Something Blue Plastic Money

Welcome.  If you were here the last few days, you saw a paper tote and a Birthday card I created with the Something Blue collection by Prima.  And today, I want to share the large packaged gift card holder I created with the same collection.  I know that this paper collection has a wedding theme.  But I just love the patterns, colors, and images.  It has that shabby chic, vintage look.  And we all have used themed collections for different projects. {smile}

Recipe:  This gift card holder, holds one of those gift cards that you purchase at the grocery store, or Walgreens that comes 'packaged'.  So, instead of ripping open the packaging and pulling out the gift card, you simply slide the whole thing inside.  Like a big, beautiful 'pocket'.  [yes, I make quite a few of these for craft fairs - it makes gift giving easy.]

To keep each part of these 'gifts' coordinating, I repeated the colors, the pattern papers, the embellishments, and the little touches.  It's the easiest way to make all parts of the package look like they all belong together.  [repeat, repeat, and repeat.]

I started with Kraft card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  [I can't rave enough about the quality, strength, and durability of this card stock.  It holds up to all of my embellishing!]

I used the dark grey polka dot pattern paper as the matt.  I just love the simple beauty of polka dots.  I then used the dark grey, white, and kraft bird print pattern paper as the main panel.  I love the birds!  I did pay close attention, to make sure all my patterns are oriented in the correct direction.  [Little details like this, do show your love.]  I did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine to the layered papers.  Now, before you get anxious, it really isn't that hard.  I always have my sewing machine out, so access to it, is a breeze.  I add a little adhesive to the middle of the stacked papers, and stitch along the border.  It doesn't have to be perfect - actually that adds visual interest.  But please don't be sloppy.  There is a difference between sloppy, tailored, and allowing the machine to run in its own direction.  {smile}

I used one of the journalling cards as my sentiment piece: true story.  I wanted something already printed, to add to the 'finished' look.  I used a few different 'book' themed stamps for my sentiments, but wanted something more personal.  So, I used a fancy script stamp set from PaperTrey Ink: Penned Elegance.  The sentiments are general, but have this beautifully fancy font.  

I didn't want to compete with the beautiful pattern paper, so I simply added trims that complements the paper.  I used a scrap piece of cream lace.  It's about 2" - 2 1/2" wide.  I then layered a mint striped ribbon over the center of the lace.  

I wanted to make the white accents in the pattern paper pop, so I added a white paper blossom.   This big, beautiful paper blossom, is from the 1$ bin at one of those big box craft stores.  [yes, I have a few packages of paper blossoms from these bins, always on hand.]  I added a mint glitter leaf from Prima to the paper blossom.  I believe these glittered leaves are from the Peppermint collection by Prima.  I felt the blossom needed a little more, so I added a simple bow to the upper left of the blossom.  But I wanted it to have a presence, so I added it upside down.  I just love how this little change in orientation adds something pretty!

All of my metallic additions to this birthday package collection have been silver.  So here is where I made a change.  Something I usually don't do.  But these large white blossoms came with gold accents.  I didn't want to fuss too much with the blossoms, so I ran with it.

I added two vintage buttons just below where the journal card falls.  I selected one mint and one white.  Both to tie in the color theme.  But since the paper blossom has gold accents, I used gold cord to tie the buttons.  I only added two buttons, because I added the clay star.  Yes, the star is made from clay - glitter clay, by me, and baked.  

Inside the gift card holder, I used the same dark grey classic ink, to hand stamp Happy Birthday.  I used a stamp from the same collection: Penned Elegance, so the stamping would match in font.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found some inspiration.  Inspiration to either create something new, or use a color you aren't fond of, or use a collection in a direct direction, or simply get back into your craft room.  Whatever you do, to express your creativity does speak volumes to your soul.  {smile}

Pennant Birthday!

~ photo heavy ~

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I am having a good week!  Hope you are too!  One of the changes I have made this year, is to start each week writing down three things I am thankful for, from the previous week.  It is a way to reflect on my blessings.  By taking my life in smaller pieces, and reflecting, I am truly able to see the good.  And I am super happy with how this small step to 'count my blessings' is working for me!

I had a few moments, ok an hour, to create a card.  And I am sure you all can understand the drive to get your ideas made out of paper {smile}.  And I do know how truly blessed I am, to have a hoard stash I can craft from, when I can't get to a store.  {wink}

I am entering this card in four challenges.  I have to say, I typically don't enter this many, but I will relish in the oddity of this opportunity!

My firs stop is Mistress Owl.  This is an Eastern European challenge site.  They can a sketch for you to work with.  I strongly encourage you to pop on over to the their challenge site.  The design team will inspire you!  Their sketch was easy to work with, so that is always a huge plus in my book.

My next stop is Cupcake Inspiration.  I am always intrigued by their challenges.  This design team will knock your socks off!  Between the very user-friendly inspiration board, and the creativity of the design team, you will be crafting in no time!  I just love their photo this week!  Theme: Chalkboard!  And who doesn't love chalkboard.  It instantly reminds me of school days.  So retro, shabby, vintage.

Now, I just HAD to stop by another favorite challenge: Really Reasonable Ribbon.  This design team will certainly get you to add ribbon, twine, trim, and lace to everything!  The creations will inspire you to try a new technique, and put a bow on it!  Their current challenge is Celebrate!  So birthday, anniversary, new baby, new couple, etc.  You get the idea.

And finally, I stopped by Brown Sugar Challenge.  This challenge site encourage all crafting styles.  And the design team works with their sponsors, to showcase their products.  I think that's wonderful! Their current sponsor has digital images.  I just love digital paper.  And I am starting to embrace digital images/stamps.  Their current challenge is: Birthday!  And who doesn't need a birthday card in their stash?  So, please stop by and see what they have created.

now, roll all these challenges together, and here is what I created:

~ disclaimer: photographing a card with a flair button, is a bit of a challenge in itself!

my card was selected as a 'top 3' for the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog challenge!

Recipe:  This card is a typical A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  And yes, it fits inside its envelope.  The card base is kraft card stock.  I just love the color and weight of this paper.  It looks so 'old school'.  

I added this beautiful light blue and pink rose digital paper as my main layer.  I did dampen the edge of the paper (top right corner) and scrunch it a bit.  I also distressed the edges, and tore the bottom edge. I sponged a tea stain ink on all four edges.

I added a lace doily from Stampin' Up! to the top left corner.  I just love it peeking out from behind my journalling cards.  (I used two 'chalkboard' journalling cards for my Chalkboard element.)  I also inked the edges with the tea stain ink.

I stamped my sentiment onto the top journalling card in white craft ink, and then added clear embossing powder and used my heat gun to set the embossing powder.  

I fussy cut a digital tag and added it to the lower right of the journalling cards.  

I originally wanted to add my sentiment across the card, very similar to the sketch.  And place my bow to the left of the journalling cards, but I don't have anything that would have worked.  {frown}  I guess I need to go paper craft shopping! {wink}

And then, I layered trims!  Oh my!  My first layer is a cream cotton eyelet trim.  Then a white sparkle tulle box pleat trim.  Then a mint swiss dot lace.  And finally, a pale pink seam binding.  Who doesn't love seam binding?

I tied a double bow with the seam binding, and added a silver metal button to the bow.  Then I tucked in a cupcake flair button just above the bow.  Viola!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any/all of these creative challenge sites.  You will not be disappointed in both the talent and the inspiration!