Rustic Christmas

Happy Holidays to everyone.  I created a card for one of my favorite challenge sites.  And this has 2 happy endings - I got the opportunity to get back into my craft room, and I am a guest designer!  The wonderfully creative ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday have asked me to create a card for their current challenge {yahoo!}.

So, without further ado, here is my card:

Recipe:  this blank-inside card is a typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  I used a soft kraft card stock for the card base.  I just love this true 'cardboard' color.  I used a 'peeled paint' pattern paper as my first matt.  I love this worn look.  It reminds me of old country barns.

The second matt, is a soft, vintage plaid of red, green, and cream/vanilla.  It looks so country, and so home-y.    I did add a kraft matt, to this plaid matt, and then used my sewing machine to add a simple border stitch to this piece.  I wrapped a piece of red buffalo check ribbon around the pattern papers, and then tied a simple bow.  To keep with the over-all look of the card, I tied a wooden button to the bow with thin silver cord.  There is a tiny charm tied to that wooden button.  It is a vintage holy leaf with a bell.

To add a little flair, I added a candy striped poinsettia just above the button-bow combo.  This paper blossom is from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima. I thought the stripes matched beautifully with the plaid in the matt, and that vintage silver glitter just adds the right amount of nostalgia {smile}.  I used the word file provided by Word Art Wednesday for my sentiment.  I adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  And it works just beautifully!

My card is simple.  But, I think it has a lot of flair and country charm!  I hope you are able to play along with us @ Word Art Wednesday.  Because I know we just can't wait to see what you create!

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas holiday, and was able to spend time with family and friends.

a bowl of cherries

Howdy, and welcome.  I am super excited today to share with you some happy news and a card!  I recently won the challenge over @ Tic Tac Toe Challenge and was given the opportunity to be a guest designer!  How fabulous is that, right!  So, without any delay let's get to their current challenge #tttc046!

right column: fruit, watercolor, free

Now, before you get discouraged, here are some ideas.  For the 'fruit', you could add apple(s) and create a Teacher Appreciation card.  Or lemon(s)/lime(s) for a Summer themed card.  Or add a pineapple for a Hostess card.  For the 'Free', simply add your favorite item: machine stitching, a button, sequins, a paper straw, etc.  The list is almost endless.  Don't forget to use what's in your stash, and most importantly have fun!  This Tic Tac Toe card, really does lean towards a Summer theme.  I can't wait to see what you create.  Here is what I made:

Recipe:  my card, is a typical A2 size greeting card.  (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  

FRUIT: cherries, WATERCOLOR: color wash on watercolor paper, FREE: machine stitching, button, seam binding, and lace.

The base of the card is made with Crumb Cake card stock by Stampin' Up!, due to their lovely heavy weight card stock.  The main panel is made from a linen plaid card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  I love this soft color!  I added a piece of 6" lace over the main panel.  I 'attached' the lace with some machine stitching along three sides.  I did a quick, purposefully sloppy double border stitch.  I love adding machine stitching to my crafts.  I think it adds a homespun look/feel.  

I adhered a 4" paper doily to the right side of the card.  I simply folded the over-hang around the main panel.  I machine stitched a strip of pale blue seam binding along the lover third of the card to help anchor the seam binding to the card front.  I tied a double-loop bow, and tied a 'swirl' red button to the center of the bow with some gold twine.  This 'fancy' button reminded me of a cherry with its imprinted design.  {smile}

The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed on a scrap piece of white card stock.  I rounded one end, and pointed the other end.  I thought this shape looked like one of those garden/plant markers.    Super sweet, right? {smile}

I made my own embroidery hoop.  I used a die to cut the shape.  I used a scrap piece of wood veneer 'paper'.  I just love this stuff.  But my shock is dwindling.  {frown}. For the inside of the hoop, I took a scrap piece of watercolor paper and stamped my bowl in Versa Mark ink, and added white detail embossing powder.  I used Versa Mark ink to stamp the cherries, and added deep red embossing powder.  I heated the paper, and my bowl of cherries came to life!  I misted the water color paper heavily with water, and then washed it with a pale blue color.  I wanted the cherries to pop! and the bowl to have some contrast, to showcase the bowls design.  I used a fine tip brown marker to create the cherry stems.  (hand drawn)

The final touch was the trio of wood grain printed sequins.  I felt that they helped tie the wood-grain hoop to the card.  I adhered the main panel of this card to the card front with foam tape.

I believe that if you repeat elements/colors, it helps tie that element to your card.  The color I washed the watercolor paper with, matches the seam binding.  The red in the cherries is repeated with the same color of the button.  The wood grain of the hoop is repeated with the sequins.  The white doily and card base are repeated in the plain paper.

I hope that you join this beautifully talented group of ladies over @ the Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  Just let them know which row you are using on their tic tac toe card, and don't forget to have FUN!  Create something beautiful to share with us, but to also share with your family and friends!  Trust me, they will appreciate your efforts in creating something handmade!