Thanksgiving Thank You Card

Howdy.   I am still crafting for my last holiday craft fair.  December 3rd, @ La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  But, I did stop for an evening to bake some pies that were ordered for today, and of course I had to make a Thank You card to go with them!

Typically, my baked goods are hand-held, aka small.  But a wonderful co-worker asked for 2 slab pies.  A slab pie, is a pie made in a jelly roll pan.  So, it has the ease of a sheet cake, but it's pie!  When we have pot lucks at work, and I am asked to bring dessert, I bring either cupcakes or slab pie.

I made my version of SummerTime Harvest Pie.  This pie has strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, red raspberries, green apples, and peaches.  I omit the top crust for a sour cream topping that is baked.  I feel that this keeps it 'light and sweet'!

here is the card:

When I was photographing this card @ 5a yesterday (no sunshine or full moon light available) I just loved how my white sweater Starbucks coffee-to-go ornament looked sitting next to the card, so I didn't edit it out.  I'm happy I left it.  I think it helps add some warmth to my photo.  {smile}

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock for the card base.  The heavy weight card stock is from Paper Trey Ink.   The polka dot pattern paper, is actually a digital paper that is printed on Linen card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.  

I sponged crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up! to the edges of all the papers and the doily.  I printed a sheet of floral tags (digital), and sentiment cards (digital) onto whisper white card stock, by Stampin' Up!  I layered the sentiment card on top of the floral tag, but left the blossom at the bottom showing, along with the text at the top of the tag.

I added a simple, single border stitch with my sewing machine around the top portion of the card.

I sewn a 'messy' pleat with a 2-inch wide cream cotton embroidered trim.  I then sewn a scrap piece of this pale pink seam binding over the cotton trim.  I didn't wrap the cotton trim or the seam binding around the card.  I wanted it left 'messy' with unfinished edges.

I tied a triple bow with the same pale pink seam binding.  I tied a snowflake dangle embellishment with kraft twine around the seam binding bow.  This 'bow' is adhered to the card front with hot glue.

Viola! done.  Not a ton of embellishments, and not a lot of 'stuff', and my card is done.  A 'quick' (for me) card that was completed in just under an hour.  

I tied each pie with a pink ribbon, and added a tag from the same sheet of tags I printed for this card.  That way, it all looks like it belongs together.  {smile}

Sweet Lilac; Card

Welcome.  If you don't know, I am training to run a half marathon later this summer.  And, boy does running take a lot of my time.  {grimace}  But, I have learned a few things about running:

1) you have to do it for yourself!  It has to be something you want.

2) encouragement from family and friends is intoxicating.

3) you should learn to love it, because it is just you and the road.  

I am running three days a week; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. And that eats up a lot of my time.   Tuesdays and Thursdays have specific miles for those days.  And Saturdays, those are my 'long' days.  So, yesterday, I got up at 5am, and went running @ 6am.  I need time to drink coffee, take Sasha (my dog) out for her walk, make her breakfast, and get motivated to put in the time and distance.  Yesterday's distance: 8.2 miles.  My time was ok.  But that activity alone, just running, took up 2 hours of my morning.  Then, I still needed to eat breakfast, take a shower, and get ready to head out the door, for other commitments.   But, I imagine soccer (or another sport) moms, or dance moms have the same time commitments.  

So, today, after I had time to drink coffee and take care of Sasha, I set out to my craft room.  I really miss crafting!  I kept my focus, and crafted a card for someone specific.  I used the inspiration from two different craft challenges:  a sketch and an inspiration photo.

My first stop was Kafe Scrapo Mama.  This challenge has only one requirement: a lilac flower.  It can be stamped, photo, or an actual flower.  Easy enough.  Here is their board:

This challenge is open from 9 June to 9 July 2015.  So, I do encourage you to play along.  The design team has created some beautiful pieces to share! and these colors are so soft, and sweet!

For the sketch challenge, I am using a sketch from a past challenge.  This challenge closed yesterday. Just my luck, right!  But, I love it, so I am using it.  The sketch comes from Retro Sketches.

*

*Please be aware, that this challenge has already closed.  But, I just love this sketch!  I will most likely use it in the future for other items.

and here is what I created:

I was really inspired by the white elements in the Lilac inspiration photo.  Along with the books and the vase holding all those beautiful lilacs.  So I really wanted to use those elements where I could.

Recipe:  I used kraft card stock for the card base.  I just love this as an anchoring element.  I used a Teresa Collins white and light grey floral pattern paper as the largest pattern piece.  I thought this mimic the window/mirror in the photo.  I matted that pattern piece with a scrap of lilac colored textured card stock.  

I added two different but supporting pattern pieces for the 'tore' piece in the sketch.  One is a text pattern paper from Stampin' Up! that is retired, and no longer available.  I also added an 'old' Melissa Frances pattern paper to the 'stack'.  I distressed the edges and layered them crooked.

I wrapped a piece of pale purple seam binding around them, and added a scrap piece of white crochet trim.  I added a pale purple dangle to a multi-loop bow, and adhered it to the side of the lilac card.

The lilac card is actually a digital image that I printed from my computer.

I added two trios of sequins to opposite corners, and added a banner  tag.  I hand-stamped the sentiment onto white card stock.  I used my scissors and hand-cut the banner end.  I matted this piece onto a scrap piece of the lilac textured card stock.  I added a scrap piece of the white crochet trim to the top of the banner, and stapled the banner to the card front.

Well, I now need to run into town to purchase a gift card to go inside this card, and get it out in the mail.  Thank you for stopping by!  I hope this weekend is enjoyable!

Yellow Rose Bag

Welcome.  First let me say, thank you to everyone who sent me messages/comments of encouragement.  All of your sweet, warm, and incredibly kind words, really have brighten my life!  I also, appreciate the suggestions on my conflicts at work.  {love}

With all of the heart felt words, I have found some creative juices, and did get a chance to create again.  {smile}  As some of you know, I am hosting a game night at my house next month for 11 of my girlfriends.  [Bunco]  If you didn't know, I have selected a theme: tea party.  And my design style is vintage/shabby chic.  I made a gift bag for one of the prizes.  However, once I got this one done, I realized that I have no idea of the size and shape of most of the prizes, because I haven't shopped yet.  So, I stopped at this one bag, and headed into town.  I have a few ideas as to what the prizes need/should be, however, I have a limited budget.

So, while I continue my shopping/hunting in town and on the internet, let me share with you, the one prize bag I have finished.  {smile}

I did find a great sketch challenge to help get this project together @ Paper LadyBirds.  If you get a chance, you should swing by their challenge site, and have a look at the beautiful work done by the design team.  Very inspirational.

Recipe:  I used the Front & Center die (by Paper Trey Ink), to create the front panel on the lunch sack.  The pattern paper is from a big stack.  I chose the large polka dot and rose/doily pattern papers.  I wanted something at the paper seam, so I added some cotton trim.  

I added a white tea doily to give some interest.  I added a trio of cream paper blossoms and a yellow multi-loop bow made from yellow seam binding.   I created a 'label' that is heat embossed in antique gold.  I added a trio of sequins (2 green and 1 white).

I don't know which prize bag this will be, but I needed to decide how to display the number.  So the '8' is just random!  And yeah, I just love to use mini wooden clothes pins.  I simply added a strip of pattern paper, and then added a half pearl.  Viola!

Thank you for looking!  And I'm pretty sure, I can keep creating, from the love I've received. {smile}