Let It Snow, in January

Howdy, and welcome back.  I have been busy crafting, but not busy photographing what I have created {frown}.  But, I will work on being better at sharing what I create here, and on my Facebook page.  To be honest, sometimes, its just easier to take a quick pic with my phone and upload it on Facebook.  Yeah, that makes me sound lazy.  Honest. But lazy.  So, a New Year's Resolution has been declared!

I am playing along with three challenges: Just Add Ink, Paper Craft Crew, and Word Art Wednesday.  So, let's get started!  I stopped by Just Add Ink blog, and they have a color inspiration photo for their current challenge.

When I saw this photo, I instantly thought of a new line of holiday paper from Prima: Santa Baby.

For a little bit of direction, I stopped by the Paper Craft Crew blog.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  Perfect!  Here is that sketch:

I'm pretty sure I can work with this! {smile}

Finally, I headed over to the Word Art Wednesday blog.  Their challenges are Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  And the design team will certainly inspire you!

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I created a standard A2 size greeting card (5 1/2" x 4 1/4").  I used PaperTrey Ink's Aqua Mist card stock for the card base.  I just love this soft, pale water color!  I added a piece of the 'houses' pattern paper from Prima: Santa Baby.  I thought it looked sweet, and cozy.  

The next layer is the mugs of cocoa pattern paper from Prima: Santa Baby, matted with Autumn Rose card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  

I then wrapped a piece of cream lace and pale pink seam binding around the second layer (similar to the sketch), and then I machine stitched these layers together.  I added my layered stack towards the right (as in the sketch).  I machine stitched the sentiment panel to the Aqua Mist card stock.  I slipped on a 'tree' paper clip.  And used foam tape to adhere it to the paper paper layer.  

I tied a double bow with the pale pink seam binding, and tied a tiny pale pink ornament to the bow with some gold and white bakers twin.  I adhered a paper blossom from the Prima: Santa Baby collection just above the bow.  I punched out some leaves and stuck them in behind the paper blossom (as in the sketch).  

I added a trio of crystals (as in the sketch) from Prima to the front of the card; two below the bow and one next to the tree paper clip.  I thought that they added the right amount of sparkle, even tho they are two different colors: aqua and pale pink.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope that you have a chance to play along with any or all of these challenges!  Enjoy your weekend, and I hope to be back soon!

Something Blue Plastic Money

Welcome.  If you were here the last few days, you saw a paper tote and a Birthday card I created with the Something Blue collection by Prima.  And today, I want to share the large packaged gift card holder I created with the same collection.  I know that this paper collection has a wedding theme.  But I just love the patterns, colors, and images.  It has that shabby chic, vintage look.  And we all have used themed collections for different projects. {smile}

Recipe:  This gift card holder, holds one of those gift cards that you purchase at the grocery store, or Walgreens that comes 'packaged'.  So, instead of ripping open the packaging and pulling out the gift card, you simply slide the whole thing inside.  Like a big, beautiful 'pocket'.  [yes, I make quite a few of these for craft fairs - it makes gift giving easy.]

To keep each part of these 'gifts' coordinating, I repeated the colors, the pattern papers, the embellishments, and the little touches.  It's the easiest way to make all parts of the package look like they all belong together.  [repeat, repeat, and repeat.]

I started with Kraft card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  [I can't rave enough about the quality, strength, and durability of this card stock.  It holds up to all of my embellishing!]

I used the dark grey polka dot pattern paper as the matt.  I just love the simple beauty of polka dots.  I then used the dark grey, white, and kraft bird print pattern paper as the main panel.  I love the birds!  I did pay close attention, to make sure all my patterns are oriented in the correct direction.  [Little details like this, do show your love.]  I did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine to the layered papers.  Now, before you get anxious, it really isn't that hard.  I always have my sewing machine out, so access to it, is a breeze.  I add a little adhesive to the middle of the stacked papers, and stitch along the border.  It doesn't have to be perfect - actually that adds visual interest.  But please don't be sloppy.  There is a difference between sloppy, tailored, and allowing the machine to run in its own direction.  {smile}

I used one of the journalling cards as my sentiment piece: true story.  I wanted something already printed, to add to the 'finished' look.  I used a few different 'book' themed stamps for my sentiments, but wanted something more personal.  So, I used a fancy script stamp set from PaperTrey Ink: Penned Elegance.  The sentiments are general, but have this beautifully fancy font.  

I didn't want to compete with the beautiful pattern paper, so I simply added trims that complements the paper.  I used a scrap piece of cream lace.  It's about 2" - 2 1/2" wide.  I then layered a mint striped ribbon over the center of the lace.  

I wanted to make the white accents in the pattern paper pop, so I added a white paper blossom.   This big, beautiful paper blossom, is from the 1$ bin at one of those big box craft stores.  [yes, I have a few packages of paper blossoms from these bins, always on hand.]  I added a mint glitter leaf from Prima to the paper blossom.  I believe these glittered leaves are from the Peppermint collection by Prima.  I felt the blossom needed a little more, so I added a simple bow to the upper left of the blossom.  But I wanted it to have a presence, so I added it upside down.  I just love how this little change in orientation adds something pretty!

All of my metallic additions to this birthday package collection have been silver.  So here is where I made a change.  Something I usually don't do.  But these large white blossoms came with gold accents.  I didn't want to fuss too much with the blossoms, so I ran with it.

I added two vintage buttons just below where the journal card falls.  I selected one mint and one white.  Both to tie in the color theme.  But since the paper blossom has gold accents, I used gold cord to tie the buttons.  I only added two buttons, because I added the clay star.  Yes, the star is made from clay - glitter clay, by me, and baked.  

Inside the gift card holder, I used the same dark grey classic ink, to hand stamp Happy Birthday.  I used a stamp from the same collection: Penned Elegance, so the stamping would match in font.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found some inspiration.  Inspiration to either create something new, or use a color you aren't fond of, or use a collection in a direct direction, or simply get back into your craft room.  Whatever you do, to express your creativity does speak volumes to your soul.  {smile}

Happy Birthday Lynnette

Thank you for coming back.  I want to share a Birthday card, I made for my friend Lynette.  If you saw yesterday's post, you know my friend loves a good book, and all things vintage.  {smile}

I used the same paper collection for the card: Something Blue by Prima.

Recipe:  I used the same Kraft card stock for the card base, that I used to create her paper tote.  I love this heavy weight card stock!

I layered the kraft, grey, and white bird pattern paper as the matt.  I added a scrap piece of the mint text pattern paper as the main panel.  I just love the contrast.  

I cut a decorative shape out of the text & fauna pattern paper.  [using the same pattern papers on the tote, and through out the 'gifts' helps tie the whole gift collection together.]  Then I added a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.   However, when I came to the decorative piece, I wanted the machine stitching to be decorative, too.  So, I did a zig zag stitch there.  I love how machine stitching adds some much love to paper crafts {smile}. 

The floral library card, is from a digital piece.  I thought the library card really conveys the book theme {smile}.  Yes, there are methods to my madness.

I used a sentiment from the Book Club stamp set by PaperTrey Ink.  I stamped the sentiment in dark grey classic ink.  

To add a bit of pizzazz to the card front, I added a junk bow to the top of the library card.  I used scrap pieces of mint lace, cream crochet trim, gold velvet ribbon, chenille trim, gold striped ribbon, aqua seam binding, pale pink seam binding, silver stripe cream ribbon, and cream lace.  I tied the junk bow together with silver cord.  I added an aqua mist button to the center of the junk bow.

I wanted to repeat the aqua color, so I added an aqua paper blossom.  

As usual, I wrote my 'note' on a post-it note inside the card.  That way, the recipient can re-use the card.  Not everyone does.  I have a friend who frames her birthday card each year. {smile}

Thank you for looking.  I hope your week is going well.  Remember, to take time for yourself.  If not every day, at least once a week.  You are important! and loved {smile}.

Birthday Blue

Howdy, and welcome.  Oh my goodness, I hadn't realized that it's been a month since I last posted.  I have been crafting.  I guess life has me pulled in too many different directions.  Just like the rest of you.  Life gets busy, and we don't always have enough time in the day to get everything done that we want.  {frown}

This past weekend, a sweet, dear friend was celebrating her birthday.  And well, I wanted to craft something special for her. {smile}  My friend, is a lover of shabby chic, and a junking girl, just like me.  She also loves simpler things in life: a good book, afternoon tea, needle-work, family, and close friends.  

My favorite styles of crafting are shabby chic, retro, and vintage.  So, crafting something for this special girl friend, is easy.  I pulled out some pattern paper by Prima: Something Blue.  I know, this is a 'wedding' themed collection.  But, I think I can make it work {wink}.

I am sharing with you a gift tote that I created.  I also crafted a Birthday card, a bookmark, an extra card for her stash, and a packaged gift card holder.  Let's start with the tote:

Recipe:  The card stock tote is made from Kraft card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  I just love their heavy weight card stock.  Sturdy, and strong!  I layered the pink and cream polka dot pattern paper as the matt.  I then added the text & fauna printed pattern paper.  I love how the two pattern papers contrast each other.  I added a simple border stitch to the pattern papers.  

I wanted to add some visual interest and design, so I decided to add two large banner pennants.  I wanted to keep with the contrast, but to play-up the main floral pattern paper.  I used the mint text and black text pattern papers for these banner pieces.  The pattern paper that I truly love, is the floral pattern paper that was added last.  I wanted a decorative shape, so I went with a 'top note' shape.  

I wanted to soften the contrast of the black pattern paper, so I added a small piece of a white paper doily peeking out of the bottom of the pretty floral pattern piece.  To help add a little feminine touch, I added a pair of pale mint half faux pearls parallel to the edge of the tote.

This dear friend, has a love of books.  So, I wanted to include 'books' as an underlining theme.  I pulled out my All Booked Up stamp set by PaperTrey Ink.  I inked the 'tag' portion of this sentiment piece in Mint Macaroon by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped the sentiment and circle piece in Dark Grey classic ink.  I used foam tape to the back of the circle piece and sentiment piece, to lift them off the front of the tag piece.  

I tied a simple bow with rose seam binding to the top of the 'tag'.  I tied a faux pearl and an aqua mist button to the bow with silver cord.  I wanted soft, shabby colors that contrast (rose and aqua), but also a feminine touch (pearl).  To help add some bling & metallic, I selected the silver cord.

I wanted to continue with the softness that trims can add, so I selected a white lace, a rose cotton scallop trim, and a kraft seam binding.  To continue with the metallic, I added a piece of cream and silver bakers twine across the kraft seam binding.  I added a paper blossom from the same Something Blue collection by Prima.  I tied a simple bow with the silver metallic bakers twine just behind the paper blossom.  I used a small snippet of the rose cotton scallop trim, in place of leaves.  This continues with the rose color with the seam binding and cotton trim.

Thank you so much for looking.  I'll post an image and write-up for the Birthday card tomorrow.

Baby Boy Collection

Howdy.  I purchased a few items from the Heaven Sent 2 collection by Prima.  Let me start by saying how sweet and beautiful the pattern papers, blossoms, and the embellishments are.  So, it was very easy to create a variety of paper crafts using this collection.  

I created a gift bag, a small gift box, a pizza box, a greeting card, and two different sizes of gift card holders.  I used Kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink as the base for all of these items.  I did use two different blue matts: Aqua Mist by Paper Trey Ink, and Lost Lagoon by Stampin' Up!.  I used silver as an accent only on the large packaged gift card holder.  I used gold as the accent metallic on everything else.  I mostly liked white paper blossoms, but there are two blue blossoms.  

And yes, all these items will be available at my craft shows.  Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have seen something that makes you smile.  Have a great day, and I hope you have a chance to create something beautiful!

Cherry Money

Howdy, and welcome.  Oh my goodness, I can't believe that it has been so many weeks, since I posted.  YIKES!  Well, I haven't stopped crafting.  Apparently I have stopped photographing my work.  I will get some photos uploaded soon.  I have been working on a few baby themed items.  I'm using the Heaven Sent 2 collection by Prima.  Oh my, is it gorgeous and a lot of fun to work with! {smile}  I am working on some non-holiday items for a few Holiday Craft Fairs, this year.  And well, I was afraid of running out of time, so I started in June.  We will see how this goes.

Anyway, I took a break from baby stuff, to create a sample money holder.  If you have been to my booth at a craft fair, you know that I alway have a sample of what is packaged, so you can play with it, see how it works, get a feel for the dimensions, etc.  Sometimes, the gift is cash.  Not always a bad idea.  Sometimes, that's what works for the occasion, the recipient, or what you want to give.

It is a simple money holder, in that you open the 'card' and there is a slot for cash.  See, super simple. No bells or whistles.  Clean, easy, simple, and sometimes just the perfect gift.  {smile}

here it is:

Recipe:  I used True Black card stock, by Paper Trey Ink, as the base.  I just love the heavy weight of this card stock.  It will stand-up to my embellishing.  And that's a good thing.

I used pattern paper from the Cherry Blossom collection by Prima.  I wanted something soft, feminine, and pretty.

I machine stitched a simple border around the main panel.  And then I machine stitched the three trims: pale pink seam binding, white crochet trim, and a black & white check ribbon.  

The banner piece is a different pattern paper from the same collection.  To help give it structure, I matted it with a scrap piece of the True Black card stock.  I added foam tape to the top and flag end of the banner piece.  To keep it from squishing the trio of trims.

I hot glued a large pale pink paper blossom, I picked-up from a large box craft store, earlier last year. I added a pink and gold glitter leaf from Prima.  And tied a thin gold string through a tiny pale pink vintage button, and add those to the banner piece, as well.

I used my die-cut machine & a die, to create the sentiment piece.  I also used a different pattern paper from the same collection.  I selected a pattern paper that wasn't too busy, but still had the same color scheme.  I inked my sentiment stamp in Basic Black classic ink, by Stampin' Up! and hand-stamped the sentiment.  I adhered this sentiment piece to the money holder with foam tape, as well.  

I tied a triple bow with the pale pink seam binding, and added a faux pearl brad to the center of the bow.  I adhered the bow to the front of the money holder with hot glue.  And my final touch, is a trio of pink faux half-pearls.

I am still trying to decide if I want to add some white paint and glitter to the tips of the large paper blossom.  Let me know what you think.  I'm kinda on the fence with that one.

Now, I'm off to make a few baby-themed money holders, and a few small gift card holders.

I hope you have a chance to craft today!  I know my soul always feels so much happier when I do!

Heaven Sent Baby

Howdy! and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I have been creating, and running.  So, to say that I have been busy, would be correct {smile}.  But, today, I moved my running to tomorrow, so that I could paper craft.  It feels like forever, since I've paper crafted, and so the whole experience was well deserved, and surely needed {smile}.

I am entering my creation in two different card challenges:  Word Art Wednesday & Cupcake Inspirations.  I am happy with my creations and happy to have had this time to create.  {feeling blessed}

My firs stop is @ Cupcake Inspirations.  If you haven't stopped by their blog, please do.  This design team will certainly inspire you, and the cupcakes for inspiration are beautiful!

And then, I stopped by one of my favorite challenge sites:  Word Art Wednesday.  If you haven't stopped by this challenge site, I encourage you to do so.  This design team is very creative, and their challenges are always: Anything Goes & Family Friendly.  

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  blank inside card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

I used Kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base, due to the heavy weight.

I used pattern paper from Heaven Sent 2 by Prima.

I layered three different pattern papers and machine stitched them together.  

I added white embroidery trim and pale aqua seam binding across the card front.  I added a double bow tied with the same seam binding.  I added a tiny safety pin to the center of the bow.  I added a hand-stamped tag and metallic charm.  

I tucked-in a cream paper doily by Stampin' Up!.  I simply cut the doily in half, so I could use the other half on another card - see below.

I added a tiny embroidery hoop by Stampin' Up!.  I used pattern paper by Prima to back the hoop.  I hand-stamped 'Sweet Baby' in classic black ink by Stampin' Up! onto a scrap piece of pattern paper.  I added this little sentiment to the inside of the hoop with foam tape.  I hot glued a tiny white paper blossom inside the hoop.   The blue blossom is from Prima, and coordinates with the pattern paper.

I added a trio of tiny vintage buttons, tied with gold and white twine.  I hot glued the tied buttons to the card front.  

here is the other card I made with the same materials:

I am planning on creating a few more items with these materials, tomorrow.  Fingers crossed that I have the time needed.

Thank you for looking, and I hope that you have a chance to play along with either or both of these challenge sites.  

Celebrate YOU!

Welcome.  I wanted to use some of the scraps I had left over from a beautiful paper collection by Prima - Rossibelle.  I just love the flecks of metallic mixed in with florals, stripes, & texts.  I am entering my card in three different, but equally wonderful card challenges {smiles}:  Double D, the Card Concept, and Tic Tac Toe challenges.

My first stop was Double D challenge site.  They have some pretty clever challenges and their current challenge is no exception: sequins.  Now, who doesn't love sequins?  Not this girl!

I sprinkled my sequins

My next stop was the Card Concept.  I love this challenge site, because they have a theme and a mood board.  So, no confusion, and you are given a direction for your entry.  Easy peasy.  Their current theme: old fashion LOVE.  I can do that!

I used pinks, and a blossom

And finally, my newest interest: Tic Tac Toe challenge.  I like these types of challenges, because it helps give your crafting a direction and takes away some of the restraints.  LOVE that!  Here is their current Tic Tac board:

I went down the right side: Celebrate, floral, ribbon

and here is what I created:

still learning how to photograph shiny things

I just love the mix of metallic, pinks, cream, and pops of black - pretty!

and a different view:

Recipe:  This blank inside card is a typical A2 size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I used a pale pink card stock for the base.  I believe its one of my last few sheets of Blush Blossom from Stampin' Up!.  

I layered a text pattern paper and a black design pattern paper from the Rossibelle collection by Prima.  Then I sandwiched a scrap piece of cream cotton trim between them, and machine stitched a simple border.  I rubbed some tea stain ink across the machine stitching to help it pop.  

Starting with the right upper corner:  I adhered a tag from the collection and hot glued a double bow tied with pale pink seam binding.  I found that sweet tiny button in my stash.  I believe it is from CTMH neutrals collection.  

The focal piece is actually a piece from the embellishment kit.  I adhered it to the front of the card with foam adhesive.

I adhered a fabric blossom to the left lower corner of the focal piece.  I then tucked in a cream button from Stampin' Up!.  I thought the button design matched with the cream cotton trim design.  {smile}

And the last two pieces from the Rossibelle collection to go onto my card were those two strips at the lower right corner.  The pink text paper is actually a strip from the text pattern paper.  The sentiment strip is a sticker from the same collection.

My two final additions were the metallic embossed sentiment piece, and the sprinkle of the copper sequins.  The sentiment piece was hand-stamped onto cream card stock and detail copper kettle embossing powder was used.  I adhered the 'CELEBRATE' to the card front with more foam adhesive.  I glued the copper sequins to the card front.  I added three tucked, so they would peak out, and the other four I wanted full view of.  {smile}

Thank you for looking.  I hope you get a chance to play along with any/all of these challenge sites.  Have a great weekend!  and do something that makes your heart happy!

fa la la Peppermint

Howdy! and welcome.  I hope you all had a great holiday.  Me, I got the flu.  I have been in bed sick for a week now.  And for those who know me, I don't do well being 'down' or laid up in bed.  So, today, I decided, I'm getting up.  I am getting on with life.  Change your mindset, and you body will follow.  It's like when you have been running for 4 hours, and you have 3 miles left, and your legs are tired and heavy, and your mind is screaming at you to stop.  Just stop.  But, you have to turn down the volume in your head, push forward, and keep going.

I made another gift card holder this morning.  I am entering it in three of yesterday's challenge post.  I just loved the themes - Sparkle, Lace & Paint, and the sketch was super easy to work with.  So, here we go again!

First stop:  the wonderfully talented ladies over @ As You See It Challenge, have a fun challenge: Sparkle.  You have to add an element of sparkle to your project: glitter, sequins, glimmer paper, etc.  And let's just be honest here, who doesn't love sparkle?  It just makes you happy!

My next stop is Mistress Owl.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  It was super easy to work with yesterday, so why not use it again today.  This challenge site, is from Russia.  They do have a translate button, to help with the language barrier.  I just love their easy-to-work-with sketches.

And finally, my last stop is Shabby Chic.  Another challenge site from Russia, and again, they have a translate button.  This design team will certainly inspire you!  Their current challenge is Magic Frost.  The mandatory elements are: Lace & Paint.  And your entry must be in Shabby Chic or Provence style.  (they have their definition of these styles on their challenge site)

and here is what I created:

different view:

Recipe:  I used Fine Linen card stock by PaperTreyInk for the gift card holder.  I thought it matched the angels in the pattern paper beautifully.  Again, I used Pure Poppy card stock by PaperTreyInk for the matts.  Its a deep red with orange undertones.  I used the red stripe pattern paper from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima, again.  I just love the look of the stripes. {smile}  The pattern paper I used for the main panels is a digital paper.  I printed it onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I love using their white card stock to print my digital papers.  It takes the ink very well, and the card stock is light weight; making layering a breeze.

I used my sewing machine to add a simple border stitch around each panel.  I think this little element adds a lot of homespun charm.  {smile}

I did a better job of lining up my trims.  I layered a white crochet trim, a taupe lace trim, and a mint ribbon.  I machine stitched them to the panels with silver thread.  The silver thread is beautiful, but quite a pain to work with.  The metallic in the thread gives it a bit of stretch, with little tension, so it breaks easily and frequently. {frown}.

I stacked two small journalling cards to the top panel.  I selected the 'fa la la' girls, and a December Bingo board card, this time.  I like how the 'fa la la' color matched the reindeer in my pattern paper.

I die-cut, stamped, and heat embossed the wreath.  I die-cut the wreath from Fine Linen card stock.  I stamped the wreath in VersaMark ink, and used my fine detail  white embossing powder.  This delicate wreath takes a steady hand in stamping.  My trick: place a contrasting color of card stock under the wreath, so when you stamp, you have a better view of lining-up the image.  I adhered the wreath to the front panel.

I tied a double bow with the mint ribbon.  I tied a small plastic peppermint candy to the mint bow with silver twine.  I wanted a bit more red on the card, so I adhered a red button to the bow's center.  To add a bit more sparkle, I added a mirror plastic star just above the button.

The paper blossoms were painted and glittered.  I used a white pearl paint to the petals, and while the paint was still wet, I dunked the blossoms into glitter.

I painted two silver jingle bells with gesso, and glitter.  I tied them with silver bakers twine.  Then tucked them under the larger blossom.  Again, I wanted more red, so I tucked in a red pom pom by the cream paper blossom.

My sentiment was not hand-stamped.  The sentiment is actually from a holiday tag.  I simply trimmed it down with scissors, and did a double matt: pure poppy and fine linen card stock.  I added foam tape to the back of the sentiment.  I wanted it to be lifted off the card front.

Thank you for looking!  I hope this last weekend of 2017 ends just how you want it to.  For me, I will be enjoying the quiet time at home.  And I am sure you have guessed that I will be out running.  I am going to do my best at getting in 10-12 miles tomorrow. {smile}

It's a Blue Wednesday

Welcome.  I am so happy you have decided to stop by today.  I have some good news.  I am a Guest Designer, again, for the wonderful ladies @ Word Art Wednesday.  {smile}  How absolutely fabulous is that?

If you have a chance, you really must play along with this challenge site.  The ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday, run their challenges for 2 weeks, provide you with a scripture to add to your paper craft, and their theme is generally Anything Goes - Family Friendly!  How wonderfully different.

here is what I created:

Recipe:  This blank inside greeting card is a typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  I used crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up! as my card base.  I just love this creamy kraft colored, heavy weight card stock for card bases.  

I then layered two pattern papers from Prima Marketing Something Blue collection.  I just love the vintage look of these papers.  I layered the vintage, faded green text pattern paper on top of the distressed black text paper.  I added a simple single border stitch, with my sewing sewing machine.

I wrapped both a matching seam binding and a soft, delicate lace trim around the front of the card.  

I printed a digital library card, that I believe matched these pattern papers beautifully.  

I printed the scripture onto whisper white card stock, then matted it on a scrap piece of crumb cake card stock, and adhered it to the card front with foam tape.

I selected a few pale blue-green blossoms to add to the front of my card.  But first, I painted the petals with a pearl white paint and then dusted them with fine glitter.  I adhered those paper blossoms to the card front.  And then tucked a double bow tied with the seam binding, just below the largest paper blossom.  And the final touch was adding a clear faceted button just below the bow.  Viola!

I hope that you have an opportunity to play along with the wonderful ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday.  {smile}

Guest Designer

Now, for the most exciting news:  I am the Guest Designer @ Word Art Wednesday!  How super fabulous is that?  I know I am blessed to have this opportunity to share my paper crafting with all of you, and I hope I don't disappoint you!   My crafting style is vintage, shabby-chic, with a little country flair thrown in.  Let me explain.  Vintage, because I like everything to look worn, used, old, but not grungey.  Think peeling paint, scruff marks, weathered.  Shabby-chic, because I like to add buttons, seam binding, machine stitching, pinks, blues (or any soft hue), and a splash of elegance/bling.  Country flair, because I like 'farmland' imagery: milk caps, chicken wire, vintage scales, mason jars, burlap, chickens (birds), and some recycled items.  I hope that makes my 'style' a little easier to understand/translate. {smile}

The lovely, and super talented ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday, have an Anything Goes - Family Friendly challenge for you to participate in.  The challenge runs for two weeks, to help give you time to play along.  They provide you with a piece of scripture that you are welcome to include in your paper craft, but it is NOT required.  The design team has a wonderful collection of different style of crafters, so I am sure at least one of these creative ladies will inspire you to play along!

Here is the current challenge scripture:

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used vintage cream card stock as my card base.  I just love this heavy weight card stock.  It's thick, so it will stand up, even with all my layers and embellishments {smile}.

I used pattern paper from Prima Marketing.  It's not holiday themed paper, but this paper is easy to work with!  

I added a paper doily peaking out of the bottom of the top layer.  Then added some machine stitching.  

I wrapped some pale pink seam binding around the card front and tied a multi-loop bow.  I then tied a pink button to the center of the bow.  I also added a trio of sweet buttons along the bottom left corner.

I printed the scripture onto very vanilla card stock and adhered it over the seam binding.

I cut out a snowflake using champagne glitter paper.  I tucked it in under the sentiment piece.  I then stamped some pine braces using light grey and light pink ink.  I added glitter to the paper blossom, and then adhered it over the pine branches and snowflake.  To give my card a bit more sparkle, I added some sequins around the blossom.

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you visit again! 

Celebrate Rossibelle Card

Howdy! and welcome!  I hope that on this special holiday weekend, that you are enjoying what makes you happy, and finding the time (and energy) to partake in your passion.  For me, my passions are baking, crafting, and running.  The baking and crafting give my mind a chance to create something beautiful and tasty {smile}.  The running keeps me active, and makes eating clean easier {smile}.  [I post running and food on my InstaGram acct.]  Here, is where I post my creative side!

I purchased a few items from the Rossibelle collection from Prima Marketing.  I just fell in love with the mix of patterns (stripes, texts, and florals) and the colors (various shades of pinks & charcoals, black, and metallic copper)  I used the scraps of this collection to make a card for a few challenges.  I think you will be happy!
My firs stop is Freshly Made Sketches.  This challenge site has some very creative and user-friendly sketches to work with.  I know you will be inspired {smile}

The simplicity of this sketch is what made me want to play along.  The cluster of shapes, can easily be transformed into almost anything: a bouquet, a collection of words, a large image, etc.

My next stop is If You Give a Crafter a Cookie.  I have played along with this challenge site a while back, but came back.  This challenge site has come very clever inspirational boards.  So, I am sure that you will be inspired to play along.  Don't forget to check out their design team; very clever.

The polka dots, stripes, and blossoms is what swooned my heart.  The overall color palette really spoke to my heart, too!  I love the words on the cookies, too!
My final stop is Word Art Wednesday.  This challenge blog, is Anything Goes.  So, create what you want, and enter their challenge.  Easy peasy.  But, please take a moment to read their write up.  You will certainly be inspired.  They also give you a free image of their scripture piece.  So, download it, print it out, and use it on your paper crafts.  The design team will certainly inspire you!  You won't be disappointed.

and here is what I created:

This card is a typical A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  I used scraps of 12" x 12" paper I left over from a previous project.  I did set aside a few other larger scraps to decorate a notebook (a share for later).

I used basic black card stock from PaperTreyInk for the card base.  I just love their heavy weight card stock.  I did add a panel of very vanilla card stock to the inside of the card.  That way, a hand-written message could easily be added, without a metallic pen.

I inked the edges of the papers with charcoal ink, to help define the edges.  The metallic accents on the papers is how the paper is printed.  I just love the random-look of it!

For my 'cluster', I layered a few pieces of Ephemera - red ticket, S playing card, and the floral clock face.  I added a medium shade pink fabric blossom.  I tied a double bow of pale pink seam binding, and tucked it in between the blossom and clock face.  I wanted a little more sparkle of copper, so I added a copper brad.  I took off the legs of the brad, and was left with the cap.  I hot glued the cap to the center of the double bow.   

For my sentiment, I stamped in Versa Mark ink, and used an 'ultra fine copper kettle' embossing powder, and heat embossed.  I cut the sentiment out by hand, to look like a wrd made with a label maker.  I think it adds a super sweet, and simple sentiment that can easily be used for almost any occasion - birthday, wedding, anniversary, retirement, graduation, promotion, etc. {smile}         Viola!

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have an opportunity to craft something beautiful today, just 'cause.  {smile}.  I'll be starting on my holiday craft fair items this week.  Super excited!

Beyond the Page Cupboard

Howdy!  Welcome back {me}, and thank you for hanging with me {you}!  {smile}  I have been busy with all sorts of things.  One of which is a cupboard I have been working on.  Now, no, it hasn't taken me a month to get it done.  But each week, I think, 'oh, let me finish it, and photograph it, and then I'll post it'.  Well, as most of you know, sometimes life has other plans for you.  I actually have had this cupboard completed to this point for almost 4 weeks.  Ugh.  Time is going by too fast.

So, here is my latest project, not complete yet, but getting there!

front view

How gorgeous! right!  I painted the whole thing with black chalk paint.  I wanted black, but not black black.  and not any shade of grey.  So, a soft, not a deep black, is what I (believe) I achieved with the chalk paint.

side & door view

I used quite a few products from Prima Marketing, like the pattern paper collection {Rossibelle), the coordinating blossoms, and tags, and that large ornate resin frame.  I am in love with the rose gold accents!  I love the copper-ish color and the sparkle it provides!

back view

I started covering the bigger pieces first, then using the scraps to cover the two huge pieces.  The two huge pieces are the top and back.  The cupboard is 14" x 10".  And the papers I had are 12" x 12".  So, I tore edges and pieced them together.  

I did add some pieces from my stash.  The door knob, the ribbons, trims, brads, buttons, floral sprigs, and drawer pulls (which aren't finished, yet).

The whole project is rather simple to put together.  Just time consuming.  After I painted each piece, I let them dry for 24 hours (some cases more) and then hand-applied a sealant.  I sealed the paint, because chalk paint can be removed with water.  I then allowed the sealant to dry for another 24/+hours, before I could add the papers.  I used a paper glue to apply the pages.  I adhered the embellishments with hot glue.  The door knob is actually screwed into the door {smile}.  And yes, the whole inside is painted and sealed!

Well thank you for looking.  I just have two drawers left.  Easy peasy.  And to add the last 4 drawer pulls and viola!  Hopefully, I can get this completed before September!  {fingers crossed!}  Oh, this cupboard, and at least 2 others will be for sale at this years holiday craft shows, along with a few Christmas countdown calendars.  Yahoo!!!