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}

Mother's Coupon

Howdy.  I hope you are well.  Me, I'm busy, tired, training, and still working.  I don't always get to craft as much as I want.  But, I did carve out some time, to get this card created, and in the mail.  It's a hand-made card I made my mom, for Mother's Day.  I used items I already had.  Because sometimes you just need to stop spending $, when your stash is overgrown.  {smile}

here is what I created:

an angled view:

The card base is made from Pink Pirouette card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the heavy weight of their card stock.  Sturdy, and holds up to embellishing.  And the soft sweet color is perfect.

The plaid pattern paper is Chicken Scratch from Paper Trey Ink.  It's a River Rock or Fresh Linen color.  I thought it matched the leaved in the pattern paper almost perfect.  The floral Pattern Paper is from American Crafts.  

I took one paper doily and cut it in half and adhered it to opposite corners.  And then machine stitched the pattern papers together.  I just love the homespun look cards have with machine stitching.  I took a scrap piece of cotton trim and wrapped it around the pattern papers.  I added a piece of soft pale pink seam binding to the cotton trim, and machine stitched them to the card front.  

I hand-stamped the coupon onto a scrap piece of white linen card stock, in crumb cake classic ink.  I adhered the coupon onto the card front with foam tape.  I hand-stamped the 'Love You' onto a scrap piece of vellum card stock, in Versa Mark.  I used Early Espresso embossing powder, and heat embossed the sentiment.  I cut the the vellum card stock with scallop scissors.  (yeah, I still have several pairs of those scissors.)

I added two different, white, paper blossoms to the right side of the coupon.  I tucked in some leaves that I hand-punched from a green and mint card stock.  I tied a double bow with the same pale pink seam binding, and adhered it to the card front just under the paper blossoms.  I adhered a white glitter clay rose to the center of the bow.

Thank you for stopping by.  I mailed this card to my mom earlier this week, and super happy she received it before today {smile}.  I want to wish all the moms out there Happy Mother's Day!  Being a mom is hard work, but super rewarding!  

Polka Dot Book Card/Gift

Whew.  This wonderful weekend is almost up!  Yikes!  Sorry I haven't been present, but like so many of you, I too, have had several 'new' commitments this week.  And the result is this late post.  {frown}

I am still working with this wonderful Polka Dot Party pattern paper collection from American Crafts.  I am really working at using all the pieces, scraps, and left over cuts of this fabulous pattern paper collection.  Today I want to share the cover of one of my card/box combo gifts.  I really don't know what to call it.  It acts like a card.  It holds a gift.  It opens like a book.  See my dilemma!

Ok, before we begin.  I haven't yet finished the inside.  I need to make the box that holds the gift.  The box acts like a drawer.  You pull the 'tray' out of this fabulous little holder, to expose the 'gift'.  How super sweet, huh?

Ok.  Before I get to the recipe.  I will post images of the inside, once I get that done.  I am looking at finishing the box/tray compartment this evening while watching some TV.  

One more disclaimer, this project isn't entered in any challenge.  I am just crafting! {smile}

Recipe:  The outside of this 'book' is made with crisp cantaloupe card stock by Stampin' Up!  I just love this coral, peach-y, pink hued card stock.  And the heavy weight, works wonderful with this project.  I also used SU! dark grey card soick for my matts.

I used the polka dot pattern paper as my main panels for all the outside pieces.  

I took some left over scraps of this beautiful cream fabric trim and fussy sewn it to the polka dot piece.  I purposefully left it over hanging at the top and bottom.

For the focal matt, I used a piece of the floral pattern paper, matted with the grey card stock, and sewn it to a coastal cabana card stock piece.  (I just love machine stitching on a hand made card.) 

I took two white blossom shapes, stacked those.  I added a coral paper blossom to their center.  I brushed white paint onto their petal tips, and while the paint was wet, I dunked them into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I added a hoop of pearls to the back.  I adhered this piece to the front with hot glue.  I tucked in a Prima zipper pull, that reads, 'priceless'.  I tied a multi-loop bow, made from 1/4" silk ribbon, from Paper Trey Ink.  (Love this ribbon.)  I added a melissa frances crystal dangle to the center of the multi-loop bow.  Finally, I added a Prima butterfly stick pin.  I cut a pair of leaves out of scrap piece of retired card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Its a bluish grey green card stock.  I used my thread cutter to distress the edges, and crinkled them with my fingers.

Finally, I heat embossed the sentiment right onto the pattern paper.  "Heartfelt THANKS" in silver embossing powder.

This book, card, gift combo piece uses ribbon to hold it closed.  I used an Aqua twill ribbon by Paper Trey Ink.  I just love how soft, and flexible this ribbon is.  And the color really works with the pattern paper.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I am headed back into my craft room.  I want to play along with a couple of challenges.  Take care.  Remember, please do something that you love every single day!  Craft, sew, bake, paint, etc.  Simply CREATE.  It really does wonders for your heart, mind, and soul {heart}!

Pretty Heart, gift card holder

Howdy!  Welcome!  I just can't get enough of this Polka Dot Party pattern paper, from American Crafts.  It is just so pretty and very easy to work with!  I didn't want to keep cutting my large left over pieces, so I have made a few gift card holders out of the little scraps {smile}  I guess I am really embracing this 'use what you have' mantra I have been chanting {smile}.

To help with some direction/inspiration, I headed over to a 'new to me' challenge blog:  Cupcake Inspiration.  Now, for those who know me, I imagine you aren't surprised that I have stumbled upon this challenge site.  And you are probably more surprised that I haven't found it earlier {smile}.  And if you don't know me, I love cupcakes.  So much so, that I have considered owning/operating my own cupcake food truck {smile}.

Ok, back to the task at hand.  The Cupcake Inspiration challenge site, is celebrating their 300th challenge!  How fabulous is that?  And their challenge is:  Sparkle!

Sparkle!  I can do sparkle!  Rhinestones and sequins sparkle!  

and I love the color of the frosting! a nice aqua blue!

here is what I made:

sparkle: rhinestones

and another gift card holder:

sparkle: sequins

inside the gift card holder, the sentiment is heat embossed:

Recipe:  The solid card stocks are Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana, from Stampin' Up! The pattern papers are from the Polka Dot Party collection, by American Crafts.

The sentiments on the front of the card holders are stamped in grey classic ink, onto whisper white card stock.  The stamp set is retired, Water Color Trio.  I also used a retired die to cut the decorative labels.  All of which are from Stampin' Up!  These decorative labels have been adhered to the front of the gift card holders with foam tape.

The sentiment inside the gift card holders is from CTMH.  I actually received this stamp as a 'thank you' gift from my CTMH consultant. {smile}  I stamped the sentiment in versa mark ink, added silver embossing powder, and heat embossed.  I think the raised lettering adds some pizzazz and sparkle.

I used my small pattern paper scrap pieces to decorate these two gift card holders.  I am saving my larger scraps for a card-box combo.  I should be able to finish this project tomorrow or so.  Don't fret, I will post some photos here {smile}.

I added some crinkled seam binding, that I tied into multi-loop bows.  The bows are attached to the front of the holders with brads: rhinestone and pearl. 

Thank you for looking!  I hope you get a chance to play along with these talented ladies over @ Cupcake Inspirations.  Help them celebrate their 300th challenge and create something that sparkles!

Book of Prayers

~ photo heavy post ~

So, if you tuned in yesterday, you saw a card I made with this wonderful pattern paper collection from American Crafts, Polka Dot Party.  It has these wonderful patterns in a soft aqua color, and this peachy pink color.  The patterns have this worn hue to them.  Just shabby chic heaven to me!  So, I wanted to keep playing with this paper, and I have a new creation to share with you! {smile}

This new discovery came when I was looking for a challenge to play along in, and I stopped by a favorite spot:  Word Art Wednesday.  This weeks challenge is anything goes, but these lovely, talented ladies always include a scripture.  You aren't required to use the scripture in your project, but I really want to!  Its a beautiful verse from John 15:9, talking about the Lord's love for his children, and how we all should show the same love toward each other.  I think that would help everyone be a better person.  So, I have used it!

and here is what I made:

I altered a mini composition notebook.  I thought how wonderful would that be, to have something beautiful to jot down notes, write out dreams, sketch layouts, or simply have a beautiful place to write down prayers, scripture, or anything else your heart desires! {smile}

This mini composition book measures approximately: 3 1/2" x 4 1/2".

Recipe:  The black spine of the book is covered in Coastal Cabana card stock, by Stampin' Up!  The striped pattern paper is adhered to the cover.  I added the same pattern paper to the back of this book.  I also stamped my branding on the back cover.  That way, when the recipient needs another book, they know how to contact me/where to shop! {smile}

I used my Crop-A-Dile to create the eyelet holes, and to set the eyelets.  

I used a vintage cream twill ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink, as the mechanism to hold the book closed.

I added a small piece of the polka dot pattern paper to the inside of the barrel of the pen.  So, it all matches.  That's my OCD shining through!  But, doesn't it look 'complete'?

For the center panel of the book cover, I used a piece of the floral pattern paper.  I just love these blossoms!  I used my thread cutter to rough-up/distress the edges of the pattern paper.  I matted the floral pattern paper onto a piece of crisp cantaloupe card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I used my thread cutter on the solid card stock, too.  Then I ran this matted floral pattern paper piece through my sewing machine, to add a simple sewn border.  I adhered this piece to the center of the book cover.  To add a little softness, I tucked in a scrap piece of cream crochet trim I had laying on my craft desk.  (It's such a small piece, I believe it is the cut off piece from another project.)

I printed the scripture onto whisper white card stock, and cut it out.  I matted it onto Coastal Cabana card stock, by Stampin' Up!  I simply adhered this sentiment piece onto the book cover.  I want to keep things as flat as possible.  

Now for the focal piece!  {ok, it doesn't support the 'keep the cover flat' mind set.}  I have a few skeleton keys left over from a Christmas project:  Santa Keys.  And I wanted something unique, pretty, and relevant.  Hum.  Key to my heart, key to success, key to happiness.  These are my mind's thought process as to why add the key.

So, I tied this beautiful peach-y pinkish seam binding around the key.  Made a multi-loop bow.  Added a bow made of white tulle behind the key.  Tied on a white/clear vintage button from Paper Trey ink, to the center of the bow, and viola!  

I hot glued this focal piece to the front of the book.

I also lined the inside of the book.  That way, you don't see the twill ribbon on the inside of the book. Yep, that OCD is really working for me! {smile}.  I used the Cantaloupe and dark grey polka dot pattern paper for the inside.

Well, thank you for stopping by!  I hope you like my little book.  And I hope the photos weren't too much!  I haven't quite decided if I am putting this book in my Etsy shop, or not.  I am crafting to increase my inventory for this year's Spring Craft Fair.  So, we will see what all I get completed.  The Spring Craft Fair I am selling at is May 2, 2015 @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  If you are in the area, please stop by!  I'd love to see you!

The Sweet Life, card

Welcome!  my dh plowed all the snow off our driveway, and shoveled it off the walkways!  Yahoo! and the State did come through late yesterday to plow the road.  I can now leave, if I want to.  But, maybe I'll stay and craft something {smile}.

Since I was snow bound yesterday, for a good portion of the day, I decided to make the best of it, and craft!  It was very good for my soul.  But to start the creative juices flowing, I set out to surf the world wide web.  Because these days, everyone wants to share what they have made, and the challenge sites are pretty user friendly.

To start, I stopped by a favorite of mine!  the Shabby Tea Room.  I haven't played in any of their challenges this year, so I wanted to participate.  The ladies there always have wonderful work, and their inspiration is just gorgeous!  This is the current challenge:

Now, for those who know me, isn't this just right up my alley?  Pink, Aqua, flowers, jars, shabby chic goodness!  So, yeah, I have created something for this challenge!

I bet you were thinking that I would have a mason jar on my card, huh?  Well, I almost did!  But, I was struggling with it, and so I decided to let this beautiful pattern paper from American Crafts, take center stage!  The collection is called Polka Dot Party!  The Aqua and Cantaloupe stripe pattern paper has these cute little scottie dogs on the reverse side.  The Cantaloupe and Dark Grey polka dot pattern is a solid aqua with white splatters on it.  And the beautiful floral pattern paper has arrows.  Very modern, and very versatile!  Which is always a good think in paper!  Don't you agree?

 RECIPE:  The card base is Coastal Cabana card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I layered a piece of the polka dot pattern paper onto the stripe pattern paper and ran this stack through my sewing machine to add a simple machine stitch border.  

I then matted a piece of the floral pattern paper onto Crisp Cantaloupe card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Ran that stack through my sewing machine, to give it a simple machine stitched border, too.  I just love how the pattern look 'old', vintage, and worn.  So, that is why I think the machine stitching pairs so perfect!  I tucked in a scrap piece of cream lace trim to the left of the floral pattern piece.

I added a pale pinkish colored crinkle seam binding around the front of the card.  And machine stitched it the front of the card.  I make a multi-loop bow.  Added a pearl brad to the center of the bow and adhered it to the card front.

I stamped my sentiment onto whisper white card stock, by Stampin' Up! in versa mark ink.  I added some silver embossing powder, and heat embossed the sentiment.  This gives some dimension to the sentiment.  I added foam tape to the back of the sentiment square and tucked it in close the bow.  

The final touch was adding some silver faucet sequins to the card front.  It looked like it was missing something and buttons just wasn't cutting it, so I added sequins.  To tie in the pearl brad, I added some pearls to the center of the sequins.  That way the sequins and brad don't look out of place.

Thank you stopping by!  I am having so much fun working with this paper, I just might make some more pretty things!