Roses, for a Friend

Hello.  Life has gotten a bit messy lately.  Well, actually the whole month of May, was a living nightmare.  I know, how poopy.  But, I am a strong woman, and I have endured a lot worse, unfortunately.  And, that little piece of knowledge still hasn't taken the sting off of the horrible treatment I have endured at work.

I didn't get my June Happiness challenge out.  Actually, I haven't sat down to write it, yet.  I will.  It will be super late.  But, it will get done.  Because that is what I need to focus on now.  Happiness.  Peace.  Joy.  Reflection.  Family.   Friends.  

I made a few cakes, and posted images on various social media accounts.  Just quick little creations, that unfortunately didn't take a lot of effort, but did bring me some joy {smile}.

Today, I actually went into my craft room.  I haven't been there in over a month.  To say the stress and depression from work has really put a wrench in my creativeness, is a severe understatement.  But, I walked-in, head held high, and began looking through pattern papers to inspire me.  Then, I searched from some favorite embellishments: trim, ribbon, and a button {smile}.  I created a card.  I'm not sure who for, maybe my Etsy shop.  But, I wanted to craft something.  Something pretty.  Something simple.

I stopped by a few challenge sites, to get some of those old, forgotten creative mojo juices flowing.  I am entering this card in three challenges.  Not unique for me.  But, some very dear challenge sites.

My first stop was Mojo Monday.  I was incredible sad, when I read that they will no longer be active.  That little bit of news made my heart sink a bit deeper.  But, I truly understand the reasoning.  

My next stop was Word Art Wednesday.  This group of talented ladies, really have a lot of talent.  The write-up is always inspiring, and uplifting, so for that I am truly grateful.

And my final stop is Crazy 4 Challenges.  Their challenge this week:  rose.  June is rose month, so this group of talent paper crafters want to see a rose, or two, or a whole garden of them!

and here is what I created today:

Recipe:  I used my favorite kraft card stock for the base.  I used my favorite vanilla card stock for the main matt.  This card is a typical A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

I used three different but beautiful pattern papers from French Flea Market.  The text pattern paper is just gorgeous.  What can I say, I love the writing.  The floral pattern paper is so pretty, and nostalgic.  And finally the blue damask is just timeless.  It also really high lights the blues in the small florals.  I just HAD to add some machine stitching to this card.  I did a simple single border stitch.  I used silver glitter paper for the parallel stripes.  I separated the glitter strips with a scrap piece of blue lagoon ribbon.  I thought that the blue ribbon also high lighted the blue blossoms.  {smile}  Pretty happy that it matchy-matchies.  And yeah, I machine stitched it to the card front.  I added two different, but beautiful trims in place of the vertical strips.  I added a cream crochet eyelet trim, and a green cotton embroidered trim.  The trims are attached to the card front with a simple zig-zag stitch.  (yeah, more machine stitching {smile})

For the sentiment piece, I found a pretty font, simple wording.  I stamped the sentiment in early espresso classic ink onto very vanilla card stock.  (my favorite vanilla card stock.)  And then matted it with that beautiful blue damask pattern paper.  I used foam tape at each corner, to help lift the sentiment off the front of the card.

I added a single floral button to the sentiment piece.  I cut off the shank with a pair of heavy duty scissors.  And viola! my card is complete.  And I am happy with how it came together.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you have a chance to play along with any or all of these beautiful challenge sites.  And remember, we all need time and space to get through some of life's messes.  Thank you for your support.

Provence-Style Rose

Howdy!  Hope this post finds you well, and enjoying your weekend.  Me, busy as a bee.  But, what's new.  I always wait patiently for the summer, because I tell myself, 'life will slow down, and I can catch my breathe.'  And we all know that is so far from the truth.  No one's life 'slows down' during the summer.  Actually, it is quite opposite.  We are all in a rush to get in some vacation time, and attend as many cook outs as possible.  {smile}

I did however, take some time for myself this morning to create a card for a challenge or two.  (ok, 3) So, here we go!  I stopped by the creative challenge site: Crazy 4 Challenges.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  Awesome!

I turned the sketch 90 degrees to the left

My next stop, was the beautiful challenge site:  Scrap Magic.  They always have great inspiration boards.  Their current challenge is to craft in Provence Style.  {I'm going to try it}

And last, I stopped by the Brown Sugar Challenge site.  Their current challenge is - Anything Goes.

here is what I crafted:

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock for the base of the card.  I love the rustic look of this paper.  I used two different pattern papers, and both are years old.  (sorry, I'm trying to use what I have on hand.)

The main panel is a Valentine's day theme paper from My Minds Eye.  It has that weathered look to it.  The blossoms are done in a faint reddish purple color.  I used the edge of my scissors to distress the edges.  I then swiped some white canvas ink over the edges.  And finally, I added some machine stitching.  

The grayish polka dot pattern paper is from a Christmas collection.  (my scrap piece no longer had the manufacture name on it.  If I had to guess, I'd say another My Minds Eye pattern paper.  I matted that piece with a scrap piece of kraft card stock.  A little more machine stitching.

The cotton-rhinestone piece is actually from Prima.  And probably 6/+ years old.  I still have 5 of these left, in a cream, a brown, and this beautiful rose color.  [I know this sounds like I'm a hoarder, but, really just a collector.]  I painted a wooden button with white acrylic paint, and dunked it into a tub of glitter.  Once the paint was dry, I took a small piece of sand paper to the button, to rough it up a bit.  I tied the button to the card front with kraft twine, from Paper Trey Ink.  I tied a double bow between the card and button.

I added a scrap piece of cotton trim just above the cotton-rhinestone piece.  I felt that the card needed another layer of fabric.  

My sentiment piece is hand-stamped and machine cut.  I used a coordinating stamp and die set from Amuse Studios for that piece.  [Vintage Labels is the die & stamp set]  I stamped the outline, and sentiment with basic grey classic ink, by Stampin' Up!  The Hand Scripted sentiment stamp set comes with various words to mix and match.  The card stock I used for the sentiment piece, is actually the back side of the weathered blossom pattern paper I used for the main panel.  The grey streaking is a distressed look for the paper.

I added a white resin piece from Melissa Frances.  I thought the basket of blossoms was a perfect fit for this card.  I used a retired Pale Plum marker, by Stampin' Up! to color two blossoms and the bow. I thought this color of purple matched the cards overall look perfectly!  And finally, I added a trio of pearl halves.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that I have inspired you to create something beautiful or simply to play along in any or all of these challenge sites!

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!

Roses and Butterflies: Card

Howdy!  I am still working with my vintage spring pattern papers by Maja Design.  {smile}  This pattern paper I selected today, doesn't have pink or aqua colors in it.  Surprised?  It actually has purples, blues, and yellows in it.  The front side of this pattern paper has a faded calendar with yellow birds and April written in blue.  The other side of this pattern paper is paisley print.  

To help me get a direction on the construction of this card, I stopped by the Crazy 4 Challenges, to get a peek at their sketch.  And boy, am I in love with the sketch!  So many possibilities, and the design team did an awesome job with their inspiration.  {smile}

When I first saw this sketch, the circles look like the flowers, buttons, and pleated rosettes.  The white rectangle at the top looks like the perfect shape for a sentiment banner.  And here is what I made:

I made this card for my sweet daughter.  She loves blue.  It's her favorite color.  So, I was a little nervous about the faded color accents of blue, yellow, and purple.  But, I think she will love it {smile}

Recipe:  I started this card with my favorite kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  I just love the color and texture of this card stock.  I used one piece of pattern paper.  I just used both sides of the paper (not too clever, just resourceful).

My design allows me to showcase all three circles.  The large yellow paper blossom occupies the white circle shape.  And then I used a pair of yellow paper roses with leaves to occupy the small upper circle.  Then I added a multi-loop bow of pale lavender seam binding, and a white resin button to occupy the space of the small circle on the right.

I added a wide cotton trim to the left side of the top panel.  I however must confess that I cut my panel too short.  {grimace}

I machine stitched a double border around the center panel, and distressing to help the card look vintage.  I added some brown ink sponging along all the edges, along with a thread cutter and my finger nail to rough the paper edges.

The blossoms and seam binding were very 'clean'.  So, to help distress, I added some white acrylic paint to the blossom petal tips, and randomly on the top pieces of the seam binding.

I cut leaves with two different hand held punches.  I sponged the edges of the leaves with more brown ink.  I added a white butterfly stick pin I easily purchased 8 years ago at a local scrapbook store.

For the sentiment I stamped the greeting in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, onto very vanilla card stock.  Then I matted the sentiment onto a scrap piece of heather card stock by Amuse Studio.  I adhered the sentiment to the card front, but also added a staple to help add in the overall look.

To add a little sparkle, I added two sets of sequin trios.  Both trios consist of one 6mm marshmallow sequins, and two 4mm lemon meringue sequins, by Pretty Pink Posh.

Thank you for looking at my creation.  I hope you have been inspired to craft a beautiful card using this current sketch, and paper crafting supplies you already have on hand.  {smile}

Spring Birthday, Card

~ photo heavy post ~

WOW!  I have been busy crafting, and that always makes me happy {smile}.  I have also been busy cooking/baking!  Another happy chore!  So, lets get right to the paper craft you have come to see {smile}.  Today, I am entering a card in a few four paper crafting challenges.  Some of these challenges are new to me, and some are favorites {smile}!

For the sketch, I stopped by the Retro Sketch Challenge site.  They always have easy to use sketches, and the inspiration from the design team is always great to look at {smile}.

Then I stopped by a 'new to me' recipe challenge site:  Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge.  Their current challenge is : R#218 Pastel Shades.  Now, if you know me, I can do this {smile}!

I also stopped by another 'new to me' challenge site:  Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge.  Their currently challenge is: Girly.  Now, I can do girly very well, if I say so myself!  And I love their quote: 'less is more . . . but more is better'.  LOVE IT!   Because if you know me, I love embellishments and layers!

And my last stop is by a favorite challenge site, that I have to admit, I don't play very often with: Crazy 4 Challenges.  Now, don't let that discourage you.  These ladies are super talented and they have some very fun, and creative challenges.  I just, well, kinda get side tracked.  But check out this 'still open' challenge:  Put On A Bow!  Now, if you know me, I love bows.  I put bows on almost everything I make, and not just a simple bow, but my favorite multi-loop bows!

Ok, so with all of this inspiration! and creativity! HERE is what I made:

Recipe:  I started with white card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  They make some of the best heavy weight card stock in the industry.  

The two pattern papers are from a craft company LemonCraft, in Poland.  The paper collection is called Heart Painted.  It is a collection of sweet, floral, vintage-y papers in green, pinks, polka dots, music sheets, and text.  Yes, a treasured purchased {smile}.  I added a strip of wide cream lace between these two pretty pattern papers along the left side of the card. 

So, I used a thread cutter to rough up the edges of the two pattern papers, and in doing so, I had a heavy hand on a small section of each paper.  I added a scrap piece of music paper to fill the 'hole'.  I then I inked them with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!  I just love their products!  Great quality and beautiful production!  

I'm a big fan of sewing on cards, and so I did a double messy border stitch along the smaller pattern paper.  I made sure not to stitch over my tear {smile}.  I think machine stitching always adds such a 'home-spun' look, and helps elevate the craftsmanship.  (my opinion)

I had three small scraps of some of my favorite trims sitting on my craft table.  And you know me!  "Use what you have!"  So, I machine stitched the tulle ruffle piece under the cotton trim piece first.  And then machine stitched the white thin crochet piece over them {smile, love it}.  I purposefully left the top of the cotton trim peeking out over the crochet trim.  I also used the edge of my scissors to help 'un do' the cut edges.

I made a double bow with some cream cotton twine from Paper Trey Ink.  I just love this stuff!  And then I made a double bow out of some pale pink seam binding.  But, it looked too pink for this card.  (hard to believe anything could be 'too pink'.)  So, I had a left piece of light cream seam binding sitting on my craft table, so I tied a bow around the pink  double-bow, to create this triple-bow piece.  I think that the light cream seam binding helps soften the look, and adds a little neutral to the pink.

I took off the legs of a vintage pearl brad, and used glue dots to adhere the brad top to the bow collection.  And then I added a clear crystal dangle in the bottom of the multi-loop bow collection.

I pulled out two small pink and white paper blossoms.  I added white paint to their pink petals, and some glitter.  And adhered them to the top of my sweet bow collection.

For the sentiment, I stamped the piece onto shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up! in versa mark ink.  I added some pale pink embossing powder and heat embossed this piece.  I added some foam tape to the back and adhered it to a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I fussy cut the very vanilla piece by hand, and used a photo corner punch to make the banner ends.

I actually finished the inside of the card.  I took a piece of whisper white card stock and matted it with some blushing blossom card stock, both by Stampin' Up!, and did a little machine stitching and some hand stamping {smile}  Hoping these two steps would show some cohesiveness of the card front and inside.

Well, thank you for visiting, and getting the scoop on my creation.  Now, I need to get this card in the mail.  Yeah, it is actually going to someone special.  Sorry if you were looking to purchase this card out of my Etsy shop, HERE.  {frown}  I hope you have been inspired, or motivated to play along in any of these challenges!  All of them are great, creative, and inspiring on their own, too!