Just Because

This week is a crazy weather week for me!  I live in central New Mexico, and you'd think we would have the best weather around.  But, as I am writing this, I woke up this morning to 42 degree temperature.  Oh my, is that a bit chilly.  The skies here have been cloudy and dreary the last two days.  I wish it would either rain, or let the sun out.

And for those of you who have been following my dog Sasha's progress, she is getting around more.  However, she is not liking her physical therapy.  She usually shows us her teeth and attempts to snap at us.  She does not like you touching her back legs.  (Sasha, had bi-lateral knee replacements one and a half weeks ago.)  And we (me and my husband) are still taking turns sitting with her.  As she is not to be left alone until she is 8 weeks out from surgery.  This translates, to me being home bound, and I'm not really a home body.  (I enjoy the energy of the city.)

Anyways, the talented ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, have been hard at work, creating some gorgeous cards to help inspire you to play along with us!  So, grab your Stampin' Up! supplies, and lets create something beautiful!

Here is this weeks sketch:

Here is what I made:

And this is how I did it, and what I used.  The card base is Rose Red card stock.  The bottom panel piece is made up of First Edition DSP matted onto a piece of Soft Suede card stock.  The main panel of the card is a piece of Naturals card stock matted onto a piece of Pink Pirouette card stock.  For the stamp, I colored the image with my markers, huffed on the 'colored' stamp and then stamp.  I cut the banner piece from the same naturals card stock.  I stamped the sentiment twice, once on the card front, and then again on the banner.  I made the paper blossom from the text paper.  I used the Floral Fusion die.  I crinkled the petals, and stacked them.  I outlined the petals with a glue pen and dipped the paper blossom into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I adhered a small leaf sprig made from Pear Pizzazz DSP and the leaf die.  The top piece is actually a scrap piece of fabric.  I used the Lots of Tags die to cut this shape.  I added a mini vintage tag to the center and attached the tag with a vintage trinket brad.  I stamped the '4 you' in soft suede classic ink.  I spritz the whole card with some home-made shimmer mist.  I added two half faux pearls to the floral centers of the stamped piece.

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with us this week!  I hope you are all well, and that you have a good week.  Stop by soon, for a visit. {smile}

Just Plum

This is week is especially busy, as I am getting things prepared for my daughters baby reveal shower.  But, I took time out of my busy schedule to play along with the talented ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.  The sketch this week, is super user friendly, and I encourage you to play along.  There is a lot of empty space, so you can fill it, or leave it CAS.  The possibilities are endless and your creative flair will add some fab to it!

Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

See what I mean?  I turned the sketch on its side.  And here is what I did: I used a left over piece of the fabulous Mocha Morning DSP.  Isn't it just lovely?  I used one stamp set.  Yes, amazing achievement!  Notably Ornate.  I used two colors: soft suede and perfect plum.  Easy peasy!  I added some of the new perfect plum taffeta ribbon.  It is just so pretty.  I add to add the mini vintage tag and one tiny rhinestone jewel.  Not a lot of product, but its uniquely pretty.

Let's see what you create!

You're a Treasure: #130, #51, #159.

I hope all of you had a fantastic weekend.  Me, I really had a wonderful time.  I actually wore a 2-piece bathing suit, rubbed mud and baked in the sun.  I also soaked in various natural mineral water pools.  Totally relaxing.  Last night, it was snowing.  Snowing so long, that my husband will actually have to use the snow plow this morning to get our cars out of the driveway.  How crazy is that?

So, the weather actually kept me indoors, and sent me to my craft room.  This gave me an opportunity to participate in three challenges, with one card.  How sweet is that?

I wanted to try a different element, and Just Us GirlS challenge, is a Wild Card challenge this week.  So, I headed over there.

The wonderfully talented Elise has given us a challenge to make a zipper flower.  Sounds great! and a bit intimidating.  I have never made one, and so I did need to check out the accompany tutorial here.  Dana, did a fabulous job showing us how to create this great material blossom.  Dana, suggested to use a metallic zipper, to help with the contrast in materials.  However, I couldn't find one in our little town store.  So, I used a non-metallic zipper, and my material blossom didn't turn out half bad.

I wanted a fresh, new color combo, so I headed over to see what the creative ladies over @ CR84FN Color Challenge, have posted.  Here is the unique color challenge: Pink, Peach, and Blue.  Here is their inspiration board.  The pictures are quite pretty: a beautiful cake, a happily married couple, and refreshing drinks by the water.   The quote is quite inspirational, too:  Make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens. ~ Epictetus

I used some scraps to create my card.  I didn't want to go to one more store on my way home.

Ok, I have a new, creative element: my zipper flower.  And I have a color combo for my card.  But, I need some guidance to help pull everything together.  So, I headed over to a favorite sketch challenge site:  Card Patterns.  Michelle is the wonderful designer of this sketch. I knew that I was going to use scraps, so this seems perfect!  I love to add ribbon, buttons, and I have a zipper blossom, so it just seemed perfect!  I love the scallop edge, and the row of pearls at the top.  

Here is my card:

I used some pattern paper from Lost & Found, for my pink.  I used Blush Blossom as my 'peach' color.  And I used Aqua Mist, as my Lt. Blue.  Ok, I didn't put on three 'blossoms', but instead two.  I made my first ever zipper 'flower' with a brad center, and paper daisy with a pink polka dot center with a glitter button tied with some pool party striped bakers twine.  I substituted a multi-loop bow with a peach butterfly brad center, as my third 'flower'.  I made two different 'leaves'.  The first set are up top, cut from white distressed pattern paper.  I crinkled them by hand and sponged.  For the paper daisy, I added 5 punches from a fern punch.  

For the center oval sentiment shape, I substituted it with a decorative label die.  I used a favorite Paper Trey Ink stamp set to stamp this wonderful sentiment 'You're a treasure' in black ink.  I used a scrap piece of pattern notebook paper that already had that wonderful blue print on it.  I adhered the label to the card front with foam tape.  I added the mini vintage tag to the bottom right corner.  I stamped 'you're too kind' on it.  I used a button brad to hold it to the corner of the label.  

Instead of adding a row of pearls/brads to the upper edge of the card I added an architecture piece.  I used a small paint brush and a gold ink pad, to add random gold distressing on the card edges and the architecture piece.  

I added a row of 5 mini half faux pearls to the bottom of the main sentiment.  I added three glitter butterflies to the card front, to help with the feminine feel, and I love the sparkle.

Thank you for looking!  I hope the weather were you are is wonderful.

Layers of Ruffles

I want to welcome my new followers.  I hope you find something to inspire you and create a beautiful paper craft item {smiles}.

Today, is another sketch challenge from Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.  Just remember, to use your Stampin' Up! supplies to create an entry.  Here is this weeks sketch (#30):

When I first saw this sketch, I instantly thought of ruffles.  I was thinking how I could sew some DSP to look like ruffles, but my sewing skills are 'beginner-ish' and it didn't work out.  So, I took two different DSP and did two different 'cuts'.  Take a look see:

I used the tasteful trim die to make the large scallop edge.  I used the eyelet border punch to make the 'lacely' edge.  I put a little more space at the top to give my ribbon room to sit.  I used the vanilla 1/8" taffeta ribbon and tied a simple bow.  I wanted to give my card a little punch, so I used some pure poppy card stock and made a paper blossom.  I added my 'flower' to a vintage tag.  I was going to stamp 'thank you' on it, but thought the flower would be sweet.  I stamped 'just for you' toward the bottom right border of the card, in basic black classic ink.  My card is simply sweet! and I hope you like it!

Enjoy the week! It's half over! and thank you for stopping by.  Leave me some 'love', it really does make my day!  

Calorie Counter + prize

I have decided to keep track of my calories and hopefully loose weight.  But, I needed something unique to write my food journal.  So, I went to a big red store and purchase a notebook from the clearance rack.  And used some pretty paper to alter the notebook.  

I worked with the sketch from Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.  Why don't you play along with us this week?  There is a prize this week, also!

Here is the sketch:

And here is what I created:

I know, there aren't any circles on my card.  I followed the curves of the circles and made the scallop edge of my 'layers' of ruffles.

I used some of the new DSP from Stampin' Up! and used one of the new edge dies.  

For my flower I used a die to create the paper blossom.  I added some very vanilla seam binding and a new designer brad.  

I used a mini vintage tag, and a soft suede marker to write my '1800'.  I also added a big half faux pearl over the hole.  

I used the BFF stamp set to stamp the worn flourish onto the DSP before adding my scallop trims.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you play in our challenge this week.

It's week #22 over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge! and they have a super cute sketch for us to work with!  Here is the sketch:

This sketch has alot of potential, which is what I like.  I love a sketch that has shapes that are interchangeable and pattern that are easy to work with.  Well, this is it.  So, please play along with us.

I am also entering this card is an exclusive challenge that Stampin' Up! is hosting to those demonstrators who are attending Leadership this year.  The challenge, use a new stamp set from the Occasions mini, and win a prize.  So, here is one of the cards that I am entering in both the SU! leadership challenge and the Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.

The new DSP is Twitterpated.  Isn't it just beautiful?  The stamp set I used is called Bordering on Romance.  It's an outline stamp, so you can use all sorts of coloring mediums to make this image so pretty.  To color these flowers, I did use the water color crayons and an aqua painter.  I love how smooth and easy it is to color with this medium.  I did cut the shape out of water color paper, with the new Labels Collections framelits die..  I stamped the flowers in jet black Staz-On.  I had to use the tasteful trims die with the first edition dsp. I love the soft feminine colors of this card, so I just had to add the mini vintage tag.  The 'hand crafted' stamp is from the Tiny Tags stamp set.  I just love the small size of these stamps.  And that cute little button is a Twitterpated designer button.  How cute is that?  So, play along with us and wish me luck on this challenge @ Stampin' Up!

My Friend Sue

I have a friend, her name is Sue F.  Our husbands work together.  (You know how that is.)  We live in different states, but we see each other  4-5 times a year.  Our husbands talk on the phone at least once a week.  And we have gotten together on quite a few different occassions.  And through our joint meetings, we (Sue and I) have become pretty good friends.  She is a very nice person.  I know that I am blessed to have her in my life.  Since we don't live close,  we text more than we talk on the phone.

Anyways, I saw this small trinket the other day that made me think of her.  And we are going to visit them this weekend, so I just had to pick it up.  And well, I'm a paper crafter, so I decorated the box and made her a card.  Her are some photos:

I wrapped the box with a 2" wide strip of pattern paper.  I added some bakers twine.  The flower is from a faux floral stem.  I tied the button with the same bakers twine and added it to the center of the flower.  I stamped the vintage tag with 'friends' and attached it to the box with a tiny clothes pin.  To give the clothes pin some visual interest, I dabbed on some paint and dipped it in some glitter.  Quick, easy, and looks pretty fabulous!

The card was created with pattern paper from the same line.  The scallop trim was created with two of the pattern papers and a die.  I added some of my favorite crochet trim to the cardstock scallops.  I used a steel template to create the small notebook page.  I hand stamped the sentiment.  I wrapped the same bakers twine around the bottom of the 'page' and tied on a small brown button.  The tiny tag was stamped with the same 'friends' sentiment and adhered under the button.  I created the corsage pin with a rhinestone ring and a glass bead.  I stuck the pin behind a fabric flower.

I don't have an envelope template, so I'm not quite sure how to 'line' my envelopes, so I added some pattern paper to the outside of the envelope flap.  Thank you for looking.  I hope my friend Sue likes her little gift.

Blue Christmas #93

Happy Monday.  I know for a few of us, this is a crazy Christmas shopping day.  But, I wanted to take a break, and share a card with you.  If you are one of the few folks who receive a hand-made Christmas card from us, this is the card you have received in the mail.  

I purchased this paper several years ago; probably 4-5 yrs ago, when this company, Scenic Route, was experiencing some financial difficulties.  The store in which I purchased it, only had 10 sheets left.  well, I bought them all.  And yes, I have been hoarding them, until I found the perfect project.  Well, this is the year!  

But, I needed some guidance, so I went over to Sasya Sketches for a look see.  Well, they have a few days left on their card sketch challenge, so here it is:

This sketch was easy to work with, and you could potentially make a variety of cards for different occasions.  So, why not our annual Christmas card? and here it is:

I wanted my card to look 'vintage' without too much work.  Not that I'm lazy.  I just need to make 40 of them.  So, you see, I didn't want to distress or work on a hundred little pieces.  Plus, I needed them to be relatively flat.  They need to be mailed.  I didn't want to spend $2.25 on postage for each card.  Not that I'm cheap.  I just need to mail 40 of them.

I wanted our Christmas card to have a 'cozy' feel to it.  So, that is how this gorgeous snowflake pattern paper came about.  I added one of my all time favorite crochet trims to the card.  Along with one of my multi-loop bows made from seam binding and a button brad.  Along with my all time favorite vintage tags, which has a snow flake heat embossed on it.   I just had to tie a button and tag onto the crochet trim.

To give my card a bit of sparkle, I did add a rhinestone jewels to the center of the printed snowflakes.  No shimmer mist on this card.

I used products from three companies: Stampin' Up!, Scenic Route, and Paper Trey Ink.  Not too bad, if I say for myself!  I did want to add some hand-painted jingle bells to the cards.  But, they would have driven the price of postage through the preverbal roof.  So, if your Christmas card is hand-delivered, look for those hand-pained jingle bells.

Happy Holidays!  Check back periodically this week, as the design teams are still busy, and I'll also be posting some photos of hand-made Christmas gifts.

Spice Friends

Happy Friday.  Let me first apologize for the in-activity.  I have been having a very hard time getting motivated, or creative.  And so, my posts have been slipping.

It's time for another sketch challenge from Sketch Frenzy Friday.  So, if you have some time to play along, we invite you!  Remember, we are asking that you use your Stampin' Up! products when playing along with us.  Tina M. has brought us a very usable sketch.  

I know that the sketch doesn't look like much.   But, that's the beauty of it!  You can make the shapes anything.  The tri-panel anything.  Are you 'seeing' the potential, now?  Hope so!

Here is my card.  And before I show you, let me just warn you, I used both Spice Cake DSP and Creative Elements stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by.  I do appreciate the support.  Now, head over to Tammy B.'s blog and see what she has created!

Layered DSP

Happy Thursday to everyone.  The Creative Sketches challenge team has a fun and different challenge for you.   We want you to layer some dsp (designer series paper) and add some dry embossing to it.  Sounds fun, huh?  Well, they even have a sketch for us, too! Yahoo!

so, here is the sketch:

Ok, before you say anything, I know a few people who aren't fans of flowers.  But, don't just see a flower.  See a shape.  Any shape.  A star, a heart, a box, a circle.  Can you en-vision it now.? Don't let different elements of any sketch throw you.  Now, don't see the wavey line.  That is pretty hard to duplicate.  See a torn edge, a scallop trim, a decorative edge.

So, here is what I created:

See, it looks like I used the sketch as my inspiration, and added what I had or what I wanted, and still followed the guidelines.  I used three different papers of dsp: spice cake and first edition.  I used the large scallop trim for the tasteful trims die.  I wrapped some crochet ribbon around the card, and tied on a bow.  I added one of those small vintage tags.  I stamped 'hello' from tiny tags stamp set in soft suede classic ink.  I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  I used vanilla card stock with the vintage wall paper embossing folder for my dry embossing. 

I love the simplicity of this card.  It has a lot of charm without having a thoushand pounds of product.

Play along with us @ Creative Sketches!  Who knows, you may be our next top winner!

Spooky Black Bird

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to stop by and have a look around.  Today, I have a few photos of this cute little Halloween box I made.  I got the idea out of the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog 2011-2012, pg.10.  I used all Stampin' Up! products (minus the bird and paper mache box) to create this adorable decoration.

Isn't he just adorable?  Before your mind starts going crazy...the paper mache box is upside down.  I attached the bird with a hot glue gun.  The Raven Lace is a retired product from last year.  But everything else I used is current and you can purchase them today!  

At first, I wanted to create this project as a Virtual Kit for October.  However, I have had a bear of a time finding the non-Stampin' Up! products (aka: paper mache box and bird).  So, I made just one.  I may make one for my daughter, as she just LOVES Halloween!  I think she likes it more than Christmas!  But, that wouldn't be surprising.  {For those folks who know me, know that I LOVE  St. Valentine's Day more than Christmas.}

I did use the Vanilla Smooch spray to give the finished project some random shimmer and gleam.  I left some of those hot glue strings on this project, as they kinda look like old spider web strings.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd change the hat.  In the mini catalog, the hat doesn't have a rim.  I thought it should have a rim, you know like a witches hat.  But, it was a bear to create.

Anyways, enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks again for stopping by!

Products used: Pick Your Poison DSP (#124001) and Accents (#124263).  Piece of Poison stamp set (#123754).  First Edition DSP (#121878).  Mini Jingle Bells (#124116).  Mini Vintage Tags (#118763).   Antique Brads (#117273)  Linen Thread (#104199)

Mixing Pattern Papers

Hello!  A quick house keeping note: tomorrow, is your last chance to enter my drawing for some free Blog Candy!  So, please make sure that you stop by tomorrow.  All you have to do is sign-up as a follower, and if you already are - Thank You.  Then answer the last paper crafting question.  Your name is then entered into the virtual 'pot' and I will select 3 winners.  There are two $25 winners and one $50 winner.

Ok, now back to the business at hand.  I have a girl friend who ask me if I could help her with mixing pattern papers.   She likes some of the things I have done, and wants a few pointers.  

The first and easiest way to mix pattern papers, is to use products from the same company (i.e. Stampin' Up!, Basic Grey, Paper Trey Ink, etc.).  That way your colors will match.  Then, if you use pattern papers from the same collection (Tea Time, Sweet Threads, etc.) they all coordinate.  The company has basically taken the guess work out of the equation, and simplified it.  But, you can take papers from various companies and achieve this same effect, it's just a little trickier.  The other pointer I have is that the busier/large pattern papers tend to be the 'heaviest', and so these should be used on larger scale items.  To bring out a 'less used' color, repeat it (i.e. if you love the yellow used in a floral pattern, use that color on the mat).  

You can also use a repeating color.  My first card illustrates this tip.  The brown and vanilla are repeated, but they are also paired with different patterns.  The main pattern has the brown, and pink.  To introduce the vanilla, I added a brown and vanilla polka dot paper.   But this also repeats the brown, so it looks like it 'belongs'.   To 'anchor' the brown, I added a solid piece of brown.  I did the same for the vanilla by adding an accent piece in just vanilla, the crochet trim.  To give the card some visual interest, I added a paper flower made from a text pattern. 

You can also repeat a shape.  My second card is the perfect example of that.  There are circles in the main pattern paper, both accent pieces used at the top, the top layer of the butterfly, the doily, and the button.  

There you have it!  My quick and easy lesson on Mixing Pattern Papers!  I hope this helped, and Thank You for visiting today!  Don't forget to come back tomorrow for your last chance to enter my Blog Candy give-a-way!