Collage of Autumn

Happy Tuesday!  I hope your week is off to a good start.  Me? it's doing ok. (smile)

I want to share a card with you today.  The lovely ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have the cutest sketch.  And the weather here is turning cold.  It was 48 degrees yesterday when I left the house to drive to work.  YUK!

here is the sketch:

and here is what I created:

A bit different.  A collection of various elements.  But, I kinda like it!  I wanted to use colors that are easily found this time of year: green, cajun craze, daffodil delight, slate, kraft, and soft suede.

I used crumb cake cardstock for the card base.  Always good to have a common color used, to help ground the card.

I stamped the flourish in smoky slate.  I love how soft this color is.  I added a green stripe pattern paper from the Etc. dsp collection.  I machine stitched the pattern paper on.  

I stamped the leaves in cajun craze and soft suede, using the gently falling stamp set.  I fussy cut around the leaves and sponged the edges.  I cut a simple tag shape from very vanilla card stock, and layered the leaves behind the tag.  

I cut a scallop circle from the perfect pennants die, using daffodil delight cardstock.  I sponged the edges also.  For the center, I stamped the aspen background in crumb cake classic ink.  I didn't want anything to compete with the print.  I then stamped the acorn in soft suede classic ink, right over the aspen image.  I used my 1 3/4" circle punch to create the center.  I sponged the edges.

For the banner piece, I stamped the banner stamp in old olive classic ink, fussy cut it with my scissors and used foam tape to elevate the banner off the card front.

I hand dyed the vanilla seam binding with my basic black re inker.  I made sure I used just a few drops, so it wouldn't come out too dark for me.  Dried the hand dyed seam binding with my heat tool, and strung it at the top of my tag.

For the sentiment tag, I stamped the aspen background in crumb cake classic ink, and then the sentiment over it, in soft suede classic ink.  I used the decorative label punch to create the fancy piece.

I hope that we have inspired you, and you get a chance to play along with us over @ NAC.  

Hope you have a wonderful start to your week!

Homemade Happiness

Welcome.  

I had a little free time yesterday, so I created a card, to enter in two of my favorite challenges.  I have a few favorite challenge sites, that I stalk frequently stop by.   The first is Mojo Monday (#311)  Who doesn't love a great sketch?  The other is the Shabby Tea Room (#184)  The Shabby Tea Room, has some of the most wonderful inspiration photos.  Their photos are typically shabby chic in style.  But every once in a while they are vintage, and feminine.  Who wouldn't love that?

use white, cream, and neutral colors, and include twine

here is what I created:

I did use some creative liberties with this sketch.  I did keep the main elements, but it went together a bit different.   I pulled the circle element forward.  And, I turned the bow on its side.

I used the vintage wallpaper embossing folder to create some texture to the main panel.  To create the scallop edge on the vertical strip, I adhered the crochet trim with a zig zag stitch using my sewing machine.  For the ribbon, I crinkled some crumb cake seam binding.  I also used my sewing machine to attach the ribbon to the card front. {smile}  I just love sewing on cards.

I cut a scallop circle with the Perfect Pennant die, and adhered a lolly made from a black pattern paper.  I used the Stars #2 die, to cut a star out of silver glimmer paper.  To give the center of the star a little interest, I wrapped some linen thread around the star and tied a white vintage button and made a bow.

For the rectangle piece, I actually cut a decorative shape for my sentiment.  I used the Vintage Labels stamp set by Amuse Studios.  I stamped the border in soft suede classic ink.  Then stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink.

I purchased the Country Born stamp set from a CTMH consultant several months ago.  When I saw the images and sentiments, I knew I just had to have it!  Unfortunately, this is the first time this stamp set has been inked.  (I imagine other crafts collect purchase stamps that don't always get inked in the first week month.  Right?)  The fonts for this stamp set, are beautiful.

Thank you for stopping by! and I hope you get a chance to play along with your (or mine) favorite challenge or two! {smile}.

Green, the color of harmony

Happy Friday.  I have been crafting some holiday ornaments for our family reunion.  Stay tuned for a few photos of those.  But, today, I want to share a card I made for a very special friend.  I used this week's sketch from Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Tammy is this weeks designer of the sketch.  Tammy has given us a great sketch, that I am sure you will easily be able to incorporate into your crafting.

The first thing I noticed about this week's sketch, is how versatile it is.  If you follow me, you know that I am a huge fan of text paper, and those flag-ended strips.  So, I really had fun with this one.

I just loved the rectangle piece at the top, but I love portrait orientation cards.  This card was a labor of love.  Because yeah, there are quite a few steps.  But, I just love how it turned out.  I cut a piece of old olive card stock, and inked the en francias background stamp with versa mark ink.  I did that finger tap stamping.  I didn't want all the words to be stamped.  But rather a random look.  I used white embossing powder and heat set the text.  I inked the 'very vintage' wheel in old olive classic and ran along both sides of the card.  I used a kleenex to buff the old olive classic ink off the embossed text.  I did a simple machine sewn border on this main panel.  I scrunched the lower right corner of the card.  I thought it added a little visual surprise.

For my rectangle piece, I actually created a tag.  I used the Etc. DSP for the green stripe piece.  I matted very vanilla card stock.  And ran a simple machine sewn border to that piece, also.  I love repetition.  I wanted to add a doily to the tag, but I didn't want it to 'steal the show', so I used vellum card stock and the perfect pennant die.  I used crumb cake seam binding to create my multi-loop bow.  I thought the neutral color would pull your eye to the top of the card.  I created and adhered a button out of clay, using the button & blossom mold, to the center of the bow.  I also added a pearl to the button.

For the blossoms, I cut several floral pieces with the blossom die.  I bent the petals to give them some shape.  I brushed whisper white craft ink along the petal edges and sprinkled on dazzling diamond glitter.  I adhered the trio of blossoms to the lower edge of the vellum doily.

I wanted the bottom of the tag to have a bit of flair, so I added a trio of flags.  I used very vanilla card stock and the square lattice embossing folder. to give the cardstock some texture.  But I wanted to add more,.  So, I repeated the machine stitching along the middle of the banners.  I also topped their point of origin with another clay button and pearl.

For the sentiment, I stamped 'amazing you' from the Express Yourself stamp set, in basic black classic ink.  I flagged the ends and folded the long tails.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the card front.

Thank you for stopping by.  Leave me a comment on your opinion of machine stitching.  I'd love to know what you think!  And break out your cardstock and favorite stamp set, and create something using our sketch.  We would really love to see what you create!

Create & Inspire

Happy Friday!  Whew, I got through another Bunco hosting.  So, come back this weekend, for photos of the 'gifts' I made for prizes.  Now, onto another wonderfully creative card sketch from Sketch Frenzy Friday!  Kim, was the creator of this week's sketch.  And I must admit, I love her sketches.  She gives you really great lines and alot of room for adding your own personality!  Way to go Kim!

here is this week's sketch:

So, here are a few little tidbits, to help you express your creativity and basically how I 'see' the sketch.  The scallop border creates a border, to separate two different papers.  I love mixing and matching pattern papers.  The scallop trim can be almost anything: scallop trim, ribbon, a star border, a fancy embossed border, etc. You get the idea.  Next, the matted rectangle.  This piece can be large, small, or any size in-between.  It can also not be a rectangle.  A circle, a square, very work-able.  The bow at the top corner can also be a bow, a star, a heart, a flower, a button, again, almost anything.   See what I mean about the 'work-ability' of this sketch?  This sketch will basically let you dictate what you want to create, with a few guidelines.  So, let's get started at creating something wonderfully beautiful!

my card:

Once I saw the sketch, I knew that I wanted to use two different pattern papers.  I basically love mixing and match paper from different collections.  But, I don't have alot of new products, and didn't want to use the same papers again.  So, I used a background stamp for one of my 'papers'.  I figure, use what you got, then your stamps get some mileage, ink, and love {smile}.  I inked the Ex Libris background stamp in Coastal Cabana classic ink, and stamped on very vanilla card stock.  I added a strip of small polka dot pattern paper from the Modern Medley DSP collection.  Have I mentioned my obsession LOVE for polka dots before?  Anyways.  I added a scallop trim border piece, using the silver glitter paper, to define the separation of patterns.  But, I'm not a fan of seams showing, so I added a strip of seam binding.  I dyed the seam binding with Crisp Cantaloupe classic ink.  I machine sewn the seam binding to the front of the card.

I traded my rectangle piece for a circle.  Actually a doily.  That probably isn't surprising to you either.  The doily was cut with the Perfect Pennants Die.  (But, I imagine this could easily be switched with the Delicate Doilies Sizzilits.)

I made a multi-loop bow with the dyed seam binding.  I made a blossom with the new Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds.  Another one of my favorite products.  The vanilla button is from the new Very Vintage Designer Buttons.  Just gorgeous!  I used a super thin piece of basic black card stock as my 'thread'.  

The large paper blossom is actually made with crisp cantaloupe cardstock and 2 blossoms cut from the Fun Flowers Big Die.  I cut some of the petals off to give me more layers, and formed my own blossom.  I used hot glue to hold this little beauty together.  (I have no patience for liquid glue to dry.)  I swiped my whisper white craft pad across the petal ends, and well, that wasn't really working, so I started brushing on the ink, using the re-inker.  Then, while the ink was wet, I dunked the blossom into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  

For my label/sentiment piece, I inked the polka dot frame, from the four frames stamp set, in basic black classic ink.  The sentiment is from the Loving Thoughts stamp set.  Also inked with basic black classic ink.  I wanted to add a bit more 'black' to the card, so I made those sweet little curly-ques out of super thin strips of basic black card stock and a wooden BBQ skewer.

I hope that you liked what I created, and you have been inspired to play along with us @ SFF.

Sometimes one of the hardest parts, is picking your color scheme, or decided what stamp set(s) to use.  I too, struggle with those exact problems.  So, I flip through the big idea book for images that I can stamp or see what colors they used together.   I'm a big fan of using what you have.  We all would love to just buy everything, but part of the fun is creating something new with something old {smile}.  And as always, have fun!  

Regionals

Stampin' Up! is coming to Albuquerque!  It's a half-day regional event!  So, you know that I will be there! and so are the wonderfully talented ladies in my downline.  If you aren't familiar with what that is, when you recruit another person, they are your downline.  And you are their upline.  Kinda cute, huh?  Anyways, so I'm super excited!  I'm even hosting a vintage card swap at this fabulous event.  But, what I wanted to share with you are the tags that I made for my downline.  

So, a little background.  Once you reached Senior Supervisor you can name your downline group.  It's kinda big deal.  So, after much thought, and quick action, I named my downline group, 'Hoot's Got Stamps?'.  Hoot, you know, like an owl.  Isn't that just the cutest? 

So, here are the tags I made.  I have one of each of my downline ladies who are attending regionals.

Aren't these just the cutest?  The overall size is 3 1/2" x 2 1/2".  I haven't quite figured out how to get it to attach yet.  But don't fret.  I'll have that all taken care of by Thursday.

Thanks for looking!  Stop back by all week, because I have made my cards for the design teams I am on.  I hope you won't be disappointed.  They are actually quite good!

Mojo meets Creative Corner

Happy Saturday to everyone!  This holiday weekend, should be productive.  Well, to get the creative juices turning, Lori has another fun challenge for us (yes, that means you, too!) over @ Our Creative Corner.  Lori has a color challenge.  Well, I needed a bit more inspiration, so I headed over to Mojo Monday #209 to see what they had.

Here are the colors:

Here is the sketch:

And, here is what I made!:

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!.  I used the spice cake DSP and the scallop trim punch and the pennant die.  The leaf I stamped the outline in chocolate chip craft and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I stamped the inside with Cajun Craze.  I fussy cut the leaf and sponged the edges.  I adhered the leaf with foam tape to lift it off the card.  The ribbon I cheated.  I had tied this bow a few weeks back, and it was still on my crafting table.  It was the perfect size :)

Thank you for stopping by! and enjoy Columbus Day weekend!

Always

It's Friday! That means its time for another sketch challenge from Sketch Frenzy Friday!  This weeks sketch is brought to us by Maria V.  

Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

At Sketch Frenzy Friday, the design team does a blog hop.  That means you must visit each design team member's personal blogs to see what they created.  However, you post on the team challenge blog.  Each member submits a sketch for the team to work with, and to present as the sketch challenge.  So, this week, Maria V. has given us this sketch.  I love the graphics she used in the sketch.  It really helped me visualize a card.

The card base is baja breeze cardstock.  I matt the very vanilla cardstock on soft suede cardstock.  I used some scraps from Beau Chateau DSP, for this card.  I used the pennant die to created the scallop circle.  I added some of the new velvet ribbon as one of my 'stripes'.  I stamped 'always' in soft suede classic ink.  This stamp is from the Always Elegant stamp set.  The flower I made from first edition DSP.  I used the 2 1/2" circle and cut a spiral and rolled it.  The leaves were made from another scrap of the same DSP.  I sponged every edge with crumb cake classic ink.  I like how this card turned out.

Thank you for stopping by.  Now, head on over to Tammy B.  blog.  And please join us for this sketch challenge.  Happy Friday!

sketch Frenzy

Happy Friday!  I have some wonderful news that I just couldn't wait to share with all of you.  I have been selected to be on the Sketch Frenzy Friday design team!  How exciting! I know!  So, I want to invite all of you to join the challenge this week!  

Todays Sketch is brought to us by Tammy Baldwin:

Here is my card:

For my card, I used Berry Blossoms DSP, the perfect pennant die, and some of the new Wisteria Ruffle ribbon.  I kept my card pretty simple.  I was having a bit of a struggle with this weeks challenges.  My mind is busy with work, and trying to get everything done.  

Please use this as some creative inspiration, so you can join us in this weeks challenge.  So, go creative something wonderful and upload it to the Sketch Frenzy Friday blog.  Now, on to the next blog on the tour, Tammy B.

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!

Christmas in July

It's Saturday, and that means that the wonderfully creative ladies over @ Our Creative Corner have anther challenge for you!  It's pretty easy; make a patriotic card, or Christmas in July card.  No other requirements.  

This wonderful challenge brought to you by Our Creative Corner, isn't difficult so to speak.  But, I really have had a struggle finding my mojo this week.  My mind is traveling in a hundred different directions, and so it has been a little difficult concentrating on the project at hand.  Tomorrow, I will be working on one of my organized swaps for the Late Night Stampers.  This swap is card fronts only, 75 + 1, and you need have 2 layers and one embellishment on the card.  

My card base is Baja Breeze cardstock.  The first matt is Soft Suede cardstock.  The pattern paper is several years old and I only have a few different size scraps.  I believe, (but don't quote me) it's by Scenic Route.  The brown polka-dot paper is actually the other side of the snowflake paper.  The white scallop circle is a new die from Stampin' Up!.  The text paper is actually from the First Edition DSP.  I stamped the snowflake in Baja Breeze classic ink and punched out with a hand-held circle punch.  I added some bling with a rhinestone jewel.  I wrapped some Baja Breeze seam binding around the polka-dot paper.  I made a multi-loop bow and tied a Neutral button on with some Baker's Twine.  The 'Merry Christmas' I stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock with Soft Suede classic ink.  I cut the banner out with another exclusive Stampin' Up!.  I used the scallop trim border punch to create the soft suede cardstock trim around the banner.  I thought the card needed some sparkle, so I sprayed the whole card with my home-made frost white shimmer mist.  The card is blank inside.

Thank you for looking.  Enjoy your weekend, and be safe!