Holiday Stitching

~ photo heavy, long post ~

Howdy.  Whew, what a crazy, busy weekend.  But busy in a great way!  I had a very successful holiday arts & crafts fair, this past Saturday!  Very exciting, and very enjoyable!  It was sweet to meet so many wonderful folks.  And I had a chance to chat with everyone!  Who wouldn't love that? {smile} 

I started off this week, at getting back to the gym and running.  Yes, it's never ending.  But I love it.  The gym gives me a chance to work out some aggression.  If you work in corporate america, you know exactly what I mean.  And running, gives me a chance for me.  It's just me, my music, and the road.  Some quality time for me to sort my thoughts, and get some clean, fresh, mountain air, and take a break from corporate america.  {smile}

I wanted to share a few of my favorite things I crafted (and sold) from last weekend.  So, I will post today, most likely tomorrow, and maybe another day this week.  It all depends on my energy level. 

I am entering my large gift card holder in the Word Art Wednesday : Anything Goes challenge!
*my large gift card holder was selected as a 'Top Three'!  Thank You Word Art Wednesday.
I am also entering my large gift card holder in the Retro Sketches challenge.  it's a sketch!

I love fabric (along with paper).  But, I don't sew garments.  I don't sew toys.  I sew on paper.  And I know a lot of folks who make wearables.  Not me.  But I understand the thrill of finding a gorgeous print.  Or the perfect shade of pink (or any other color) to finish a project.  

I collected some pattern papers from Carta Bella, the Sew Lovely and So Noted.  I wanted to make something sweet, pretty, and practical.  

a sweet gift tote (to hold fabric, or supplies):

a covered notepad (to jot down sketches, supplies, etc):

and finally, a large gift card holder (it holds a pre-packaged gift card):

I just loved how the green stripe and the blue ruler pattern papers looked together.  Not really christmas-y, but simply pretty!  And if you craft (any kind) you know if you find something that works really well together, you don't 'un-do' it.  

I used a variety of stuff from my stashes, so it would be ridiculous to name everything.  But, I'll list a few.  And as always, if you have a question about a particular product, please just ask.

The blue-ish solid card stock used for everything is Mint Macaroon by Stampin' Up!  The cream cotton embroidered trim is from an internet purchase.  The stamping for the gift card holder is from Paper trey Ink (no peeking: holiday friendship jar.  homespun: love lives here holiday).  I stamped in Mint Macaroon and Basic Black classic inks by Stampin' Up!  The pink seam binding is from Stampin' Up!.  However, it is retired: Pink Pirouette.  The sewing theme fabric brads are from LemonCraft.  (LemonCraft is an eastern european company)  The silver scissor 'charm' is an internet purchase.  The large snowflake is a die from PaperTrey Ink, and the glitter paper is from Stampin' Up!.  The green check pattern fabric strips are from an internet purchase as well.  It was listed as fabric ribbon.  And as always (ok, almost always, always) I did machine stitching on my projects.  I think it adds a 'homespun' touch! {smile}

Well, thank you for stopping by!  now, I am off to finish some holiday shopping, and to get a few items out in the mail!  I hope you have been inspired, or at least the creative wheel is turning!