Card-Gift Combo, cont.

Howdy.  Thanks for coming back.  I have taken a few more photos of my Card-Gift Combo.  I just love these little 'packages' {smile}.  So, without further ado, here is some eye candy {wink}.

here is the back-side of the combo opened

I used the blue and green floral pattern paper from the Watercolor Wonderful DSP for the main pattern pieces.  I just love this collection of colors.  I used the green chevron stripes for my vertical piece.  I thought the mix of patterns compliment each other, without overpowering each other.  

I lined the inside of the drawer with the same green chevron stripe paper.  I also added a small piece of island indigo ruffle ribbon to the side of the drawer, as a pull.

here is a photo of the drawer partially pulled-out

I have a weakness for polka dots, so I used the light gray polka dot pattern paper for the cover focus piece.  I also matted the pattern paper with slate card stock, to help accent the gray.
I also love the softness of the seam binding, so I used it liberally {smile}.

Thank you so much to looking.  I'm off to make a few more Card-Gift Combo's, using some other beautifully pattern paper {smile}.

purples and grey

On this Tuesday, the wonderful gals over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a color challenge.  Typically, I find these hard.  I don't know why.  This weeks colors are super pretty, though.

here is what I did

The card base is basic grey card stock.  I used a panel of whisper white card stock to run through my vintage wall paper embossing folder.  I added a large scallop trimmed piece of basic grey polka dot pattern paper.  I just love polka dots!  I added a strip of silver glimmer paper, die cut rick rack, to the top of the large scallop piece.  I tied a piece of wisteria wonder ruffled ribbon across the seams of these two papers.  

I stamped the dotted line in basic grey classic ink.  I stamped the HB in wisteria wonder classic ink, and the 14 in elegant eggplant classic ink.  

For some reason, I had a difficult time getting my stamping straight.  I sprayed the whole card with my home-made white shimmer paint.  I just love the added sparkle! {smile}

Now, let's see what you make with these colors, and share your creation with us @ NAC.  We'd love to see what you create!

Pretty in Blue

Whew, it has already been a rough week at work, and it's only Tuesday!?  The wonderful ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a great color challenge for you to try this week.  Here are the colors:

here is how I put the colors together:

For the card base, I used Island Indigo cardstock.  I wanted the darker color to be the base of this pretty color combo.  I used some of the new DSP paper for the main panel; Tea for Two DSP.  Its a text paper (my favorite!), except there are some colored texts.  How pretty is that?  I used some Marina Mist DSP polka dot paper and the top note die to create the decorative piece on the left side of my card.  I added a doily and blossoms from very vanilla cardstock.  I used Lucky Limeade cardstock for  the leaves.  I added a rhinestone center.  That gorgeous floral lace trim is actually a new product from Stampin' Up!, too.  You can get this in the Artisan Embellishment kit, along with three other fabulous trims.  I used Lucky Limeade ruffle ribbon to tie the whole card together {smile}.  

I hope you get a chance to play along with us over @ NAC this week.  We would love to see what you create, and we hope we have inspired you!

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

A Note of Thanks

Wow, this month is off to a fast start!  That always seems to be the problems with short weeks.  As I sit here, I realize all the things I have yet to do this week, and the list keeps growing.  But, I won't fret.  Here is how I see it:  I'll do what I can.  No more and no less.  I finished my home chores for the week yesterday.  And the few days I have at home this week, I'll try to squeeze everything else in.  I have a few items that have to be taken care of each day, so I'm not too over whelmed.  And then I still have all my blog things to do.  design teams I still need to create for, posts that need to be written, and of course, paper crafts that need to be created.

In the mean time, the wonderful talented ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge have a great sketch for you to work with.  Here is the sketch:

 

  For this challenge, we are to use only Stampin' Up! products.  But, I'm probably like most of you, in that I don't have alot of disposable income to spend on my hobby these days.  So, I have opted to purchase some Designer Series Paper, and a few embellishments.  That way, I can spend $10 or so and have a few new things to 'play' with.  

Here is my card:

The DSP is called Attic Boutique.  Isn't is just gorgeous?  I just love how the images look crisp and vintage.  I wanted to showcase the different patterns.  But, I wanted a 'hand-crafted' paper piece, so I got my inspiration from a quilt square called a 'log cabin'.  I think its pretty interesting, and has a 'home-y' feel to it.  So, I cut my pattern paper, adhered it to a cardstock square and matted it onto Calyso Coral.  I wanted my solid cardstock to match my DSP, so I used my Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder so the very vanilla cardstock wouldn't look so stark.  I didn't want my card base to compete with the pattern paper, so the card base is crumb cake.

I couldn't decide between the very vanilla satin ribbon and the calypso coral ruffle ribbon.  So, I added them together.   

I thought that the bow needed something, so I added a new brad.  To keep with the vintage look, I added some vanilla smooch.           I wanted to give my card some feminine touch, so I added some half- faux pearls.  I used a stamp set that I have had for over 2 years.  This stamp set has 4 stamps that have different fonts and the sentiments are 'thank you'.   The sentiment was stamped in pure poppy classic ink.

Thank you for looking, and please play along with us.  This sketch is very user-friendly.  

Flowers in the Snow

Thank you for checking back with me.  It's Wednesday, so it's a Challenge day!  The wonderfully creative ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge have a pretty neat sketch for us to use.

 

When I first saw this sketch, I instantly thought of a snowman, or some snow flakes.  But, I thought that, 'that was too obvious'.  So, I decided to work with the shapes already there - flowers.  I also wanted to make a card that wasn't Christmas/Winter themed.  I imagine that we all can pretty much look outside to see those images.  I also wanted to work with a stamp set that hasn't felt ink in awhile.  We all have those stamp sets.  When you first see them, you just gotta have 'em.  Then after a few months, they get pushed back in the back, behind other 'forgotten' treasures.  

Now, for a color scheme.  Outside, its green, brown, and white.  Not very pretty for flowers.  So, I grabbed an old time favorite flower color scheme. Can you guess what that would be?  I selected - Calypso Coral & Pretty in Pink.  (if that was what you guessed, bravo!)  

Maybe I'm right eyed, or something, but I didn't like the way my card looked with the matted/scallop piece looked on the right, so I flipped it.  I know you aren't surprised that I used First Edition DSP, right?  I'm also not a big fan of text paper with the wrong orientation.  But this time, I kinda liked the look.  So, my text paper runs along the side and not up and down.  (sorry, if that bothers you.)  To create the background 'paper' I first stamped the french script using the 'finger tap' method, so the whole script wouldn't stamp.  I then stamped the french floral image in pink, using the same technique.  I stamped the flowers onto very vanilla cardstock and then hand-cut each one out.  And then gave each petal a little fold, to create a realistic petal.  I stacked the flowers together, and gave each blossom a half faux-pearl center.  The leaves were a second generation stamp in Old Olive classic ink.  The 'No. 5' is a second generation stamp in Soft Suede classic ink.  To give the eyelet border trim a little pizzazz, I scored the paper every 1/4" and then punched the edge.  

The little banner I made myself.  (It's pretty cute how I did that.) I used a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped the word first.  Then used the word window punch to create the top and bottom edges of the banner.  I then took the photo corner punch and created the snipped part.  Adhered that piece to a scrap piece of crumb cake cardstock and using the very vanilla piece as my guide, I hand-cut the trim.   I thought it was pretty clever.   All the edges of every piece is sponged in Sahara Sand classic ink.  I wanted to add a little sparkle to my card, so I used the Silver Glitter paper to make the three butterflies.  I also punched out 2 tiny circles to add some pizzazz to the two little lonely flowers.

Lets see what beautifully-creative paper craft pieces you create for this challenge!

Happy Moments

Hello!  It's Wednesday, and we are half way through the work week.  On the local news of Albuquerque, New Mexico, yesterday, said that the United Postal Service is working over budget, and can't seem to figure out how to control it.  Also, that folks get an average of one hand-written piece of mail every 7 weeks.  WOW!  That story made me almost cry.  And so, I have set a goal for myself to craft some hand-made cards and mail them out to my girl friends.  I will work on creating some 'flat' cards, so I don't exceed the 64 cent postage. :)

Anyways, the wonderfully talented Cristena @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge has a great sketch for us this week.  The sample shows a Christmas themed card, but, you know me... I do the obvious!  So, I created a 'friendship' card.  Probably because that news story made me so sad.

Here is the sketch

Here is the card I created

I used 'happy' colors: Calypso Coral, and Pink Pirouette.  I had a few scraps from Beau Chateau DSP.  I made some 'flowers' with various circle sizes.  I made the two centers different, to add some visual interest.  I punched leaves, using the 2-step bird punch.  The glitter butterfly is made from the silver glitter paper and the Beautiful Wings embosslit die.  I think the shine with all that silver glitter only makes you smile!

I used the Lots of Tags die to create this pretty tag.  I used the You're Cherished stamp set for this simple sentiment.  I stamped it in Soft Suede classic ink, on a scrap from the Beau Chateau DSP.  I think it looks soo appropriate with the First Edition DSP.  And yes, I sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink.  I used the 2-step owl punch (pupils) to create the faux rhinestones.  And, yeah, it was from the scrap piece that I used from the butterfly die. :)

As always, thank you for stopping by.  For those who are looking for some direction or guidance on how to create a balanced/better card, I am working on a on-line class.

Just: Us Girls + Just Add Ink

For those who know me, know that I am currently on 4 (yeah, kinda alot) design teams.  Oh, and I work full-time.  So when I say my plate is a bit full, I am serious.  I love to paper craft, and so most days, these posts are more fun than basically anything.  However, sometimes, I don't always have 'free' time to play along with some of my all time favorite challenge sites.  But, today I am.  When I saw the sketch challenge @ Just Us GirlS and color challenge @ Just Add Ink, I knew that I had to play!  

The sketch challenge looks so wonderful, now who could pass this one up?  

Now look at these beautiful colors!

And here is my card:

Now, if you are super big fan of Stampin' Up! like I am, you can tell that these are their colors.  I know a few companies who have similar colors, so don't let that stop you from playing along.  The only items that are not SU! are the buttons.  One is from a competitor and the other I found on the clearance rack at a local sewing store.  (I always check the clearence area first, when I go shopping at craft, sewing, or hobby stores.)  I used cardstock scraps to create this little beauty.  I need to use  them up anyway, right?  So, why not start there, instead of cutting a brand new whole sheet of cardstock.  

The card base is Crumb Cake.  The panel is Pool Party texture.  I used Calypso Coral ruffle ribbon.  I used the white bakers twine to connect the buttons.  The large flower is a discontinued item.  The stamp is done in Soft Suede classic ink.  I did some faux stitching with a paper piercer and a white gel pen.  I sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink.  My stamp-a-ma-jig assisted me in making sure my sentiment was straight.  I don't think I'd be able to make a half-way decent card without that little guy.

Thank you for looking.  Don't forget to check back daily, as I will be posting Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and again on Saturday!  Have a wonderful week!

Chateau de Versailles

It's Saturday, and the weekend is upon us!  I hope you all have time this weekend to do something you love.  Today, is Oct 1, 2011...its World Card Making Day.  And the wonderfully creative Lori has a great challenge for us and you, @ Our Creative Corner Challenge.  The challenge is to create a card using another country as your inspiration.  And I don't think that it will come as a surprise, when you see my card!  

I love things French.  I'm not sure why.  I'm not french, but I gravitate to french inspired things.  I'm even a fan of French cooking.  And so, I started my inspirational search looking for things associated with Marie Antoinette.  You remember her in history, when referring to the poverty and suffering of her own people, she said, 'Let them eat cake!'.  Marie dressed in very exaggerated gowns.  Lots of lace, ruffles, pearls, bling - all things pretty, feminine, and just gorgeous!  Then, I searched the Internet for some photographs of the interior decor of Chateau de Versailles.  The rooms that I saw, were decorated extravagantly.  Lots of bold colors, patterns, and large scale architecture.  So, with those images going through my head, I sat down at my craft table, and put together this card.

 

I took the wall paper inside Versailles as my inspiration for the main panel.  

To show some of the architecture of Versailles, I used an oval frame embossing folder to create the oval piece.  I stamped a pink flourish inside the oval.  I stamped 'Bonjour' inside the pink flourish.  I added a white resin floral piece.  

To add some elements from Marie's gowns, I created the vertical strip.  On a strip of Very Vanilla card stock, I stamped some 'music' on it, and then created a box pleat.  I wrapped a piece of ruffle ribbon and created a multi-loop bow.  I hot glued a white button and pale pink faux half-pearl to its center. 

I wanted to add another feminine and pretty piece, so I created the flower.  I cut some floral shapes with a die, using sheer fabric and text paper.  I stacked the pieces together and added a scrap piece of white crochet trim.  I added a wonderfully pretty rhinestone brad to the center.  I adhered the flower to a white paper doily.  To add some softness and innocence.  

I did stamp on the main panel.  I stamped a Paris address in the upper left corner, in a brown classic ink.  I stamped 'Paris' in the lower right corner, in a black classic ink.

Thank you for looking, and I hope you have been inspired to join us @ Our Creative Corner, for this fabulous challenge!  Remember, it's World Card Making Day!  Please, use this 'holiday' to create something wonderful! and share it!

Your Own Best Company

It's Friday!  Oh, I've been waiting for this day!
It's also time for another blog hop & sketch challenge over  @ Sketch Frenzy Friday!  We provide you with a sketch, and some inspiration.  You provide us with some gorgeous creations with your Stampin' Up! supplies!  Sounds like an even trade.  So, join us for this fun and creative challenge.
Here is the sketch:

Patricia H. provided us with this fabulous sketch this week.  So, let us see what you create!
Here is what I did:

So, I used Crumb Cake cardstock as my card base.  I used Cheerful Treat DSP.  I used one of my all time favorite stamp sets:  Creative Elements.  I also added some new ribbon:  Lucky Limeade ruffle ribbon and Pretty in Pink scallop ribbon.  I added some butterflies and faux half-pearls.    I just love this DSP!  Don't ask me why, but once I broke it open, I keep gravitating to it.
Now, hop on over to Tammy B.'s blog and she what she created.  And, don't forget to play along!

Birthday Blue

I wanted to share a card I had made for a girl friend.  She is a very special lady, and I wanted to make something for her that is as beautiful as she is.

I layered a mix of different blue pattern papers and wrapped some ruffle ribbon around them.  I found this beautiful 'cupcake' paper at the big box M store.  I layered the cupcake paper onto some chocolate chip card stock, to help mimic the chocolate cake.  I stamped Happy Birthday in Chocolate Chip classic ink on a scrap piece of white card stock and used my square punch to make the flag tail.  I added a short row of rhinestones and viola!

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.