze to the 'front' blue bird.  I loved the pop of color!

I added cream twine to the trio of blush vintage buttons, and adhered them to the card front with my glue gun.  

I used a leaf punch and some shimmer green textured card stock to create the leaves.  I tucked the leaves under the two pale pink paper blossoms.  The larger pink blossom is from Prima Marketing.  The smaller pink blossom is a 'carnation' from an on-line shop.

I trimmed the journalling piece into a tag.  I sponged the edges, and added a hole for the seam binding.  I did a simple loop of pale pink seam binding and tied a simple bow with a pale pink/blush colored thin tinsel.  I added a pale blush paper blossom to the bow.  The tag was adhered to the card front with foam tape.

I stamped the sentiment onto vellum card stock and adhered to the front of the tag.  (I added my adhesive where the lettering is, so that the adhesive wouldn't show through.) 

I used the Signature Greetings, by Amuse Studios.  I heat embossed the sentiment with antique gold embossing powder.

Thank you for looking!  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any or all of these challenges!  I will be adding this card to my Etsy shop in the next few days.  {smile}

Floral Friend; Card

Howdy!  I needed to get a few cards in the mail, and so I set out to find some inspiration.  Along the way, I stumbled upon a new (to me) challenge site, and visited two favorite challenge sites.  The inspiration was infectious!  I hope you agree!

Let's start with the new challenge site, that I 'found'.  This is an east European challenge site.  They don't have a 'translate' button, but google translator works pretty well.  [Just copy and paste the text.]  Shabby Scrap.  Their current challenge is to use rose(s) on your project.  And your project can be just about anything! A card, a page, an altered item, a tag, a book, etc.  (I'm sure you get the idea) You will be amazed at the creativity of their design team.  This challenge runs from Feb 25 - March 24.  And here is their photo:

Ok, so now on with another of my favorite challenge sites.  {smile}  This next one, is another challenge site from eastern Europe - Shabby Chic.  This challenge site does have a 'translate' button.  So it's super easy to play along with {smile}!  Their current challenge  is to use butterflies.  Or simply one butterfly.  A very creative and feminine work by their design team.  Their challenge runs through March 25.

And for the finally challenge, it's one that is truly dear to me:  Just Us GirlS #333.  I started playing along with their challenges when I first started blogging.  Their current challenge for 'Word Week' is Flowers!  How wonderful!  I love adding flowers to my cards and projects!  You will certainly be inspired by their design team!

So, I have combined the challenges, not too hard really,
and created a card for a very dear friend!

Recipe:  I created another A6 size card.  To create the card base, I used a heavy weight card stock: Soft Sky by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the soft, pale blue color.   

I added three different digital papers.  I printed my digital papers onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love how clean the images come out, and how true to color they print.  

Anyways, I used a pale blue, pink floral pattern paper for the main paper.  I just love how pretty this digital paper is, and the way the pale blue background really makes the pink roses pop!  I cut the paper down to 4 1/8" x 5 3/4".  I sponged crumb cake classic ink along the edges.

I printed a library card, digital paper and cut it down a bit.  I used my corner rounder punch on two of the corners, and sponged the edges.  I adhered these two papers together, and then added my machine stitching.  I wanted the butterfly on the library card to 'pop', so I added dimensional glaze to it.

For the tag, yes, it's another digital paper.  I used my tag punch to create the top piece.   I added some aqua blue crinkled seam binding and tied a simple bow with some thin blue tinsel.  (I just love how soft this tinsel is!)  I added some foam tape to the back of the 'tag' before adhering it.  

I tied some twine through the trio of aqua mist vintage buttons before adhering them to the card front with my glue gun.  I also adhered the trio of blossoms with my glue gun.  

For the sentiment, I used the Signature Greetings stamp set by Amuse Studios.  I stamped the words in versa mark onto some card stock vellum, and used an antique gold embossing powder and heated the embossing powder with my heat gun.   I hand cut the banner ends, and added adhesive where the words are, so you wouldn't see the adhesive through the vellum.

I stamped two butterflies onto a scrap piece of the same vellum with Archival Black ink by Stampin' Up! and used markers to color the backs of the butterflies.  I folded the wings together to give them a 3 dimensional look.  I adhered them to the card front with dimensional glaze.  

Thank you for looking!  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any (or all) of these great challenge sites!

Triple T Tuesday: Double-Loop Bow

Howdy, and welcome to my Triple T Tuesday segment.  This is were I share with you Tips, Tricks, and Techniques on different passions of mine.  So far, I have shared Triple T's on paper crafting, and today isn't any different.  {smile}

Today's Trick is how to tie a double-loop bow.  Now, let's get to this!  This technique is relatively simply.  There are videos and/or tutorials on the internet.  But, this is how I do it.

1.  Start with the type of ribbon you want to work with.  For me, I prefer a soft, very pliable ribbon.  Seam Binding, (to me) works the best.  The stiffer the ribbon, the more 'tailored' the bow will look.

2.  Create a 'V' with the index and middle finger on your dominant hand.

3.  Hold the start of your ribbon with your thumb and ring fingers.

4.  Loop the ribbon around your index and ring fingers, in a 'figure eight' fashion.

*side note:  for a double loop bow, you will need to loop the ribbon around each finger twice.  

for a triple loop bow, you will need to loop the ribbon around each finger three times.

5.  The tail/end of the ribbon must make the last loop around the middle finger, before you tie it.

6.  Bring the ribbon tail towards you, and under the 'figure eight'.

7.  Bring the tail back over the top of the 'figure eight'.

8.  Pull the tail taught.  This will help 'set' the knot where you want it.

9.  Tie the two ends together, as if you were tying a knot.

do NOT tie this knot too tight, as you will need to be able to remove your bow from your fingers.

10.  Slide the bow off of your fingers gently, so that you do not pull one end of the ribbon too tight.  As this will create a lop-sided bow.

10.  Viola! you have a double loop bow!  

And now you are ready to embellish it, or simply add it to the front of a card, or any project!

I hope the directions are easy to understand.  If you have any questions, please let me know. {smile}