Pastel Christmas Greetings

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I've been a bit busy completing some special orders, and other everyday chores that all of us have {frown}.  But, I did have a chance to create something (I think) is sweet, and pretty {smile}.

I am entering my creation into two challenges:  Merry Monday Challenge  and  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge .  

The Merry Monday Challenge, is a Christmas card challenge site, all year long!  How sweet is that?  Their current challenge is to use pastel colors.  And they have an inspirational photo to help get the creative juices flowing.

I just love the vintage ornaments that create the wreath! so pretty!

My next stop is the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge.  Their current challenge is anything Christmas.  This provides you with the ability to just create.  And so I did!

and here is what I created:

My 'card' is a packaged gift card holder.  That might sound a bit confusing, but it really only takes a few seconds to explain.  You know those packaged gift cards you purchase at the grocery store, or the 'always open' pharmacies?  Well, that's what fits inside!  Now, you don't have to rip open the packaging to get to the gift card.  Just simply slide the whole package inside this cleaver little card.

Recipe:  I used Dark Chocolate card stock by PaperTreyInk, for the card base.  I just love this creamy, rich brown color.  And their card stock is heavy weight, so it will stand up to being embellished.

The pattern paper I used, is from a digital collection I purchased last year.  I just love this collection of rustic, holiday images in pastel hues.  Simply beautiful.  I printed the pink pattern background onto white card stock by PaperTreyInk.  I printed the deer pattern paper onto white linen card stock by PaperTreyInk.  I love the texture.  I matted the deer pattern paper onto white card stock.  

I machine stitched the three layers of paper together.  I just love how machine stitching gives my paper crafts that homespun look {smile}.  On the bottom panel, I also machine stitched the white glitter snowflake to the layers.  I wrapped the top flap with white crochet trim, and an aqua polka dot satin ribbon (polka dot side down).  I tied a simple bow with the ribbon.  I tucked a half white glitter snowflake in behind the crochet trim at the left upper corner.  The main panel, was a 6" x 6" sheet of digital pattern paper, that I shrunk down 50% before printing.  That way I could print that sheet as a 3" x 3" piece.  I matted it with Mint card stock by PaperTreyInk, and then with Dark Chocolate card stock.  I used foam adhesive to lift this beautiful piece off the card front.  I added this piece to the right of the simple bow.   My pink satin blossom, is from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima.  I just love their blossoms.  And with the pretty rhinestone blossom center, it is perfect for this paper craft.   I hand-stamped 'joy' onto a scrap piece of the pink background pattern paper I used for the first layer. And then adhered it to the back of a tiny Melissa Frances resin frame.  The finishing touch was that tiny white present bow.  I thought is help tie-in all the white, and give my card a little more 'pretty' {smile}. 

Well, thank you for looking.  I hope you have a chance to create something beautiful this weekend.  I'm in the mood to bake some scones.  I found this delicious sounding recipe for Apricot & Brie scones.  YUM!

Tiny Shabby Wooden Houses

Howdy! I wanted to share a photo or two, of a few more sweet, tiny, wooden houses.  These houses are tiny.  They aren't larger than 3 inches wide or tall.  So, they take all those tiny embellishments and thin ribbons.  

Tiny = Sweet

and

I painted each wooden house with white chalk paint.  Once dry, I used a sanding block to smooth out the painted surface and distress the edges.  {smile}

I used each 'house' shape as a template to cut the pattern paper.  I also rounded the corners, to keep with the 'shape'.  Both pattern papers are from Maja Designs : Vintage Frost Basics.  I used the small pattern paper pad.  I wanted my images to be small scale.  I used 'Paper It' to adhere the paper to the wooden blocks.  I also used a cream sealant to help 'keep' this finished look.

I used various ribbons, and embellishments to create these soft, sweet, little shabby chic houses.  They will be for sale at my craft fairs {smile}.  Thank you for stopping by!

Secret Garden Tea

Welcome.  I had a great afternoon tea with some very special, and dear girlfriends today.  {smile}  We ate delicious, delicate, tiny morsels and drank perfectly paired tea.  Devine!

I had such a lovely time, I simply can't stop smiling.  So, in my hand-made style, I crafted some 'Thank You' cards to send to these ladies.  {smile}

I stopped by a 'new to me' sketch challenge site, to get a direction.  I went to Your Next Stamp to play along with their sketch challenge.  

I wanted to make a card that is feminine, and pretty.  So, this is what I came up with:

Recipe:  This is a typical A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The card base is Lost Lagoon from Stampin' Up!.  I used this pretty pattern paper from Belle Vie and the Julie Nutting collection.  I added some machine stitching.  I also added some purposefully short trims:  a vintage cream, cotton eyelet trim, and an antique rose seam binding.  I tied a simple bow and adhered it to the card front.  I hand-stamped the sentiment and used a hand held decorative label shape punch.  I added two black brads to hold the sentiment to the card front.  I wanted some bling, so I added a trio of flat back rhinestones.  Viola!  Quick, easy, and super pretty!

Thank you for looking.  I need to get back into my craft room and create 11 more. {smile}  I hope you have been influenced to play along with this sketch challenge!

Pink Sparkle

Welcome.  I've been a bit busy, so I apologize for my absence.  I ordered some crafting supplies from a few different places:  an Esty shop, and Stampin' Up!.  Stampin' Up! has started their Sale-A-Bration campaign.  They have some new pattern paper collections and some new designed rubber stamps.  Always a great purchase!  {smile}  

I haven't 'noticed' flair buttons before.  But lately I have noticed them everywhere!  and well, I want to see how fabulous they are to craft with.  So, I headed over to Easy, and found some that are reasonably priced, great graphics, and wonderful customer service, @ aflairforbuttons.  One of the packages of flair buttons I purchased, are these: {Aqua} Let Them Eat Cake.  I know that I am typically a 'pink person', but the shade of aqua, caught my fancy {smile}!

Ok, now that I have some great supplies, I needed a little direction, so I head to Mojo Monday, for their sketch challenge this week.  And since this is the first Monday of the month, it is a prize challenge.  Here is their sketch

and here is what I made:

Recipe: the card base is white card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The tannish grey pattern paper (sahara sand and whisper white) is called Something Borrowed DSP, by Stampin' Up!.  The floral pattern paper is Sweet Christmas, from Tilda.  I matted the floral pattern paper on Rose Red card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  

The silver glitter paper, was cut with the tasteful trims die, both by Stampin' Up!.  I added some pale pink seam binding.  I attached these to the front of the card with some machine stitching.  I tied a thin silver cord into a simple bow.  I added a multi-loop bow of the pale pink seam binding.   The rhinestone flat-back button is also new this season.  

I cut a tiny tag from whisper white card stock, using the tiny tag die by Paper Trey Ink.  I stamped the sentiment in sahara sand classic ink, using the fancy flexible phrases, both by Stampin' Up!

I added a appliqué I found in the clearance section of a big box sewing store.  There were actually three in the bin, so I bought them all.  {smile}  I added a flair button to the upper corner of the appliqué.  I selected the Marie Antoinette image with an aqua polka dot background.  I loved the matching pink dresses.

I added a trio of white sequins and a trio of rhinestones to add some bling and some visual interest.  I have posted this card in my Easy shop: InkwoodDesigns.  I have also entered this card in the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hopefully, I get a chance to craft more items and I promise to share with you.  {smile}

Bunco Three & Two

~ lots of photos ~

Just a quick reminder:  we are counting down backwards from eleven.  Also, with several time contra instants and missed opportunities, these photographs are less than perfect.  Please look upon this post with a kind eye.  My deepest sympathy for the crummy photos.

prize three:

here is a close-up view of the gift card: 

 I used some sweet, country charm pattern paper to create an unique gift card.  I used some of the same elements when creating the altered spiral notebook.  I did add some machine zig zag stitching to this small gift card, and a small vintage button.

and here is a photo of the gift (prize) set:

I altered the front of a spiral notebook.  I took some gorgeous vintage-y pattern paper from Authentique.  I added some coordinating tags and paper embellishments.  I added some white resin architecture pieces, a resin blossom, a hand-made paper blossom, a hand cut mannequin, and a large white satin ribbon.  There is a pink polka dot ribbon book mark that is attached to the top spiral.  

prize two:

ok, another crummy photo, but I did want to add a pic of the prize set:

about the only half decent photo of the gift card.  I wanted to keep with the blue and white color theme.  I added two different, but I believe coordinating digital paper.  I added a neutral polka dot pattern piece of digital pattern paper, and topped it off with a digital collage pattern paper for the gift card front.  I added a metal rimmed circular tag with a pearl brad.  To help add another metal accent, to add a crisp element, I stapled a piece of crochet trim and seam binding to the left side of the sentiment banner piece.

the actual prize:

I truly enjoy crafting these little cuties!  I took an over-the-top rhinestone and pearl mini photo frame (2" x 2" square) and transformed it, into a pin cushion photo frame.  Yeah, it is functional, but it is intended for decorative purposes.  I added two different stacks of button pairs.  I stuck them into the pin cushion with a tiny vintage safety pin and a butterfly stick pin.  I thought that the mix of these two pieces added an unique farmland/country charm.  To help add some glam, I added a rhinestone-pearl stick pin.  My original thought for this is to hold a ring while doing dishes (kitchen accent), or washing hands (master bath charm).

I selected a fabric that is sweet, and sorta neutral.  I know it has some hard blues, but I think that the small pattern helps hide the boldness {smile}.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Again, my apologizes for the awful photo quality.  But, please return tomorrow, for the final reveal! Prize number one!

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}.

My Original Tattered Rose

I hope that this past holiday weekend, gave you a chance to spend time with family, friends, and honor those who have fought for your freedom.  I have many armed service members in my family.  Every generation has served their time, and given for their country.  

This past Saturday, I showed you a card that I made utilizing a fabric blossom that I learned how to create.  The card that I showed on Saturday, was an abbreviated version of the first fabric blossom that I created using a tutorial found here @ Katies Rose Cottage.

This original fabric blossom measures about 4" inches across.  I tea dyed some white muslin, a pink crochet trim, and added a scrap piece of white tulle.  I hot glued a rhinestone to the center of this tattered rose.

When I first made this, I thought how pretty, feminine, and vintage looking.  So, I altered a paper macho box and added this gorgeous fabric blossom to the lid.

I altered the lid by heat embossed some vintage white embossing powder using a detailed doily stamp.  I added some crochet trim around the lid, and I adhered some beautiful pattern paper from Prima Marketing.

When I created this altered paper macho box, I didn't anyone in mind for it.  I just thought it was pretty, and so it sits on my shelf, waiting for a new home.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you have a chance to 'play' and try a new technique.  You'll be amazed how intoxicating it can be.  Until next time, keep crafting!