Trio of Roses

close-up of the button card

Welcome.  And Happy Father's Day, to all the wonderful dads out there!  I know your job isn't the easiest, and we do appreciate all your efforts, commitment, and nurturing to our children.  {smile}   

I don't make my husband cards.  It's not that I don't love him enough, or that he isn't worth it.  I just can't.  To make a masculine card is like me trying to change the oil in my car.  I could if my life depended on it, but it won't be pretty, and the job will literally take me  a l l  d a y!

I am hosting Bunco next month, and I have been making some 'prizes'.  As promised, I will continue to post them here.  Not that my Bunco buddies don't love what I do, but I am pretty sure they don't 'follow me'.  Know what I mean?  So this is a safe venue to share.

This is a close-up of the focal point on a set of cards I made for one of the prizes.  Yeah, sorry, it's pretty girl-y.  But, I am trying to keep the crafts to follow the theme 'farmland'.  

I used the button boutique stamp set for the button card, and Life is Sweet, for the trio of roses.  It's one of those three-step stamps.  You stamp the main color first, then the petal base in another color, and then the outline in another color.  Sounds complicated, but really not.  The leaves are a two-step stamp.  The button card, trio of roses, and the leaves were all cut by hand, and the edges were sponged with crumb cake classic ink.  The trio of roses and one leaf were adhered with foam tape.  The iridescent sequins were glued-on by hand.

For the full-card:

I used crumb cake card stock for the card bases (6).  The rose colored paper is actually the back side of a green floral print paper I have had in my stash for almost 7 years.  Its from My Mind's Eye, their Tres Jolie collection, Ooh la la pattern line (Sunshine flowers paper).  The neutral pattern paper is a digital download (love them!).  The lace I purchased last year, or so ago.  I buy it in bulk, I believe this is a 25 yard roll.  It's about 2 1/2" wide.  Love it!  I machine stitched the pink pirouette seam binding and lace to the digital pattern paper and adhered to the rose colored paper.

I tied silver bakers twine to a cream vintage button and hot glued it on, just above the button card.  The 'handmade is best' and '25 cents' were stamped in crumb cake classic ink.

There is no sentiment, because I wanted to make a card set that allowed you to select your sentiment. I left a place across the card front, between the sequins for you to add the sentiment.  For those, I stamped them on vellum card stock and heat embossed them in white.  I cut a flag end to the banners, by hand.   I also stamped a tiny trio of roses in the same colors onto the cream envelopes.

6 card set.

I created the banners, in a way, so you just peel the one you want, off the piece of clear card stock, and place it on the card front.  The adhesive that holds the banners on the clear card stock, will also hold them to the card front.  Pretty clever, huh?  The neutral digital papers I selected are a mix of polka dots, text, and random designs in white, on a cream-colored background.  I wanted something with character, but not to distract the eye.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you have found some inspiration today {smile}.  

Spring Window #167

Whew.  A welcome break to the daily grind.  It's good to schlep around the house and wonder in and out of my craft room.  I'm hope you get a chance to relax in whatever fashion you desire.  But, please do not forget the true meaning of this holiday.   As tomorrow is Memorial Day, so please take a moment to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.

Earlier this week, I saw this fabulous paper craft challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room, and let me say, my heart sang.   The inspiration photo is amazing!  When I first saw it, my mind already decided on the pattern paper that I wanted to use; Melissa Frances.  So, here is the inspiration photo:

See what I mean?  The colors are crisp and delightful.  It gives me a sense of warm and home.  Here is what I made.  Alert: not my typical card.  It's kinda simple.

The pale aqua honey comb pattern paper, as well as the collage and hydrangea pattern papers are all from Melissa Frances.  Her papers are soft in color and simply beautiful to look at (smile).  I matted the honey comb pattern paper onto a piece of white cardstock.  I really wanted the white in the pattern paper to pop.  I machine stitched the top half of the card.  I felt it was 'missing' something, and basically I still do.  The collage pattern paper is Pink Lady.  I cut 3/4" strips and flagged the ends, to create a banner.  Then I lined the up, alternating the heights.  I cut a piece of silver glimmer paper with a scallop edge.  I wanted some sparkle, but not a glob.  I added a thin crochet trim piece to soften the shine.  I edged a cream button with picket fence distressing paint and added dazzling diamond glitter, while the paint was still wet.  I tied a piece of cream twine through the button and made a simple bow.

I die cut a top note shape piece of chip board and a piece of Hydrangea pattern paper.  Adhered the two pieces together.  The window is from Prima Marketing.  One of their resin pieces.  Love the simple look, not too ornate, just a bit rustic.  

The blossoms were made my hand.  I used a die from Heartfelt Creations.  I die cut several pieces in a pale plum and plum card stocks.  I used a stylus to create the bends in the petals.  I edged the petals with picket fence distressing paint and dazzling diamond glitter.  I used a white brad to hold the blossom together.  The leaves were made with a sizzix leaf die.  I cut two.  I used my stylus to ends of the leaves, to give them some 'life'.  When they are just cut, they are pretty 'flat'.

I used foam tape on the top half of the top note shaped piece.  The glimmer paper and crochet trim make a high spot in the middle of the card.

The butterfly comes from the Kindness Matters stamp set.  I stamped it onto very vanilla card stock and added just a schmiggen of color to the body.  I fussy cut it out.  I sponged crumb cake classic ink to the edges to help camouflage the outline of the butterfly and the scissor cut edge.

I stamped a tiny sentiment on the lower corner of the card. It actually comes from Button Boutique by Paper Trey Ink.  Because of the height of the paper blossoms and the fact that some of the leaves hang off the edge of the card, I decided to create an 'envelope' using a large glassine bag and an altered clothes pin.  I thought it would be a 'fun' way to give this card {smile}.

I hope you get a chance to play along in whatever challenge inspires you.  But, if you need some inspiration, please stop by the the Shabby Tea Room.  Their design team is incredibly talented and sure to give you some eye candy to oogle over.

Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day.  And to all those serving our country, past and present; Thank You for your service and sacrifice, from the bottom of my heart.  

Note Jar

Welcome.  I have been busy with several different projects and obligations.  I will be posting photos of my Valentine's Day projects this week.  

I also need to apologize to the wonderfully creative ladies over @ Our Creative Corner, as I was unable to play along with their Mardi Gras themed challenge this week.  I don't have an excuse other than life got away from me, and I was overwhelmed with other obligations.  My apologies.

I have been a fan of Paper Trey Ink since they started.  My following began with Nichole.  She is very creative and talented.  I would stalk visit her blog on an almost daily basis.  And from visiting her blog, I was introduced to Melissa Phillips and I instantly fell in love with her paper crafting style: shabby chic.  Melissa, uses machine stitching, felt, chip board, glitter, buttons, and seam binding/twill ribbon.  

This is the 6th anniversary of Paper Trey Ink, and they have an unique and creative challenge.  They have asked that their followers and fans, create a new project that is inspired by one of the Design Team Favorites projects.  And you are probably right, as to who I selected to inspire me: Melissa.

Here is what I created:

One of the main themes that I find alluring to Melissa's style, is the feminine touches.  So, I selected two different pattern papers, to build the main panel.  The music pattern paper is from Glitz, and the floral pattern paper is from Authentique.  I distressed the edges and added some text paper.  

To hide the seam of these two different pattern papers, I wrapped some white seam binding that I dyed with some Blush re-inker (PTI).  I machine stitched the seam binding across the pattern paper seam.  I created a multi-loop bow with some of the dyed seam binding, and added a single bow made from some crochet trim.  I tied a vintage button (PTI) with some cream twine (PTI) to the bow bundle.

I used the heart border die (PTI) and some cream felt (PTI) to create the 'string' of hearts at the top of the card.  To machine stitched the hearts to the top of the card.  

I used the Button Boutique stamp set (PTI) to create the button card.  I also used the Friendship Jar stamp set (PTI).  I stamped the jar in Versa Mark ink onto clear card stock (PTI) and heat embossed with pewter embossing powder.  I stamped the 'mail' onto vintage cream card stock (PTI).  I added a polka dot lid trim stamped in Blush ink.  I wrapped some cream twine around the lid.  I created the tag with the tiny tag die (PTI) and a sentiment from the Jar Spring Fillers stamp set.  I tied the twine into a bow.  I added a scrap piece of silver glimmer paper behind the heart cut-out.

To give this card a bit more feminine touch, I added a few half faux pearls.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope I have inspired you to paper craft something!  Don't forget, St. Valentine's Day is Thursday!

For those who love this card, you will be able to purchase it @ my Etsy shop, found here.

Sew Loved

I hope that this Saturday finds you well.  Me, I'm doing ok.  My dog, not so much.  For those who don't know, she had both of her knees replaced Thursday, and Friday evening was her first night home.  I know that she is happy to be home, but my heart breaks.  She reptured both ACLs and tore her right menisuc.  Ouch!  And she isn't a little pocket dog that you can carry around.  She is an Old English Mastiff, and weighs in @ 157 lbs.  She's a big girl.   And so, my attention has been on her, and nursing her as well as I can.

Anne Marie over @ Our Creative Corner, is our hostess this week, and she has titled this weeks challenge, 'Recipe for Mom'.  Anne Marie, asks us to, "create a project for Mother's Day using the following "recipe": embossing (wet or dry), ribbon, buttons/brads, and watercoloring.

I have to admit, this weeks challenge was a bit of a struggle for me.

Here is what I created:

I used one of my small canning jars to make the pin cushion.  I used a tutorial from Andy, here.  I filled the jar with pink and red buttons, to match the material on the pin cushion.  I added a scrap piece of the same material and buttons to my card.

The pattern paper I used is actually from the same sheet, I showed both sides.  I ran the top piece of pattern paper thru an embossing folder, showing the negative side.  I stamped 'Home, is where the heart is' on the lower left side of the card with crumb cake classic ink.  I used a Paper Trey Ink stamp set: Love Lives Here.  

I made the button card with a Paper Trey Ink stamp set: Button Boutique.  I used a scrap piece of rustic white card stock and garden green ink pad from Close to my Heart. 

To make my happy mother's day tag, I used a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set: You're Loved.  I colored the stamp with watercolor crayons and spritz the stamp with water and then stamped the tag.  The sentiment comes from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

I wrapped the card with some Pink Pirouette taffeta ribbon and used a white brad to hold the multi-loop bow together.  I added half faux pearls to two opposite corners and to the tag.  That's my Mother's Day project.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have time to play along with us this week!

I {heart} crafts

I can hardly believe that the weekend is already over.  I love the quiet time to sit in my craft room, and pull stamps out and play.  This weekend went by in a flash.  But, it didn't stop me from visiting a local craft store and several blogs to create this last card.

I came across some beautiful new St. Valentine's Day pattern.  They're so beautiful and fun.  

I also came across a sketch challenge @ Sasya-Sketches.  The sketch is fabulously user friendly.  And last, I came across a product challenge inspiration board for PaperTrey Ink by Mish Mash.  

Here are the sketch challenge and the inspiration board:

And here is my card:

The pattern paper are Love Me Plaid & Love Me Banners.  The stamp sets are Button Boutique & Studio Style.  The card base is Crumb Cake cardstock.  The button card is Very Vanilla cardstock.  The wrinkle ribbon is actually Rose Red seam binding.  The buttons came from PaperTrey Ink and a-muse studio.  I used two different dies for this card.  The vellum sentiment tag was cut with the cone die and the pink polka dot pattern paper was cut with the top note die.  The scallop scrap of material is from Stampin' Up!. 

This card was a collection of different products that I love!

OCC design Challenge

Good Morning! Alot is going on, so let me get to this week's challenge over @ Our Creative Corner. Kristin (from LilyBeth Boutique) is our hostess this month. Kristin has come up with a fabulously fun challenge. It's called '1-2-3-4 challenge', in honor of her daughter. You need to use the following required pieces on your card, layout page, 3-D project, ect paper craft: 1-pattern paper. 2-layers. 3-stamped images. 4-non-paper embellishments. So, here is my card. I wanted to make something vintage, something shabby chic, something warm and familiar.

My one piece of pattern paper is from Tres Jolie. My two layers are the doily tag from Martha Stewart and the stamped button card from Paper Trey Ink. My three stamped images are: the button card, the 'vintage style' on the button card, and my thank-you tag. My four non-paper embellishments are: seam binding from Stampin' Up!, the half pearl in my hand-rolled paper rose by Stampin' Up!, the button on my button card from my secret stash, and the tiny safety pin that holds my tag onto my seam binding by Stampin' Up!

Most of the core-products used are Stampin' Up! The solid card stocks are Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla. I layered a scrap of First Edition DSP and Baja Breeze DSP on top of the doily. I then sponged everything with Sahara Sand classic ink. I used my 1 3/8" circle punch and scallop circle punch to create the rolled-rose. I used a scrap of DSP and my two-step bird punch to make the leaves. I sponged the rose with Pear Pizzazz classic ink.

To make the button card, I stamped the card outline in Crumb Cake classic ink and the 'vintage style' in Soft Suede classic ink. I had a scrap piece of the spring collection fabric from Stampin' Up!, so I used my picking shears to make that wonderful edge. I tied the button on with some linen thread. I wrapped some Baja Breeze seam binding around my card, and made one of those multi-bow bows to make it more feminine. I used my Crafty Style stamp set for the 'Thank You', cut around it, and punched two tiny (1/16" circle) holes to thread the tiny safety pin through.

Now, I am off to the Tamaya Resort here in New Mexico to set-up my solid chocolate sculpture, to compete in the 19th Annual Chocolate Fantasy. The theme this year is: Pride of the Serengeti. I will post a few pictures tomorrow of both my piece and my competitors. Now remember, each sculpture entered must be 100% edible, and must be at least 80% chocolate. You will be amazed at what we can do. So, please come back. I will post photos of the top three winners in each catagory (casino, artist, student) and of course mine! It's a black-tie gala event, with basically all the chocolate one can eat. There are 17 competetors this year, so you can sample the chocolates of 17 different entries and vote on your favorite!

See ya tomorrow, and wish me luck. It's an hour drive just to the Tamaya Resort, so hopefully everything makes the trip well.