Christmas Past

Howdy.  Yeah, I've been crafting! and it really makes me happy! {smile}  Sometimes, I need a task, and sometimes I just want to make pretty things.  This is task orientated.  But, it's good to have a focus {smile}.

I am entering my paper craft in three different challenges:  Double D Challenge, and If You Give a Crafter a Cookie.

My firs stop is Double D Challenge.  Their current challenge is: Here Comes Santa - Santa must be present on your craft.  You will certainly be inspired by this creative design team.

Next, the lovely folks over @ If You Give a Crafter a Cookie, their current challenge is a photo inspiration.  (santa's suit)  How perfect.  Oh my, the creativity and sweet Santa's.

and here is what I made:

card stock gift tote

decorated mini composition book

Recipe:  I used Kraft card stock from Paper Trey Ink.  I just love the heavy weight of their card stock.  Especially when creating boxes/bags.  {smile}

The pattern paper and tags are from Melissa Frances, the Countdown to Christmas collection.  I just love this vintage, nostalgic look of this holiday paper.  (I believe that this paper is from 3 years ago.)

I matted with Stampin' Up!s Very Vanilla card stock.  

I did hand-stamp the sentiment, for the card stock tote.  The sentiment on the mini notebook is actually a rub-on.  Yeah, I still have some of those {smile}.

I added machine stitching to both projects.  I felt that a simple border stitch would work nicely with this pattern paper collection.  

The tags are adhered to the front of the projects with foam tape.  

I used retired Stamping 'Up! ribbon for each project.  And I simply added odds and ends from my holiday embellishment stash - buttons, tinsel, jingle bells, fringe trim, chipboard stars, flat-back faux pearls, and tiny candy cane.

Thank you for looking.  These items (and so much more) will be for sale @ my holiday craft fair - held @ La Cueva High School.  Saturday, 9a - 4p.  Shop early for the best selection!

Celebrate Rossibelle Card

Howdy! and welcome!  I hope that on this special holiday weekend, that you are enjoying what makes you happy, and finding the time (and energy) to partake in your passion.  For me, my passions are baking, crafting, and running.  The baking and crafting give my mind a chance to create something beautiful and tasty {smile}.  The running keeps me active, and makes eating clean easier {smile}.  [I post running and food on my InstaGram acct.]  Here, is where I post my creative side!

I purchased a few items from the Rossibelle collection from Prima Marketing.  I just fell in love with the mix of patterns (stripes, texts, and florals) and the colors (various shades of pinks & charcoals, black, and metallic copper)  I used the scraps of this collection to make a card for a few challenges.  I think you will be happy!
My firs stop is Freshly Made Sketches.  This challenge site has some very creative and user-friendly sketches to work with.  I know you will be inspired {smile}

The simplicity of this sketch is what made me want to play along.  The cluster of shapes, can easily be transformed into almost anything: a bouquet, a collection of words, a large image, etc.

My next stop is If You Give a Crafter a Cookie.  I have played along with this challenge site a while back, but came back.  This challenge site has come very clever inspirational boards.  So, I am sure that you will be inspired to play along.  Don't forget to check out their design team; very clever.

The polka dots, stripes, and blossoms is what swooned my heart.  The overall color palette really spoke to my heart, too!  I love the words on the cookies, too!
My final stop is Word Art Wednesday.  This challenge blog, is Anything Goes.  So, create what you want, and enter their challenge.  Easy peasy.  But, please take a moment to read their write up.  You will certainly be inspired.  They also give you a free image of their scripture piece.  So, download it, print it out, and use it on your paper crafts.  The design team will certainly inspire you!  You won't be disappointed.

and here is what I created:

This card is a typical A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  I used scraps of 12" x 12" paper I left over from a previous project.  I did set aside a few other larger scraps to decorate a notebook (a share for later).

I used basic black card stock from PaperTreyInk for the card base.  I just love their heavy weight card stock.  I did add a panel of very vanilla card stock to the inside of the card.  That way, a hand-written message could easily be added, without a metallic pen.

I inked the edges of the papers with charcoal ink, to help define the edges.  The metallic accents on the papers is how the paper is printed.  I just love the random-look of it!

For my 'cluster', I layered a few pieces of Ephemera - red ticket, S playing card, and the floral clock face.  I added a medium shade pink fabric blossom.  I tied a double bow of pale pink seam binding, and tucked it in between the blossom and clock face.  I wanted a little more sparkle of copper, so I added a copper brad.  I took off the legs of the brad, and was left with the cap.  I hot glued the cap to the center of the double bow.   

For my sentiment, I stamped in Versa Mark ink, and used an 'ultra fine copper kettle' embossing powder, and heat embossed.  I cut the sentiment out by hand, to look like a wrd made with a label maker.  I think it adds a super sweet, and simple sentiment that can easily be used for almost any occasion - birthday, wedding, anniversary, retirement, graduation, promotion, etc. {smile}         Viola!

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have an opportunity to craft something beautiful today, just 'cause.  {smile}.  I'll be starting on my holiday craft fair items this week.  Super excited!