Welcome Christmas

Howdy.  I hope this post finds you well, and still have some holiday spirit left after countless hours standing in line, searching for a parking space, and logging in your required hours at work.  {smile}

I, like so many of you out there, I have different groups of friends, and they all want to get together for the holidays.  So, the crafting for family and friends doesn't really stop until, well, never.  It does slow down the few days between Christmas and News Year.  

For this particular group of friends, we always do a white elephant gift exchange.  There are only 2 requirements, $10 limit, and must be something craft-y.  Check, and check.  I grabbed a package of white coffee filters, and the ring from a mason jar.  

I am entering my creation into a 'new-to-me' challenge:  Crafty Calendar Challenge: It's Christmas.  You are free to create anything, JUST make sure, your creation matches their theme.  Check.

And here is what I came-up with:

Ta-Da!  I made a Holiday Ornament.  I cut each coffee filter into quarters, and then a rough circle.  I dyed the cut coffee filters with tea.  Dried them in the dryer; its fast and super easy.
I added the silver star and thin satin ribbon 'hanger' before adding the coffee filter folds.
Then, I created rough folders with each 'circle', and hot glued them to the ring of a mason jar lid.  I lined them up, and got them pretty close, so there wouldn't be any gaps.
I took tiny cream colored paper flowers, and painted them with a shimmer pearl paint.  Then I added glitter while the paint was wet, so the glitter would adhere.  I added an odd number of blossoms, to keep the wreath 'interesting'.
The final addition, is the 'Merry Christmas' banner.  I hand-stamped the sentiment in archival black ink onto white card stock.  I cut flag ends, and bent the strip into this fancy looking banner.  {smile}
Viola.  Something sweet, vintage, shabby chic, and with a bit of country charm.  {smile} Just my style!  Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful for those special folks in your life.

Vintage Chic Christmas Card

Welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  Grab a cup of coffee/tea, and scroll through my posts.  I have been busy crafting and posting what I have created.  I was browsing a local paper store, and stumbled upon this beautifully neutral pattern paper by Heidi Swap: Vintage Chic.  A beautiful collection of pattern papers in cream, black, grey, teal, and pink.  Amazing.   Now, if you scroll down a few posts, you will see that I have crafted two notebooks, a gift tote, and a few cards.  But, I am not done crafting with these beautiful pattern papers, yet! {smile}  

While surfing the web, I stopped by one of my favorite eastern European challenge sites: Scrap Magic.   Their current challenge is kraft & pearls, it is part of their 'contrast' challenge.  They also have a beautiful inspiration board.  And if you need a little more creative eye candy, please check out what the design team have created.  You will be pleasantly surprised {smile}.

*there is a translate button for this site

This challenge and my 'new' Vintage Chic pattern paper, are perfect together!

I also stopped by the Christmas Card Challenge.  I wanted to see what their new challenge is.  Their current challenge is Anything Goes.  Easy to work with {smile}.

and here is what i created:

*my mix of textures, and **my repeat of color

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink, for the card base.  I used mint macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up! for the matt.  I used 3 different pattern papers from the Vintage Chic collection by Heidi Swap: kraft & cream stripes, grey polka dots on cream, and ledger print on cream paper.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  It's a soft kraft color ink.

I adhered the kraft & cream stripe paper onto the mint macaroon card stock, and sewn a simple border stitch on the main panel.  

I used my Tasteful Trim die to create the large scallop panel with the grey polka dot on cream pattern paper.  I wrapped a piece of mint macaroon taffeta ribbon around the large scallop die cut piece.  

I used one of my digital bingo cards and matted it on mint macaroon card stock.  I tucked it just under the large scallop piece.  

I used a mini banner punch by Stampin' Up! to create my trio of banners.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I used a scrap piece of mint macaroon card stock to matt each banner piece. I adhered them to the main panel, and then used my stapler to secure them to the card front.  (*I love mixing different textures: paper, fabric, metal, pearls/rhinestones, etc.)  I tied my bow upside down.  I like how the bow sat, upside down, better then right side up.  

I stamped my sentiment in baked brown sugar classic ink by Stampin' Up!, onto white card stock.  I wanted a soft, creamy, kraft color, and love how this color looked.  I used mint macaroon as my matt. I used foam tape to 'lift' the sentiment block off the card front.  

I used one of my Prima: Coffee Break fabric blossoms, to add a feminine touch to the card.  I just love the lace and pearl center.  So delicate and pretty.  

For my final touch, I added some kraft-colored, flat-back pearls, and some mint-colored, flat-back jewels in two clusters of three.  (**Kraft and Mint are the two main colors, and so I repeated these colors whenever I could.)

Thank You, for visiting my blog.  I hope you have found some inspiration.  And I hope you have the opportunity to play along with either of these challenges.  I know that they would love to see what you have created {smile}.

Pink, Aqua, & Yellow Fabric Strip Banner/Backdrop

I wanted to share with you the latest fabric strip banner/backdrop with you.  I finished this last week.  But with the limited day light hours, I wasn't able to get a decent photo until earlier today.  I can now finally share with you what I have created.

I used fabric from Tilda.  I just love the patterns, and the material washes very nicely.  It's a big investment.   The fabric is sold at a premium price and international shipping is a bit steep in price.  But, just look at the finished product.  I think it's worth it {smile}

The fabric banner measures 4 feet wide.  Yes, that's 48 inches of beautiful fabric and trim pieces!  Each fabric strip and trim measured 22-inches long before they were hand-tied to the jute twine.   I used a total of five fabrics: 3 tilda, one aqua blue with gold foil blossoms, and a white cotton with taupe heart trees.  I used trims, laces, and ribbons to help accent the colors and over-all look of the banner.

There are seam binding, laces, ruffled chiffon, cotton ribbons, and pink glittered tulle to accent the beautiful fabrics.  I just love how this shabby chic, pretty banner turned out!  And yeah, you can buy it! HERE

Why not add some sweet, shabby-chic prettiness to your home, or next party?  This banner would look adorable over a crib, or to decorate a cake table at a farmland, shabby chic wedding, or to the top of a window for a 'no-sew' window treatment in your creative space, or simply to add some homespun beauty to a kitchen.

I have shared a few banners, and I hope you like them.  If you love these, but would love a different color combo, or length, or width, just convo me.   Give me the opportunity to create something beautiful for you.  And as always, special orders/custom orders do NOT acquire an additional charge.  Ok, I am finishing a few wreaths, so I need to sign off.  I'll post photos of the new wreaths as soon as possible.  Also, these banners and wreaths will be for sale @ this years Trash to Treasure Trunk Show in Albuquerque, on Jan. 23rd, 2016, 9a - 5p.

Welcome, Card

Wow! I had so much fun playing along with the talented ladies over @ retro sketches, that I created another card with their current sketch.  {smile}

here is their current sketch challenge

I was anxious to use some new pattern papers from Tilda: the Corner Shop and Tiny Treasures.  

And here is what I created:

Recipe:  This card is larger than my typical A2 size, it's 4 1/4" x 6".  I am pairing it with an A6 envelope, to give the banner, and button some extra room.

Ok, I started with the kraft card stock purchased from a big box store.  I lined the inside of the card with a piece of very vanilla card stock, and then matted it onto steel blue card stock.

So, I used the same sheet of pattern paper, and show-cased both sides of this beautiful pattern paper.  The striped pattern paper has this beautiful polka dot trim.  Since I added some cotton trim and ribbon to the top of the floral pattern paper, I purposefully turned the striped pattern paper, so the polka dots would be near the bottom of the page.

I cut the floral pattern paper 1/2" smaller than the striped pattern paper.  I used my thread cutter to distress the edges of both pattern papers.  I machine stitched the cotton trim along the top edge of the floral pattern paper.  I then sewn a strip of blue stitched cream ribbon across the cotton trim.  I also did a double border stitch on the floral pattern paper. 

I added foam tape to the back of the paper doll card, to help give it some height off the card front.  I sponged baked brown sugar classic ink along the edges of the banner pieces.  I used glue dots to hold the banners to the cream twine.  I secured the banner 'string' (cream twine) to the card front with vintage metal brads.

I added a vanilla button to the top left corner of the card.  I also tied a simple bow behind the button.  

Finally, for the floral cluster I added glitter to the petal tips, and rhinestones to the blossom centers.  The floral cluster is adhered to the card front with foam tape, also.

Thank you for stopping by! and I hope you have been inspired to play along with the wonderfully talented ladies over @ retro sketches.

Shabby Rose Birthday

Howdy, I hope this post find you well.  Me, yeah.  It really feels good to have less stress, less madness, less anger, less yucky stuff going on in my life.  Life is too short, to obsess over stupid, thoughtless, ignorant, and plain selfish people.  So, I have taken a vow, to choose happiness, choose love, choose friendship, and leave all that non-sense behind me.  I need laughter, love, companionship, and a place to express my creativity.  So here we are!  

I woke this morning around 3a with Mojo Monday's current layout rolling around in my mind.  I did resist the fierce urge to get up and creep into my craft room.  Instead, I went back to sleep, to give my body a change to rest, and to re charge.  And well, I bet you can guess what I did this morning!  Yeah, I headed into my craft room, and executed the 'idea' I had earlier this morning {smile}

If you haven't headed over to Mojo Monday this week, here is their current sketch.

here is what I created:

I have to admit, when I first saw this sketch, I didn't really like the circle piece so high from the banner piece.  But, after playing around with a few different arrangements, I'm embracing the height.

Recipe:  I started with Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Love their heavy weight card stock.  The pattern papers (all three) are from a new collection I picked up a few weeks ago: Shabby Rose, by Our Daily Bread.  Love the soft colors, and the beautiful graphics.

I used my thread cutter to distress (rough -up) the edges of the pattern paper.  I sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  I took two simple, polka dot-ish pattern papers, and torn thin strips.  Each strip is roughly 3/4" wide.  I also sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.

I had a short strip of this beautiful white cotton trim sitting on my craft table, so I add this wide strip first.  Then I layered the two pattern paper strips.  I added a short cream crochet trim, by Stampin' Up! and then a shorter strip of white crochet trim.  I did a zig zag stitch over the white crochet trim to hold all these layers together. {smile}  I hand stitched the pearls to the front panel.  I used brown thread, to give it some contrast.  But, now, I'm not too sure if I like the contrast.  I took an extra pink paper blossom sitting on my craft table and added some silver glitter to the edges.  Set the glitter with Aqua Net hair spray.  I used hot glue to add the pink paper blossom.  I really wanted to emphasize the pretty blue tone in the main panel, so I added an aqua blue multi-loop bow tied with seam binding.  I tucked the seam binding bow in under the paper blossom.

For my sentiment piece, it is actually an extra Birthday banner I created last week.  I originally wasn't sure what color I wanted this sentiment, so I stamped and heat embossed this sentiment in a few different colors.  {smile}.

And as always, this card remains blank on the inside.  That way, you can add your own hand-written message.   And this card is created for the craft fair coming soon!  May 2, @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, NM.

I hope you have been inspired to play along with this challenge.  I'm sure you will create something wonderful! Have a great day!

Fabric Banner and Tutorial

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy!  If you were here this weekend, I had great asperations to have an Explosion Box to show you.  Well, I have never made one, and so my first attempt is taking longer than I expected.  Therefore, I don't have mine finished.  But it is underway.  And yeah, its a Baby Girl theme.  {smile}

I hope to have it done in a few days.  You see, I won't be able to work on it until the evenings when I get home from work, and finish my wife-ly chores (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc).

But I did want to share with you another craft I finished Sunday evening.  {smile}.  I have been wanting to make a fabric rag banner for quite a while now.  I see them on the internet, and the tutorials say they are 'easy'.  So, I have finally sat down to create one.  There are quite a few photos, so grab something to drink, and take a look at what I made! {smile}

Fabric Banner

I made a shabby-chic fabric strip banner!  I have to admit, when I was done, I was sooooo happy with it!  I couldn't stop smiling!  I love a project that comes to together with ease and actually looks the way you believe it will, when you are done!  So, let's get started with this tutorial!

I have looked at several (and I do mean several!) tutorials.  They all basically say to start with 5 different fabrics.  Well, I didn't.  I wanted my banner to be a product of a mixture of what I had on hand, and what I envisioned it to be.  I wanted something shabby chic, farm-land, country, sweet, and a lot girl-y.  So I started with three fabrics I had purchased just for this project.  These fabrics are from Tilda.  Love their stuff: paper, fabric, ribbon, embellishments, etc.

these are the fabrics I used.  Fat Quarters

I used fat quarters for my fabric sizes (18"  x 22").  I didn't want a long banner, or a super short banner.  I washed and dried my fabric before I started.  I wanted that soft, 'worn' look. 

I laid my fabrics out, and with a ruler, cut a slip at each inch, on the long side.

cut slips one inch apart

Now, this will seem a bit rash, but tear your strips.  Tear the fabric.  It's ok, tear it.  By tearing it, you give the fabric a rough edge.  Which is what I wanted.  But, if that is NOT what you want, cut it.  I would suggest a rotary cutter, so your cuts are straight.  You could also use peeking sheers, so you have a decorative edge.

Now, gather more 'material' that you believe coordinates, and cut/tear lengths that measure the same as your fabrics.  I used trims: ribbon, lace, seam binding, and decorative trim.

my three fabrics, white lace, trim, gold satin ribbon, blue seam binding and pink seam binding

I used a thick twine for my 'sting' to loop my pieces onto.  I simply pulled out a length of the heavy twine that roughly measured the length I wanted my banner, and then added a foot and a half on each end.  That way, I would have plenty of length to tie my banner.  
To start, I looped a strip of the white lace at each ending point.  This served two fold: mark the end and to keep my banner confined to a measured space.
Next, I only had enough length for three strips of the gold satin ribbon.  So, I tied one to the center of the banner space, and then eye-balled the placement of the other two strips.
Next, I only had four lengths of the cream ball trim.  So, I looped those pieces onto the twine, so that the banner was divided into quarters.
This type of measuring isn't exact, but it did help guide me as to how many fabric strips to add to my banner, so that it looked balanced, and not too wonky.
Lets get those fabric strips on the twine!  My pattern was simple.  Fabric. Fabric. Fabric. Lace. Fabric. Fabric. Fabric. Lace.  I think the blue floral pattern fabric looks the boldest/strongest, so I used that fabric strip as my middle fabric.  I repeated this pattern across the whole banner length.
I added the seam binding last.  I didn't have a lot of either seam binding.  So, I added a length of the blue seam binding to each side of each gold satin ribbon.  I added a length of the pink seam binding to each side of each cream ball trim.

To finish, I simply fixed any places where the fabric was bunching up, too much, and viola!

close-up of a section of my banner

Now, you are probably wondering what I am doing with the banner.  I don't plan on selling this one.  If you would like me to make you one, just convo me, and we can talk particulars: size, length, price, etc.  This one was made for a friendship high tea I am hosting at my house this year, late spring.  But, I love it so much, it just might make it into my display booth at this years Spring Craft Fair on May 2nd, 2015!

Stay tuned, I promise, I will have photos of an Explosion Box this week!

Holiday Banners

I am having a great weekend.  I got to see some wonderful girl friends and I got a lot of crafting done!  Yahoo!

And so, I want to share with you what I made.  I created some banners (ok, 2) out of thick chipboard, and some wonderful holiday pattern paper: Christmas by Fancy Pants.  Here is what they look like:

I used a variety of the pattern papers.  I just love the mix of blue and red and green.  Just gorgeous and festive and playful.  Love it.  

I cut a large scallop trim piece from one pattern paper and matted it onto cherry cobbler card stock.  I machine stitched it, to give it a home-made and nostalgic look.  I also used cherry cobbler card stock to create the scallop circles under the rosettes.

I created the rosettes by hand.  I scored a 1" x 12" strip of pattern paper every 1/4".  I stamped and heat embossed the letters in early espresso embossing powder onto shimmer white card stock.  I matted the letters onto cherry cobbler card stock, and then ocean tides card stock.  

I used ocean tides ribbon from Paper trey ink.  I tied red vintage buttons on to each bow.   I have both banners for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.  Don't forget, my easy shop will be closed the day before, the day of, and the day after each craft fair.

Thank you for looking.  I'll be posting more soon!

Vintage Blue Clock

~ photo heavy post ~

Yahoo!  I have finally finished my altered assemblage clock!  For some odd, crazy reason, it is super easy for me to start a project.  But, finishing is sometimes a whole different story!  One of my very close crafting girl fiends says that's because I am a perfectionist.  Ok, is that a bad thing?  I love balance, and repetitiveness.    Now I can finish writing my tutorial on altering one of these clocks. (whew)

here is a front view

a few different angels:

I used several different stamps and stamped directionally onto the clock.  I added a variety of paper blossoms, rhinestones, and pearls.  The banner is made from taupe linen.  I started the fabric to make it stiff, and machine stitched the pattern paper pennants to the fabric.  

Thank you for stopping by.  This clock will be for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.  It if doesn't sell by craft fair time, it will be at the fairs.

I hope you have been inspired to alter, decorate, or simply repurpose an unused household item!

Bunco Reminder

Howdy!  Well, I have been a little busy getting stuff together for my turn to Host Bunco next month.  I know what you are thinking. . . next month, you have gobs of time.  Well, kinda no.  I have prizes to make, a menu to develop, clean the house, celebrate 4th of July, and everything else the rest of folks have to do (work, chores, raise children/grandchildren, and take care of ourselves).

I send out a reminder card, when it is my turn to  host.  And yeah, it fits my 'theme' {smile}.  This year's theme is 'farmland'.  I needed a sketch challenge, to help me get those creative juices moving.  So, I went to Retro Sketches.  They have some beautifully simple sketches, that allow you to really embellish, or keep it clean and simple, and everything in-between.  So, that's where I started!

See what I mean!  Simply beautiful and full of a lot of potentials.  And here is what I did!

The card base is crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I love their card stock.  It is a nice heavy weight, that is perfect for card bases as well as another paper craft.

The wood-grain pattern paper is actually a digital download.  I just love the mix of wood-grain, florals, and text.  It's so pretty, country, and simply worn.  I matted this pattern paper onto a piece of Aqua Mist cards stock by Paper Trey Ink, and did a simple machine stitch along the four sides.

The pink gingham pattern paper is also a digital download.  I love this mix of patterns for the same reasons. {smile}

I wrapped a cream twill ribbon by Paper Trey Ink around these two matted pieces and machine stitched the ribbon to the card front.  I tied a simple bow.

The jar is stamped in crumb cake classic ink onto very vanilla card stock, both by Stampin' Up!  The jar is from Paper Trey Ink.  Then I stamped the polka dots onto the jar in Soft Sky classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  I fussy cut the jar out, and wrapped some cram twine, by Paper Trey Ink, around the mouth of the jar.  I added a tag, by Paper Trey Ink.  I stamped the tag in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, and the sentiment in the same color ink.  Fussy cut the tag out, and used a hand-held hole punch.  Tied the cream twine into a simple bow.

The burlap-lace ribbon is from a big-box craft store.  I thought it added a bit of country charm.   The sentiment banner is from a new stamp set I purchased from Inspired by Stamping.  I stamped the sentiment in Basic Grey classic ink and used a square punch to create the flagged ends.

I added two vintage buttons (white and aqua mist) to the right side of the jar, and a white paper blossom to the left side of the jar.  I distressed the paper blossom by brushed some picket dense distressing paint on the petal tips and added some dazzling diamond glitter to give it some sparkle.  The leaves were cut from a text paper.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you found some inspiration, or at least something pretty to look at!

Book Box

One of the things that I have realized, is that, without deadlines, I just sit and create.  Create most things for me, or gifts.  But not so much for challenges.  Wow, that sounds kind of stuck up.  But that's not the intension.  I was on several Stampin' Up! only challenge design teams.  They were a lot of fun, and really made me be creative with my SU! supplies.  But, I secretly wanted to just craft.  Craft with what I had, no rules, no restrictions, no limits.  I used the excuse that I didn't make other things/different crafts because I alway had a deadline for my design teams.  Well, now, I don't have that excuse.  And, I still haven't crafted everything I want.  But, I do want to share with you a few (ok, two) pieces of a craft I am currently working on.

This piece is a 'cover' piece.  I am altering a paper mache book that opens into a box.  I wanted to create a shabby chic altered piece.  So, I used pattern paper from Lost & Found - Market Street.  Using what I have at home, and not spending more $ on supplies.  I machine stitched the floral pattern paper onto some crumb cake card stock. I stamped some chicken wire onto the floral paper.  I added some decorative shapes of different pattern papers, to help add some visual interest. The lilies are made of clay, as well as the rose on the seam binding.  The sage colored paper blossom is from Kaiser Crafts.  I added a Heidi Swap resist butterfly.  And a few gold sequins.  The sentiment 'everyday is the perfect adventure', comes from a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set.  I stamped the words onto a scrap piece of pattern paper and cut out the words.

This piece is going on the inside cover of the book box.  I'm not done yet.  But I still wanted to share with you.  I used a text paper from the same pattern paper collection (Market Street).  I added a decorative shape piece of a coordinating pattern paper.  I added a Melissa Frances resin key.  The main piece is actually a tag from Prima Marketing - Almanac.  Love the rooster.  I stamped the same chicken wire in flannel ink.  I also stamped a quote, 'I was born country and that's what I'll always be, like the rivers and the woodlands wild and free. ~ Alabama', in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, along the left side of the tag.  I made a tiny tag from crumb cake card stock.  I stamped 'Celebrate today' from a Paper Trey Ink stamp set, in basic black classic ink.  I added a pool party polka dot brad to the top of the tag.  

Currently, I am working on the banner strung across the top.  I used a different pattern paper from Market Street, and a distressed polka dot pattern paper from Melissa Frances.  I used some brown bakers twine to string the banner pieces.

So, as you can see, I have been doing some crafting.  Just not very fast.  I'm not making this book box for anyone specific.  I'm getting a jump start on some crafts that I am selling at my next Craft Fair.

Thank you for stopping by {smile}.  I'm hoping to get this book box done this weekend.  I'll share photos once I'm done.  I still haven't decided on the ribbon to tie the book closed.  So, please stay tuned!

Months in French Country

~ photo heavy post ~

Thank you for stopping back by.  I know this year is starting busy, but I'm happy that you have taken the time to swing by and take a look at what I have created.  I have chosen a few of my favorite month layouts.  Enjoy the eye candy {smile}.

March 2014

I'll start with March.  I love the mix of pattern papers, along with the machine stitching along the top edge of the banner.  This layout is clean and simple.  But, I think that leads to the over-all beauty of it.

April 2014

 Another clean and simple layout.  I didn't add a whole lot to these pages.  But, I really love the look of the sparkle clay cameo with the toile pattern paper.  I added a blossom shape text paper piece behind the cameo.  I wanted an additional pattern, but I felt that another blue pattern paper would get lost.  I wanted to add some sparkle, so I cut a foliage piece out of silver glimmer paper.

Easter, is on April 20th, this year.  So, I stamped the bunny in a circle in pink ink on the calendar page.

August 2014

 I had fun with this one.  August always means 'back-to-school' for us.  So, that was my thought process for this calendar page.  I used a large sun flower pattern paper, along with a trimmed down library card, and a wooden ruler.

September 2014

 I love the look of the small floral print with the stamped banner piece.  The colors, and pattern really do work well together.

December 2014

And last.  December.  I used the same pattern paper for the first month and the last.  I think the rooster image along the right side of the calendar page really adds a french flair.  I was also pleasantly surprised at how the text on the pattern paper works so well with this project.  December, is a month that I make cookies with my grandchildren, so the mini ginger man cookie cutter, seemed like the perfect embellishment.  Christmas, is marked by a circled tree stamped in green ink.

Once again, thanks for stopping by.  I made another calendar today.  I'll post photos later this week.  I used pattern paper from Teresa Collins, creating a whole different look.  Stay tuned.

wish Banner

If you live in the United States of America, this weekend is a holiday for us.  This weekend we celebrate the American worker.  So, there is no work on Monday, allowing us to recharge.  For me, it has given me another 'free' day to create and craft.  Lately, I have noticed that I need to give myself deadlines on certain crafts, or they just don't always happen.  I find myself 'playing' at my craft table doing everything else, except working on a specific craft or completing a certain task.  So, this weekend, my two goals are: 

1) to create a banner 

2) finish a frame.

I have seen quite a few gorgeous banners on the internet, and well, yes, Pinterest.  But, I have never made one.  Always wanted to.  But never sat down and created one.  I have a few holiday craft fairs coming up, and thought that I could make one with my name on it: Designs by Sharon.  That way, it gives my booth a personal touch, and a bit of flair.

I have also learned through the years of crafting, that you don't always make the best 'thing' your first time around.  A bit of a learning curved, so to speak.  And well, this is the perfect example.  I didn't rush through this.  It literally took me several hours.  When I started creating this banner, in my mind, I had the fabulous idea of making several of these and adding them to my sale items.

Well, I have to admit.  I love this one.  I don't think that I will sell it.  It doesn't have my 'name' on it.  I wanted to start with something small.  So, it says, 'wish'.  I used papers that I really love.  I added enough stuff to make it pretty, but not too much stuff that it's confusing and over cluttered.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  But, there are little mistakes.  So, don't look too close, and have a gentle eye.

here are the close-ups of each letter, remember, this is my first, so be kind.

I have read, that you can machine sew on chipboard.  I didn't sew the tops onto the chipboard.  I created the banner first, and then adhered it to the chipboard.  The lollies I created by hand.  The letters already came that color, I just added glitter.  I doilies are actually adhered to the paper, before adhering to the chipboard, also.  

I now see that the letters are not straight.  I also notice that the banner pieces are not cut straight, either.  UGH!  But, I really do love it!  So, it will be hung in my craft room for now.  And maybe in my booth at my holiday craft fairs, but NOT for sale.  

I'm heading back in my craft room to finish a craft that has been half complete for over a week now.  A few more  altered mini composition notebooks.  I tend to create these in pairs.  And I promise, I will get to that frame later today.  I hope that it turns out as wonderful in real life as it is in my mind.  Cross your fingers and wish me luck!  Enjoy your Labor Day, and have a safe weekend.