Hand Crafted for a Friend

close-up of the tags

Howdy!  Thank you for stopping by to see what I have been crafting.  As some of you may know, I really enjoyed the whole experience of creating my own chicken wire message board.  I enjoyed it so much, I went out looking for another frame.  Well, my excitement got the best of me, and I cracked the frame during the chicken wire installation {frown}.  So, I am out searching for another.  It was kind of an expensive lesson to learn, but it has been learned.

Anyways, while I was altering that one, I also altered a smaller frame for a different project.  My poor husband, he must think I have lost my mind.  This new frame is a lot smaller than my message board frames.  But, it punches a lot of pizzazz!  The 'opening' of the frame measure 3" x 3".

I started with a silver frame (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of it), I spray painted it in Ivory Satin finish.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  Applied my antiquing glaze.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  Applied a sealant.  Let it dry for 24 hours.  And put it all back together.  During the various drying times, I worked on the insert, and accomplished other chores, including going to work, and participating in the swap meet last Sunday.

a Bunco prize

This creation was inspired by a very similar picture frame Tammy Roberts had done.  I actually read her specific blog post and followed her process.  Upon locating her blog post for this post, it appears that her blog is down. {frown}  So, I am not sure what has happened.  But Tammy R. is a very talented person, who shares what she knows and is very inspiring to me {smile}.

a different view to show the detail on the frame

Anyways, here how I put it all together:  Tammy recommended that you cut your fabric, batting, and chipboard 3 inches wider and longer than your photo frame opening.  (I did 2 inches.)  Stack your materials from the bottom up: chipboard, batting, and material right side up.  Sew a basic quilters square.  I don't quilt, so I did a basic diamond pattern.  I started on the two longest diagonals and filled in from there.

I cut a blossom shape out of felt.  I used a spiral blossom piece. (Tammy layered her blossom pieces.)  Tammy also stitched only the very edge of her petals.  I did the best stitching I could.  I am no pro at using a sewing machine, so you can't really see my stitching (its not so much at the edge {frown}).

Adhere a rhinestone to the center of your blossom.  Tammy did the same.  Now add whatever embellishments that catch your eye, tickle your fancy, and have fun!

While I was working on this picture frame, my goal, was to create a porcelain looking frame.  I just love that vintage look.  I applied the antiquing glaze to help showcase the detail on the frame.  Without that definition, the frame looked too flat.  And not from my type of paint, but rather the detail got lost.  

close-up of the butterfly stick pin

The fabric was purchased at a big box sewing store from the remnant bin.  The leaves were hand cut from cream burlap.  The ribbon was purchased at a small craft boutique during a recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona, when my oldest granddaughter had a dance competition.  The tiny clothes pin is from Stampin' Up!.  The tiny tags were made with a tiny tag stamp set and coordinating punch by Stampin' Up!  The kraft vintage button is from Paper Trey Ink, and the rhinestone is from Jolee.  The butterfly stick pin is from Maya Road.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have found something of beauty and possibly have been inspired as well {smile}.

Just Because in Shabby Chic

~ photo heave post ~

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I apologize for being a bit absent, but I was under the weather.  So much so, that I actually went to the doctor's office, and was not able to post for my #100 days of happiness {frown}.

So, today is my new start of my 100 days of happiness, and an entry to two paper craft challenges {smile}.  Now, onto my paper craft for today.  I created a card.  I wasn't sure as to what the sentiment should be, or would be.  So, I kept it simple, and open:  Just Because.
I just love the sketches over @ Mojo Monday so it was only obvious that I stop there and use this weeks sketch: #340

One of the great things about the internet, is that it allows you to connect with a wide variety of folks from different corners of the world.  I follow, and am followed by other crafts from a variety of countries, and thanks to google translator, I am able to communicate with these super talented crafters.  One of the challenge blog sites that I stalk follow, is from Russia: Shabby Chic.  Here is the current color challenge:

Just look at these beautiful colors and graphics for this challenge.  (It is open until April 15th, 2014)

here is what I made:

I used Blushing Bride for the pink, Pear Pizzazz for the green, Pool Party for the blue, all from Stampin' Up!  Now, for the card recipe:  All card stock edges have been sponged with crumb cake classic ink (including the leaves).

I started with  Blushing Bride card stock for the card base.  I had a scrap piece of this beautiful kraft-neutral colored pattern paper from Recollections, and thought it added a little bit of elegance, without taking away from the main panel.

The main panel for this card, that is tilted, is actually a digital paper I purchased last week.  I love the mix of colors, patterns, text, and graphics.  

I ran the main panel through my sewing machine, to add some character, and a little country charm.  I purposely sewn a crooked line.  And it is actually harder not to sew a straight line {smile}. 

 

I cut a paper doily in half and adhered it to the top third of the digital paper.  To help 'hold' the doily in place, I wrapped a length of Blushing Bride stitch ribbon around the digital paper.  I tied a simple bow with cream twine and added a multi-loop bow of the blushing bride ribbon.

The sketch doesn't have the doily shape, but I thought it added a softness, and a feminine piece.  I thought the cream twine added a little country charm to the bow.

The blossoms were actually hand-made from white crepe paper.  I used a sponge to add color.  To create the blossom, I punched out several 5-petal shapes.  I used a sponge to 'color' the white crepe paper.  I stacked the blossom pieces and crinkled them.  The blue blossom has 7 blossom pieces stacked.  The pink blossom has 5 blossom pieces stacked.  And the green blossom has 3 blossom pieces stacked.

I used a leaf die to create the leaf stem.  I used a scrap piece of pear pizzazz polka dot pattern paper, that has been retired from Stampin' Up!.  I used my 2-way glue pen to add some adhesive to the sides of the 'leaves' and sprinkled on some dazzling diamond glitter.

The banner pieces is from Maya Road.  I just love this layered, stitched piece.  I stamped the sentiment in Staz-On ink in a dark brown.  

Finally, I added three random sequins, and one silver glitter butterfly.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful for both of these challenge sites.  This card will be available to purchase at my craft fairs in May, 2014.  Hope to see you there!

Calendar

Howdy!  Did ya' think I fell off planet Earth?  I have been MIA for a few weeks, and I apologize.  I wish I had an excuse other than ~ life.  But I don't.  For some reason the holidays sent me into a whirl wind of deadlines, and I'm drowning in them.  I don't even have my Christmas tree up.  The lights aren't hung, no wreath on the door, and I haven't even started wrapping presents.  ugh!

Today, I am wrapping a few presents, making a rich, creamy cheesecake, home-made marshmallows, hand-ground cocoa (for hot chocolate), and finishing a Christmas glass ornament.  All before 1p.  Because, we have to load up the truck with all of these goodies, and drive into town for a holiday luncheon @ 2p.  

But, before I get started in the kitchen, I wanted to share a flip-top calendar I made for a super special gal pal - Sue.  I used a collection of products from different companies: Maya Road, Fancy Pants, the Twinery, and Paper Trey Ink.  So, without further ado, here are a few photos:

January, February, March, and April

May, June, July, and August

September, October, November, and December

My little secret to creating a cohesive-looking project made with products from several different companies, is simple: use the products throughout the whole project - repeat!  I know that sounds easy, but just keep repeating the same products.  For example, I used one package of the kraft doilies.  I used a doily as the matt for each month circle.  I used a whole package of these beautiful little blue glass-like flowers - one on each page.  When I used the twine and fabric flower, I used the same color regardless of the month.  I used pattern paper from the same collection, so each page coordinates. I used almost a whole package of these decorative kraft journaling tags.  I used almost a whole page of stickers, that coordinates with the pattern paper collection. I used two coordinating strips of dyed burlap trim.  I used half a package of chipboard accent pieces.  My only random pieces are white clay embellishments that I made, fabric banners (3), decorative stick pins, two resin birds, an arrow clip, a chip board butterfly, a small ruler, and a house bingo piece.

Ok, I need to get in the kitchen.  I am hopeful that I will remember to photograph my cheesecake, marshmallows, hand-ground cocoa, and the glass ornament.  But, as you know, sometimes I don't always remember to do these things.  Keep your fingers crossed.  And stop by tomorrow.  Because if I remember to use the camera, I will post photos tomorrow {smile}.