Ticket of Gratitude

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

and here is what I did:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Baby Buttons on Friday

wow, this year is going by fast.  I can't hardly believe that it is already August.  Can you?  So, to start off another month, the lovely Robbie, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday has a wonderfully creative sketch for you to try.

this week's sketch

Ok, before you get discouraged, frustrated, or none of that, lets take a second look at the sketch.  The long vertical piece on the left hand side, can be almost anything.  Think: ribbon, box pleat, accent piece, stacked flowers, a row of hearts, a stream of butterflies.  See the new possibilities?  Ok, next, the rectangle piece with the arch.  The rectangle can be a matted piece, a tag, an accent piece, also.  The arch piece can be leaves, a bow, a doily, or an oval/circle accent piece.  Can you picture the card coming together, now?

  

The card base is pink pirouette cardstock.  The main panel is whisper white cardstock.  I used an embossing folder to create the texture.  For the vertical piece, I used the plaid wheel inked in pink pirouette classic ink.  I used the polka dot pink pattern paper from the subtles dsp and the scallop border punch to create the scallop edges of the plaid piece.  I used my sewing machine to make the simple border along both sides.

I love layers, and so I couldn't put one single sentiment banner.  So, I created a doily with the delicate doily stamp set, versa mark ink, white embossing powder, and vellum cardstock. Pretty, huh?  I used the That's the Ticket stamp set, to create the ticket.  I stamped the ticket onto pink pirouette cardstock and versa mark ink.  I heat embossed the text with white embossing powder.  And to create the curved banner, I used the Itty Bitty Banner set.  I 'colored' the outline of the stamp with my basic black marker, and the sentiment in soft suede marker, then stamped onto whitsper white card stock.  

To create the rectangle piece with a arch, I created a frame.  I used the designer frame embossing folder to create the 'frame'.  The crumb cake card stock has texture to keep this piece from looking flat.  I used foam tape to adhere the frame to the card front.

I made a trio of buttons from clay, using SU!'s new button & blossom mold.  I thought that they add a simple sweet embellishment.  

Now, for the arch piece, I added a dyed seam binding 'hanger'.  I used pink pirouette re inker to dye some very vanilla seam binding.  I tied a simple bow and used the tails to hold the frame.

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you have been inspired.  So, grab your stamping supplies, card stock, embellishments, and create a card using our sketch and play along with us @ SFF!

Remember this . . .

time well spent.  

That is a wonderful memory that makes you feel warm, loved, and truly happy.  The kind of happy that evokes a smile inside out.  Few things in life give me this.  My children/grandchildren are the first things that come to mind.  I believe that it is their innocence.  Their thirst to experience life.  My dog, Sasha, is a running second.  I have to admit, its this 'unconditional love', that feeds my soul.  It gives me a feeling of calm and the courage to 'spread my wings'.  It's from this passion that motivates and inspires me to create. 

With Mother's Day right around the corner, ok, tomorrow.  I'm sure you have a memory that makes you happy, proud to be a parent.  Whether its the first time your child rode their bike without training wheels, their first ballet recital, their first time in a T-ball uniform, their first 'A' on a spelling test, or any other wonderfully sweet exhibit of their independence.  These milestones are actually stepping stone in parenthood.  Because your love started when their first breath took yours away!  Now, you need to nurture their desires, their interests, their passions, their independence.  Help them become responsible, loving, mature people, who have a passion, an interest, a goal.

The talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have a beautiful challenge this week.  The inspirational photo has a collection of stacked soft, neutral blankets in a wicker basket.  They ask that you also use some dry embossing and stitching to help add some texture.

Here is their inspirational photo:

This inspirational photo, stirred these parental feelings in me.  The different textures, the ruffles, the stripes, the crispness of the wicker, the contrast of the white numbers.  A collection of 'life', so to speak. 

This photo brought memories of my daughter.  I know that just sounds crazy.  But, this stack of blankets are 'her'.  She is a warm and compassionate woman to her friends.  A loving and patient mother to her children (she has 3, with one on the way).  A best friend and partner to her husband.  And a wonderfully warm, kind, and funny person to everyone who interacts with her.  She values her family, and is grateful for her blessings.  So, her Mother's Day card was made with this inspirational photo.  

here is what I made:

This collage is the result of the inspiration photo.  All the different elements make me think of her, my daughter.  The dry embossing comes from the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder by Stampin' Up!.  I sewn a border around the card front with my sewing machine.  I find the hum of the machine soothing.

I used two different neutral floral pattern papers: the rectangle with the glitter photo corner, and the matt behind the black pattern paper on the doily.  The floral pattern paper shows how she isn't exactly a girly-girl, but still very much a woman.  

The mini post card is actually a digital download, from Ephemera's Vintage Garden: little blackbirds, found here.  It represents her love for keeping in touch with family and friends.

The clock image, is hand-stamped onto a piece of a balsa wood sheet.  The stamp comes from Hero Arts: Keeping Time.  The clock represents how time flys!

The 2 cent stamp and the ticket stub, are stamps from Stampin' Up!: Postage Due and That's the Ticket.  These two pieces represent the memorabilia from different family vacations.

The white shabby resin lock, is from Melissa Frances.  The lock with bow represents home.  My daughter does everything that she can to keep a clean, comfortable, and loving home for her family.  

The white paper doily is from Martha Stewart: Doily Tags.  This soft, sweet addition, reminds me of the softer side of this  adventurist mom.

The black and white text paper, is from Prima: Printery Collection.  This is the contrast to the doily.  My daughter is a strict but fair parent.

The butterfly is made with a grey puffy fabric.  The center of the butterfly is made with a floral shape of glimmer paper and a fabric blossom; both by Stampin' Up!  I love the butterfly.  To me, it represents 'change'.  Life is full of change.  So embrace it.  Or it'll run you over.  The fabric blossom represents growth.  My daughter's growth as a young woman, wife, and mother.  This collection is for the sweeter side of her.  She is a strong person, but also tender-hearted.

The two trims across the card front were selected because of the inspiration photo. The mix of textures, fabrics, and neutrals. I added the trio of buttons to represent the way a mother 'holds her family together' with love, praise, and support.

Also, I just love this grey-ish polka dot distressed pattern paper by Glitz.  It looks like fabric, to me.  I thought it paired nicely with the over-all look of the card.

Finally, the sentiment says it all!  This sentiment comes from the Everyday Moments stamp set by Teresa Collins.  'I want to always Remember...'.  I believe that this sentiment is very personal to each person who reads it.  And I didn't want to add a generic sentiment. But rather an unique sentiment to go with an unique, special card, to celebrate Mother's Day!  

Thank you for looking.  I hope I have inspired you to play along with the latest challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room.  Let the photo help you create something wonderfully beautiful and personal {smile}.

Happy Mother's Day, to all of you who have 'children', whether they are human, canine, bovine, etc.  When we nurture, love and support another, we in turn help ourselves grow.  

~stop-by tomorrow, for a chance to win some blog candy~

Sweet Valentine

Welcome.  On this Friday, Patrice, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has a wonderful sketch for you to try this week.   This sketch has alot of potential!

Here is this week's sketch:

This sketch looks pretty straight forward.  But, what if you replaced the squares with. . . .?  

Sometimes, you need to think out side of the perverbial box.  You could replace the squares with tags, hearts, circles, butterflies, etc.

here is what I created:

I replaced the right lower square with an oval.  I also replaced the right upper square with a rectangle.  I added a few hearts, a button, a blossom, and a few tiny tags!

The card base is basic grey card stock.  I ran the main panel of very vanilla card stock throught my swiss dot embossing folder.  I wrapped a piece of basic grey taffeta ribbon around the top of the main panel and tied it in a bow.

To start, I created the largest piece.  I used pink pirouette card stock and an oval embossing folder.  I tore around the edges.  I used basic black card stock and white craft ink to added the faux chalk board technique.  I used a clear heart-shape button, a tiny piece of real red card stock, and white baker's twine to add a whimsical embellishment.  

The two square pieces that I kept, are the postage stamps.  Those I stamped twice, and layered.  I wanted to add a sweet embellishment to the 'Paris' stamp, so I created my own blossom from card stock.  I sponged some pretty in pink classic ink.   I added an embossed grey heart, to help 'connect' the hearts.

The top right square, I replaced with a rectangle.  I have a weakness for ticket stubs.  Just so nostalgic.  I wanted to add something, but I didn't want to distract from the ticket.  So, I embossed a pink heart, and added two tiny tags, stamped with 'Love' and {love}.

The sentiment, was actually the easiest piece to create.  I took a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock, and cut it 1/2" wide.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig, to position the sentiment.  I used a square punch to create the banner ends.  I used some dimensionals to lift the sentiment banner off the front of the card.

So, give Patrice's sketch a try, over @ SFF.   Let's see what you create!

thinking of you friend

Another week cruising by at a quick pace.  I really need to figure out how to sleep less, so I can get more done in one day!  EEK!  But, if nothing else, I did carve out a few minutes to give my blog a face lift, so to speak.  I added a new header and the a new post break.  I wanted something with a splash of color, and since red is one of my favorites, I thought, why not!  I think it brightens up this space. {smile}

Today is Friday, and that means another beautiful sketch challenge!  This week, Kim is our sketch designer, @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Kim has a way of making interesting and user-friendly sketches. 

Here is the sketch:

Here is what I did:

I started with a piece of Summer Starfruit card stock.  This yellow, is a deep rich color.  

I used some of the new DSP from Stampin' Up!  This pattern paper is from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  (When you purchase $50 in products, you can select any item from the SAB catalog, FREE!)  I used two different pattern papers from this package of Sycamore Street DSP.  The Rich Razzleberry chevron stripe paper is matted on a piece of rich razzleberry card stock.  

I used two different stamp sets for this card.  The postage stamps are in the Big Catalog,  'Postage Due' stamp set.  The ticket pieces are from the 'That's the Ticket' stamp set.  The images are stamped and then punched with cordinating hand-held punches.

The sentiment is actually two stamps from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' stamp set.  One stamp says, 'thinking of you' while the other stamps says, '{friend to friend}'.  So, to create the custom sentiment, I used my basic grey classic ink marker, and 'colored' each word before stamping. I will let you in on a little secret: to get the words lined up, just so, I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  This amazing positioning tool allows you to stamp just where you want to, without second guessing.

I lightly sponged the edges of the postage stamps and tickets with basic grey classic ink.  I wanted the borders of the tickets and stamps to have some definition.

To add a little eye candy, I tied some white bakers twine thru a Sycamore Button and used a glue dot to secure it to the front of the card, at the top, with the cluster of stamps and a ticket.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope that you have been inspired to play along with us @ SFF.

This card will not be for sale in my Etsy shop.  Rather, it is going in the mail for a very dear friend.  I missed an important date with her, and I really need to make it up to her.  So, I am sending her a hand-made card done in bright, cheery colors to brighten her day, and to say 'I'm sorry'.