More Bird House

~ photo heavy post ~

As promised earlier this week, I have several photos of my altered, decorated bird house.  I used various products I already had on hand.  That included pattern papers, paper blossoms, texture card stock, various baubles, rhinestones, vellum, resin pieces, and more!

I used a cream open-crochet trim to outline the roof line.  I also used a green pleated ribbon to border the bottom.

the top of this decorated roof

I added some crepe paper tinsel to the base of the 'hanger'.  I then tied a multi-loop bow out of a light grey seam binding.  I tied some cream and silver bakers twine to the multi-loop bow.  The twine also holds a crown bauble!  (I purposefully left a thin gap between the edges and pattern papers.)  I added a grey resin blossom at the top of the pitch of the roof on the front.

This focal piece, is actually a piece of jewelry.  It is a pendant that I cut the link off.  I heat embossed the sentiment onto vellum in white embossing powder.  I adhered the sentiment to the pendant with a single glue dot.

I added white paint and glitter to the edges of pre-made paper blossoms.  I used textured green card stock for the leaves.  I created a bud from a flat paper blossom.  I wrapped the perch with twine and added a half pearl at the end.  I included a wooden bingo piece (bird) and a half light bulb with 'US' printed on the half bulb.

side views

I added white paint and glitter to these pre-made paper blossoms, as well.  I used a textured green card stock to cut the leaves.  I also added a white enameled zipper pull with heart and rhinestone dangle.  I used the two different shades of pink, to help keep some visual interest.  The zipper pull is adhered to the top of the wall with hot glue, so that the dangle can keep dangling {smile}!

For this side, I did a little different arrangement.  I added a trio of paper blossoms.  These were pre-made.  So, I added white paint and glitter to the petal tips.  The leaves were cut from texture green card stock, and the tips were sponged with a little brown ink.  I used a sweet tiny stamp set, to stamp 'XOXO' onto a scrap piece of cream card stock.  I sponged the edges with the same brown ink, that was sponged on every piece of pattern/solid card stock.  I used a pencil to add some curl to the banner piece.

back side

I heat embossed the 'house' onto vellum card stock and fussy cut it out.  I hand stamped, directly onto the house in Jet Black Staz-On ink.  This was a bit nerve wracking.  But, I didn't have the foresight to do this stamping before I adhered the pattern paper.  [thank goodness, it turned out correct - whew!]

I added a semi-clear button to the heart of the house.  I added a glitter butterfly with half pearl center to the lower left corner.  I didn't want to decorate the back too much, as this side typically isn't seen.  But, I wanted it to be complete.

Thank you so much to stopping by to see what I have been creating!  I hope you have been inspired to visit your local big box store, and look at their dollar bin, with a creative eye!

Just Because in Shabby Chic

~ photo heave post ~

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I apologize for being a bit absent, but I was under the weather.  So much so, that I actually went to the doctor's office, and was not able to post for my #100 days of happiness {frown}.

So, today is my new start of my 100 days of happiness, and an entry to two paper craft challenges {smile}.  Now, onto my paper craft for today.  I created a card.  I wasn't sure as to what the sentiment should be, or would be.  So, I kept it simple, and open:  Just Because.
I just love the sketches over @ Mojo Monday so it was only obvious that I stop there and use this weeks sketch: #340

One of the great things about the internet, is that it allows you to connect with a wide variety of folks from different corners of the world.  I follow, and am followed by other crafts from a variety of countries, and thanks to google translator, I am able to communicate with these super talented crafters.  One of the challenge blog sites that I stalk follow, is from Russia: Shabby Chic.  Here is the current color challenge:

Just look at these beautiful colors and graphics for this challenge.  (It is open until April 15th, 2014)

here is what I made:

I used Blushing Bride for the pink, Pear Pizzazz for the green, Pool Party for the blue, all from Stampin' Up!  Now, for the card recipe:  All card stock edges have been sponged with crumb cake classic ink (including the leaves).

I started with  Blushing Bride card stock for the card base.  I had a scrap piece of this beautiful kraft-neutral colored pattern paper from Recollections, and thought it added a little bit of elegance, without taking away from the main panel.

The main panel for this card, that is tilted, is actually a digital paper I purchased last week.  I love the mix of colors, patterns, text, and graphics.  

I ran the main panel through my sewing machine, to add some character, and a little country charm.  I purposely sewn a crooked line.  And it is actually harder not to sew a straight line {smile}. 

 

I cut a paper doily in half and adhered it to the top third of the digital paper.  To help 'hold' the doily in place, I wrapped a length of Blushing Bride stitch ribbon around the digital paper.  I tied a simple bow with cream twine and added a multi-loop bow of the blushing bride ribbon.

The sketch doesn't have the doily shape, but I thought it added a softness, and a feminine piece.  I thought the cream twine added a little country charm to the bow.

The blossoms were actually hand-made from white crepe paper.  I used a sponge to add color.  To create the blossom, I punched out several 5-petal shapes.  I used a sponge to 'color' the white crepe paper.  I stacked the blossom pieces and crinkled them.  The blue blossom has 7 blossom pieces stacked.  The pink blossom has 5 blossom pieces stacked.  And the green blossom has 3 blossom pieces stacked.

I used a leaf die to create the leaf stem.  I used a scrap piece of pear pizzazz polka dot pattern paper, that has been retired from Stampin' Up!.  I used my 2-way glue pen to add some adhesive to the sides of the 'leaves' and sprinkled on some dazzling diamond glitter.

The banner pieces is from Maya Road.  I just love this layered, stitched piece.  I stamped the sentiment in Staz-On ink in a dark brown.  

Finally, I added three random sequins, and one silver glitter butterfly.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful for both of these challenge sites.  This card will be available to purchase at my craft fairs in May, 2014.  Hope to see you there!

Trio of Card-Gift Combos

I have to say, making these Card-Gift Combo's, is a lot of fun! 

Whew, I have been busy making some paper crafts for my upcoming Spring Craft Fair @ Albuquerque Christian School, in March.  Ugh, next month.  So, as you can imagine, I'm crafting every chance I can.   One of the new items at my booth, are these adorable Card-Gift Combos.  I've featured several of these little beauties here, here, and here.  Not to mention the one I made this week.

If you are a new visitor, These little beauties, open like a card, but they store a drawer, that can potentially hold a gift.  The drawer has a lot of versatilities.  You can store hand-made embellishments, a necklace, a bracelet , a gift card, a set of movie tickets, event tickets, a hand-made ornament, etc.  See, a lot of potential {smile}.

I love to mix patterns and colors.

to celebrate almost any occasion 

another any occasion ticket

no sentiment, so you can add your own

I love to mix pattern papers, and to added different and interesting embellishments.  But, I have noticed through the years, that if I sit and make several of the same items, they all begin to look alike.  So, I am taking a break from making these little beauties.

Today, I will be working on some altered magnetic initials.  And yeah, I will be selling these, too.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have found something you like, and maybe be inspired to create something, too!