Homemade Happiness

Welcome.  

I had a little free time yesterday, so I created a card, to enter in two of my favorite challenges.  I have a few favorite challenge sites, that I stalk frequently stop by.   The first is Mojo Monday (#311)  Who doesn't love a great sketch?  The other is the Shabby Tea Room (#184)  The Shabby Tea Room, has some of the most wonderful inspiration photos.  Their photos are typically shabby chic in style.  But every once in a while they are vintage, and feminine.  Who wouldn't love that?

use white, cream, and neutral colors, and include twine

here is what I created:

I did use some creative liberties with this sketch.  I did keep the main elements, but it went together a bit different.   I pulled the circle element forward.  And, I turned the bow on its side.

I used the vintage wallpaper embossing folder to create some texture to the main panel.  To create the scallop edge on the vertical strip, I adhered the crochet trim with a zig zag stitch using my sewing machine.  For the ribbon, I crinkled some crumb cake seam binding.  I also used my sewing machine to attach the ribbon to the card front. {smile}  I just love sewing on cards.

I cut a scallop circle with the Perfect Pennant die, and adhered a lolly made from a black pattern paper.  I used the Stars #2 die, to cut a star out of silver glimmer paper.  To give the center of the star a little interest, I wrapped some linen thread around the star and tied a white vintage button and made a bow.

For the rectangle piece, I actually cut a decorative shape for my sentiment.  I used the Vintage Labels stamp set by Amuse Studios.  I stamped the border in soft suede classic ink.  Then stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink.

I purchased the Country Born stamp set from a CTMH consultant several months ago.  When I saw the images and sentiments, I knew I just had to have it!  Unfortunately, this is the first time this stamp set has been inked.  (I imagine other crafts collect purchase stamps that don't always get inked in the first week month.  Right?)  The fonts for this stamp set, are beautiful.

Thank you for stopping by! and I hope you get a chance to play along with your (or mine) favorite challenge or two! {smile}.

Text Mannequin

I have 'fixed' this card.  A tiny change, but I believe that it makes the card looked 'finished'.  
I have not uploaded the 'new' card to either challenge.
This week is off, to a crafty start {smile}.  It feels good to get time in my craft room.  I have craft deadlines, and so any free time, to create what I want to create, is time well spent.

I am playing along in two of my favorite paper challenges this week: the Shabby Tea Room and Mojo Monday.  The Shabby Tea Room (#180), has a beautiful inspiration photo, along with a few requirements: fabric, flowers, and use the colors in the photo.  Mojo Monday (#307), has a sketch.  Sounds like a match made in heaven, huh?

the Shabby Tea Room challenge #180

use these colors, fabric, and flowers

the Mojo Monday sketch #307

here is what I created:  (original)

'fixed' card (not an additional submission to either challenge)

I used bits and pieces from different companies, and brought them all together.  I started with juniper cardstock by CTMH.  The matt is crumb cake cardstock by Stampin' Up!.  The main pattern paper is Out and About by My Mind's Eye.  The triangle pattern pieces is Grace by Authentique.

I machine stitched the triangle pattern papers to the main panel.  I just love this little touch.  The inside edge was distressed with scissors.  I used a narrow piece of crumb cake cardstock and used a heart border punch to create the decorative edge.  I layered this decorative edge piece under the distressed edge of the triangles.  I cut two 3/4" strips of Life Stories pattern paper by My Mind's Eye.  I added a scrap piece of crochet trim for my third banner piece.  

I added two buttons tied with cream twine from Paper Trey Ink.  The top button is from the vintage button collection by Paper Trey Ink, in aqua mist.  The bottom button is from Amuse Studios in Bermuda.

I did not use a circle for my large shape.  I really didn't like the look of the circle.  So, I changed the shape to a mini top note shape.  I really liked this look better.  I used a tiny blue floral print from Life Stories collection.  

I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink by Stampin' Up!.  The stamp set, is from Paper Trey Ink, and is one of the Signature Series stamp sets.  The dress form.  This set is a treat.  I added a aqua mist button tied with cream twine, just below the sentiment.

I used the dress form die to cut the shape, from basic black cardstock.  I used the die, again to cut the body of the mannequin from text paper.  I used scissors to trim the shape, and adhered it to the black card stock.

I wanted to add some kind of trim to the dress form.  So, I did a random pleat with some Paper Studio crochet trim.  I machine stitched the crochet trim to the dress form, to help secure it.  

I used a thin, 1/4" pear pizzazz taffeta ribbon to create the rolled ribbon rose.  I adhered it to the dress form with my hot glue gun.

I printed a digital spool label, and used a 1" circle punch to cut the shape.  I sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  That way, there wouldn't be a stark white space.  I tucked this spool label just behind the dress form.

I had an aqua blue paper blossom in my stash from a purchase I made almost 2 years ago.  I brushed picket fence distress paint on the petals.  While the paint was still wet, I dunked the painted blossom into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I used my hot glue gun to adhere this sparkly paper blossom to the bottom of the dress form.

I hope you get a chance to play along with both of these fabulous paper craft challenge sites: the Shabby Tea Room and Mojo Monday. 

Sweet Shabby Home

I know that I am blessed.  Thank you to everyone who has touched my life.  And thank you to all of my dear, wonderfully supportive friends.  You all mean so much to me, and I do truly appreciate you all!  Today, is a wonderful day!

Wow! I have been asked to be the guest designer over @ the Shabby Tea Room, for my third week in a row.  Thank you, to the lovely, and super talented design team, for their kindness and generosity.  I earned this guest designer spot with a win, on their #167 challenge, found here.

This week, the Shabby Tea Room, has a beautiful inspiration photo, along with a wonderful creative challenge.

here is the inspiration photo:

use the colors in the photo, along with a fabric embellishment

Ok, when I saw this inspiration photo, I fell in love with the quilts!  I don't know why, but, they look, so soft, and the colors are just so beautiful!  There are patterns of florals with pinks and blues, and it is just gorgeous!  It reminds me of my great-grandmother.  She made quilts for everyone!  They were all hand-stitched, and made of these beautiful materials.  They are all treasures!

and, here is what I made:

I started with a blushing bride cardstock for the card base.  I love this soft, tan-ish pink.  It looks a little dusty, if that makes sense.  I had a piece of this mixed pattern digital paper, that really shows the colors of the inspirational photo.  There are six squares and they all have pinks, blues, florals, and text.  A lovely match.  So, I matted this piece to vanilla cardstock, and ran a border with some machine stitching.  I thought the stitching would help translate the stitching from the quilts.

The sentiment is quite large, but very appropriate.  I imagine if it were smaller, it might loose some of the impact of the meaning.  This stamp set, Home Sweet Home, comes from Close To My Heart.  It was an exclusive, that could only be purchased for a short time.  Once I saw it, I was in love.  I cut the decorative shape out with the label collection die from Stampin' Up!.  I wanted a label/frame that was unique and pretty to the eye.  I stamped the sentiment in soft suede classic ink, and sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink.  But the label looked too plain, so I adhered it to a scrap piece of blush blossom card stock and fussy cut it to match the curves of the label.  I adhered the sentiment label to the card front with some foam tape.

I added two different trims.  A vintage inspired tea-stained twill tape, and a cream crochet trim.  I just love the softness of these two pieces, and the over-all vintage home-made feel of them.  And yes, i did machine stitch the tea-stained twill tape to the front of the card {smile}.  I made a multi-loop bow with the twill. (The staining of this twill tape really softened it, and made it very easy to work with.) But it really needed some 'jazzing-up', so I added some trinkets to the bow.  I made a tag, stamped 'LOVE' on it.  Punched out a heart shape from a piece of cardboard and distressed the edges.  I found this cute little button, and the color was spot-on, so it was added.  I gathered up this little trio of trinkets, and attached them to the bow, with a tiny vintage clothes pin.  I love the contrast of the metal with the cardboard.

But, my card was still missing something.  I wanted to add a blossom to the bow, but nothing looked right.  You know how that goes.  You spend more time fiddling then creating.  I found this tiny paper blossom in a stash I had, and i loved the color.  But it wasn't right.  UGH!

When I think of home, the word, I immediately think of a nest.  Don't know why.  Maybe its because I love birds.  Maybe its because the whole idea of a family living in close quarters seems cozy to me.  So, that's what I made.  A nest, so to speak.  I had a scrap piece of this beautiful brown netting, so I made a stitch along the edge and gathered it.  Glued it in a circle, add the blue paper blossom to the center, and viola!  I think the netting adds a softness, and the blue blossom goes well with the tea stained twill tape, and contrasts the pink button beautifully.

I hope that you have found some inspiration to play along with this fabulously talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room.  I know you will have fun creating something gorgeous and cozy!

Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy life, to see what I have created!  Come again, soon {smile}!

Ruffles & Ribbons

Ruffles are a girl's best friend!  Welcome.  I am creating for the Shabby Tea Room today.  I have won a guest designer spot with these fabulously ladies this week, for my win, posted here.   I have been a fan of this challenge team for quite a few years.   I have played along with them from time to time.  But this year has been a wonderful year for me.  I have found direction in my paper crafting.  I have also found more time to craft.  Which has allowed me to express my passion in this craft.  I truly love the whole process of paper crafting.  And it gives me pleasure, when I see my final product.  Which, I'm sure alot of you can relate to.  

This week, over @ the Shabby Tea Room the ladies have a wonderfully inspiring photo and challenge.

they also ask that you use: pink, green, ruffles and ribbon.  Sounds easy, sounds pretty, and I hope it is delightful {smile}.  So, use this gorgeous inspirational photo, the requirements, and CREATE!

Using pink, green, ribbon, and ruffles, this is what I created.  I hope you find it beautiful.  I'm pretty happy with this card.  At first glance, you can see, this card is 'clean and simple' for me.  I love layers, I love lots of embellishments.  So, when I saw this inspirational photo, I knew that I wanted to keep it 'simple'.  

To start, I used a lovely pink polka dot floral pattern paper and a vintage green houndstooth pattern paper.  To help add some interest and requirement, I created a box pleat with the text paper.  But I wanted to add some softness.  So, I did a quick rouching with a cream grosgrain ribbon.  Then wrapped some pale pink crinkled seam binding around the card front.  I'm a super fan of multi-loop bow, so I added one, and I distressed a floral button to the center of the bow.

I love shabby/vintage type paper prints, embellishments and trim.  To keep with the whole over-all look, I added a strip of vintage floral tickets to the side of the card front.  I fussy cut this strip of tickets and sponged crumb cake classic ink along all the cut edges. 

Personally, I cherish family and friends, and at times I think I'm a hopeless romantic.  So, this great stamp set, Love Lives Here, from Paper Trey Ink, is a wonderful collection of sentiment stamps.  The sentiment stamp that I used on the label, is one of my favorite.  To stay with the theme and sentiment, I added a resin heart, from Melissa Frances.

I machine stitched a border around the whole card.  I think this little addition adds some home-made character.  

At a quick glance, this card looks simple.  But with a second look, you'll see the added feminine touches, the touches of softness, and the sweetness of a home-spun quality.  I know that I, along with this fabulous design team, over @ the Shabby Tea Room would love to  see what you create!

love this card? you can purchase it, in my Etsy shop, here

Shabby Sweets

I'm not usually fond of Mondays.  It's basically bitter-sweet for me.  You see, I don't work weekends or Tuesdays.  So, Monday, is basically a lone work day.  But this Monday, is especially wonderful to me! No, I don't have the day off.  I am a guest Designer @ the Shabby Tea Room {smile}!  How fabulous is that?  I know!

Well, over this past year, a few design teams I was on, changed owners or shut down, which opened some of my free time.  And as a paper crafter, if you have extra 'free' time, that just means you make more stuff for family, friends, and yourself.  So, I have been doing more paper crafting, and it has given me 'time' to actually play along with some of the challenge sights that I use to just visit.  

I earned the guest designer spot this week @ the Shabby Tea Room, from my win in their Challenge #164, found here.  That inspiration board had beautiful spring flowers and some canning jars.  I made my mom's Mother's Day card using their inspiration photo.   That card was alot of fun to create.  I was super excited when I found out that I won, and then I was even more excited to be asked to be a guest designer.  I have to admit, I mostly paper craft for myself.  I truly find joy in the whole process of creating.  But, when someone loves your stuff/work so much that they comment, purchase, and/or ask you to create something for them, well, it's pretty intoxicating.

Ok, enough of my blah, blah, blah.  Let's get to this weeks challenge, over @ the Shabby Tea Room! The super talented ladies, have come up with this great inspirational photo.  They ask that you use: blue, pink, white, and flowers.  

Sweet As Sugar

This has got to be the cutest cupcake ever!  (And yes, I bake, too!)  The colors are soft and sweet.  I just love the polka dot paper, the pink sanding sugar on the pillow of frosting, and that delicate pink rose. Yum!  I hope you get inspired! I sure did!

I didn't have any restrictions as to what products/companies I can use.  So, I basically used stuff from everyone.  This card, is basically a mish mosh of the collection of products I have. All the paper pieces (pattern and solid) came from scrap box.  (It's a box that originally held a case of printer paper reams.)

The card base is crumb cake cardstock from Stampin' Up!.  I love this stuff.  The paper is basically kraft.  But the weight and coloration is excellent.  I used whisper white card stock to matt the main panel on.  I really wanted to accentuate the white pattern in the main panel.  The main aqua blue panel is Be Amazing from Mind Mind's Eye.  I just adore the softness of the aqua -blue shade and the pattern is easy to coordinate.  The bold pink polka dot pattern paper, is from Lost & Found 2 Blush collection, is cut to 1 1/2" wide and flagged at the end with a square punch.  

For the middle panel, I used pink pirouette cardstock, from Stampin' Up! as my base for this.  I matted a piece of that beautiful floral print pattern paper from Lost & Found 2 Blush collection to it.  I just adore this floral paper.  It has pink roses on it, in various shades of pink, everything from light to dark pink.  The aqua leaves on the pattern paper is just gorgeous.  The white lace trim I added, has an unfinished side, so I machine stitched that, so it would be all gross, with jagged pieces poking through.  Then, I machine stitched a strip of Aqua Mist satin ribbon, from Paper Trey Ink, to the card front.  This aqua color goes so well with the aqua-blues in the card.  I created a bow through a rhinestone buckle and adhered that to the card front.  I really loved the sparkle from the sanding sugar in the inspirational photo, so I really wanted to add some sparkle to my card.  I tied a white Paper Trey Ink vintage button with some pool party bakers twine from Stampin' Up!, and added it to the other end of the satin ribbon.  I love how this little addition really balances the card.  To create the tiny tag on the button, I used a sentiment from the fancy flexible phrases stamp set and jewelry tag punch, both from Stampin' Up! 

For the collection of tickets/tags, I used two different digital downloads: vintage tickets and shabby tickets, found here.  I fussy cut them out and layered them on top of each other.  I used foam tape behind the cupcake ticket to lift it off the card front.

The paper blossoms were hand-made.  I used three colors of cardstock to create the progression of blossom's color: whisper white, pink pirouette and rose red, from Stampin' Up!  I used the vintage floret dies from Heartfelt Creations.  I used my foam pad and stylis to create depth to the petals.  The petals are held together with a pale aqua-blue brad.  Once assembled, I sponged blushing bride classic ink to the tips of the petals.  Then, all the petals received a brushing of picket fence distressing paint, from Ranger, and a dunk into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter, from Stampin' Up!.  I created the leaves with aqua mist card stock, from Paper Trey Ink, and sponged Juniper classic ink, from Close To My Heart, over the leaf tips.

And finally I added a lone half pearl from Melissa Frances to each of the corners.  I thought this little addition would help soften the whole look of the card, and help pull some of the whites forward.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope the design team has inspired you to play along this week over @ TSTR.  I know the ladies would love to see what you create with this week's fabulously yummy inspirational photo!

this card is for sale in my Etsy shop

Spring Window #167

Whew.  A welcome break to the daily grind.  It's good to schlep around the house and wonder in and out of my craft room.  I'm hope you get a chance to relax in whatever fashion you desire.  But, please do not forget the true meaning of this holiday.   As tomorrow is Memorial Day, so please take a moment to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.

Earlier this week, I saw this fabulous paper craft challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room, and let me say, my heart sang.   The inspiration photo is amazing!  When I first saw it, my mind already decided on the pattern paper that I wanted to use; Melissa Frances.  So, here is the inspiration photo:

See what I mean?  The colors are crisp and delightful.  It gives me a sense of warm and home.  Here is what I made.  Alert: not my typical card.  It's kinda simple.

The pale aqua honey comb pattern paper, as well as the collage and hydrangea pattern papers are all from Melissa Frances.  Her papers are soft in color and simply beautiful to look at (smile).  I matted the honey comb pattern paper onto a piece of white cardstock.  I really wanted the white in the pattern paper to pop.  I machine stitched the top half of the card.  I felt it was 'missing' something, and basically I still do.  The collage pattern paper is Pink Lady.  I cut 3/4" strips and flagged the ends, to create a banner.  Then I lined the up, alternating the heights.  I cut a piece of silver glimmer paper with a scallop edge.  I wanted some sparkle, but not a glob.  I added a thin crochet trim piece to soften the shine.  I edged a cream button with picket fence distressing paint and added dazzling diamond glitter, while the paint was still wet.  I tied a piece of cream twine through the button and made a simple bow.

I die cut a top note shape piece of chip board and a piece of Hydrangea pattern paper.  Adhered the two pieces together.  The window is from Prima Marketing.  One of their resin pieces.  Love the simple look, not too ornate, just a bit rustic.  

The blossoms were made my hand.  I used a die from Heartfelt Creations.  I die cut several pieces in a pale plum and plum card stocks.  I used a stylus to create the bends in the petals.  I edged the petals with picket fence distressing paint and dazzling diamond glitter.  I used a white brad to hold the blossom together.  The leaves were made with a sizzix leaf die.  I cut two.  I used my stylus to ends of the leaves, to give them some 'life'.  When they are just cut, they are pretty 'flat'.

I used foam tape on the top half of the top note shaped piece.  The glimmer paper and crochet trim make a high spot in the middle of the card.

The butterfly comes from the Kindness Matters stamp set.  I stamped it onto very vanilla card stock and added just a schmiggen of color to the body.  I fussy cut it out.  I sponged crumb cake classic ink to the edges to help camouflage the outline of the butterfly and the scissor cut edge.

I stamped a tiny sentiment on the lower corner of the card. It actually comes from Button Boutique by Paper Trey Ink.  Because of the height of the paper blossoms and the fact that some of the leaves hang off the edge of the card, I decided to create an 'envelope' using a large glassine bag and an altered clothes pin.  I thought it would be a 'fun' way to give this card {smile}.

I hope you get a chance to play along in whatever challenge inspires you.  But, if you need some inspiration, please stop by the the Shabby Tea Room.  Their design team is incredibly talented and sure to give you some eye candy to oogle over.

Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day.  And to all those serving our country, past and present; Thank You for your service and sacrifice, from the bottom of my heart.  

Spring Roses

A dear girlfriend is celebrating her birthday this week.  And, yeah, she is pretty crafty.  In fact, she taught me how to do scrapbook pages.  So, I really want to make her something special.  I created a card and box combination.  That way, one creation does two jobs.

To help get my mojo working, I visited a few different challenge sites, to see what their challenges are this week.  I really needed a starting point: a color combo, a sketch, and a technique or embellishment requirement.  And here is what I found: the Shabby Tea Room (#166),  Mojo Monday (#293), and Just Us GirlS challenge (#188).

color combo:  pink and green

(and include a sewing element):

a button and machine stitching

the sketch:

rotated veritcle

a technique:

(use white ink)

white craft ink and white paint

and here is what I made:

Wow, so where do I start, with my notes.  These card-box combos are alot of fun to create.  You create a card, add on a box, and let you gift 'shine' {smile}.  This template was purchased here.

The card/box base is Vanilla cardstock.  I used Paper Trey Ink cardstock.  It's a heavier weight than Stampin' Up!, because I needed a heavy weight cardstock to hold up to the layers.

We'll start with the front.  I rotated the sketch 90 degrees, so it would be a portrait orientation.  I used a piece of sage shadow card stock, hand-stamped the text with white craft ink, and heat embossed white embossing powder.  I used some digital papers I had on hand.  I selected rose prints that have pinks and greens in them.  I matted the larger paper with shell card stock.  To define it from the main panel.  I then  added some machine stitching.  I didn't use two circles like the sketch.  Instead, I used a circle and a square.  The back square in a text pattern paper.  The forward circle is actually a digital image of pink macaroons.  I think these little cookies are a fabulously-glamorous birthday cookie.  I matted this circle onto a darker green cardstock.  I used white paint to distress the edge of the circle.  I also hand-stamped the doily in white ink and used white embossing powder, on vellum card stock, to create the lace doily.

I used a white/black text pattern paper for my strip.  I also matted it with a beige and ivory floral pattern paper.  I took a strip of pom-pom trim and machine stitched that piece on, too.  I added a hand-made white clay blossom to this strip.

I used two different shades of pink seam binding.  The lighter pink seam binding was tied into a multi-loop and one of my hand-made white clay buttons was tied onto the bow with cream twine.  I added a circle tag.  I hand-stamped 'celebrate' on a circle tag.  I distressed this tag with white paint, and tied it to the bow.  The darker pink seam binding was tied around the card-box combo.  I used a rhinestone brad to secure the seam binding to the spine of the box.  

Ok, for the inside, I continued the white stamping and white embossing.  I used a flourish stamp to add the white swirl to the rose digital paper.  The 'happy birthday' square is hand-stamped in black ink on vanilla cardstock.  The cupcake image is cut from a digital paper.

The front of the box, is decorated with a cream and green pattern paper.  I stamped text onto it, with white craft ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I matted the pattern paper onto mellow moss cardstock.  I added a decorative label with stamped 'Birthday Wishes'.  I added a circle of pink roses.  I also stamped 'friends' in black classic ink onto a different pink floral pattern paper.  I added a heart of silver glimmer paper.

Inside of the box, is two glassine bags of hand-made white clay buttons.  I altered a clothes pin with silver glitter.  I used this glitter clothes pin to hold the two glassine bags closed and together.

I left the back au natural.  Thank you for looking.  I hope you have a chance to play along with your favorite challenge site, too!  It's alot of fun, to create something beautiful for someone.

Remember this . . .

time well spent.  

That is a wonderful memory that makes you feel warm, loved, and truly happy.  The kind of happy that evokes a smile inside out.  Few things in life give me this.  My children/grandchildren are the first things that come to mind.  I believe that it is their innocence.  Their thirst to experience life.  My dog, Sasha, is a running second.  I have to admit, its this 'unconditional love', that feeds my soul.  It gives me a feeling of calm and the courage to 'spread my wings'.  It's from this passion that motivates and inspires me to create. 

With Mother's Day right around the corner, ok, tomorrow.  I'm sure you have a memory that makes you happy, proud to be a parent.  Whether its the first time your child rode their bike without training wheels, their first ballet recital, their first time in a T-ball uniform, their first 'A' on a spelling test, or any other wonderfully sweet exhibit of their independence.  These milestones are actually stepping stone in parenthood.  Because your love started when their first breath took yours away!  Now, you need to nurture their desires, their interests, their passions, their independence.  Help them become responsible, loving, mature people, who have a passion, an interest, a goal.

The talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have a beautiful challenge this week.  The inspirational photo has a collection of stacked soft, neutral blankets in a wicker basket.  They ask that you also use some dry embossing and stitching to help add some texture.

Here is their inspirational photo:

This inspirational photo, stirred these parental feelings in me.  The different textures, the ruffles, the stripes, the crispness of the wicker, the contrast of the white numbers.  A collection of 'life', so to speak. 

This photo brought memories of my daughter.  I know that just sounds crazy.  But, this stack of blankets are 'her'.  She is a warm and compassionate woman to her friends.  A loving and patient mother to her children (she has 3, with one on the way).  A best friend and partner to her husband.  And a wonderfully warm, kind, and funny person to everyone who interacts with her.  She values her family, and is grateful for her blessings.  So, her Mother's Day card was made with this inspirational photo.  

here is what I made:

This collage is the result of the inspiration photo.  All the different elements make me think of her, my daughter.  The dry embossing comes from the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder by Stampin' Up!.  I sewn a border around the card front with my sewing machine.  I find the hum of the machine soothing.

I used two different neutral floral pattern papers: the rectangle with the glitter photo corner, and the matt behind the black pattern paper on the doily.  The floral pattern paper shows how she isn't exactly a girly-girl, but still very much a woman.  

The mini post card is actually a digital download, from Ephemera's Vintage Garden: little blackbirds, found here.  It represents her love for keeping in touch with family and friends.

The clock image, is hand-stamped onto a piece of a balsa wood sheet.  The stamp comes from Hero Arts: Keeping Time.  The clock represents how time flys!

The 2 cent stamp and the ticket stub, are stamps from Stampin' Up!: Postage Due and That's the Ticket.  These two pieces represent the memorabilia from different family vacations.

The white shabby resin lock, is from Melissa Frances.  The lock with bow represents home.  My daughter does everything that she can to keep a clean, comfortable, and loving home for her family.  

The white paper doily is from Martha Stewart: Doily Tags.  This soft, sweet addition, reminds me of the softer side of this  adventurist mom.

The black and white text paper, is from Prima: Printery Collection.  This is the contrast to the doily.  My daughter is a strict but fair parent.

The butterfly is made with a grey puffy fabric.  The center of the butterfly is made with a floral shape of glimmer paper and a fabric blossom; both by Stampin' Up!  I love the butterfly.  To me, it represents 'change'.  Life is full of change.  So embrace it.  Or it'll run you over.  The fabric blossom represents growth.  My daughter's growth as a young woman, wife, and mother.  This collection is for the sweeter side of her.  She is a strong person, but also tender-hearted.

The two trims across the card front were selected because of the inspiration photo. The mix of textures, fabrics, and neutrals. I added the trio of buttons to represent the way a mother 'holds her family together' with love, praise, and support.

Also, I just love this grey-ish polka dot distressed pattern paper by Glitz.  It looks like fabric, to me.  I thought it paired nicely with the over-all look of the card.

Finally, the sentiment says it all!  This sentiment comes from the Everyday Moments stamp set by Teresa Collins.  'I want to always Remember...'.  I believe that this sentiment is very personal to each person who reads it.  And I didn't want to add a generic sentiment. But rather an unique sentiment to go with an unique, special card, to celebrate Mother's Day!  

Thank you for looking.  I hope I have inspired you to play along with the latest challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room.  Let the photo help you create something wonderfully beautiful and personal {smile}.

Happy Mother's Day, to all of you who have 'children', whether they are human, canine, bovine, etc.  When we nurture, love and support another, we in turn help ourselves grow.  

~stop-by tomorrow, for a chance to win some blog candy~

Shabby Spring

I am happy to say, that I have found a new spark to help me create.  Nothing actually 'new', just maybe some rest, and a few walks to clear my head.  {smile}  I think, it's just a change of focus, and a chance to let my mind rest.  

As usual, the super talented ladies over @ the Shabby Tea Room have a great inspiration board, as well as some wonderful eye candy to help get you inspired. They ask that you include the colors in the photo, and include flowers, lace and ribbon.

Here is their board:

here is what I made:

I used quite a few different products for this card.  But when I was creating, that was my focus, no limits, just add what I like.

I started with Sahara Sand cardstock by Stampin' Up!  They make some of the very best card stock out there.  It's a heavy weight to withstand front loaded cards, but it also is very workable (my old olive cardstock leaves).  I used a piece of Blushing Bride card stock (also Stampin' Up!) as the matt for the main panel.  I wanted to add some floral pattern paper.  But I couldn't find just the right paper.  So, I used a digital image:  Ledger Paper found here.   And while shopping, I found these wonderful Dream Tags, here.  I cut out one and matted it onto a scrap piece of Old Olive cardstock, by Stampin' Up!  I added a scrap piece of a cream ribbon.  I threaded my tiny clothes pin through.  I added a tiny tag that is stamped in crumb cake classic ink, using the tiny tags stamp set by Stampin' Up!.  I distressed a cardboard heart and added a vintage button by Paper Trey Ink.  And finally, for the other panel I used some beautifully shabby 'label's: Pink Sugar tags, found here.  I matted the label onto a scrap piece of pool party card stock, by Stampin' Up!

The inspiration photo has a Ball jar, and so I just HAD to add a jar!  I decided to hand-stamp my jar, using the Friendship Jar stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink.  I stamped the outline of the jar in soft suede classic ink onto very vanilla card stock, both products by Stampin' Up!.  I then stamped the polka dots in pool party classic ink.  For the jar lid, that was a bit of stamping and fussy cutting.  I stamped the lid cover onto a scrap piece of Grace pattern paper, by Authentique and fussy cut it out.  I then stamped the covered lid onto a scrap piece of Beautiful Moments by Carta Bella, and fussy cut the 'ribbon' out.  I stamped the tag in soft suede classic ink, onto another piece of very vanilla cardstock and fussy cut it out.  And stamped the 'bow' onto another scrap piece of Beautiful Moments by Carta Bella, and fussy cut it out.  I added adhesive and layered them.  I think of the cutting as therapy.  You can't think about the dishes, or laundry, or bills, or any other chore.  Just cutting.  Therapy.

I love the sound of a sewing machine.  Very soothing.  Well, to me.  I had a left over piece of some lace trim, that I had tea stained earlier.  The top edge is raw, so I used my sewing machine to attach the piece to the card front.  I just love the color of this seam binding, found here.  So I machine stitched that to the front, too!  I created a multi-loop bow.  I distressed a Bermuda button, by Amuse Studios, with some picket fence distress paint, by Ranger and some dazzling diamond glitter, by Stampin' Up!  I used some cream twine by Paper Trey Ink, to secure the button to the bow.  I also wanted to add a paper blossom.  So, I took a blossom from my Artisan Embellishment Kit, by Stampin' Up! and distressed it, just like the button.  I created leaves with old olive card stock and the build a blossom punch, both by Stampin' Up!
To create my sentiment banner, I used the Something to Celebrate stamp set by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink, onto very vanilla card stock, then used a square punch to create the flag ends, all from Stampin' Up!
Finally, I gave the whole card a spritz of my home-made white frost glitter mist. What girl doesn't like a little sparkle, shimmer, and shine?  {smile}

Thank you for taking time to take a look.  I hope you have been inspired while visiting.  Enjoy what's left of your weekend, and I hope you stop by again.  {smile}

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

Wedding Congrats #23 and #98

Wow!  Where has the week gone?  Some Most weeks I feel like I am playing catch-up.  And, it makes me wonder if everyone else does.  It's hard to gauge your busy-ness, if your schedule is the only one you see, or measure.  Know what I mean?  So, to make the most of my time, I  have created a card that will allow me to enter two (yes, 2) challenges.  One is a sketch, and the other is a color & inspiration challenge.

The talented ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge have a great sketch this week! The ladies just ask that you use your Stampin' Up! supplies when you participate in their challenges.  And the wonderfully creative ladies over @ Shabby Tea Room have a pretty inspirational board and color challenge for us this week, entitled: Sparkle & Bright.  The colors are: white, cream, silver,  with a touch of pink!

So, here is what I made:

The inspirational photo made me think of either a vintage wedding, or tea with your grandmother.  So, I set out to my craft room.  I knew that I was going to use white and vanilla cardstock.  So, I pulled out a sheet of each.  Then, I wanted to see what I had for pattern paper in pink.  I wanted a simple, elegant pattern; not too bright, or too busy.  Twitterpated DSP worked.  The silver (a little glimmer) was easy-peasy: silver glitter paper.  

I wanted the card base to be white cardstock.  The panel to be vanilla cardstock with a design in white.  I inked up a large simple, delicate image in white craft ink, dusted the cardstock with white embossing powder, and heat set it.  Now the plain vanilla has a simple design to break up the empty space.  

I had a scrap piece of sahara sand textured cardstock, so I matted the blushing bride pattern paper to it.  That way, the pattern paper has defined borders.  I wanted some paper 'lace', so I used my lace-trim border punch and a scrap piece of first edition dsp.  

I kept my cut circle simple.  It started as a 3" circle of shimmer white cardstock.  I didn't stamp on it, to showcase the shimmer and keeping the card from getting cluttered.  I made the paper flower.  I punched the leaves using a textured sahara sand cardstock.  I cut some pretty, vintage ribbons (crochet trim, crumb cake seam binding, vanilla velvet ribbon) and added them just below my paper flower.  I have a weakness for those super cute mini vintage tags, so I stamped the word, 'love' from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set, in soft suede classic ink.  

I love this sentiment bracket from Creative Elements stamp set, so I stamped it in crumb cake classic ink, and the 'congratulations' from Wedding Sweet stamp set, in soft suede classic ink.  I tore around the bracket, sponged the edges with sahara sand classic ink.  I used foam tape on the back to lift it off the card.  

For the three tiny flowers at the upper left side, I first punched out the shapes, and then used my foam mat and a stylis to create the bend in the petals.  I added a half faux pearl to the centers.  I punched the leaves out of silver glitter paper.  

To finish the card, I gave it a spray (ok two) with my own home-made champagne shimmer paint.  I wanted the card to have a subtle glimmer.  A twinkle surprise, so to speak.

Thank you for looking.  And let me know how you start your creative process.  Let me know if you start with stamps or paper when putting a card together.  Or if it depends on the challenge requirements.  It's fun to see how our processes go.