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.  

Mother's Coupon

Howdy.  I hope you are well.  Me, I'm busy, tired, training, and still working.  I don't always get to craft as much as I want.  But, I did carve out some time, to get this card created, and in the mail.  It's a hand-made card I made my mom, for Mother's Day.  I used items I already had.  Because sometimes you just need to stop spending $, when your stash is overgrown.  {smile}

here is what I created:

an angled view:

The card base is made from Pink Pirouette card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the heavy weight of their card stock.  Sturdy, and holds up to embellishing.  And the soft sweet color is perfect.

The plaid pattern paper is Chicken Scratch from Paper Trey Ink.  It's a River Rock or Fresh Linen color.  I thought it matched the leaved in the pattern paper almost perfect.  The floral Pattern Paper is from American Crafts.  

I took one paper doily and cut it in half and adhered it to opposite corners.  And then machine stitched the pattern papers together.  I just love the homespun look cards have with machine stitching.  I took a scrap piece of cotton trim and wrapped it around the pattern papers.  I added a piece of soft pale pink seam binding to the cotton trim, and machine stitched them to the card front.  

I hand-stamped the coupon onto a scrap piece of white linen card stock, in crumb cake classic ink.  I adhered the coupon onto the card front with foam tape.  I hand-stamped the 'Love You' onto a scrap piece of vellum card stock, in Versa Mark.  I used Early Espresso embossing powder, and heat embossed the sentiment.  I cut the the vellum card stock with scallop scissors.  (yeah, I still have several pairs of those scissors.)

I added two different, white, paper blossoms to the right side of the coupon.  I tucked in some leaves that I hand-punched from a green and mint card stock.  I tied a double bow with the same pale pink seam binding, and adhered it to the card front just under the paper blossoms.  I adhered a white glitter clay rose to the center of the bow.

Thank you for stopping by.  I mailed this card to my mom earlier this week, and super happy she received it before today {smile}.  I want to wish all the moms out there Happy Mother's Day!  Being a mom is hard work, but super rewarding!  

A Chocolate Hug & Kiss

Howdy, I hope this post finds you well, organized, and in the holiday spirit!  I wanted to share with you a little project I did, for several sweet folks in my life.  

I wanted to 'package' some chocolates in a fun and festive way.  But, something a little different, and sweet.  So, I headed to Pinterest.  (who doesn't these days)  And I stumbled (happily) across these tiny little chocolate packages.  When I say 'tiny' that is exactly what I mean.  T I N Y !!!  But super cute!  Ok, let's just admit somethings are just more adorable when you shrink them.  These little packages are no exception to that rule.  So, I set out to my craft room, and whipped up 13 of them.

here they are:

the whole lot

Now, when I photographed them, I forgot to add something to the photo to show scale.  So, I will just describe the tininess.  Each little teeny tiny package holds one Hershey Kiss and one Hershey Hug.  And you have to put them in point to point, or you won't be able to close the little 'box'.  That's how teeny tiny they are.  But, the adorable-ness is off the charts!

I found a tutorial on-line, so I quickly made one 'sample', and then some whipped them up.  Super fast, and easy.  And they used scraps to complete.  So more bonus points. {smile}  

The original designer is Dani Dziama.  She is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and on their official design team for 2017.  So, just a quick pointer if you make these: random pattern paper works best.  But if you use directional pattern paper, cut your pattern 4 1/4" wide, and pay close attention as to which end you put the closure.

a close-up

I wrapped the tops with various Stampin' Up! ribbon I had on hand.  These narrow ribbons work best.  Also, I added a dimensional adhesive (aka foam tape) to the back of each small oval sentiment.  Just to elevate it off the package.  I think these turned out super sweet!  And who knows they just may make an appearance at next years holiday craft fair!  {smile}

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something unique and sweet for the folks in your life.  I am off to baking cupcakes.  A super sweet friend has placed an order of milk chocolate cake, sweet whipped filling, and green vanilla buttercream icing with tiny red hearts.  So, let's get this baking party started!  {smile}  They are for a Grinch-themed holiday party.  How fun is that?

Pretty Little Trees

Aww, the holiday crafting season is upon us.  And yes, I have been a busy little bee.  Today, I am working on my tiny christmas trees.  I dye them, then flock them, and the final touch is to glitter them.  They are just so sweet, and pretty, its hard to move past this task and get started on the next.  {smile}

For those who normally follow me, you all know that I am a sucker for pink, and anything shabby.  But this year, I wanted to broaden my horizons, and dye a few trees some other colors.  And I have happy I did!  Just look at these little gems!

I am so happy with how they turned out.  So, the tiny cherry red, mauve, and teal blue ones are new-to-me this year.  As well, as the tall dark pink.  I think they will be a hit this year.   But my heart still swoons over the pink ones.  {smile}  Which one is your favorite?  

Thank you for looking.  I need to get these in little jars, and put some final touches on them.  I hope your weekend is a good one!  I'll share more of my holiday crafting soon.  {smile} 

Vintage Noel in Paris Card

Howdy.  I haven't stopped Christmas crafting yet!  I have just been side railed with a few other obligations.  I was baking individual size Lemon Cream Coffee Cakes, 3-inch Traditional French Apple Tarts, and a few dozen Boston Cream Cupcakes.  And  yeah, I had to make pretty gift cards to go with them {smile}.

But, I did find time to make some holiday cards and a few gift bags to match {smile}.

I am playing along with two different paper crafting challenges:  Mix It Up Challenge and Brown Sugar Challenge. 

So, let's start with Mix It Up Challenge.  They have a sketch and an inspirational photo.  You can use either or both.  How sweet is that?  I used the inspirational photo!

I was inspired by the red and green colors of the holiday photo, along with the holiday theme.

The other challenge I am entering is Brown Sugar Challenge.  These talented ladies have an Anything Goes theme.  Always great ideas from the design team.  They use items from the current sponsor and create some of the most beautiful paper crafts!

here is the card that I made:

Recipe:  I used real red card stock from Stampin' Up!  I just llove the heavy weight.  The pattern paper I used is from a few years ago.  I don't remember who made it, but that is all I have left {frown}.  The green gingham pattern is the reverse side of the holy/polka dot pattern.  

I machine stitched a piece of cream cotton trim and red gingham ribbon to the card front.  Tied a double bow with the ribbon.  I tied a larger double bow with kraft twine and tied a silver Tim Holtz pinecone to the twine.  Then layered my trims:  rat twine and red ribbon.  

I added a dark green glittered paper blossom to the top of the bows.

My focal piece is actually a digital download.  I printed the image on white linen card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  I originally purchased the digital image to print on kraft card stock.  I haven't given up on the idea.  {smile}   I thought this image would look better on white.  To help accent the white polka dots (aka snow falling)

Thank you for looking!  I hope your weekend is wonderful! and creative!

More Holiday Gift Card Holders

Howdy! well, I finished a few more of the traditional colored holiday gift card holders.  I am running out the door to head into work, but I wanted to share another photo.  I am still using the new Tidings collection from Authentique for these.  I'm happy with how they turned out.  {smile}

Authentique: Tidings

I used Stampin' Up! card stock as the base.  I just love the heavy weight of this card stock.  And the colors are just gorgeous in real life.  {smile}  I added burlap ribbon, cotton ribbon, crochet trim and gold cord to the covers.  I found a few stag silhouettes in my stash, and added those, too.   I made a few tags, and added them randomly to the finished holders.  

I purposefully made some 'flat' and some bulky.  I made some 'flat' ones if you need to mail one, the postage won't be expensive, and they will slide nicely in a card.  Or if the gift card holder is the 'gift' the bulky ones are perfect for a box.  Think of it as a treasure in a treasure.  {smile}
And here are a few more retro styled gift card holders.  I thought I had posted this photo yesterday.  :/

Simple Stories: Claus & Co.

I'm off to start crafting some gift bags made with the same pattern paper.  I also need to swing by the craft store and purchase more 'green' ribbon.  Thanks for stopping by!  and if you would like a postcard with my arts and craft fair locations, just email me your mailing address.  Remember, all my holiday craft fairs are in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Hope to see you there!