Printed Blossoms

Howdy!  Ok, I'm getting 'better' at this new updated photo editing program.  I didn't spend too many hours fighting with it figuring it out.   So, I photographed a new card I made, uploaded it, and sorta happy with it.  

I am playing along in two challenges.  Each challenge is on different sides of the world.  How cool is that?  My first stop is in the USA:  Sugar Pea Designs Challenge.  This challenge site has a clever challenge idea.  They give you a theme, an inspiration board, and a sketch.  You can play with any one element or match them all together.  Pretty creative and super clever.  Here is the current (and soon retiring) challenge #8.

(I used the sketch)

And the other challenge I am playing along with, is from Russia: scrap-pygovka   This challenge is to use the colors and elements in the inspiration board.  You can use any theme, and I believe any project: tags, cards, albums, etc.  Love the 'freedom' to just create!  Here is their inspiration board:

(I used pale green and various pinks)

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I made a standard A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  I sponged some distress linen ink to all the edges of the card stocks, and pattern papers.  The card base is made from Cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  (have I mentioned that I love this heavy weight card stock for card bases?)  My matt is made from mellow moss card stock by Stampin' Up!.  It was retired probably 5 years ago(?).  I just love the vintage look of this green.  It more of a grayish green.  The two pattern papers I used are from Anna Griffin, the Camilla Collection.  Very pretty, soft, and very feminine.

When I was constructing this card, I adhered the green pattern paper first.  Then I added the cream cotton trim.  I adhered the floral pattern paper.  And then I machine stitched the Coconut Seam Binding to the front of the card.  I then added my single border stitch all the way around the card front.  I love the way machine stitching looks on cards, and it also adds a little more staying power.  

I stamped my sentiment in basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up!, onto a scrap piece of cream card stock, and layered a scrap piece of mellow moss card stock.  The sentiment banner is adhered to the card front with foam tape.

I tied a double bow with another length of Coconut seam binding, and adhered the bow to the card front with hot glue.  

I painted the tips of the deep pink paper blossom with some shimmer paint.  Then adhered the paper blossom to the top of the bow.

One final touch, was the trio of creamy taupe-colored flat back faux pearls.  Viola!  Pretty, elegant, and simple.  Well, this is about as clean and simple as I get.  

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what I have created.  I am off to get started on my shabby chic utility apron.  I'm excited to start, but also kinda nervous.  The fabric I am using was shipped from the Netherlands, so I need to make one cut, and not mess this up!   Pressure!  Fingers crossed.  Stay tuned!

Together Forever in Blue

The talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have the most beautiful inspiration photo, this week.  Just one look, and I am sure you can create something fabulous {smile}.  I typically don't use baby blue color.  However, the application of spring flowers and a bird; easy peasy!

take a look at their inspiration photo:

my disclaimer:
I did not add any spring flowers as embellishments, but rather I used a floral pattern paper.

I used a blue floral/text pattern paper from Melissa Frances, as the main panel.  Love the look.  I used my sewing machine to add some zig zag stitches with some silver metallic thread.

I used a string of hearts die to cut the decorative strip at the left top of the card.  I felt it needed some pizzazz, so I cut a banner piece from My Mind's Eye and stapled it the front.  I thought the crispness of the metal would add some visual interest.  I adhered a single blue button to the banner.  

I took a Tattered Angels flourish frame and covered it with picket fence distress ink and dazzling diamond glitter.  I backed the frame with a script text pattern paper by Paper Studios.  The large '&' is actually a wooden embellishment.  I used the picket fence distress ink and dazzling diamond glitter on it, too {smile}.

The sentiment pieces are from a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set.  I stamped the words in Jet Black Staz-On ink.  I stamped them on whisper white card stock and matted them with pool party textured card stock.

The swallow (bird) was actually cut with a die from Amuse Studios.  I used silver glitter paper from Stampin' Up!.  I cut the leaves from a light grey polka dot pattern paper.  I distressed the edges with picket fence distress ink and dazzling diamond glitter.  I added a light blue button tied with cream twine, and a white button to the middle of the card, to help add some visual interest to the empty space.  

Thank you for stopping by {smile}.  I hope you have been inspired and get a chance to play along with the challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room.

Breakfast @ Tiffany's

The movie, 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' is a classic.  The warerobe is classy, and the jewels re big!  One of my bestfriend's daughter's name if Tiffany.  And Tiffany is getting married next month.  Today is her Bridal Shower.  And yes, the theme is 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' {smile}.  The invitation asks that you wear your best little black dress and costume jewelry.  I picked out a tank style black dress with black sandles.  I put on my pearls, and made sure my hair was big and curly.  I selected a gift card from Soma, so she could get something just for her.  

And I needed to make a card.  I wanted to make something clean, classic and Tiffany blue.  I also needed to incorporate something wedding-ish.  I used black as an accent color.

Here is what I made:

  

The card base is Pool Party cardstock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love this color.  I added a panel of pool party textured card stock, matted with basic black card stock, as the main panel.  I added a strip of script pattern paper by Paper Studio to the Right side of the card.  I added a strip of white crochet trim and Aqua Mist satin ribbon to the card front.  I added some machine stitching.  I machine stitched just under the top border of the white crochet trim, to hide the sewn line.

For the tag, I cut a tag shape out of the pool party card stock and heat embossed the wedding cake in white.  I puched some flower shapes out and distressed the petal tips.  I added pearl centers.  I made a multi-loop bow out of the aqua mist ribbon and attached it the tag with an antique pearl brad.

Thank you for looking!  I hope your weekend is classy and fabulous!

~stop by Sunday, May 12th, for your chance to win some blog candy~