Classic Thank You

Good Morning.  And welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I am still crafting with what I have in my craft room.  Let me just say, that it can be both overwhelming and liberating at the same time.  I have grown into quite the paper craft hoarder collector.  I believe with all honesty I could open my own paper crafting supply store with what I have on hand.  {yikes}

But, one of my New Year's Resolutions, has been to start using what I have instead of purchasing new supplies.  Now, don't get me wrong, I still make purchases, just a lot smaller in quantity and $$$.  {a whole lot smaller}  

I am playing along with two groups of wonderfully talented paper crafters today.  

My first stop is @ Paper Craft Crew Challenge #309.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  And I love a good sketch.  To me, a good sketch is one that is super versatile and can be embellished or clean and simple.  Here is their sketch:

(Stampin' Up! products used: card stock, glimmer paper, and thin silver cord)

See what I mean!  The circle can be any shape, or item (blossom, doily, star, witch, etc) and the scallop border can be just that, or any other decorative border, or lace.  Can you see it?

My next stop is over @ Word Art Wednesday  This beautiful challenge site, is always Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  Now who wouldn't love to play along with them.  They provide a scripture that you can use with your paper craft, but is not required.  

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  this blank inside greeting card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The card base is made with Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the hue of this blue.  The blue pattern papers are from American Crafts.  I just love the aquamarine color.  And those grey and white blossoms are just gorgeous!

I used some glitter paper from Stampin' Up! for both the scallop trim and a small banner piece under the sentiment to add sparkle.  I had a scrap piece of a grey plaid pattern paper, so I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, but I believe it is core'dinations.  

I did a slim dark grey matt under the blossom pattern paper, and machine stitched all the layers together.  I also machine stitched the ribbon across the card.  I tied a double bow with the ribbon, and tied the bow to a vintage Aqua Mist button, by Paper Trey Ink, using  thin silver cord by Stampin' Up!.  I hot glued the bow-button combo to the card front.  I added a light grey faux half pearl to the center of the double bow.

I stamped my sentiment: Thank You, in a basic grey classic ink onto a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used a favorite stamp set by Altnew: Label Love.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.

I used my one and only dark grey fabric blossom by CTMH.  I thought it worked perfectly.  And my final touch, was the addition of a trio of brushed silver sequins.

Thank you for looking, and I surely hope you get a chance to create something beautiful today! {smile}

Oh Deer, Winter . . .

~ photo heavy ~

Howdy, and welcome back.  Yeah, some days I craft, and craft some more, and other days, I am busy with life's chores.  Lucky for me, this weekend has been one of those craft, and craft some more days {smile}.  Now, before everyone gets too excited, it's snowing like crazy here, and the wind is blowing harder/faster than a ________.  (I'll let you fill-in-the-blank)  So, I have re-arranged my running schedule: todays run will be run tomorrow, and tomorrows run will be run on Tuesday.  The treadmill work will be done . . . . not sure at this moment, but I need to get some miles done.  So, I am focusing on that.

Ok, now for some crafting!  I am working on a few holiday themed orders, and entering one of them in three (yes, 3!) challenges:  Catch the Bug Challenge, Time Out Challenge and Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  Now, I believe that the last two challenges are 'new-to-me' challenges, so this will be fun!

Let's start with Catch the Bug Challenge.  I see their sketches a lot, and have wanted to play, so I am not one hundred percent that I haven't played with them before.  But, just look at this current challenge sketch!  How beautiful!

The first thing that catches my eye about this sketch is the simplicity: aka easy to work with!  You can do so much with it, or leave it clean and simple.  Me, I'm more on the more is better.  And if you haven't fallen in love with this sketch yet, simply look at what the design team has created, and you will be running to your craft room.  (just like me!) 

Ok, now on to the Time Out Challenge.  Their current challenge is to be inspired by words.  Their words.  Here is their graphics:

I went with: Gift & Open it

Ok, I don't know about you, but this screams gift card holder to me.  Or how about Birthday, or a Thank You gift, or . . .  another endless possibilities challenge.  Oh, and don't forget to see what the design team has created.  Super fun!

And my last stop, is Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  Another fun, and creative group of folks.   This may be a regular challenge for me.  (smile)

I went diagonal: light blue, ribbon, and sequins

and here is what I made:

and another view:

This over-sized card, is actually a 'packaged' gift card holder.  It's for those gift cards that are purchased that have these think wrappers.  So, instead of ripping apart the packaging to get the gift card out, simply slide the whole package into the pocket of this gift card holder!  Ta-Da!

Recipe:  I used Cocoa Bean card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  Love the heavy weight of their card stock, it gives these types of projects stand-up power!  I used Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up! for the matts.  I just love this shade of pale/light blue.  The pattern papers I used were from the same collection: Oh Deer! by Close To My Heart.  (It was from 2016)  and yes, I hoard saved my scraps.

I did some machine stitching to hold the layers of paper in place, along with some adhesive.  The gold satin ribbon and cream crochet trim are also machine stitched to the cover.  I thought the gold satin ribbon matched the music pattern paper beautifully.

The sentiment rectangle is actually a journalling square that was cut down and matted with a scrap of Cocoa Bean card stock.  I added a retired mini paper clip to the top left corner of it, and a pair of silver sequins to the right corner.  It is adhered to the card front with foam tape to lift it off the card front.  

The paper blossom is actually from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima Marketing.  I just love how it adds just the right amount of contrast to the blue, without looking too gold.  

I painted and glittered two silver jingle bells, and tied them with some silver and cream bakers twine.  I then tied a triple-bow with the same bakers twine, and tucked it under the paper blossom.  I added a retired Stampin' Up! snowflake charm to the knot.  I added one lone silver sequin just to the left of the paper blossom to help repeat the silver accents.

The three banner pieces peaking out from under the pinecone pattern paper are simply scraps of this beautiful collection.  I flagged the ends with a pair of scissors.

Since my focal piece is the sentiment, I decided to add some embellishments to the lower right corner, instead of a sentiment.  So, I took two silver foil embossed pinecone die-cuts from the Oh Deer! collection and adhered them.  The top pinecone is adhered with foam tape, so that they wouldn't be smashed on.  I tied some of the same silver and cream bakers twine to a snowflake charm, and hot glued it to the stacked pinecones.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any/all of these challenges.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Hope to be back soon {fingers crossed}.

the simple LIFE card

Howdy.  thank you for stopping by.  I know that I have been absent, so I truly appreciate your patience, and willingness to stick around.  I was getting some craft supplies in order, when I found this pretty pattern paper that I had had stashed for almost a year.

I wanted to create something shabby, vintage, and country.  But, I also needed a little direction.  So I stopped by the Paper Players blog, to see their current sketch, and wow!  Very work-able!

See what I mean?  Beauty in simplicity!

I stopped by one of my all time favorite blogs, Word Art Wednesday, because they are always inspirational!  Their challenges are Anything Goes, and they will inspire you with both their crafting, and their scripture.

And finally, I went to Really Reasonable Ribbon blog to get some more inspiration!  Their theme is Anything Goes, just use trim, lace, and/or ribbon on your hand-crafted piece.  Easy-peasy!

and here is what I created:

The card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The pattern papers is actually one sheet of two-sided pattern paper.  This vintage beautiful pattern paper is from Adrienne Looman, called Dream Big.  I love the soft tender aqua color, with a sweet, deep pink, and pops of red.  Simply pretty!  The white doilies, flowers, and kites give this pattern paper a vintage nostalgic feel.

I machine stitched the two pieces of pattern paper onto the white card stock.  I added a scrap piece of white eyelet trim, and wrapped a pale aqua blue seam binding around the card.  How beautiful!  I tied a multi-loop bow with the seam binding.  I tied a red button to the bow with gold and white twine.  Simple, but beautiful!  

I hand-stamped a half circle in real red classic ink.  The stamp set is from the Farm House paper company.  The stamp set is called Country Kitchen.  

The sentiment is hand-stamped in basic black classic ink, right onto the pattern paper.  I used the Country-Born stamp set, by Close To My Heart.

I love how simple but pretty this card is, and I hope you do too!  I am truly happy to be crafting again {smile}.  My mind is at peace, and my heart is full.  Thank you for hanging in there with me, and for everyone's support and words of encouragement!  LOVE you all!!!

Shabby Peppermint Christmas Card

Howdy!  Wow, I've posted a few times already this week.  You would think that I have a better 'understanding' of my new photo editing software.  Well, before we start to celebrate, I still can't figure out how to add text to my photos.  {ugh.  deep breathes.  One step at a time.}

Anyways, I am still playing with this beautiful pattern paper from Prima; Sweet Peppermint.  It is simply beautiful!  

I am entering a few challenges with a card I made this morning.  I used some scraps and added a bit of machine stitching, and viola!

The first challenge I am entering is a new challenge for me.  It's the Paper Play Sketch Challenge.  They have a straight forward sketch.  But, you know me.  I love layers!  here is their sketch:

The second challenge I am entering is a theme challenge: Get Ready for Christmas @ Crafting by Designs.  And at this time of year, that is pretty much all I do during my waking hours.  Craft, craft, and a bit more crafting.  Almost all Christmas themed.  I'm getting ready for holiday craft fairs.

The third, and last (for today) is a challenge site that is near and dear to my heart:  Word Art Wednesday.  Their theme is typically Anything Goes.  But they have a 'family friendly' site, so super friendly and easy to look at.  They always provide a scripture that is NOT required, but very inspirational!

and here is what I created:

The blank-inside greeting card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  It will be for sale at my holiday craft show.  I just loved it next to the little shabby house I made with the same digital Bingo card.  {smile}

Recipe:  The card base is made from cream heavy weight card stock from Paper Trey Ink. (notice how the card stands on it's own, even with the layers.)

I used two match-y pattern papers from the Sweet Peppermint holiday collection by Prima - the mint polka dots, and the white snowflakes on a mint background.  (there are polka dots on the snowflake pattern paper, to help repeat the polka dots on the initial pattern paper.)

I adhered these two patterns together and ran it through my sewing machine.  I just love how the stitching adds such a warmth and homespun look to my paper crafts.  I wrapped a scrap piece of this beautiful black houndstooth pattern paper from the Christmas Delivery collection by Carta Bella.  I just love the contrast between the black and cream and the mint and white patterns.

I wrapped a scrap piece of Mint Macaron ribbon by Stampin' Up! around the middle of the card.  I just love the color and the added texture.  I also wrapped another new ribbon from Stampin' Up! it's their silver stripe ribbon.  The metallic really adds some elegance to the card.

I added a shabby Bingo card, as my focal piece.  (foam tape helps elevate this piece off the front of the card.)  I printed my digital Bingo card onto linen card stock by Paper Trey Ink, to help give it some texture and keep it from looking 'flat'.  I thought that the pink and green color scheme of the Bingo card really added a feminine touch.  

I wanted a sentiment but just couldn't figure out where to stamp it!  So, I made a quick tag from a scrap piece of the initial matt pattern paper.  (repeating the pattern and design.)  I stamped my sentiment on the tag and tied a simple bow with the silver stripe ribbon.  (repeat, is my middle name! ya'll)  I used a new-to-me stamp for the sentiment.  I just love the font.  It's so pretty, and elegant, and flow-y.  And I didn't have to purchase a $17/$22 stamp set to get it.  It is the Mini Christmas Holiday polymer stamp from CTMH, and it was under $3.  Perfect.  Right?

My final 'touch' was the pair of dual rhinestones at opposite corners of the Bingo card.  Yep, silver rhinestones to repeat the metallic in the silver stripe ribbon.

I used the edge of my scissors to 'rough' the edges of all of the papers.  I then sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink by Stampin' Up!.  

Well, thank you so much for stopping by my little piece of Blog-Land.  I appreciate the company.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any or all of these challenges. {smile}

Have Faith in God; Card

Howdy.  I'm still struggling with this new updated photo program.  I'm not too big on change.  Well, that's not completely true.  I'm not too big on change I don't understand.  I really can't embrace change that I don't understand, or can't rally behind the application.

Anyways, I made a card for a few challenges.  

I stopped by Mojo Monday to get a sketch.  That way I have a starting point.  I needed to look at the 'elements' in the sketch to start my brain storming.

The half circle is perfect for a doily or a large blossom.  The rectangle piece is perfect for a sentiment.

Now, I need a color combo and possibly a little more inspiration.  So, I stopped by {Cupcake Inspirations} challenge to see both the colors and inspiration.  Love their new challenge.

I love this pale minty green color they used for the gems.  And the creamy vanilla color of the frosting is perfect to pair with all things vintage.  {smile}
I also stopped by Word Art Wednesday to see what they had for a sentiment.  And super happy I did.

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  Love their heavy weight card stock; very sturdy, and easy to use in die cuts.  I used a light weight card stock from CTMH (not sure of the color, I only had a scrap left).  I layered two different, but beautiful pattern papers.  The minty floral pattern paper is from Cosmo Cricket.  It's probably 5/+ years retired.  But I just love the minty pale vintage color.  And the off white floral pattern reminds me of vintage wall paper.  The blue and white text paper is from LemonCraft, their Forget Me Not collection.  (LemonCraft, is an eastern European paper company.)  

I simply adhered these two pattern papers together, and added a single border stitch with my sewing machine.  I think it helps add a vintage, home spun look to the card.

I had a 4" burlap doily from Maya Road, left over from a project last year, so I cut it in half and adhered it to the front of the card.  I used hot glue to adhere the mint lace blossom from Prima, their Coffee Break collection, to the center of thee burlap doily.  

I used some minty blue-green seam binding (Aquarelle) to make a double bow.  I added a 'gem' brad to the center.  The gem brad is from Paper Studio Spare Parts line.  

I printed the sentiment onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up! and matted it to a scrap piece of CTMH card stock.  Viola!  I'm super happy with how it came out.  Just wish I could add some text to the photo.  :/

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you have been inspired the play along with any/all of these challenges.  {smile}

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!

More Favor Bags

Howdy!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I have been a bit busy crafting.  And I want to share the last two trios of favor bags.  ~ a little back story: I am hosting Bunco at my house this week.  And I need 12 favor bags.  But not all of these ladies like pink.  Shocking, I know.  And I know that variety is the spice to life.  So, I have made 12 different, but similar favor bags, so each lady can choose which bag she would like.

I used pattern paper I already had on hand, as well as the paper bags that are on the inside.   I tried to keep close to the same layout, and use the same label.  That way, they all look like they belong, but still have their own character.  So, without further ado, here are the last 2 sets:

For this trio, i used crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up! for the front and back panels.  I added paper blossoms, pearls, vintage buttons, and various crochet trim, and machine stitching.  I really love the mix of pattern papers I selected for this trio.  I think it fun and funky.  {smile}

For this trio I used garden green card stock by Stampin' Up! for the front and back panels.  I wanted to bring out the green in the floral pattern paper.  I thought the mix of polka dots and flourishes added to the over-all feminine look of the bags.  I used tag shapes to hold the antique gold embossed labels. I used various paper blossoms, vintage buttons, and crochet trims, again.  I added machine stitching and pearls to soften the over-all look.

Thank you for stopping by.  i am working on a fabric strip wreath now.  I'll photograph it and give a quick tutorial once I'm done.  I'm also making scallop envelopes to hold a tea bag for each place setting.  I'll photograph that, too.  {smile}   

I'm starting to get a bit nervous and anxious for my party.  I just want everything to be beautiful and perfect.  {fingers crossed}

Pretty Pink Bags

Howdy, and welcome!  I am popping in real quick, to share with you some treat bags I made with some new pattern paper from Authentique: Legacy Collection.  These little bags will hold party favors for the High Tea I am hosting at my house next week.  I made four sets of these bags.  Each set of three uses different papers.  I'll share photos of the other bags soon.  {smile}

Pink Pirouette card stock makes the bag front and back panels.  I used the For a Friend Occasion stamp set by CTMH, for the 'label'.  I used the same 'label' of each of the bags.  I heat embossed it with antique gold embossing powder.  

I decorated each bag a little different, with paper blossoms, pearls, vintage buttons, crochet trim and a pink paper doily.  

Thank you for stopping by.  Stay tuned as I share other creations for this party {smile}.

Love: card-gfit box

If this is your first visit for this day (04/12/2015) Welcome!  I have an earlier post (today) that kinda helps explain my crafting.  If you stop by that post you can read my rantings here.  Now, lets get started with this post! {smile}

I created a few of these little gems.  I call them 'card gift combo boxes'.  Here is why:  You open them like a book, but there is a box inside to hold a gift (3" x 5 1/4" x 3/4").  Super sweet, right!  So the inside flap of the 'book' holds your hand-written message, just like a card.  The ribbon holds the 'book' closed.  Pretty sweet.

I needed some direction for the cover, so I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Mojo Monday.  For 2 reasons; 1) there sketches are easy to work with, 2) the design team is very inspirational!  These ladies are very talented, so if you need to get those creative juices flowing, just take a sneak peak at their work.  

here is the current sketch:

and here is what I made:

Now, before you say a word, I know that this is not my typical vintage country chic style, per say.  Sometimes its good to change things up.  And, I have the whole collection of this pattern paper and embellishments.  And I need to start using what I have.  But, lets take a closer look!

Recipe:  I used Real Red card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base.  LOVE their card stock.  The blue solid card stock is Taken with Teal (retired) by Stampin' Up!, too.

The pattern papers are from the Heart Strings collection by CTMH.

The embellishments, oh my there are lots, and from everyone.  The teal blue brad at the spine is from MME, the Nostalgia collection.  The white doily is from Martha Stewart.  The red fabric blossom is from a big box craft store (J).  The teal blue heart stick pin is from a big box store (J).  The teal blue velvet ribbon is from Stampin' Up! (retired, probably 10yrs).  The blue polka dot paper blossom is from a big box store, dollar bin (M), I also added silver super fine glitter on the petals.  The super fine glitter is from Martha Stewart.  The ticket is actually a painted wood ticket, from the dollar bin, at a big box store (M).  I added the letters, they are rub-ons from a different big box store (HL). I painted some mod podge over the rub-ons to help seal them to the wooden ticket.  The heart is Heidi Swap, I used silver metallic ink on this resist chipboard piece.   

The sentiment is stamped in basic black classic ink right onto the text pattern paper, using the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up!.  I also used the fancy label punch to create the decorative piece.

The grosgrain ribbon to hold this little gem closed is Real Red ribbon (retired), by Stampin' Up!.
My little card-box combo was selected as a 'winner' @ Mojo Monday sketch challenge.

different view

This will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, NM, on Saturday May 2, 2015.  If you are in the area, please stop by my booth.  I'd love to meet you,  and show you what I have crafted!  

The Sweet Life, card

Welcome!  my dh plowed all the snow off our driveway, and shoveled it off the walkways!  Yahoo! and the State did come through late yesterday to plow the road.  I can now leave, if I want to.  But, maybe I'll stay and craft something {smile}.

Since I was snow bound yesterday, for a good portion of the day, I decided to make the best of it, and craft!  It was very good for my soul.  But to start the creative juices flowing, I set out to surf the world wide web.  Because these days, everyone wants to share what they have made, and the challenge sites are pretty user friendly.

To start, I stopped by a favorite of mine!  the Shabby Tea Room.  I haven't played in any of their challenges this year, so I wanted to participate.  The ladies there always have wonderful work, and their inspiration is just gorgeous!  This is the current challenge:

Now, for those who know me, isn't this just right up my alley?  Pink, Aqua, flowers, jars, shabby chic goodness!  So, yeah, I have created something for this challenge!

I bet you were thinking that I would have a mason jar on my card, huh?  Well, I almost did!  But, I was struggling with it, and so I decided to let this beautiful pattern paper from American Crafts, take center stage!  The collection is called Polka Dot Party!  The Aqua and Cantaloupe stripe pattern paper has these cute little scottie dogs on the reverse side.  The Cantaloupe and Dark Grey polka dot pattern is a solid aqua with white splatters on it.  And the beautiful floral pattern paper has arrows.  Very modern, and very versatile!  Which is always a good think in paper!  Don't you agree?

 RECIPE:  The card base is Coastal Cabana card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I layered a piece of the polka dot pattern paper onto the stripe pattern paper and ran this stack through my sewing machine to add a simple machine stitch border.  

I then matted a piece of the floral pattern paper onto Crisp Cantaloupe card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Ran that stack through my sewing machine, to give it a simple machine stitched border, too.  I just love how the pattern look 'old', vintage, and worn.  So, that is why I think the machine stitching pairs so perfect!  I tucked in a scrap piece of cream lace trim to the left of the floral pattern piece.

I added a pale pinkish colored crinkle seam binding around the front of the card.  And machine stitched it the front of the card.  I make a multi-loop bow.  Added a pearl brad to the center of the bow and adhered it to the card front.

I stamped my sentiment onto whisper white card stock, by Stampin' Up! in versa mark ink.  I added some silver embossing powder, and heat embossed the sentiment.  This gives some dimension to the sentiment.  I added foam tape to the back of the sentiment square and tucked it in close the bow.  

The final touch was adding some silver faucet sequins to the card front.  It looked like it was missing something and buttons just wasn't cutting it, so I added sequins.  To tie in the pearl brad, I added some pearls to the center of the sequins.  That way the sequins and brad don't look out of place.

Thank you stopping by!  I am having so much fun working with this paper, I just might make some more pretty things!  

Best Friends

There are a few great things happening today! First, I'm the hostess again this week over @ Our Creative Corner.  Second, it's my birthday!  And third, my family is sharing a meal with me this evening!  When I say family, I mean it, in every sence of the word: my folks, my husband, my daughter and her family (including two of my grandchildren), my husband's mother, and my son-in-law's mother.  

But, first things first.  I am hosting again this week @ Our Creative Corner.  The challenge that I have for you this week, is to create a paper craft item (a card, scrapbook layout, 3-D item, an altered item) for a Best Friend.  It can be for a Birthday, Thank You, or any other occasion.  The only requirement I have for this week, is to include a flower.  But it can be a hand-made flower, or an embellishment, or a floral stamp.  Sounds pretty broad, but that is so you can make a papercraft item that is special to your Best Friend.

Here is my card:

Now, for some words about my card.  I love some specific paper craft companies.  But, I probably own products from almost every paper craft company out there.  So, I am a big fan of using what you have.  You loved the product enough to spend your hard earn cash on it.  Use it!  

To create this card, I used paper from Stampin' Up!, Webster's Pages, Cosmo Cricket, and Echo Park.  I stamped a script text from Hero Arts onto the center panel, to give it some 'weight' on the lower third of the cardstock, since the top portion of the card is pretty busy.  The reason I mentioned the different paper companies, is to show you that even though the greens and blues aren't a perfect color match, they are from the same color families and look great together!

The bird is actually a glitter rub-on.  The stamped sentiment, 'best FRIENDS to the end' is a collaboration of two different stamp sets from two different companies:  Stampin' Up! and Paper Trey Ink. 

The 'ribbon' is seam binding from Stampin' Up!  I made the multi-loop bow by hand and used a CTMH rhinestone brad to hold the bow together.

I used a 'lace' hand-held punch to create the decorative strip at the top of the main panel.  I punched this delicate piece out of text pattern paper.  This was to mimic the text script at the lower third of the same panel, and to introduce a soft beige color of the flowers that encircle the medallion.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule, to stop by and view my Best Friend card.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  I'll have a piece of birthday cake for us all  :)

Our Baby Boy

Happy Saturday!  And, let me start by saying, Murphy is right!  If it can/will go wrong, it will.  :/  

Tui, from Stampin' Time has a fabulous challenge for you over @ Our Creative Corner.  It's a masculine challenge.  Now, before you change blogs, lets examine this.  Ok, so if you are a follower, or frequent visitor, you know, that I don't do masculine.  I don't have boy stuff.  I have girl stuff.  I love pinks, ribbons, bows, buttons, bling, and all this girl-y.  So, I embraced the challenge.  And I encourage you, too, to embrace the challenge.  Step out side of your comfort zone, or the proverbial box.  Here are a few helpful hints.  Remember, boys are 'harder' than girls.  Instead of 'soft' embellishments, think 'hard': like metals, wood, corduroy.  Does that help?  

Here is my Masculine Project:

A 'close-up' of the bottom row of boxes.

This is one of those Solo ShadowBox's.  They come in either black or white.  Neither of which I wanted.  So, I selected white.  And then I painted it in a light beige paint.  I thought that it warmed up the stark white.  Then, I rubbed a nice, warm brown ink pad along the top rim to give it a 'walnut' look.  

I selected some of my all-time favorite photos of my grandson.  And then edited the photos, so I could control their size, without distorting their proportion.  Adding the tiny embellishments, was actually kind of fun.  Thinking small really does change your perspective.

Now, before you go a little crazy with what products I used.  I'll just let you know that I used products from 10 different companies.  Yeah, my craft room, is basically a store.  But, if you can name 7 of the companies I used in the comment section, your name will be entered in a drawing for a full roll of ribbon.  I'll draw a name at the close of this masculine challenge brought to you by Tui, and Our Creative Corner.

Not Big on Pink

Happy Saturday to ya'll!  Well, I am hosting Our Creative Corner this week.  And I have to admit, I love coming up with some fun challenges for you.  For those who know me, know that I am a girl-y girl.  I love all things pink, and little feminine touches of ribbon, buttons, bling,  and pearls.  But I have girl friends who don't like pink.  Crazy, I know.  So, for this week's challenge, I thought we could make something pretty for those who aren't a fan of pink.  

Make a paper craft item (card, layout, scrapbook page, 3-D item, etc) using any shade of blue, add some texture (ribbon, fabric, floss, etc) and something metal (push pin, charm, brad, etc).  And the twist is to add a smidge of pink.  Any shade of pink.  And not too much.  (if you need a number, make it 1/5 or less pink.)  To get some extra inspiration, please stop by Our Creative Corner and see what these super talented ladies have created.  You won't be disappointed!

Here is what I have made:

 

 And if this seems too busy for your taste, I made another sample to show that less can be more.

Both cards were made from my scrap box.  I'm on a thrifty kick these days.  Please join us for this fun and create challenge!

More Bunco Prizes

So, last night was Bunco.  And it was my turn to be hostess.  My theme isn't original or very clever, but the ladies know what it is before they come out-no surprise!  'Home-made, Hand-made'.  The food is all home-made.  (So, its from scratch.)  No pre-made stuff.  This is an absolutely wonderful group of ladies, so they DO deserve the very best.  The prizes are all hand-made, and almost always a paper craft item, or an altered item.  So, its not a surprise, but it is well received.  

So, as promised, here are a few more photos: 

(each set matches in theme, color, embellishments, paper, etc.)

A stationary set: holder, 4 blank cards, & a mother's day card

paper tote: cardstock tote bag, 4 blank cards and a Mother's Day card

Frame Insert: photo frame, insert, 4 blank cards, & a Mother's Day card

As you can tell, each set is unique and different.  This group of ladies have different tastes, different styles, and are unique themselves!  The evening was a blast, and it was very nice to make everything for them.

Share your thoughts with me.  And, for a complete list of products used for any item posted, please email me separately.  As with all paper crafters, sometimes we hoard our supplies, so some items may not be found or produced any longer.

Hope everyone's week is going great! and don't forget to come back tomorrow for my post with the gals @ Our Creative Corner challenge!  It's a new week, so there's a new challenge!  See ya then!