Life is Good . . .

Life is Good in the Country.  Wow.  That pretty much says it all!  Life is good out here.  There is a peace, a calm, but also a workable energy.  

I created a little framed sentiment today.  I used some pretty paper from Prima Marketing.  And then I added embellishments from my stash.  I'm still working with what I have, and not purchasing any new stuff with family money (another new year's resolution).

here is what I made:

I had a scrap of the Prima paper sitting on my craft table, and I thought the abstract images were the perfect back drop to my sentiment.  The frame I had left over from last year.  I made quite a few pin cushion frames, and this one hadn't been converted yet.  I used some seam binding, a vintage button, a clay rose, a tulle spray and a few paper blossoms.  

The sentiment I heat embossed, with an espresso colored embossing powder.  I really like how it turned out.  Sweetly simple!

This item will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair in Albuquerque, New Mexico, later this month (March 15th).  I'm still trying to get the permits settled to sell some cupcakes.  Hope to see you there!

Dots and Dots

Wow, can you believe that it is Friday, already?  Me, if I were to be completely honest, I'd like to have one more day before the weekend starts.  (and I don't want to count this day, as my 'one more day'.)  I have been busy getting some paper craft items created, and made for this holiday season's upcoming Arts and Craft Fairs.  My first fair is tomorrow - Saturday!

I am planning on using this day, to get all my crafts packaged, priced, and labeled.  I'm hoping that I will have some time to do a mock set-up of my tables and see what works for product placement.  But, we'll see.  

Then early this evening, I'm making a trip into town, to get my tables delivered and set up.  That way, all I have to do tomorrow morning, is put my product out.  And I figure that will take about 30 minutes, but I'll give myself an hour.  Just in case.  Know what I mean?  

But, before I get busy getting all of that together, I want to share a card I made, for Sketch Frenzy Friday.  The lovely Jennifer @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has a very user friendly sketch for you to try.

here is what i created

I have been Christmas crafting my little heart out, and trying to change my gears, is a bit difficult.  I used a piece of Sweater Weather DSP (blue polka dot) as my main panel.  I wanted to accentuate the polka dots, so I matted this pattern paper onto a piece of very vanilla card stock.  

I also wanted my belly band to be in contrast to the card.  So, I used a piece of black and vanilla polka dot paper (Modern Medley DSP).  I wrapped a piece of pool party seam binding across the belly band.  But I wanted to add a homemade touch to it, so I added a machine stitch to it.  

I dry embossed the oval frame  and then tore around the shape.  I stamped the 'friends forever' button in crumb cake classic ink.  I used dimensionals to lift the button off the card front.

I created a sentiment banner using a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink, and flagged the ends.

For the bow, I tied a multi-loop bow and then tied a vintage faceted button to the center of the bow with some thin silver ribbon.  I wanted to give the card a little sparkle.

I hope that you have been inspired to play along with us @ SFF.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope that you have been inspired to create something beautiful of your own (smile).

Simple Kraft

Welcome.  I had to switch my day off from work this week, and it has really messed-up my week.  I keep getting my days mixed-up, to say the least.  Anyways, enough about me {smile}.
This week over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, a new sketch is up and ready for you to play along.  But, before we get to that, I hope you find a bit of inspiration from what the design team has created!

here is what I did:

I made this card with a special girl friend in mind, Nichole B.  She, is a great person, and makes me laugh!  Nichole, paper crafts, too, and has an unique style of card making.  She is a 'clean and simple' type of gal.  And her favorite color combo is black and yellow.  

I used a build a background text stamp across the top.  I also added a flourish stamped in black to give her card a little pizzazz.  I added a strip of modern medley dsp to give the card a color scheme.  I also banner ended a strip of yellow pattern paper to give the card a pop of color.  I added a frame stamped in basic black classic ink, added a sprig of black leaves, a yellow flower and a vellum butterfly. 

Let's see what you create! and post your card on the SFF challenge site!

Kraft Christmas

Happy Friday! and thank you for stopping by.  The lovely Tammy @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has a great sketch for you to work with this week.  I know that you will be inspired by the great creations from this design team.

here is the sketch

here is my creation

I have been busy making holiday crafts for some upcoming arts and craft fairs, that I will be selling my hand -made paper crafts at, this holiday season.  So, my mind is in that mode.  I have to admit, that I don't have many current holiday stamp sets by Stampin' Up!.  Not that they aren't gorgeous, or very usable.  I just have too many retired stamp sets. 

So, with a restricted budget, this allows me to really use what I do have.  It also gives you some inspiration and ideas on using stamp sets that you may already have {smile}.

The card base is crumb cake.  The green, is pear pizzazz.  I just love this shade of green.  I used a scrap piece of modern medley dsp (black text paper) to have some contrast to my card.  I stamped the tree in basic black classic ink onto white shimmer paper.  I wanted to add a bit of sparkle.  I stamped the sentiment in the same ink, on the lower right corner of the card.

I created the blossom with clay and the blossom and button mold by Stampin' Up!.  I struggled with this.  I really wanted to add a button, or a star.  But, I didn't like anything I had.  And I had an extra clay blossom, and it looks great there.  If you really think about it, it's an odd object to place there.  It doesn't really fit the theme or the concept of the card.  But, somehow it works for me.  Maybe, its the white.
I felt the banner piece was missing something, so I tied a simple knot with some natural trim ribbon.  I selected this type of ribbon, because I felt that it fits the theme of the card (kraft).

Head on into your craft room, and play along with us @ SFF.  And share with us, your paper craft!

Black Bird

Happy Friday.  As I write this, I am working on 'cleaning-up' my blog.  To me, it looks a bit cluttered, overwhelming, and a bit disorganized.  Or, Maybe, I'm just feeling a need to get things cleaned up {smile}.  Either way, please stay tuned for a more stream lined look.

Now, back to the real reason you may have stopped by... a new creation!  The ladies that I design with over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, create some of the most creative and lovely sketches.  If you have not played along wit us before, I encourage you to do so.  These sketches are so versatile and fun!  Take this week's sketch:

So, this week, we have a wonderfully pretty sketch to work with.  I always start by 'taking the sketch apart', so to speak.  The main panel has a pattern on it, a bit of sewing above and below the ribbon, and a cluster of shapes for the sentiment.  

here is what I created:

Before we start with the card, I do have to admit, I am not a big Halloween card maker.  If you have visited my blog recently, you probably notice that's about all I have made : black and orange cards, or cards with 'happy halloween' on them.  I know that it is the season to start crafting this celebration, and well, I didn't want to be left out.  

My favorite color is pink.  I know, I really use pink.  But, I am a sucker for that soft, cuddly shade of innocence and femininity.  I also love the contrast between pink and brown, or black for this card.  I used just a smiggin of pattern paper.  I used the houndstooth pattern from Modern Medley DSP for my lollie. 

I used one of my all time favorite background stamps Ex Libris.  I inked the stamp with crumb cake classic ink, and then did the 'finger tap' technique, to get a 'worn/weathered' look.  I inked my background builder text stamp with basic black classic ink, and randomly stamped on the card stock.  I used my distressing tool, to rough up the edges and adhered this panel to a piece of pink pirouette card stock.  I did a simple border with my sewing machine.  I machine sewn the ribbon onto the card front next, leaving me a piece to make my bow.

I inked the 'label' stamp from Everything Eleanor in soft suede classic ink, and fussy cut it out.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink, to help camouflage any mis cuts.

I made a 'lollie' out of some pattern paper.  I punched a 1 3/8" circle from champagne glimmer paper.  I stamped the bird in basic black classic ink, onto the text pattern paper, and I used my 1 1/4" circle punch.

For my sentiment, I simply stamped 'happy halloween' from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.  I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock, and used scissors to trim around the words.  I sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.

I added two pearl jewels to the 'label' piece, to help add a feminine touch.  But, as I look at my card, to me, there seems to be something 'missing'.  Or maybe it is just me.  I sometimes add alot of stuff to my cards.  If you don't know, I am not a fan of 'white space' either {smile}.  Wow, I kinda have some issues, huh? {smile}.

I hope we have inspired you, and you get a chance to sit down with your craft supplies, and create something beautiful, something 'you', and join us this week @ SFF!

Homemade Happiness

Welcome.  

I had a little free time yesterday, so I created a card, to enter in two of my favorite challenges.  I have a few favorite challenge sites, that I stalk frequently stop by.   The first is Mojo Monday (#311)  Who doesn't love a great sketch?  The other is the Shabby Tea Room (#184)  The Shabby Tea Room, has some of the most wonderful inspiration photos.  Their photos are typically shabby chic in style.  But every once in a while they are vintage, and feminine.  Who wouldn't love that?

use white, cream, and neutral colors, and include twine

here is what I created:

I did use some creative liberties with this sketch.  I did keep the main elements, but it went together a bit different.   I pulled the circle element forward.  And, I turned the bow on its side.

I used the vintage wallpaper embossing folder to create some texture to the main panel.  To create the scallop edge on the vertical strip, I adhered the crochet trim with a zig zag stitch using my sewing machine.  For the ribbon, I crinkled some crumb cake seam binding.  I also used my sewing machine to attach the ribbon to the card front. {smile}  I just love sewing on cards.

I cut a scallop circle with the Perfect Pennant die, and adhered a lolly made from a black pattern paper.  I used the Stars #2 die, to cut a star out of silver glimmer paper.  To give the center of the star a little interest, I wrapped some linen thread around the star and tied a white vintage button and made a bow.

For the rectangle piece, I actually cut a decorative shape for my sentiment.  I used the Vintage Labels stamp set by Amuse Studios.  I stamped the border in soft suede classic ink.  Then stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink.

I purchased the Country Born stamp set from a CTMH consultant several months ago.  When I saw the images and sentiments, I knew I just had to have it!  Unfortunately, this is the first time this stamp set has been inked.  (I imagine other crafts collect purchase stamps that don't always get inked in the first week month.  Right?)  The fonts for this stamp set, are beautiful.

Thank you for stopping by! and I hope you get a chance to play along with your (or mine) favorite challenge or two! {smile}.

Grateful Heart

This Tuesday, the talented ladies have a new sketch over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday have a new sketch for you to play with.  This special design team has created some very pretty and clever cards.  So please stop by the blog and let us help you find some inspiration.

this week's sketch:

here is what I created:

For those who know me, Halloween is not a favorite holiday.  Don't get me wrong, I love passing out candy to the little trick or treaters.  I love to see what the children dress as, on this fun holiday.  However, I don't decorate my house, or typically create Halloween specific items.  

I ordered this new Sweater Weather DSP, and these colors make me think of autumn.  Also, if you looked through the holiday mini catalog from Stampin' Up!, the beginning of the catalog, has some very creative Thanksgiving crafts, to Thank those who you are grateful to.  And, that was my inspiration for this card; a Grateful Heart.  I also added a small strip of Modern Medley DSP and silver glitter paper.  I did use some of the yellow seam binding to continue the summer starfruit color.  I added a simple zig zag machine stitch to the seam binding.  

Use our sketch, to create something beautiful! something creative! something crafty! and share your creation with us! we would love to see what you create @ NAC!

Ticket of Gratitude

Happy Friday.  The wonderfully talented Jennifer over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday has a wonderful sketch for you to try this week.  The sketch has alot of potential, and alot of room for interrelation.

and here is what I did:

I used the background stamp Ex Libis and inked it with Soft Suede classic ink.  I did the 'finger tap' method of stamping, to achieve the random look.  I used Soft Sky card stock for the card base and for the bottom matt of the panel.  I used Modern Medley DSP for the music sheet piece.  

I heat embossed with white embossing powder the doily onto vellum card stock.  I used the circle punch to cut that piece out.  I used the large heart punch to create the heart shape from the  text paper, also Modern Medley DSP.  

I machine stitched the layered panel.  Then I machine stitched the heart and doily.  I created the rose from clay and the mold.  I punched leaves using the 2 step bird punch and soft sky card stock.

For the ribbon piece, I used pool party seam binding and pulled a few threads to create the ruffle.  I created a multi-loop bow and tied it with linen thread and then added a pearl.

I stamped two tickets from Thats the Ticket stamp set.  One ticket is stamped in soft suede classic ink and the other is basic black classic ink.  I stamped the sentiment onto the 'brown' ticket.

Well, I hope that we have inspired you, and that you play along with us over @ SFF.  I'm sure that you will have fun playing with our sketch!

On this Friday, Tammy is the designer of this week's sketch over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Tammy typically makes sketches that are generally considered Clean And Simple (CAS).  I love her style.  Her sketches allow you to add layers/embellishments, or keep it CAS.

here is  this week's sketch:

and here is what I created:

This card used some scrap pieces I had of the new Modern Medley DSP.  I love the classic black and white color combo.  And the images are just pretty.  But, I wanted to add a splash of color, so I selected a light color: pear pizzazz.  I felt this color 'grounded' this classic color combo.

I used pear pizzazz cardstock for the card base.  I added a basic black cardstock matt to the subtle dsp.

I also matted the black and white pattern papers with pear pizzazz.  I matted the white and black pattern papers with basic black card stock.  

I wanted to add a few embellishments to give some visual interest.  I wrapped some very vanilla seam binding around the music sheet pattern paper and did a zig zag machine stitch to secure the seam binding to that panel.

I created a paper blossom from pear pizzazz card stock and adhered it to the black polka dot pattern paper.  I added some leaves that were punched with the 2 step bird punch.

For the sentiment, I stamped the itty bitty banner onto very vanilla cardstock.  I inked the sentiment with basic black classic ink.  I fussy cut the banner out, and adhered it to the card front with foam tape.

I hope that you have been inspired to play along with us @ SFF.  I just know that we would all love to see what you create with our sketch!

Classic Coastal

I know that i have been absent lately, and I apologize.  But, I've been busy getting some things together, and will have photos to share soon.

Patrice is the designer of this weeks sketch @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  She makes some challenging and fun sketches.  I hope you become inspired and play along with us.

I found my inspiration from the Teen Pottery Barn catalog.  I just love how they used bold colors with black and white.  So, I ran with it, so to speak.

I used very vanilla cardstock for the base.  I took a pretty pattern piece, from the Modern Medley DSP, and used it for my main panel.  I did a thin basic black cardstock matt.  

Now for the two rectangle pieces.  I wanted something with curves, movement, and pretty.  So, I stamped the polka dot frame, from the four frames stamp set.  Inked this stamp in coastal cabana classic ink, and stamped on very vanilla cardstock.  I added an oval of Modern Medley black text papers for the center.  

I used the four frames punch to create the shape, using the tiny polka dot pattern paper from Modern Medley DSP.  

I created a single blossom using the Floral Fussion sizzlit.  I scrunched the blossoms by hand and distressed the edges with whisper white craft ink.  Applied some dazzling diamond glitter to the wet ink.  I added a lone pearl to the blossom center.

My sentiment is simple.  But lovely.  I added a clay blossom the the sentiment.  I also added the new ruffle stretch trim to the bottom of the sentiment banner piece.

Play along with us this week @ SFF!  We'd love to see what you create!

Create & Inspire

Happy Friday!  Whew, I got through another Bunco hosting.  So, come back this weekend, for photos of the 'gifts' I made for prizes.  Now, onto another wonderfully creative card sketch from Sketch Frenzy Friday!  Kim, was the creator of this week's sketch.  And I must admit, I love her sketches.  She gives you really great lines and alot of room for adding your own personality!  Way to go Kim!

here is this week's sketch:

So, here are a few little tidbits, to help you express your creativity and basically how I 'see' the sketch.  The scallop border creates a border, to separate two different papers.  I love mixing and matching pattern papers.  The scallop trim can be almost anything: scallop trim, ribbon, a star border, a fancy embossed border, etc. You get the idea.  Next, the matted rectangle.  This piece can be large, small, or any size in-between.  It can also not be a rectangle.  A circle, a square, very work-able.  The bow at the top corner can also be a bow, a star, a heart, a flower, a button, again, almost anything.   See what I mean about the 'work-ability' of this sketch?  This sketch will basically let you dictate what you want to create, with a few guidelines.  So, let's get started at creating something wonderfully beautiful!

my card:

Once I saw the sketch, I knew that I wanted to use two different pattern papers.  I basically love mixing and match paper from different collections.  But, I don't have alot of new products, and didn't want to use the same papers again.  So, I used a background stamp for one of my 'papers'.  I figure, use what you got, then your stamps get some mileage, ink, and love {smile}.  I inked the Ex Libris background stamp in Coastal Cabana classic ink, and stamped on very vanilla card stock.  I added a strip of small polka dot pattern paper from the Modern Medley DSP collection.  Have I mentioned my obsession LOVE for polka dots before?  Anyways.  I added a scallop trim border piece, using the silver glitter paper, to define the separation of patterns.  But, I'm not a fan of seams showing, so I added a strip of seam binding.  I dyed the seam binding with Crisp Cantaloupe classic ink.  I machine sewn the seam binding to the front of the card.

I traded my rectangle piece for a circle.  Actually a doily.  That probably isn't surprising to you either.  The doily was cut with the Perfect Pennants Die.  (But, I imagine this could easily be switched with the Delicate Doilies Sizzilits.)

I made a multi-loop bow with the dyed seam binding.  I made a blossom with the new Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds.  Another one of my favorite products.  The vanilla button is from the new Very Vintage Designer Buttons.  Just gorgeous!  I used a super thin piece of basic black card stock as my 'thread'.  

The large paper blossom is actually made with crisp cantaloupe cardstock and 2 blossoms cut from the Fun Flowers Big Die.  I cut some of the petals off to give me more layers, and formed my own blossom.  I used hot glue to hold this little beauty together.  (I have no patience for liquid glue to dry.)  I swiped my whisper white craft pad across the petal ends, and well, that wasn't really working, so I started brushing on the ink, using the re-inker.  Then, while the ink was wet, I dunked the blossom into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  

For my label/sentiment piece, I inked the polka dot frame, from the four frames stamp set, in basic black classic ink.  The sentiment is from the Loving Thoughts stamp set.  Also inked with basic black classic ink.  I wanted to add a bit more 'black' to the card, so I made those sweet little curly-ques out of super thin strips of basic black card stock and a wooden BBQ skewer.

I hope that you liked what I created, and you have been inspired to play along with us @ SFF.

Sometimes one of the hardest parts, is picking your color scheme, or decided what stamp set(s) to use.  I too, struggle with those exact problems.  So, I flip through the big idea book for images that I can stamp or see what colors they used together.   I'm a big fan of using what you have.  We all would love to just buy everything, but part of the fun is creating something new with something old {smile}.  And as always, have fun!  

Soft Kindness

Happy Friday.  While paper crafting, I have discovered a new favorite color: Soft Sky.  It really pairs wonderfully with alot of different neutrals.  The talented Deb @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has given us an unique sketch to work with this week.  Please, play along with us this week.

  

I really love a sketch that is easy to work with.  I love the circles, and the tag shape.  Very pretty and very easy to embellish.

I used soft sky, bermuda bay, and very vanilla cardstock.  I used subtler dsp and modern medley dsp.    Instead of a circle, I used a scallop circle.  The floral image and sentiment are from blooming with kindness stamp set.  I wanted to add a bit of glimmer, so I added a scallop trimmed piece of silver glitter paper.  To jazz up the tag, I added a simple bow tied with seam binding.  I added a trio of tiny trinkets with a vintage clothes pin: a heart shape, a LOVE tag, and a button.  

Let's see what you create!  Play along with us @ SFF.

Mixing

I started teaching technique classes again.  I really love teaching.  The reason I love teaching, is that I love sharing what I love {smile}.  I have a passion for paper crafting, and I want to share what I love with others.

I taught a 'Mixing Pattern Papers' classes this past weekend.  When I started writing down the principles that I use, I found it a bit difficult.  Not that I don't 'know' what I'm doing.  It's just that it was hard to put what I do into words.  The 'why's and 'what to do's.  Each person who attended this class was given my guidelines of mixing pattern papers.  

a full-size card:

a refrigerator magnet, to hold a wallet-size photo:

We used different packages of pattern papers and supplies from Stampin' Up!  I also taught them how to make my favorite multi-loop bow.  

My next technique class is in July, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I'll share what we make in that class, too.  Thank you for stopping by.  {smile}