Vintage Chic Christmas Card

Welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  Grab a cup of coffee/tea, and scroll through my posts.  I have been busy crafting and posting what I have created.  I was browsing a local paper store, and stumbled upon this beautifully neutral pattern paper by Heidi Swap: Vintage Chic.  A beautiful collection of pattern papers in cream, black, grey, teal, and pink.  Amazing.   Now, if you scroll down a few posts, you will see that I have crafted two notebooks, a gift tote, and a few cards.  But, I am not done crafting with these beautiful pattern papers, yet! {smile}  

While surfing the web, I stopped by one of my favorite eastern European challenge sites: Scrap Magic.   Their current challenge is kraft & pearls, it is part of their 'contrast' challenge.  They also have a beautiful inspiration board.  And if you need a little more creative eye candy, please check out what the design team have created.  You will be pleasantly surprised {smile}.

*there is a translate button for this site

This challenge and my 'new' Vintage Chic pattern paper, are perfect together!

I also stopped by the Christmas Card Challenge.  I wanted to see what their new challenge is.  Their current challenge is Anything Goes.  Easy to work with {smile}.

and here is what i created:

*my mix of textures, and **my repeat of color

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink, for the card base.  I used mint macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up! for the matt.  I used 3 different pattern papers from the Vintage Chic collection by Heidi Swap: kraft & cream stripes, grey polka dots on cream, and ledger print on cream paper.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  It's a soft kraft color ink.

I adhered the kraft & cream stripe paper onto the mint macaroon card stock, and sewn a simple border stitch on the main panel.  

I used my Tasteful Trim die to create the large scallop panel with the grey polka dot on cream pattern paper.  I wrapped a piece of mint macaroon taffeta ribbon around the large scallop die cut piece.  

I used one of my digital bingo cards and matted it on mint macaroon card stock.  I tucked it just under the large scallop piece.  

I used a mini banner punch by Stampin' Up! to create my trio of banners.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I used a scrap piece of mint macaroon card stock to matt each banner piece. I adhered them to the main panel, and then used my stapler to secure them to the card front.  (*I love mixing different textures: paper, fabric, metal, pearls/rhinestones, etc.)  I tied my bow upside down.  I like how the bow sat, upside down, better then right side up.  

I stamped my sentiment in baked brown sugar classic ink by Stampin' Up!, onto white card stock.  I wanted a soft, creamy, kraft color, and love how this color looked.  I used mint macaroon as my matt. I used foam tape to 'lift' the sentiment block off the card front.  

I used one of my Prima: Coffee Break fabric blossoms, to add a feminine touch to the card.  I just love the lace and pearl center.  So delicate and pretty.  

For my final touch, I added some kraft-colored, flat-back pearls, and some mint-colored, flat-back jewels in two clusters of three.  (**Kraft and Mint are the two main colors, and so I repeated these colors whenever I could.)

Thank You, for visiting my blog.  I hope you have found some inspiration.  And I hope you have the opportunity to play along with either of these challenges.  I know that they would love to see what you have created {smile}.

Vintage Chic Cards & Bag

Howdy!  My crafting frenzy continues.  I needed a little inspiration and guidance, so I stopped by a few of my favorite challenges.  Ok, three {smile}.

I stopped by the Cupcake Inspirations to see their inspirational photo.  And their color combo, is perfect for this new-to-me Vintage Chic collection by Heidi Swap.  I know, it's not holiday themed, and I should be crafting for my last craft fair.  But these colors, are just perfect!

*my card was selected as a 'Sweet Six' winner!

To help with my 'direction' in crafting, I stopped by the ever easy-to-work-with sketch @ Retro Sketch Challenge.  These ladies have very adaptable sketches that will work with almost any style of paper crafting you create.  Here is their current sketch (they are having some issues with Link)

My final stop, was @ Brown Sugar Challenge.  This creative design team, has a current challenge: anything goes.  So, super easy to play along {smile}.

and here is my card:

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  I just love the heavy weight of this card stock.  I used mint macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up! for the matt.  I just love this color, and it helps highlight the mint color on the Vintage Chic collection, by Heidi Swap.

I used the steel polka dots on cream pattern paper as my 'band'.  I matted this pattern paper onto steel texture solid card stock.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.   

I added a quick and simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  When I reached the 'band' piece, I did a zig zag stitch.  I wanted to add some visual interest {smile}.

I wrapped my last remaining piece of steel gray silk ribbon around the card 'band'.  I tied it into a simple bow.  I added a rhinestone brad to the bottom of the bow.  I added a pale blue-mint paper blossom to the top of the bow.

I added a digital Bingo card in place of the tag.  I added a rhinestone 'blossom' to the lower right corner of the bingo card.  

I hand-stamped my sentiment in early espresso classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped the sentiment on cream linen card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.  I hand-cut the banner ends, and sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I matted the sentiment banner with early espresso card stock by Stampin' Up!.

I had so much fun and creativity flowing when I was creating this card, I made another.  But I turned it 90 degrees. 

and I also made a gift tote:

I really enjoyed working with this paper collection: Vintage Chic.  The soft neutrals gave my projects a soft feminine look.  The extra card and gift tote, have gold satin ribbon.  I added little pieces of mint toned embellishments to help pull it all together.  I used a 'gift tangle' on the tote.  It's the crystal-like dangle from the taupe dot lace trim.  {smile}

I hope you have been inspired to play along with any of these challenges.   I am off to the grocery store.  I am making a pumpkin pie, and need a few baking items.  And then the crafting will continue!

Vintage Chic

Howdy & welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I am still crafting {smile}.  I am preparing for my last craft fair next weekend.  Saturday, to be exact.  But I wanted to share with you a new decorated notebook.  I went to our local scrapbook store, and stumbled upon this beautiful pattern paper collection by Heidi Swapp - Vintage Chic.  It is basically all neutrals with a teal blue shade.  So, I pick up a few sheets of this beautiful (to me) pattern paper and headed home!

here is what I came up with:

Now, I have a lot of paper crafting supplies, so the pattern paper is all I had to purchase (at this time).   I selected embellishments that were sweet, rustic, french, and/or simple pretty!

Recipe:  I used mint macaroon card stock by Stampin; Up! for the matt.  

I cut strips of each of the pattern papers in the Vintage Chic collection.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink by Stampin' Up!.  I cut a 4" burlap doily in half, and adhered it to the right side.  I added a simple border stitch around the front panel.  I did  a zig zag stitch at each pattern paper seam.  I tucked a black and white French tag in behind the doily.  I added a bingo card.  I hand-stamped my sentiment.  I hand cut the banner.  I sponged the edges to help give the sentiment banner some definition.  The 'vintage chic' sentiment tag is actually the pattern paper label.  I adhered it to the front of the notebook with foam tape.  I added a scrap length of teal velvet ribbon to a rhinestone heart ribbon slide, just below the vintage chic label.  I added a Prima holiday paper blossom.   I added a white resin floral garland.  I wrapped some cream crochet trim around the notebook cover, and looped it through the metal word bar.  I used black pearl brads to secure the ends.

I am super happy with how beautiful (to me) this decorated notebook turned out.  So, I made a matching gift tote.  {smile}  I had so much fun creating this notebook, that I made another.  I used some of the same pattern papers, and added pink as my accent color.  Stay tuned for photos of my other creations!

Love: card-gfit box

If this is your first visit for this day (04/12/2015) Welcome!  I have an earlier post (today) that kinda helps explain my crafting.  If you stop by that post you can read my rantings here.  Now, lets get started with this post! {smile}

I created a few of these little gems.  I call them 'card gift combo boxes'.  Here is why:  You open them like a book, but there is a box inside to hold a gift (3" x 5 1/4" x 3/4").  Super sweet, right!  So the inside flap of the 'book' holds your hand-written message, just like a card.  The ribbon holds the 'book' closed.  Pretty sweet.

I needed some direction for the cover, so I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Mojo Monday.  For 2 reasons; 1) there sketches are easy to work with, 2) the design team is very inspirational!  These ladies are very talented, so if you need to get those creative juices flowing, just take a sneak peak at their work.  

here is the current sketch:

and here is what I made:

Now, before you say a word, I know that this is not my typical vintage country chic style, per say.  Sometimes its good to change things up.  And, I have the whole collection of this pattern paper and embellishments.  And I need to start using what I have.  But, lets take a closer look!

Recipe:  I used Real Red card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base.  LOVE their card stock.  The blue solid card stock is Taken with Teal (retired) by Stampin' Up!, too.

The pattern papers are from the Heart Strings collection by CTMH.

The embellishments, oh my there are lots, and from everyone.  The teal blue brad at the spine is from MME, the Nostalgia collection.  The white doily is from Martha Stewart.  The red fabric blossom is from a big box craft store (J).  The teal blue heart stick pin is from a big box store (J).  The teal blue velvet ribbon is from Stampin' Up! (retired, probably 10yrs).  The blue polka dot paper blossom is from a big box store, dollar bin (M), I also added silver super fine glitter on the petals.  The super fine glitter is from Martha Stewart.  The ticket is actually a painted wood ticket, from the dollar bin, at a big box store (M).  I added the letters, they are rub-ons from a different big box store (HL). I painted some mod podge over the rub-ons to help seal them to the wooden ticket.  The heart is Heidi Swap, I used silver metallic ink on this resist chipboard piece.   

The sentiment is stamped in basic black classic ink right onto the text pattern paper, using the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up!.  I also used the fancy label punch to create the decorative piece.

The grosgrain ribbon to hold this little gem closed is Real Red ribbon (retired), by Stampin' Up!.
My little card-box combo was selected as a 'winner' @ Mojo Monday sketch challenge.

different view

This will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, NM, on Saturday May 2, 2015.  If you are in the area, please stop by my booth.  I'd love to meet you,  and show you what I have crafted!  

Choose Happy Card

Welcome.  I was looking around the internet yesterday, and ran across this challenge site.  It's not new, but I don't think I have played along with this talented group of ladies before.  CAS(E) this Sketch.  They create Clean And Simple cards.  So, I thought I'd try my hand at this {smile}.

here is this weeks sketch:

When I first saw this sketch, it seemed too simple.  But, then, after I looked at the design team samples, I was truly inspired!  And now I am a believer, that sometimes, 'less is more'!

here is what I created:

Recipe:  The card base is made from Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The aqua script pattern paper is from Carta Bella, their 'so noted' collection.  The floral pattern paper is from Teresa Collins, I believe it is from their 'sweet afternoon' collection.  (But I could be wrong.  I only have a scrap piece left.)  I added a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I wanted it to have a home-made 'feel'.  

My sentiment circle with banner, is actually a chipboard piece from Heidi Swap.  I added a multi-loop bow from this blue-green ribbon I had on hand.  I tied a pink blush vintage button from Paper Trey Ink to the center of the bow.  I used bermuda bay bakers twine to tie the button to the bow.

I added a trio of pearls, and a trio of aqua blue rain drops, to the card front.  

This card was actually fun to create.  And I know its not my usual 'shabby chic' style, but I do love the mix of script, polka dots, and floral images.

If you have a chance to play along with the ladies over @ CAS(E) this Sketch, I am sure you will have fun, too {smile}.  I have also placed this card in my Etsy shop.  There are a few extra photos there, too.  

Daughter's Card

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful, selfless mothers out there.  I can now share a card I created.  I used the sketch over @ Mojo Monday for this card.  However, I wasn't a great fan of the diamond shape, so I used a different shape.  

I used pattern paper from Kaiser Craft.  When I saw this pattern paper, I instantly thought Mother's Day.  Don't know why, but that was my first thought.  Maybe its because it reminds me of vintage wall paper, or the fact that I truly miss my grandmother.

here is the sketch:

here is my card:

The polka dot pattern paper is from Heidi Swapp.  The reverse side has different texts on it.  But there is just something about this color of polka dot pattern.  Its not blue, its not green, is something that is a wonderful blend of the two.  

The floral and rich red pattern paper is from Kaiser Kraft: Telegraph Road. I just LOVE it.  

Ok, I changed the diamond shape for this top note shaped piece.  And the rectangle piece I switched for a coin envelope.  (Yeah, I made my own.)  I added the red pattern paper to the outside of the envelope to help give it some character.  I machine stitched the pattern paper to the envelope.  I used some gold bakers twine and tied a double bow, tied the key and button to the flap.  

I added a tag to the envelope.  I stamped 'Happy Mother's Day' and 'I can't imagine a wold without you' on the tag.  Because I truly can't.  It's amazing to me how when we are younger, us girls don't want to be our mothers.  But when we become mother's ourselves we immolate them.  And we are happy to.  

I did change the banner piece coming out of the rectangle piece.  I simply used a tiny vintage safety pin to elevate my banner.  I stamped 'made with {heart}' on the banner piece.  Because I truly did {smile}.

The key was purchased last year, for a craft I was working on for some Christmas craft fairs, and I have a few left over.  Oh, and the stamps are from Verve: One Person.

Well, I am off to my daughter's house to have lunch with her and her family.  Then to a local restaurant to take my mother-in-law out to dinner.  Take a moment to let your mother know how special she is today.  and always.