{heart} Thanks

~ a few photos ~

Welcome.  I wanted to share a sneak peak of my card for today.  Trying something different.  Want to shake things up, a bit!  Before we start, let me provide a few disclaimers:  There is NO hand-stamping on my card.  And I used a majority of products from the same collection & manufacturer: Prima.  

Now, with that out of the way, let's get to today's post!  Howdy!  I'm happy you are here.  I love participating in paper crafting challenges.  But, like most of you, I don't always have the time I want to craft.  And that is sad.  But, not today!  I carved out a few hours earlier today, to craft a much needed Thank You card.  Unfortunately, I am not participating in several challenges.  Just two.  But don't fret.  I am sure you will like what I made {smile} I know I am happy with how my card turned out.  

This week, is a contest challenge over @ Mojo Monday.  I try my hardest to always participate in these challenges.  I think the design team does some of their best work during these weeks.  And, they do inspire you to play along.  So, that is what I did.  And I will most likely play along this upcoming week, too {smile}

what a clever sketch.  I just love the circle element and the ribbon piece.  The layered rectangles will add so much visual interest and give me a chance to add different patterns/textures!

I am also entering Word Art Wednesday.  They have Anything Goes, Family Friendly challenge.  This group of lovely ladies, will certainly inspire you.  But, what keeps me playing, is their positive, hopeful, and just genuine love of life!  These ladies will raise your spirits, keep your hope strong, and encourage your creativity!

here is what I created:

Recipe:  My card measures a typical A2 size greeting card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  

My card base is made from crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love their heavy weight card stock, and the color is just dreamy!

The matts are Blush Blossom card stock by Stampin' Up!.  This beautifully sweet peachy/blush color has been retired for 10yrs.  It's a hoarded collected treasure.  {smile}

The pattern papers are all from Something Blue by Prima.  I wanted to use the neutral colors, and then add a soft, splash of color: blush.  Something sweet, to accompany Something Blue.

I matted all three pattern papers onto blush blossom, and added a simple machine stitching around each rectangle.  I thought it added a softness, a homespun look & feel, and gave it a little vintage-y look.  {smile}  I sponged all the edges of the pattern papers and matts with tea stain ink.

For my circle element, I added a new small lace doily by Stampin' Up! (#142793).  These beautifully delicate doilies are white on one side, and vanilla/cream on the other.  How super clever of Stampin' Up!.  I hot glued a Something Blue dark grey blossom to the card front where the polka dot and text pattern papers meet.    I love how the dark text pattern paper isn't black, but rather a dirty grey.  So I mimicked that color in my blossom.  I wanted to repeat the blush color, so I added a tiny brad with a blush heart, next to the blossom.                              I wrapped coconut seam binding around the card front.  I just love this neutral color.  It doesn't distract your eye, but rather allows your eye to move across the card.  I adhered a wooden sentiment banner to the card front.  I was already stamped with 'THANK YOU'.  So, I didn't have to add a sentiment.              
I tied a piece of coconut seam binding into a triple bow, and adhered it to the wooden sentiment banner piece.  I thought the bow looked beautifully there, instead of below the sentiment.                                  
To finish my card, I added a trio of blush sequins from Close To My Heart.  Just to add a little splash of color, and a little more femininity to my card.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope your weekend is finishing strong!  We are getting ready for another winter storm to move-in.  We are expecting snow later today/evening.  Take care, and until next time, Happy Crafting!  It really does make your soul happy!

Printed Blossoms

Howdy!  Ok, I'm getting 'better' at this new updated photo editing program.  I didn't spend too many hours fighting with it figuring it out.   So, I photographed a new card I made, uploaded it, and sorta happy with it.  

I am playing along in two challenges.  Each challenge is on different sides of the world.  How cool is that?  My first stop is in the USA:  Sugar Pea Designs Challenge.  This challenge site has a clever challenge idea.  They give you a theme, an inspiration board, and a sketch.  You can play with any one element or match them all together.  Pretty creative and super clever.  Here is the current (and soon retiring) challenge #8.

(I used the sketch)

And the other challenge I am playing along with, is from Russia: scrap-pygovka   This challenge is to use the colors and elements in the inspiration board.  You can use any theme, and I believe any project: tags, cards, albums, etc.  Love the 'freedom' to just create!  Here is their inspiration board:

(I used pale green and various pinks)

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I made a standard A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  I sponged some distress linen ink to all the edges of the card stocks, and pattern papers.  The card base is made from Cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  (have I mentioned that I love this heavy weight card stock for card bases?)  My matt is made from mellow moss card stock by Stampin' Up!.  It was retired probably 5 years ago(?).  I just love the vintage look of this green.  It more of a grayish green.  The two pattern papers I used are from Anna Griffin, the Camilla Collection.  Very pretty, soft, and very feminine.

When I was constructing this card, I adhered the green pattern paper first.  Then I added the cream cotton trim.  I adhered the floral pattern paper.  And then I machine stitched the Coconut Seam Binding to the front of the card.  I then added my single border stitch all the way around the card front.  I love the way machine stitching looks on cards, and it also adds a little more staying power.  

I stamped my sentiment in basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up!, onto a scrap piece of cream card stock, and layered a scrap piece of mellow moss card stock.  The sentiment banner is adhered to the card front with foam tape.

I tied a double bow with another length of Coconut seam binding, and adhered the bow to the card front with hot glue.  

I painted the tips of the deep pink paper blossom with some shimmer paint.  Then adhered the paper blossom to the top of the bow.

One final touch, was the trio of creamy taupe-colored flat back faux pearls.  Viola!  Pretty, elegant, and simple.  Well, this is about as clean and simple as I get.  

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what I have created.  I am off to get started on my shabby chic utility apron.  I'm excited to start, but also kinda nervous.  The fabric I am using was shipped from the Netherlands, so I need to make one cut, and not mess this up!   Pressure!  Fingers crossed.  Stay tuned!