Blessing Card

Howdy.  Welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I have been blogging about paper crafts for several years now, and I haven't gotten tired of it yet.  {smile}  If you have seen some of my earlier work, you have seen my transformation in my work.  My beginning work was flat.  Simple.  yet pretty.  Now, it is layers, filled with embellishments, trims, and soft colors.  My favorite embellishments are buttons and trims.  And I now find a way to add machine stitching on almost every project.  I really do love the homespun look and feel of how I craft/create now.  

One of my all time favorite challenge sites, I have played along with since I started blogging - Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge - has given us their last sketch for this year.  Their design team is taking some time off for the holidays.  Bravo to them!  If we give them a break, and a chance to recharge, they will return with a new vigor, a new insight and a renewed passion for paper crafting.  So, let us not disappoint them, and play along.  Here is their new sketch challenge:

and look at this perfect sketch they have given us to work with!
Love the simple lines, and the tag!

You could easily make a holiday card with this sketch.  I just might!

here is what I made:

The reason why I started this blog post the way I did; with a remembrance of my beginning paper crafting, is because I have created a simple card, again.  This card.  I used pattern paper from Simple Stories So Fancy for this card.  I used two different papers: the first is that beautiful floral pattern, and the second is that pretty polka dot pattern paper with gold metallic dots.  (the music pattern paper is the reverse side of the polka dot paper)  Even the metal rim epoxy 'dot' is from Simple Stories {smile}.

Recipe:  I used Lavender Moon card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  The kraft card stock matt is from PaperTrey Ink, as well.  

I cut and layered these pattern papers, and then did a simple machine stitching along the borders.  I cut a piece of very vanilla card stock into a tag shape.  

I hand-stamped the sentiment in a dark grey classic ink.  The sentiment is from the Signature Greeting stamp set, by PaperTrey Ink, too.  I just love the mix of fonts.  The simple typewriter style font and the curve handwritten font.  The tag is adhered to the card front with foam tape.

I then tied a simple bow using Lavender Moon satin ribbon, from PaperTrey Ink.

For the final touch, I added a trio of gold sequins from Pink Posh.

This card is going in the mail tomorrow.  I am sending this 'blessing' card to a super great friend {smile}.  My friend, has been there for me during ups and downs, and has given me the encouragement to do things I didn't know I could.  {smile}

Now, I need to get back into my craft room and get some gift card holders completed and a special ornament.  Yep, out of paper!

Holiday Gift Card Holders

Howdy, and welcome.  I have been busy making holiday gift card holders for a few upcoming arts and craft fairs.  

Crafting by Design has a get ready for Christmas challenge this month.  So, I am entering the challenge with my traditional holiday gift card holders.

I made a bunch of holiday gift card holders in red and green, using two different styles: retro and traditional.  Authentique has come out with two different holiday pattern papers: Tidings (shown here) and Christmastime (I'll share later).  Both collections are beautiful with retro and nostalgic images.  Simple Stories has created a holiday paper line as well: Claus & Co.  Their pattern paper is filled with retro style holiday images.  These paper companies really have created some beautiful pattern papers.  And here are the gift card holders I created with them:  {smile}

traditional:

Authentique: Tidings

I used holiday pattern paper that is red and green on kraft.  These are the 'red' ones I made.  I'm finishing the 'green' ones this morning.  I used gold accents on the fronts, because the sentiment inside is gold embossed.  I think the gold looks so elegant with the red and kraft.  Some have red cotton ribbon, some have red burlap ribbon, and some have lace.  I love the polka dots and deer heads, and the florals are precious too.  {smile}

retro:

Simple Stories: Claus & Co.

The holiday pattern papers that I used here are more nostalgic : plaids, wood-grain, music sheets.  I used cotton ribbon, plaid ribbon, and red burlap ribbon on these also.  I used silver accents on the outside, because the sentiment on the inside is embossed in silver.  I found these sweet tiny silver glitter light bulbs, so I just had to add those.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by.  I need to finish the last few, get them packaged and ready for sale at my upcoming holiday craft fairs.  If you are in the area (Albuquerque, New Mexico) please stop by and say 'hello'.  It is always nice to see folks.  {smile}  If you would like a post card mailed to your home address, with my holiday craft fair schedule, please email me your address, and I'll drop a postcard in the mail, to you.  {smile}  My first craft fair starts the first weekend in November and my last one is the second weekend in December.  

the last few months

and here are the last few months of the desk-top calendar I created earlier this week.

gold rim pearl brad

the tiny safety pin is stapled to the page

love all the layers

I added tiny holiday treasures, along with more machine stitching

the back cover.  Love these images.

thank you for stopping by!  I hope you loved what I created.  Now, I need to craft several more, using different paper collections.

Legacy Desk-Top Calendar

Welcome.  I have been busy crafting items for several holiday craft fairs.  I didn't get a chance to finish the cover to this calendar, until today {smile}.  I didn't find a sketch, or a layout that I liked, and wanted to use with these papers.  I looked at a few sketch challenge sites yesterday, to see what was new, and I was pleasantly surprised.

I stopped by Vintage Cafe Card Challenge, and instantly fell in love with their current sketch challenge.  These wonderfully talented ladies are sure to inspire you, if you aren't instantly inspired by the sketch.

Their requirements: vintage or shabby chic styles, and your creation must remain horizontal.

here is what I created:

I crafted, by hand, this desk-top calendar.  This is the cover.  I used Legacy pattern papers by Simple Stories.  I used a digital 'ticket', a blue vintage button, mustard twill trim, and kraft twine.  I used my Rol-a-Desk punch to create the unique holes on the floral pattern paper, and added two staples to add a metal embellishment.

here are the first few months:

yes, the circles are machine stitched

gold glitter hearts add pizzazz

the polka dot pattern paper was torn to resemble washi tape

I added machine stitching to almost every page.  I kept the pages as flat as possible, so that the calendar wouldn't become too bulky.  For those who know me, this 'flat' style was 'difficult' for me.  I love to add multi-loop bows, paper blossoms, buttons, and pearls.  This pattern papers were fun to work with, but different for me.  I typically 'collect' pink, vintage, shabby chic inspired pattern papers.  You know, sometimes, it is really nice to stretch your creative muscle {smile}.

Thank you for stopping by!  I'll be posting more photos over the next few days.  I am still working on my box advent calendar.  I have been stuck for several days.  I don't know what to add to each flap, so the recipient knows the direction the boxes open.  So, if you have any suggestions, please comment.  The boxes are 2" cubes.

Handmade Legacy; Card

Holy Toledo!  I didn't realize I had been absent so long.  My sincere apologies.  I have been crafting Christmas items, and working on a few blank journals, and started some desk top calendars.  And I haven't photographed any of it.  {frown}

But, I did make this card yesterday, and didn't get to photograph it until late today.  See, my life is crazy.  I have started a new venture, so to speak.  Well, I didn't just 'start' it, I have been 'busy' with this since the middle of March.  My new venture: Running.  I know, you must be thinking: seriously? Yeah.  I spend three days a week running, and swim laps one day a week.  I still work full-time, still take call at the hospital 2-3 nights a week, cook, clean, take care of my dog and husband.  And carve out time to craft.  Crafting keeps me sane.  But so does running.  Running gives me a chance to just do that.  Nothing else.  I can't start laundry, get dinner started, vacuum, or walk the dog.  I can only RUN.  And it does give me a chance to clear my head, and think of crafting, layouts, colors, figure out sketches, and think about Christmas crafts.  

My running has taken a front seat to my life.  And it will soon slow down.  I am running 12 miles now.  And that takes just under 3 hours, each day I run.  Yep, three hours devoted to this only 'thing'.  I can't do anything else.  And so, once I find the time to do this, I really do need to complete it.  I am training for a half marathon.  And that race is quickly approaching.  I plan on staying with running even after this race.  However, on a modified schedule.  I'm looking at running for an hour or two 2 times a week, swimming laps one day a week, and then do a spin class one day a week.  To stay in shape, to do this for me.  It gives me an hour for a 'healthier me'.  And it helps clear my mind from work, and to help concentrate on crafting.  

I knew I wanted to make a card for a very special friend, so I went searching the internet for a layout to really show off these pattern papers I picked up recently.  And found this beautiful sketch from SaratovScrap.  here is the card sketch:

What I love about this sketch:  The layers, and the bits and pieces just under the blossom.  

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  The card base is made from Kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  One of my all time favorite kraft card stocks.  Its a beautiful color and easy to work with weight.  

The pattern papers are from Simple Stories:  Legacy.  Instead of adding strips of pattern papers I decided to layer them.  I roughed up the edges with a thread cutter and my finger nail.  I sponged the edges, with a light brown ink.  

I added some machine stitching to one side.  I thought that it would add a home-made feel to the over all look of the card.  

I added an old (1870) French theatre ticket to the lower portion of the card.  I thought the color and the 'print' help 'age' the card.  The 'handmade' label I hand-stamped using the Boutique Accessories stamp set by Paper Trey Ink, using Mint Macaroon classic ink by Stampin' Up!.

I added a Prima blossom.  I cut a pair of leaves to help make the blossom look more natural.  And finally, I added a trio of wood grain sequins.

I finished the inside of the card with a piece of vanilla card stock matted with Mint Macaroon card stock.  

I won't write inside the card.  Instead, I add a hand-written note on a post-it, and add it to the inside of the card.  That way, the person who receives it, can re-use the card.  Sometimes, it is nice to have a card or two (sometimes more) on hand for special occasions.  This card is off to the post office, to be mailed to my very special friend.  {smile}  Thank you for stopping by!  I'll share more crafts soon!