Butterfly Notes

Howdy! and welcome.  I have been busy with work, and keeping up with chores and other obligations, that my crafting had to take a back seat for a quite a few days.  Seven, to be exact! {grimace}.  But, have no fear, I have carved out some time to create a card for a few challenges.  {smile}  I hope you haven't given up on me.

There are two of my favorite card challenges that typically have Anything Goes as their themes, and so it really allows me to just create.  You gotta love that!  So, here we go!

My first stop was Brown Sugar Challenge.  They have a talented design team, and let's face it, sometimes we just need some inspiration.

My next stop was Word Art Wednesday.  This group of ladies will certainly inspire you on a creative level and on a faith level, too!  

My last stop is Stampin' Royalty.  This card challenge site, has a theme this week- Spring.  When I think of the word, 'Spring' I think of flowers, butterflies, beautiful colors, and fresh air!

and here is what I made:

my card was selected as a 'top 3 honor' @ Word Art Wednesday!

Recipe:  My card is a typical A2 size:  4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  The card base is this beautiful kraft colored card stock.  I just love the 'brown paper bag' color!  I used three different pattern papers for the base layer.  I started with a beautiful butterfly pattern by Crate Paper.  Then I added a strip of text paper and a layer of music paper.  I distressed the edges of the papers and sponged kraft ink on them.  I did a messy machine stitch all the way around the card.  twice.  

I cut out a ephemera ticket, and distressed its edges in the same manner.  I also added a scrap piece of an aqua colored paper doily to the right side.  I adhered this piece to the card front.

I wrapped a piece of aqua blue seam binding around the card front.  I thought it matched the paper doily perfectly.  

I stamped my blossom cluster in soft suede classic ink, onto white linen card stock.  I used the coordinating die to cut it out.  I adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  I tucked-in my sentiment.  The sentiment is actually the pattern paper name, that I cut down and added a banner edge.

I tied a double bow with the seam binding, and tied a cream button to the bow's center with kraft twine.  I made a large bow with the twine behind the seam binding bow, when I tied-on the button.

I added a trio of iridescent sequins and a few transparent sequins, randomly to the card front, just to give it a little more sparkle.  Because who doesn't love sparkle! {smile}

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I'm heading back into my craft room, to create an inspirational magnet.  I love the small size of these.  I've made several before, but hadn't had an opportunity to photograph any before they were packed-up, and mailed.  {frown}

Vintage Green Birthday; Card

A little teaser of the card I made earlier today.  Yeah, still fighting with the internet.  Gotta love it!  It's teaching me how to have patience, and good old fashion reading from a book.  {smile}

Us ladies at work, are throwing a birthday party for one of our co-workers.  And, I was asked to make a card.  Me? Easy peasy!

I went to one of my favorite sketch challenge sites to help get the creative juices flowing:  Mojo Monday.  The sketches these ladies create are just so easy to work with.  And the design team will not disappoint you, they will inspire you!

here is the current sketch:

I did flip the sketch, so the star element is on the right side, instead of the left.

Here is what I crafted!

Once again, I used crafting supplies I already had on hand.  I originally started with a pink and green pattern papers.  But, something just didn't look 'right'.  So, I decided not to fight with it, and look at other options.  The pattern paper is Stella Rose.  I used three different papers, but four patterns.  The butterflies are the flip side of the dark wood grain pattern paper.

I used my favorite kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  This card is 6" x 4 1/4".  And uses an A6 envelope.  I layered the pattern papers, sponged the edges, and distressed.  

I used the Tasteful Trim die from Stampin' Up! to create that beautiful scallop piece.  I added a scrap piece of a delicate cream and gold lace trim to the scallop piece.  

For the star element, I used a teal paper flower.  I tucked a simple bow tied with Aqua Mist satin ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink.  

I added a trio of tiny vintage buttons is cream, aqua mist, and linen.  I tied a simple knot with kraft twine.

For the sentiment, I stamped 'Birthday Wishes' from the Watercolor Trio stamp set, in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink.  I hand cut the banner end.  I layered the cream card stock onto a scrap piece of kraft card stock, and adhered it to the top left corner of the butterfly pattern paper.

a different view

I hope our friend and co-worker likes her card, and our little party.  She is really sweet, easy to talk to, has your back, and is always willing to help you with whatever comes along.

Well, let me get this posted while I still have working internet {smile}.

Blissful Wedding Wishes

Oh, my face is red.  I was suppose to post this card on Monday, for you to look at.  But, I got busy and a bit side tracked.  Anyways, I needed a card for a good friends daughter wedding.  So, I went to two of my favorite challenge sites for inspiration and direction.

My first stop was Cardabilities #96.  I stopped there for their sketches.  I just love them!

Ok, now i need a bit of inspiration and a few requirements.  So, I headed over to another favorite challenge blog:  the Shabby Tea Room.  This challenge blog has some great design team members.

Here is their inspirational photo and requirements:

the theme for this challenge blog is Pretty in Pink.  The required elements are: white and/or cream, pink, green, flowers, lace and/or ribbon.  

Once I saw this inspiration photo, I just fell in love with the fabric blossoms.  They are so gorgeous! and the layers of lace and trim is so pretty, too!

Another card, that I didn't do a lot of stamping.  Just the sentiment: Love.  I distressed the edges of the tag with a sponge and classic ink.

I used a font pattern paper by Melissa Frances for the main panel.  I just love this paper.  It's so vintage.  I added some machine stitching along the edges, to add some home-made-ness to it {smile}.

I added a paper doily to the top of the card.  I wrapped a piece of retired lace trim across the card front.  I machine sewn some light green seam binding across the lace trim.  I thought it added a sweet touch.

I tied on a multi-loop bow using the light green seam binding.  I tied a button and sentiment tag to the bow with some cream twine.  

I tucked two cream fabric blossom shapes in with the pink blossoms.  

I added a white button just below the large pink blossom.

I added some fabric blossoms to the front of the card.  

I added three tiny silver glitter butterflies and three clear sequins.  I think this card turned out sweet, and perfect for a bridal shower.

Now, head over to these two challenge blogs, get inspired, and play along!
this card was selected as an honorable mention over @ the Shabby Tea Room, here.

JUGS #15 (2 of 2) & Diva Coffee Break Designs

I am entering this card for two different challenges-Diva Coffee Break Designs & JUGS. (Here is another card I want to enter in the Just Us GirlS #15 Technique Challenge.) For this card, I did faux stitching all the way around the card. This photo isn't straight on, because I couldn't showcase the texture of the butterflies.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!.I used blue bayou card stock for the card base and matt. The pattern paper is the new sweet pea DSP. The butterflies were created with the sixxlit die. I used barely banana and always artichoke, and bashful blue card stock. The white card stock is whisper white card stock. I stamped the words in not quite navy classic ink, and then I spritz the card stock with shimmer paint. I tied a scrap piece of kraft taffeta ribbon into a simple knot. I roughed the edges of the layered pattern paper and used a paper piercer tool to create the stitch holes. I used a white gel pen to create the 'thread'.

Thank you for looking. As always, please post a comment.