Read, Drink (tea) & Be Merry Card

Good Morning! I hope all is well in your home.  Here, doing ok.  I have a few errands to run today, along with a few chores to accomplish.  But, all in all, it should be a productive day.   As I sit here, getting coupons together, and making my lists, I notice that I forgot failed to publish a blog post.  UGH!  A bit late, and I missed a few challenges, but, here it is.  {grimace} The card that I created did make it into my Etsy shop, HERE.

I need to create a card for a special friend who is hosting an afternoon tea for me and a few (ok, 10) of my girl friends.  She is super talented, creative, and an all around dear lady.  And I stumbled upon a few challenges, that will help get me creating!  So, here we go!
My first stop is Mojo Monday. This sketch is for a tall and skinny card, but I love the layout!  this challenge is currently closed.  I missed their deadline.

My next stop is The Card Concept.  The inspiration for their current challenge, a tea cup with a gorgeous blossom inside.  How stinking cute is that?  Did I mention the color of the tea cup? Vintage blue.  Yeah, and the blossom is this pale pretty pink.  Who could have asked for a better color combo?  The title for their challenge:  Sweet Tea.  this challenge is currently closed, as well.  UGH!

My next stop is Crafting By Designs.  This group of talented ladies really know how to craft a card.  The design team is inspirational and super creative.  Their current challenge:  Anything Goes!  Awesome!  

here is what I made:

I made a typical A2 size card. (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

I used a single sided card stock, in Latte by Amuse Studios, for the card base.  

The card was then created with scraps of various pattern papers I had on hand.  The beautiful worn wood pattern paper is Paper Studios, County Floral.  The text pattern paper is Melissa Frances.  I added a scrap piece of white cotton trim and did some machine sewing.  

The 'tag' piece is actually a journalling card from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  I simply trimmed it down and added a banner end.   I added an embellishment from the same collection and adhered it to the 'tag'.  Just to give it a focal point.  The words are in gold.  So, that added some sparkle.

I wrapped some seam binding around the top of the card.  Adhered it to the card front with machine stitching.  {smile}  It is an antique rose color.  But I wanted some bling, so I added some retired silver bakers twine from Stampin' Up!  

I tied a simple bow with the seam binding, but it appeared to need something more, so I also tied a simple bow with my pale pink tinsel.  I think it helps add some sparkle, some vintage flair, and help balance the card.  I tied a tea cup charm onto the stacked bows with some of the bakers twine.  A hidden treasure!

And finally, I added several flat back faux pearls to the card front.  To give it, a feminine touch.   I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink, from Stampin' Up! to help give the card some aged charm.  I thought the stark white edges looked to 'modern'.  

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to play along in these challenges.  I did use the sketch challenge from Mojo Monday for the layout.  However, I missed the deadline to that challenge.  Have a great day, and craft something beautiful!