Bingo!

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone had a tolerable week and is anxious for the weekend.  I know I am.  Well, my weekend already kind of started.  Today, I am at a Craft Fair in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  I haven't done this venue before, so my fingers are crossed that it will be successful.  Now for me, a successful craft fair, is that I make back my booth rental, and have a fair amount of foot traffic. 

I wanted to share a card I created, it will be for sale at the craft fairs this weekend.

I came across three wonderful challenges:  Sugar Creek Hollow (Bingo), Cardabilities (Sketch), and the Shabby Tea Room (Bingo).

and here is what I made:

Ok, lets get started on the particulars.  For the bingo challenge over @ Sugar Creek Hollow,  I used the right column down (sewing, distressing, and die cut) and the diagonal right to left (sewing, ribbon, and flowers).  For the bingo challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room, I used the right column down (buttons, polka dots, and vintage trim) and the middle column down (fabric, ribbon, and flowers).

For the recipe:  I used this beautiful pattern paper, I believe it is Teresa Collins.  I like it, because it doesn't have too much going on, so it is beautiful as a supporting, coordinating pattern paper.  As for the gorgeous floral pattern paper!  Oh, my!  I now wish I had purchased 3 sheets of it.  I only bought one (frown).  And it was a purchase I made in Phoenix, so it's not an hour drive into town for me {frown}.  So, I have been hoarding it.  Notice the small scrap?  At first, I was going to accent the pink flower in the pattern paper, but the blue was so much easier to match.  The doily is Martha Stewart.  The white lace trim is from a local sewing store.  The crinkled seam binding is from my stash.  The buttons are Paper Trey Ink vintage in cream, white, and kraft.  The paper flower is from Reflections.  I added white distressing paint and dazzling diamonds glitter to it.  The sentiment is from Verve.  I purchased the stamp set probably 5 years ago.

I machine stitched my card, twice.  I guess for good measure.  (just kidding).  Sewing 'random' is very hard.  I guess it's a habit to sew straight.

Well, thank you for stopping by my little piece of blog-land.  I hope you get a chance to play along in all, some, part, on maybe one of these challenges.  All three sites have wonderful inspirational work by their design teams.  I am off to load the car for my 1st craft fair of the weekend.  

Twilight Metal

Happy Saturday.  This has been a rough week at work.  After weeks like this, I really have second thoughts about continuing to work.  There are alot of other things I would rather be doing, than doing time.  The stress at work mounts and crafting is really an escape for me.

The lovely and talented Meihsia, from Our Creative Corner, has a wonderful challenge for you to try.  She has included an inspiration photo, and has asked that you use the colors in the photo and include a metal embellishment.

here is the photo

ok, when I first saw this photo, the first thing I thought of was the beautiful blue and white, with splashes of copper.

here is what I created:

This card was alot of fun to create.  I just love the colors and the challenge of this.  I really, really wanted to pair a light pink with this shade of green/blue. {smile}

The card base is more mustard card stock.  The color panel is twilight, from CTMH.  The main panel paper is from Echo Park.  I added bits and pieces from my scrap box.  The gold glitter polka dot pattern paper is from Lost and Found, Sunshine collection.  The mustard houndstooth pattern paper, I'm not sure who.  The yellow pattern paper used for the leaves of the paper blossom are from Teresa Collins.  The white cardstock doily is a die cut from Paper Trey Ink.  I did add a circle of the houndstooth pattern paper to the paper doily.  I thought that it needed a splash of color.  The white seam binding is an online purchase.  

For my metal embellishment, I used a pearl center brad and a metal button brad.  I just love the look of this distressed metal.  (A little goes a long way.) 

The stamp is from the Puns from the Past, stamp set.  The frame is from Four Frames stamp set.  I added two pearl trios at opposite corners.

I hope you get a chance to play along with us @ OCC.

Shabby Chic Style

Yahoo it's Saturday!  This has been a killer week at work.  But, I am happy to say that I did get to spend some time in my craft room.  I am the hostess over @ Our Creative Corner.  I wanted to make this challenge with a theme or a style, and let you use the products you have on hand, and either try something new, or really dazzle us with your talents.  The style for this weeks challenge is 'Shabby Chic'.  

The new year has arrived, but let's not forget about the things from our past.  So, create a paper craft item (3-D, scrapbook page, tag, a card, etc.)  in a 'Shabby Chic' style.  Here are some guidelines for this style: Shabby Chic style is generally characterized by a time-worn look that is achieved by inking and distressing.  There are layers of softness that is achieved by the use of ribbon, lace, and crochet trim.  There are feminine embellishments, such as buttons, pearls, glitter, and other sweet embellishments.

Here is what I created: 

I used crumb cake cardstock as the card base.  I just love Stampin' Up!'s version of this color.  It has a creamy richness that is amazing.  I added a soft pink layer, blush by Amuse Studio cardstock.   And then I layered some pattern papers on top of that!  The pink floral pattern paper is a new line from Authentique.  The text paper paper is from Paper Studio.  You can find it at a big-box craft store.  I wrapped a piece of very vanilla seam binding and some new pink lace trim from Stampin' Up!.  I then did a simple machine stitch all the way around the card.  I just love this look.  I added a banner piece of aqua houndstooth pattern paper.  This pattern paper is a new line called vintage chic.  I just love the color and pattern.  I did a few zig-zag stitches.

I took an aqua mist button and added some glue and then dunked it in a tub of fine glitter.  I added a flower shape of text paper under the button.  Then I tied it to the front of a multi-loop bow.  The tag is cut from a tiny tag die.  I purchased this laundry stamp set and have been waiting for the perfect piece to stamp.  So, the three stamps I used are: hand wash, do not iron, made with heart.  I added three blossoms from a flower  trim.  Love the flowers!

I am a big fan of doilies on cards.  So, I added one of Martha Stewart's doilys.  I cut a 1 1/2" circle from a digital download.  Very pretty.  I added some half-pearls, and a silhouette postage stamp.

Not too many layers, but I think it's pretty.  I am really happy with this little gem.  Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with us @ OCC.

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

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

Heartfelt Thanks, #129

WOW!  Sometimes life gets you so busy, you don't get a chance to 'stop and smell the roses' or get a chance to catch your breath before you start another assignment/adventure.   As most of you know, last week, I was doing tax stuff.  And generally (ok, the past few years) this task didn't take me more than a day.  However, for some reason, this year, I spent more than 4 evenings on it.  To say that my life is kinda busy or packed with other obligations, is an understatement.  I work full time during the day, and take call at two local hospitals 4 nights a week.  I  have a husband that I cook and clean for.  And 4 grandchildren that I see each week.  And yes, I teach card classes and have two card clubs each month.  So, when I have to spend extra time on one task, it really throws my whole momentum on my other projects. 

So I didn't get a chance to see that I won Chic of the Week #129!  I just popped over today, to see what the wild card challenge was this week, so I could play along.  And, there was my card set!  [see original post here.]

This challenge was a lot of fun! and it gave me an excuse to use some new Prima paper.  (yes, Prima makes more than flowers. {smile})

So, I will be posting this card set in my Etsy shop, by this evening.  I want to thank the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Just Us GirlS, for giving us such wonderful challenges each week, and for their inspiration.  These ladies have a variety of styles, and use a variety of wonderful products available!  Just by looking at their 'samples' you could easily go into your craft supplies, and create a winning paper craft item.  

Thank you, to everyone who looked, participated, and voted for me.  Displaying the badge (of honor) is a truly wonderful gift!  

a Shape Card

Happy Saturday.  I hope that you are enjoying your weekend!  Me, I am.   I am visiting a girlfriend, and we are having a great time catching-up.  She always makes me laugh.  So, it's a good time.

Anyways, Vickie from Our Creative Corner has a great challenge for us, make a shape card.  Any shape except A2 rectangle.  Sounds pretty easy, huh?  Well, I made a circle card.  I know, not very clever, but it does give you (hopefully) some inspiration.  Also...

The wonderful folks over @ The Shabby Tea Room, have an interesting challenge for us, too.  Titled, 'Time Flys', and you are encouraged to use anything with wings.  I instantly thought of a sparrow die that I have and so I set out to get to work in my craft room.  They also gave us a inspirational photo.  So, here it is:

And here is my Scallop circle card:

The nest is the only image on my card that is stamped.  I stamped the nest in black ink and used  a blender pen to add some color; baja breeze classic ink.  Once I finished coloring the eggs, I added some dimensional glaze, so the eggs have a 3-D affect.  I added a circle of pattern paper to the white doily tag.   I cut the sparrow from some silver glitter paper. 

The two large scallop strip pieces were cut with a die.  A strip of thin black taffeta ribbon is wrapped around the card front.  The black polka dot pattern paper, is  crushed velvet, so it is nice to the fingers. 

I had a scrap piece of hand-dyed seam binding.  So I made a multi-loop bow with it and attached the bow to the card front with a vintage brad.

I didn't stamp anything on the inside of this card.  But, now that I am finished with it, I notice that I didn't stamp anything on the outside, either!

I hope that you have gotten some inspiration from me.  And please play along with us @ Our Creative Corner challenge blog.

Chateau de Versailles

It's Saturday, and the weekend is upon us!  I hope you all have time this weekend to do something you love.  Today, is Oct 1, 2011...its World Card Making Day.  And the wonderfully creative Lori has a great challenge for us and you, @ Our Creative Corner Challenge.  The challenge is to create a card using another country as your inspiration.  And I don't think that it will come as a surprise, when you see my card!  

I love things French.  I'm not sure why.  I'm not french, but I gravitate to french inspired things.  I'm even a fan of French cooking.  And so, I started my inspirational search looking for things associated with Marie Antoinette.  You remember her in history, when referring to the poverty and suffering of her own people, she said, 'Let them eat cake!'.  Marie dressed in very exaggerated gowns.  Lots of lace, ruffles, pearls, bling - all things pretty, feminine, and just gorgeous!  Then, I searched the Internet for some photographs of the interior decor of Chateau de Versailles.  The rooms that I saw, were decorated extravagantly.  Lots of bold colors, patterns, and large scale architecture.  So, with those images going through my head, I sat down at my craft table, and put together this card.

 

I took the wall paper inside Versailles as my inspiration for the main panel.  

To show some of the architecture of Versailles, I used an oval frame embossing folder to create the oval piece.  I stamped a pink flourish inside the oval.  I stamped 'Bonjour' inside the pink flourish.  I added a white resin floral piece.  

To add some elements from Marie's gowns, I created the vertical strip.  On a strip of Very Vanilla card stock, I stamped some 'music' on it, and then created a box pleat.  I wrapped a piece of ruffle ribbon and created a multi-loop bow.  I hot glued a white button and pale pink faux half-pearl to its center. 

I wanted to add another feminine and pretty piece, so I created the flower.  I cut some floral shapes with a die, using sheer fabric and text paper.  I stacked the pieces together and added a scrap piece of white crochet trim.  I added a wonderfully pretty rhinestone brad to the center.  I adhered the flower to a white paper doily.  To add some softness and innocence.  

I did stamp on the main panel.  I stamped a Paris address in the upper left corner, in a brown classic ink.  I stamped 'Paris' in the lower right corner, in a black classic ink.

Thank you for looking, and I hope you have been inspired to join us @ Our Creative Corner, for this fabulous challenge!  Remember, it's World Card Making Day!  Please, use this 'holiday' to create something wonderful! and share it!