Let It Snow, in January

Howdy, and welcome back.  I have been busy crafting, but not busy photographing what I have created {frown}.  But, I will work on being better at sharing what I create here, and on my Facebook page.  To be honest, sometimes, its just easier to take a quick pic with my phone and upload it on Facebook.  Yeah, that makes me sound lazy.  Honest. But lazy.  So, a New Year's Resolution has been declared!

I am playing along with three challenges: Just Add Ink, Paper Craft Crew, and Word Art Wednesday.  So, let's get started!  I stopped by Just Add Ink blog, and they have a color inspiration photo for their current challenge.

When I saw this photo, I instantly thought of a new line of holiday paper from Prima: Santa Baby.

For a little bit of direction, I stopped by the Paper Craft Crew blog.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  Perfect!  Here is that sketch:

I'm pretty sure I can work with this! {smile}

Finally, I headed over to the Word Art Wednesday blog.  Their challenges are Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  And the design team will certainly inspire you!

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I created a standard A2 size greeting card (5 1/2" x 4 1/4").  I used PaperTrey Ink's Aqua Mist card stock for the card base.  I just love this soft, pale water color!  I added a piece of the 'houses' pattern paper from Prima: Santa Baby.  I thought it looked sweet, and cozy.  

The next layer is the mugs of cocoa pattern paper from Prima: Santa Baby, matted with Autumn Rose card stock by PaperTrey Ink.  

I then wrapped a piece of cream lace and pale pink seam binding around the second layer (similar to the sketch), and then I machine stitched these layers together.  I added my layered stack towards the right (as in the sketch).  I machine stitched the sentiment panel to the Aqua Mist card stock.  I slipped on a 'tree' paper clip.  And used foam tape to adhere it to the paper paper layer.  

I tied a double bow with the pale pink seam binding, and tied a tiny pale pink ornament to the bow with some gold and white bakers twin.  I adhered a paper blossom from the Prima: Santa Baby collection just above the bow.  I punched out some leaves and stuck them in behind the paper blossom (as in the sketch).  

I added a trio of crystals (as in the sketch) from Prima to the front of the card; two below the bow and one next to the tree paper clip.  I thought that they added the right amount of sparkle, even tho they are two different colors: aqua and pale pink.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope that you have a chance to play along with any or all of these challenges!  Enjoy your weekend, and I hope to be back soon!

Fast Time and Thanks

Howdy!  As some of you may know, I have started running again this year.  I have also started exercising and eating better.  Yeah, a New Year's Resolution.  I'm not incredibly over weight, but I'm not happy with my weight.  So, I decided that I needed to do something about it.  I joined a gym, lost 13pounds.  Not crazy.  I also learned what to eat for a healthy diet, a clean diet, and what foods actually make me feel better.  

My New Year's Resolution was for my happiness.  I have had several rough years at work.  To the point that I thought about quitting every single day.  But, I'm stubborn.  So, I decided, that I needed to do something for me, for my sanity.  And I am super happy I did.  {smile}  

Anyways, back to what I started with: running again this year.  I did a quick and 'dirty' training (6 weeks) for my first half marathon this year - May 1.  Not the greatest time, but one I am happy with.  {smile}  Well, that whole experience has only made me hungry to train harder, run faster, and feel better at my post runs.  So, I signed up for the local Summer Race Series, in Albuquerque.  I did a charity run this past Saturday - Polly's Run.  A quick pace, a quick distance.  5K [3.1 miles @ 36 minutes (11:16 min/mile)]  I also did this race with my bestie - Nichole B.  She has supported me and my 'pacing' since we started running, and I wanted to say 'Thank You'  to her for her enduring support this past Saturday.  So, I made her a card.  She is also a fellow crafter, so she can appreciate the effort and work that goes into making a card.

I stopped by Mojo Monday to use their current sketch, and get my creativity flowing.

here is what I created:

Recipe:  I created a A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")  I used Bashful Blue card stock (retired) by Stampin' Up! for the card base, and the matt.  The navy blue and floral pattern papers are from the same collection: Think To Remember collection by Photo Play Paper Co.

I wrapped a white doily around the upper left corner of the main panel.  The sentiment is from the water color trio stamp set (retired) by Stampin' Up!  I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap piece of white card stock.  I hand cut the flag end.  I adhered the sentiment banner with a single staple.  I tied a triple loop bow with pale blue crinkled seam binding and adhered the bow over the staple.  To add a little sparkle, I added a trio of silver sequins.

Clean.  Simple (for me).  And beautiful.  Just like my bestie!  I hope you find some inspiration and play along with the current sketch challenge from Mojo Monday its 'contest' week!

Cute Baby; Card

Howdy!  I had a few custom orders to get completed and out in the mail.  Whew.  Love being busy.  It keeps me focused.  And on a personal note, I am up to 7 miles.  Running.  I am working on my time, and distance.  [If  you didn't know, I am training for a half marathon.  check out my InstaGram page.]

The easiest paper crafting style I can create, is shabby chic, with a bit of vintage thrown in for good measure.  I am a sucker for pink, vanilla, text, seam binding, lace, and paper blossoms.  And thanks to the world wide web, I can see what folks from a round the world create.  And so, for today's card, I am participating in two Russian challenges.  

To give me some inspiration, I chose to work with the inspiration board provided by Scrap Magic.

They have requirements.  Colors: Sand, & Pink.  Mandatory elements: rose, ribbon, metal, and wear.

What a beautiful collage.  I love the soft, sweet colors, and the little additions of gold.  Very pretty. This challenge closes on July 1st.  So, I may be submitting another paper craft {smile}.

Now, to give me some direction, I chose to work with art-kladovaya.  I love this sketch!  

I love the circle elements and the pattern piece at the top right of the sketch.  This challenge is almost closed.  this challenge site closed minutes before I could add my entry.  {frown}

And here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used a kraft yardstick from a big box store.  I love the softness of the kraft brown.  For the pink bottle pattern paper, I used Carta Bella latest baby girl pattern paper.  For the pink & brown polka dot  pattern paper, its a scrap from Impressions (at least 8 yrs old).

I did  a double simple border stitch.  I added a little distressing to the edges of the papers, including sponging.  I tore the paper and added a scrap piece of cotton trim in the tear, and then added some stitching along the bottom of the tear.

I added three different ribbon scraps under the heart brad for my sentiment.  I added a trio of paper blossoms (two pink, and one brown)  I thought the colors would go nicely with the card.  I added leaves cut from text paper, to give some contrast.  I added two kraft vintage buttons by Paper Trey Ink.  I added a 'cute' lightbulb and a scrap piece of cream tule.

Thank you for stopping by!  I'll get back in my craft room.  I have a few special orders to get out in the next few weeks.  {smile}  A little sneak peak, I ordered some beautiful holiday elements to add to my Christmas crafts for this years craft fair.  I'm super excited to see them in person!