Vintage Thanks

Howdy, and thanks for stopping by.  As usual, life is busy.  But, I really want to play along with some different challenges.  I think it will help me get out of my funk.  I want to re-new my passion for crafting, and so I think I need to  get some inspiration.

The lovely ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge, have a wonderful sketch for you to try.  I just love these sketches, because the possibilities are endless.  

Here is the sketch:

Now, before you get frustrated.  Just take the sketch apart, and it isn't so intimidating.  The large blossom head, can be roughly any large stamp.  Think a background stamp, or a selection of stamps that could easily create a 'background', or a large main image panel stamp.  Got something in mind?  Good.  Now, for the sentiment, think lower third or upper third of the card.  Now, you can stamp your sentiment right on top of your main panel.  Or, you could make a horizontal banner, or similar shape.  I would suggest that you keep this card front simple.  Even clean and simple.  Or, mildly embellished.

here is what I did:

My favorite style of card making is typically shabby chic.  But, as I stated earlier, I wanted a change.  so, I went vintage.  Some of you might think it's shabby chic.  But, look closely.  There aren't many feminine embellishments or soft girly colors.  Rather, it has a more neutral or masculine tone.   

I started with soft suede cardstock, to create the card base.  I stamped the background stamp in Old Olive classic ink.  I used the edge of my scissors to distress the edges.  Which also help with bits and pieces being torn.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I added small scraps of First Edition DSP to the torn pieces, to give the illusion that there is a hidden page beneath.  I stamped the label piece twice, so I could layer this piece.  I stamped the 'THANKS' in Early Espresso classic ink.  I wanted to 'dress-up' this piece, so I added a text banner piece, a small piece of crochet trim, and a small piece of soft suede taffeta ribbon.  I did some machine stitching to attach the ribbons to the label piece.  I thought the ribbon piece looked bare or empty, so I added a fabric blossom to the front of this ribbon bundle.  I attached the label piece with foam tape, to give the card some interest.

I hope that you can join us this week @ NAC.  I'd love to see what you do with our sketch!

School Days

I hope this week has started off nicely for you.  Me?  well, I think I will always be busy until I retire from my paying job.  So, until then, the lovely ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge, have a great sketch for you to play with this week!  Here is the sketch:

Now, don't let this bold, plain sketch deflate your creativity.  Let's take a closer look.  The rectangle shape of the main piece can easily be changed into a shape.  The thick matt can easily be changed to a thinner matt.  The space on the main panel can easily showcase a large stamp, show-off a background stamp, or allow you to wow us with a technique.  

Here is what I did:

If you have searched the internet recently, you have seen alot of paper crafts with this faux chalkboard technique.  I think this look is 'old school', since most public classrooms have dry eraser boards than chalkboards.  A crime I say!  Anyways, I saw this fabulous tutorial, and decided to use the open space on this sketch to illustrate my take on the faux chalkboard technique.

I used one of my favorite 'thank you' stamps from the From My Heart stamp set.  I first stamped the image in Versa Mark ink and used white embossing powder.  Heat embossed this fabulous image.  I then sponged basic black classic ink along the edges.  I then sponged whisper white craft ink over the embossed image to represent chalk dust.  I then stamped over the image with the same image again with the stamp inked in whisper white craft ink.  I love how this turned out.  I used the top note die to create this fabulous shape.  I wanted to add something to the corner of this piece, so I did another layering.  I stamped the double-line heart from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set onto very vanilla card stock and fussy cut it out.  I added a multi-loop bow made from pool party seam binding.  I attached the bow to the front of the heart with a vintage trinket brad.  I added a blossom from the Flower Trim and a tiny tag, that says, 'Thanks'.  The school line paper is from a DSP pack.

I hope that you have found some inspiration, and join us this week with this fun sketch @ NAC!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

(love this card? you can purchase it, here)

Shabby Chic Style

Yahoo it's Saturday!  This has been a killer week at work.  But, I am happy to say that I did get to spend some time in my craft room.  I am the hostess over @ Our Creative Corner.  I wanted to make this challenge with a theme or a style, and let you use the products you have on hand, and either try something new, or really dazzle us with your talents.  The style for this weeks challenge is 'Shabby Chic'.  

The new year has arrived, but let's not forget about the things from our past.  So, create a paper craft item (3-D, scrapbook page, tag, a card, etc.)  in a 'Shabby Chic' style.  Here are some guidelines for this style: Shabby Chic style is generally characterized by a time-worn look that is achieved by inking and distressing.  There are layers of softness that is achieved by the use of ribbon, lace, and crochet trim.  There are feminine embellishments, such as buttons, pearls, glitter, and other sweet embellishments.

Here is what I created: 

I used crumb cake cardstock as the card base.  I just love Stampin' Up!'s version of this color.  It has a creamy richness that is amazing.  I added a soft pink layer, blush by Amuse Studio cardstock.   And then I layered some pattern papers on top of that!  The pink floral pattern paper is a new line from Authentique.  The text paper paper is from Paper Studio.  You can find it at a big-box craft store.  I wrapped a piece of very vanilla seam binding and some new pink lace trim from Stampin' Up!.  I then did a simple machine stitch all the way around the card.  I just love this look.  I added a banner piece of aqua houndstooth pattern paper.  This pattern paper is a new line called vintage chic.  I just love the color and pattern.  I did a few zig-zag stitches.

I took an aqua mist button and added some glue and then dunked it in a tub of fine glitter.  I added a flower shape of text paper under the button.  Then I tied it to the front of a multi-loop bow.  The tag is cut from a tiny tag die.  I purchased this laundry stamp set and have been waiting for the perfect piece to stamp.  So, the three stamps I used are: hand wash, do not iron, made with heart.  I added three blossoms from a flower  trim.  Love the flowers!

I am a big fan of doilies on cards.  So, I added one of Martha Stewart's doilys.  I cut a 1 1/2" circle from a digital download.  Very pretty.  I added some half-pearls, and a silhouette postage stamp.

Not too many layers, but I think it's pretty.  I am really happy with this little gem.  Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with us @ OCC.

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

(love this card? you can purchase it, here)

Shabby Love

I have to admit that I am happy it's Friday.  I have this weekend off and I am looking forward to relaxing, doing some baking, and spending time with family.  But, if it's Friday, that means its time for another great sketch from the Sketch Frenzy Friday crew.   Deb, is the creator of this weeks sketch:

The sketch looks pretty straight forward and unassuming.  But, it also has LOTS of potential!  The banner piece alone could be your focus and embellish it pretty.  Or, you can  use the large center panel as your canvas to create your own background pattern, or showcase a large/background stamp.  

here is what I did:

When I first say the sketch, I knew what I wanted to do.  I used two of my favorite colors of cardstock for this card; Pool Party, and Crumb Cake.  I received a few new goodies from Stampin' Up! recently and well, I just had to play with them.  The black lace doily stamp is Gossamer Lace stamp, found in the large catalog.  I stamped the doily in basic black ink onto very vanilla cardstock.  I used detail scissors to cut out the doily.  The banner piece is from a new stamp set: Hearts a Flutter.  I stamped the banner in pool party classic ink onto very vanilla card stock and used the Hearts a Flutter embosslit to die cut the image.  The scallop trim heart piece is from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set, also.  I stamped the scallop heart in soft suede classic ink onto very vanilla card stock and die cut the image.  The floral lace trim, I folded in half and machine stitched it across the embellishment stack.  I added two flowers from the Flower Trim, and a button from the Artisan Embellishment kit, to the top-center of the scallop heart.  I tied the button on with linen thread and made a tiny bow.  I added a little tag made with the Lovely Little Labels stamp set.  LOVE, is stamped in basic black classic ink on very vanilla cardstock and sponged the edges with soft suede classic ink. 

For the main panel of the card, I used pool party card stock.  I used the Lacy Brocade embossing folder to give this large space some texture and visual interest.  I sponged pool party classic ink along the edges.  I used a sanding block to rough up the center and then also randomly sponged some whisper white craft ink.  

I used my liquid white glue to 'draw' my flourish in the lower right corner.  Then I added some faux half-pearls.

Thank you for looking.  I hope we have inspired you to play along with us @ SFF.  We would love to see what this sketch allows you to create!

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

(love this card? you can purchase it, here)