~ photo heavy ~
Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land. I am having a good week! Hope you are too! One of the changes I have made this year, is to start each week writing down three things I am thankful for, from the previous week. It is a way to reflect on my blessings. By taking my life in smaller pieces, and reflecting, I am truly able to see the good. And I am super happy with how this small step to 'count my blessings' is working for me!
I had a few moments, ok an hour, to create a card. And I am sure you all can understand the drive to get your ideas made out of paper {smile}. And I do know how truly blessed I am, to have a hoard stash I can craft from, when I can't get to a store. {wink}
I am entering this card in four challenges. I have to say, I typically don't enter this many, but I will relish in the oddity of this opportunity!
My firs stop is Mistress Owl. This is an Eastern European challenge site. They can a sketch for you to work with. I strongly encourage you to pop on over to the their challenge site. The design team will inspire you! Their sketch was easy to work with, so that is always a huge plus in my book.
My next stop is Cupcake Inspiration. I am always intrigued by their challenges. This design team will knock your socks off! Between the very user-friendly inspiration board, and the creativity of the design team, you will be crafting in no time! I just love their photo this week! Theme: Chalkboard! And who doesn't love chalkboard. It instantly reminds me of school days. So retro, shabby, vintage.
Now, I just HAD to stop by another favorite challenge: Really Reasonable Ribbon. This design team will certainly get you to add ribbon, twine, trim, and lace to everything! The creations will inspire you to try a new technique, and put a bow on it! Their current challenge is Celebrate! So birthday, anniversary, new baby, new couple, etc. You get the idea.
And finally, I stopped by Brown Sugar Challenge. This challenge site encourage all crafting styles. And the design team works with their sponsors, to showcase their products. I think that's wonderful! Their current sponsor has digital images. I just love digital paper. And I am starting to embrace digital images/stamps. Their current challenge is: Birthday! And who doesn't need a birthday card in their stash? So, please stop by and see what they have created.
now, roll all these challenges together, and here is what I created:
~ disclaimer: photographing a card with a flair button, is a bit of a challenge in itself!
my card was selected as a 'top 3' for the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog challenge!
Recipe: This card is a typical A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". And yes, it fits inside its envelope. The card base is kraft card stock. I just love the color and weight of this paper. It looks so 'old school'.
I added this beautiful light blue and pink rose digital paper as my main layer. I did dampen the edge of the paper (top right corner) and scrunch it a bit. I also distressed the edges, and tore the bottom edge. I sponged a tea stain ink on all four edges.
I added a lace doily from Stampin' Up! to the top left corner. I just love it peeking out from behind my journalling cards. (I used two 'chalkboard' journalling cards for my Chalkboard element.) I also inked the edges with the tea stain ink.
I stamped my sentiment onto the top journalling card in white craft ink, and then added clear embossing powder and used my heat gun to set the embossing powder.
I fussy cut a digital tag and added it to the lower right of the journalling cards.
I originally wanted to add my sentiment across the card, very similar to the sketch. And place my bow to the left of the journalling cards, but I don't have anything that would have worked. {frown} I guess I need to go paper craft shopping! {wink}
And then, I layered trims! Oh my! My first layer is a cream cotton eyelet trim. Then a white sparkle tulle box pleat trim. Then a mint swiss dot lace. And finally, a pale pink seam binding. Who doesn't love seam binding?
I tied a double bow with the seam binding, and added a silver metal button to the bow. Then I tucked in a cupcake flair button just above the bow. Viola!
Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have been inspired to play along with any/all of these creative challenge sites. You will not be disappointed in both the talent and the inspiration!