Vintage Echoes; Card

Welcome.  Sorry for the lateness on this post.  I  have been crafting.  However, our internet has been spotty.  We live in the mountains, and well, we go thru motoms like crazy.  Don't really know why.  But when you really NEED the internet, your motom is usually 'bad'.  UGH!  And this time, we just couldn't get into town to purchase one more.  So, we are using a 'hot spot'.  You would almost think we were off grid.  Nope, we aren't.  Well, I guess we are! {half smile}

Anyways, I wanted to share with you a card I made a week ago.  I received this gorgeous stamp set from Verve.  And I just love it!  It's named: Kind Words.  here

Anyways, I really wanted to make a card with the large sentiment.  So, I searched the internet for a sketch that would allow for the large panel.  One of the best things I love about international challenges, especially ones in eastern Europe, is that their challenges last a few weeks to a whole month.  Allowing you time to play along! {sweet}

The lovely ladies over @ Scrap-Pygovka, have themed challenges, sketches, and color challenges.  So, there is always a variety to choose from, and the design team is incredible!  This group of ladies are talented, clever, and super creative!  I just love their work!  Here is the current sketch:

Look how beautiful this sketch is!  I thought it was super easy to work with.  And this challenge site is just my style!  Layers!  Not only layers of paper, but layers of lace! and little sweet trinkets: buttons, sequins, rhinestones, pearls, pins, twine, ribbon, and so much more!

I am also playing along in the Creative Colors Challenge blog.  These ladies have some great challenges themselves.  Their challenges are generally color based.  But super easy to work with.  And their design team is sure to inspire you!

X, marks the color I chose

Their requirement for this challenge: pick 4 colors from the color box, plus twine, and create something beautiful! How super sweet is that?  

(My four colors: crimson red, caramel brown, pale blue, and aqua blue.  I also added silver bakers twine.)

and here is what I created:

I didn't create this card for anyone in particular.  So, I just created using what I love!  This card came together fairly quickly.  Roughly within an hour.  (a 60 min card is quick for me. )

Also, I used what I had on hand.  I didn't shop for anything.  Yep, I have a LOT of stuff on hand.  Some call it 'hoarding'.  And that just sounds so awful!  I like to refer to it as 'collecting'.  Because I do plan on using what I have.  I just haven't found/created the right project, yet {smile}

Recipe:  The card base is Kraft card stock from Paper Studio, purchased at the big box store.  The pattern papers are scraps from my scrap box.  The largest one with the vertical pattern is Nostalgia from My Mind's Eye.  The blue circle pattern paper is from Carta Bella, Baby Mine collection.  And the smaller, tannish, circle pattern paper is from Teresa Collins, Save the Date collection.  And the floral pattern paper is from a My Mind's Eye pad; Stella Rose.  

The pattern papers were machine stitched.  I think it just adds so much sweetness, softness, and vintage feel to the card/project.  

I added a few circle elements, to help pull it all together.  I layered a white paper tea doily under the layers of pattern papers.  To keep with that, I also added a mini bottle cap above the seam binding bow, and a clock flair button at the top of the sentiment square.

I added a trio of scrap materials to the top of the sentiment square:  light brown fabric mini blossoms, cream pleated tulle, and cream vintage crochet trim.  I stapled this 'collection' to the card front.  For a pop of color, I added the crimson paper blossom, and a text print leaf sprig.

For the embellishment at the opposite corner, I added a multi-loop bow made from aqua seam binding.  I tied on a heart shape tag with silver bakers twine.  I hand-stamped the sentiment: Hugs.  I added a mini bottle cap to the top of the bow.  I thought the silver bottle cap and aqua center help pull the card together.  

The sentiment was heat embossed in silver, on cream card stock.  And the final touch was a trio of rhinestones at opposite corners of the sentiment square. 

Thank you for looking.  I will have this card posted in my Etsy shop for sale.  Also, I have discounted my stamp sets, to their lowest price possible: 40% off retail price.  I have also added more stamp sets to my shop.  Enjoy your weekend!

Save the Date, Mom

~ photo heavy post ~

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I am.  I wake up early this morning, because I had a paper crafting idea in my head and I just had to create it {smile}! Had that ever happen to you?   

When I was in Pheonix, I stopped into a vintage, shabby chic style shop, and picked up some gorgeous, and I do mean gorgeous! pattern paper by Teresa Collins: Save the Date.  So, I am set off to craft, and craft I did!  However, I had one little major hiccup.  No sticky strip/scor-tape.  And that is not like me.  I actually went into town yesterday to get some errands done.  And picking up more sticky strip/scor-tape, was one of the errands that I just didn't get around to doing.   Not that I didn't have time, just no motivation.  It was getting late and the thought of running into one more store and standing in one more line was over-whelming, and that errand was skipped {frown}.  So, neither of these two crafts are complete.  So, photographing them, was a bit of a struggle.

here is what I made:

and here are some close-ups:

This is not a card, exactly.  It's another one of those card-gift combo.  I just love making these {smile}.  

I added a soft, gentle brown plaid ribbon to hold the gift box closed.  I didn't want the ribbon to compete with the pattern paper.  I wanted a ribbon that matched, but gets lost with the large flourish pattern paper.

For the top of this tilted piece, I wanted to add something special.  So, I cut a paper doily, and machine sewed some aqua mist dyed seam binding across the top.  I added a multi-loop bow and a pearl brad.

I really wanted to show-off the aqua mist color.  I think it really it's a beautiful shade, and the coral floral print really pops against the aqua pieces {smile}.

I used Soft Suede card stock, by Stampin' Up! to create the outside, main piece.  I used the large flourish pattern as the main panel.  

I used Aqua Mist card stock, to matt the center, main panel.  I thought it really made the floral pattern paper pop!  I love roses, and the colors in this pattern paper is so inviting and refreshing against the cold weather.

I added two rows of machine stitching.  I purposely didn't make straight lines, to give a home-made look.

The reverse side of the rose pattern paper, is this beautiful aqua lattice print.  I matted this piece onto a scrap piece of soft suede card stock.

The leaves were cut from soft suede card stock.  I thought it added a beautiful contrast.  I added three blossoms: Aqua, Coral, and Vanilla.  To add a little pizzazz, I brushed some Picket Fence distress paint along the tips of the petals and added some dazzling diamond glitter.

For the sentiment, I stamped 'happy mother's day' in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink.  I thought soft suede classic ink looked too dark.

And, a card I created with the same pattern paper: Save the Date.

This card, is roughly a copy of the card-box combo I created above.  I did do a 'less is more' concept of this card.  I did the same style of machine stitching on the floral pattern paper.  

I added a decorative edge to the soft suede matt and the aqua lattice pattern paper.  

I added the soft, brown plaid ribbon to the card front.  I tied it in a simple bow sideways, to allow room for a coral colored paper blossom.  I cut some leaves from Aqua Mist card stock.  I added some Picket Fence crackle paint and dazzling diamond glitter to the edges of the blossom and leaves.

A simple, but pretty Mother's Day card, made with some very beautiful pattern paper by Tersea Collins {smile}.  Stay tuned, I will be creating more crafts with these pattern papers.

Thank you for stopping by.  Both of these items will be for sale at my May Craft Fairs.  

I'll have more photos of more crafts soon.  Take care.  I hope you have a chance to craft, and create something beautiful this week!  I need to start working on some Easter themed paper crafts tomorrow {smile}.

Birthday Wishes From the Heart

What a crazy week.  I returned from Phoenix, Arizona Sunday evening, and have spent the last few days getting caught up on household chores.  So, I haven't spent too much  time in my craft room.  But, I was able  to sneak away, and create this evening {smile}.

One of the sketch challenge blog sites that I religiously visit is Retro Sketches.  These lovely, talented ladies have a creative perspective on paper crafting.  Their sketches are simple.  But, your interpretation doesn't have to be.  

here is this week's sketch:

here is what I created:

I used Aqua Mist card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  Love this color.  It's a sweet, soft blue, with a tinge of green.  I felt that the card stock was too smooth.  Is that possible?  Anyways, I'm not a fan of CAS.  So, I added a piece of textured Pool Party card stock from Stampin' Up!.  The colors aren't exact matches, but the slight differences do make a good pair.

I cut a piece of the 'Save the Date' Bouquet by Teresa Collins (winter 2014) to create the rectangle piece.  I matted it with a scrap piece of Soft Suede card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The thing that really caught my eye about this paper is the beautiful coral-ish colored roses.  The mint green leaves.  The tan stripes.  The tiny brown blossoms.  and the texture!  

I added a small scrap piece of light brown plaid ribbon to the lower left corner.  I attached the ribbon with a staple, and then added a white vintage button.

The sentiment piece was created with the stamp set and matching dies: Vintage Labels by Amuse Studios.  I stamped the outline in Soft Suede classic ink.  The sentiment is from the Signature Dress Form stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.  I added a small piece of paper doily to the bottom portion.  I punched a heart shape from  the 'Save the Date' Ikat by Teresa Collins (winter 2014).  I adhered the heart with foam tape.  I added a button to the center of the heart with a glue dot.  To finish the card, I added a trio of facet cut faux half pearls.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you get a chance to play along with the talented ladies over @ Retro Sketches.