WaterColor Blossoms; Card

Hello.  I made a card to say 'Thank You' to those ladies who placed orders @ Ashley's KEEP Collective party.  {smile}  The ladies she invited were funny, personable, and friendly. 

The wonderful ladies over @ The Paper Players have a current challenge that fit this bill!  Their theme for their current challenge is to create a clean and simple card with a Spring theme! Yahoo!

And, the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge have a similar challenge: Welcome Spring, and use ribbon, lace, or trim on your project.  Easy!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock for the card base.  The matt is made with crisp cantaloupe card stock.  I just love this color.  It's a softer version of the Coral.  

I stamped the floral image in Black detail ink, on to white shimmer card stock.  I used re-inkers to water color the blossoms with aqua painter.  I used crisp cantaloupe, pink pirouette, blushing bride, coral, pear pizzazz, and pistachio pudding.  

Once the blossoms were water colored, I sprayed the panel with a shimmer mist.  I really wanted the sparkle!  Finally, I hand-stamped the 'thank you' from the hand-scripted stamp set by Amuse Studio in Basic Black classic ink.   

I used my paper piercer to create two tiny holes on each side of the blossom stems, and strung a thin, sheer, coral ribbon, and tied a simple, single bow.  I wanted another embellishment, so I added a trio of marshmallow sequins.  The water colored panel was adhered to the cantaloupe card stock with foam tape.

I plan on dropping these beauties in the mail, once I hear from KEEP Collective, that Ashley's party orders have been shipped.  {smile}  I hope the ladies really do love their cards and unique jewelry.  {smile}

Smiling Today, Card

I got a chance to head into my craft room today.  I have a few cards that need to be mailed out.  But, sometimes most times, I need a little inspiration.  I had recently purchased a few new items, and wanted to craft with those.  I just need a sketch.  So, I headed over to a 'new' favorite:  Friday Mashup - #195 sketch and project (use 2/+ embellishments)  I used the sketch and the embellishment requirements ( paper blossoms, a button, resin lock, lace, cotton ribbon, and pearls).

I purchased a new pattern paper pad from a big box store: Color Bok:  Signature.  It is a collection of shabby chic double sided patterns.  Very pretty. {smile}  The thing that really caught my eye, is the tab piece at the upper right corner.  Just love the thought of that.  And so, thats just what I did!

The sentiment says:  Thinking of you today and smiling.  I really love this sentiment.  {smile}  I will be mailing this card out to my friend Denita.  She is a very good person, and we have a good time when we get together.  I just want her to know that I was happy she came out to my house so we could craft.  {smile}

Here is the recipe:  The card stock is crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!  The two pattern papers is actually the same page, I just use both sides {smile}.  

I cut a piece of blushing bride card stock, by Stampin' Up! and trimmed the edges with the open scallop trim hand punch.  I thought this type of scallop would look prettier.  I adhered these pieces together, and then used my sewing machine to add a simple machine sewn border.  I thought it added a bit of charm to the card front.  

I stamped my sentiment onto vellum card stock, by Stampin' Up! in versa mark ink.  I sprinkled on some white embossing powder, and then heat embossed the sentiment.  I used the  We Go Together stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.   I layered a piece of white polka dot and light aqua pattern paper under the vellum.  I cut the same flag end to both pieces.  I also made the polka dot pattern paper a bit longer.  I stapled these two papers to the upper right corner of the card.

I added a piece of white lace to the lower third of the card.  I strung blushing bride cotton ribbon, by Stampin' Up! through the 'holes' in the lace.  I adhered a white resin key hole over the lace/ribbon combo. 

I distressed two paper blossoms and a vintage button with white paint and glitter.  I thought it added a little shabbiness to the card {smile}.  I first added the pink blossom above the key hole.  Tied some cream twine through the light aqua button and tucked it just under the pink blossom.  And finally, I slipped the white rose bud in at the top of this embellishment pair.  

Finally, I added a trio of white half faux pearls to help add some softness, some sweetness to the card front.  I added a medium pearl to the right side of the staple, and a pair of tiny pearls between the embellishments and the sentiment banner.

I hope you get a chance to create a card for this challenge.  I'm sure you will fall in love with the sketch!  Carve out some time today, and create something beautiful and wonderful!  But, before I go, I was wondering, do you hand deliver or mail your hand-made cards?

Re-Purposed Cuff

Howdy!  I hope you are well.  I am doing ok.  Work has been work.  Enough said.  So, let's craft something!  I collect cardboard coffee cuffs.  Crazy, right?!  But, for a very good reason.  It's corrugated cardboard, that's thin.  That translates to easy cutting with my die cut machine!
I was looking at creating some gift card holders for a few friends, when I remembered a sketch challenge that was perfect for my little creation.
Jen, from Deconstructed Sketches has the perfect sketch for me to use my coffee cuff collection!  It's sketch # 173.  Here it is!

I traded the stitching at the top for a sentiment that I stamped directly onto the pattern paper.  The 'green' rectangle is actually the gift card.  The brown center rectangle is my re-used coffee cuff.  I used a banner piece in place of the scallop trim.  But the sentiment remains the same.   Here is what I made!

Ok, so here is the recipe:  The card base is always artichoke card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The matts are kraft by Recollections.  The two sentiments are from the same stamp set by Verve: Delightful and Delicious.  I think it's retired.  I believe that I purchased the stamp set over 5 years ago.
I took a 'collected' coffee cuff, and used the 'back' side.  (I didn't think the 'green' side would work.)  I wrapped some strawberry bakers twine around the card, and tied a green vintage button from Paper Trey ink to the front.  I used 3 (yeah, three!) glue dots to hold the button in place.
The pattern paper is: Happiness is Homemade by Tilda.  (I had to purchase the pattern paper from overseas.  Tilda is a company from Sweden.)
I inked the bottom of a 'favorite' coffee cup into soft suede classic ink, and 'stamped' it  right onto the pattern paper.  I thought the coffee rings would look sweet.  I then took a water mark/splatter stamp and stamped onto the pattern paper, too.
Ok, I made several (about 12) of these cards.  I used different papers for different 'looks'.  Here are a few others:

office theme

floral theme

and of course I had to make a holiday version!

holiday theme

And  yeah, these will be for sale at my Arts and Craft Fair this Saturday!  Thank you for stopping by! I am off into my craft room once more.  I need to create a few more notepads and notebooks, and a couple gift bags.  Thank you for stopping by!

Sweet Blessings

Whew!  I just love this Sweet Christmas pattern paper that I purchased!  It's so beautiful and romantic!  But, I wanted to see more potential for this pattern paper.  So, I set out to create a non Christmas card with this Christmas paper.  And I am super happy with my results!

The talented ladies over @ Retro Sketches have a wonderfully creative challenge this week.  Use any sketch from their archives!  and so I did!

I used a sketch from a few years back.  But just look at it!  Very sweet, and I love the curves and bow!  And yeah, I used my Sweet Christmas pattern paper from Tilda.

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock from Stampin' Up! as the card base.  They make this wonderful heavy weight card stock.  I cut a piece of the grey background busy pattern paper.  (This is two sided pattern paper.)  I matted it onto a piece of whisper white card stock, and did a simply border stitch.  I think if the sewn lines aren't straight it adds some character.  (Ok, I really can't sew a straight line. {frown})  

The other side of the ballerinas, and polar bears, is that sweet tiny floral pattern.  So, I used my Top Note die, and cut a strip of the tiny floral pattern paper.  

I took a strip of pink pirouette seam binding and a piece of white crochet trim and machine stitched them to the front of the card.  I did another simple stitch line for the top of the seam binding.  I thought it looked more tailored.

I cut the tag from one of the sheets of pattern paper.  Yeah, a whole sheet of different sizes of tags.  I inked my sentiment in Basic Gray classic ink and stamped on the tag.  I used Signature Greetings stamp set from Paper Trey Ink.  I just love the mix of fonts.  I really love that one word looks like hand writing.  (I know, I'm such a dork. {smile})

I tied a simple bow with more of the pink pirouette seam binding, and added a half pearl brad by Recollections, to the center of the bow and attached the bow to the tag.  I used a strip of foam tape to fill in the gap between the top of the seam binding/crochet trim and the card front.  So that the tag is flat and not caddy whom-pass.  (I hope that makes sense.)

For the final touch I added a trio of half faux pearls along the upper left corner.

Now, this Christmas paper doesn't look so holiday-ish.  That translates to more uses, and doesn't paint me in a corner, so to speak.  

I am happy you stopped by!  But, now I need to get back into my craft room and get some post cards made for my upcoming holiday arts and craft fairs.  I want to keep the postage on these 'post cards' to the minimum, and not have to put the cards in plastic sleeves.  So, we'll see how that goes.  Keep your fingers crossed!  And yeah, I'll post those, too!  

even more pages . . .

Ok, the last few pages of my latest mini album.  

We left off, at the start of the last interactive page.  So, let's continue . . . 

The page with the large typewriter and faux pocket holding a tag and coin envelope, is pulled forward . . .  this page(s) are revealed.  Here is the perfect place to hide either very special photos or journalling.

The opposite page, is another place for journalling or posting a photo.  The paper has lines to make writing a breeze.  But also, the little tag in the corner, is only attached at the top, so it is another faux photo corner.  That means, you can tuck something flat under it.  Or simply keep it as decoration. 

Turn the page  . . .   

Ahh, this is our last page in this mini album.  But, there are more treasures!  The page with the alphabets on it, has another faux pocket at the bottom left corner.  And look!  more goodies!  

Another journalling tag and coin envelope tucked into the corner.  All the coin envelopes were fussy cut, the edges inked, and a small (ok, tiny) journalling tag is tucked inside {smile}.  I know, how super sweet is that?  But this page will surely hold another photo, or simply these/other little memorabilia.  

The inside of the back cover is just as precious.  I created a simple belly band to hold a little photo album.  {smile}  I added two sentiments that were fussy cut from the pattern paper:  Beautiful Memories, and a little date tag.  Simply slide this little photo jacket out of the belly band and open it to reveal a sweet place to hold two wallet size photos!

And we are done with the inside of this mini album.  So, lets see the outside!

and with the covers opened:

I used a mix of 12" x 12" and 6" x 6" pattern papers from the same collection.  I just love how the two flip pages look with a larger image pattern paper cut to fit.  Also, the middle folio page is stunning with large images.  But, actually, any size will work.

I used heavy weight solid card stock for main/grounding pieces.  I love Stampin' Up! and Paper Trey Ink card stock for those pieces.  If you need to purchase your solid card stock from Stampin' Up! I do have a shop 24-7 button on the side bar.  Please make your selection there {smile}.

Thank you for joining me, for this little 'tour' so to speak.  And I will have this mini album, along with the fairy mini album for sale in my Etsy shop soon.  Look for those and others during the long Labor Day weekend.  Take care, and happy crafting!

Paper 'Inspire' Blossoms

Creating is such a wonderful outlet for me.  It allows me to focus on the task at hand, and use the other side of my brain.  If you stopped by yesterday, you saw some beautiful hand-made paper blossoms that I created.  The encouragement came from two wonderfully supportive girl friends, who enjoy paper crafting as much as I do.  Well, after I had made those 'Dream' Blossoms, in a variety of colors, I wanted to create a different looking paper blossom.  So, back into my craft room, I went.

I created these paper 'Inspire' blossoms.  And, I wrote a tutorial, that Amazon Kindle has published.  The e-book is published in a variety of languages and can be purchased and downloaded here.  I also made a pair of these 'Inspire' blossoms to sell in my Etsy shop, here.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found some inspiration here, and create something beautiful!