Spring Macaroon: Card

Howdy/Welcome.  I created a card earlier today, to show how to add machine stitching to your card, without the stitches seen on the inside of card, HERE.  Anyways, I stopped by some favorite (new and old) challenge sites, to give me a starting point, and I have to say, I'm pretty happy with how my card turned out!  

The first challenge site I visited was, Scrap Magic [No.16 Spring].  This is an old favorite.  I don't always play along in their challenges, but I just love looking at what the design team creates.  Very inspirational, and very creative!   This challenge site, creates a mood board, they give you primary colors and mandatory elements.

The primary colors: Turquoise and Pink.  Mandatory elements: rose/dessert, and delicate work.  Please be aware that this challenge site is in Russian.  They do provide a translate button.

The second challenge site that I visited was Retro Sketch Challenge [#203].  This is another 'old' favorite.  I just love their sketches!  They are super easy to work with, and the design team is sure to inspire you to play along.

My card was selected as the Retro Sketch Challenge Rock Star!  Super happy and excited!  I'll be posting my 'award' on my Awards page {smile}  I just can't stop smiling!

And finally, a 'new' favorite challenge site: Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge [#135 - Celebrate]. I had stumbled upon this challenge site while visiting a blog.  And I was intrigued as to what this site was about.  And well, I think you can figure it out too - Ribbon.  And I love ribbon! so I played along in one of their past recent challenges, and stopped by again, yesterday.  You will be inspired by their design team, and their wonderfully creative challenges.  Their current challenge: Celebrate!  Create a paper craft or project showcasing this theme (birthday, anniversary, wedding, baby, etc) and make sure you use ribbon or trim on your craft!

here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  And this card is a bit 'large'.  It measures 4 1/4" x 6".  I believe it is considered a A6 size card.  I am really loving this larger size.  The first matt is Mint Macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love how those two colors match the two shades of turquoise macaroons on the pattern paper!  

I took a piece (3 3/4" x 5 1/2") of whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up! to use as my 'base' for the focal piece.  I cut two strips (1" x 12") of different pattern paper by Authentique, Infused.  I selected the floral pattern paper and the macaron pattern paper.  I tore the ends of the pattern paper strips to add 'interest'.   

I hand stamped the sentiment in Soft Suede classic ink by Stampin' Up!.  I used a new stamp set: Birthday Blossoms.  I just love the simple, cursive font of this sentiment.

I added a bright pink seam binding, and fancy, white crochet trim.  I did a simple machine stitch to attach the seam binding and crochet trim to the front of the card.  And then, I added a simple border stitch around the top of the card.  

I added a journalling card to a different piece of pattern paper (mint stripe) from the Infused collection by Authentique.  I added foam tape to the back of this journalling card.

I tied a triple loop bow with the bright pink seam binding, and adhered it to the front of the card with hot glue.

I added a collection of marshmallow sequins to the bottom of the card.  I didn't want to distract the eye from the beauty of this card, celebrating a birthday!

A Sweet Card For You

Howdy!  Well, don't fret, I don't have another gift bag to share with you {smile}.  I changed gears for a bit.  The switch up helps me re-evaluate what I'm working on.  And the change of focus, actually helps get stuff done, and the creativity can flow easier, or at least for me.
I stopped by Mojo Monday to see what their current sketch looks like.  And boy oh boy, does that design team come up with some fantastic sketches!

I have to admit, when I saw the break between panels, I was a bit stumped.  But, look what I made!

I did stay with the 'tall & skinny' sketch.  This finished card measures 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".    And the recipe:  I started with Mint Macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used three different pattern papers from Authentique 'Infusion' collection.  The black text is the back/reverse side of the macaroon pattern paper.

I adhered the macaroon and floral pattern papers to a matt of mint macaroni card stock.  I added machine stitching to this piece, to add a little homespun touch.  {smile}

I added the scallop piece, where the break is in the panels.  

I added a dark pink paper blossom to the top of this main panel piece.  I added two leaves to the blossom in place of the banner pieces.  I wanted a little more sparkle, so I added a 'ribbon end' piece cut with silver glitter paper.  

I changed the small square with a 2" circle.  I also added my sentiment to the circle piece.  I stamped a sentiment from the Timeless Love stamp set, by Stampin' Up! in Basic Black archival ink.  I don't own a 2 1/4" circle punch, so I simply added the sentiment circle to a piece of mint macaroon card stock and hand cut the circle.  I used a piece of sand paper to smooth out the rough uneven edges.  I adhered the circle to the front of the card with foam tape.

And to add a little pizzazz, I added a trio of marshmallow sequins to the card front.

This card will be in the mail tomorrow for a friend (Cathy).  I've been thinking of her lately, and hope all is well.  And this is the best kind of snail mail to receive! {smile}