Vintage Chic Christmas Card

Welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  Grab a cup of coffee/tea, and scroll through my posts.  I have been busy crafting and posting what I have created.  I was browsing a local paper store, and stumbled upon this beautifully neutral pattern paper by Heidi Swap: Vintage Chic.  A beautiful collection of pattern papers in cream, black, grey, teal, and pink.  Amazing.   Now, if you scroll down a few posts, you will see that I have crafted two notebooks, a gift tote, and a few cards.  But, I am not done crafting with these beautiful pattern papers, yet! {smile}  

While surfing the web, I stopped by one of my favorite eastern European challenge sites: Scrap Magic.   Their current challenge is kraft & pearls, it is part of their 'contrast' challenge.  They also have a beautiful inspiration board.  And if you need a little more creative eye candy, please check out what the design team have created.  You will be pleasantly surprised {smile}.

*there is a translate button for this site

This challenge and my 'new' Vintage Chic pattern paper, are perfect together!

I also stopped by the Christmas Card Challenge.  I wanted to see what their new challenge is.  Their current challenge is Anything Goes.  Easy to work with {smile}.

and here is what i created:

*my mix of textures, and **my repeat of color

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink, for the card base.  I used mint macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up! for the matt.  I used 3 different pattern papers from the Vintage Chic collection by Heidi Swap: kraft & cream stripes, grey polka dots on cream, and ledger print on cream paper.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  It's a soft kraft color ink.

I adhered the kraft & cream stripe paper onto the mint macaroon card stock, and sewn a simple border stitch on the main panel.  

I used my Tasteful Trim die to create the large scallop panel with the grey polka dot on cream pattern paper.  I wrapped a piece of mint macaroon taffeta ribbon around the large scallop die cut piece.  

I used one of my digital bingo cards and matted it on mint macaroon card stock.  I tucked it just under the large scallop piece.  

I used a mini banner punch by Stampin' Up! to create my trio of banners.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I used a scrap piece of mint macaroon card stock to matt each banner piece. I adhered them to the main panel, and then used my stapler to secure them to the card front.  (*I love mixing different textures: paper, fabric, metal, pearls/rhinestones, etc.)  I tied my bow upside down.  I like how the bow sat, upside down, better then right side up.  

I stamped my sentiment in baked brown sugar classic ink by Stampin' Up!, onto white card stock.  I wanted a soft, creamy, kraft color, and love how this color looked.  I used mint macaroon as my matt. I used foam tape to 'lift' the sentiment block off the card front.  

I used one of my Prima: Coffee Break fabric blossoms, to add a feminine touch to the card.  I just love the lace and pearl center.  So delicate and pretty.  

For my final touch, I added some kraft-colored, flat-back pearls, and some mint-colored, flat-back jewels in two clusters of three.  (**Kraft and Mint are the two main colors, and so I repeated these colors whenever I could.)

Thank You, for visiting my blog.  I hope you have found some inspiration.  And I hope you have the opportunity to play along with either of these challenges.  I know that they would love to see what you have created {smile}.

Read, Drink (tea) & Be Merry Card

Good Morning! I hope all is well in your home.  Here, doing ok.  I have a few errands to run today, along with a few chores to accomplish.  But, all in all, it should be a productive day.   As I sit here, getting coupons together, and making my lists, I notice that I forgot failed to publish a blog post.  UGH!  A bit late, and I missed a few challenges, but, here it is.  {grimace} The card that I created did make it into my Etsy shop, HERE.

I need to create a card for a special friend who is hosting an afternoon tea for me and a few (ok, 10) of my girl friends.  She is super talented, creative, and an all around dear lady.  And I stumbled upon a few challenges, that will help get me creating!  So, here we go!
My first stop is Mojo Monday. This sketch is for a tall and skinny card, but I love the layout!  this challenge is currently closed.  I missed their deadline.

My next stop is The Card Concept.  The inspiration for their current challenge, a tea cup with a gorgeous blossom inside.  How stinking cute is that?  Did I mention the color of the tea cup? Vintage blue.  Yeah, and the blossom is this pale pretty pink.  Who could have asked for a better color combo?  The title for their challenge:  Sweet Tea.  this challenge is currently closed, as well.  UGH!

My next stop is Crafting By Designs.  This group of talented ladies really know how to craft a card.  The design team is inspirational and super creative.  Their current challenge:  Anything Goes!  Awesome!  

here is what I made:

I made a typical A2 size card. (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

I used a single sided card stock, in Latte by Amuse Studios, for the card base.  

The card was then created with scraps of various pattern papers I had on hand.  The beautiful worn wood pattern paper is Paper Studios, County Floral.  The text pattern paper is Melissa Frances.  I added a scrap piece of white cotton trim and did some machine sewing.  

The 'tag' piece is actually a journalling card from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  I simply trimmed it down and added a banner end.   I added an embellishment from the same collection and adhered it to the 'tag'.  Just to give it a focal point.  The words are in gold.  So, that added some sparkle.

I wrapped some seam binding around the top of the card.  Adhered it to the card front with machine stitching.  {smile}  It is an antique rose color.  But I wanted some bling, so I added some retired silver bakers twine from Stampin' Up!  

I tied a simple bow with the seam binding, but it appeared to need something more, so I also tied a simple bow with my pale pink tinsel.  I think it helps add some sparkle, some vintage flair, and help balance the card.  I tied a tea cup charm onto the stacked bows with some of the bakers twine.  A hidden treasure!

And finally, I added several flat back faux pearls to the card front.  To give it, a feminine touch.   I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink, from Stampin' Up! to help give the card some aged charm.  I thought the stark white edges looked to 'modern'.  

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to play along in these challenges.  I did use the sketch challenge from Mojo Monday for the layout.  However, I missed the deadline to that challenge.  Have a great day, and craft something beautiful!

Dreamy Mint Card

I know that I have been absent lately.  Life has gotten crazy.  I went to Phoenix last week, and was gone the whole week.  I had a blast, did some junking, shopping, swimming, and spending some really great quality time with my oldest granddaughter.  These moments are precious, and don't happen often.  So, I was totally present, and we had a blast!

So, now that I am home, and back into the groove of working, and unpacked, I wanted to create something.  So, I headed to a couple of  my favorite challenge sites, and created something beautiful! {smile}

I started with a great sketch @ Mojo Monday Challenge.  And I love this current sketch.  Very user friendly, and easy to work with regardless of the pattern paper you select.

My last stop was @ Crazy 4 Challenges, to check out their current theme: use springtime flowers.  

and here is what I crafted:

First, let me give the disclaimer: this is NOT a square card.  I don't do square cards.  I know, how crazy.  But, I just don't. {frown}

The card base and the journalling card are matted with my favorite kraft card stock - Paper Studio.  I love the color.  But the weight isn't as heavy as I love, so I always add card stock to the inside of the card.  

I wanted something mint, something girl-y, something pretty, and I found a sheet of this beautiful mint and gold foil polka dot pattern paper from My Mind's Eye, from their On Trend collection.

I added a peach-pink pattern paper for the belly band.  This pattern paper is from Authentique, the Grace collection.

I added some machine stitching.  I did a double border stitch.  Nothing fancy, just super sweet.

I used a journalling card from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  I did my hand-stamping to the journal card before I adhered it to the card front.  I used the Loving Thoughts stamp set by Stampin' Up!  I also used basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up!  I adhered the journalling card to the front of this card with foam tape.

I wrapped some pale pink seam binding around the card front and tied a multi-loop bow.  To add some sparkle, I tied some thin gold tinsel around the bow and tied a simple bow.  I adhered a pale blue/aqua mist paper blossom to the top of the bow.

And finally, I added a black cork coffee cup to the upper right corner.  

Well, thank you for looking.  This card is actually for a very special girl friend.  We are spending a whole day crafting next weekend! and I got her a little gift. {smile}  I hope she loves it!

Magnetic A

Welcome.  Yeah, I've been busy crafting! and all I can say, is, YAHOO!  I just love it!  It really does my heart and soul good to create something with paper, seam binding, and buttons!  happy, happy, happy!  {big grin}

All of the items I am sharing with you, are for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  And what doesn't sell, will be for sale at several local (Albuquerque, New Mexico) holiday craft shows.  [please note, that I have not shared everything I have made for the craft fairs on my blog.  some items either don't photograph well, or don't ship well.]

One of my top sellers, are magnetic monograms.  I take 4" tall letters, and alter them.  I use pattern papers I have on hand, and add various embellishments.  You know me, seam binding, and a vintage button or two, and always something feminine like a rhinestone(s) or pearl(s). {smile}

All I have left to do, to finish this monogram, is to adhere the two round, strong magnets to the back, and viola!  

I used a scrap piece (4" x 4") of my favorite text pattern paper from Melissa Frances.  I love the dark grey color of the text, and the beautiful font.  This pattern paper is very easy to work with.  You add the color you love!  I painted the letter with a pearl cream color paint.  I wanted to keep the letter neutral, so the color doesn't compete with the pattern paper.

I wrapped some white crochet trim around the lower portion of the wide leg of the letter.  I wrapped some pale pumpkin dyed muslin around the middle of the letter and tied it in a simple bow.  I added a light coral lace blossom from Prima, Coffee Break collection.  I just love the soft, beautiful look of these lace blossoms.  

I added a light coral paper blossom just above the lace blossom.  I added some of the pearl cream paint to the tips of the paper blossom.  I tucked in a clock stick pin from Prima.  And finally, I added two berry sorbet vintage buttons, from Paper Trey Ink.  And finally, I wanted to add some sparkle, so I cut the legs off a rhinestone brad, and tucked it in close to the muslin bow.

Want to see more photos of this gem?  Head on over to my Etsy shop!  and Thank You for taking the time to visit me, and I hope I have inspired you, to create something beautiful, and in your favorite color!

5 x 5 Creative Challenge

~ Photo Heavy Post ~

Howdy!  So, I'm back.  I posted a few days ago, a creative challenge for you:  to simply note and photograph 5 things a week, to document those precious moments in your life.  I also stated that this challenge would begin on August 1, 2015, so you would have time to create a special book to keep your documented blessings.  I set out into my craft room today, to create my book.  And I want to share it with you.  

here is the cover:

I used the current sketch from Mojo Monday to help get the creative juices flowing for this project.  

Here is the sketch:

I hope no one is surprised that I used a flower for one of the circle elements {smile}

I am also entering the creative challenge over @ Scrap-Pygovka.   Their challenge is make a cover/book.  Something that holds documents/pages.

And that is what I have done.  This book contains blank pages now, but soon they will start getting filled with what I find precious, memorable, and meaning in my life. {smile}

Also, last but certainly not least.  I am entering the challenge over @Kafe Scrapo Mama.   These ladies are super talented and very inspirational.  I do encourage you to see what they have created.

Their challenge is to add one mandatory white flower to your project, and no other requirement.

More photos of my project:

inside front cover:

inside back cover:

and finally, the back of the book:

Recipe:  I used paper and embellishments I have in my craft room.  And I used what I love.  {smile}

Cover:  The pink text paper is from Webster's Pages, and the floral paper is from Tilda.  I used a big white Prima Marketing blossom.  I stamped the 'vintage' camera in black ink, onto very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up! and fussy cut.  I used foam tape to adhere the camera to a text print paper.  (The camera and sentiment both come from Shutter Bug stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.)    The clock brad comes from LemonCraft.  I added a scrap piece of that beautiful pale blue-green and brown polka dot paper  (Stella Rose) to the seam where the two pattern papers meet.  I also added some crochet trim and pale pink seam binding, and machine stitched them to the cover.  I added a multi-loop bow to the cover, and tied on an aqua mist vintage button, by Paper Trey Ink.  I added a double bow of the kraft twine under the seam binding bow.  The tiny brown paper blossom was tucked in just above the big white blossom.   

Inside front Cover:  I used pattern papers from the Stella Rose collection and machine stitched them to the front cover.  I added an ATC card from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  I just love how positive the sentiment is.

Inside back Cover:  I used a large scrap piece of the blossom paper I used on the front cover, by Tilda.  I just love the tiny blossoms, and  the vintage look of this paper.  I added a long banner piece cut from the same Websters Pages paper.  I used a photo corner punch to create the banner end.  I added some machine stitching to the top of this banner piece.  I added another of the Coffee Break ATC's.  I love this piece.  A coffee cup, a vintage typewriter in that gorgeous aqua blue color and some beautiful home-grown roses.

Back Cover:  I used a scrap piece of the pink patten paper from the cover, by Webster's Pages.  I love the different fonts in white, and the scallop edge.  Very beautiful!  and I stamped my 'brand' on the back in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  

If you noticed, the pages inside are blank.  That way, I can decorate them as I want, as I go.  Because I am not sure on how I will display my photos.  And I wanted to use my favorite kraft card stock on the inside.  

I used my Bind-It-All, to create the holes and connect the spiral rings to my book.  I used 1" antique gold rings for this book.

Well, thank you for looking.  I hope you play along with my challenge.  This creative 5 x 5 challenge begins August 1, 2015.  All you need to do, is take 5 photos a week, capturing the moments that make your life special, memorable, and uniquely YOU, and write one minute for each photo.  Either share your photos in social media, a blog, or a journal.  I believe that a majority of our lives should be 'off record'.  And so, I will share with you, HERE on this blog, 2 of my weekly photos.  

Special Edition #260: Card

Welcome.  I was busy late last week crafting, and then I went out of town.  I wasn't able to post before I left, and I didn't bring my laptop with me.  {frown; sorry}

I am still working on using my scrap pieces of pattern paper. I wanted to use the scraps I have left over from my little mini composition notebook, to create a card.  {smile}

To help me with some direction, I headed over to Just Add Ink Challenge.  These talented ladies have a great sketch as their current challenge.  You will be inspired.

Now, when I first saw this sketch, I instantly saw many possibilities.  The circle could be a doily, or a blossom. The rectangles could be pretty pattern papers.  And the banner, could be ribbon, lace, or words!  And that's just what I did:

Recipe:  I used Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up! as the card base.  Love this soft, pale blue color.  Very pretty!  I used Authentique Renew pattern paper (Flourish).  I added a double machine stitch border.  

For the center rectangle, I added a Coffee Break journal tag, by prima.  I love how the aqua blue and black polka dot tag coordinates so well with the Flourish pattern paper.

I added a pool party seam binding multi-loop bow, to cover the red blossoms on the journal tag.  I tied a vintage button to the center of the bow.  I added a double loop of cream twine below the seam binding bow.  I included a tiny tag, with Mother hand-stamped on it, in basic black classic ink.

I added a strip of white lace trim, where the banner piece went.  I also added a strip of aqua mist satin ribbon on top of the lace trim.

The aqua blue fabric blossom, I purchased.  It was on clearance at a big box store.  I just love well the colors match!

Stay tuned tomorrow.  I will be posting another card-gift combo, and a gift card holder.  I'll give you a little insight.  I used mostly white/cream!

Coffee & You, Card

Oh my! I had a lot of fun creating a card for the Friday Mashup challenge this week.   Their challenge this week, is to use their sketch or project or 'mash up' and use both!  So, I did!  Let me first say, that the sketch is super user friendly and easy to work with.  The project is to use 2/+ embellishments.  How fun will that be?   I used both the sketch and the project requirement of 2/+ embellishments (pearl brad, 3D paper embellishment, sequins, and bakers twine.)

I used the same new pattern paper pad for this card, too:  Signature, by Color Bok.  I also used the same stamp set: We Go Together, by Paper Trey Ink.  Here it is:

I wanted to  make a special card for a super special friend.  This fabulous lady, Nichole, has been a great source of comfort, support, encouragement, and just a plain super duper great friend!  And one of our favorite past times, is to drink coffee and visit.  How wonderful is that?  So, I wanted her to know that I love her more than coffee! {smile}

Recipe:  The card base is crumb cake card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  The pattern papers (3) are from the Signature pattern paper pad by Color Bok.  I sponged the edges of each paper, and then layered them on top of each other.

For the banner piece at the upper right corner, I first added a journaling tag from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  Then I stamped my sentiment onto shimmer white card stock, with baked brown sugar classic ink.  I stamped the sentiment again on a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock, and fussy cut the 'my coffee' line and adhered it onto the sentiment banner with foam tape.  Finally, I stapled this collection to the upper right corner of the card front.

I wrapped some bermuda bay bakers twine around the bottom third of the card.  I tied a multi-loop bow with the bakers twine and secured it to the card front with a pearl brad.   

I added a paper 3-D 'coffee break' embellishment just above the pearl brad.  I love how the to-go coffee cup is sitting in a bouquet of flowers, along with an 'imagine' tag, a heart bubble, and a lone blossom are elevated with foam tape.

To add a little sparkle, I added a trio of sequins by Studio Calico.  A pair of green sequins above the to-go coffee, and a brown striped sequin just below the pearl brad.  I thought the mix of these two sequins added a little 'pretty' to the card front!  I'm pretty sure Nichole will like my card.  But mostly, I just want to send her a hand written note.  Because who doesn't love getting this kind of snail mail?  Just curious, but how do you mail your hand-made cards? Translucent or Opaque envelope?

I hope you get a chance to create something beautiful and creative this weekend.