Heaven Sent Baby

Howdy! and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I have been creating, and running.  So, to say that I have been busy, would be correct {smile}.  But, today, I moved my running to tomorrow, so that I could paper craft.  It feels like forever, since I've paper crafted, and so the whole experience was well deserved, and surely needed {smile}.

I am entering my creation in two different card challenges:  Word Art Wednesday & Cupcake Inspirations.  I am happy with my creations and happy to have had this time to create.  {feeling blessed}

My firs stop is @ Cupcake Inspirations.  If you haven't stopped by their blog, please do.  This design team will certainly inspire you, and the cupcakes for inspiration are beautiful!

And then, I stopped by one of my favorite challenge sites:  Word Art Wednesday.  If you haven't stopped by this challenge site, I encourage you to do so.  This design team is very creative, and their challenges are always: Anything Goes & Family Friendly.  

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  blank inside card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

I used Kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base, due to the heavy weight.

I used pattern paper from Heaven Sent 2 by Prima.

I layered three different pattern papers and machine stitched them together.  

I added white embroidery trim and pale aqua seam binding across the card front.  I added a double bow tied with the same seam binding.  I added a tiny safety pin to the center of the bow.  I added a hand-stamped tag and metallic charm.  

I tucked-in a cream paper doily by Stampin' Up!.  I simply cut the doily in half, so I could use the other half on another card - see below.

I added a tiny embroidery hoop by Stampin' Up!.  I used pattern paper by Prima to back the hoop.  I hand-stamped 'Sweet Baby' in classic black ink by Stampin' Up! onto a scrap piece of pattern paper.  I added this little sentiment to the inside of the hoop with foam tape.  I hot glued a tiny white paper blossom inside the hoop.   The blue blossom is from Prima, and coordinates with the pattern paper.

I added a trio of tiny vintage buttons, tied with gold and white twine.  I hot glued the tied buttons to the card front.  

here is the other card I made with the same materials:

I am planning on creating a few more items with these materials, tomorrow.  Fingers crossed that I have the time needed.

Thank you for looking, and I hope that you have a chance to play along with either or both of these challenge sites.  

Pennant Birthday!

~ photo heavy ~

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I am having a good week!  Hope you are too!  One of the changes I have made this year, is to start each week writing down three things I am thankful for, from the previous week.  It is a way to reflect on my blessings.  By taking my life in smaller pieces, and reflecting, I am truly able to see the good.  And I am super happy with how this small step to 'count my blessings' is working for me!

I had a few moments, ok an hour, to create a card.  And I am sure you all can understand the drive to get your ideas made out of paper {smile}.  And I do know how truly blessed I am, to have a hoard stash I can craft from, when I can't get to a store.  {wink}

I am entering this card in four challenges.  I have to say, I typically don't enter this many, but I will relish in the oddity of this opportunity!

My firs stop is Mistress Owl.  This is an Eastern European challenge site.  They can a sketch for you to work with.  I strongly encourage you to pop on over to the their challenge site.  The design team will inspire you!  Their sketch was easy to work with, so that is always a huge plus in my book.

My next stop is Cupcake Inspiration.  I am always intrigued by their challenges.  This design team will knock your socks off!  Between the very user-friendly inspiration board, and the creativity of the design team, you will be crafting in no time!  I just love their photo this week!  Theme: Chalkboard!  And who doesn't love chalkboard.  It instantly reminds me of school days.  So retro, shabby, vintage.

Now, I just HAD to stop by another favorite challenge: Really Reasonable Ribbon.  This design team will certainly get you to add ribbon, twine, trim, and lace to everything!  The creations will inspire you to try a new technique, and put a bow on it!  Their current challenge is Celebrate!  So birthday, anniversary, new baby, new couple, etc.  You get the idea.

And finally, I stopped by Brown Sugar Challenge.  This challenge site encourage all crafting styles.  And the design team works with their sponsors, to showcase their products.  I think that's wonderful! Their current sponsor has digital images.  I just love digital paper.  And I am starting to embrace digital images/stamps.  Their current challenge is: Birthday!  And who doesn't need a birthday card in their stash?  So, please stop by and see what they have created.

now, roll all these challenges together, and here is what I created:

~ disclaimer: photographing a card with a flair button, is a bit of a challenge in itself!

my card was selected as a 'top 3' for the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog challenge!

Recipe:  This card is a typical A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  And yes, it fits inside its envelope.  The card base is kraft card stock.  I just love the color and weight of this paper.  It looks so 'old school'.  

I added this beautiful light blue and pink rose digital paper as my main layer.  I did dampen the edge of the paper (top right corner) and scrunch it a bit.  I also distressed the edges, and tore the bottom edge. I sponged a tea stain ink on all four edges.

I added a lace doily from Stampin' Up! to the top left corner.  I just love it peeking out from behind my journalling cards.  (I used two 'chalkboard' journalling cards for my Chalkboard element.)  I also inked the edges with the tea stain ink.

I stamped my sentiment onto the top journalling card in white craft ink, and then added clear embossing powder and used my heat gun to set the embossing powder.  

I fussy cut a digital tag and added it to the lower right of the journalling cards.  

I originally wanted to add my sentiment across the card, very similar to the sketch.  And place my bow to the left of the journalling cards, but I don't have anything that would have worked.  {frown}  I guess I need to go paper craft shopping! {wink}

And then, I layered trims!  Oh my!  My first layer is a cream cotton eyelet trim.  Then a white sparkle tulle box pleat trim.  Then a mint swiss dot lace.  And finally, a pale pink seam binding.  Who doesn't love seam binding?

I tied a double bow with the seam binding, and added a silver metal button to the bow.  Then I tucked in a cupcake flair button just above the bow.  Viola!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any/all of these creative challenge sites.  You will not be disappointed in both the talent and the inspiration!

Missing Mint

Howdy.  I hope your weekend was wonderful!  Productive!  Creative! and on track with your new year resolution.  Mine was.  {smile}

I am still loving my planner, and keeping my projects/tasks/chores organized.   I have also added my budget and menu, to my tasks.  It feels good to have those two chores organized.  {smile}

So, with my mind not on those items, I had some free time today to craft a little.  Gotta love that!

For starters, I stopped by Shabby Chic .  They have a color theme board.  The color theme is mint and their requirement is to craft in a shabby chic style.  And who doesn't love mint!  It is such a sweet, and refreshing color.  Mint pairs nicely with almost everything!

To help give me some direction, I stopped by a new-to-me challenge As You See It.  They have a sketch, as their current challenge.   I love working with sketches.  And this one is a good sketch.  easy to work with, and I did flip the sketch.

I stopped by my favorite challenge site:  Cupcake Inspiration.  This challenge site, always have some creative themes/inspirations.  Their current challenge is to use plaid.  Yep, plaid.  I just love their cupcake!  But, I wanted something a little more spring.  But those cupcakes look yummy!

And finally, I stopped by Brown Sugar Challenge.  Their current challenge is Anything Goes.  But please stop by to see what this creative design team has created!

All of these challenge sites, have very talented, creative folks on their design teams.  They will inspire you!

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  The card meausres 4 1/4" x 6 1/4".  The card base is made with a no name Kraft card stock.

The first matt is pool party card stock.  I matted the floral pattern paper with aqua mist card stock.  The mint & aqua plaid is actually a holiday pattern paper by My Mind's Eye.  Once these two pattern papers were adhered to the card front, I ran them thru my sewing machine to add a double border stitch, all the way around. I added a strip of mint lace, to cover the seam where the two pattern papers meet.  I machine stitched some aqua seam binding to the center of the lace.  I wrapped silver bakers twine around the middle.  I tied the seam binding into a double bow.  I also tied a simple bow with silver bakers twine. I added a trio of paper blossoms distressed with tea stain ink, and white acrylic paint.  They are adhered to the card front with my hot glue gun.  For the sentiment, I used a new-to-me stamp set by AlteNew: Label Love.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink,  and stamped on kraft card stock.  I used my scissors to cut out the sentiment piece, and adhered it to the card front with foam squares.  The final touch were these rain drops in mint.

Well, I hope you have a chance to play along with some (or all) of these challenge sites!

It's a Cozy Christmas

Howdy!  Welcome.  I know, it has been a while (eek! 11 days) since I posted last.  My apologies.  But, I'm sure that you all can relate.  It's that crazy, busy time of year.  We all have obligations, commitments, and festivities to attend.  And todays share is just that.  {smile}  I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and my team gets together periodically to share creative ideas, and to socialize.  It's always way too much fun!  Anyways, we always get together during the holidays to do a gift and card exchange.  So, I am sharing with you the gift I made for the exchange.  I am also entering my project into a few challenges {smile}.

My first challenge entry is @ {Cupcake Inspirations}: CIC388.  They have this beautiful cupcake inspiration photo.  The required colors: red, gold, and cream.  How beautiful together!

What a gorgeous cupcake, right? and how inspirational!  And if this photo isn't enough, check out what this wonderfully talented group of ladies have created!  Amazing!

My next challenge entry is @ Word Art Wednesday #260-#261.  Their challenge is typically Anything Goes.  Which allows you to get creative and just make something.  This is a family-friendly site.  This wonderfully talented group of ladies provide you with a scripture (not required).  But the write-up will be spiritual.  So, it's always a good idea, to grab a cup of coffee, and read their beautiful words. {smile}

and here is what I made:

cupcake inspiration entry #22 & word art wednesday entry #237

Yes, it is another one of my holiday totes.  I just love these!  The decorated front has two coffee cups, because the inside in coffee themed.  Pretty sweet, right?

Recipe:  I used all Stampin' Up! supplies to create this, except the die to cut the tote and the clear box to hold my goodies.

The card stock to make the panels, Cherry Cobbler card stock (#119685).  I just love the depth of this red, and the heavy weight of the paper.  {smile}  The pattern paper for the tote and coffee cuffs is a new holiday paper Warmth & Cheer designer series paper stack (#141991).  This paper 'stack' comes in a 6" x 6" pad.  So the patterns are a smaller scale for cards and other projects.  The main panel is white card stock that was run through an embossing folder to give it the appearance of a sweater.  I thought it was a perfect pair! The embossing folder is Cable Knit (#143537).  This new embossing folder is 6" x 6", which I just love.  I machine stitched the embossed panel to the main pattern paper.  Then I wrapped a scrap piece of another pattern paper from the same pack: Warmth & Cheer.  

I used Delightful Dijon 5/8" mini Striped ribbon (#141430) to tie a simple bow to the tote.

The coffee cups from the Perfect Blend stamp set (#130745) were stamped on white card stock and then again on more pattern paper from the Warmth & Cheer collection.  I used foam tape to 'lift' one of the coffee cups off the front of the tote.  I didn't want it to look too flat.  I tied some kraft twine through a wooden button (retired) and adhered it to the cuff with a glue dot.

I made my sentiment with the same pattern paper as the belly band.  I stamped my sentiment in black classic ink, because that is what I used to stamp the coffee cups and cuffs.  I used a retired holiday stamp set Cozy Christmas (#139779) for the sentiment.

The tote contains: homemade Peppermint Bark, Vanilla Bean Marshmallows, and Cinnamon Nuts (almonds and pecans) packaged in clear (food safe) cello bags, along with a Starbucks coffee cup Christmas ornament, and a Starbucks gift card.  

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with these challenges.  I am off to cut card stock to make my Christmas cards.  Yeah, I am over a week late at this task.  But, they will be in tomorrows snail mail.  {smile}  I also need to get a few more totes made to go into the mail.

Have a wonderful day, and enjoy whats left of your weekend!

Vintage Chic Cards & Bag

Howdy!  My crafting frenzy continues.  I needed a little inspiration and guidance, so I stopped by a few of my favorite challenges.  Ok, three {smile}.

I stopped by the Cupcake Inspirations to see their inspirational photo.  And their color combo, is perfect for this new-to-me Vintage Chic collection by Heidi Swap.  I know, it's not holiday themed, and I should be crafting for my last craft fair.  But these colors, are just perfect!

*my card was selected as a 'Sweet Six' winner!

To help with my 'direction' in crafting, I stopped by the ever easy-to-work-with sketch @ Retro Sketch Challenge.  These ladies have very adaptable sketches that will work with almost any style of paper crafting you create.  Here is their current sketch (they are having some issues with Link)

My final stop, was @ Brown Sugar Challenge.  This creative design team, has a current challenge: anything goes.  So, super easy to play along {smile}.

and here is my card:

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  I just love the heavy weight of this card stock.  I used mint macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up! for the matt.  I just love this color, and it helps highlight the mint color on the Vintage Chic collection, by Heidi Swap.

I used the steel polka dots on cream pattern paper as my 'band'.  I matted this pattern paper onto steel texture solid card stock.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.   

I added a quick and simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  When I reached the 'band' piece, I did a zig zag stitch.  I wanted to add some visual interest {smile}.

I wrapped my last remaining piece of steel gray silk ribbon around the card 'band'.  I tied it into a simple bow.  I added a rhinestone brad to the bottom of the bow.  I added a pale blue-mint paper blossom to the top of the bow.

I added a digital Bingo card in place of the tag.  I added a rhinestone 'blossom' to the lower right corner of the bingo card.  

I hand-stamped my sentiment in early espresso classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped the sentiment on cream linen card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.  I hand-cut the banner ends, and sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I matted the sentiment banner with early espresso card stock by Stampin' Up!.

I had so much fun and creativity flowing when I was creating this card, I made another.  But I turned it 90 degrees. 

and I also made a gift tote:

I really enjoyed working with this paper collection: Vintage Chic.  The soft neutrals gave my projects a soft feminine look.  The extra card and gift tote, have gold satin ribbon.  I added little pieces of mint toned embellishments to help pull it all together.  I used a 'gift tangle' on the tote.  It's the crystal-like dangle from the taupe dot lace trim.  {smile}

I hope you have been inspired to play along with any of these challenges.   I am off to the grocery store.  I am making a pumpkin pie, and need a few baking items.  And then the crafting will continue!

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}

Banner Love Card

Welcome.  I had a few minutes this morning, to create a blank greeting card.  So, it was a good morning {smile}
I am entering this card in three different challenges.  A color & theme, a tic-tac, and an anything goes.
So, let's start with the color & theme challenge:  {Cupcake Inspirations}
The colors are kraft, cream, white, and a sweet vintage blue/mint.  And don't forget Banners!

The next challenge is the tic-tac challenge.  These are always fun, because you decide what 'squares' you want to play with.  Just Us GirlS wild card challenge.

ribbon, die-cuts, buttons

And finally, the last challenge, is an Anything Goes themed challenge: Brown Sugar Challenge

and my card:

Recipe:  The card base is made with mint macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love this vintage color.  I added a piece of background text pattern paper by Melissa Frances.  To jazz up the text paper, I did some stamping onto the paper.  I inked two stamps from the Timeless Texture stamp set by Stampin' Up!  I inked the flourish stamp with mint macaroon classic ink, and the rings stamp with baked brown sugar classic ink.

I had a scrap piece of this laurel printed kraft paper, so I cut a banner end.  I machine stitched some taupe lace and lost lagoon striped cotton ribbon to the top.  I added a trio of buttons tied with light brown bakers twine.

And now, time for the banner!  I used the gold bakers twine by Stampin' Up! and then strung various banner pieces.  I cut two short banner pieces with a hand held punch (by Stampin' Up!)  I die cut two tags from gold glitter paper and music paper.  I used a banner die to cut the two long gold foil pieces.

I wanted to add some bling to the banner, so I strung two charms: black bow, and white love pendant.  

Finally, I added three banner trims: thin gold tinsel, and thick twine in baked brown sugar.

I'm off to get a few chores done.  I hope you have been inspired, to play along with any or all of these challenges.  {smile}

Pretty Heart, gift card holder

Howdy!  Welcome!  I just can't get enough of this Polka Dot Party pattern paper, from American Crafts.  It is just so pretty and very easy to work with!  I didn't want to keep cutting my large left over pieces, so I have made a few gift card holders out of the little scraps {smile}  I guess I am really embracing this 'use what you have' mantra I have been chanting {smile}.

To help with some direction/inspiration, I headed over to a 'new to me' challenge blog:  Cupcake Inspiration.  Now, for those who know me, I imagine you aren't surprised that I have stumbled upon this challenge site.  And you are probably more surprised that I haven't found it earlier {smile}.  And if you don't know me, I love cupcakes.  So much so, that I have considered owning/operating my own cupcake food truck {smile}.

Ok, back to the task at hand.  The Cupcake Inspiration challenge site, is celebrating their 300th challenge!  How fabulous is that?  And their challenge is:  Sparkle!

Sparkle!  I can do sparkle!  Rhinestones and sequins sparkle!  

and I love the color of the frosting! a nice aqua blue!

here is what I made:

sparkle: rhinestones

and another gift card holder:

sparkle: sequins

inside the gift card holder, the sentiment is heat embossed:

Recipe:  The solid card stocks are Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana, from Stampin' Up! The pattern papers are from the Polka Dot Party collection, by American Crafts.

The sentiments on the front of the card holders are stamped in grey classic ink, onto whisper white card stock.  The stamp set is retired, Water Color Trio.  I also used a retired die to cut the decorative labels.  All of which are from Stampin' Up!  These decorative labels have been adhered to the front of the gift card holders with foam tape.

The sentiment inside the gift card holders is from CTMH.  I actually received this stamp as a 'thank you' gift from my CTMH consultant. {smile}  I stamped the sentiment in versa mark ink, added silver embossing powder, and heat embossed.  I think the raised lettering adds some pizzazz and sparkle.

I used my small pattern paper scrap pieces to decorate these two gift card holders.  I am saving my larger scraps for a card-box combo.  I should be able to finish this project tomorrow or so.  Don't fret, I will post some photos here {smile}.

I added some crinkled seam binding, that I tied into multi-loop bows.  The bows are attached to the front of the holders with brads: rhinestone and pearl. 

Thank you for looking!  I hope you get a chance to play along with these talented ladies over @ Cupcake Inspirations.  Help them celebrate their 300th challenge and create something that sparkles!