YOU are special card

Howdy.  I wanted to share a card I made, not for anyone specific.  Just to craft.  I wanted to make something pretty, feminine, and special.  {smile}

I picked up some pretty floral pattern paper, and a metallic polka dot pattern paper at a local big box store.  One sheet each.  It had to be the cheapest, I had EVER walked out of a craft store.  Under $2.  I think my minimal purchase was so worth the trip.  Here is what I made!

Recipe:  I used Stampin' Up! card stock for the card base and matt.  I used a simple rectangle of the floral pattern paper for the card front.  The floral paper is just so pretty, I didn't want to cover it up.  I did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine, to help convey the homemade feeling.

I used my Top Note die to cut the decorative piece out of the silver metallic polka dot paper.  I wrapped some white cotton trim around the top note piece, and machine sewn the trim in place.  I wrapped some navy blue corduroy ribbon around the white cotton trim.  I adhered the decorative piece to the left side of the card, to showcase both the floral pattern paper, but to have the decorative shape peeking out.

I did a two-step stamp for the sentiment.  I did a silver metallic embossing powder for the main word: you.  I stamped the rest of the sentiment in basic black classic ink.  I cut a simple, shallow flag banner to the right side of the sentiment rectangle.

I added a Prima blossom, I had in my stash, because I love pink.  {smile}  I tied a simple bow with the blue corduroy ribbon, and tucked it under the blossom.  I used my fabric scissors to cut a banner edge to the ends of the ribbon.  I thought this pop of blue really shows off the blue accent blossoms in the pattern paper.  

My final touch, was the trio of iridescent, structured dots.  Viola!  and now, I want to make more pretty things with this beautiful pattern papers!  Let me get back into my craft room!  See ya soon!

Handmade Legacy; Card

Holy Toledo!  I didn't realize I had been absent so long.  My sincere apologies.  I have been crafting Christmas items, and working on a few blank journals, and started some desk top calendars.  And I haven't photographed any of it.  {frown}

But, I did make this card yesterday, and didn't get to photograph it until late today.  See, my life is crazy.  I have started a new venture, so to speak.  Well, I didn't just 'start' it, I have been 'busy' with this since the middle of March.  My new venture: Running.  I know, you must be thinking: seriously? Yeah.  I spend three days a week running, and swim laps one day a week.  I still work full-time, still take call at the hospital 2-3 nights a week, cook, clean, take care of my dog and husband.  And carve out time to craft.  Crafting keeps me sane.  But so does running.  Running gives me a chance to just do that.  Nothing else.  I can't start laundry, get dinner started, vacuum, or walk the dog.  I can only RUN.  And it does give me a chance to clear my head, and think of crafting, layouts, colors, figure out sketches, and think about Christmas crafts.  

My running has taken a front seat to my life.  And it will soon slow down.  I am running 12 miles now.  And that takes just under 3 hours, each day I run.  Yep, three hours devoted to this only 'thing'.  I can't do anything else.  And so, once I find the time to do this, I really do need to complete it.  I am training for a half marathon.  And that race is quickly approaching.  I plan on staying with running even after this race.  However, on a modified schedule.  I'm looking at running for an hour or two 2 times a week, swimming laps one day a week, and then do a spin class one day a week.  To stay in shape, to do this for me.  It gives me an hour for a 'healthier me'.  And it helps clear my mind from work, and to help concentrate on crafting.  

I knew I wanted to make a card for a very special friend, so I went searching the internet for a layout to really show off these pattern papers I picked up recently.  And found this beautiful sketch from SaratovScrap.  here is the card sketch:

What I love about this sketch:  The layers, and the bits and pieces just under the blossom.  

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  The card base is made from Kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  One of my all time favorite kraft card stocks.  Its a beautiful color and easy to work with weight.  

The pattern papers are from Simple Stories:  Legacy.  Instead of adding strips of pattern papers I decided to layer them.  I roughed up the edges with a thread cutter and my finger nail.  I sponged the edges, with a light brown ink.  

I added some machine stitching to one side.  I thought that it would add a home-made feel to the over all look of the card.  

I added an old (1870) French theatre ticket to the lower portion of the card.  I thought the color and the 'print' help 'age' the card.  The 'handmade' label I hand-stamped using the Boutique Accessories stamp set by Paper Trey Ink, using Mint Macaroon classic ink by Stampin' Up!.

I added a Prima blossom.  I cut a pair of leaves to help make the blossom look more natural.  And finally, I added a trio of wood grain sequins.

I finished the inside of the card with a piece of vanilla card stock matted with Mint Macaroon card stock.  

I won't write inside the card.  Instead, I add a hand-written note on a post-it, and add it to the inside of the card.  That way, the person who receives it, can re-use the card.  Sometimes, it is nice to have a card or two (sometimes more) on hand for special occasions.  This card is off to the post office, to be mailed to my very special friend.  {smile}  Thank you for stopping by!  I'll share more crafts soon!

5 x 5 Creative Challenge

~ Photo Heavy Post ~

Howdy!  So, I'm back.  I posted a few days ago, a creative challenge for you:  to simply note and photograph 5 things a week, to document those precious moments in your life.  I also stated that this challenge would begin on August 1, 2015, so you would have time to create a special book to keep your documented blessings.  I set out into my craft room today, to create my book.  And I want to share it with you.  

here is the cover:

I used the current sketch from Mojo Monday to help get the creative juices flowing for this project.  

Here is the sketch:

I hope no one is surprised that I used a flower for one of the circle elements {smile}

I am also entering the creative challenge over @ Scrap-Pygovka.   Their challenge is make a cover/book.  Something that holds documents/pages.

And that is what I have done.  This book contains blank pages now, but soon they will start getting filled with what I find precious, memorable, and meaning in my life. {smile}

Also, last but certainly not least.  I am entering the challenge over @Kafe Scrapo Mama.   These ladies are super talented and very inspirational.  I do encourage you to see what they have created.

Their challenge is to add one mandatory white flower to your project, and no other requirement.

More photos of my project:

inside front cover:

inside back cover:

and finally, the back of the book:

Recipe:  I used paper and embellishments I have in my craft room.  And I used what I love.  {smile}

Cover:  The pink text paper is from Webster's Pages, and the floral paper is from Tilda.  I used a big white Prima Marketing blossom.  I stamped the 'vintage' camera in black ink, onto very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up! and fussy cut.  I used foam tape to adhere the camera to a text print paper.  (The camera and sentiment both come from Shutter Bug stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.)    The clock brad comes from LemonCraft.  I added a scrap piece of that beautiful pale blue-green and brown polka dot paper  (Stella Rose) to the seam where the two pattern papers meet.  I also added some crochet trim and pale pink seam binding, and machine stitched them to the cover.  I added a multi-loop bow to the cover, and tied on an aqua mist vintage button, by Paper Trey Ink.  I added a double bow of the kraft twine under the seam binding bow.  The tiny brown paper blossom was tucked in just above the big white blossom.   

Inside front Cover:  I used pattern papers from the Stella Rose collection and machine stitched them to the front cover.  I added an ATC card from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  I just love how positive the sentiment is.

Inside back Cover:  I used a large scrap piece of the blossom paper I used on the front cover, by Tilda.  I just love the tiny blossoms, and  the vintage look of this paper.  I added a long banner piece cut from the same Websters Pages paper.  I used a photo corner punch to create the banner end.  I added some machine stitching to the top of this banner piece.  I added another of the Coffee Break ATC's.  I love this piece.  A coffee cup, a vintage typewriter in that gorgeous aqua blue color and some beautiful home-grown roses.

Back Cover:  I used a scrap piece of the pink patten paper from the cover, by Webster's Pages.  I love the different fonts in white, and the scallop edge.  Very beautiful!  and I stamped my 'brand' on the back in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  

If you noticed, the pages inside are blank.  That way, I can decorate them as I want, as I go.  Because I am not sure on how I will display my photos.  And I wanted to use my favorite kraft card stock on the inside.  

I used my Bind-It-All, to create the holes and connect the spiral rings to my book.  I used 1" antique gold rings for this book.

Well, thank you for looking.  I hope you play along with my challenge.  This creative 5 x 5 challenge begins August 1, 2015.  All you need to do, is take 5 photos a week, capturing the moments that make your life special, memorable, and uniquely YOU, and write one minute for each photo.  Either share your photos in social media, a blog, or a journal.  I believe that a majority of our lives should be 'off record'.  And so, I will share with you, HERE on this blog, 2 of my weekly photos.  

Roses and Butterflies: Card

Howdy!  I am still working with my vintage spring pattern papers by Maja Design.  {smile}  This pattern paper I selected today, doesn't have pink or aqua colors in it.  Surprised?  It actually has purples, blues, and yellows in it.  The front side of this pattern paper has a faded calendar with yellow birds and April written in blue.  The other side of this pattern paper is paisley print.  

To help me get a direction on the construction of this card, I stopped by the Crazy 4 Challenges, to get a peek at their sketch.  And boy, am I in love with the sketch!  So many possibilities, and the design team did an awesome job with their inspiration.  {smile}

When I first saw this sketch, the circles look like the flowers, buttons, and pleated rosettes.  The white rectangle at the top looks like the perfect shape for a sentiment banner.  And here is what I made:

I made this card for my sweet daughter.  She loves blue.  It's her favorite color.  So, I was a little nervous about the faded color accents of blue, yellow, and purple.  But, I think she will love it {smile}

Recipe:  I started this card with my favorite kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  I just love the color and texture of this card stock.  I used one piece of pattern paper.  I just used both sides of the paper (not too clever, just resourceful).

My design allows me to showcase all three circles.  The large yellow paper blossom occupies the white circle shape.  And then I used a pair of yellow paper roses with leaves to occupy the small upper circle.  Then I added a multi-loop bow of pale lavender seam binding, and a white resin button to occupy the space of the small circle on the right.

I added a wide cotton trim to the left side of the top panel.  I however must confess that I cut my panel too short.  {grimace}

I machine stitched a double border around the center panel, and distressing to help the card look vintage.  I added some brown ink sponging along all the edges, along with a thread cutter and my finger nail to rough the paper edges.

The blossoms and seam binding were very 'clean'.  So, to help distress, I added some white acrylic paint to the blossom petal tips, and randomly on the top pieces of the seam binding.

I cut leaves with two different hand held punches.  I sponged the edges of the leaves with more brown ink.  I added a white butterfly stick pin I easily purchased 8 years ago at a local scrapbook store.

For the sentiment I stamped the greeting in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, onto very vanilla card stock.  Then I matted the sentiment onto a scrap piece of heather card stock by Amuse Studio.  I adhered the sentiment to the card front, but also added a staple to help add in the overall look.

To add a little sparkle, I added two sets of sequin trios.  Both trios consist of one 6mm marshmallow sequins, and two 4mm lemon meringue sequins, by Pretty Pink Posh.

Thank you for looking at my creation.  I hope you have been inspired to craft a beautiful card using this current sketch, and paper crafting supplies you already have on hand.  {smile}

Love Birds, Card

I love to paper craft {smile}.  And I sometimes love a challenge.  A very dear, and special lady had asked me to make her a Black & White & Blue wedding card.  But she didn't have any other requests.  Wow, creative freedom!  She must know a few artists {smile}  

I like choices.  And I assume everyone else does too.  So, I made her a few cards to choice from.  I posted one yesterday, and I have one more today.  So, lets get started!

To help me focus on the task at hand, I stopped by a new favorite challenge site:  Friday Mashup.  This week's challenge over @ Friday Mashup, they have both a sketch, and a theme (Up and Away).  I didn't get that creative and incorporate a hot air balloon.  {frown}  In my defense, I was looking for a sketch and not a theme.  I have a theme wedding.  And now, I am kicking myself, I think I could have done a wedding hot air balloon.  And this is New Mexico, we host the world's largest hot air balloon mass ascension.  Hind sight, right?  Let's see the sketch:

and here is what I made:

This special occasion greeting card is a large card for me {smile}.  The finished card size is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2", and has an accompanying envelope for a 5" x 7" card.  I wanted to make sure that my embellished card would fit inside, without mashing any of the embellishments.  

Recipe:  The card base is Pure Black by Paper Trey Ink.  Love their heavy weight card stock.  

The blue matt is Island Indigo card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used Authentique pattern papers, Classique and Spirited.  I used the tone on tone blue pattern paper.  I wanted blue, but not a specific pattern.  The black doily pattern gives interest without competing with the focal piece.  To help convey a home-made touch, I added a simple machine stitch border.

I used a wide white crochet trim and a pale blue velvet ribbon.  I just love how soft and classy these two trims looked together.   This main panel is adhered to the card front with foam tape to allow space for the crochet trim and velvet trim room to wrap around the card front.

The focal image is actually one of those journalling blocks from the Classique collection.  I selected one with no quote or busy graphics.  I hand stamped my sentiment, in Jet Black StazOn.  I used two different stamp sets, but love how the fonts really work together.  For the journal block: Fancy Flexible Phrases.  For the sentiment banner piece: Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Both of these stamp sets are from Stampin' Up!

Focal Piece:  I cut down a 3" x 4" journal block.  Rounded the corners and adhered to a scrap piece of pure black card stock.  I stamped my sentiment, with my fingers crossed.  I adhered a bird cage metal embellishment from Spare Parts.  I added a large blue blossom above and just left to the top of the bird cage.  I added a scrap piece of cream lace trim to the 'bare' side of this blossom.

For the two white and two blue blossoms flanking the large blue blossom, I first added some white acrylic paint to the petal tips, and then immediately dunked them into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I added several leaf sprays cut from black tone on tone pattern paper from the Classique collection.  I adhered this piece with foam tape to help lift it off the card front, and to allow for the height of the trims.

Finishing touches:  I wanted to add some classic and sparkling touches.  So, to finish the focal piece, I added two pearl string loops.  And then to continue with the classic pearl touch, I added a spare black pearl flourish piece to opposite corners of the card.  And finally, for the sparkling touch, I added a collection of blue faceted sequins in the same opposite corners.

This card is also finished on the inside.  I have a white panel matted with a piece of the Island Indigo card stock.
Thank you for stopping by!  Hopefully I have more time to craft this week!