Read, Drink (tea) & Be Merry Card

Good Morning! I hope all is well in your home.  Here, doing ok.  I have a few errands to run today, along with a few chores to accomplish.  But, all in all, it should be a productive day.   As I sit here, getting coupons together, and making my lists, I notice that I forgot failed to publish a blog post.  UGH!  A bit late, and I missed a few challenges, but, here it is.  {grimace} The card that I created did make it into my Etsy shop, HERE.

I need to create a card for a special friend who is hosting an afternoon tea for me and a few (ok, 10) of my girl friends.  She is super talented, creative, and an all around dear lady.  And I stumbled upon a few challenges, that will help get me creating!  So, here we go!
My first stop is Mojo Monday. This sketch is for a tall and skinny card, but I love the layout!  this challenge is currently closed.  I missed their deadline.

My next stop is The Card Concept.  The inspiration for their current challenge, a tea cup with a gorgeous blossom inside.  How stinking cute is that?  Did I mention the color of the tea cup? Vintage blue.  Yeah, and the blossom is this pale pretty pink.  Who could have asked for a better color combo?  The title for their challenge:  Sweet Tea.  this challenge is currently closed, as well.  UGH!

My next stop is Crafting By Designs.  This group of talented ladies really know how to craft a card.  The design team is inspirational and super creative.  Their current challenge:  Anything Goes!  Awesome!  

here is what I made:

I made a typical A2 size card. (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

I used a single sided card stock, in Latte by Amuse Studios, for the card base.  

The card was then created with scraps of various pattern papers I had on hand.  The beautiful worn wood pattern paper is Paper Studios, County Floral.  The text pattern paper is Melissa Frances.  I added a scrap piece of white cotton trim and did some machine sewing.  

The 'tag' piece is actually a journalling card from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  I simply trimmed it down and added a banner end.   I added an embellishment from the same collection and adhered it to the 'tag'.  Just to give it a focal point.  The words are in gold.  So, that added some sparkle.

I wrapped some seam binding around the top of the card.  Adhered it to the card front with machine stitching.  {smile}  It is an antique rose color.  But I wanted some bling, so I added some retired silver bakers twine from Stampin' Up!  

I tied a simple bow with the seam binding, but it appeared to need something more, so I also tied a simple bow with my pale pink tinsel.  I think it helps add some sparkle, some vintage flair, and help balance the card.  I tied a tea cup charm onto the stacked bows with some of the bakers twine.  A hidden treasure!

And finally, I added several flat back faux pearls to the card front.  To give it, a feminine touch.   I sponged all the edges with crumb cake classic ink, from Stampin' Up! to help give the card some aged charm.  I thought the stark white edges looked to 'modern'.  

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to play along in these challenges.  I did use the sketch challenge from Mojo Monday for the layout.  However, I missed the deadline to that challenge.  Have a great day, and craft something beautiful!

Banner Love Card

Welcome.  I had a few minutes this morning, to create a blank greeting card.  So, it was a good morning {smile}
I am entering this card in three different challenges.  A color & theme, a tic-tac, and an anything goes.
So, let's start with the color & theme challenge:  {Cupcake Inspirations}
The colors are kraft, cream, white, and a sweet vintage blue/mint.  And don't forget Banners!

The next challenge is the tic-tac challenge.  These are always fun, because you decide what 'squares' you want to play with.  Just Us GirlS wild card challenge.

ribbon, die-cuts, buttons

And finally, the last challenge, is an Anything Goes themed challenge: Brown Sugar Challenge

and my card:

Recipe:  The card base is made with mint macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love this vintage color.  I added a piece of background text pattern paper by Melissa Frances.  To jazz up the text paper, I did some stamping onto the paper.  I inked two stamps from the Timeless Texture stamp set by Stampin' Up!  I inked the flourish stamp with mint macaroon classic ink, and the rings stamp with baked brown sugar classic ink.

I had a scrap piece of this laurel printed kraft paper, so I cut a banner end.  I machine stitched some taupe lace and lost lagoon striped cotton ribbon to the top.  I added a trio of buttons tied with light brown bakers twine.

And now, time for the banner!  I used the gold bakers twine by Stampin' Up! and then strung various banner pieces.  I cut two short banner pieces with a hand held punch (by Stampin' Up!)  I die cut two tags from gold glitter paper and music paper.  I used a banner die to cut the two long gold foil pieces.

I wanted to add some bling to the banner, so I strung two charms: black bow, and white love pendant.  

Finally, I added three banner trims: thin gold tinsel, and thick twine in baked brown sugar.

I'm off to get a few chores done.  I hope you have been inspired, to play along with any or all of these challenges.  {smile}

is Christmas over?

Howdy.  Whew, I don't know about you, but this holiday season came up fast and went by in the same speed. {frown}  I had so many plans, wants, desires, and items I wanted to craft.  Well, I didn't get the time to do all of those things/crafts.  One of the most disappointing crafts I didn't get to, was my paper ornaments for the grandkids.  I had everything purchased and on hand, but didn't get the time to die cut shapes, and stamp items.  {frown}  It kinda breaks my heart.  I haven't totally let go of the idea, so who knows I just might make them anyways.  Let's see what kind of time the new year brings.

I did finish a gift card holder very (and I do mean VERY) last minute, and I wanted to share with you.  {smile}  But, I want to enter a few crafting challenges:

Crafting by Designs : Here Comes the Holidays

a Gem of a Challenge : Christmas & Anything Goes

My Time to Craft Challenge : Last minute Christmas Makes

Just Add Ink : Gift Card Holder

here is my Christmas gift card holder:

(due to the constant snow fall, and lack of natural light,
my photography skills were really challenged)

'drawer' is pushed open

Ok, my little gift card holder, is actually a match box with a decorative top and matching bottom.  How super cute is that?  The thing I love about these little boxes, is that you can embellish and decorate the whole box, and you don't have to untie the bow to open it! {smile}

here are a few different views:

Recipe:  I cut the top and bottom panels out of real red card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the depth and richness of this red.  The 'sleeve' that holds the box was cut with a scrap piece of holiday pattern print card stock.  It is a vanilla color with charcoal santas.  

The top piece is actually a printed 'tag'.  It looks like a Poinsettia stamped tag layered on black and white polka dot paper.  How super cute, and easy to work with.  

I added a few stands of decorative trim to the real red ribbon through the tag hole.

I added a strip of silver sequins, red pom pom trim and olive green striped think twine.   I tied them together with silver cord, and added a plastic tiny candy cane.   To help with the silver accent, I also added a rhinestone brad to the tag hole.  And then added a trio of loose silver sequins.  I also tied a mini plastic peppermint patty to the big black striped bow on the side of the box, with another length of silver cord.

For the sentiment piece, I stamped the greeting in basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up! onto white card stock, and used my scissors to fussy cut around the words.  I did add some sponging to the edges of the sentiment piece.  I did that to cut down on the stark whiteness.  I added foam adhesive to the back of the sentiment piece to elevate it off the front of the box.  I didn't want it to look too flat.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope I have inspired you to think of a different way to present a gift card.  {smile}  I am having an End of Year Sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  So, please check it out.  I need to make room for some new crafts.  {smile}  Also, if you are going to be in Albuquerque, NM around the end of next month, stop by my Trash to Treasure Trunk Show!  Come see my crafts in person!

Teal Poinsettia Card

Howdy.  I hope you are staying warm.  The weather out here is cold.  No snow yet, just bone chilling cold.  So, I stayed indoors and created a card.  I wanted to make something sweet, Christmas-y, and not red and green.  I used an old holiday stamp set from Flourish, and went to work.  {smile}

I saw the sketch over @ retro sketches and just fell in love with their current sketch challenge.

Look how fabulous this sketch is!  The part that I love is the overhang of the blossoms.  But you can easily change those out with snowflakes, or a different floral piece, or bells, or stars, or any other object.  Now, I did rotate the sketch 90 degrees to the right.  And here is what I made:

Recipe:  The card base is crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The main panel itself is matted with a teal card stock.  I added the music pattern paper from Stampin' Up! to fill up the white space.  I added a decorative teal plaid pattern paper to the bottom portion of the card.  I did tie that beautifully sheer teal ribbon to the card front.  And embossed that tiny tag with 'Happy holidays'.

For the large Poinsettia I stamped and embossed in silver on shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  And then I simply water colored the blossom with a light teal and light green inks.   I adhered my large blossom to the card front with foam tape and added liquid pearls to the center.  I finished off the card with a trio of teal sequins.

Now, I need to get this little beauty in the mail to a lovely lady who requested a special order desk top calendar (NG).  I hope that she loves it, and can use the extra holiday card on hand.  {smile}

I've been a little busy getting a few more items created for my next holiday arts and craft fair, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I'll be @ La Cueva High School's arts & craft fair this weekend.  Yes! the whole weekend!  2 days! Saturday and Sunday!  I'm in the B-hall (booth B-34).  If you shop here during the holidays, please stop by my booth and say 'hello'.  It will be good to see you {smile}!

Thank you for stopping by, and now I must head out the door and get to work.  Take care, and stop by soon.  You'll never know what I'll make next! {smile}

A Sweet Card For You

Howdy!  Well, don't fret, I don't have another gift bag to share with you {smile}.  I changed gears for a bit.  The switch up helps me re-evaluate what I'm working on.  And the change of focus, actually helps get stuff done, and the creativity can flow easier, or at least for me.
I stopped by Mojo Monday to see what their current sketch looks like.  And boy oh boy, does that design team come up with some fantastic sketches!

I have to admit, when I saw the break between panels, I was a bit stumped.  But, look what I made!

I did stay with the 'tall & skinny' sketch.  This finished card measures 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".    And the recipe:  I started with Mint Macaroon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used three different pattern papers from Authentique 'Infusion' collection.  The black text is the back/reverse side of the macaroon pattern paper.

I adhered the macaroon and floral pattern papers to a matt of mint macaroni card stock.  I added machine stitching to this piece, to add a little homespun touch.  {smile}

I added the scallop piece, where the break is in the panels.  

I added a dark pink paper blossom to the top of this main panel piece.  I added two leaves to the blossom in place of the banner pieces.  I wanted a little more sparkle, so I added a 'ribbon end' piece cut with silver glitter paper.  

I changed the small square with a 2" circle.  I also added my sentiment to the circle piece.  I stamped a sentiment from the Timeless Love stamp set, by Stampin' Up! in Basic Black archival ink.  I don't own a 2 1/4" circle punch, so I simply added the sentiment circle to a piece of mint macaroon card stock and hand cut the circle.  I used a piece of sand paper to smooth out the rough uneven edges.  I adhered the circle to the front of the card with foam tape.

And to add a little pizzazz, I added a trio of marshmallow sequins to the card front.

This card will be in the mail tomorrow for a friend (Cathy).  I've been thinking of her lately, and hope all is well.  And this is the best kind of snail mail to receive! {smile}

Green & Red Poinsettia Gift Bag

Howdy.  I have been having such a great time making these little fabric scrap Christmas 'trees' that I just had to make another. {smile}.  And today, I am on my second post of these gift bags.  I used the same fabric as the previous post, but this time I created a 'green' bag.

I am entering this bag into these three challenges:  Die Cuttin Divas, Inky Impressions Challenge, and Crafting By Desings.   

The wonderfully talented ladies over @ Die Cutting Divas have a great holiday preparations challenge:  Tag, Bag, or Box.  Sounds perfect! and let's just admit it, something we need to get crafting, anyways.  {smile}

I am playing along with the creative design team over @ Inky Impressions Challenge.   Their current challenge is to use: Traditional Christmas Colors: Red, Green, and Kraft.  I believe this is right up my alley, so to speak.  The design team has done a wonderful job at providing us with some inspiration.  

I am also playing along with the ever inspiring design team over @ Crafting By Designs.   Their current challenge is themed: getting ready for Christmas.  I think all of us can create something beautiful to play along with their challenge, too. {smile}

Finally, I am using the inspirational photo from the card Concept.  I am not 'playing' along with their challenge, due to the fact, that their challenge site is for cards, and not projects.  But their inspirational photo is very beautiful, home-y, and a bit vintage-country. {smile}

and here is my Green version of my holiday gift bag:

a close-up of the 'tree'

Recipe:  I used green card stock to create the bag shape.  It measures 4 3/4" x 12".  A nice size for that special holiday gift.  {smile}

To create the 'tree' I tied on strips of fabric from a fat quarter set by Stampin' Up!.  It is retired.  But I love the red blossoms, the green accents and the brown patterns.  Very pretty, vintage-y, and a bit country.

I also added some crochet trims, tree tinsel, green velvet ribbon with red satin backing, and a brown gingham ribbon.

The fabric, trims, and ribbons are tied to a kraft striped paper straw.  I topped my 'tree' with a single red paper rose.

I tied on a trio of vintage buttons with kraft twine.

The background and sentiment are hand-stamped using crumb cake classic ink.  I just love how soft and 'innocent' this color looks on vanilla card stock.

I love to add some machine stitching to my hand-crafted cards and projects.  I think it 'finish'es a project, and adds that special homemade touch.  {smile}  I also added some machine stitching to the sentiment rectangle.  

I hope you create something beautiful and holiday inspired, so you can play along with these challenges, too!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.   And yeah, I have a few more gift bags to share with you.  But, I'll leave those for another post.

Scraps of Trim 'Tree'; Gift Bag

Howdy.  Whew.  I'm been busy.  Busy like everyone else!  This was a big week to cook; which I love!  I really do enjoy baking and cooking.  Creating beautiful, delicious food is one of my passions.  I think food should not only look great, but taste great!  Thanksgiving, is my husbands favorite holiday, because of the food.  Funny, huh?  

One of my other passions is crafting.  Mostly paper crafting.  I love to create beautiful things out of paper.  I made a 'tree' out of scraps of fabric, and totally loved how super cute they came out.  And while I was visiting some of my favorite challenge sites, I read the post of 'Lace' @ Shabby Chic .  It did give me an idea on making a 'tree' out of scrap pieces of lace, crochet trim, and ribbon.  I am pretty happy with they came out.  [they, I made two {smile}].

I am entering a few challenges today with my little creation:  Love to Scrap  , Die Cutting Divas , Scrap & Craft Inspiration , and Crafting By Designs.

The talented ladies over @ Love To Scrap! , will surely inspire you with they variety of creative styles.  Their current challenge:  Anything Goes.

The talented ladies over @ Die Cutting Divas, have a current challenge: Tag, Bag or Box.  You should see the great boxes, bags, and tags these ladies made.  Very inspiring.
The design team over @ Scrap & Craft Inspiration have a current challenge: Shabby Chic or Vintage.  These creative ladies are located in Europe.  and therefore, their styles of crafting is very layered, with lots of embellishing.  Very beautiful, very inspiring,  and very creative.
And finally, the lovely ladies over @ Crafting by Designs, have a current challenge: Get Ready for Christmas.  I strongly encourage you to take a look at this creative design team's entries.  Just lovely!

here is what I made:

I used crumb cake card stock for the 'bag'.  I used a gold card stock as my matt.  I think it adds a bit of  glamour to my bag.  I used shimmer white card stock for the main panel.  I stamped my three different size snowflakes in two different kraft colored inks: crumb cake classic ink, and classic kraft ink.  I used my sewing machine to add a 'homespun' look to my bag, by sewing a simple border.  

I collected my trims: crochet trims, cotton trims, ribbons, and thin tinsels, and tied them around a cinnamon stick.  I added a trio of buttons.  I tied them on to the cinnamon stick with a gold, silver, and cream twine.  And I added a Melissa Frances rhinestone button to the top of the cinnamon stick.

My sentiment is stamped and matted the same way I did the main panel of the bag.

close-up of the buttons:

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful, too!  And join these two challenges.  

Blue Fabric Scrap Holiday Tree Gift Bag

Howdy!  Oh boy!  I had so much fun making my other 'tree', that I decided to make another. {smile}  The wonderfully talented and inspirational ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have a current challenge O' Christmas Tree, and the inspirational photo is just to die for!  Super adorable and simply country!

Look at these layered/stacked strips to create Christmas trees!  The distressing, the buttons, and the pretty stars make these simply beautiful!
I am also entering this holiday gift bag in the current challenge over @ Unicorn Challenge Blog.  Their current challenge:  Christmas is Coming, and I think these bags are perfect!

and here is my other fabric scrap 'tree':

I had so much fun making the first one, that I just had  to make another!  I used Pool Party, Real Red, and silver accents to create this ice-y holiday gift bag.  

I used fabric (retired) from Stampin' Up!.  The ribbons and trims are from various makers.  (notice the red velvet ribbon?  purchased that on sale!)  I tied on buttons (retired) from Stampin' Up! and Paper Trey Ink, using the current silver thin cord from Stampin' Up!.  

The snowflakes stamped on the shimmer white card stock are retired from Stampin' Up!.  I used going grey classic ink, by Stampin' Up! to create the background and sentiment piece.  

Once again, I added machine stitching.  I think it just adds that homespun look and feel.  I added a silver glitter star to the top of this tree.  And a silver tone snowflake charm to the sentiment piece.

These and many more gift bags will be for sale at my next holiday craft fair.  I hope you get a chance to stop in and pick up some wonderfully crafted homespun holiday gifts and packaging.

Thank you for stopping by.  Im heading back into my craft room to finish up on a few desk top calendars.  I love making these.  They add that special personal touch to your office space/desk.

Sale

Howdy!  I just want to share a quick post with you today.  I know that most of you, are like me, and just love a sale.  So, I wanted to get the word out, and let you know that Stampin' Up! is having a sale on ALL of their stamp sets this week.

You can place your order @ my on-line Stampin' Up! website.  I have a link, here on my blog, on the right side-bar 'shop 24-7', or click HERE.  Once on my Stampin' Up! site, click on the 'SHOP' tab, and place your order there.  Your order will be shipped directly to YOU!  How easy!
If you have any questions, please let me know.  Have a great Tuesday!  and stay tuned for more images of paper crafts.

Sweet, Vintage Christmas Gift Card Holder

Howdy my paper peeps!  I've been busy.  Busy like a little bee {smile}.  But, I did want to take a moment and share a new craft I am working on.  It's a gift card holder.  And I make a lot of these.  So the idea, or template that I use isn't 'new', but the holder is.  {smile}

I make many of these for the holiday craft fairs.  They are super sweet, and super easy to use during the busy holiday season.  They make perfect stocking stuffers, sweet little additions to gift bags, and boxes, great teacher gifts, or hostess gifts.  Purchase a gift card to your recipient's favorite store, and simply tuck it inside to a wonderfully beautiful holder.  Easy peasy!

I love adding machine stitching, it is so sweet, and home-y.  The round tag is hand-stamped with 'Merry Christmas'.  Simple and sweet.  And here is the inside:

The sentiment on the inside is always heat embossed.  I believe the raised lettering is a very elegant touch.  I tucked a gift card inside, from one of my favorite shops for the photo shoot.  I defaced their logo for legal reasons.  But, we all know I have a deep love for them.  {smile}  There is room on the panel where the gift card sits, to write a personal message for the recipient, too.  

Oh yeah, the pattern paper is from Tilda.  The card stock is a very old retired card stock from Stampin' Up! (bordering blue).  I used a very retired stamp set by Stampin' Up! to stamp the tag: Fancy Flexible Phrases in brocade blue classic ink.  And finally, for the inside, I used a stamp set  from Paper trey Ink: season's greetings.  I tuck the finished gift card holder in a clear cello bag, with a bag topper, so whoever purchases one of my gift card holders, the holder stays fresh and untouched.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope all is well, where you are.  I'm off to finish several more. {smile}

Vintage Farm Happiness: Card

I actually was able to photograph this card during the daylight! Yeah!  Love it.  But, that also means that I wasn't able to complete my chores.  {frown}  Well, there is always tomorrow.  {smile}

I saw the sketch over @ Mojo Monday earlier this week.  And all I can say, is wow!  I will be using this sketch for several paper crafts I have on my 'to do' list.  

Here is the current sketch 

So when I saw this sketch, I thought blossoms in place of the stars.  

But, I didn't do that.  Here is what I created:

Ok, this is another small A6 size card: 4 1/4" x 6".    I just love this 'new-to-me' size card.  The card base is made from Ocean Tides card stock.  I added a matt of kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  The pattern paper is another digital download.  I did a single border machine stitching around the main panel. 

I added a strip of white cotton eyelet trim, then a scrap of mint macaroon lace trim (by Stampin' Up!) and cream twill ribbon (by Paper Trey Ink).

My focal piece is another digital pattern paper from the same collection as the larger piece.  I did another kraft card stock matt.  I did a single border machine stitch, but only on the bottom half of this piece.

I added a vintage price tag, and a vintage mini milk cap.  The vintage scale was hand-stamped from the A Second Helping of Sunshine stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink.  The sentiment is from Close to my Heart: Country Born stamp set.

I also added a Tim Holtz safety pin to the bow, and created a tag from the packaging of the 'helping of sunshine' stamp set.  I used a sentiment from the Friendship Jar stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink.  

I added a very vanilla card stock panel with a kraft card stock for the inside.  I also re-stamped the vintage scale on the lower right corner.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired to create something beautiful!  Now I'm off to start my chores.  {frown}  And then I'll have a few evenings this week, to continue crafting! {smile}

Life is Sweet with You: Card

Howdy! and welcome!   I hope your weekend is off to a good start.  Me, I've been crafting, and will be heading out the door soon to go for a run.  [so for me . . . pretty good {smile}]

I have several challenge sites, that I visit on my day off, and on Tuesday, I saw the notice that one of my all time favorite challenge sites is stopping.  Card abilities  {frown}  This breaks my heart!  I have found their sketches to be very easy to work with, and the inspiration from the design team has always been spot on!  But, I must admit, that I totally understand their decision.  So, here I sit, with my fingers crossed, that they will find the opportunity to continue their sketch challenge site.  

So, for their last sketch (for now) I really wanted to play along.  I felt that I just had to!  And my week was spent trying to find the 'right' paper and the 'right' embellishments to play along with this awesome group of ladies.  I didn't just want to play along, I really wanted to show them my love for them, and that I will miss them {frown}.  So, here is the current sketch over @ Cardabilities :

Ok, see what I mean about their sketches?  Just gorgeous!

and here is what I created:

This greeting card, pretty much says it all:  Life is sweeter with you!  And it sure is!  This greeting card measures 4 1/4" x 6".  It's a tad smaller than an A6 card, and a bit larger than an A2 card.   I use A6 envelopes for this size card.  It's a bit large, but it really works with my embellishments.  And there is a nice size of blank space inside to write your message.  {smile}

Recipe:  The card base is made with cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  They make wonderful weight card stock.  The 'brown' matt is actually kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  And that gorgeous  pattern paper is actually a digital paper.  I brushed some shimmer paint and white paint randomly (and lightly) on the digital paper.

I machine stitched a simple border around the digital paper and the kraft matt.  I used an aqua polka dot pattern paper from Paper Trey Ink, some cream lace trim from Walmart, and cream twill ribbon from Paper Trey Ink, to give this card a shabby chic look.  And I machine stitched them to the card front as well.

I stamped my sentiment from Close To My Heart, in going grey classic ink, by Stampin' Up!, onto very vanilla card stock, by Stampin' Up!, too.  I added a matt made from textured pool party card stock, by Stampin' Up!  I hand cut the circle.  I used some sanding paper, to help smooth out the uneven edges.  I cut a scallop circle with my extra large scallop punch by Stampin' Up! and adhered this piece to the card front with foam tape (dimensionals) by Stampin' Up!

I added a trio of buttons.  [I love buttons.]  I had a lone pink paper blossom sitting on my craft desk that was the perfect color.  So, I brushed on some shimmer paint to the petal edges.  I made a bow from the cream twill ribbon and adhered them to the card front with hot glue.  I tucked three leaf sprigs under the paper blossom.

The bumble bee I made with some sparkle white clay.  I recently purchased the mold from a shop on Etsy.  And I love how they came out.  [I typically make several clay pieces, from several molds at one time.]

I did finish the inside of the card.  I started doing that recently, and I am happy so far with the look.

I used the kraft card stock to make the matt.  I added very vanilla card stock for the inner piece.  I had a scrap piece of the aqua polka dot pattern paper on my craft desk and thought I should add that to the inside.  I also machine stitched a scrap piece of cream pom pom trim.  I think it looks sweet.

I will have this card for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.

I hope you get a chance to play along with this wonderful collection of super talented ladies over @ Cardabilities.

Thank you for stopping by.  I am heading out the door for a run.  I am happy that I am sticking with this running thing.  It really does give me a chance to clear my head, and do something good for my heart {smile}.

Ho {cubed}; It's Christmas

~ photo heavy post ~

The paper crafting continues {smile}.  I was struggling earlier yesterday, and couldn't figure out where to start.  So, I simply just started {smile}.  I used the current sketch from Cardabilities, to get the creative juices flowing.  And it did!  I created a pair of holiday cards using some sweet vintage-y style pattern papers from Paper Studio.  And I purchased these pattern papers on sale.  Cha-ching!

current sketch:

I'm also entering the current challenge over @ the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  Their current challenge is: Christmas; it will soon be here.  Check out their creative design team.  Very talented!

and what I created (the red version):

and the green version:

and yeah, I did stamp the inside:

The sentiments were stamped on very vanilla card stock.  I used two new holiday stamp sets by Stampin' Up!. (outside the card, uses Oh What Fun stamp set, and inside the card, uses Cozy Christmas stamp set.) They were hand-stamped with basic black classic ink.  All the pattern papers are from Paper Studio.  For the inside of the card, I cut a narrow strip of the margin pattern paper, and tore the end to resemble washi tape.  

I sponged all the edges, of the various papers, with crumb cake classic ink.  I also added machine stitching along the bottom portion of each card.  And machine stitched the cotton trim and cotton ribbon.  The cotton trim was purchased from a local sewing store.  The cotton ribbons are from Stampin' Up!

I added buttons from my stash (red corduroy and garden green button) are retired from Stampin' Up!. And a silver reindeer charm is tied to the bow with cream twine.  

Thank you for looking.  I'm planning on making a few gift card holders and gift bags using this festive holiday pattern paper.  Stay tuned {smile}.  And these cards will be for sale in my Etsy shop.