Let It Snow, in January

Howdy, and welcome back.  I have been busy crafting, but not busy photographing what I have created {frown}.  But, I will work on being better at sharing what I create here, and on my Facebook page.  To be honest, sometimes, its just easier to take a quick pic with my phone and upload it on Facebook.  Yeah, that makes me sound lazy.  Honest. But lazy.  So, a New Year's Resolution has been declared!

I am playing along with three challenges: Just Add Ink, Paper Craft Crew, and Word Art Wednesday.  So, let's get started!  I stopped by Just Add Ink blog, and they have a color inspiration photo for their current challenge.

When I saw this photo, I instantly thought of a new line of holiday paper from Prima: Santa Baby.

For a little bit of direction, I stopped by the Paper Craft Crew blog.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  Perfect!  Here is that sketch:

I'm pretty sure I can work with this! {smile}

Finally, I headed over to the Word Art Wednesday blog.  Their challenges are Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  And the design team will certainly inspire you!

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I created a standard A2 size greeting card (5 1/2" x 4 1/4").  I used PaperTrey Ink's Aqua Mist card stock for the card base.  I just love this soft, pale water color!  I added a piece of the 'houses' pattern paper from Prima: Santa Baby.  I thought it looked sweet, and cozy.  

The next layer is the mugs of cocoa pattern paper from Prima: Santa Baby, matted with Autumn Rose card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  

I then wrapped a piece of cream lace and pale pink seam binding around the second layer (similar to the sketch), and then I machine stitched these layers together.  I added my layered stack towards the right (as in the sketch).  I machine stitched the sentiment panel to the Aqua Mist card stock.  I slipped on a 'tree' paper clip.  And used foam tape to adhere it to the paper paper layer.  

I tied a double bow with the pale pink seam binding, and tied a tiny pale pink ornament to the bow with some gold and white bakers twin.  I adhered a paper blossom from the Prima: Santa Baby collection just above the bow.  I punched out some leaves and stuck them in behind the paper blossom (as in the sketch).  

I added a trio of crystals (as in the sketch) from Prima to the front of the card; two below the bow and one next to the tree paper clip.  I thought that they added the right amount of sparkle, even tho they are two different colors: aqua and pale pink.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope that you have a chance to play along with any or all of these challenges!  Enjoy your weekend, and I hope to be back soon!

Classic Thank You

Good Morning.  And welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I am still crafting with what I have in my craft room.  Let me just say, that it can be both overwhelming and liberating at the same time.  I have grown into quite the paper craft hoarder collector.  I believe with all honesty I could open my own paper crafting supply store with what I have on hand.  {yikes}

But, one of my New Year's Resolutions, has been to start using what I have instead of purchasing new supplies.  Now, don't get me wrong, I still make purchases, just a lot smaller in quantity and $$$.  {a whole lot smaller}  

I am playing along with two groups of wonderfully talented paper crafters today.  

My first stop is @ Paper Craft Crew Challenge #309.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  And I love a good sketch.  To me, a good sketch is one that is super versatile and can be embellished or clean and simple.  Here is their sketch:

(Stampin' Up! products used: card stock, glimmer paper, and thin silver cord)

See what I mean!  The circle can be any shape, or item (blossom, doily, star, witch, etc) and the scallop border can be just that, or any other decorative border, or lace.  Can you see it?

My next stop is over @ Word Art Wednesday  This beautiful challenge site, is always Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  Now who wouldn't love to play along with them.  They provide a scripture that you can use with your paper craft, but is not required.  

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  this blank inside greeting card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The card base is made with Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the hue of this blue.  The blue pattern papers are from American Crafts.  I just love the aquamarine color.  And those grey and white blossoms are just gorgeous!

I used some glitter paper from Stampin' Up! for both the scallop trim and a small banner piece under the sentiment to add sparkle.  I had a scrap piece of a grey plaid pattern paper, so I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, but I believe it is core'dinations.  

I did a slim dark grey matt under the blossom pattern paper, and machine stitched all the layers together.  I also machine stitched the ribbon across the card.  I tied a double bow with the ribbon, and tied the bow to a vintage Aqua Mist button, by Paper Trey Ink, using  thin silver cord by Stampin' Up!.  I hot glued the bow-button combo to the card front.  I added a light grey faux half pearl to the center of the double bow.

I stamped my sentiment: Thank You, in a basic grey classic ink onto a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used a favorite stamp set by Altnew: Label Love.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.

I used my one and only dark grey fabric blossom by CTMH.  I thought it worked perfectly.  And my final touch, was the addition of a trio of brushed silver sequins.

Thank you for looking, and I surely hope you get a chance to create something beautiful today! {smile}

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}

Birthday Blue

Howdy, and welcome.  Oh my goodness, I hadn't realized that it's been a month since I last posted.  I have been crafting.  I guess life has me pulled in too many different directions.  Just like the rest of you.  Life gets busy, and we don't always have enough time in the day to get everything done that we want.  {frown}

This past weekend, a sweet, dear friend was celebrating her birthday.  And well, I wanted to craft something special for her. {smile}  My friend, is a lover of shabby chic, and a junking girl, just like me.  She also loves simpler things in life: a good book, afternoon tea, needle-work, family, and close friends.  

My favorite styles of crafting are shabby chic, retro, and vintage.  So, crafting something for this special girl friend, is easy.  I pulled out some pattern paper by Prima: Something Blue.  I know, this is a 'wedding' themed collection.  But, I think I can make it work {wink}.

I am sharing with you a gift tote that I created.  I also crafted a Birthday card, a bookmark, an extra card for her stash, and a packaged gift card holder.  Let's start with the tote:

Recipe:  The card stock tote is made from Kraft card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  I just love their heavy weight card stock.  Sturdy, and strong!  I layered the pink and cream polka dot pattern paper as the matt.  I then added the text & fauna printed pattern paper.  I love how the two pattern papers contrast each other.  I added a simple border stitch to the pattern papers.  

I wanted to add some visual interest and design, so I decided to add two large banner pennants.  I wanted to keep with the contrast, but to play-up the main floral pattern paper.  I used the mint text and black text pattern papers for these banner pieces.  The pattern paper that I truly love, is the floral pattern paper that was added last.  I wanted a decorative shape, so I went with a 'top note' shape.  

I wanted to soften the contrast of the black pattern paper, so I added a small piece of a white paper doily peeking out of the bottom of the pretty floral pattern piece.  To help add a little feminine touch, I added a pair of pale mint half faux pearls parallel to the edge of the tote.

This dear friend, has a love of books.  So, I wanted to include 'books' as an underlining theme.  I pulled out my All Booked Up stamp set by PaperTrey Ink.  I inked the 'tag' portion of this sentiment piece in Mint Macaroon by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped the sentiment and circle piece in Dark Grey classic ink.  I used foam tape to the back of the circle piece and sentiment piece, to lift them off the front of the tag piece.  

I tied a simple bow with rose seam binding to the top of the 'tag'.  I tied a faux pearl and an aqua mist button to the bow with silver cord.  I wanted soft, shabby colors that contrast (rose and aqua), but also a feminine touch (pearl).  To help add some bling & metallic, I selected the silver cord.

I wanted to continue with the softness that trims can add, so I selected a white lace, a rose cotton scallop trim, and a kraft seam binding.  To continue with the metallic, I added a piece of cream and silver bakers twine across the kraft seam binding.  I added a paper blossom from the same Something Blue collection by Prima.  I tied a simple bow with the silver metallic bakers twine just behind the paper blossom.  I used a small snippet of the rose cotton scallop trim, in place of leaves.  This continues with the rose color with the seam binding and cotton trim.

Thank you so much for looking.  I'll post an image and write-up for the Birthday card tomorrow.

Beautiful You Card

Howdy, and welcome!  Today I wanted to share with you a card I hand-crafted.   I wanted to make something pretty, with a generic sentiment.  This card isn't for anyone, so nothing specific.  I just wanted to paper craft.   I set out looking at a few of my favorite paper challenge sites to get some direction, and I found some very fun challenges.  So, let's get started!

I wanted a bit more direction, so I decided on a sketch challenge.  I knew what I wanted to use, I just needed a little more direction.  So, I stopped by the Paper Craft Crew challenge site.  This challenge site mostly does sketches.  But every now and again they will throw in a theme, or tic tac toe board, but they will always inspire you!  

I didn't rotate or flip their current sketch.  I used it as is!  I also did not switch out the blossom images for any other shaped item.

Since I already knew what pattern paper I wanted to use, and I now have a sketch to work with, I decided to play along with the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday.  Their challenges are : anything goes, family friendly.  

You will be pleasantly surprised by this design team.  They are very creative and talented, and the submissions are pretty great too!

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  this blank inside greeting card is the typical A2 size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I used cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  This card stock is a beautiful heavy weight, so it stands up to my embellishing!  The main panel matt is Kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  I just love the neutral soft color of kraft. {smile}

The pattern papers are digital.  I use my at home printer to print these.  I used whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up! for 3 of the pattern papers.  This card stock has a 'slick' feel to it, and allows the card stock to take the ink from my printer beautifully! I have zero complaints.  The small square that has the sentiment on it, I shrunk down.  It would have printed 6" x 6", but I wanted the whole sheet of paper to be my focal piece.  And I just love the sentiment.  That piece I printed on Linen card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  I felt the added texture would help give my card some depth, and not be so flat.

I cut my top pattern paper, so that the mix of floral images would have some blues in it, to help tie the bottom pattern paper that is a blue collage with copper dots.  

I added a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I think it adds a 'homespun' look/feel.  

To hide the seam where the two pattern papers overlap, I added a scrap piece of white cotton trim, and topped that with a scrap piece of pale pink seam binding.  I added a little machine stitching there too.  It holds the card front together, and continues with the machine stitching along the card's edge.

The pink polka dot pattern paper, I flagged the end, for visual interest.  

To make my 'tag' piece, I simply added my pattern paper square to a scrap piece of the same Kraft card stock I used for the main matt.  I used my scissors to make the tag shape at the top.  I used a traditional hole punch to give my tag that finished look.  I threaded a piece of pale pink seam binding through the hole and tied a simple knot.  I then tied a simple knot of pale pink tinsel to a rich brown button, and hot glued it to the top of my seam binding bow.  I adhered the tag to the card front with foam tape, to help elevate it off the front of the card.

The paper blossoms are from my stash.  The brownish blossom is from Prima.  I just loved the color.  Not quite brown.  Not quite copper.  The white paper blossom and the little pink paper blossom are from LemonCraft.  I added some white paint and glitter to the petals, of both blossoms.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look at what I created.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with either or both of these challenge sites.  Enjoy your Friday!

Sweet Little Moments Card

Welcome.  I'm so happy that you had a chance to stop by {smile}.  I needed to make a card for a friend who is having a birthday this week.  And I needed a little direction, so I stopped by two Russian paper challenge sites, and one of my favorites here in the USA.

My first stop is @ CharmedScrap.  This challenge site, is from Russia.  They do not have a translate button, but there is always Google Translate {smile}.  CharmedScrap, gives you either a mood board, or sketches.  I  love their sketches, because they include layers and little pieces of interest.  Here is their current sketch:

My next stop is @ InterNitka.  This challenge site, is from Russia also.  And again, they do not have a Translate button.  But InterNitka, has some very creative challenges.  The current challenge is a romantic gentle moldboard:

And finally, I am entering my card @ Word Art Wednesday.   This challenge site, is always a Anything Goes, Family Friendly challenge.  This challenge site will certainly inspire you.  They always provide a scripture that you can use in your paper crafting, but is not required.  {smile}

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used various scrap pieces of pattern papers from the Rossibelle collection by Prima.  I just love the splashes of copper metallic on the pattern papers, the distressed, worn patterns, and the soft tones.  This collection has pinks, and a vibrant peach hue.  I started with a Cantaloupe card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Their card stock is heavy weight, and stands up nicely to embellishments.  I cut and tore different pieces of the pattern paper, and layered them together.  Some staggered, and some layered.  I roughed-up the edges with the edge of a pair of scissors.  I inked the edges with tea stain ink.  The grey polka dot pattern paper peaking out under the cream cotton trim, is a scrap piece from a holiday collection by My Minds Eye, from 3/+ years ago.  I did a simple double border stitch along most of the card edge.  I purposefully didn't complete the border.  I brushed white paint across the Bingo card, and the Ticket.  I added foam adhesive to the back of the 'sweet' piece.  I layered these pieces in a way to look random. The blossom is from the same collection: Rossibelle.  I added white paint and glitter to the petal edges, and brown ink to the back of the petals, so help show separation.  I tied a double bow of cream & black bakers twine to the dark button and tucked it at the top of the paper blossom.  The wooden disc, was hot glued to the top right corner of the sentiment cluster.  I brushed white paint and tea ink to the edges.

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with any/all of these challenge sites.  {smile}

Pastel Christmas Greetings

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I've been a bit busy completing some special orders, and other everyday chores that all of us have {frown}.  But, I did have a chance to create something (I think) is sweet, and pretty {smile}.

I am entering my creation into two challenges:  Merry Monday Challenge  and  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge .  

The Merry Monday Challenge, is a Christmas card challenge site, all year long!  How sweet is that?  Their current challenge is to use pastel colors.  And they have an inspirational photo to help get the creative juices flowing.

I just love the vintage ornaments that create the wreath! so pretty!

My next stop is the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge.  Their current challenge is anything Christmas.  This provides you with the ability to just create.  And so I did!

and here is what I created:

My 'card' is a packaged gift card holder.  That might sound a bit confusing, but it really only takes a few seconds to explain.  You know those packaged gift cards you purchase at the grocery store, or the 'always open' pharmacies?  Well, that's what fits inside!  Now, you don't have to rip open the packaging to get to the gift card.  Just simply slide the whole package inside this cleaver little card.

Recipe:  I used Dark Chocolate card stock by PaperTreyInk, for the card base.  I just love this creamy, rich brown color.  And their card stock is heavy weight, so it will stand up to being embellished.

The pattern paper I used, is from a digital collection I purchased last year.  I just love this collection of rustic, holiday images in pastel hues.  Simply beautiful.  I printed the pink pattern background onto white card stock by PaperTreyInk.  I printed the deer pattern paper onto white linen card stock by PaperTreyInk.  I love the texture.  I matted the deer pattern paper onto white card stock.  

I machine stitched the three layers of paper together.  I just love how machine stitching gives my paper crafts that homespun look {smile}.  On the bottom panel, I also machine stitched the white glitter snowflake to the layers.  I wrapped the top flap with white crochet trim, and an aqua polka dot satin ribbon (polka dot side down).  I tied a simple bow with the ribbon.  I tucked a half white glitter snowflake in behind the crochet trim at the left upper corner.  The main panel, was a 6" x 6" sheet of digital pattern paper, that I shrunk down 50% before printing.  That way I could print that sheet as a 3" x 3" piece.  I matted it with Mint card stock by PaperTreyInk, and then with Dark Chocolate card stock.  I used foam adhesive to lift this beautiful piece off the card front.  I added this piece to the right of the simple bow.   My pink satin blossom, is from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima.  I just love their blossoms.  And with the pretty rhinestone blossom center, it is perfect for this paper craft.   I hand-stamped 'joy' onto a scrap piece of the pink background pattern paper I used for the first layer. And then adhered it to the back of a tiny Melissa Frances resin frame.  The finishing touch was that tiny white present bow.  I thought is help tie-in all the white, and give my card a little more 'pretty' {smile}. 

Well, thank you for looking.  I hope you have a chance to create something beautiful this weekend.  I'm in the mood to bake some scones.  I found this delicious sounding recipe for Apricot & Brie scones.  YUM!

Celebration Tickets

Howdy, and welcome.  I am still working on Christmas/Holiday themed crafts, but I think most folks are done with looking at those.  So, I am sharing some other paper crafts with you today - handmade cards.  It's like 'a hug with a fold in the middle' - how super sweet is that saying {smile}.

I am entering my card(s) into two challenges.  One a recent play-a-long, and the other is 'new-to-me'. So, let's start with the recent play-a-long:  Time Out Challenge.  Their current challenge is 'inspired by a word'.

I have chosen: Celebrate!

And the next challenge stop is a 'new-to-me' challenge:  Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Their current challenge is, well a sketch of course! {smile}

What originally caught my eye about this sketch, is the potential!  The circle can be a circle, a snowflake, a large blossom, a doily,  etc.  The possibilities are endless, and I just love those!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base of this card.  I just love the soft, creamy kraft color.  The pattern papers are from  three different manufacturers.  I've been working hard at using what I have, and not hoarding collecting craft supplies {smile}.  It's a work in progress.

The pink ledger pattern paper is from Bo Bunny.  The mint polka dot pattern paper is from Core'dinations. and the random ticket pattern paper is from American Crafts.  I just love how these soft, sweet colors mix so well {smile}.  I layered the pattern papers on top of each other, and then did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I just love the homespun look this gives my crafts.  I wrapped a piece of cream cotton trim, and seam binding around the lower third of the card, and sewn it in place.  Tied a double bow with the seam binding, and hot glued it to the front of the card.  I stamped and cut a wreath from the same crumb cake card stock, to repeat the color.  My sentiment is a stamp from Close To My Heart.  I stamped it in black ink onto a textured white card stock, then matted it with a scrap piece of pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.  I added some rhinestones to give it some bling, and tied a vintage button with a gold bakers twine to add to the sparkle.  The blossom was glittered and adhered to the card front.

I couldn't decide if I liked this card with pink or blue seam binding, so I simply made both.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you get a chance to play with either or both of these challenge sites.  Until my next craft share, have a great day!

fa la la Peppermint

Howdy! and welcome.  I hope you all had a great holiday.  Me, I got the flu.  I have been in bed sick for a week now.  And for those who know me, I don't do well being 'down' or laid up in bed.  So, today, I decided, I'm getting up.  I am getting on with life.  Change your mindset, and you body will follow.  It's like when you have been running for 4 hours, and you have 3 miles left, and your legs are tired and heavy, and your mind is screaming at you to stop.  Just stop.  But, you have to turn down the volume in your head, push forward, and keep going.

I made another gift card holder this morning.  I am entering it in three of yesterday's challenge post.  I just loved the themes - Sparkle, Lace & Paint, and the sketch was super easy to work with.  So, here we go again!

First stop:  the wonderfully talented ladies over @ As You See It Challenge, have a fun challenge: Sparkle.  You have to add an element of sparkle to your project: glitter, sequins, glimmer paper, etc.  And let's just be honest here, who doesn't love sparkle?  It just makes you happy!

My next stop is Mistress Owl.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  It was super easy to work with yesterday, so why not use it again today.  This challenge site, is from Russia.  They do have a translate button, to help with the language barrier.  I just love their easy-to-work-with sketches.

And finally, my last stop is Shabby Chic.  Another challenge site from Russia, and again, they have a translate button.  This design team will certainly inspire you!  Their current challenge is Magic Frost.  The mandatory elements are: Lace & Paint.  And your entry must be in Shabby Chic or Provence style.  (they have their definition of these styles on their challenge site)

and here is what I created:

different view:

Recipe:  I used Fine Linen card stock by PaperTreyInk for the gift card holder.  I thought it matched the angels in the pattern paper beautifully.  Again, I used Pure Poppy card stock by PaperTreyInk for the matts.  Its a deep red with orange undertones.  I used the red stripe pattern paper from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima, again.  I just love the look of the stripes. {smile}  The pattern paper I used for the main panels is a digital paper.  I printed it onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I love using their white card stock to print my digital papers.  It takes the ink very well, and the card stock is light weight; making layering a breeze.

I used my sewing machine to add a simple border stitch around each panel.  I think this little element adds a lot of homespun charm.  {smile}

I did a better job of lining up my trims.  I layered a white crochet trim, a taupe lace trim, and a mint ribbon.  I machine stitched them to the panels with silver thread.  The silver thread is beautiful, but quite a pain to work with.  The metallic in the thread gives it a bit of stretch, with little tension, so it breaks easily and frequently. {frown}.

I stacked two small journalling cards to the top panel.  I selected the 'fa la la' girls, and a December Bingo board card, this time.  I like how the 'fa la la' color matched the reindeer in my pattern paper.

I die-cut, stamped, and heat embossed the wreath.  I die-cut the wreath from Fine Linen card stock.  I stamped the wreath in VersaMark ink, and used my fine detail  white embossing powder.  This delicate wreath takes a steady hand in stamping.  My trick: place a contrasting color of card stock under the wreath, so when you stamp, you have a better view of lining-up the image.  I adhered the wreath to the front panel.

I tied a double bow with the mint ribbon.  I tied a small plastic peppermint candy to the mint bow with silver twine.  I wanted a bit more red on the card, so I adhered a red button to the bow's center.  To add a bit more sparkle, I added a mirror plastic star just above the button.

The paper blossoms were painted and glittered.  I used a white pearl paint to the petals, and while the paint was still wet, I dunked the blossoms into glitter.

I painted two silver jingle bells with gesso, and glitter.  I tied them with silver bakers twine.  Then tucked them under the larger blossom.  Again, I wanted more red, so I tucked in a red pom pom by the cream paper blossom.

My sentiment was not hand-stamped.  The sentiment is actually from a holiday tag.  I simply trimmed it down with scissors, and did a double matt: pure poppy and fine linen card stock.  I added foam tape to the back of the sentiment.  I wanted it to be lifted off the card front.

Thank you for looking!  I hope this last weekend of 2017 ends just how you want it to.  For me, I will be enjoying the quiet time at home.  And I am sure you have guessed that I will be out running.  I am going to do my best at getting in 10-12 miles tomorrow. {smile}

Junk Journal

Welcome.  I have been busy.  Busy in a few different directions.  1 - I have started planning my holiday craft fair items.  So that involves a lot of creative juices, ideas, and plans.  2 - I have been cleaning my craft room.  Not just the typical 'putting things away' type of cleaning.  But the 'over-haul' type of cleaning.  Taking everything out, going through everything to determine what I am going to keep, what I am getting rid of, organizing it, and then putting it back. and last, 3 - working on a few personal items.  I am pretty good at staying focused on each particular task, so I typically don't stray, and this week, it has remained the same {fingers crossed}.  Super happy to be so productive and focused.     

I purchased a digital junk journal 'a few' years back.  Ok, in 2012.  So I guess I should say 'several' years back.  I purchased the digital file, like so many of you; with a great plan to actually put it together.  Well, life gets busy, other crafts take president in the priority of completion, and the fear that I don't know what I'm doing. so I didn't put it together, because I simply didn't want to 'mess it up'.  My best advice to anyone who sits on this indecisive 'fence', JUST DO IT!  Jump in! Have fun.  Create something beautiful!  And when you are done, please remember to take a photo and share it with all of us!  Photography is another one of my down-falls.  I simply dread the uploading photos and editing.  That is EXACTLY why I don't do video.  I imagine that the more I do this, the more comfortable I am, and then the less 'scarey' the whole ordeal will be.  But, sometimes my fear is paralyzing.  Yes, me.  The lady who loves all things crafty!

I am entering my junk journal in the Word Art Wednesday, anything goes challenge.  I love this challenge blog.  They encourage you to simply create.  How fabulous is that?  Keep your craft family friendly, and they even provide a scripture to include in your craft if you like, but are not required.

and here it is:

The cover came printed with the bird sitting on the chandelier.  How super awesome is that graphic?  So, all I did was layer a few pieces at a lower corner of the cover: half a paper doily, a digital printed Bingo card, a digital journalling tag, an old paper ticket, and a banner piece.  I kept the pieces neutral in color, so not to distract from the chandelier.  

The Bingo card was printed onto white card stock, but out, and the edges sponged with craft ink.  The journalling card came with the junk journal.  I hand-stamped the 'Happiness is HOMEMADE' on to the card with black classic ink.  It's stamped a bit off center on purpose.  I thought it would add to the over-all character of the cover.  The old paper ticket I purchased from an Etsy shop a year (or so) ago.      I folded down the left corner, so that my hand-stamping wouldn't be covered up {smile}.  I simply adhered the pieces with a tape runner, and then added a few sloppy border stitches with my sewing machine.  The banner piece I created from printing the digital journal pieces onto white card stock.  I adhered it to the cover with foam tape, to lift it off the front.

The two white dots on the spine are for when you bind the pages inside.  Well, I did my binding a bit different.  So I will be 'covering-up' the two white dots.  I just haven't figured that out yet.  I know several of you are squirming in your chair with the thought of putting the album together, and I haven't finished the cover.  I promise, it will be a 'good' fix {smile}!

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you have the opportunity to play along with the wonderful design team @ Word Art Wednesday.  And create something pretty, even if it is just for YOU!

Vintage Red, White/Cream, and Denim Blue

Howdy.  I've been busy trying to get out of a funk.  Trying to stay motivated to keep running.  Keeping up with chores.  And trying to find my passion for creating.

This little project took me about a week.  Only because I didn't want to spend any money completing this project.  I am seriously trying to 'use what I have on hand' instead of just buying more stuff.

I have seen several beautiful 'vintage' american flags on the internet.  Mostly Pinterest.  And well, I felt a desire to create one.  I used scraps of various fabrics, lace, and trim to create mine.  I wanted something that conveyed 'old', 'americana', and simply shabby chic pretty!  Here is what I made:

2 1/2' x 4'

To display your American flag, the union jack is ALWAYS at the upper left corner, regardless of its vertical or horizontal.

The union jack (blue panel) is made from denim.  I machine washed it, to give it a soft feel.  And then I machine stitched various red and white fabrics & trims.  The stars were cut with a star die, using scrap pieces of the blue/white fabric in the flag.  I wanted materials that looked vintage, or had that Americana 'feel'.  I am happy with how it turned out.  I just don't know 'how' to hang it.  Any suggestions?

The 3 I's in the center is for my family.  My ancestors were part of the American Revolution.  The 3 I's represent the 3% of Americans who originally fought against the British.  After the war, these fighters were awarded land 'out west' as payment by our government.  Thank you for your bravery! 

Some of the fabrics were not long enough, so I simply stitched pieces together, to create longer strips.  I think that this piecing together, helps give it a 'worn' look.  

Thank you for stopping by.  Enjoy your American Independence weekend.  Thank a solider for their service & duty, and remember those who have sacrificed.

Happy Butterflies

Welcome.  Today, I want to share with you a magnetic inspirational board.  I used a chipboard coaster.  You know, the kind you get at some restaurants.  (4" x 4")  

Recipe:

I covered the logo on the chipboard coaster with this teal, aqua colored pattern paper.  I distressed the edges with white acrylic paint.  Then I started on my main piece.  I used the other side of the white polka dot pattern paper, the butterfly side.  I distressed the edges with more white paint, and roughed them up a bit.  I added a purposefully sloppy double border stitch with my sewing machine.  I then added a strip of pale pink seam binding and a narrow cream cotton eyelet trim.  I machine stitched them to the paper.  I adhered this piece to the paper covered coaster with foam tape.

I printed a small Bingo card, and an ephemera piece.  The ephemera piece has butterflies, some washi tape, and a ticket that says, 'Happy'.  Who wouldn't love that?  I distressed the edges with more paint, and crinkled them.  I added more foam tape to these two ephemera pieces.  I tied a simple bow with gold tinsel, and layered a double bow tied with the pale pink seam binding.  I added some paint and glitter to a wooden button, and tied them all together with some gold bakers twine.  

I added my sentiment, or inspirational word just right of the bows.  I stamped the word in VersaMark, and used antique gold embossing powder, and heat set.  I also used the same heat embossing technique with a butterfly I stamped onto the ephemera piece.

And finally, I added some white paint to the seam binding bow.  Viola!  

You Have My Heart

Howdy! and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  Here is where I craft, bake, sew, and share.  I love creating pretty things.  Umm, that sounded a bit odd.  Who wants to create ugly things?  Anyways, I love pink, seam binding, roses, pearls, crystals, distressed wood, and everything shabby chic!  I also love all things country! Barns, tractors, farm animals, aprons, and wooden screen doors.  What can I say, I am girl-y girl at heart and soul!  And that is where I find my inspiration, and put my soul into my creations.  Regardless, if its baking from scratch, or paper crafting.  {smile}

I visited a personal favorite challenge blog last week, and completely fell in love with their inspiration board: Scrap Therapy.  What I love about this challenge site, is their openness to just create!  Sometimes that have mandatory elements, and sometimes that want you to be inspired.  Either way, their boards are gorgeous! The design team is incredibly creative and talented.

from this Inspirational Board, I loved the pink & white color scheme.  The roses, and the tenderness.  

I also stopped by a new-to-me, challenge site:  Viva la Vista.  This challenge site, has some cleaver challenges, and the design team deserves a second look!  Their current challenge is to use a heart(s).

I also stumbled upon another new-to-me challenge site: Candy Floss.  This refreshing challenge site, has a super talented design team, and a beautiful inspiration boards.  Their current challenge is to give a gift: Gifts for beloved.  How sweet, and tender.

Now that I have some inspiration, a required element, and a theme, I set out to get some direction.  So, I stopped by one of my all-time favorite challenge sites: Mojo Monday.  They always have user-friendly sketches.  And this weeks, fits the bill perfectly!

and here is my card:

Recipe:  My card measures 4 3/4" x 4 3/4".  The card base is kraft card stock.  

I used a soft sky card stock for my matt.  I just love how this soft, sweet shade of blue matched the blue in the floral pattern paper.  The pink gingham and the floral pattern paper are the same paper.  The pink gingham is the reverse side.  This pattern paper is from My Mind's Eye.  It's several years old.  I only have one whole sheet left.  I matted the floral pattern paper onto the same soft sky card stock.  

For my circle piece, I used a 4" white paper doily.  I just love this soft, delicate, vintage doily.

Instead of adding two squares to my card front, I simply added a rectangle and tied seam binding around the middle, creating two 'pieces'.  {smile}  I tied a double bow to add a little more softness.

For the heart shape piece, I added a fabric heart ornament.  The pale floral print is a discontinued Rachel Ashwell cotton fabric.  I backed my heart ornament with sweet blush felt.  I machine stitched the two fabrics together, along with the pale pink ribbon.  The pale pink paper blossom is adhered to the middle of the heart with hot glue. 

For my small green 'round' element, I created a paper blossom with another doily, and button.  I wanted my card to still be 'pretty' if the ornament was removed, so I added a swirl of pearls.  My sentiment is simple: love.  And it is done with a charm.

Thank you for looking!  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any or all of these challenge sites.