A Sweet Pink Christmas Card

Howdy.  Welcome.  Well, the sun is out this morning, so I took advantage of the daylight and snapped a photo of a card I made last night.  I LOVE pink, and shabby chic, so why not put those two together to make a sweet, pink, shabby Christmas card?  {smile}

I used the current sketch challenge over @ Mojo Monday.  They have some very user friendly sketches.  And the design team is just so talented!   Here is the current sketch: 

today's the last day for this sketch challenge

I also wanted to enter another challenge.  The current challenge over @ A Snowflakes Promise, is Winter/Christmas.  This challenge site, has some very creative folks on their design team as well.  So, I am sure you will find some inspiration there, as well.

this challenge ends this month

and here is what I made:

So, let me just dive right in, with how I made this card {smile}!  This card is 4 1/4" x 6".  So, its larger than an A2, but smaller than an A6.  I like this size of card, because the A6 envelope allows for bulk from embellishments.  (I know I have made flat cards before, but its been so long ago, I can't remember the year {smile}).

I started with Vintage card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  I just love the heavy weight of their card stock, to use for card bases.  Their vintage card stock, is a bit lighter than Very Vanilla by Stampin' Up!, so that is why the two vanilla pieces don't match.

I used two pattern papers from Tilda (Christmas, and homemade), and one pattern paper from Carta Bella (baby girl).  

I added two different white cotton trims to the top and bottom of the middle panel. I added a double border stitch with my sewing machine.  I also machine stitched a white crochet trim to the bottom of the middle panel.  

I used some scrap pieces to create my flags (I hand-cut my flag ends).  I made a larger flag for the sentiment piece.  I hand-stamped my sentiment, using a stamp set by Paper Trey Ink; Season's Greetings.  I heat embossed the sentiment with silver embossing powder.  It's beautiful, but a bear to photograph.

I stacked two pale pink blossom pieces.  The bottom blossom is glittered, while the top blossom is flocked.  I added a pink cotton rosette to the center, and used a square rhinestone to hold it all together.  I had a scrap piece of that shimmery chenille trim, so I tied it into a bow.  I added a silver-tone ice skate charm, and tied it to the trim with cream twine.

Thank you for looking.  Now, I'm headed back into my craft room, to create another vintage style piece for another challenge!  Yahoo!  I love days like these!  No obligations, or chores.  Just crafting! I hope you get the opportunity to create something wonderful, too!

Ho {cubed}; It's Christmas

~ photo heavy post ~

The paper crafting continues {smile}.  I was struggling earlier yesterday, and couldn't figure out where to start.  So, I simply just started {smile}.  I used the current sketch from Cardabilities, to get the creative juices flowing.  And it did!  I created a pair of holiday cards using some sweet vintage-y style pattern papers from Paper Studio.  And I purchased these pattern papers on sale.  Cha-ching!

current sketch:

I'm also entering the current challenge over @ the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  Their current challenge is: Christmas; it will soon be here.  Check out their creative design team.  Very talented!

and what I created (the red version):

and the green version:

and yeah, I did stamp the inside:

The sentiments were stamped on very vanilla card stock.  I used two new holiday stamp sets by Stampin' Up!. (outside the card, uses Oh What Fun stamp set, and inside the card, uses Cozy Christmas stamp set.) They were hand-stamped with basic black classic ink.  All the pattern papers are from Paper Studio.  For the inside of the card, I cut a narrow strip of the margin pattern paper, and tore the end to resemble washi tape.  

I sponged all the edges, of the various papers, with crumb cake classic ink.  I also added machine stitching along the bottom portion of each card.  And machine stitched the cotton trim and cotton ribbon.  The cotton trim was purchased from a local sewing store.  The cotton ribbons are from Stampin' Up!

I added buttons from my stash (red corduroy and garden green button) are retired from Stampin' Up!. And a silver reindeer charm is tied to the bow with cream twine.  

Thank you for looking.  I'm planning on making a few gift card holders and gift bags using this festive holiday pattern paper.  Stay tuned {smile}.  And these cards will be for sale in my Etsy shop.

Vintage Winter Treasure Tin

Welcome!  I was surfing the internet, and stumbled upon two new challenge sites, that I should play along with.  I say 'should' because I need to get more holiday crafts completed.  

I stopped @ the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  They have a new challenge, titled: it will soon be here: Christmas!

I also stopped by A Snowflake Promise challenge site.  Their current challenge is: winter/Christmas.

here is what I made:

I have really loved decorating these blank tins.  {smile}  I first paint the tins with chalk paint, then distress with various sand papers, and finally seal the tin surface.  I wanted to make some tins that were event specific.  And I had some scrap pieces of this beautiful winter holiday pattern paper from Authentique.  {smile}

the outside of the tin:

I distressed the pattern papers, too.  I layered some of the papers, and added some machine stitching.  

This blank tin measures approximate 3 3/4" x 2 1/4".  

Thank you for looking.  I'm working on a few tins for 'new' babies.  {smile}

Celebrate, Card

Welcome.  

милости просим

This post will have a Russian translation in the write-up, out of respect for the challenge hosts.

Это сообщение будет иметь перевод на русский язык в рецензии, из уважения к этому вызову хозяев.

As you may know, I have Tuesdays off from work.  I use this day to get chores done, run errands, and have time home alone to craft.  Aww, there is nothing better than crafting home alone, once the house is cleaned, the laundry done, and dinner is in the oven.  {smile}

Как вы знаете, у меня есть по вторникам от работы. Я использую это день, чтобы получить работу по дому сделали, на побегушках, и есть время, дома в одиночестве крафта. Ой, нет ничего лучше, чем крафта дома одна, когда дом очищается, прачечная сделано, и ужин в духовке. {улыбка}

I typically stop by I Love Scrap challenge blog to see what the current challenge is.  And I don't typically play along.  But, I really love this sketch, and wanted to play with some papers I have on hand.  

Я обычно прекращается по I Love Scrap вызов блог, чтобы увидеть то, что текущая задача состоит в том. И я обычно не играют вместе. Но, я действительно люблю этот эскиз, и хотел, чтобы играть с какими-то бумагами у меня на руках.

here is the current sketch #76

Вот текущий эскиз # 76

I wanted a little more direction, so I started looking around the world wide web, and stubbled upon another creative challenge site: Vanilla Wonders.  They are hosting a pretty creative challenge.  Basically, include cabbage roses (real, or imagery) and include tenderness.  You can also create a card or a tag.  I created a card.

Я хотел немного больше направление, так что я начал искать вокруг всемирной паутине, и наткнулся на другой творческой сайта Задача: Vanilla чудес. Они хостинг довольно творческая задача. В принципе, включают розы капуста (Real или изображений) и включают в себя нежность. Вы также можете создать открытку или тег. Я создал карту.

and here is the card I created for these two challenges:

и вот карта, которую я создал для этих двух проблем:

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock for the card base.  I used a left over piece of text pattern paper from my Forget Me Not collection.  I had a scrap piece of the tiny floral pattern paper from my Tilda collection.  The focal floral/text image is actually a digital download.  I printed it onto whisper white card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  This card stock is wonderful to print digital images onto.  I added a double border of machine stitching, and distressed the edges of these pattern papers.

Рецепт: Я использовал крафт-картоне для основной карты. Я использовал оставшиеся фрагмент текста выкройки из моего Forget Me Not коллекции. У меня был кусочке крошечной цветочным узором бумаги из моей коллекции Тильда.Фокусное цветочный / изображение текста на самом деле скачать в цифровом формате. Я распечатал его на шепот белый карточках, по Stampin 'Up !. Это карточки замечательно для печати цифровых изображений на. Я добавил двойную рамку машинного шитья и уныние края этих шаблонов документов.

I added a pink rose ticket, which is a digital download, also.  I added a balsa wood frame around the word 'ticket'.  I added a small collection of pink sequins inside the frame.  I also stamped my sentiment, 'celebrate TODAY' right onto the ticket, in Jet Black Staz-On pigment ink.

Я добавил розовая роза билет, который является цифровой загрузки, а также. Я добавил пробкового дерева рамку вокруг слова «билета». Я добавил небольшую коллекцию розовых блесток внутри кадра. Я также штамп мое мнение ", сегодня отмечаем« право на билете, Jet Black Stazon пигментными чернилами.

I added a collection of seam binding, lace, and trim along the bottom of my pattern papers.  I machine stitched the trims to the card front.  I tied a multi-loop bow with the cream colored seam binding.  I added some white paint and glitter to the little wooden button, and tied it to the bow with some cream twine.

Я добавил коллекция шва связывания, кружева и отделки вдоль нижней части моей картины бумаги. В машине сшитые триммеры на фронт карты. Я привязал многорамочного лук с с привязкой кремового цвета шва. Я добавил некоторые белой краской и блеск для деревянной небольшой кнопки, и привязал его к носу с каким-то кремом бечевкой.

Finally, I added a pair of tiny vintage buttons tied with more of the cream twine, to the right side of the card.

Наконец, я добавил пару крошечных старинных кнопки связаны с большим количеством сливок шпагата, в правой стороне карты.

Thank you for stopping by my little piece of blog-land.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with either of these challenge sites.  {smile}

Спасибо, что заглянули мой маленький кусочек блог-земли. Я надеюсь, что вы были вдохновлены, чтобы играть вместе с любой из этих призов сайтов. {улыбка}

D is for Dreamy

I have a confession, I love shabby chic, and pink.  Really!  And a challenge site I stalk frequently visit has two requirements:  use pink, and make it shabby chic!  Oh, I got this!  So, I am entering another paper craft in the current challenge over @ Shabby Chic.

У меня есть признание, я люблю потертый шик, и розовый. Действительно! И задача сайте я преследовать часто посещают имеет два требования: используйте розовый, и сделать его потертый шик! О, я получил это! Итак, я вхожу в другой бумаги ремесло в текущем вызов в течение @ Shabby Chic.

their current challenge

их текущий вызов

and here is what I made:

и вот что я сделал

I took a chipboard letter (D) and altered it.  I painted it and adhered pink polka dot pattern paper to it. I also added beautifully sweet embellishments. {smile}

Я взял ДСП письмо и переделал его. Я нарисовал ее и придерживаться розовый горошек выкройки к нему. Я также добавил красиво сладкие украшения. {улыбка}

I wrapped a piece of wide white lace.  I tied white seam binding into a simple bow around a multi-loop pink seam binding bow.  I tied another simple bow out of cream twine, and then topped these bows off with a pink houndstooth pattern brad.

Я завернул кусок широкого белого кружева. Я привязал белый шов связывания в простой лук вокруг многорамочного розовый шва связывания лука. Я привязал еще один простой лук из сливок шпагат, а затем возглавил эти луки с розовым ломаную клетку шаблон Брэд.

I adhered a white resin key below the bows.  I added a white paper blossom above the bows.  Finally, I tucked in a double loop of pearls and two stick pins: shine white leaf and pink star.  And to give this letter a little sparkle, I added a trio of silver glitter butterflies.  I added pearls to the butterfly bodies.

Я привязал белую клавишу смолы ниже луков. Я добавил белой бумаги цветок над луками. Наконец, я сунул в двойной петли из жемчуга и двумя контактами палки: Блеск белый лист и розовые звезды. И дать это письмо немного блеска, я добавил трио серебряные блестки бабочек. Я добавил жемчуг бабочки органов.

I adhered two strong magnetics to the back of the letter.  That way, you can decorate any metal surface with this pink, shabby chic, monogram.  {smile}

Я придерживались двух сильных магнетизм к задней части письма. Таким образом, вы можете украсить любую металлическую поверхность с этой розовый, потертый шик, монограммы. {улыбка}

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired!

Спасибо, что заглянули. Я надеюсь, что вы были вдохновлены!

I Won't Forget, Card

Welcome.  I wanted to take a quick break from my craft room, and share a card I made for a special friend; Denita.  We have been getting together once a month to craft.  Now, who wouldn't love that? {smile}.  And this sweet friend, is pretty creative!  She makes me craft better!  Anyways, when we got together earlier this month she shared a book tutorial.  And she made it simple, easy to follow instructions, and even cut out 'sample' pieces for me.  How super awesome is that?  Well, I wanted to send her a thank you card for everything! Lunch, the tutorial, her time, her friendship, and just being a very giving, considerate, and friendly person.   

Anyways, to help get some of those creative juices flowing, I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  retro sketches.  I love this site, because their sketches are easy to use, and the design team is very inspirational.  Here is the currently sketch:

here is what I made:

Recipe:  I started with kraft card stock from a big box store.  I love the color.  The weight of this card stock is on the light side, so I added a matted panel to the inside to balance out the weight, so the card will stand.  

different view: straight on

I still have a few scraps from my LemonCraft purchase: Forget Me Not.  So, I matted the two different pattern papers onto some Tim Holtz texture steel blue solid card stock.  I did a single machine stitch border.  

For the half circle element, I added a tea dyed paper doily.  [yes, I tea dyed several paper doilies to have on hand when white is too bright.]  I also added some pale blue seam binding to the doily.  I just had to.  I tied a simple bow.  But you know me, there is nothing simple about it.  I tied a simple bow with cream twine to the seam binding bow, and then topped it off with a white clay blossom I had made and baked a few weeks ago.  [I always make extras when I make any clay embellishments.]

The sentiment is heat embossed in early espresso.  I wanted a stark contrast, but not black.  I added a flair button, and then some blue pearls and clear rhinestones.  

This card is pretty simple for me, but I think it still has a lot of pizzazz!  Now, I need to head into town to get this gem off to the post office.  Thank you for looking! and I hope you have been inspired to play along with the talented ladies over @ retro sketches.

So Sweet of You!, Card

~ PHOTO HEAVY POST ~

Howdy.  Welcome.  Yeah, I have been busy crafting.  Busy making paper crafts for my upcoming craft fair, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.  But, I took a few minutes and photographed a very special card I created for a current card challenge.   It is in my shabby chic style, with my favorite color: PINK {smile}.

I started with a sketch from a great challenge site: Just Add Ink.  These ladies are very inspirational, and creative working with their sketch.  Please take a moment to head over, and have a look {smile}.

And then I headed over to a very inspirational challenge site: Shabby Chic.  For this current challenge, they have a color challenge!  Remember though, that you have to create in shabby chic style.  Also, they are restrictive on neutral colors.  

and here is what I made:

different views:

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock to create the card base.  I didn't want a color to compete with the main panel, so I choose to use a contrasting color.  The text pattern paper is actually from Melissa Frances.  I just love this paper.  The writing is in a dark grey color, on white paper, so their isn't any distractions.  Your eye moves over it very easy.

The main panel is a pink and white design and text pattern paper from Teresa Collins.  I sewn a double border simple stitch to adhere the two card stocks together.  I rough up the edges my finger nail, and the tip of scissors.

For the tag, I added the opposite side of the pink pattern paper by Teresa Collins.  This side of the pattern paper uses the same colors of pink and white, however, the pattern is all text.  I cut one white paper doily in half and adhered it to both sides of the tag.

I added 5 lace trims to the bottom portion of the tag.  (bottom to top) Cream wide lace.  White cotton trim.  Cream tulle fringe.  White lace.  White crochet trim.  These layers are machine stitched to the tag.  

I tied a multi-loop bow with some white seam binding.  Then I used some pale pink seam binding to tie the white bow to the front of the tag, and created a simple bow.  I tied some cream twine around the bows, and tied it into a simple  bow.  I cut the 'legs' off of a white sparkle brad, and used hot glue to attach the center of the brad to the bow collection.

I had a white fabric blossom laying on my craft desk, so I added it, just under the bow collection.

For the sentiment, I heat embossed my sentiment onto vellum card stock, using gold embossing powder.  I hand cut the banner ends to the sentiment piece.  I adhered the sentiment right onto the tag.

Thank you for looking, I hope you have been inspired to play along with either or both of these challenge sites.  You won't be disappointed {smile}!

Nostalgia Friend #252, #104

close-up

Welcome to my little slice of blog-land!  I have a card that I want to share with y'all.  I made this card for a new friend.  A lady I know introduced me to her yesterday.  We are both stampers and really do love what we do.  Anyways, long story short, we hit it off!  

I had such a grand time chatting with her, that I set out into my craft room, pushed a few projects to the side, and started working.  I knew that I wanted to make her a card, and I knew that I wanted to use a new stamp set I acquired, but needed some direction.  So, I set out to search my favorite challenge sites and see what this week had conjured up.

Just Us GirlS has recently changed their challenges, so I set out to see what they are doing this week.  This week, their challenge is to use Ribbon!  Well, I can do that.  It is probably one of the embellishments that always seem to find a spot on my crafts (along with a button, or two [smile]).

Cardabilities always has a wonderful sketch.  Their sketches are easy to work with, and easy to translate into the style you already create in.  Gotta love that!

Diva's by Design is a new challenge site for me.  They use a variety of different challenge elements each week, so its' not always the same.  Variety is the spice of life, right?  These gals really love to mix it up!  So, this challenge site is a new favorite of mine!

Our challenge this time is a favourite of everyone's, it's

ANYTHING GOES

So, here is what I created:

Here is what I used, and how I put it all together:  I started with kraft card stock from Paper Trey Ink. They have wonderful heavy weight card stock.  I took a piece of Nostaligia pattern paper by My Mind's Eye, and cut it down to 4" x 5 1/4".  I used a background chicken wire stamp from CTMH and inked it in going gray classic ink by Stampin' Up! and stamped on the right lower corner and the left upper corner.  I then inked a text stamp from Stampin' Up! in crumb cake classic ink, and stamped over the chicken wire image.  I ran this piece through my sewing machine.  (I didn't want the stitches to show on the inside of the card.)  To give this layer some 'interest' I did a zig zag stitch on the left upper corner.

The scallop piece is the other side of the colored dot pattern paper.  I used the Tasteful Trims die from Stampin' Up! to create that piece.  I used a zig zag stitch to hold the crochet trim to this scallop piece. I purposely left the ends unfinished.  I thought it added some vintage charm to the card.

I used a Martha Stewart doily and sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  The doilies are bright white and it looked too new, so I aged it a bit.  I used the Lexicon of Love stamp set by Stampin' Up! to create the text in the circle, as well as the sentiment on the banner.  I stamped both pieces in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, and stamped onto very vanilla card stock.  I used my 1 3/4" circle punch to create the circle, and I cut the banner by hand.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I adhered the circle/doily with foam tape, due to the bulk of the crochet trim.  I adhered the banner with foam tape to lift it off the front of the card.  I tied a simple bow with Blushing Bride ribbon.  I tucked a paper blossom by Recollections (#277003) just inside the bow.  I tied some cream twine to the button and adhered it just above the paper blossom.

I tucked two tickets I created with a Prima Cling stamp set #555153.  I stamped one ticket with Blushing Bride classic ink, and the other in Pear Pizzazz classic ink.  Both tickets were stamped onto very vanilla card stock.  I only added adhesive to the top of the tickets as they hand below the doily.

I also added 5 iridescent clear sequins to the left side of the card.  Two sequins by the tickets and three sequins above the button.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you have been inspired to create something beautiful! and play along with your favorite challenge!

Easter Wishes

Happy Easter!  I hope you have a chance to spend time with family, friends, and those who mean the most to you {smile}.  We are heading out the door, to go on an Easter Egg Hunt with 4 of our grandchildren.  It's pretty exciting!  and then we will be sitting down to Easter dinner.  Yum!

But, before I get on the road, I wanted to share with you an Easter card I made.  Ok, I actually made 6.  They are all packaged and in the car waiting.  (a lot of family will be at this years Easter Egg Hunt.)

I used a beautifully constructed sketch by Retro Sketches.  A lot of potential!  You can keep it clean and simple, or really add layers.  This sketch would be easy to do a shabby chic or vintage style card, too!  The possibilities are endless!

I did move the top layer over a bit.  So, if this doesn't qualify for the challenge, I totally understand.

I had a difficult time trying to find some suitable pattern paper for easter, and just couldn't find one I really liked.  So, I used digital pattern paper.  All these pattern papers are digital.  Even the bunny ticket.  The only stamping I did was the sentiment.  I added a button and bow with cream twine.  And to give the card a little visual interest I added a trio of half faux pearls.

a pink version

a green version

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you get a chance to play along with the sketch challenge over @ Retro Sketches.

Blissful Wedding Wishes

Oh, my face is red.  I was suppose to post this card on Monday, for you to look at.  But, I got busy and a bit side tracked.  Anyways, I needed a card for a good friends daughter wedding.  So, I went to two of my favorite challenge sites for inspiration and direction.

My first stop was Cardabilities #96.  I stopped there for their sketches.  I just love them!

Ok, now i need a bit of inspiration and a few requirements.  So, I headed over to another favorite challenge blog:  the Shabby Tea Room.  This challenge blog has some great design team members.

Here is their inspirational photo and requirements:

the theme for this challenge blog is Pretty in Pink.  The required elements are: white and/or cream, pink, green, flowers, lace and/or ribbon.  

Once I saw this inspiration photo, I just fell in love with the fabric blossoms.  They are so gorgeous! and the layers of lace and trim is so pretty, too!

Another card, that I didn't do a lot of stamping.  Just the sentiment: Love.  I distressed the edges of the tag with a sponge and classic ink.

I used a font pattern paper by Melissa Frances for the main panel.  I just love this paper.  It's so vintage.  I added some machine stitching along the edges, to add some home-made-ness to it {smile}.

I added a paper doily to the top of the card.  I wrapped a piece of retired lace trim across the card front.  I machine sewn some light green seam binding across the lace trim.  I thought it added a sweet touch.

I tied on a multi-loop bow using the light green seam binding.  I tied a button and sentiment tag to the bow with some cream twine.  

I tucked two cream fabric blossom shapes in with the pink blossoms.  

I added a white button just below the large pink blossom.

I added some fabric blossoms to the front of the card.  

I added three tiny silver glitter butterflies and three clear sequins.  I think this card turned out sweet, and perfect for a bridal shower.

Now, head over to these two challenge blogs, get inspired, and play along!
this card was selected as an honorable mention over @ the Shabby Tea Room, here.