Happy Butterflies

Welcome.  Today, I want to share with you a magnetic inspirational board.  I used a chipboard coaster.  You know, the kind you get at some restaurants.  (4" x 4")  

Recipe:

I covered the logo on the chipboard coaster with this teal, aqua colored pattern paper.  I distressed the edges with white acrylic paint.  Then I started on my main piece.  I used the other side of the white polka dot pattern paper, the butterfly side.  I distressed the edges with more white paint, and roughed them up a bit.  I added a purposefully sloppy double border stitch with my sewing machine.  I then added a strip of pale pink seam binding and a narrow cream cotton eyelet trim.  I machine stitched them to the paper.  I adhered this piece to the paper covered coaster with foam tape.

I printed a small Bingo card, and an ephemera piece.  The ephemera piece has butterflies, some washi tape, and a ticket that says, 'Happy'.  Who wouldn't love that?  I distressed the edges with more paint, and crinkled them.  I added more foam tape to these two ephemera pieces.  I tied a simple bow with gold tinsel, and layered a double bow tied with the pale pink seam binding.  I added some paint and glitter to a wooden button, and tied them all together with some gold bakers twine.  

I added my sentiment, or inspirational word just right of the bows.  I stamped the word in VersaMark, and used antique gold embossing powder, and heat set.  I also used the same heat embossing technique with a butterfly I stamped onto the ephemera piece.

And finally, I added some white paint to the seam binding bow.  Viola!  

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}

Baby Girl

I have been busy crafting products for sale at my Spring Craft Fair next month.  And well, I've been making baby themed stuff.  I made a card this time.  I just love how it turned out.  

Anyways, sometimes I need a little direction/inspiration, so I search out some of my favorite 'spots' and it does help.  I knew what papers I wanted to use.  I knew what I wanted to make.  I just needed some guidance to put it all together.  So, without further ado, here is what I created:

I used the same papers that I used for the Card-Gift Combo I created earlier this week.  But, I added a few other 'pieces'.  I kept the main color pink.  Just love pink.  But I also wanted to highlight the aqua mist color, so I matted my yellow pattern piece on Aqua Mist card stock.  I am in love with the pink text/flourish pattern paper from Teresa Collins, so I used it as my main piece.  I'm also loving this silver metallic thread I purchased recently, and just had to use it!

The metallic thread adds just the right amount of sparkle, without looking over done.  I used a sentiment and frame set from Paper Trey Ink: Boutique Borders - Baby Stamp Set.  I just love that piece.  It really gives your sentiment rectangle a bit of flair!  Gotta love flair, right?  I love pairing buttons and bows with baby girl cards/projects.  There is something about the softness, the simpleness of them, that just seems to make it all work.

Anyways, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired, or at least loved the eye candy, so to speak.  I'm working on a few 'Spring' themed items (think Bees and Bunnies) for the Spring Craft Fair March 15th, so stay tuned for those.  I should have some photos up by the weekend, if not sooner.  We'll keep our fingers crossed for sooner {smile}.

Welcome Baby Girl

I had a lot of fun creating this adorable baby girl card.  {smile}  But, I am running out the door, to an exercise class.  I am staying true to my New Years resolutions.  So, have patience.  I am leaving you with a sneak peak of sorts.  

Enjoy!

I will write an actual 'post' when I get home tonight.  I just love how this card turned out, that I just couldn't help myself and share a little sneak peak of it, with you!  I am totally loving this new silver metallic thread I purchased last week!  It adds a little sparkle to my machine stitching {smile}.

Baby Shower Card-Gift Combo

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy, I have been crafting like crazy.  I'm still working on my Card-Gift Combo's.  And todays share is no exception.  I saw this fabulous challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room Challenge and I knew I wanted to participate.  Here is their gorgeous inspirational photo:

See what I mean?  I just love everything about it!  The banners, the ruffle icing cake, the pretty colors, the pretty food, the white stork, the distressed wood.  Just everything!  Oh, and their sponser this week is Creations by AR.  I used their card-gift combo template to create this little prize.

here is what I made:

Ok, where do I start?  I used various pattern papers from my stash.  A mix and match of Crate paper and Teresa Collins, I believe.  I love how sweet Aqua Mist  and Pink Pirouette look together.  So that was the determining factor in using the bird print paper.

here are some close-ups:

machine stitching on the banner with metallic thread

 I like to add sparkle, and purchased this metallic thread at the fabric store, and just had to use it {smile}.  So, I added some machine stitching to the tops of the banner flags.  I also added some machine stitching to hold the seam binding and crochet trim together.  I added a trio of buttons highlighting the three prominent colors: sweet pink, yellow, and aqua mist.

love the tiny wood frame, to hold my sentiment

I didn't want a sentiment to take center stage, so I kept my sentiments small. 

and here is the back

and the inside

the note piece is not attached, so you can add your own hand writing

I just had to add a tag with washing instructions.  I think its adorable, and helps translates how fragile babies are {smile}.

And if you were wondering, yes, this baby girl card-gift combo will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair, next month.  I haven't figured out how I am going to package these, or a price.  But, I'll post photos of them, most likely, the week before the craft fair.

Thank you for stopping by and taking a look.  I hope you get a chance to play along with your favorite challenge, and get to spend time in your crafting space {smile}.