Evening Tea

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy.  I am trying to get back into my craft room, and create beautiful things again.  And yesterday, I was motivated to create something sweet, to share with a wonderful group of ladies.  As some of you know, I have started going to the gym.  Mostly, to help me with my running.  I still don't love running, but I want to improve on my time, form, and ease the struggles.  Anyways, I have met some of the nicest ladies there.  They don't judge, or sh*t talk about anyone.  They accept you for who you are, and encourage you to keep going.  How truly wonderful is that?  Anyways, I wanted to share a special treat with them, so I arranged to have an evening tea, to share with them.  (I made all of these arrangements back in April.  Thank goodness, because I am not sure I would have had the strength to do so now.)

And as you know, I can't just do a party!  There has to be favors!  But, first, let me enter my creations into a few challenges {smile}.  I love the challenges @ Really Reasonable Ribbon, basically, because they give you the freedom to just create, add ribbon, trim, or lace, and call it done.  Super sweet!

Then, I entered the challenge over @ Word Art Wednesday, because this group of talented ladies are inspiring with their words and creations.  They basically have the same philosophy: create something beautiful, made with your heart, and share it with the rest of us.  Simply wonderful!  Just like my gym ladies!

The theme for last nights evening tea, was Mid Summer's Night, by William Shakespeare.  The decorations were wonderfully right on point.  And the food was simply amazing!  I am never disappointed, or dissatisfied.  My friend Beth, always puts on the most amazing events!  So, my favors need to be worthy, and pretty, and shabby chic, of course! 

Here is what I made:

my favorite pink version:

and my favorite blue version:

Recipe:  I used simple 8oz mason jars.  I used various papers from the Jolee's Boutique paper pad, the Parisian Collection.  I cut pattern paper 8 1/2" x 2 1/2", and wrapped it around the jar.  I made sure the top edge of the paper went along the rim of the jar, to keep it straight.  I cut two strips, and used a lace border punch, to create the decorative kraft paper pieces.  I adhered them to the second strip of pattern paper 8 1/2" x 1 1/4".  I adhered these strips to the top center of the first pattern paper.  I wrapped seam binding around the jar, for decoration, and to help secure the pattern papers.  I tied the seam binding into a simple bow.  I used hot glue to secure the bow to the pattern papers.  I stamped my word friends in basic black ink, on to the same kraft paper, and punched a tag shape.  I tied the tiny tag to a matching button with kraft twine and hot glued the button to the jar.

For the lid, I cut out a paper doily, and used the jar's lid to hold it in place, and hot glued a paper blossom to the doily.  Viola!  not to crazy involved, but simply pretty.

So, inside the jars are some homemade Vanilla-Orange sugar cubes, and 2 Cinnamon Honey tea bags.

I wanted to make something sweet for my hostess Beth, so I added some homemade Vanilla-Orange sugar pieces to smaller mason jars (4oz), and created a simpler version of the jar decorations.

and a 'gift' for the hostess and her helper:

I added a strip of pretty pattern paper around the jar, tied some vanilla crochet trim around the jars.  I made the same tags, and tied them to cream vintage buttons.  For the tops, I added pale mint velvet leaf, and two paper blossoms in black and cream to match the pattern papers.

There were two ladies who did not make the tea, so I left their favors for Beth and her assistant.  I hope everyone enjoyed their time last night.  As we got a chance to sit and chat, and talk about ourselves, and what makes us happy.  Of course, we laughed, and shared our time together.  The food was delicious, the tea selected was a perfect pairing, and the company was unforgettable!  

I hope you get a chance to create something pretty and share it with the rest of us!

Hand Crafted for a Friend

close-up of the tags

Howdy!  Thank you for stopping by to see what I have been crafting.  As some of you may know, I really enjoyed the whole experience of creating my own chicken wire message board.  I enjoyed it so much, I went out looking for another frame.  Well, my excitement got the best of me, and I cracked the frame during the chicken wire installation {frown}.  So, I am out searching for another.  It was kind of an expensive lesson to learn, but it has been learned.

Anyways, while I was altering that one, I also altered a smaller frame for a different project.  My poor husband, he must think I have lost my mind.  This new frame is a lot smaller than my message board frames.  But, it punches a lot of pizzazz!  The 'opening' of the frame measure 3" x 3".

I started with a silver frame (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of it), I spray painted it in Ivory Satin finish.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  Applied my antiquing glaze.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  Applied a sealant.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  And put it all back together.  During the various drying times, I worked on the insert, and accomplished other chores, including going to work, and participating in the swap meet last Sunday.

a Bunco prize

This creation was inspired by a very similar picture frame Tammy Roberts had done.  I actually read her specific blog post and followed her process.  Upon locating her blog post for this post, it appears that her blog is down. {frown}  So, I am not sure what has happened.  But Tammy R. is a very talented person, who shares what she knows and is very inspiring to me {smile}.

a different view to show the detail on the frame

Anyways, here how I put it all together:  Tammy recommended that you cut your fabric, batting, and chipboard 3 inches wider and longer than your photo frame opening.  (I did 2 inches.)  Stack your materials from the bottom up: chipboard, batting, and material right side up.  Sew a basic quilters square.  I don't quilt, so I did a basic diamond pattern.  I started on the two longest diagonals and filled in from there.

I cut a blossom shape out of felt.  I used a spiral blossom piece. (Tammy layered her blossom pieces.)  Tammy also stitched only the very edge of her petals.  I did the best stitching I could.  I am no pro at using a sewing machine, so you can't really see my stitching (its not so much at the edge {frown}).

Adhere a rhinestone to the center of your blossom.  Tammy did the same.  Now add whatever embellishments that catch your eye, tickle your fancy, and have fun!

While I was working on this picture frame, my goal, was to create a porcelain looking frame.  I just love that vintage look.  I applied the antiquing glaze to help showcase the detail on the frame.  Without that definition, the frame looked too flat.  And not from my type of paint, but rather the detail got lost.  

close-up of the butterfly stick pin

The fabric was purchased at a big box sewing store from the remnant bin.  The leaves were hand cut from cream burlap.  The ribbon was purchased at a small craft boutique during a recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona, when my oldest granddaughter had a dance competition.  The tiny clothes pin is from Stampin' Up!.  The tiny tags were made with a tiny tag stamp set and coordinating punch by Stampin' Up!  The kraft vintage button is from Paper Trey Ink, and the rhinestone is from Jolee.  The butterfly stick pin is from Maya Road.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found something of beauty and possibly have been inspired as well {smile}.

Sweet Valentine

Welcome.  On this Friday, Patrice, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has a wonderful sketch for you to try this week.   This sketch has alot of potential!

Here is this week's sketch:

This sketch looks pretty straight forward.  But, what if you replaced the squares with. . . .?  

Sometimes, you need to think out side of the perverbial box.  You could replace the squares with tags, hearts, circles, butterflies, etc.

here is what I created:

I replaced the right lower square with an oval.  I also replaced the right upper square with a rectangle.  I added a few hearts, a button, a blossom, and a few tiny tags!

The card base is basic grey card stock.  I ran the main panel of very vanilla card stock throught my swiss dot embossing folder.  I wrapped a piece of basic grey taffeta ribbon around the top of the main panel and tied it in a bow.

To start, I created the largest piece.  I used pink pirouette card stock and an oval embossing folder.  I tore around the edges.  I used basic black card stock and white craft ink to added the faux chalk board technique.  I used a clear heart-shape button, a tiny piece of real red card stock, and white baker's twine to add a whimsical embellishment.  

The two square pieces that I kept, are the postage stamps.  Those I stamped twice, and layered.  I wanted to add a sweet embellishment to the 'Paris' stamp, so I created my own blossom from card stock.  I sponged some pretty in pink classic ink.   I added an embossed grey heart, to help 'connect' the hearts.

The top right square, I replaced with a rectangle.  I have a weakness for ticket stubs.  Just so nostalgic.  I wanted to add something, but I didn't want to distract from the ticket.  So, I embossed a pink heart, and added two tiny tags, stamped with 'Love' and {love}.

The sentiment, was actually the easiest piece to create.  I took a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock, and cut it 1/2" wide.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig, to position the sentiment.  I used a square punch to create the banner ends.  I used some dimensionals to lift the sentiment banner off the front of the card.

So, give Patrice's sketch a try, over @ SFF.   Let's see what you create!

Bleached Flowers

It's Tuesday!  This week over @ Nacho Average Challenge, our challenge for you this week, is a color challenge.  So, use any sketch, from any challenge, use our colors, and let's see what you create!  Here is this weeks colors.  and we want to inspire  you!

When I first saw these colors, I instantly thought: Valentine's Day!  But, then I wanted to create something different.  No hearts.  But, a whole lot of love {smile}.  Here is what I created:

This is not a typical card for me.  I generally make something a little more frilly.  

The card base is crumb cake.  I wanted a neutral base so that the Raspberry Ripple and Rose Red will pop!  I stamped the Delicate Doilies stamp set in Versa Mark and used white embossing powder.  Heat embossing the doilies, gives the doilies a raised texture.  I love the delicate look of them.  I also stamped the Fabulous Florets flowers in Versa Mark and white embossing powder.  

I added some regular bleach to an aqua painter.  Then I painted the blossoms with the bleach aqua painter.  I wanted to take the color out of the crumb cake.  I then painted rose red classic re-inker on the bleached flowers.  I wanted to add an illusion of leaves, so I painted the 'blocked-in' areas with garden green classic re-inker. 

To help balance the center panel, I added a corner lace doily and a button/seam binding to the opposite corner.  I stamped the lace piece in Rose Red classic ink on very vanilla cardstock.  I then hand cut this piece out.  I took a length of rose red seam binding and crinkled it.  I took a wooden button and rubbed craft white ink over the front of the button.  While the craft ink was still wet, I dunked the painted wood button in a dazzling diamond glitter.  I then used a length of linen thread and tied a bow to the front of the button.  To create the tag, I used Raspberry Ripple classic ink and stamped the sentiment on very vanilla card stock.  I used the jewelry tag punch to create the tag. 

I hope that we have inspired you! and you can play along with us @ NAC.

School Days

I hope this week has started off nicely for you.  Me?  well, I think I will always be busy until I retire from my paying job.  So, until then, the lovely ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge, have a great sketch for you to play with this week!  Here is the sketch:

Now, don't let this bold, plain sketch deflate your creativity.  Let's take a closer look.  The rectangle shape of the main piece can easily be changed into a shape.  The thick matt can easily be changed to a thinner matt.  The space on the main panel can easily showcase a large stamp, show-off a background stamp, or allow you to wow us with a technique.  

Here is what I did:

If you have searched the internet recently, you have seen alot of paper crafts with this faux chalkboard technique.  I think this look is 'old school', since most public classrooms have dry eraser boards than chalkboards.  A crime I say!  Anyways, I saw this fabulous tutorial, and decided to use the open space on this sketch to illustrate my take on the faux chalkboard technique.

I used one of my favorite 'thank you' stamps from the From My Heart stamp set.  I first stamped the image in Versa Mark ink and used white embossing powder.  Heat embossed this fabulous image.  I then sponged basic black classic ink along the edges.  I then sponged whisper white craft ink over the embossed image to represent chalk dust.  I then stamped over the image with the same image again with the stamp inked in whisper white craft ink.  I love how this turned out.  I used the top note die to create this fabulous shape.  I wanted to add something to the corner of this piece, so I did another layering.  I stamped the double-line heart from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set onto very vanilla card stock and fussy cut it out.  I added a multi-loop bow made from pool party seam binding.  I attached the bow to the front of the heart with a vintage trinket brad.  I added a blossom from the Flower Trim and a tiny tag, that says, 'Thanks'.  The school line paper is from a DSP pack.

I hope that you have found some inspiration, and join us this week with this fun sketch @ NAC!

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

(love this card? you can purchase it, here)

Shabby Love

I have to admit that I am happy it's Friday.  I have this weekend off and I am looking forward to relaxing, doing some baking, and spending time with family.  But, if it's Friday, that means its time for another great sketch from the Sketch Frenzy Friday crew.   Deb, is the creator of this weeks sketch:

The sketch looks pretty straight forward and unassuming.  But, it also has LOTS of potential!  The banner piece alone could be your focus and embellish it pretty.  Or, you can  use the large center panel as your canvas to create your own background pattern, or showcase a large/background stamp.  

here is what I did:

When I first say the sketch, I knew what I wanted to do.  I used two of my favorite colors of cardstock for this card; Pool Party, and Crumb Cake.  I received a few new goodies from Stampin' Up! recently and well, I just had to play with them.  The black lace doily stamp is Gossamer Lace stamp, found in the large catalog.  I stamped the doily in basic black ink onto very vanilla cardstock.  I used detail scissors to cut out the doily.  The banner piece is from a new stamp set: Hearts a Flutter.  I stamped the banner in pool party classic ink onto very vanilla card stock and used the Hearts a Flutter embosslit to die cut the image.  The scallop trim heart piece is from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set, also.  I stamped the scallop heart in soft suede classic ink onto very vanilla card stock and die cut the image.  The floral lace trim, I folded in half and machine stitched it across the embellishment stack.  I added two flowers from the Flower Trim, and a button from the Artisan Embellishment kit, to the top-center of the scallop heart.  I tied the button on with linen thread and made a tiny bow.  I added a little tag made with the Lovely Little Labels stamp set.  LOVE, is stamped in basic black classic ink on very vanilla cardstock and sponged the edges with soft suede classic ink. 

For the main panel of the card, I used pool party card stock.  I used the Lacy Brocade embossing folder to give this large space some texture and visual interest.  I sponged pool party classic ink along the edges.  I used a sanding block to rough up the center and then also randomly sponged some whisper white craft ink.  

I used my liquid white glue to 'draw' my flourish in the lower right corner.  Then I added some faux half-pearls.

Thank you for looking.  I hope we have inspired you to play along with us @ SFF.  We would love to see what this sketch allows you to create!

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

(love this card? you can purchase it, here)

Thank You Greeting

My last Arts & Crafts Fair for the holiday season is on 

Saturday, December 8, 2012.

It will be at the North Valley Academy from 10a to 3p.

Hope to see you there!

On this Friday, I am participating in the sketch challenge brought to you by Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Maria, is the designer of this weeks sketch.  Maria, does a fabulous job on giving us a very user friendly sketch.  Here is her sketch:

See, what I mean?  You can keep this sketch clean and simple, or embellish the heck out of it!

Here is what I created:

These past several weeks, I have been busy making many, many holiday themed paper crafts.  So, this week, I took a break from Christmas themed cards.

The card base is pool party card stock.  For the main panel, I used the polka dot background stamp.  I stamped the polka dots with Versa Mark ink and used white embossing powder.  I wanted a subtle and feminine background.  So, that is what I came up with.

I have to admit, that I really love pool party and summer starfruit together.  Just pretty.  So I added a strip of summer starfruit pattern paper for my horizontal piece.  I crinkled some very vanilla seam binding.  I wrapped the seam binding around the pattern paper piece, and then created a multi-loop bow.  I secured the bow to the card front with a sparkle-y black glimmer brad.  I stamped and attached the 'thanks' tag to the glimmer brad.

For my focal pieces, I stamped the 'Thank You' stamp off the very vanilla card stock piece.  I sponged crumb cake classic ink along the edges.  For my frame piece, I first dry embossed the frame in pool party card stock.  I distressed the edges with crumb cake card stock, too.  I cut the very vanilla piece to fit inside the frame.  I sponged the edges here, too.  I stamped the little girl in basic black classic ink.  I used my heat gun to speed the drying of the ink.  Then carefully, I used a blender pen to color the image.  I used crumb cake for her hair.  I used pool party of various portions of her outfit.  I used blush blossom to color her skin.  For the heart, I used pink pirouette classic ink.  Then, I used my 2-way glue pen and dazzling diamond glitter to the heart.

I hope that you have been inspired and can play along with us @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.

Happy Crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Monochromatic PCCC

Happy 'Hump' Day to you! {smile}  This is a busy day.   Between work, crafting and appointments, it will be good to get home and sit on the couch.  I know that sounds super lazy.  Sorry.  

Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge has a new name and location:  the Paper Craft Crew Challenge.  (that is why the sketch still bears the initials SQSC.)

The creative ladies over @ Paper Craft Crew Challenge have a very user-friendly sketch for you to work with this week.  The only thing we ask, is that you use Stampin' Up! products.

Here is the sketch:

This sketch has a lot of potential.  You could easily showcase pattern papers, or embossed papers.  The burgundy panel could easily showcase a stamped image (florals, background, etc) and the white square could easily be a specific shape (flower, star, heart, postage stamp, etc.).  The white rectangle on the lower right corner could easily be a sentiment label.  See, totally workable! Just grad your favorite stamps, colors, and create!

Here is what I did:

I just love soft suede.  I love the soft brown color.  With richness and depth.  It's a brown without being black (early espresso) or without being too brown (chocolate chip).    But with depth, and a creamy color, unlike crumb cake.  So, I selected my favorite brown: soft suede.  I used two different DSP in soft suede.  Instead of the white square, I added a soft suede taffeta bow and a brown glimmer brad.  The little tag I made was stamped and edged in soft suede classic ink.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found some inspiration to play along with us @ Paper Craft Crew Challenge.

Party Paper Crafts

WOW!  It's Saturday!  Can you believe this crazy work week is over?  Now, it's time to get more crafting time in on some projects that require some finishing touches.  But, before we get to todays craft, let's start at the beginning...

This week over @ Our Creative Corner, I am the hostess.  I know, how fun!  For this week's challenge theme I selected: Summertime Parties!  Make/create a paper craft item for a party.  Any kind of party:  BBQ, summer evening soiree, wedding, or an elegant dinner, etc.  This paper craft item can be anything related to your party:  an invitation, party favor, decorations, hostess thank you, etc.  Be creative and have FUN!

A girl friend had asked me last week, to make some party favor 'Thank You' bags for a mutuals friends surprise baby shower.  And so, this is my platform to show you what I created.  Now remember, these are party favors, so the tickets vary, and some items required hand-dyeing, so their colors will vary slightly.  But, all in all, I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, and I only need to make 15.  Easy peasy!

These little bags were a joy to make.  I adhered some kraft card stock to small paper bags.  And I'm sure that you have either seen these or have created them yourself. I took pieces of different favorite paper crafting items to create the bags. Not too hard, but it has little touches that make them unique.

I used pattern papers from Authentique - Delightful. I just love the soft pretty colors and patterns.

To make the 'Thanks' tag at the top, I used the Lovely Little Labels (Stampin' Up!) stamp set and the jewelry tag punch (Stampin' Up!).  It is tied to the white seam binding (Maya Road).

To make the 'girl label', I used the Monogram Sweet stamp set (Stampin' Up!) for the 'G' and the 'irl' an 'frame' were created with the Borders & Corners stamp set (Paper Trey Ink).   The letters were stamped in basic black classic ink.  The frame was stamped with Versa Mark and I used pink vintage embossing powder (Archivers) to give the 'label' some sparkle and a vintage feel.  The stork image was created by stamping the image from a baby themed set (Graphics 45), and using various inks to color the image.

The seam binding and the smaller crocket blossom were hand-dyed with spun sugar distress ink (Tim Holtz).  The crochet blossoms are a retired product (Stampin' Up!).  I had half a dozen of these packages.  You know, hoarding, just in case. {smile}.

I used a small floral shape punched piece from silver glimmer paper (Stamin' Up!) to add some sparkle under the vintage button (Paper Trey Ink).  The Adage tickets (Tim Holtz) are a cute little addition that I thought added some 'fun'.  This package of tickets only gives you 8 of each wording, so I wanted to show you what the other bags will be sporting.

The white fabric trim was purchased locally (Jo Ann's).  When I purchased this fabric trim, my original project called for me to tea dye the material.  But, I had a scrap piece left un-dyed, and it looked beautiful, so I went back to the store and purchased another 5 yards.  To help give the fabric trim a softness and a worn, vintage look & feel, I always throw the new trim in the washer when I do my next load of laundry.  I just love how soft the trim comes out.  (and yes, it also goes in the dryer.)

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Now, let's see your talent.  I know you are either attending or throwing your own summer time party.  Make a paper craft item for that special event.  And share it with us over @ Our Creative Corner.  You could be our Top Talent and be showcased!