Chalkboard Sentiment; Card

Welcome.  I'm so happy you stopped by and take a look at what I've created today.  If you didn't see my precious post, I've been running.  And running takes a lot of my time.  So my crafting was not been as productive as I'd like it to be. {frown}  However, during my last run, I was able to clear my head, and re-ignite my creative spark.  

I stopped by Mojo Monday late yesterday, to get a peak at their current sketch.  And then last night, I dreamt of a card.  {yeah, I dream about paper crafting.}

And this week, @ Mojo Monday is a prize week.  {yahoo!}  The thing that I love about Mojo Monday sketches, is that they are so easy to use.  Here is their current sketch:

When I first saw this sketch, my first reaction was to rate the sketch 90 degrees right and mirror it.  That would change the sketch to be landscape, and orient the diagonal piece to be on the right side of the card, and the circle piece to more center.  But, then I changed my mind last minute.

here is what I made:

Now, if you know me, or follow me, you already know that I mostly use scraps and pieces that I have on hand, and this creation follows that rule.   I am a paper crafting hoarder.  I could give Hobby Lobby a run for their money.  Don't believe me?  ask my husband.  {smile}  This card is a thin A6 size (4 1/4" x 6")

different view

Recipe:  The card base is made from Paper Studios Kraft card stock.  I just love the color and feel of this card stock.  It's a bit light weight, so I line the inside of the card, to help it stand-up without falling forward.

For the main panel, I cut a 5" x 7" digital paper down to 4 1/8" x 5 7/8".  I added a scrap piece (2" x 4 1/4") of aqua mist polka dot paper, from Paper Trey Ink.   I adhered these two pattern papers together.  I trimmed the overhang from the polka dot paper.  I used a thread cutter to distress the edges.  I then sponged the edges with a light brown ink.  I used my finger nail to make little tears in the papers. 

The square, green, floral paper, is actually a digital download.  It is originally 'coaster' size (4" square). But, I didn't want to cut down the paper, because I love the whole look of this square.  So, I printed it @ 80%, to shrink it down to roughly 3" square.  I distressed the edges with a thread cutter and sponged ink along the edges, too.

I took a scrap piece (4 1/4" x 3") of a text paper from Melissa Frances, and tore the paper into a diagonal shape.  I distressed the edges with a thread cutter and added sponging to the edges.  I adhered this piece across the lower third of the card.  It also helped hide/mask the seams. {smile}

I then added my machine stitching.  I did a double border stitch.  I didn't sew across the text pattern paper, to help give the card a finished look.

I wrapped a scrap piece of aqua colored seam binding around the diagonal piece into a diagonal. 

I have a box of chalk board sentiment tags (circle, rectangle, and square) from Anna Griffith.  I used foam tape to elevate the sentiment piece off the card face.

I added a double loop of kraft twine loop where I wanted my bow.  I tied a simple bow with the same seam binding, leaving room for some tiny paper blossoms.  I cut the legs off of a white enamel brad, and hot glued it to the center of my bow.

I added a trio of tiny pink paper blossoms between the bow and the sentiment circle.  I added a pale green, heart stick pin by Fancy Pants.  I hand-stamped a tiny 'Friend' tag, and adhered it to the bottom portion of the bow.

For the final touch, I added pearls and sequins in a 'random'-ish pattern.  I added a pair of pearls with one pale green sequin above the sentiment circle, and a trio of pearls with a pair of sequins below the sentiment circle.  

Thank you for looking.  I'm pretty happy with how my card came out.  And I hope I have inspired you to create something beautiful!  Don't forget to play along with Mojo Monday challenge, as this is a prize week!  Yahoo!

Holiday Banners

I am having a great weekend.  I got to see some wonderful girl friends and I got a lot of crafting done!  Yahoo!

And so, I want to share with you what I made.  I created some banners (ok, 2) out of thick chipboard, and some wonderful holiday pattern paper: Christmas by Fancy Pants.  Here is what they look like:

I used a variety of the pattern papers.  I just love the mix of blue and red and green.  Just gorgeous and festive and playful.  Love it.  

I cut a large scallop trim piece from one pattern paper and matted it onto cherry cobbler card stock.  I machine stitched it, to give it a home-made and nostalgic look.  I also used cherry cobbler card stock to create the scallop circles under the rosettes.

I created the rosettes by hand.  I scored a 1" x 12" strip of pattern paper every 1/4".  I stamped and heat embossed the letters in early espresso embossing powder onto shimmer white card stock.  I matted the letters onto cherry cobbler card stock, and then ocean tides card stock.  

I used ocean tides ribbon from Paper trey ink.  I tied red vintage buttons on to each bow.   I have both banners for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.  Don't forget, my easy shop will be closed the day before, the day of, and the day after each craft fair.

Thank you for looking.  I'll be posting more soon!

Calendar

Howdy!  Did ya' think I fell off planet Earth?  I have been MIA for a few weeks, and I apologize.  I wish I had an excuse other than ~ life.  But I don't.  For some reason the holidays sent me into a whirl wind of deadlines, and I'm drowning in them.  I don't even have my Christmas tree up.  The lights aren't hung, no wreath on the door, and I haven't even started wrapping presents.  ugh!

Today, I am wrapping a few presents, making a rich, creamy cheesecake, home-made marshmallows, hand-ground cocoa (for hot chocolate), and finishing a Christmas glass ornament.  All before 1p.  Because, we have to load up the truck with all of these goodies, and drive into town for a holiday luncheon @ 2p.  

But, before I get started in the kitchen, I wanted to share a flip-top calendar I made for a super special gal pal - Sue.  I used a collection of products from different companies: Maya Road, Fancy Pants, the Twinery, and Paper Trey Ink.  So, without further ado, here are a few photos:

January, February, March, and April

May, June, July, and August

September, October, November, and December

My little secret to creating a cohesive-looking project made with products from several different companies, is simple: use the products throughout the whole project - repeat!  I know that sounds easy, but just keep repeating the same products.  For example, I used one package of the kraft doilies.  I used a doily as the matt for each month circle.  I used a whole package of these beautiful little blue glass-like flowers - one on each page.  When I used the twine and fabric flower, I used the same color regardless of the month.  I used pattern paper from the same collection, so each page coordinates. I used almost a whole package of these decorative kraft journaling tags.  I used almost a whole page of stickers, that coordinates with the pattern paper collection. I used two coordinating strips of dyed burlap trim.  I used half a package of chipboard accent pieces.  My only random pieces are white clay embellishments that I made, fabric banners (3), decorative stick pins, two resin birds, an arrow clip, a chip board butterfly, a small ruler, and a house bingo piece.

Ok, I need to get in the kitchen.  I am hopeful that I will remember to photograph my cheesecake, marshmallows, hand-ground cocoa, and the glass ornament.  But, as you know, sometimes I don't always remember to do these things.  Keep your fingers crossed.  And stop by tomorrow.  Because if I remember to use the camera, I will post photos tomorrow {smile}.

MOJO Monday Challenge #122

Here is my entry to the MOJO122. I'm truly in love with this paper! fancy pants Vintage Valentine. The solid card stock is bazzil; two different shades of brown. The ribbon is from Martha Stewart. The stamp is a Stampabilities, inked with Bravo Burgundy from Stampin' Up! I used the I used the heart to heart punch from Stampin' Up! for the hearts.

Thanks for looking. Please leave a comment.

Vintage Valentine

My friend, Ronda (yes, I spelled her name correct) teaches a 'Heritage' class at Scraps Galore, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She loves the 'shabby chic' papers and the 'old' look of materials and photos. So, she is not only talented, but has a great eye for these things, you know the type-simply amazing. Anyways, I started taking her class because I wanted to scrapbook my family's history, so to speak. She is a wonderful teacher; very knowledgeable, talented, great eye for design and color. Well, I finished that scrapbook album years ago, probably 3 years now. Through that time, I have made some friendships with some great women who take Ronda's 'Heritage' scrapbook class, too. Anyways, I finished my album and keep taking the class. Ronda has so much to teach, and lets face it, it is a chance for us ladies to get out of the house and spend some quality time with the girls.

So, back to my card. I used the papers not for a scrapbook layout, but for a card. I fell in love with the papers Ronda had chosen for the class. They are simply amazing! The company is fancy pants. The line is Vintage Valentine. The ribbon is from Martha Stewart. I purchased the ribbon by the yard at the scrapbook store, so I'm not sure of the color name. I loved how my card turned out. I love how the polka dots, stripes and flowers all go together! See, I told you Ronda has an eye for these things!

Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy schedule to take a peak at what I have been doing. As always, its nice to hear for you, so please leave a comment.