Happy Birthday Charlotte

Howdy, and welcome.  I've been a bit busy.  I have three parties in the planning: an afternoon Friendship Tea in just over a week,  a Dinner @ my house in 3 weeks, and a huge surprise birthday party for 100 guests in August.  So, if I say, that I feel that I am being pulled in a hundred directions, that's true!  Between invites, floor plans, menus, and party favors, my head feels like its swimming and I'm not making any ground.  Oh, and 4 birthday parties for grandchildren.  Whew!  I'm still working full time, taking care of a husband an ex-large dog (159#), cleaning house, cooking dinner every night, laundry, taking call at the hospital, oh yeah, working out at the gym and running.  Prioritizing tasks have now become my homework for the next day.  The cupcakes and cake I made for a friends daughter's wedding over the past weekend were a hit!  So much so, I have a new customer who would like to place an order for a party in July!  Yahoo!  All this hard work is paying off!

But don't fret, I am still here, making beautiful things out of paper!  You know me, a die hard crafter.  {smile}

A special girl friend is having a birthday today, so I decided to make her a card.  (It was mailed yesterday, so it should arrive in her mailbox today!)  I don't care what marketing says, hand made sweetness that arrives in your snail-mail, mail-box is happy mail!  And I still believe that folks LOVE it!

I stopped my a few different favorite challenge sites and decided to play along with the super talented ladies over @ Retro Sketches, with their sketch challenge.  Typically, these ladies do CAS (Clean And Simple) cards, and so my style typically doesn't go with their themes.  But today, I hope I have nailed it.  Maybe it's because I didn't have 2hours to make a card, or maybe I just wanted to do something a bit different.  Anyways, my card isn't my typical shabby chic, vintage-style, extra layers and embellishments.  But, I still like it {smile}!

here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used a Crisp Cantaloupe (retired) card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base.  I love the softer color version of Calypso Coral.  The pattern paper is Charlotte by Close To My Heart.  I love the colors and the different patterns.  It was very easy to work with.  And that's a huge plus in my book.

The black pattern paper is cut to fit the front of the card (4" x 5 1/4").  I simply cut a white floral pattern paper 3" x 5 1/4" and adhered it right on top of the black pattern paper.  I used my Tasteful Trims die (retired) from Stampin' Up! to cut the rick rack piece of silver glitter paper by Stampin' Up!.  I adhered the rick rack to the left side of the card.   For the scallop shaped piece at the top, I used the Tasteful Trims die to cut that piece as well, from a creamy taupe pattern paper.  I adhered that piece to the top, and wrapped some grey seam binding around the top piece.  I tied the seam binding into a simple bow.  

For my sentiment piece, I stamped the greeting in basic black classic ink, onto a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock, all my Stampin' Up! and matted it with a scrap piece of Crisp Cantaloupe card stock.  I cut this piece the same measurements as the floral pattern paper.  It is tucked under the rick rack.  I thought it looked more 'finished' that way.

I did sew my trio of buttons to the card front.  The black button is retired from Stampin' Up!.  The coral color button is from Amuse Studios.  And finally, the grey button is from an old paper collection by My Mind's Eye.

My card didn't look 'done' to me, so I added a flair button to the top of the card, just under the bow.  Its a light grayish blue flourish pattern, that I thought looked very similar to the over all look of the card.  

Well, I hope my friend loves her card.  And I hope you have been inspired to play along with this current sketch challenge.  I'm off to work my day job.  Have a great day, and make something beautiful for someone, even if that someone is YOU!

WaterColor Blossoms; Card

Hello.  I made a card to say 'Thank You' to those ladies who placed orders @ Ashley's KEEP Collective party.  {smile}  The ladies she invited were funny, personable, and friendly. 

The wonderful ladies over @ The Paper Players have a current challenge that fit this bill!  Their theme for their current challenge is to create a clean and simple card with a Spring theme! Yahoo!

And, the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge have a similar challenge: Welcome Spring, and use ribbon, lace, or trim on your project.  Easy!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock for the card base.  The matt is made with crisp cantaloupe card stock.  I just love this color.  It's a softer version of the Coral.  

I stamped the floral image in Black detail ink, on to white shimmer card stock.  I used re-inkers to water color the blossoms with aqua painter.  I used crisp cantaloupe, pink pirouette, blushing bride, coral, pear pizzazz, and pistachio pudding.  

Once the blossoms were water colored, I sprayed the panel with a shimmer mist.  I really wanted the sparkle!  Finally, I hand-stamped the 'thank you' from the hand-scripted stamp set by Amuse Studio in Basic Black classic ink.   

I used my paper piercer to create two tiny holes on each side of the blossom stems, and strung a thin, sheer, coral ribbon, and tied a simple, single bow.  I wanted another embellishment, so I added a trio of marshmallow sequins.  The water colored panel was adhered to the cantaloupe card stock with foam tape.

I plan on dropping these beauties in the mail, once I hear from KEEP Collective, that Ashley's party orders have been shipped.  {smile}  I hope the ladies really do love their cards and unique jewelry.  {smile}

Tag of Faith Card

Howdy!  This is my second post for today.  [previous post is my Tuesday tutorial segment HERE].   Today's tutorial was on a technique called water color wash.  I showed how to do this technique with a tag.  And well, I added the tag to a hand made, machine stitched greeting card. {smile}

I am entering this card in two challenges: a scripture theme challenge, and an element theme challenge.

Let's start with a one of my favorite challenge sites:  Word Art Wednesday #219.  This challenge site is faith based - this means that they provide you with a scripture for inspiration.  The lovely ladies on their design team, will certainly inspire you with their creativity!   The theme for this current challenge is 'anything goes', just make sure your entry is family friendly.

The other challenge site I am playing with has been one of my favorites for several years.  I have been playing along since I started my blog.  {smile}  Just Us GirlS Challenge #330.  Their current challenge is  trend week - tag.  And who doesn't love tags?  Their design team will inspire you, that's a guarantee!  

so without further ado, here is my card:

I just love the angle of this photograph!  The closeness, shows the machine stitching and the delicate mint lace trim.  The tag was color washed with liquid re-inkers.  [tutorial HERE]

a different shot:

Recipe:  I used Crisp Cantaloupe card stock, by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  I just love the soft coral color.  {smile}  I matted this beautiful vintage looking floral pattern paper by Authentique onto Mint Macaroon card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I machine stitched the floral pattern paper and mint card stock together.  I did a purposeful sloppy double border with my sewing machine.  

I machine stitched the tea stained cotton trim and mint lace trim to the card front.  Then I machine stitched the vanilla seam binding to the card front.  

I tied some coral-colored ribbon and thin crochet trim to the top of the tag, that I washed with water colors.   The tag is adhered to the card front with foam tape.

I tied a double loop bow with the vanilla seam binding, and adhered to the front of the card.  I tucked-in a aqua mist vintage button, to help repeat the mint color.

I hope you have found some inspiration to play along with both of these challenges:  Just Us GirlS, and Word Art Wednesday.  It will be fun!

Book of Prayers

~ photo heavy post ~

So, if you tuned in yesterday, you saw a card I made with this wonderful pattern paper collection from American Crafts, Polka Dot Party.  It has these wonderful patterns in a soft aqua color, and this peachy pink color.  The patterns have this worn hue to them.  Just shabby chic heaven to me!  So, I wanted to keep playing with this paper, and I have a new creation to share with you! {smile}

This new discovery came when I was looking for a challenge to play along in, and I stopped by a favorite spot:  Word Art Wednesday.  This weeks challenge is anything goes, but these lovely, talented ladies always include a scripture.  You aren't required to use the scripture in your project, but I really want to!  Its a beautiful verse from John 15:9, talking about the Lord's love for his children, and how we all should show the same love toward each other.  I think that would help everyone be a better person.  So, I have used it!

and here is what I made:

I altered a mini composition notebook.  I thought how wonderful would that be, to have something beautiful to jot down notes, write out dreams, sketch layouts, or simply have a beautiful place to write down prayers, scripture, or anything else your heart desires! {smile}

This mini composition book measures approximately: 3 1/2" x 4 1/2".

Recipe:  The black spine of the book is covered in Coastal Cabana card stock, by Stampin' Up!  The striped pattern paper is adhered to the cover.  I added the same pattern paper to the back of this book.  I also stamped my branding on the back cover.  That way, when the recipient needs another book, they know how to contact me/where to shop! {smile}

I used my Crop-A-Dile to create the eyelet holes, and to set the eyelets.  

I used a vintage cream twill ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink, as the mechanism to hold the book closed.

I added a small piece of the polka dot pattern paper to the inside of the barrel of the pen.  So, it all matches.  That's my OCD shining through!  But, doesn't it look 'complete'?

For the center panel of the book cover, I used a piece of the floral pattern paper.  I just love these blossoms!  I used my thread cutter to rough-up/distress the edges of the pattern paper.  I matted the floral pattern paper onto a piece of crisp cantaloupe card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I used my thread cutter on the solid card stock, too.  Then I ran this matted floral pattern paper piece through my sewing machine, to add a simple sewn border.  I adhered this piece to the center of the book cover.  To add a little softness, I tucked in a scrap piece of cream crochet trim I had laying on my craft desk.  (It's such a small piece, I believe it is the cut off piece from another project.)

I printed the scripture onto whisper white card stock, and cut it out.  I matted it onto Coastal Cabana card stock, by Stampin' Up!  I simply adhered this sentiment piece onto the book cover.  I want to keep things as flat as possible.  

Now for the focal piece!  {ok, it doesn't support the 'keep the cover flat' mind set.}  I have a few skeleton keys left over from a Christmas project:  Santa Keys.  And I wanted something unique, pretty, and relevant.  Hum.  Key to my heart, key to success, key to happiness.  These are my mind's thought process as to why add the key.

So, I tied this beautiful peach-y pinkish seam binding around the key.  Made a multi-loop bow.  Added a bow made of white tulle behind the key.  Tied on a white/clear vintage button from Paper Trey ink, to the center of the bow, and viola!  

I hot glued this focal piece to the front of the book.

I also lined the inside of the book.  That way, you don't see the twill ribbon on the inside of the book. Yep, that OCD is really working for me! {smile}.  I used the Cantaloupe and dark grey polka dot pattern paper for the inside.

Well, thank you for stopping by!  I hope you like my little book.  And I hope the photos weren't too much!  I haven't quite decided if I am putting this book in my Etsy shop, or not.  I am crafting to increase my inventory for this year's Spring Craft Fair.  So, we will see what all I get completed.  The Spring Craft Fair I am selling at is May 2, 2015 @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  If you are in the area, please stop by!  I'd love to see you!

Sherbet Heaven

Howdy! I'm so happy that you could take a moment, and stop for a visit, here in my little piece of blog-land {smile}.  I went exploring the world wide web this morning, and decided to play along with some 'tried and try' challenges, and a brand-y new one to me {smile}.

Each Monday, the super talented ladies over @ Mojo Monday (#381) give you a sketch, and then give you some fabulous inspiration!  And well, this Monday, was no different!  The sketch is basic, but that only provides you with an opportunity to add your own flair!  here is this week's sketch:

And the wonderfully talented and gracious ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday (#166) share with us scripture each week, along with some very creative inspiration!  Their challenge site, has real life stories of people triumph and pearls and teaches us each, to have faith, to be good Christians, and in turn to be better human beings.  If you haven't had a chance to stop by their challenge site, I encourage you to do so.  You will not be disappointed.  And please, take a moment out of your busy day, to read their post.  It will truly inspire you!

Their challenge this week is Anything Goes.  So how fabulous is that? scripture and the freedom to create!  A true blessing to share your talents with them, and us {smile}!

Ok, and so I did stop by a 'new-to-me' challenge site this morning, to see, a wonderful color palette, right up my alley!  cure for the monday blues.  This week, we have been provided us with an inspirational board of pink, yellow, mint, and geometric shapes.  What fun!  and here it is:

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used Crisp Cantaloupe card stock, by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  I just love this soft peach-y color.  I used Lullaby DSP, by Stampin' Up!  Since the inspirational board has mint in it, I used the blue/green version of the polka dots.  I used Daffodil Delight card stock, by Stampin' Up! for my matts.  I just love this sunny shade of yellow, without a tinge of green.  I used the pink/brown version of the looped circles, as my main panel.

For the long rectangle at the top of the sketch, I used this to hold my sentiment, which is this week's scripture from Word Art Wednesday.  I added two aqua mist vintage buttons, from Paper Trey Ink to either side of the scripture.  I also threaded some 1/4" gold ribbon, from Stampin' Up!, through the buttons.

For the large circle piece, I machine stitched three different ribbons to a Martha Stewart doily.  I used a crochet trim by Stampin' Up!, an Aqua Mist satin ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink, and a pink, gold, and sheer ribbon I had in my stash.  The lacey blossom for the center of my doily is actually a 'flower' from Prima Marketing, their Coffee collection (#578527).

To help give my card a 'home-made' feel, I added some simple machine stitching around each panel piece, and finally to the rectangle.  I think it helps make the card look 'finished'.  To help tie in the pearl button center on the lace blossom, I added a trio of white half faux pearls, and a pair of clear faceted sequins.

Thank you for stopping by {smile}.  It is always great to have company.  If you see anything that inspires you, please let me know.  Your comments do make me happy! and helps motivate me to keep crafting.  Sometimes, we all need is a little encouragement, to know that what we do, does make a difference. {smile}  Have a great Monday!  Oh, and as usual, this card will be in my Etsy shop.

with Love

The summer is off to a quick pace again.  I hope you get a chance to slow down and relax.  Me, it has been a whirlwind of weddings, graduation parties, baby showers, and cocktail parties.  Whew, I'm tired just thinking about what all I had to attend last week {smile}!

And you know I carved out some crafting time.  Some days its harder to get my mojo moving, and it only gets worse, if I'm tired.  But the talented ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a sketch for you to try your hand at.

here is the sketch:

Before you get frustrated or lost, just take the sketch apart.  Sometimes its easier to see it in pieces and not a 'whole'.  For the orange half circle, think a large shape, like a top note.  Or a decorative edge with a creative cut.  Then for the teal label, think 'label'.  A sentiment 'box', a tag, some place to add a sentiment or a decorative piece.  Don't forget, you can also rotate the sketch.  Now, let your creativity soar, and let's see what you create.

here is what I made:

First things first, I rotated the sketch 90 degrees.  Crumb cake cardstock, goes with anything.  Have I mentioned that I love this color!  The card base is crumb cake.  The main panel is very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped the Ex Libris background stamp in coastal cabana classic ink.  I love how this panel gives you some visual interest without distracting.  I wanted to add some text paper, and I just now realized that first edition dsp was retired.  A bit shocking to me.  So, I made my own text paper.  I used very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped en francias in basic black classic ink.  I did the 'tap' technique so some of the words would be faint and/or missing.  I matted the text onto crisp cantaloupe cardstock.  

For my half circle piece, I added a doily.  I just love these things.  So feminine and a beautiful addition. I just love the seam binding, and really wanted to add this beautiful 'ribbon'.  So, I wrapped a piece of very vanilla seam binding around the card front, and tied it into a multi-loop bow.  I just love the new clay molds that Stampin' Up! has come out with.  So, I made the button with some clay, and tied it to the center of the bow with some linen thread.

I wanted to add some flowers, but I don't want my followers/readers to get bored with my hand made paper blossoms.  I stamped the blossoms from the Fabulous Florets stamp set in versa mark ink.  I did some masking, heat embossed some blossoms onto shimmer card stock and color washed the flowers.  I used crisp cantaloupe re inker for the 'paint'.  I then set them a side to dry.  Once dry, I fussy cut them out.  I used some foam tape to pop them off the card front.  

For my 'label' piece, I did a sentiment piece.  I stamped a frame from four frames stamp set in basic black classic ink, onto a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock.  I used a sentiment from the Field Flowers stamp set, and tucked this 'label' into my multi-loop bow.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that we have inspired you to play along with us @ NAC.  The design team uses Stampin' Up! products, but remember, you can use what you have on hand.  But, if you see something you just love, you can shop at my Stampin' Up! store 24/7!  A link is on the right hand side of my blog.

love this card? purchase it here

Gingham

I just wanted to share a card I made this morning.  I used some of the new products in the Stampin' Up! Big Idea & Catalog.  I was surprised when so many wonderful stamp supplies retired.  But, after looking through the new catalog, I know room was created for more wonderful stamping supplies.

I held a class this morning to show some of these new products off, and to give some of my hints and tips.

Here is the card we made:

I just LOVE the new incolors.  They are soft, sweet shades of some of the prettiest colors.  So, that just makes them super easy to work with.  The new stamp set I used is very versatile.  Easy to work with.  And then there are some of my favorites: a wheel, and a gorgeous new button!

I used some of my favorite products that are still current.  I just love the kraft colored cardstock, called Crumb Cake.  The color goes with jsut about everything!  So, I used the cardstock as the card's base and again as a matt for the polka dot embossed piece.  I really wanted to help tie the color in, so I also used the same color in classic ink for the polka dot frame.
Two new in colors that I also used are: Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe. 
I used two different label-type stamps: four frames and label love and layered them.
The polka dot frame was stamped in crumb cake classic ink.  A large oval was punched from baked brown sugar cardstock, to create the center of the frame.  I stamped the label love in crisp cantaloupe and stamped the same stamp in the baked brown sugar.  I fussy cut the sentiment bar and adhered it to the center of the label with foam tape.
The gingham strip is actually a wheel stamp.  I inked the wheel in baked brown sugar classic ink, and stamped on a strip of very vanilla cardstock.  I used a square punch to create the banner end.
I used my favorite crochet trim across the middle.  I tied one of these new buttons onto the card front with some calypso coral bakers twine. 

Thank you for stopping by!  I am adding two more crafting classes to my calendar.  So, if you are in the Albuquerque area, and are interested, please attend a class!  Stop by tomorrow, to see a list of new classes during the summer.