My Planner

Howdy, and good morning.  One of my new years resolutions, is to be more organized.  Can someone be 'more' organized? or is it simply 'organized'?  Well, I feel that I am pretty organized, per say.  But, I  also believe that there is always room for improvement.  So, I am working on being 'more' organized.  And to help me conquer this task, I purchased a planner to keep everything together at my finger tips.  {smile}

If you do a search for 'planner' on the internet, you will be bombarded with images, tutorials, and various manufacturers products.  A lot of eye candy!  So, during the last week of December, I headed to a local craft store, and picked up a few items.  And I finally did a little bit of crafting, and decorated the cover of my planner, and the inside cover of my planner.  {smile}

My planner is striped in a rose gold metallic and cream.  I really liked how these two colors looked together.  I started with a paper lace doily from Stampin' Up!.  I layered a scrap piece of cream and gold metallic lace, towards the bottom of the doily.  Then I added a piece of pink polka dot washi tape.  I purchased that big beautiful fabric blossom in the clearance isle of a craft store.  So, I hot glued the blossom, to the cover.  I die cut two leaf pieces and my initials from a scrap piece of glitter paper, that is pretty similar in 'gold' color on the cover.  I adhered the two leaf pieces to the upper left of the blossom, and adhered my initials to the right of the blossom.   I adhered the rose gold and rhinestone charm just under the blossom.  And the final touch was adding a trio of blush sequins, and a trio of flat-back 'pearls'.

I am pretty happy with how the cover is decorated.  I didn't want too much on the cover, as I use my planner daily.  It's kind of a ritual now a days.  I open it, and look at my various sections each morning, while I am drinking my coffee.  It helps me stay on track for projects, and I get to review my calendar, and make notes of different items of interest.  I am truly loving this whole process! {smile}  I also wanted to make a few additions for my planner, and to make the inside just as pretty!

I trimmed a Project Life card and re-rounded the corners to this beautiful metallic card:  'By being YOURSELF you put something WONDERFUL into the world that was not there before'.  I think all of us need reminders how special each of us are.  And that we should celebrate not being carbon copies of each other.  

I made 4 different but equally beautiful 'clips'.  I took large paper clips and simply added things I love!  Three are made out of paper, and one is another beautiful blossom.  {smile}  The sign, coffee cup, and mason jar are made from paper.  I added a little foam adhesive between the front and back piece of heavy card stock.  And hot glued the paper clip in place.  For the blossom, I simple tied a double bow to the paper clip and hot glued the pink paper blossom to the bow.  I backed it with a scrap piece of pink felt.  I added some small gold accent post-its, and two magnetic closures: a tiffany blue flag, and a gold metallic diamond shape.  I printed a calendar year onto heavy card stock and slipped that in the large pocket.  So, I can see the whole year in one view.  I also made a few notes for each month.  That is where I jot down large projects.  

Well, thank you for looking, and spending a little time with me, to see what I have been doing.  I hope you are still on track with your new years resolution(s), too.  Changing how you do things, and creating 'good' habits are hard.  It does take work, and discipline.  But, I know that I am happy with the changes I have made this year.  I am still exercising 3 times a week.  Running 2 days a week.  Making better, healthier choices of food.  And having time on my calendar to craft, really takes the stress away.  I don't fret about deadlines anymore, and I can get so many more things done in the day.  It makes me believe that my stress is reduced, which is good for my heart, and my family. {smile}  And I continue to work on my 'problem' areas each day.  So there are strides there.  And feeling like I am in control of those areas, is empowering!  Have a great day!

Cream & Gold Fabric Strip Banner

Howdy!  I'm having a lot of fun, and excited to share with you another fabric strip banner.  This one is a little more elegant.  I used all neutral colors: cream, vanilla, white, beige, taupe, brown, and gold.
I also used a variety of textures: linen, cotton, satin, sequin, and chiffons.

The particulars:  I used five different, but beautifully coordinated fabrics: taupe polka dot, beige diamond pattern, gold foil polka dot, cream, and gold sequin fabric.  I just love how pretty and elegant these look together!  This hand-tied fabric strip banner is 4feet wide.  There is 18 inches of twine at each end to make it easy to secure this banner.  The strips measure approximately 10 inches long.
So, I added some pretty trims {smile}.  I added a brown natural cotton wired ribbon.  I just love the texture that it adds.  I also added three different but beautiful laces: antique gold, cream floral, and white lace.  For the ribbons, I added two different satin ribbons: beige and vanilla striped.  I also added gold sequin trim and white rosette trim.  I love how the stripes and polka dots work so well together.  {smile}

Use this hand-made, homespun banner to dress-up a window, a headboard, a wall, or crib, etc.  You can also use this decorative piece to decorate your next party!  Hang this banner at the edge of a cake/gift table, use as a backdrop for the cake table, or photo booth!  Let the pinks and purples add that special girl-y touch to your next birthday party/tea!
This banner has been added to my Etsy shop, HERE.  This beautifully hand-tied fabric banner is ready to ship, but if it doesn't sell soon, you can see it in person at this year's Trash to Treasure Trunk Show @ Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque, NM on Jan 23, 2016.

Chalkboard Sentiment; Card

Welcome.  I'm so happy you stopped by and take a look at what I've created today.  If you didn't see my precious post, I've been running.  And running takes a lot of my time.  So my crafting was not been as productive as I'd like it to be. {frown}  However, during my last run, I was able to clear my head, and re-ignite my creative spark.  

I stopped by Mojo Monday late yesterday, to get a peak at their current sketch.  And then last night, I dreamt of a card.  {yeah, I dream about paper crafting.}

And this week, @ Mojo Monday is a prize week.  {yahoo!}  The thing that I love about Mojo Monday sketches, is that they are so easy to use.  Here is their current sketch:

When I first saw this sketch, my first reaction was to rate the sketch 90 degrees right and mirror it.  That would change the sketch to be landscape, and orient the diagonal piece to be on the right side of the card, and the circle piece to more center.  But, then I changed my mind last minute.

here is what I made:

Now, if you know me, or follow me, you already know that I mostly use scraps and pieces that I have on hand, and this creation follows that rule.   I am a paper crafting hoarder.  I could give Hobby Lobby a run for their money.  Don't believe me?  ask my husband.  {smile}  This card is a thin A6 size (4 1/4" x 6")

different view

Recipe:  The card base is made from Paper Studios Kraft card stock.  I just love the color and feel of this card stock.  It's a bit light weight, so I line the inside of the card, to help it stand-up without falling forward.

For the main panel, I cut a 5" x 7" digital paper down to 4 1/8" x 5 7/8".  I added a scrap piece (2" x 4 1/4") of aqua mist polka dot paper, from Paper Trey Ink.   I adhered these two pattern papers together.  I trimmed the overhang from the polka dot paper.  I used a thread cutter to distress the edges.  I then sponged the edges with a light brown ink.  I used my finger nail to make little tears in the papers. 

The square, green, floral paper, is actually a digital download.  It is originally 'coaster' size (4" square). But, I didn't want to cut down the paper, because I love the whole look of this square.  So, I printed it @ 80%, to shrink it down to roughly 3" square.  I distressed the edges with a thread cutter and sponged ink along the edges, too.

I took a scrap piece (4 1/4" x 3") of a text paper from Melissa Frances, and tore the paper into a diagonal shape.  I distressed the edges with a thread cutter and added sponging to the edges.  I adhered this piece across the lower third of the card.  It also helped hide/mask the seams. {smile}

I then added my machine stitching.  I did a double border stitch.  I didn't sew across the text pattern paper, to help give the card a finished look.

I wrapped a scrap piece of aqua colored seam binding around the diagonal piece into a diagonal. 

I have a box of chalk board sentiment tags (circle, rectangle, and square) from Anna Griffith.  I used foam tape to elevate the sentiment piece off the card face.

I added a double loop of kraft twine loop where I wanted my bow.  I tied a simple bow with the same seam binding, leaving room for some tiny paper blossoms.  I cut the legs off of a white enamel brad, and hot glued it to the center of my bow.

I added a trio of tiny pink paper blossoms between the bow and the sentiment circle.  I added a pale green, heart stick pin by Fancy Pants.  I hand-stamped a tiny 'Friend' tag, and adhered it to the bottom portion of the bow.

For the final touch, I added pearls and sequins in a 'random'-ish pattern.  I added a pair of pearls with one pale green sequin above the sentiment circle, and a trio of pearls with a pair of sequins below the sentiment circle.  

Thank you for looking.  I'm pretty happy with how my card came out.  And I hope I have inspired you to create something beautiful!  Don't forget to play along with Mojo Monday challenge, as this is a prize week!  Yahoo!

hello, you Card

Welcome!  Sorry I have been absent lately.  I haven't really been paper crafting.  Shocking, I know.  But, I have been trying some different recipes to use the Meyer Lemons a sweet, and dear friend sent me {smile}.  I tried an 'easy' lemon chicken, from the barefoot Contessa.  And it was delicious!  and a Lemon Glazed Zucchini Bread.  I loved it! {smile}.  And a favorite: Lemon Bundt cake by Martha Stewart.   Cooking always gives me a break from the hum of life.  It allows me to slow down and concentrate on creating & crafting.  {smile}  Several of the grand kids did spend a few days at our house.  Anyways!  I did get a chance to head into my craft room, pull out some supplies and craft!  Yahoo!

To help give me some direction, I went to the internet and went to find someplace to play {smile}.  I stumbled upon a challenge site, that I don't believe I have ever played along with.  the Card Concept.  But, I do love their inspiration boards, and their design team will certainly inspire you.  And well, this weeks board really spoke to me!  Look at this!  I was inspired by the blossoms and the colors! (pinks, blush, and green)

I also stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Cardaabilities.  These talented ladies, always have a great sketch, and the design team is sure to inspire you.  Here is their latest sketch:

here is what I created:

To start I need to give you the disclaimer -  this card was not created in simply an hour.  It was rather a labor of love {heart}  I will give you the supplies and tips of creating this card from the base to the last layer.

Recipe:  I used white card stock from Paper trey Ink.  They make great heavy weight card stock that will stand up to an embellished card.  The creamy, tan card stock, is actually Toffee card stock by Amuse Studios.  I just love the soft color.  The floral woodgrain pattern paper, is actually a digital download from a favorite shop of mine @ iralamija.  I added a simple machine stitch along the edge to create a sweet border.

The circle, is actually a cross stitch hoop shape.  I used a die from Paper Trey Ink.  It has a hoop and banner in the set.  I used a piece of a wood sheet, by Stampin' Up! (these wood sheets are retired. {frown})  I brushed clear crackle paint on the wood and then dipped the whole piece into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I cut a 2 1/2" circle from a canvas sheet, by Stampin' Up!.  I sponged some crumb cake classic ink on the canvas circle to help give it some dimension.  I used a liquid glue to hold the canvas piece and the wood piece together.  

I used flowers from Prima marketing.  The larger pink blossom is from their Symphony Blend Amoraso Pink collection (#537852) and the two littler blossoms are from the Cabriole Aqua collection (#566807).  I used my hot glue gun to adhere them to the wooden hoop.   I tied a multi-loop bow with some old ribbon I had on hand.  Its a sheer shimmer vanilla 1/4" ribbon.  I tucked the bow just under the larger pink blossom.

For my banner piece, I stamped my sentiment onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used Versa Mark ink, and gold embossing powder by Stampin' Up!.  I cut a flag end and an arrow end on the sentiment strip.  I used foam tape at each end, to attach it to the card front.  

I cut my leaves with a leaf die, using some retired pear pizzazz polka dot dap from Stampin' Up!.  And finally, I added a trio of white half faux pearls, by Mellissa Frances to the card front, along with a pair of clear sequins.

This hand made greeting card will be for sale in my Etsy shop.  Thank you for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you to play along with either of these challenge sites, or simply craft something pretty! {smile}