Chalkboard Sentiment; Card

Welcome.  I'm so happy you stopped by and take a look at what I've created today.  If you didn't see my precious post, I've been running.  And running takes a lot of my time.  So my crafting was not been as productive as I'd like it to be. {frown}  However, during my last run, I was able to clear my head, and re-ignite my creative spark.  

I stopped by Mojo Monday late yesterday, to get a peak at their current sketch.  And then last night, I dreamt of a card.  {yeah, I dream about paper crafting.}

And this week, @ Mojo Monday is a prize week.  {yahoo!}  The thing that I love about Mojo Monday sketches, is that they are so easy to use.  Here is their current sketch:

When I first saw this sketch, my first reaction was to rate the sketch 90 degrees right and mirror it.  That would change the sketch to be landscape, and orient the diagonal piece to be on the right side of the card, and the circle piece to more center.  But, then I changed my mind last minute.

here is what I made:

Now, if you know me, or follow me, you already know that I mostly use scraps and pieces that I have on hand, and this creation follows that rule.   I am a paper crafting hoarder.  I could give Hobby Lobby a run for their money.  Don't believe me?  ask my husband.  {smile}  This card is a thin A6 size (4 1/4" x 6")

different view

Recipe:  The card base is made from Paper Studios Kraft card stock.  I just love the color and feel of this card stock.  It's a bit light weight, so I line the inside of the card, to help it stand-up without falling forward.

For the main panel, I cut a 5" x 7" digital paper down to 4 1/8" x 5 7/8".  I added a scrap piece (2" x 4 1/4") of aqua mist polka dot paper, from Paper Trey Ink.   I adhered these two pattern papers together.  I trimmed the overhang from the polka dot paper.  I used a thread cutter to distress the edges.  I then sponged the edges with a light brown ink.  I used my finger nail to make little tears in the papers. 

The square, green, floral paper, is actually a digital download.  It is originally 'coaster' size (4" square). But, I didn't want to cut down the paper, because I love the whole look of this square.  So, I printed it @ 80%, to shrink it down to roughly 3" square.  I distressed the edges with a thread cutter and sponged ink along the edges, too.

I took a scrap piece (4 1/4" x 3") of a text paper from Melissa Frances, and tore the paper into a diagonal shape.  I distressed the edges with a thread cutter and added sponging to the edges.  I adhered this piece across the lower third of the card.  It also helped hide/mask the seams. {smile}

I then added my machine stitching.  I did a double border stitch.  I didn't sew across the text pattern paper, to help give the card a finished look.

I wrapped a scrap piece of aqua colored seam binding around the diagonal piece into a diagonal. 

I have a box of chalk board sentiment tags (circle, rectangle, and square) from Anna Griffith.  I used foam tape to elevate the sentiment piece off the card face.

I added a double loop of kraft twine loop where I wanted my bow.  I tied a simple bow with the same seam binding, leaving room for some tiny paper blossoms.  I cut the legs off of a white enamel brad, and hot glued it to the center of my bow.

I added a trio of tiny pink paper blossoms between the bow and the sentiment circle.  I added a pale green, heart stick pin by Fancy Pants.  I hand-stamped a tiny 'Friend' tag, and adhered it to the bottom portion of the bow.

For the final touch, I added pearls and sequins in a 'random'-ish pattern.  I added a pair of pearls with one pale green sequin above the sentiment circle, and a trio of pearls with a pair of sequins below the sentiment circle.  

Thank you for looking.  I'm pretty happy with how my card came out.  And I hope I have inspired you to create something beautiful!  Don't forget to play along with Mojo Monday challenge, as this is a prize week!  Yahoo!

Charming Neutrals; Card

Welcome.  I have another card to share, that I created.  I most likely won't share any holiday crafts, until it becomes a little cooler.  I think folks would rather enjoy the warm weather, bbq's, and other relaxing patio activities before I start bombarding them with jingle bells, and 'baby it's cold outside' projects {smile}.

I wanted to get a start on crafting a variety of greeting cards, before my minds turns to snow.  So, I set out to find some inspiration and a few challenges to enter.  And here is what I came upon:

My first stop: Cardabilities.  These folks always have some great, user-friendly sketches.  And here is the current sketch challenge:

My first thought when I saw this sketch, was another birthday card.  Or a 'thinking of you' card.

Then I stopped by the Mistress Owl Craft, to see what these ladies were crafting.  And they have an challenge set around an inspirational photo.  Very beautiful and all neutral colors.

This challenge does not require you to create a wedding themed project.  I love the lace, the pearl clusters, and the sparkle from the rhinestones.  Very beautiful and very feminine.  A little shabby, too!

here is what I crafted:

As you can see I did not make a Birthday card.  Instead, I ended up going with the wedding theme.  I am super happy with how my card turned out.  I used materials in the inspirational photo, as well as pearls, rhinestones, and other sparkly items.  

Recipe:  I started with Soft Suede card stock by Stampin' Up!  I just love this heavy weight card stock.  

The main panel is from Melissa Frances.  I used a thread cutter to rough up the edges, and then sponged brown ink.  There were a few places I had a heavy hand when distressing, and the paper tore.  So, I simply added a scrap piece of white lace trim, and kept going.  I heat embossed the sentiment in early espresso powder, by Stampin' Up! in the right upper corner.

The long lace piece I machine stitched to the card front.  I added about 5 random pleats.  I also added a piece of white lace trim over that.  And finally, machine stitched a thin piece of cream crochet trim over the white lace trim piece.  

I used scraps of neutral pattern paper for my banner pieces.  The black and white floral pattern paper is from Authentique.  The script pattern paper is from Paper Studio (HL).  And the cream and white decorative pattern paper is from Recollections (M).  I matted each of these pattern papers onto a scrap pieces of soft suede card stock.  I sponged the edges of the pattern papers.  I also machine stitched a cream pom pom trim to the top of the largest banner piece.

I tucked a bow to the right of my trio of banners, that I tied my hand.  It's a triple bow with cream colored crinkled seam binding.  I tied a kraft bakers twine to the seam binding bow, and added a tiny tag, that was sponged and stamped with 'Joy'.

My focal piece is this beautiful white resin frame.  I added a Prima zipper pull, that has this beautiful crystal dangle.  I then added a brown paper blossom and an off white paper blossom.  Both blossoms were sprayed with shimmer paint, to give them a bit of sparkle {smile}.  I then tucked in a pearl and crystal stick pin, and a few rhinestones and half pearls.  Finally, I tucked in a brown shimmer leaf stick pin to the left of the frame.  I thought this helped pull the browns forward.

I wanted to add something more; so I added faucet dots to the right upper corner and the left lower corner.  And finally a trio of marshmallow sequins near the seam binding bow.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have been inspired to either play along with these challenges, or simply craft something special.

Polka Dot Book Card/Gift

Whew.  This wonderful weekend is almost up!  Yikes!  Sorry I haven't been present, but like so many of you, I too, have had several 'new' commitments this week.  And the result is this late post.  {frown}

I am still working with this wonderful Polka Dot Party pattern paper collection from American Crafts.  I am really working at using all the pieces, scraps, and left over cuts of this fabulous pattern paper collection.  Today I want to share the cover of one of my card/box combo gifts.  I really don't know what to call it.  It acts like a card.  It holds a gift.  It opens like a book.  See my dilemma!

Ok, before we begin.  I haven't yet finished the inside.  I need to make the box that holds the gift.  The box acts like a drawer.  You pull the 'tray' out of this fabulous little holder, to expose the 'gift'.  How super sweet, huh?

Ok.  Before I get to the recipe.  I will post images of the inside, once I get that done.  I am looking at finishing the box/tray compartment this evening while watching some TV.  

One more disclaimer, this project isn't entered in any challenge.  I am just crafting! {smile}

Recipe:  The outside of this 'book' is made with crisp cantaloupe card stock by Stampin' Up!  I just love this coral, peach-y, pink hued card stock.  And the heavy weight, works wonderful with this project.  I also used SU! dark grey card soick for my matts.

I used the polka dot pattern paper as my main panels for all the outside pieces.  

I took some left over scraps of this beautiful cream fabric trim and fussy sewn it to the polka dot piece.  I purposefully left it over hanging at the top and bottom.

For the focal matt, I used a piece of the floral pattern paper, matted with the grey card stock, and sewn it to a coastal cabana card stock piece.  (I just love machine stitching on a hand made card.) 

I took two white blossom shapes, stacked those.  I added a coral paper blossom to their center.  I brushed white paint onto their petal tips, and while the paint was wet, I dunked them into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I added a hoop of pearls to the back.  I adhered this piece to the front with hot glue.  I tucked in a Prima zipper pull, that reads, 'priceless'.  I tied a multi-loop bow, made from 1/4" silk ribbon, from Paper Trey Ink.  (Love this ribbon.)  I added a melissa frances crystal dangle to the center of the multi-loop bow.  Finally, I added a Prima butterfly stick pin.  I cut a pair of leaves out of scrap piece of retired card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Its a bluish grey green card stock.  I used my thread cutter to distress the edges, and crinkled them with my fingers.

Finally, I heat embossed the sentiment right onto the pattern paper.  "Heartfelt THANKS" in silver embossing powder.

This book, card, gift combo piece uses ribbon to hold it closed.  I used an Aqua twill ribbon by Paper Trey Ink.  I just love how soft, and flexible this ribbon is.  And the color really works with the pattern paper.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I am headed back into my craft room.  I want to play along with a couple of challenges.  Take care.  Remember, please do something that you love every single day!  Craft, sew, bake, paint, etc.  Simply CREATE.  It really does wonders for your heart, mind, and soul {heart}!