YOU are special card

Howdy.  I wanted to share a card I made, not for anyone specific.  Just to craft.  I wanted to make something pretty, feminine, and special.  {smile}

I picked up some pretty floral pattern paper, and a metallic polka dot pattern paper at a local big box store.  One sheet each.  It had to be the cheapest, I had EVER walked out of a craft store.  Under $2.  I think my minimal purchase was so worth the trip.  Here is what I made!

Recipe:  I used Stampin' Up! card stock for the card base and matt.  I used a simple rectangle of the floral pattern paper for the card front.  The floral paper is just so pretty, I didn't want to cover it up.  I did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine, to help convey the homemade feeling.

I used my Top Note die to cut the decorative piece out of the silver metallic polka dot paper.  I wrapped some white cotton trim around the top note piece, and machine sewn the trim in place.  I wrapped some navy blue corduroy ribbon around the white cotton trim.  I adhered the decorative piece to the left side of the card, to showcase both the floral pattern paper, but to have the decorative shape peeking out.

I did a two-step stamp for the sentiment.  I did a silver metallic embossing powder for the main word: you.  I stamped the rest of the sentiment in basic black classic ink.  I cut a simple, shallow flag banner to the right side of the sentiment rectangle.

I added a Prima blossom, I had in my stash, because I love pink.  {smile}  I tied a simple bow with the blue corduroy ribbon, and tucked it under the blossom.  I used my fabric scissors to cut a banner edge to the ends of the ribbon.  I thought this pop of blue really shows off the blue accent blossoms in the pattern paper.  

My final touch, was the trio of iridescent, structured dots.  Viola!  and now, I want to make more pretty things with this beautiful pattern papers!  Let me get back into my craft room!  See ya soon!

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.  

Celebration Tickets

Howdy, and welcome.  I am still working on Christmas/Holiday themed crafts, but I think most folks are done with looking at those.  So, I am sharing some other paper crafts with you today - handmade cards.  It's like 'a hug with a fold in the middle' - how super sweet is that saying {smile}.

I am entering my card(s) into two challenges.  One a recent play-a-long, and the other is 'new-to-me'. So, let's start with the recent play-a-long:  Time Out Challenge.  Their current challenge is 'inspired by a word'.

I have chosen: Celebrate!

And the next challenge stop is a 'new-to-me' challenge:  Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Their current challenge is, well a sketch of course! {smile}

What originally caught my eye about this sketch, is the potential!  The circle can be a circle, a snowflake, a large blossom, a doily,  etc.  The possibilities are endless, and I just love those!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base of this card.  I just love the soft, creamy kraft color.  The pattern papers are from  three different manufacturers.  I've been working hard at using what I have, and not hoarding collecting craft supplies {smile}.  It's a work in progress.

The pink ledger pattern paper is from Bo Bunny.  The mint polka dot pattern paper is from Core'dinations. and the random ticket pattern paper is from American Crafts.  I just love how these soft, sweet colors mix so well {smile}.  I layered the pattern papers on top of each other, and then did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I just love the homespun look this gives my crafts.  I wrapped a piece of cream cotton trim, and seam binding around the lower third of the card, and sewn it in place.  Tied a double bow with the seam binding, and hot glued it to the front of the card.  I stamped and cut a wreath from the same crumb cake card stock, to repeat the color.  My sentiment is a stamp from Close To My Heart.  I stamped it in black ink onto a textured white card stock, then matted it with a scrap piece of pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.  I added some rhinestones to give it some bling, and tied a vintage button with a gold bakers twine to add to the sparkle.  The blossom was glittered and adhered to the card front.

I couldn't decide if I liked this card with pink or blue seam binding, so I simply made both.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you get a chance to play with either or both of these challenge sites.  Until my next craft share, have a great day!

Red Fabric Christmas Tree Bags

Howdy!  Oh, it feels good for my soul to craft, sew, and just simply create!  I saw the inspirational photo over @ the Shabby Tea Room for their current challenge, O' Christmas Tree.  and oh boy!  That photo gave me the idea of making some Christmas trees from fabric scraps.  I imagine you can do the same with strips of pattern papers.  Umm, maybe I'll create a few of those, too! {smile}

Look how super cute and country this is!  I love the buttons and the stars on top are just adorable!
I also stumbled upon a 'new' challenge site to me: Try It Tuesday.  They have a new challenge: Bags & Boxes.  So, I thought how perfect!

here is what I made:

I made a gift bag, and used the inspirational photo to create the cover.  I made a fabric scrap holiday 'tree' with traditional red and green holiday colors.  I used fabric (retired) from Stampin' Up!, ribbons  and trims from various places.  The buttons (retired) are from Stampin' Up!.  The kraft twine is from PaperTrey Ink.  The tags, and stamps are from Paper Trey Ink, as well.  

I stamped the snowflakes in kraft ink onto vanilla card stock.  Matted this stamped piece with kraft card stock.  I did a purposefully sloppy double machine stitch border.  

I tied my various fabric and trim scraps onto a kraft striped paper straw.  I hot glued the 'tree' to the card stock.  

I tied a simple bow with the red ribbon strung through a Webster's Pages chipboard button and used hot glue to adhere it to the top corner of the sentiment piece.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with the talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room & Try It Tuesday.  My gift bags will be for sale at my next holiday craft fair.  Hope to see you there!