Tiny Treasure Tin

~ photo heavy post ~

I had a fabulous afternoon, today.  I had a chance to craft more greeting cards that hold gift cards.  I know sometimes, you want to give a gift card, but want a beautiful way to present it.  {smile}.  I will have photos posted on my Facebook page in a day or two.  

I also got a chance to finish a blank mint tin.  I painted the tin with 3 different colors of chalk paint: burlap, cotton, and shell.  The top color is a beautiful pale pink.  I used a sanding block and 2 different grits of sand paper, along with a damp sponge to distress the tin.  Once I was happy with the distressing, I sealed the paint.  And then added pattern paper, embellishments, and sponged ink.

The wonderfully talented ladies over @ Brown Sugar Challenge, have a current challenge: distress!

closed lid

Recipe:  I painted Burlap chalk paint first.  I wanted this soft brown color to peek through.  Then I painted a soft white (cotton) chalk paint.  And the final color is shell chalk paint.  I did dry embossing first.  Then I used a damp sponge to do some wet distressing.  The final step is to add a sealant.  {smile} 

the lid

For the lid, I tore two pinkish pattern papers.  Adhered them together.  Sponged some brown ink all around.  To cover the paper seam, I added a die cut rose from the Tilda paper collection.  I added a scrap piece of cream crochet trim by Stampin' Up! , just below the die cut rose.  I added a simple bow tied with pink pirouette seam binding by Stampin' Up!.  And then I added a pink vintage button tied with cream twine by Paper Trey Ink.

opened

The inside lid, has two different pattern papers from the Corner Shop collection by Tilda.  I just love this paper collection.  The bottom pattern paper is an aqua blue pattern, to help bring out the blue blossoms in the floral pattern paper.  I added a strip of cream crochet trim and a scrap piece of pink pirouette seam binding to the pattern paper stack.  I added some machine stitching, to add to the soft, sweet look of the tin.  I added a sweet, adorable flair button, and a white heart pearl brad, before adhering it to the inside of the mint tin.  Finally, I added a trio of sequins from Pretty Pink Posh (marshmallow and mint).  I added a pair of soft green sequins to help bring out the green in the foliage of the floral pattern paper.

wide opened

The pink polka dot pattern paper is from Carta Bella, baby girl.  I sponged the edges of the pink polka dot pattern paper with brown ink.  I added a die cut teddy bear, from the Corner Shop by Tilda.  I sponged the edges of the teddy bear before adhering it to the inside bottom of the mint tin.

I am calling these little altered, decorated mint tins as Tiny Treasure Tins.  Because these adorable little tins should hold a tiny treasure {smile}!

Thank you for looking.  I will be making several more of these little treasure tins for an upcoming craft fair.  

Pink Birthday

following my crafting frenzy

Welcome!  I hope this new year is finding you well, happy, and starting something new!  {smile}  I have finished cleaning my craft room, from my holiday crafting frenzy! and wanted to craft something sweet in my clean space. {smile}  Now what could be better?  Maybe a cupcake. {wink}

holiday supplies packed

Ok, so I stopped by a frequently visited challenge site, to see what new challenge they are hosting:  Fusion Card Challenge.  If  you know me, you know this inspirational photo speaks volumes to me! Oh my goodness!  Pink, chalkboard, jars, cake, banner.  Awww, heaven.  OK, and the sketch is pretty, too!

The wonderful ladies at the Fusion Card Challenge have some wonderful creations, and said that you can use any/all of the items in the inspirational photo: chalkboard elements, pink, tan, gold, frames, Birthday, jars, and cake.  LOVE IT!

here is what I made:

original photo

photo taken 1/315

* the sun came out this morning, so I was able to re-photograph this card in natural light.

Recipe:  The card base is made from cream card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  I used kraft card stock from Recollections as the anchoring matt.  The pink polka dot pattern paper is the reverse side of a pretty red/pink floral pattern from Carte Bella.  The pink/white ledger pattern paper is from Teresa Collins.  I did a simple machine stitch all the way around the card.

I wanted to add a hint of gold.  So, I added a 1" scallop trim gold glitter paper by Stampin' Up! as my belly band.  I then machine stitched a cream tulle sloppy pleat.  I then added a strip of tea stained fabric rosettes.

For the my added shape, I tied a multi-loop bow with some light pink seam binding.  I added a double loop of pearl strings behind the bow.  

For my oval shape, I cut a oval-ish shape from a floral ledger digital paper.  I wasn't sure how/where to add a birthday sentiment, so I simply stamped it on the digital pattern paper.  I did a repeating sentiment to help fill the space.

And, as a final touch, I added a trio of pink rain drops and a trio of sequins (2 coral, and 1 white).

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  I hope you were inspired to participate in the One Year Anniversary Celebration over @ Fusion Card Challenge.  I will be posting this card in my Etsy shop soon.  {smile}

Pink Tree

~ second post for the day ~

Whew, I think I am on a roll!  I need to get a few more holiday crafts complete for another upcoming arts and craft fair.  So, I have visited a few of my favorite craft challenge blog sites and here is what I have been inspired by!
Festive Friday. has a wonderful nontraditional holiday inspirational photo:

Just look at this!  How great is that?  pinks, kraft, gold, silver, green, glass, warm wood, and a tree!
Now, I need a sketch, so I headed over to Mojo Monday.  Let's face it, I need a sketch, and this is one of my favorite go to places.  here is their sketch this week:

And for good measure, lets swing by a favorite shabby challenge site, and see what they have.  Sugar Creek Hollow.  They want a vintage/shabby Christmas card with a twist: non traditional colors.

Here is what I created:

Here is the recipe:  The card base is made from Kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The pink polka dot pattern paper is actually from a baby girl collection.  The text paper is 'twas the night before christmas' by Amuse Studio.  The blue and pink floral paper is from Maja Road spring collection I believe.  I matted the text and floral papers onto kraft card stock by Recollections.  

I wrapped a piece of cream satin ribbon by Paper Trey Ink around the floral paper.  I then added a piece of white silk ribbon by Paper Trey Ink.  I tied a multi-loop bow with the silk ribbon.  I tied a clear button to the center of the multi-loop bow with thin silver twine.  

I added three pinkish pebbles and three half faux pearls to the card front.

My focal piece is made with a glitter paper die cut snowflake and a 'painted' bottle brush tree.  I spritz a 'white' bottle brush tree with ink and then painted white arcrylic paint on the tips of the branches.

I stamped the sentiment and matted it with kraft paper.  I adhered and stapled the sentiment to the card front.

due to the bulk of the tree, I decorated a glassine bag to use as an envelope:

thank you for stopping by!  I hope you have been inspired to craft something beautiful and non traditional!  

Baby Girl Cube

~ photo heavy post ~

Welcome!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend!  I am!  I had my first arts and craft fair yesterday @ Grace Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and boy was it a good time!  I met a lot of super nice folks and I had the chance to chat with a few return shoppers and friends!  YAHOO!  what a great day!  

I sold out of a few crafts, so today, I am back in my craft room.  My task (originally) was to finish some baptism cards.  I picked up some metal cross charms, to get those on the cards, and well, my crafting took a different turn!  I started distressing some paper flowers, which lead me to a wooden block I had been working on.  And my focus went elsewhere! If you are a fellow crafter, you know you can get side tracked.  (I don't force myself to craft something I just don't have the mojo for, because it never turns out right. So, I typically work on something else, or take a break to change my focus.)  And well, my original task turned into this!  

An altered wooden block: for a baby girl

gentle wash

a fabric tag and brad

an acrylic piece

fabric blossom and fabric tag

top of the block

a drawer pull for a topper

a clay blossom to conceal the push pin
and acrylic pacifier tied with silver bakers twine

close - up of my push pin creation

Ok, here are the details!  Everything I used to make this decorative piece is from my stash.  My husband refers to my stash as a 'store'.  But, he really means 'collection'.  {smile}  I painted the wooden block with gesso and then white paint.  I sanded the block to make sure it was sooth.  I also knocked off the tips, so it would have rounded corners.  I think it adds a worn look.  I adhered the pattern papers to each side and sealed them with Mod Podge.  Yes, the bottom of the block is also finished.  The papers are from Teresa Collins, Authentique, and My Mind's Eye; scraps in my stash.

I used white, and pink pirouette seam binding, along with crochet trim from Stampin' Up! to make my shabby bow.  

The drawer pull is from the hardware section of a big box craft store.  Yeah, I had a different project in mind when I made this purchase almost 2 years ago.  (told you I hoard collect) {smile}  

The acrylic pacifier is from a craft show that my daughter and I attended 9 years ago.  We originally purchased the pacifiers for baby shower party favors, when she was expecting her first child.  But never used them, because we just couldn't get them to work.  The silver bakers twine is from Stampin' Up!.  The clay rose I made with white sparkle clay and a mold I purchased earlier this summer.

The push pin is from Maya Road.  The beads are a collection from the jewelry section of any big box craft store: crystal bead, pearl, and rhinestone spacer.

The fabric tags I purchased almost 7/+ years ago, when that was all the rage.  I keep a lot of old retired stuff.  That's one of the ways that my crafts are unique, and very personable.  You can't simply go out and copy them exactly, or mass produce them.

The pink brad with the fabric tag, is retired from Stampin' Up! (3/+ years).  I simply cut the legs off and used hot glue to glue it on.  

The acrylic sentiment piece was purchased from a big box craft store a few years ago, too.  I originally purchased the set with a different craft in mind, too.  Oh boy, I think I see a pattern!  Yikes!

The only hand stamping on this little cutie, is the tags.  I used a retired stamp set from Stampin' Up! and a mini stamp set from Paper Trey Ink.  I used the jewelry punch from Stampin' Up! (yeah, retired) to create the tag shape.

So, look for this at my next craft fair on November 14th and 15th @ Tramway Community Church Holiday Craft Fair, in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

Now, I really need to head make into my craft room and see if I can finish those Baptism cards.  Enjoy your extra hour today, and do something that makes you happy: crafting, baking, sewing, visiting with a friend, read to your child, whatever makes you HAPPY!

Welcome Baby Girl

I had a lot of fun creating this adorable baby girl card.  {smile}  But, I am running out the door, to an exercise class.  I am staying true to my New Years resolutions.  So, have patience.  I am leaving you with a sneak peak of sorts.  

Enjoy!

I will write an actual 'post' when I get home tonight.  I just love how this card turned out, that I just couldn't help myself and share a little sneak peak of it, with you!  I am totally loving this new silver metallic thread I purchased last week!  It adds a little sparkle to my machine stitching {smile}.

Baby Shower Card-Gift Combo

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy, I have been crafting like crazy.  I'm still working on my Card-Gift Combo's.  And todays share is no exception.  I saw this fabulous challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room Challenge and I knew I wanted to participate.  Here is their gorgeous inspirational photo:

See what I mean?  I just love everything about it!  The banners, the ruffle icing cake, the pretty colors, the pretty food, the white stork, the distressed wood.  Just everything!  Oh, and their sponser this week is Creations by AR.  I used their card-gift combo template to create this little prize.

here is what I made:

Ok, where do I start?  I used various pattern papers from my stash.  A mix and match of Crate paper and Teresa Collins, I believe.  I love how sweet Aqua Mist  and Pink Pirouette look together.  So that was the determining factor in using the bird print paper.

here are some close-ups:

machine stitching on the banner with metallic thread

 I like to add sparkle, and purchased this metallic thread at the fabric store, and just had to use it {smile}.  So, I added some machine stitching to the tops of the banner flags.  I also added some machine stitching to hold the seam binding and crochet trim together.  I added a trio of buttons highlighting the three prominent colors: sweet pink, yellow, and aqua mist.

love the tiny wood frame, to hold my sentiment

I didn't want a sentiment to take center stage, so I kept my sentiments small. 

and here is the back

and the inside

the note piece is not attached, so you can add your own hand writing

I just had to add a tag with washing instructions.  I think its adorable, and helps translates how fragile babies are {smile}.

And if you were wondering, yes, this baby girl card-gift combo will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair, next month.  I haven't figured out how I am going to package these, or a price.  But, I'll post photos of them, most likely, the week before the craft fair.

Thank you for stopping by and taking a look.  I hope you get a chance to play along with your favorite challenge, and get to spend time in your crafting space {smile}.