Vintage Charms

Howdy!  So, I wanted to share a few projects I have been working on.  As you may know, I am hosting Bunco next month, and I make all the prizes (and dinner, of course {smile}).  I typically make all of their prizes out of paper.  But, this year, I wanted to try something a little different.  Still hand-made, but a bit more versatile.  So, I have decided on jewelry.  I know what you are thinking, 'what?' that's a bit more complicated.  All of these ladies have several black greeting cards (from me), and I wanted to change things up.  

I came across some jewelry making supplies, when I was looking for a specific vintage cotton trim, and so I decided to continue to use what I have, and not spend more money.  (my husband will love that part {smile})

my first bracelet:

and my first necklace:

I know what you are about to say, 'where are the jump rings to hold the charms on?'.  Well, I know I have a package or two around here somewhere, I just haven't located them, yet.  But, I wanted to share with you, my progress.  {smile}  The oval charms, are from a jewelry making kit I purchased probably 3 years ago (ok, maybe longer) Craft Fantastic.  I just never gotten around to crafting them {frown}.   The various charms I already had in my stash.  I use charms on several crafts.  They make great little additions and pretty surprises to packaging (gift card holders, small boxes, fancy cards, etc.).

Recipe Love Bracelet:  The bracelet strand is from a big box craft store (HL).  The pink resin blossom is from another big box store (M).  The key and heart charms are retired products from Stampin' Up!, when they use to do a jewelry line.  And the round pink rhinestone charm is from wally world.  The image inside the oval pendant tray is from Crafty Secrets, from their Heartwarming Vintage Creative Scraps sheet.

Recipe What I Hold in My Heart Necklace:  The chain and the rhinestone cross are from a big box craft store (HL).  The heart lock charm is retired from Stampin' Up!, when they use to do jewelry.  The image inside the oval pendant tray is from Crafty Secrets, from their Heartwarming Vintage Creative Scraps sheet.

My plan is to make 10 necklaces and 6 bracelets.  At this point I only have 4 bracelets 'done'.  And 6 necklaces 'done' and 3 in the works (I can't decide on the image inside the pendant trays).  And whatever jewelry doesn't get selected by my fellow Bunco ladies will go in my Etsy shop for sale.  So, look for those items around mid July.  Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to use the various materials you already have, and make something beautiful and unexpected! {smile}.

Sweet Music Note; card

Howdy!  Today I had a rough time getting started.  I have a list of paper crafting projects that I need to get done.  Get done in 4 weeks!  Yikes!  But to be honest, I feel overwhelmed.  Very overwhelmed.  So much so, I don't know where to begin, so I spent most of the morning looking @ Pinterest.  And its a love-hate relationship.  {smile}  I love the inspiration and ideas.  But boy is it a time sucker. Ugh.  At this point in my crafting, I just have to sit down and start.  Start somewhere.  Start with a theme, a color scheme, a layout, a project.  Just START!  

And so that is exactly what I did.  I picked up a digital image I just printed, and used that as my starting point.  Either way, I need to get stuff made, because time is running out.  My other obstacle is that I don't just throw stuff together.  Cards easily take 1 - 2 hours, and other paper crafting projects take more time.   I like balance, I like cohesiveness, I like shabby chic, and I like pretty things. 

So with my digital ATC card in hand, I picked up a sketch I had printed from a favorite sketch challenge site: Cardabilities.  I love their sketches, because they are super easy to work with, and the design team will certainly inspire you!

Before I show you what I created, I need to give a few explanations.  I used a whole doily, instead of a half doily.  I used a rectangle piece instead of the circle element.  I figured that the shapes were interchangeable.  And I used another rectangle piece instead of the leaves.  I kept the lines long to mimic the spray of the leaves.

here is my card:

I kept the colors of the card stock and pattern papers neutral, so they wouldn't compete with the digital ATC card, as my focal piece.  

Recipe:  I used vintage cream cardstock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  I just love the weight of this card stock.  The main panel is a ledger pattern paper by Melissa Frances.  I heat embossed some water spots on opposite corners of this pattern paper.  I added a strip of music paper.  I wanted to repeat the music script that is on the ATC card.  I layered a burlap doily over the music paper.  

For the trim, it's all machine stitched to the card front.  I first machine stitched the white cotton scallop trim.  Next, I machine stitched the rose pink scallop trim.  And finally, I did a zig zag stitch to attach the white crochet trim to the card front.  

I cut out an ATC size card, and used foam tape to adhere it over the layered card front.  I die cut a piece of card stock weight vellum, by Stampin' Up! for my sentiment piece.  I used a black ink and hand-stamped 'Just a Note' by Paper Trey Ink.  And then I added a white resin blossom, by Melissa Frances to the right of the sentiment piece.

To add a bit of sparkle, I added white, pale pink, and gold sequins to the card front.  

Thank you for looking.  This card will be for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  I hope that your weekend is going well, and that you get a chance to do a few fun things {smile}.

My card was selected as a winner for this sketch, on Sept. 29, 2015.
I'm super happy and proud! {smile}