April Happiness

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I have gotten my April Happiness goals written.  And I want to share them with you {smile}.   For those of you, who don't know me personally, I am over 50.  And a fair amount of my mental attention is focused on budget, savings, retirement, and increasing my own personal quality of life.  That is how this monthly happiness challenge has started.  I wanted something more concrete to work on weekly/monthly, to increase my happiness, or at least give me a happiness focus.   Because let's face it, life gets busy, and hectic, and sometimes I (we) can loose focus on 'our' own big picture.  So I wanted something to help me stay on track to happiness.   I don't want to simply live, but to enjoy life.  And we all have financial barriers that we all must face.  

I print these little happiness goals/task charts, and put them in my planner for each month.  That way they are at my finger tips, and I look at them daily.  To be honest, some 'challenge' activities are done our of order.  So, please use this as a guideline, and not a to do list.  Change the ones that don't 'work' for you.  Make it something you can do.  If you don't donate blood, donate your time - read to a child, help a neighbor, or chaperone at your child's class, etc.   I also made my 'work' challenge (bring a treat to a meeting) very generic.  Your 'meeting' could be T-ball practice, or a sewing circle, or an afternoon lunch with friends, it is pretty open to interpretation.  That's the point.  Make it work for your life.   I also wanted to include opportunities to work on personal goals/tasks.  We all have them! Cleaning out the closets, organizing work/hobby space, getting a budget written down on paper, signing up for a retirement plan, etc.    Taking steps to getting us (me and you) to our own finish lines, feels good.  We feel accomplished, successful, and our stress about 'those' things decreases, allowing us to accept happiness.  I want and need more happiness in my life.  I don't want to live with negativity anymore.  I also start each week, writing down what I am Thankful for, from the previous week.  This allows me to reflect, and start a week with gratitude in my heart, and in turn allowing joy a place to reside.  {smile}  Have a great day, week, and a happier month!

Traditional Christmas Treasure

Welcome.   Well, I got my first arts and craft fair done.  It was a lot of fun.  I got to see several folks who have purchased from me before, and it is always wonderful to see you again!  I met a few new crafters.  I think it's great to sit and chat with folks who share your passion.  {smile}  It really did my heart good, to attend.  I did fret a little in the beginning, because I felt as if I hadn't crafted enough.  But, the turn out was good, and the items I created were a hit!  {smile}

This morning I woke up with crafting on my mind, and really wanted to make something pretty, something unique, and something special.  So, I grabbed a few wooden blocks (2" cubes) and several tiny wooden blocks (3/4" cubes), my paints, sand paper, some beautiful holiday papers, and some small plastic trophy cups.  I got my inspiration from Bobbi Smith; here.  And from the new decorating trends showcased in Pottery Barn and Ballad Design catalogs.

Here is my 'close to finished' product.

traditional Christmas

  

Here is how I did it:  I painted my wooden blocks (all of them) with gesso.  Then a coat of vintage white paint.  Grabbed my sandpaper and knocked off the corners, and gave each edge some sanding.  For my large block:  I distressed the edges of the paper with canvas ink (white).  I adhered the pattern papers with Paper It! (It's a mod-podge type of paper adhesive)  I applied my letters to the tiny blocks, and gave each letter another swipe or two of sand paper, and then sealed each letter side with Paper It!   The letter blocks are adhered to the top of the big block with diamond glaze.

As for the trophy cup, I wanted to tarnish some of the shine, so I used my dark brown Staz-On pad, and swiped it all over the cup; that the edges of the ink pad would reach.  I used red 7mm silk ribbon and tied a multi-loop bow.  I added a silver snowflake charm to the bow.  I adhered the bow to the cup with diamond glaze.

To decorate the larger block, I added bits and pieces from my craft stash.  I added a vintage ice skate, a tiny deep red rose, a green mitten and a cranberry vintage button.  I wanted the items to look 'random', and a bit scattered.

Now, before you ask, or say anything, I am NOT finished.  I want to add a bottle brush tree to the trophy cup.  That seems to be the decorating trend this holiday season - add an evergreen tree to your patio planter.  But, I did want to share what I have crafted so far.  I'm pretty happy with how this project is turning out.  {smile}

Well, thank you for looking.  I made three of these at once.  This is my 'traditional' version, I also have a 'vintage' and a 'shabby chic' versions.  (photos posted soon)   I am planning on making a few more - maybe two or three.  I haven't quit decided what style or design theme, yet.  But, I'll post photos! {smile}  Take care, and enjoy whats left of your weekend.

Charming Neutrals; Card

Welcome.  I have another card to share, that I created.  I most likely won't share any holiday crafts, until it becomes a little cooler.  I think folks would rather enjoy the warm weather, bbq's, and other relaxing patio activities before I start bombarding them with jingle bells, and 'baby it's cold outside' projects {smile}.

I wanted to get a start on crafting a variety of greeting cards, before my minds turns to snow.  So, I set out to find some inspiration and a few challenges to enter.  And here is what I came upon:

My first stop: Cardabilities.  These folks always have some great, user-friendly sketches.  And here is the current sketch challenge:

My first thought when I saw this sketch, was another birthday card.  Or a 'thinking of you' card.

Then I stopped by the Mistress Owl Craft, to see what these ladies were crafting.  And they have an challenge set around an inspirational photo.  Very beautiful and all neutral colors.

This challenge does not require you to create a wedding themed project.  I love the lace, the pearl clusters, and the sparkle from the rhinestones.  Very beautiful and very feminine.  A little shabby, too!

here is what I crafted:

As you can see I did not make a Birthday card.  Instead, I ended up going with the wedding theme.  I am super happy with how my card turned out.  I used materials in the inspirational photo, as well as pearls, rhinestones, and other sparkly items.  

Recipe:  I started with Soft Suede card stock by Stampin' Up!  I just love this heavy weight card stock.  

The main panel is from Melissa Frances.  I used a thread cutter to rough up the edges, and then sponged brown ink.  There were a few places I had a heavy hand when distressing, and the paper tore.  So, I simply added a scrap piece of white lace trim, and kept going.  I heat embossed the sentiment in early espresso powder, by Stampin' Up! in the right upper corner.

The long lace piece I machine stitched to the card front.  I added about 5 random pleats.  I also added a piece of white lace trim over that.  And finally, machine stitched a thin piece of cream crochet trim over the white lace trim piece.  

I used scraps of neutral pattern paper for my banner pieces.  The black and white floral pattern paper is from Authentique.  The script pattern paper is from Paper Studio (HL).  And the cream and white decorative pattern paper is from Recollections (M).  I matted each of these pattern papers onto a scrap pieces of soft suede card stock.  I sponged the edges of the pattern papers.  I also machine stitched a cream pom pom trim to the top of the largest banner piece.

I tucked a bow to the right of my trio of banners, that I tied my hand.  It's a triple bow with cream colored crinkled seam binding.  I tied a kraft bakers twine to the seam binding bow, and added a tiny tag, that was sponged and stamped with 'Joy'.

My focal piece is this beautiful white resin frame.  I added a Prima zipper pull, that has this beautiful crystal dangle.  I then added a brown paper blossom and an off white paper blossom.  Both blossoms were sprayed with shimmer paint, to give them a bit of sparkle {smile}.  I then tucked in a pearl and crystal stick pin, and a few rhinestones and half pearls.  Finally, I tucked in a brown shimmer leaf stick pin to the left of the frame.  I thought this helped pull the browns forward.

I wanted to add something more; so I added faucet dots to the right upper corner and the left lower corner.  And finally a trio of marshmallow sequins near the seam binding bow.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have been inspired to either play along with these challenges, or simply craft something special.

Light Bubbles: bokeh

Howdy!  I hope you are well.  Me, yes.  Thank you.  I had another arts and craft fair this past weekend (Friday and Saturday) at one of my favorite places:  Tramway Community Church.  The folks there are so nice, helpful, and just a joy to be with.  {smile}

Anyways, my mom came up to spend some time with me, and help me sell my paper crafts.  And let me just say, that it was pure joy!  We talked, and sold, and talked some more.  It was really wonderful to spend some time with her, and just hang out!  I made a little money, which is always sweet, especially during this time of year.  So, pluses all around!

For those who don't know, I live in the east mountains of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  And well, we are just below 7500 feet.  Sunday it snowed like crazy.  So my husband got a chance to use his snow plow for the first time this winter season.  And the weather created a delay in my mom getting back on the road to head home.  It did give us a little more time together, but just not the same.  It's kinda like be held hostage at the airport.  You have food, a bathroom, and the people you are traveling with, but all you really want to do is leave.  [No hard feelings mom {smile}]

I wanted to make my mom a card, to say 'thank you' for her help, and let her know that I really enjoyed the time we spent together.  So, I went looking on the internet, and wanted to see if anything out there inspired me.  Well, of course I found something!  

I ran across this photography technique called: bokeh.  It's when parts of the image and/or light are out of the field of focus.  So, when you are photographing something and there is light in the background or side portion, and this part of the image just isn't in focus.  Looks pretty.  And so I ran with it!  

gold, is the accent color

silver, is the accent color

So, both cards are made with soft suede card stock as the base.  The 'blue' piece is aqua mist card stock.  I cut 3-4 branches from a Memory Box die.  I punched 1", 3/4", and 1/2" circles and a trio of snowflakes from vellum card stock.  I added several clear faceted sequins, and then added gold/silver sequins.  

I die cut the letters for 'JOY' out of gold glitter paper.  For the silver version, I heat embossed 'noel' in silver and then stamped 'JOYEUX' in soft suede classic ink.  

The final touch, was a spritz or two with iridescent spray.

But now, that I am writing this post, I think, why did I make my mom a holiday card to say 'Thank You'???  Ugh, sometimes my mind just gets stuck.  As I am preparing for yet another holiday craft show, my mind is stuck in holiday mode.  Sorry mom.  Let me get back into my craft room, and make something a little more appropriate. 

Anyways, I hope you like these, and I hope I have inspired you to create something unique and wonderful!

Holiday Banners

I am having a great weekend.  I got to see some wonderful girl friends and I got a lot of crafting done!  Yahoo!

And so, I want to share with you what I made.  I created some banners (ok, 2) out of thick chipboard, and some wonderful holiday pattern paper: Christmas by Fancy Pants.  Here is what they look like:

I used a variety of the pattern papers.  I just love the mix of blue and red and green.  Just gorgeous and festive and playful.  Love it.  

I cut a large scallop trim piece from one pattern paper and matted it onto cherry cobbler card stock.  I machine stitched it, to give it a home-made and nostalgic look.  I also used cherry cobbler card stock to create the scallop circles under the rosettes.

I created the rosettes by hand.  I scored a 1" x 12" strip of pattern paper every 1/4".  I stamped and heat embossed the letters in early espresso embossing powder onto shimmer white card stock.  I matted the letters onto cherry cobbler card stock, and then ocean tides card stock.  

I used ocean tides ribbon from Paper trey ink.  I tied red vintage buttons on to each bow.   I have both banners for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.  Don't forget, my easy shop will be closed the day before, the day of, and the day after each craft fair.

Thank you for looking.  I'll be posting more soon!