Butterflies & Tickets

Howdy.  Whew, I've been a bit busy!  I almost feel like I have been pulled in 6 different directions at once.  But, I am happy that my life is settling down, or will be back to 'normal' tomorrow.  I don't know how some folks live everyday with so much stress {grimace}.  

All of my grandchildren are in Elementary School, and well, that translates to several fund raisers from each grandchild.  Now, if the fund raiser is unique, or something a bit more creative than candy bars, I will schlep their products or schpeel to work and pitch to my co-workers.  My oldest grandson's class was selling car wash vouchers.  Everyone needs a car wash, and well, I haven't seen this one.  So, I took the order form to work, and went around pedaling car wash vouchers.  And viola! I sold over 30 car wash vouchers!  Now, I need a way to present them.  And let's face it, if the packaging is pretty, and you already bought the product, it just makes it better!  And now, I just need a little inspiration from some favorite challenge sites, to get the creative juices flowing!  This also gave me a chance to play along with a few of my favorite paper crafting challenges - sounds like a 'win-win'!

My first stop was Mojo Monday.   I needed a sketch to get me started, and it's contest week, so why not! Right!  These talented folks always have consistent user-friendly sketches.  And since this is the first full week in the month, it's a contest.  3 random winners are selected.  How exiting is that!  

here is their current sketch:

You know, when I first saw the sketch, I instantly thought of a doily for the large circle.  Well, so did everyone else.  And no one likes to be a sheep, so I switched it up!

My next stop was Word Art Wednesday.  Now, if I was to give an award, to a challenge site for having the nicest design team, they would win hands down!  This team, is talented, but also very nice.  You always feel welcome to join their challenges, and the inspirational quote is just begging to be used in your paper craft.   Their theme is: Anything Goes & Family Friendly.

I don't always use the scripture that they provide, but it is always fun to see what their design team comes up with.  Very, very talented group of crafters.

here is what I created:

my card was selected as a 'winner' for Mojo Monday card contest

and as a 'top 3' for Word Art Wednesday challenge

I switched the large circle element for a rectangle.  

And I replaced the red blossom with a sentiment.

Recipe:  This is a traditional A2 card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  And it fits in the envelope beautifully!  I used a random butterfly pattern paper for the main panel.  This pattern paper is from Crate Paper, and is from the Notes & Things collection. I just love the artsy version of the butterflies.  

I used a 'ticket' for the large  circle shape on the left of the card.  It is actually a pattern paper of random tickets.  The 'ticket' pattern paper is from Crate Paper also, but from their Confetti collection.  I just cut a 3 3/4" x 3 7/8" piece off.   (when I find a pattern paper that is very versatile and easy to use, I purchase the whole package = 25 sheets.  And that is what I did with both of these collections.)

I didn't want too much pattern on my card, so I opted for a ribbon piece in place of the long rectangle.   And I tied my bow upside down, so you could see the silhouette I stamped.

I stamped my silhouette in Soft Suede classic ink, by Stampin' Up! onto white shimmer card stock.  I wanted a little more character from the card stock, so my circle wouldn't look too flat.  I picked up the silhouette stamp from a clearance bin @ a big box store for 72 cents.

I stamped my sentiment onto white card stock in basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up! and then fussy cut the sentiment.  I used my Label Love stamp set from Altenew.  I am really loving this stamp set.  I adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  To help elevate it off the card front.  Viola.  Quick, and easy.  I had over a dozen of these to make, so I wanted something I could mass produce, but not too plain.  I had so much fun creating this card, that I will make a set of these and put them in my Etsy shop for sale.  I'll add some machine stitching and a few other pieces.  So, look for those soon.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you get a chance to carve out some crafting time, to create something beautiful!  It really does the soul good, to just create!  This weekend, I will be baking something sweet! and I'll share a photo or two!  Fingers crossed that it comes out just as I planned.  {smile}