Sweet Retirement

Hello.  and welcome to my little slice of blog-land,  I hope you are having a good weekend.  Me, Oh Yeah!  School is back in session, and the weather is a bit cooler.  So, that translates to more crafting!  It is that time of year when I get revved up and start crafting for Holiday Arts and Craft Shows. I probably should start earlier, but when it's 100 degrees out, I just can't even begin to think of Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.

I don't have a Holiday craft to share with you today, but, behind the scenes I am crafting more monogram magnets, flip-flop books, and other crafts.  I did take a quick break from that, and sat at my craft desk and whipped up this super special card.  {smile}  I don't have anyone in mind to send it to, so it will be in my Etsy shop, (HERE) for sale.

I am entering this card is three different challenges.  For those who know me, entering three challenges is a rarity for me.  Typically I only enter one or two.  So, here we go!

I am entering my card in a sketch challenge over @ Cardabilities.  They always have some creative and easy to use sketches.  And their design team is super talented, so there is always some inspiration.

I needed a bit of direction, so I stopped by Sugar Creek Hollow for a little more inspiration.  This week, they have a theme challenge:  Let's Celebrate.  Who wouldn't love to create something for that!

And finally, I needed a bit more direction, so I headed over to Crafting by Designs to see what this creative challenge has planned this week, and I think I found heaven.  Their theme this week, is to use PolkaDots!  AHHHH!  polka dots?  My absolutely favorite pattern!

and here is what I created:

the recipe:  The card base and matt are Baked Brown Sugar card stock from Stampin' Up!.  The two pattern papers are from the White Fern collection by DCWV.  I created my own paper blossoms with the stamp set and die; Vintage Floret by Heartfelt Creations.  I stamped the blossoms in River Rock classic ink by Stampin' Up! onto whisper white card stock.  I sponged the edges of the blossoms with the River Rock classic ink, also.  The ribbon is swiss dot satin in Fine Linen by Paper Trey Ink.  The sentiment stamp is Teeny Tiny Wishes by Stampin' Up!

I machine stitched on both pattern papers.  I wrapped the ribbon around the center panel and adhered this piece to the card front with foam tape.  I wanted a little height on the card front.

I brushed some white ink onto the die cut leaves, and added glitter to the petal tips.  I added light grey pearls to the blossom centers and a dash of silver german fine glass glitter.

Challenge requirements:

Sketch:  two blossoms, with a banner sentiment tag.  sponsors: heartfelt creations.

Polka Dots:  the background pattern paper and the ribbon.

Let's Celebration:  happy retirement

Thank you for looking!  I am off to my craft room, to get busy on more items for the craft sales!  I hope you have been inspired to play along in any of these challenges.  Enjoy!

Spring Window #167

Whew.  A welcome break to the daily grind.  It's good to schlep around the house and wonder in and out of my craft room.  I'm hope you get a chance to relax in whatever fashion you desire.  But, please do not forget the true meaning of this holiday.   As tomorrow is Memorial Day, so please take a moment to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.

Earlier this week, I saw this fabulous paper craft challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room, and let me say, my heart sang.   The inspiration photo is amazing!  When I first saw it, my mind already decided on the pattern paper that I wanted to use; Melissa Frances.  So, here is the inspiration photo:

See what I mean?  The colors are crisp and delightful.  It gives me a sense of warm and home.  Here is what I made.  Alert: not my typical card.  It's kinda simple.

The pale aqua honey comb pattern paper, as well as the collage and hydrangea pattern papers are all from Melissa Frances.  Her papers are soft in color and simply beautiful to look at (smile).  I matted the honey comb pattern paper onto a piece of white cardstock.  I really wanted the white in the pattern paper to pop.  I machine stitched the top half of the card.  I felt it was 'missing' something, and basically I still do.  The collage pattern paper is Pink Lady.  I cut 3/4" strips and flagged the ends, to create a banner.  Then I lined the up, alternating the heights.  I cut a piece of silver glimmer paper with a scallop edge.  I wanted some sparkle, but not a glob.  I added a thin crochet trim piece to soften the shine.  I edged a cream button with picket fence distressing paint and added dazzling diamond glitter, while the paint was still wet.  I tied a piece of cream twine through the button and made a simple bow.

I die cut a top note shape piece of chip board and a piece of Hydrangea pattern paper.  Adhered the two pieces together.  The window is from Prima Marketing.  One of their resin pieces.  Love the simple look, not too ornate, just a bit rustic.  

The blossoms were made my hand.  I used a die from Heartfelt Creations.  I die cut several pieces in a pale plum and plum card stocks.  I used a stylus to create the bends in the petals.  I edged the petals with picket fence distressing paint and dazzling diamond glitter.  I used a white brad to hold the blossom together.  The leaves were made with a sizzix leaf die.  I cut two.  I used my stylus to ends of the leaves, to give them some 'life'.  When they are just cut, they are pretty 'flat'.

I used foam tape on the top half of the top note shaped piece.  The glimmer paper and crochet trim make a high spot in the middle of the card.

The butterfly comes from the Kindness Matters stamp set.  I stamped it onto very vanilla card stock and added just a schmiggen of color to the body.  I fussy cut it out.  I sponged crumb cake classic ink to the edges to help camouflage the outline of the butterfly and the scissor cut edge.

I stamped a tiny sentiment on the lower corner of the card. It actually comes from Button Boutique by Paper Trey Ink.  Because of the height of the paper blossoms and the fact that some of the leaves hang off the edge of the card, I decided to create an 'envelope' using a large glassine bag and an altered clothes pin.  I thought it would be a 'fun' way to give this card {smile}.

I hope you get a chance to play along in whatever challenge inspires you.  But, if you need some inspiration, please stop by the the Shabby Tea Room.  Their design team is incredibly talented and sure to give you some eye candy to oogle over.

Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day.  And to all those serving our country, past and present; Thank You for your service and sacrifice, from the bottom of my heart.