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!

Classic Thank You

Good Morning.  And welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I am still crafting with what I have in my craft room.  Let me just say, that it can be both overwhelming and liberating at the same time.  I have grown into quite the paper craft hoarder collector.  I believe with all honesty I could open my own paper crafting supply store with what I have on hand.  {yikes}

But, one of my New Year's Resolutions, has been to start using what I have instead of purchasing new supplies.  Now, don't get me wrong, I still make purchases, just a lot smaller in quantity and $$$.  {a whole lot smaller}  

I am playing along with two groups of wonderfully talented paper crafters today.  

My first stop is @ Paper Craft Crew Challenge #309.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  And I love a good sketch.  To me, a good sketch is one that is super versatile and can be embellished or clean and simple.  Here is their sketch:

(Stampin' Up! products used: card stock, glimmer paper, and thin silver cord)

See what I mean!  The circle can be any shape, or item (blossom, doily, star, witch, etc) and the scallop border can be just that, or any other decorative border, or lace.  Can you see it?

My next stop is over @ Word Art Wednesday  This beautiful challenge site, is always Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  Now who wouldn't love to play along with them.  They provide a scripture that you can use with your paper craft, but is not required.  

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  this blank inside greeting card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The card base is made with Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the hue of this blue.  The blue pattern papers are from American Crafts.  I just love the aquamarine color.  And those grey and white blossoms are just gorgeous!

I used some glitter paper from Stampin' Up! for both the scallop trim and a small banner piece under the sentiment to add sparkle.  I had a scrap piece of a grey plaid pattern paper, so I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, but I believe it is core'dinations.  

I did a slim dark grey matt under the blossom pattern paper, and machine stitched all the layers together.  I also machine stitched the ribbon across the card.  I tied a double bow with the ribbon, and tied the bow to a vintage Aqua Mist button, by Paper Trey Ink, using  thin silver cord by Stampin' Up!.  I hot glued the bow-button combo to the card front.  I added a light grey faux half pearl to the center of the double bow.

I stamped my sentiment: Thank You, in a basic grey classic ink onto a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used a favorite stamp set by Altnew: Label Love.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.

I used my one and only dark grey fabric blossom by CTMH.  I thought it worked perfectly.  And my final touch, was the addition of a trio of brushed silver sequins.

Thank you for looking, and I surely hope you get a chance to create something beautiful today! {smile}

Office Boss Card

Howdy, and welcome.  Sorry that I have been 'missing' from my blog.  I have posted a few things on my Facebook page.  You are always to welcome to check that out.  I try to post different images there.  Only to help keep it fresh {smile}.

I made a card today for my bestie.  She is a terrific lady, and our lives have gotten very busy with our own families.  So, we haven't been hanging out as much as we use to.  We have started scheduling 'dates' each month, just so we don't loose touch.  Todays world has become so hectic and overwhelming, that most of us don't have time for ourselves, let alone some of our most cherished friends.  {frown}  It's not always by choice, but rather a simple lack of time.  

I am entering my card into three different, but equally beautiful challenges.

Let's start with the sketch.  I headed over to the Paper Craft Crew Challenge.  Their current challenge is a beautiful sketch.  One that is simple, but easily expandable.  Great, right?

My next stop was to get a bit more direction.  So I stopped by the Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  A super fun and creative challenge site.  They use tic tac toe boards, so it allows you structured freedom.  Gotta love that!

stripes, ribbon, floral

And last, I wanted a bit more influence, so I stopped by the Double D Challenge.  This creative site has themes, items, and just a great variety of different challenges.  Their current one: twine!  How super fun is that? and twine is very easy to work with.  Give it a go!

and here is what I created:

Recipe: this card is a typical A2 size (5 1/2" x 4 1/4").  Blank inside.  

I used bashful blue card stock by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  (its a discontinued color)  I just love the softness, and the true blue color.  I also used not quite navy card stock by Stampin' Up! for the matting.  For the same reason.  The pureness of the blue, the beautiful heavy-weight of the card stock.

The pattern papers are from a digital collection I purchased.  I printed the stripes and small print onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The slick-ness of this card stock takes ink beautifully.  The large print, base pattern paper was printed onto white linen card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The sturdiness of this card stock, along with the texture, makes it beautiful to print on.  {smile}

The stripe panel is adhered to the card front with foam  tape.  The sentiment is adhered to the card front with foam tape, as well.

I tied bashful blue satin ribbon from Stampin' Up! (retired) to the 'tag' piece.  I tied a blue button to the center of the bow with a copper & cream twine.  The star I made.  I used sparkle white clay, and a star mold.  

The sentiment is hand-stamped.  I used ultra detail antique copper embossing powder for the sentiment.  I used the Label Love stamp set by Altenew.  And the final touch was the trio of copper sequins by Prima.

Thank you for looking.  I need to get this card in the mail!  Have a great day!  And I hope that you have a chance to play along with any/all of these challenges.  {smile}

Beautiful You Card

Howdy, and welcome!  Today I wanted to share with you a card I hand-crafted.   I wanted to make something pretty, with a generic sentiment.  This card isn't for anyone, so nothing specific.  I just wanted to paper craft.   I set out looking at a few of my favorite paper challenge sites to get some direction, and I found some very fun challenges.  So, let's get started!

I wanted a bit more direction, so I decided on a sketch challenge.  I knew what I wanted to use, I just needed a little more direction.  So, I stopped by the Paper Craft Crew challenge site.  This challenge site mostly does sketches.  But every now and again they will throw in a theme, or tic tac toe board, but they will always inspire you!  

I didn't rotate or flip their current sketch.  I used it as is!  I also did not switch out the blossom images for any other shaped item.

Since I already knew what pattern paper I wanted to use, and I now have a sketch to work with, I decided to play along with the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday.  Their challenges are : anything goes, family friendly.  

You will be pleasantly surprised by this design team.  They are very creative and talented, and the submissions are pretty great too!

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  this blank inside greeting card is the typical A2 size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I used cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  This card stock is a beautiful heavy weight, so it stands up to my embellishing!  The main panel matt is Kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  I just love the neutral soft color of kraft. {smile}

The pattern papers are digital.  I use my at home printer to print these.  I used whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up! for 3 of the pattern papers.  This card stock has a 'slick' feel to it, and allows the card stock to take the ink from my printer beautifully! I have zero complaints.  The small square that has the sentiment on it, I shrunk down.  It would have printed 6" x 6", but I wanted the whole sheet of paper to be my focal piece.  And I just love the sentiment.  That piece I printed on Linen card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  I felt the added texture would help give my card some depth, and not be so flat.

I cut my top pattern paper, so that the mix of floral images would have some blues in it, to help tie the bottom pattern paper that is a blue collage with copper dots.  

I added a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I think it adds a 'homespun' look/feel.  

To hide the seam where the two pattern papers overlap, I added a scrap piece of white cotton trim, and topped that with a scrap piece of pale pink seam binding.  I added a little machine stitching there too.  It holds the card front together, and continues with the machine stitching along the card's edge.

The pink polka dot pattern paper, I flagged the end, for visual interest.  

To make my 'tag' piece, I simply added my pattern paper square to a scrap piece of the same Kraft card stock I used for the main matt.  I used my scissors to make the tag shape at the top.  I used a traditional hole punch to give my tag that finished look.  I threaded a piece of pale pink seam binding through the hole and tied a simple knot.  I then tied a simple knot of pale pink tinsel to a rich brown button, and hot glued it to the top of my seam binding bow.  I adhered the tag to the card front with foam tape, to help elevate it off the front of the card.

The paper blossoms are from my stash.  The brownish blossom is from Prima.  I just loved the color.  Not quite brown.  Not quite copper.  The white paper blossom and the little pink paper blossom are from LemonCraft.  I added some white paint and glitter to the petals, of both blossoms.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look at what I created.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with either or both of these challenge sites.  Enjoy your Friday!

Pretty Little Birdie

Howdy.  I want to share with you another gift card holder I created for a very special someone.  I hope you like it {smile}

Recipe:  I used digital pattern paper, that I printed on both white Linen & whisper white card stock.  I used the textured (Linen card stock) to print the taupe pattern paper and the cream pattern card stock. I just love this added texture of the paper.  I added some machine stitching to help convey the homespun look and feeling {smile}.

The card base was made from Sahara Sand card stock.  I just love the soft color, and the heavy weight card stock is strong to hold up for these projects.

I matted the blue pattern paper to a pale pink card stock.  I wanted to highlight the pale pinks {smile}.  I also added a thin strip of the pale pink pattern paper to the top of the gift card holder, over the bow & scallop white cotton trim.   The pale pink pattern paper has taupe colored birds, flying in multiple directions on a pale pink background.  Super sweet!

The main panel was matted with a light taupe card stock, to help highlight this piece from the card front.

I added a sweet, delicate, paper doily to the main panel.  To help off set it, I added a piece of light blue pattern paper behind it.  This pattern is that taupe-y color hearts on top of the pale blue background.  I thought this heart pattern paper mimics a polka dot pattern paper, and so I just fell in love with it!

I added a large pink crepe paper blossom on the delicate paper doily.  To help tie the colors together, I added a triple bow tied with coconut seam binding.  I thought this color really matched the over-all taupe color.  To help the pale pink color to pop, I added a pale pink button to the center of the bow.  I also wanted to add some sparkle, so I tucked in a rhinestone charm.  It's a silver floral shape with a rhinestone center.  Just the right amount of sparkle.

The sentiment was hand-stamped in basic black classic ink, onto a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock.  I used a very retired stamp set from Stampin' Up! I just love the font!

Thank you for stopping by.  This gift card holder has already been mailed, and I hope the recipient is happy with my work {smile}.

Celebration Tickets

Howdy, and welcome.  I am still working on Christmas/Holiday themed crafts, but I think most folks are done with looking at those.  So, I am sharing some other paper crafts with you today - handmade cards.  It's like 'a hug with a fold in the middle' - how super sweet is that saying {smile}.

I am entering my card(s) into two challenges.  One a recent play-a-long, and the other is 'new-to-me'. So, let's start with the recent play-a-long:  Time Out Challenge.  Their current challenge is 'inspired by a word'.

I have chosen: Celebrate!

And the next challenge stop is a 'new-to-me' challenge:  Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Their current challenge is, well a sketch of course! {smile}

What originally caught my eye about this sketch, is the potential!  The circle can be a circle, a snowflake, a large blossom, a doily,  etc.  The possibilities are endless, and I just love those!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base of this card.  I just love the soft, creamy kraft color.  The pattern papers are from  three different manufacturers.  I've been working hard at using what I have, and not hoarding collecting craft supplies {smile}.  It's a work in progress.

The pink ledger pattern paper is from Bo Bunny.  The mint polka dot pattern paper is from Core'dinations. and the random ticket pattern paper is from American Crafts.  I just love how these soft, sweet colors mix so well {smile}.  I layered the pattern papers on top of each other, and then did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I just love the homespun look this gives my crafts.  I wrapped a piece of cream cotton trim, and seam binding around the lower third of the card, and sewn it in place.  Tied a double bow with the seam binding, and hot glued it to the front of the card.  I stamped and cut a wreath from the same crumb cake card stock, to repeat the color.  My sentiment is a stamp from Close To My Heart.  I stamped it in black ink onto a textured white card stock, then matted it with a scrap piece of pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.  I added some rhinestones to give it some bling, and tied a vintage button with a gold bakers twine to add to the sparkle.  The blossom was glittered and adhered to the card front.

I couldn't decide if I liked this card with pink or blue seam binding, so I simply made both.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you get a chance to play with either or both of these challenge sites.  Until my next craft share, have a great day!

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}

A Chocolate Hug & Kiss

Howdy, I hope this post finds you well, organized, and in the holiday spirit!  I wanted to share with you a little project I did, for several sweet folks in my life.  

I wanted to 'package' some chocolates in a fun and festive way.  But, something a little different, and sweet.  So, I headed to Pinterest.  (who doesn't these days)  And I stumbled (happily) across these tiny little chocolate packages.  When I say 'tiny' that is exactly what I mean.  T I N Y !!!  But super cute!  Ok, let's just admit somethings are just more adorable when you shrink them.  These little packages are no exception to that rule.  So, I set out to my craft room, and whipped up 13 of them.

here they are:

the whole lot

Now, when I photographed them, I forgot to add something to the photo to show scale.  So, I will just describe the tininess.  Each little teeny tiny package holds one Hershey Kiss and one Hershey Hug.  And you have to put them in point to point, or you won't be able to close the little 'box'.  That's how teeny tiny they are.  But, the adorable-ness is off the charts!

I found a tutorial on-line, so I quickly made one 'sample', and then some whipped them up.  Super fast, and easy.  And they used scraps to complete.  So more bonus points. {smile}  

The original designer is Dani Dziama.  She is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and on their official design team for 2017.  So, just a quick pointer if you make these: random pattern paper works best.  But if you use directional pattern paper, cut your pattern 4 1/4" wide, and pay close attention as to which end you put the closure.

a close-up

I wrapped the tops with various Stampin' Up! ribbon I had on hand.  These narrow ribbons work best.  Also, I added a dimensional adhesive (aka foam tape) to the back of each small oval sentiment.  Just to elevate it off the package.  I think these turned out super sweet!  And who knows they just may make an appearance at next years holiday craft fair!  {smile}

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something unique and sweet for the folks in your life.  I am off to baking cupcakes.  A super sweet friend has placed an order of milk chocolate cake, sweet whipped filling, and green vanilla buttercream icing with tiny red hearts.  So, let's get this baking party started!  {smile}  They are for a Grinch-themed holiday party.  How fun is that?

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! 

Let's Cook

Howdy! and welcome!  I've been a little busy getting some cards made, and well, I wanted to share the last one I made.  I had a request for some cupcakes, and you know me, I have to make them look delicious, package them pretty, and send along a card!  {smile}

I played along with two Anything Goes challenges, so I could create something simple, pretty, and just what I needed.  {smile}

I picked up this 'baking' pattern paper from our local scrapbooking store several weeks ago, only because I loved the paper.  And I finally got a chance to cut it!

I am entering my card @ Word Art Wednesday, for their Anything Goes challenge.  If you haven't played along with this talented group of ladies, you are certainly missing out.

I am also entering my card @ Brown Sugar Challenge, for their Anything Goes challenge, as well.  This design team will inspire you!  Please stop by and have a look.

and here is my card:

my card was selected as a 'Top 3' @ Word Art Wednesday

Recipe:  The card is a typical A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I used my favorite kraft card stock as the base.  I love the color and feel of this heavy weight card stock.

I used pattern paper from Bo Bunny, Kiss the Cook collection.  I just love the colors, the nostalgic patterns, and the beautiful images.  It reminds me of a church picnic.  Everything homemade, and delicious!

I layered two different but coordinating pattern papers and machine stitched them together.   I think machine stitching adds some much character to the card.  {smile}

I wrapped some mint blue seam binding around the card front.  Layered a paper doily from Stampin' Up! on top of the ribbon.  I stamped an oven mitt in Mint Macaroon classic ink, by Stampin' Up! onto white linen card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.   I used  the Country Kitchen stamp set by FarmHouse Paper Co.  I fussy cut the mitt out with my scissors.  And adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  I just love how this linen card stock gives the oven mitt the look of fabric!

Tied a multi-loop bow with the seam binding, and tied on a yellow button, to highlight the yellow in the pattern paper.

For my sentiment I used the Label Love stamp set by Altenew.  I am so loving this stamp set!  I stamped the sentiment  in basic black classic ink, onto vanilla card stock and fussy cut.  I adhered the sentiment bar to the card front with foam tape.

Viola!  My card isn't loaded with a pound of blossom, or trim, but I still think it looks sweet!  I hope you get a chance to create something beautiful and play along with these challenges!

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!  

Missing Mint

Howdy.  I hope your weekend was wonderful!  Productive!  Creative! and on track with your new year resolution.  Mine was.  {smile}

I am still loving my planner, and keeping my projects/tasks/chores organized.   I have also added my budget and menu, to my tasks.  It feels good to have those two chores organized.  {smile}

So, with my mind not on those items, I had some free time today to craft a little.  Gotta love that!

For starters, I stopped by Shabby Chic .  They have a color theme board.  The color theme is mint and their requirement is to craft in a shabby chic style.  And who doesn't love mint!  It is such a sweet, and refreshing color.  Mint pairs nicely with almost everything!

To help give me some direction, I stopped by a new-to-me challenge As You See It.  They have a sketch, as their current challenge.   I love working with sketches.  And this one is a good sketch.  easy to work with, and I did flip the sketch.

I stopped by my favorite challenge site:  Cupcake Inspiration.  This challenge site, always have some creative themes/inspirations.  Their current challenge is to use plaid.  Yep, plaid.  I just love their cupcake!  But, I wanted something a little more spring.  But those cupcakes look yummy!

And finally, I stopped by Brown Sugar Challenge.  Their current challenge is Anything Goes.  But please stop by to see what this creative design team has created!

All of these challenge sites, have very talented, creative folks on their design teams.  They will inspire you!

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  The card meausres 4 1/4" x 6 1/4".  The card base is made with a no name Kraft card stock.

The first matt is pool party card stock.  I matted the floral pattern paper with aqua mist card stock.  The mint & aqua plaid is actually a holiday pattern paper by My Mind's Eye.  Once these two pattern papers were adhered to the card front, I ran them thru my sewing machine to add a double border stitch, all the way around. I added a strip of mint lace, to cover the seam where the two pattern papers meet.  I machine stitched some aqua seam binding to the center of the lace.  I wrapped silver bakers twine around the middle.  I tied the seam binding into a double bow.  I also tied a simple bow with silver bakers twine. I added a trio of paper blossoms distressed with tea stain ink, and white acrylic paint.  They are adhered to the card front with my hot glue gun.  For the sentiment, I used a new-to-me stamp set by AlteNew: Label Love.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink,  and stamped on kraft card stock.  I used my scissors to cut out the sentiment piece, and adhered it to the card front with foam squares.  The final touch were these rain drops in mint.

Well, I hope you have a chance to play along with some (or all) of these challenge sites!