Printed Flowers in My Garden

Howdy.  I hope you are well.  I have been working on my 'month of happiness' goals.  I hope you have, too.  Or at least journalling what you are grateful/thankful for each week.   I have.   I think that, recognizing what has brought me joy, or what has lead me down the road to joy, makes my heart feel rejuvenated.  {smile}

I needed to make a card for a girl friend.  You see, I mailed her one a few weeks back, and it never made it to her house.  Super sad.  It was a 'Thank You' card, for her support on a fund raiser.  So, I set out to find some inspiration on the internet, to get me started.  I stopped by a few favorite challenge sites:  Crafting by Designs, Really Reasonable Ribbon, and Mojo Monday.

I stopped by Mojo Monday, first, to get the sketch!  I thought that their current sketch, looked easy to work with.  And, as always, it's 'user friendly'.

My next stop, was Crafting by Designs.  I wanted to see what their current challenge is:  Girls or Flowers.  How super sweet, and I can do flowers!

My last stop, was Really Reasonable Ribbon, and they have a Flower theme challenge.  But, remember, you need to include ribbon, lace, or trim on your paper craft!

and here is what I crafted:

Recipe:  this is a typical A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The two pattern papers, is actually the same paper.  I used both sides {smile}.

I cut the pink pattern paper too short, (as illustrated in the sketch).  But, to me, it looked 'too short'.  So, I added a strip of champagne glitter paper, and used a lace edge hand-held punch, to create the decorative border.  I love how it looks.  The glitter paper adds the right amount of interest and sparkle.

I used my sewing machine to add a simple border around the pink pattern paper.  I then adhered the floral pattern paper.  I added a simple machine sewn border to that paper, as well.  

I sewn the seam binding to the card front, to secure it.  I just love how the sewing machine adds so much character and homespun look and feel, to a card.  {swoon}

I cut a rectangle of very vanilla card stock, and stamped my sentiment using soft suede classic ink.  I used a favorite stamp set from Paper Trey Ink; Choose Joy.  I adhered the sentiment piece onto a scrap piece of the champagne glitter paper, and adhered the sentiment to the card front with foam tape.  

I tied a double loop bow with the seam binding, and tied a vintage button to the bow with kraft twine.  To finish the card, I added a cluster of clear sequins to the right side of the card.

I hope that my friend likes the card I made her.  Unfortunately, if I don't purchase tracking, I can't count on the United States Postal Service to deliver my cards.  I have had bad luck, when it comes to mailing my hand made cards.  My cards require extra postage, and require hand canceling, and they seem to get 'lost' at the post office.  How frustrating, and annoying.  So, I won't focus on the lack of professionalism, or providing the service that I have paid for.  Instead, I will look at this as an opportunity to hand deliver my card to my friend {smile}!

  

Shabby Blue Bingo

I loved the pink and green version of this card, so much so, that I decided to make a blue version.  How wonderful! right?

Well, it is too late to enter this card in the Mojo Monday card challenge like the previous cards, so I am entering this card in two different challenges:  Brown Sugar Challenge and Crafting by Designs. The wonderful folks over @ Brown Sugar Challenge, have an Anything Goes challenge.  So, create something beautiful and enter!

The creative folks over @ Crafting by Designs, have a Spring Edition Anything Goes challenge.  Super fun! and why not make something 'spring-like' and enter!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used my favorite kraft card stock for the card base.  I just love this card stock.  The color, the feel, the ease of work.  Everything of it!  I added a matt of very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up! to give my main piece some contrast.  

I used digital papers, for all of my pattern papers.   I distressed the edges of all the papers with tea stain ink.  I adhered the pink floral paper onto the very vanilla card stock, and then added a machine stitch border.

I layered a floral tag and a bingo card off center, and angled in two different orientations.

I hand stamped the sentiment for my horizontal piece.  I used a very old stamp set by Technique Tuesday.  I added a banner edge to give the sentiment some visual interest.  

I replaced the circle element with a multi-loop bow.  I tied a vintage kraft button, using kraft twine to the bow.

Thank you for looking!  I'm off to make some cupcakes for a meeting tomorrow.

Shabby Green Bingo

~ second post today ~

Howdy!  I shared my pink version of this card, in an earlier post today.  But, now I want to share the green version with you!

As I said earlier, I need to make 16 cards, to say 'Thank You' to various folks who help support the North Valley Academy PTO, and variety is the spice of life.  Right?

I stopped by Mojo Monday to see their current sketch.  And I have to say, it's pretty exciting!  The possibilities are truly endless.  You can use either rectangles to showcase pattern papers, embossed papers, text papers, emphoria, and so much more.

and here is what I made:

I am also entering this card in another card challenge:  Word Art Wednesday.  Their challenges are: Anything Goes & Family Friendly.  So, how can you say no to that?  The design team will certainly inspire you!

Recipe:  I used my favorite kraft card stock for the card base.  I just love this card stock.  The color, the feel, the ease of work.  Everything of it!  I added a matt of very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up! to give my main piece some contrast.  

I used digital papers, for all of my pattern papers.   I distressed the edges of all the papers with tea stain ink.  I adhered the pink floral paper onto the very vanilla card stock, and then added a machine stitch border.

I layered a floral tag and a bingo card off center, and angled in two different orientations.

I hand stamped the sentiment for my horizontal piece.  I used a very old stamp set by Technique Tuesday.  I added a banner edge to give the sentiment some visual interest.  

I replaced the circle element with a multi-loop bow.  I tied a vintage kraft button, using kraft twine to the bow.

Viola!  Not a 10 minute card, but not too incredibly daunting to make over a dozen cards.   And yes, I made a green version and a blue version.  Variety is the spice of life, right?

Thank you for looking!

Shabby Pink Bingo

Howdy!  I've been busy training for a few races, but you know me, I can always carve time into my day for a little crafting and baking {smile}!

Today, I did some paper crafting!  I need to make 16 cards, to say 'Thank You' to various folks who help support the North Valley Academy PTO.  So, I set out to get some inspiration.

I stopped by Mojo Monday to see their current sketch.  And I have to say, it's pretty exciting!  The possibilities are truly endless.  You can use either rectangles to showcase pattern papers, embossed papers, text papers, emphoria, and so much more.

here is what I made:

I am also entering this card in another card challenge:  Word Art Wednesday.  Their challenges are: Anything Goes & Family Friendly.  So, how can you say no to that?  The design team will certainly inspire you!

Recipe:  I used my favorite kraft card stock for the card base.  I just love this card stock.  The color, the feel, the ease of work.  Everything of it!  I added a matt of very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up! to give my main piece some contrast.  

I used digital papers, for all of my pattern papers.   I distressed the edges of all the papers with tea stain ink.  I adhered the pink floral paper onto the very vanilla card stock, and then added a machine stitch border.

I layered a floral tag and a bingo card off center, and angled in two different orientations.

I hand stamped the sentiment for my horizontal piece.  I used a very old stamp set by Technique Tuesday.  I added a banner edge to give the sentiment some visual interest.  

I replaced the circle element with a multi-loop bow.  I tied a vintage kraft button, using kraft twine to the bow.

Viola!  Not a 10 minute card, but not too incredibly daunting to make over a dozen cards.   And yes, I made a green version and a blue version.  Variety is the spice of life, right?

Thank you for looking!

Harmony & Grace Card

~ second post today & photo heavy ~

Howdy!  I needed to make a card for a special friend, so I set out to find some inspiration.  And you know I found some! {smile}

My first stop is Mojo Monday.  Because let's face it, they have some great sketches, and the design team will certainly inspire you! (I turned the sketch 90 degrees)

I also stopped by As You See It Challenge.  Their current challenge is Spring has Sprung.  How super fun is that?  And the best part, you get to decide what spring means to you!  Me, I see it as a 'new' time.  Flowers, snow melting, more sunshine.  Everything fresh!  (weathered wood, blossoms, distressed elements, and a little sparkle)

I also stopped by Word Art Wednesday for their current challenge - Anything Goes & Family Friendly.  This creative and inspirational challenge site gives you a free bible scripture that you can use, but is not required.   (I'm using an inspirational sentiment and thought it fit perfectly with this design team.)

And finally, I stopped by Brown Sugar Challenge, for their current challenge - Anything Goes.  Because let's face it, this design team is creative and very innovative!

and here is what I created:

spring to me, means exposed weathered wood and blossoms

Recipe:  This is a typical A2 size greeting card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I used kraft card stock as the card base, because let's face it, the color is just so creamy, and sweet!

I used one pattern paper, blossom pattern paper from the Harmony Collection by Bo Bunny.  I just love this weathered wood looking paper!  So sweet, and shabby chic!

I used the weather wood side for the large panel, and the blossom print for the main panel.  I machine stitched them together.  I sewn a purposefully sloppy double border stitch.  I thought it adds some depth to the weathered wood print.  

I wrapped some cream lace trim and Lyric Rose seam binding around the card front.  I also machine stitched these two trims to the card front, in place of adding adhesive.  I tied a single bow with the lace trim and layered a double bow tied in the seam binding.  I tied a vintage cream button with kraft twine and added it to the stack of bows.  

I stamped my sentiment in soft suede classic ink, onto cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  I used the Scripture Medley 4 stamp set by Verve.  (I 'won' this stamp set from a challenge-yahoo!)  I cut the sentiment into a rectangle, and matted it with a scrap piece of the Harmony Collection paper.  I added a piece of a paper doily to the bottom of the sentiment piece.  Then, I added some zig zag stitching to the sides of the sentiment piece.  I just love how these little touches gave my card a shabby chic look and feel.  {smile}

Finally, I added two embellishments, I felt conveyed the shabby chic look: a lock from Melissa Frances.  The white, distressed embellishment just looks at home here! {smile} And who doesn't like a little sparkle?  So, I added a glitter heart!  You know, my heart is locked in shabby chic!  {smile}.  

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with any/all of these challenges, and find some peace and happiness creating!  I think it does a lot of good for our souls.  {smile}  Have a great day! and hopefully you can stop by again soon!

April Happiness

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I have gotten my April Happiness goals written.  And I want to share them with you {smile}.   For those of you, who don't know me personally, I am over 50.  And a fair amount of my mental attention is focused on budget, savings, retirement, and increasing my own personal quality of life.  That is how this monthly happiness challenge has started.  I wanted something more concrete to work on weekly/monthly, to increase my happiness, or at least give me a happiness focus.   Because let's face it, life gets busy, and hectic, and sometimes I (we) can loose focus on 'our' own big picture.  So I wanted something to help me stay on track to happiness.   I don't want to simply live, but to enjoy life.  And we all have financial barriers that we all must face.  

I print these little happiness goals/task charts, and put them in my planner for each month.  That way they are at my finger tips, and I look at them daily.  To be honest, some 'challenge' activities are done our of order.  So, please use this as a guideline, and not a to do list.  Change the ones that don't 'work' for you.  Make it something you can do.  If you don't donate blood, donate your time - read to a child, help a neighbor, or chaperone at your child's class, etc.   I also made my 'work' challenge (bring a treat to a meeting) very generic.  Your 'meeting' could be T-ball practice, or a sewing circle, or an afternoon lunch with friends, it is pretty open to interpretation.  That's the point.  Make it work for your life.   I also wanted to include opportunities to work on personal goals/tasks.  We all have them! Cleaning out the closets, organizing work/hobby space, getting a budget written down on paper, signing up for a retirement plan, etc.    Taking steps to getting us (me and you) to our own finish lines, feels good.  We feel accomplished, successful, and our stress about 'those' things decreases, allowing us to accept happiness.  I want and need more happiness in my life.  I don't want to live with negativity anymore.  I also start each week, writing down what I am Thankful for, from the previous week.  This allows me to reflect, and start a week with gratitude in my heart, and in turn allowing joy a place to reside.  {smile}  Have a great day, week, and a happier month!

Vintage Label For You Card

Howdy!  I needed to make a card for a shopper of my Etsy shop {HERE}.   So, I stopped by an all favorite challenge site: Mojo Monday.  They have a wonderful sketch challenge.  But, then again, they always do!  The folks @ Mojo Monday have easy, user-friendly sketches.

See what I mean about this sketch?  Beautiful to work with.  

I also stopped by another favorite challenge site:  Word Art Wednesday.  Their design team will certainly inspire you to play along!

I am also entering my card in a 'new to me' challenge site:  Eclectic Ellapu.  And their current challenge is Shabby Chic or Vintage.  You will certainly be inspired by this creative design team.

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  this is a typical A2 size card: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  All the edges of the papers have been distressed with tea stain ink.

I used a long ago pattern paper from My Mind's Eye 2.  I just love this shade of pink gingham pattern.  And the other side of this pattern paper, is just as stunning: the pink floral pattern.  {smile}  This paper is so me!       I cut the formal pattern paper one inch smaller than the pink gingham pattern paper.  I machine stitched them together, to add character.       I wrapped some pale pink seam binding around the front of the card, and tied a multi-loop bow.  I love seam binding.  It looks vintage, shabby chic, and simply soft and pretty!      I added a scrap piece of ledger paper for my focal piece.   I tucked a white paper doily in behind the ledger paper on the right side.  I wanted this piece to hold my sentiment, and not be the sentiment.  So, I stamped a fancy frame in soft suede classic ink, onto  card stock.  I used a retired stamp set by Stampin' Up! Vintage Labels.  I also used a sentiment stamp from the same set, and stamped For You in basic black classic ink, inside the frame.  I used the extra large oval punch, by Stampin' Up! to create my sentiment piece.  I adhered it to the card front with foam tape, to 'lift' the sentiment oval off the front of the card.           I wanted to had more of a homespun look and feel, so I added a small fabric 'rose' and a pair of cream vintage buttons tied with kraft twine.            Well, I hope that Kathey likes this card, as its already in the mail, heading her way! {smile}

I hope that you get an opportunity to play along with the folks @ Mojo Monday, Eclectic Ellapu, and Word Art Wednesday.