Sunday, January 29, 2017

Missing Mint

Howdy.  I hope your weekend was wonderful!  Productive!  Creative! and on track with your new year resolution.  Mine was.  {smile}
I am still loving my planner, and keeping my projects/tasks/chores organized.   I have also added my budget and menu, to my tasks.  It feels good to have those two chores organized.  {smile}
So, with my mind not on those items, I had some free time today to craft a little.  Gotta love that!
For starters, I stopped by Shabby Chic .  They have a color theme board.  The color theme is mint and their requirement is to craft in a shabby chic style.  And who doesn't love mint!  It is such a sweet, and refreshing color.  Mint pairs nicely with almost everything!

To help give me some direction, I stopped by a new-to-me challenge As You See It.  They have a sketch, as their current challenge.   I love working with sketches.  And this one is a good sketch.  easy to work with, and I did flip the sketch.

I stopped by my favorite challenge site:  Cupcake Inspiration.  This challenge site, always have some creative themes/inspirations.  Their current challenge is to use plaid.  Yep, plaid.  I just love their cupcake!  But, I wanted something a little more spring.  But those cupcakes look yummy!

And finally, I stopped by Brown Sugar Challenge.  Their current challenge is Anything Goes.  But please stop by to see what this creative design team has created!
All of these challenge sites, have very talented, creative folks on their design teams.  They will inspire you!
and here is what I created:



Recipe:  The card meausres 4 1/4" x 6 1/4".  The card base is made with a no name Kraft card stock.

The first matt is pool party card stock.  I matted the floral pattern paper with aqua mist card stock.  The mint & aqua plaid is actually a holiday pattern paper by My Mind's Eye.  Once these two pattern papers were adhered to the card front, I ran them thru my sewing machine to add a double border stitch, all the way around. I added a strip of mint lace, to cover the seam where the two pattern papers meet.  I machine stitched some aqua seam binding to the center of the lace.  I wrapped silver bakers twine around the middle.  I tied the seam binding into a double bow.  I also tied a simple bow with silver bakers twine. I added a trio of paper blossoms distressed with tea stain ink, and white acrylic paint.  They are adhered to the card front with my hot glue gun.  For the sentiment, I used a new-to-me stamp set by AlteNewLabel Love.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink,  and stamped on kraft card stock.  I used my scissors to cut out the sentiment piece, and adhered it to the card front with foam squares.  The final touch were these rain drops in mint.

Well, I hope you have a chance to play along with some (or all) of these challenge sites!

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Home Spun Joy

Howdy.  Sorry this is so late.  I thought I had already taken photos of my card.  {frown}  I made this little beauty on Tuesday, and apparently I forgot to take a few photos.  I've been working longer hours, so it's dark when I leave for work, and dark when I get home.  Which makes photographing anything other than the stars are bit rough.
Well, let's not dwell on the negative.  Let's get right to it!  I wanted to play along with a few of my favorite challenge sites, and they are still open for submissions! Yahoo!
My first stop is Mojo Monday.  I just love their sketches!  And this week's is super fun!

when I first saw this sketch, I was thinking of adding two different papers and using the green strip as their borders.  But, I wanted to add ribbon {smile}, so I changed it up a bit!
My next stop is Sugar Pea Design's Mix It Up Challenge.  This beautiful site gives you a sketch and an inspirational photo.  You can use either or both.  Very easy to work with.

and their current challenge is Anything Goes.  I love that option, because it gives me a whole lot of freedom to use whatever color palette I am currently loving, and what ever embellishments I can't seem to use enough of.  {smile}
And my last two challenge sites, are near and dear to my heart:  Word Art Wednesday, and Brown Sugar Challenge.  These two challenge sites are Anything Goes.  So, I can play along if I can get my post written {wink}.  Both sites are different but equally inspirational.  The wonderful folks over @ Word Art Wednesday have faith based quotes for you to use.  They are a family friendly site.  But their design team will certainly inspire you!  The wonderful folks over @ Brown Sugar Challenge, use more digital images and coloring.  But they too welcome all types of entries: tags, projects, journals, altered items, cards, pages, etc.  Whatever your heart desires to create!
and here is what I created:


and a different view:


I just couldn't decide which view I liked best.  So, I have given you both.   And here is the recipe:
I used Crumb Cake card stock, by Stampin' Up! as my base.  Love the heavy weight of this paper.  The main panel is a pattern paper, Oriental Chic, by Ruby Rock-It.  I just love the woodgrain and floral motif.  I roughed-up the edges with my scissors and sponged crumb cake classic ink on the edges before adhering it to the card front. 
I wrapped white lace and a baby blue gingham ribbon around the card, and tied the ribbon into a simple bow.
For my square panel, I simple cut my second pattern paper, Quilt, by Ruby Rock-It, into a 3" x 3" square.  I matted it onto a scrap piece of crumb cake card stock, and machine stitched along the quilting squares.  I think it adds a special homespun look and feel to the card.
For my rectangle piece, I simply cut a very vanilla card stock piece, and stamped my sentiment.  I used another sentiment from my (new favorite) stamp set: Choose Joy, by Paper Trey Ink.  I used basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  Since the piece is rectangle but my sentiment isn't, I stamped it high, to leave an empty space at the bottom.  I added a strip of washi tape from my collection.  I was happy that I had some washi tape that coordinated with the quilt pattern.  {smile}  I added a double matt to my sentiment rectangle: bashful blue and crumb cake card stocks by Stampin' Up!
For the circle piece, I didn't like how a paper blossom looked.  But, I wanted something soft and sweet.  So I did a double layer.  I first added a white doily sticker to peak out from both the square and rectangle pieces, and topped it off with a metal rimmed flat back large brad.  I was surprised, that I had a brad that worked so well!
Thank you for stopping by!  I hope that you  have been inspired to play along with any, or all of these great challenge sites.  They each have their own unique style, and creativity, but they are ALL beautiful!  This card is going to one of my best friends.  She has had a few struggles this past week, and I want her to know that I care for her, and that I want her to find peace, and happiness.  {smile}


Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Clip It On

Howdy! and welcome.  I have a quick post this morning.  I stopped by a few favorite paper crafting challenge sites, because I want to play!  I have to make a paper craft for this weekend to swap, so why not use a few challenges to get my creative (Mojo) juices running {smile}.
My first stop on the challenge circuit, is Mojo Monday.  They always have great, user-friendly sketches.  And let's face it, the design team is incredibly creative {smile}!
I thought of using a small doily for the circle piece, and a sentiment for the square.
My next stop was Brown Sugar Challenge.  This challenge site, has a creative design team as well, but they tend to use digital images.  I like the variety, and their beautiful work.  I too, am a fan of digital images {smile}.  Their current challenge is Anything Goes.
My last stop, is a paper crafting challenge site, that I have really grown fond of.  The design team here, will certainly impress you with their creativity!  Word Art Wednesday.  In a world where everyone has an agenda, it is nice to visit with folks who are happy, creative, and talented beyond measure.  Their current challenge (as always) is Anything Goes, and Family Friendly.
here is what I crafted:



Now, before anyone mentions, yes, I do NOT have the gray piece from the sketch on my card.  A bit shocking, as most of you, just assumed it would be a piece of lace machine stitched to the card front.  But, I need to make 12 cards for a swap this Saturday.  And well, it is for my Stampin' Up! group: Nacho Average Stamper.  So, all products used (yes, all of them) are Stampin' Up! and current!
Recipe:  I used a few of last years In-Colors for the card bases, 4 each of the following colors: Cucumber Crush, Delightful Dijon, and Watermelon Wonder.  (shown: cucumber crush)  ALL edges were sponged with crumb cake classic ink.
I stamped the Hardwood background stamp in Crumb Cake classic ink, onto Very Vanilla card stock.  
I stamped the sentiment from the Birthday Blooms stamp set, in basic black classic ink, onto Very Vanilla card stock.  I used my 1 3/4" circle punch to create the sentiment piece.  I adhered the sentiment circle to the lower left corner of the card.  
I stamped the lace trim, in the same color ink as the card base.  I used a new stamp set from Sale-A-Bration: Delicate Details.  I fussy cut out each lace strip, and adhered it vertically.  I added a strip of Washi Tape, from the Affectionately Yours collections.  I used the same washi tape for each card, since it coordinated beautifully with all three colors I used.
I made my embellishment card with very vanilla card stock.  I cut out a 2 1/4" x 3 1/2" piece.  I used my Project Life corner rounder, to give my card a finished look.  I wanted a random image on the center of the card.  Something pretty, but not distracting, and it had to be ok, to cover part of the image with my embellishments.  So, I selected a feather image from the Feather Together stamp set.  I stamped the feather in basic black classic ink.  The card is adhered to the front with dimensionals (foam tape).
For my embellishments, I made two clips.  I love my planner, and thought they would make a nice addition.  And who doesn't love pretty office supplies? {smile}
I tied a simple bow with the In Color 5/8" Mini Striped ribbon.  To jazz up the bow, I attached a new embellishment from the Occasions Catalog: Falling in Love Embellishment.  I just love the vanilla metal blossom with tiny jewel accents.  {too pretty!}
For my second embellished clip, I simply used my Bow Builder hand-held punch and Silver Glimmer paper, and created a bow.  To help jazz-up this little beauty, I wrapped some new Very Vanilla 1/4" Satin Ribbon around the glimmer paper bow and paper clip.  Viola!  The vanilla accents on my embellished clips cordinate beautifully with my card!  
To attach the paper clips to the card piece, I cut two slits in opposite ends, opposite corners of the card, and let the paper clips attach naturally.
I hope the ladies love them.  I know it was a lot of fun to create them!  I gotta run!  Hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful today!


Monday, January 9, 2017

Be Kind

Howdy!  I wanted to share another shaker piece for my planner.  I stopped by a blog, that I frequent, Julee and saw this quote that she, the blog author saw on a billboard, and instantly fell in love!  It speaks volumes to me: to my heart!  Thank you Julee!


Here is how I did it:  I started with a Project Life pocket.  I layered my paper and adhered them together.  I printed my quote onto linen card stock by Paper trey Ink.  
I added a sequin mix and seed beads to the other side of the pocket, because the other side of the blue check pattern paper is super sweet!  I machine stitched the pocket closed.  I wanted to protect the end of the stitching, so I added a small piece of Washi Tape.  
The tab is at the top of the pocket, so, now I am thinking about where to attach this to my planner.  {frown}.  I may have created this in the wrong orientation.  {pout}

Thank you for stopping by.  Beautiful quote, right?


Sunday, January 8, 2017

Joyful

Howdy.  Welcome.  Well, so far, this year, I am still on track with my new years resolutions, and loving my planner.  So much so, I have decided to make a few of my own embellishments.  Partly because I don't have local access to anything I've seen on the internet.  I could purchase thru an online store, but I'd like to look at things in person.  Check color, composition, and if I am really in love with it. {smile}  And partly because I want to create something beautiful!
I saw these shaker inserts for flip books a few days ago, and I have to say, I fell in love!  The thought of having an inspirational message in a pretty package, just made my heart swoon.  {smile}
So, I decided to make one myself.  I'm pretty smart.  I have a nice collection of supplies.  I can do  this!  I watched a video.  {smile}


The clear pocket is actually a Project Life pocket.  I don't have a fuse tool, so I machine stitched the pocket closed.  To help protect the stitching, I covered it with Washi Tape.  

Now here is how I did it:  I sandwiched two pieces of the gold metallic stripe vellum paper back to back.  I made sure the stripes were lined up, before I adhered them together.
I cut the green 'dot' and floral paper, from Petticoats & Pinstripes collection.  I machine stitched them together, and then adhered them on top of one side of the metallic stripe vellum.
I added a mix of green metallic, and marshmallow sequins, with a pinch of clear seed beads, and a sprinkle of fine glitter.  I machine stitched the pocket closed, and covered the stitching with Washi Tape.  I thought it looked too plain, so I cut a white doily sticker in half.  Then cut that half into quarters, and adhered the two quarters to opposite corners of the pocket.
I stamped my sentiment onto vellum card stock, and adhered it to the outside of the pocket.  I used the Choose Joy stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink, stamping with basic black classic ink by Stampin' Up!.
Viola! and it didn't take me an hour to make this beautiful addition to my planner.  The tab at the left side, is how I will 'attach' it.  I will punch two holes, and adhere 'hole protectors'.  

Hope your weekend is good, and you have some time to do what makes you happy! {smile}


Saturday, January 7, 2017

Echoes of Petticoats & Pinstripes

Good Morning.  Our first weekend of the new year.  I hope you have great plans for the day.  And 'great' can be defined many, many ways.  For me, it is to keep with my new years resolutions: eat better, get more exercise, spend time with those who truly are special to me, make time to create something pretty, and be productive & efficient.  I don't want to waste anymore of my time, on nonsense (people, objects, or projects).
I carved out some time this morning to craft something beautiful.  [I know, that's not shocking, considering that I don't sleep past 5a on weekends.  {smile}]  I noticed three of my favorite paper crafting sites have challenges up this week.  And I really want to play along.  They are very inspirational.
First stop is  the Card Concept challenge.  Their current challenge is titled Pretty Things.  That alone makes me want to craft.  Now, look at their inspirational photo.  Super gorgeous!


Am I right?  I just love the whole photo!  The gold stripe coffee cup, with the blossoms, and dot pattern on the screen!  Oh my beating heart!  The gold zebra is too cute!  This seems too easy!  I used a combination of Clean & Layered, and Classy & Elegant styles for my card.
I had to join an old favorite, Mojo Monday!  Their sketches are super user-friendly!  and this week is a challenge.  Double score!


Ok, when I first saw the sketch, you know I instantly thought of a doily for the circle element, right?
Well, I didn't do that.  I used the smaller rectangle for my sentiment piece, and my bow for the circle piece.  I layered two trims for the green stripe.  And you know I had to add some machine stitching. {smile}
And finally, a very dear, and sweet challenge site: Word Art Wednesday.  These talented ladies always have positive and motivating blog posts.  And their art work is just beautiful!  Their challenges are Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  How refreshing!
here is what I created:


Recipe:  The card base is Sweet Blush card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  Just love this heavy weight card stock.  It makes my cards stand up without falling over.  Also feels nice in your hand.
I used two pattern papers from the Petticoats & Pinstripes collection by Echo Park.  I just love the clean, fresh colors, floral bouquets and interesting 'dots'.  
I cut the floral pattern paper 3" x 5 1/4".  I cut the green 'dot' pattern paper 1" x 5 1/4".  I laid them side by side.  I added a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.
The sentiment i stamped onto shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I wanted some 'shine'.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the contrast.  I used my Chose Joy stamp set by Paper Trey ink.  This whole set, has inspirational quotes, that are just beautiful!
had to show the gleam of the gold metallic 

I layered my sentiment onto gold striped vellum paper by My Mind's Eye, it's from their Market Street collection.  And yeah, I purchased a whole package of this single sheet (25 sheets of gold stripe vellum)!
I layered two trims for the horizontal rectangle (green strip).  The bottom layer is a white lace, topped with a super pale pink seam binding.  I tied the seam binding into a simple bow.
And finally, I added a trio of gold sequins.  One large sequin just below the bow, and a pair of smaller sequins by the upper right corner of the sentiment block.
And viola! I am done.  Like the inspirational photo, the imagery is clean and not cluttered.  So, I kept my card the same.  Now, I am off to make 9 more cards, as these will go to the ladies who are attending my Christmas Friendship Tea later this morning.  Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any (or hopefully all) challenge sites.  And that you keep with your new year's plans, whatever they might be {smile}!


Friday, January 6, 2017

Planner

Howdy.  My new year, is off to a good, productive start.  I decided to help me get organized, and focus on tasks, I will start writing it down.  Wonderful idea, right?  Now, how to keep all of these tasks organized and keep me focused on these tasks.  umm.  a Planner!  I know that you have seen them.  Everyone is posting photos of their creative and beautiful planners.  Look @ Pintrest.  Paper crafting companies, like Prima and Simple Stories are producing collections.  Designers, like Frank Garcia and Heidi Swapp are developing embellishments, and creative ideas.  
So, I ventured out to a local big box crafting store and picked up some supplies to get me started.


Now, if you know me, you shouldn't be too surprised by my color scheme.  The gold metallic and ivory stripe planner was calling my name! and the pink, blue, and green washi tapes are just perfect.   
Now, I need to just dive in and get this started!  But, what do I want to keep track of?  
My running/races, my paper crafting projects, menus, my work schedule, and my budget.  So, let me dive in and start getting this started!  {smile}
I hope you are taking steps to help you keep your new year's resolutions, too!


Sunday, January 1, 2017

Winter Friendship Tea

~ long, and photo heavy ~

Howdy!  whew, another year.  But this one will be better: more joy, more laughter, more time with friends, and more time creating!  Like most of you, I too, have resolutions.  Mine are basic: all of the above, and better health, and eating better.  My promise to myself, my family, my friends, and my followers. So, here is where we start.  
Day one:  I have plans today.  I had a 'good' breakfast (eating better).  I will go for a 5 mile run (better health), once I finish here.  And then, I will drive into town and pick up a planner.  So, I can start writing down what I need to do.  Pencil in time for what I want to do.  And get my gym schedule on the book.  This will help me organizing my time better.
My plan for tomorrow: clean my craft room (getting organized).  Yes, clean.  It will most likely take me 5/+ hours.  It is a disaster.  So much so, it has spilled onto the dinning room table, and one counter in the kitchen.  It is a mess.  And a nightmare.  My poor husband doesn't say a word.  Gotta give the guy props!  
But first, I took some time to craft.  Before you give me a pat on the back, or a bravo, it is late crafting.  Late, in that this project should have been done at least a week ago, if not sooner.  You see, I am having a winter/Christmas Friendship tea for 10 wonderfully charming, and dear friends.  Next weekend.  Yep, January 7th.  They all know about it.  They received their unofficial, invite 4 weeks ago.  And, unfortunately, I am just now getting their official invites in the mail.  This project was put on the back burner (so to speak) for two reasons: time, and creativity.  
Time: between holiday parties, retirement teas, and 3 days of family obligations during Christmas, oh, and 2 holiday events, and one wedding; I was running out of time.  Yeah, still working 40hours a week at the hospital, and taking call 3 nights a week.  I cook dinner almost every night.  And my dog Sasha depends on me for everything: walks, meals, love, attention, and play time.  Did I mention I have a husband?  Yep.  I have one of those, too!  Time, is something I barely had any of this past month.  
Creativity: I made all the decorations, food, and personal touches to the retirement tea, crafted 4 kids ugly sweaters (for the annual ugly sweater contest), decorated a trophy for said event, made dishes for Christmas Eve lunch, and dinner.  More dishes for Christmas dinner.  Made birthday cards for a group of us ladies who paper craft.  Made the Secret Santa gift for said holiday party.  Made Cinnamon nuts for my grandchildren's teachers and coaches holiday gifts, and decorated the jars.  Helped my oldest granddaughter make Peppermint Bark for her dance team.  And we made custom tags, and packed them rather sweetly.  And one last craft fair that required almost non stop crafting to get inventory up for the event.  So see, my creativity was there.  Just buried under everything else.  Now that I have had a chance to catch my breathe, and before I put away all my holiday themed crafting supplies, I needed to create one more thing: Winter Friendship Tea invites.
I am entering them into two challenges:  Brown Sugar Challenge & Word Art Wednesday Challenge.  Both challenge sites are anything goes & family friendly.
I made these 'flip' book/cards:


here is the inside:


one more:


and the inside:


Recipe:  I used the Mistletoe Collection, from Kaisercraft, one sheet of stickers, and one package of diecuts.  I printed my 'tags' (invites) onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Trimmed them to 3 1/4" x 3 3/4".  I cut a scrap piece of the shimmer ribbon from Stampin' Up! and stapled it to the top of each invite.  I rounded just the top two corners.
Each panel measures 4" x 6".  I wanted to get the most pieces out of my paper.   I adhered the pocket to the inside of the front panel before adding washi tape.
I 'trimmed the edges with washi tape, and then used my corner rounder.     
From the cover to the back-
cover:  I cut a piece of coordinating pattern paper 3" x 5" and used my spiral notebook punch to create a decorative edge to one side of the pattern paper.  I used my corner rounder on the two corners that were left plain.
I cut my border stickers into 3" segments.  I stamped my sentiment 'To my friend' onto a 3/4" wide white card stock, and stamped in Lagoon ink.  I used a square punch to create the flag/banner end.  I adhered the sentiment piece with foam tape just on top of the border sticker.  
I stamped my 'TEA' image onto white card stock, using real red classic ink.  I added an image and a word from the stickers and die cuts to each cover.  
inside cover:  I created the pockets with the same pattern paper.  Each pocket is cut 3 3/4" x 2".  The bottom corners are rounded.  I made paper bows using my bow builder punch by Stampin' Up! with the scrap pieces of pattern papers.  Then I added either a sticker or die cut just below the bow.
inside back panel:  I added adhesive to the back of each of the little silver polka dot treat bags.  I added a scrap piece of pattern paper to the top of each bag, and adhered them.
I added a decorative strip of paper to the bottom portion of each bag.  A creative way to help secure the bag to the panel.  I added a word from the word page with foam tape.  Inside each bag is a tea bag.  Fitting I thought {smile}.
the back panel: is left blank.  I simply stamped my trademark in dark grey ink.  I thought that since the treat bag is silver metallic and the washi tape is either silver/gray, the ink should also coordinate with the whole over all look.  
I packed each invite in a clear envelope.  This works two ways: eye candy for our mail carriers, and a look at your treasure in your snail mail {smile}.  It's the easiest way to share a smile!
Thank you for looking.  and yeah, these aren't really 'flip books', because there is no 'flip'.  But I was inspired by what I found on the internet.  I hope that I have given you a smile, too!  a quick note: I saw a video on how to make flip books on youtube using project life cards HERE.  That is where I got my inspiration.