Something Blue Plastic Money

Welcome.  If you were here the last few days, you saw a paper tote and a Birthday card I created with the Something Blue collection by Prima.  And today, I want to share the large packaged gift card holder I created with the same collection.  I know that this paper collection has a wedding theme.  But I just love the patterns, colors, and images.  It has that shabby chic, vintage look.  And we all have used themed collections for different projects. {smile}

Recipe:  This gift card holder, holds one of those gift cards that you purchase at the grocery store, or Walgreens that comes 'packaged'.  So, instead of ripping open the packaging and pulling out the gift card, you simply slide the whole thing inside.  Like a big, beautiful 'pocket'.  [yes, I make quite a few of these for craft fairs - it makes gift giving easy.]

To keep each part of these 'gifts' coordinating, I repeated the colors, the pattern papers, the embellishments, and the little touches.  It's the easiest way to make all parts of the package look like they all belong together.  [repeat, repeat, and repeat.]

I started with Kraft card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  [I can't rave enough about the quality, strength, and durability of this card stock.  It holds up to all of my embellishing!]

I used the dark grey polka dot pattern paper as the matt.  I just love the simple beauty of polka dots.  I then used the dark grey, white, and kraft bird print pattern paper as the main panel.  I love the birds!  I did pay close attention, to make sure all my patterns are oriented in the correct direction.  [Little details like this, do show your love.]  I did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine to the layered papers.  Now, before you get anxious, it really isn't that hard.  I always have my sewing machine out, so access to it, is a breeze.  I add a little adhesive to the middle of the stacked papers, and stitch along the border.  It doesn't have to be perfect - actually that adds visual interest.  But please don't be sloppy.  There is a difference between sloppy, tailored, and allowing the machine to run in its own direction.  {smile}

I used one of the journalling cards as my sentiment piece: true story.  I wanted something already printed, to add to the 'finished' look.  I used a few different 'book' themed stamps for my sentiments, but wanted something more personal.  So, I used a fancy script stamp set from PaperTrey Ink: Penned Elegance.  The sentiments are general, but have this beautifully fancy font.  

I didn't want to compete with the beautiful pattern paper, so I simply added trims that complements the paper.  I used a scrap piece of cream lace.  It's about 2" - 2 1/2" wide.  I then layered a mint striped ribbon over the center of the lace.  

I wanted to make the white accents in the pattern paper pop, so I added a white paper blossom.   This big, beautiful paper blossom, is from the 1$ bin at one of those big box craft stores.  [yes, I have a few packages of paper blossoms from these bins, always on hand.]  I added a mint glitter leaf from Prima to the paper blossom.  I believe these glittered leaves are from the Peppermint collection by Prima.  I felt the blossom needed a little more, so I added a simple bow to the upper left of the blossom.  But I wanted it to have a presence, so I added it upside down.  I just love how this little change in orientation adds something pretty!

All of my metallic additions to this birthday package collection have been silver.  So here is where I made a change.  Something I usually don't do.  But these large white blossoms came with gold accents.  I didn't want to fuss too much with the blossoms, so I ran with it.

I added two vintage buttons just below where the journal card falls.  I selected one mint and one white.  Both to tie in the color theme.  But since the paper blossom has gold accents, I used gold cord to tie the buttons.  I only added two buttons, because I added the clay star.  Yes, the star is made from clay - glitter clay, by me, and baked.  

Inside the gift card holder, I used the same dark grey classic ink, to hand stamp Happy Birthday.  I used a stamp from the same collection: Penned Elegance, so the stamping would match in font.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found some inspiration.  Inspiration to either create something new, or use a color you aren't fond of, or use a collection in a direct direction, or simply get back into your craft room.  Whatever you do, to express your creativity does speak volumes to your soul.  {smile}

Winter Friendship Tea

~ long, and photo heavy ~

Howdy!  whew, another year.  But this one will be better: more joy, more laughter, more time with friends, and more time creating!  Like most of you, I too, have resolutions.  Mine are basic: all of the above, and better health, and eating better.  My promise to myself, my family, my friends, and my followers. So, here is where we start.  

Day one:  I have plans today.  I had a 'good' breakfast (eating better).  I will go for a 5 mile run (better health), once I finish here.  And then, I will drive into town and pick up a planner.  So, I can start writing down what I need to do.  Pencil in time for what I want to do.  And get my gym schedule on the book.  This will help me organizing my time better.

My plan for tomorrow: clean my craft room (getting organized).  Yes, clean.  It will most likely take me 5/+ hours.  It is a disaster.  So much so, it has spilled onto the dinning room table, and one counter in the kitchen.  It is a mess.  And a nightmare.  My poor husband doesn't say a word.  Gotta give the guy props!  

But first, I took some time to craft.  Before you give me a pat on the back, or a bravo, it is late crafting.  Late, in that this project should have been done at least a week ago, if not sooner.  You see, I am having a winter/Christmas Friendship tea for 10 wonderfully charming, and dear friends.  Next weekend.  Yep, January 7th.  They all know about it.  They received their unofficial, invite 4 weeks ago.  And, unfortunately, I am just now getting their official invites in the mail.  This project was put on the back burner (so to speak) for two reasons: time, and creativity.  

Time: between holiday parties, retirement teas, and 3 days of family obligations during Christmas, oh, and 2 holiday events, and one wedding; I was running out of time.  Yeah, still working 40hours a week at the hospital, and taking call 3 nights a week.  I cook dinner almost every night.  And my dog Sasha depends on me for everything: walks, meals, love, attention, and play time.  Did I mention I have a husband?  Yep.  I have one of those, too!  Time, is something I barely had any of this past month.  

Creativity: I made all the decorations, food, and personal touches to the retirement tea, crafted 4 kids ugly sweaters (for the annual ugly sweater contest), decorated a trophy for said event, made dishes for Christmas Eve lunch, and dinner.  More dishes for Christmas dinner.  Made birthday cards for a group of us ladies who paper craft.  Made the Secret Santa gift for said holiday party.  Made Cinnamon nuts for my grandchildren's teachers and coaches holiday gifts, and decorated the jars.  Helped my oldest granddaughter make Peppermint Bark for her dance team.  And we made custom tags, and packed them rather sweetly.  And one last craft fair that required almost non stop crafting to get inventory up for the event.  So see, my creativity was there.  Just buried under everything else.  Now that I have had a chance to catch my breathe, and before I put away all my holiday themed crafting supplies, I needed to create one more thing: Winter Friendship Tea invites.

I am entering them into two challenges:  Brown Sugar Challenge & Word Art Wednesday Challenge.  Both challenge sites are anything goes & family friendly.

I made these 'flip' book/cards:

here is the inside:

one more:

and the inside:

Recipe:  I used the Mistletoe Collection, from Kaisercraft, one sheet of stickers, and one package of diecuts.  I printed my 'tags' (invites) onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Trimmed them to 3 1/4" x 3 3/4".  I cut a scrap piece of the shimmer ribbon from Stampin' Up! and stapled it to the top of each invite.  I rounded just the top two corners.

Each panel measures 4" x 6".  I wanted to get the most pieces out of my paper.   I adhered the pocket to the inside of the front panel before adding washi tape.

I 'trimmed the edges with washi tape, and then used my corner rounder.     

From the cover to the back-

cover:  I cut a piece of coordinating pattern paper 3" x 5" and used my spiral notebook punch to create a decorative edge to one side of the pattern paper.  I used my corner rounder on the two corners that were left plain.

I cut my border stickers into 3" segments.  I stamped my sentiment 'To my friend' onto a 3/4" wide white card stock, and stamped in Lagoon ink.  I used a square punch to create the flag/banner end.  I adhered the sentiment piece with foam tape just on top of the border sticker.  

I stamped my 'TEA' image onto white card stock, using real red classic ink.  I added an image and a word from the stickers and die cuts to each cover.  

inside cover:  I created the pockets with the same pattern paper.  Each pocket is cut 3 3/4" x 2".  The bottom corners are rounded.  I made paper bows using my bow builder punch by Stampin' Up! with the scrap pieces of pattern papers.  Then I added either a sticker or die cut just below the bow.

inside back panel:  I added adhesive to the back of each of the little silver polka dot treat bags.  I added a scrap piece of pattern paper to the top of each bag, and adhered them.

I added a decorative strip of paper to the bottom portion of each bag.  A creative way to help secure the bag to the panel.  I added a word from the word page with foam tape.  Inside each bag is a tea bag.  Fitting I thought {smile}.

the back panel: is left blank.  I simply stamped my trademark in dark grey ink.  I thought that since the treat bag is silver metallic and the washi tape is either silver/gray, the ink should also coordinate with the whole over all look.  

I packed each invite in a clear envelope.  This works two ways: eye candy for our mail carriers, and a look at your treasure in your snail mail {smile}.  It's the easiest way to share a smile!

Thank you for looking.  and yeah, these aren't really 'flip books', because there is no 'flip'.  But I was inspired by what I found on the internet.  I hope that I have given you a smile, too!  a quick note: I saw a video on how to make flip books on youtube using project life cards HERE.  That is where I got my inspiration.