Howdy! and welcome. I hope you all had a great holiday. Me, I got the flu. I have been in bed sick for a week now. And for those who know me, I don't do well being 'down' or laid up in bed. So, today, I decided, I'm getting up. I am getting on with life. Change your mindset, and you body will follow. It's like when you have been running for 4 hours, and you have 3 miles left, and your legs are tired and heavy, and your mind is screaming at you to stop. Just stop. But, you have to turn down the volume in your head, push forward, and keep going.
I made another gift card holder this morning. I am entering it in three of yesterday's challenge post. I just loved the themes - Sparkle, Lace & Paint, and the sketch was super easy to work with. So, here we go again!
First stop: the wonderfully talented ladies over @ As You See It Challenge, have a fun challenge: Sparkle. You have to add an element of sparkle to your project: glitter, sequins, glimmer paper, etc. And let's just be honest here, who doesn't love sparkle? It just makes you happy!
My next stop is Mistress Owl. Their current challenge is a sketch. It was super easy to work with yesterday, so why not use it again today. This challenge site, is from Russia. They do have a translate button, to help with the language barrier. I just love their easy-to-work-with sketches.
And finally, my last stop is Shabby Chic. Another challenge site from Russia, and again, they have a translate button. This design team will certainly inspire you! Their current challenge is Magic Frost. The mandatory elements are: Lace & Paint. And your entry must be in Shabby Chic or Provence style. (they have their definition of these styles on their challenge site)
and here is what I created:
different view:
Recipe: I used Fine Linen card stock by PaperTreyInk for the gift card holder. I thought it matched the angels in the pattern paper beautifully. Again, I used Pure Poppy card stock by PaperTreyInk for the matts. Its a deep red with orange undertones. I used the red stripe pattern paper from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima, again. I just love the look of the stripes. {smile} The pattern paper I used for the main panels is a digital paper. I printed it onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!. I love using their white card stock to print my digital papers. It takes the ink very well, and the card stock is light weight; making layering a breeze.
I used my sewing machine to add a simple border stitch around each panel. I think this little element adds a lot of homespun charm. {smile}
I did a better job of lining up my trims. I layered a white crochet trim, a taupe lace trim, and a mint ribbon. I machine stitched them to the panels with silver thread. The silver thread is beautiful, but quite a pain to work with. The metallic in the thread gives it a bit of stretch, with little tension, so it breaks easily and frequently. {frown}.
I stacked two small journalling cards to the top panel. I selected the 'fa la la' girls, and a December Bingo board card, this time. I like how the 'fa la la' color matched the reindeer in my pattern paper.
I die-cut, stamped, and heat embossed the wreath. I die-cut the wreath from Fine Linen card stock. I stamped the wreath in VersaMark ink, and used my fine detail white embossing powder. This delicate wreath takes a steady hand in stamping. My trick: place a contrasting color of card stock under the wreath, so when you stamp, you have a better view of lining-up the image. I adhered the wreath to the front panel.
I tied a double bow with the mint ribbon. I tied a small plastic peppermint candy to the mint bow with silver twine. I wanted a bit more red on the card, so I adhered a red button to the bow's center. To add a bit more sparkle, I added a mirror plastic star just above the button.
The paper blossoms were painted and glittered. I used a white pearl paint to the petals, and while the paint was still wet, I dunked the blossoms into glitter.
I painted two silver jingle bells with gesso, and glitter. I tied them with silver bakers twine. Then tucked them under the larger blossom. Again, I wanted more red, so I tucked in a red pom pom by the cream paper blossom.
My sentiment was not hand-stamped. The sentiment is actually from a holiday tag. I simply trimmed it down with scissors, and did a double matt: pure poppy and fine linen card stock. I added foam tape to the back of the sentiment. I wanted it to be lifted off the card front.
Thank you for looking! I hope this last weekend of 2017 ends just how you want it to. For me, I will be enjoying the quiet time at home. And I am sure you have guessed that I will be out running. I am going to do my best at getting in 10-12 miles tomorrow. {smile}