Book of Prayers

~ photo heavy post ~

So, if you tuned in yesterday, you saw a card I made with this wonderful pattern paper collection from American Crafts, Polka Dot Party.  It has these wonderful patterns in a soft aqua color, and this peachy pink color.  The patterns have this worn hue to them.  Just shabby chic heaven to me!  So, I wanted to keep playing with this paper, and I have a new creation to share with you! {smile}

This new discovery came when I was looking for a challenge to play along in, and I stopped by a favorite spot:  Word Art Wednesday.  This weeks challenge is anything goes, but these lovely, talented ladies always include a scripture.  You aren't required to use the scripture in your project, but I really want to!  Its a beautiful verse from John 15:9, talking about the Lord's love for his children, and how we all should show the same love toward each other.  I think that would help everyone be a better person.  So, I have used it!

and here is what I made:

I altered a mini composition notebook.  I thought how wonderful would that be, to have something beautiful to jot down notes, write out dreams, sketch layouts, or simply have a beautiful place to write down prayers, scripture, or anything else your heart desires! {smile}

This mini composition book measures approximately: 3 1/2" x 4 1/2".

Recipe:  The black spine of the book is covered in Coastal Cabana card stock, by Stampin' Up!  The striped pattern paper is adhered to the cover.  I added the same pattern paper to the back of this book.  I also stamped my branding on the back cover.  That way, when the recipient needs another book, they know how to contact me/where to shop! {smile}

I used my Crop-A-Dile to create the eyelet holes, and to set the eyelets.  

I used a vintage cream twill ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink, as the mechanism to hold the book closed.

I added a small piece of the polka dot pattern paper to the inside of the barrel of the pen.  So, it all matches.  That's my OCD shining through!  But, doesn't it look 'complete'?

For the center panel of the book cover, I used a piece of the floral pattern paper.  I just love these blossoms!  I used my thread cutter to rough-up/distress the edges of the pattern paper.  I matted the floral pattern paper onto a piece of crisp cantaloupe card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I used my thread cutter on the solid card stock, too.  Then I ran this matted floral pattern paper piece through my sewing machine, to add a simple sewn border.  I adhered this piece to the center of the book cover.  To add a little softness, I tucked in a scrap piece of cream crochet trim I had laying on my craft desk.  (It's such a small piece, I believe it is the cut off piece from another project.)

I printed the scripture onto whisper white card stock, and cut it out.  I matted it onto Coastal Cabana card stock, by Stampin' Up!  I simply adhered this sentiment piece onto the book cover.  I want to keep things as flat as possible.  

Now for the focal piece!  {ok, it doesn't support the 'keep the cover flat' mind set.}  I have a few skeleton keys left over from a Christmas project:  Santa Keys.  And I wanted something unique, pretty, and relevant.  Hum.  Key to my heart, key to success, key to happiness.  These are my mind's thought process as to why add the key.

So, I tied this beautiful peach-y pinkish seam binding around the key.  Made a multi-loop bow.  Added a bow made of white tulle behind the key.  Tied on a white/clear vintage button from Paper Trey ink, to the center of the bow, and viola!  

I hot glued this focal piece to the front of the book.

I also lined the inside of the book.  That way, you don't see the twill ribbon on the inside of the book. Yep, that OCD is really working for me! {smile}.  I used the Cantaloupe and dark grey polka dot pattern paper for the inside.

Well, thank you for stopping by!  I hope you like my little book.  And I hope the photos weren't too much!  I haven't quite decided if I am putting this book in my Etsy shop, or not.  I am crafting to increase my inventory for this year's Spring Craft Fair.  So, we will see what all I get completed.  The Spring Craft Fair I am selling at is May 2, 2015 @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  If you are in the area, please stop by!  I'd love to see you!

with Love

The summer is off to a quick pace again.  I hope you get a chance to slow down and relax.  Me, it has been a whirlwind of weddings, graduation parties, baby showers, and cocktail parties.  Whew, I'm tired just thinking about what all I had to attend last week {smile}!

And you know I carved out some crafting time.  Some days its harder to get my mojo moving, and it only gets worse, if I'm tired.  But the talented ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a sketch for you to try your hand at.

here is the sketch:

Before you get frustrated or lost, just take the sketch apart.  Sometimes its easier to see it in pieces and not a 'whole'.  For the orange half circle, think a large shape, like a top note.  Or a decorative edge with a creative cut.  Then for the teal label, think 'label'.  A sentiment 'box', a tag, some place to add a sentiment or a decorative piece.  Don't forget, you can also rotate the sketch.  Now, let your creativity soar, and let's see what you create.

here is what I made:

First things first, I rotated the sketch 90 degrees.  Crumb cake cardstock, goes with anything.  Have I mentioned that I love this color!  The card base is crumb cake.  The main panel is very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped the Ex Libris background stamp in coastal cabana classic ink.  I love how this panel gives you some visual interest without distracting.  I wanted to add some text paper, and I just now realized that first edition dsp was retired.  A bit shocking to me.  So, I made my own text paper.  I used very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped en francias in basic black classic ink.  I did the 'tap' technique so some of the words would be faint and/or missing.  I matted the text onto crisp cantaloupe cardstock.  

For my half circle piece, I added a doily.  I just love these things.  So feminine and a beautiful addition. I just love the seam binding, and really wanted to add this beautiful 'ribbon'.  So, I wrapped a piece of very vanilla seam binding around the card front, and tied it into a multi-loop bow.  I just love the new clay molds that Stampin' Up! has come out with.  So, I made the button with some clay, and tied it to the center of the bow with some linen thread.

I wanted to add some flowers, but I don't want my followers/readers to get bored with my hand made paper blossoms.  I stamped the blossoms from the Fabulous Florets stamp set in versa mark ink.  I did some masking, heat embossed some blossoms onto shimmer card stock and color washed the flowers.  I used crisp cantaloupe re inker for the 'paint'.  I then set them a side to dry.  Once dry, I fussy cut them out.  I used some foam tape to pop them off the card front.  

For my 'label' piece, I did a sentiment piece.  I stamped a frame from four frames stamp set in basic black classic ink, onto a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock.  I used a sentiment from the Field Flowers stamp set, and tucked this 'label' into my multi-loop bow.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that we have inspired you to play along with us @ NAC.  The design team uses Stampin' Up! products, but remember, you can use what you have on hand.  But, if you see something you just love, you can shop at my Stampin' Up! store 24/7!  A link is on the right hand side of my blog.

love this card? purchase it here