Holiday Happiness: Card

Sorry, it's another holiday card.  And I imagine that I will be posting more and more holiday paper crafts here.  I will be making a few non-holiday items, and yeah, I'll post some images here, too.  {smile}.

I had ordered some Scandinavian pattern papers from Italy, and they arrived yesterday!  and yeah, I just had to play with them.  

To give me some focus, I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Mojo Monday.  The sketch challenge is not only a sketch, it has a specific card shape, too:  Tall & Skinny.  Their suggestion is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".  I am not too fond of tall and skinny.  It's very hard for me to work with.  So, I gave my card a little leeway: 4 1/4" x 6".  It's tall, but not too skinny.  {frown}

here is the sketch:

But just look at this sketch!  WOW! wonderful!  I love the layers, the trio of embellishments and the ribbon piece.  I got this!

here is what I made:

The photos aren't that great, sorry.  I actually finished the card this morning before work.  So the sun hadn't even rose yet.  (It was completed before 6a.)  I took photographs of it once I got home, after work around 6p.  The sun was going down, so I went outside to get the most light.  Please bear with me.

I used my new Tilda pattern paper: Sweetheart.  I fell in love with this pattern paper as soon as I saw it.  The large scale polka dots, the sweet animal silhouettes, the floral images, the mixture of blue and red with pink thrown in the mix.  Just beautiful!

My first layer is the red large scale polka dots.  Then I added the blue animal silhouette pattern paper. I wanted to show as much of this pattern paper as possible.  And then finally, the sweet, small scale floral bouquet pattern papers.

I matted each of these pattern papers with kraft card stock, and then machine stitched them.  I did a double border of a simple stitch line, purposefully sloppy.  {smile}

I added two ribbons/trims instead of the one.  I added a white pleated glitter tulle, and then machine stitched a light blue gingham pattern ribbon to the card front.  I tied the ribbon into a simple bow, and tied on a silver snowflake charm.  

For the round element on the small square, in the sketch, I added a flair button.   Santa is wearing a pink coat.  {smile}.

I replaced the trio of embellishments, on the sketch, with a scrap piece of crochet trim, that had scallops. I thought it added a bit of softness and elevated the home-made feel.

I used a retired Stampin' Up! card stock for the card base: bordering blue.  It matched the blue in this pattern paper perfectly.

I hand-stamped the envelope flap with my branding, and the inside sentiment, in cherry cobbler classic ink.  I also stamped the front of the envelope in bordering blue classic ink.  I added a banner made from the pattern papers I used on the outside of the card, and machine stitched them to the very vanilla card stock.

Thank you for looking!  I am planning on making two desk top calendars, and a few gift card holders, with this pattern paper collection.  I think they are just lovely {smile}.  Please check back later.

Beautiful Text; gift card holder

Welcome.  This will be a quick post, as I am busy trying to get several crafts finished for a local craft fair on Saturday.  [these will be present for sale]

I wanted to share a sweet pair of gift card holders I recently made.  I am entering this other gift card holder in a challenge over @ Word Art Wednesday.  Their current challenge is 'Anything Goes' family friendly.

blue version

a little something for you

a pink version

a little something for you

Recipe:  I used vintage cream card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the base.  I love this heavy weight card stock.  Its nice and thick, and holds up to added embellishments.  {smile}
I used the same Melissa Frances text pattern paper.  I matted it with either pool party card stock, or pink pirouette card stock; both by Stampin' Up!  I did some machine stitching.  I stitched some scrap pieces of lace/toile trim to the fronts.  Made multi-loop bows out of seam binding.  And added a tag.
I used the same stamp on the inside.  Heat embossed.  One in blue. and one in blue.

Thank you for looking!  I hope you have been inspired to play along in either of these fabulous challenge sites.  {smile}

Aqua Happiness, Today

Welcome! Whew, I think I am starting the new year off right!  Crafting!  Oh my goodness, this feels soooooooo good!  I know you crafters out there know this feeling!  Its bliss, happiness, accomplishment, and satisfaction all in one!

Ok, so I stalk visit Mojo Monday blog multiple times a week.  {yes, multiple}.  I know the challenge is posted for a week.  But i love to visit to see what people have posted.  I love to see what others create.  Sometimes, it really gets my mojo working, and I can 'see' the sketch in a different light.

So, this week, (yes, I have visited at least 4 times) I decided to play along with this incredibly talented group of ladies.  Here is this weeks sketch:

One of the things that I have noticed over the years with MOJO, is that they get on these little 'kicks'. A few years back, they would add a 'round' card to each month of sketches.  This past  year, and well it continues, is to add 'tall & skinny' sketches.  I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of this style of card.  Maybe its because I don't have envelopes for this 'size'. 

Anyways, I did create a card.  I'm not sure it will 'count' as 'tall & skinny', as I trimmed a 1/8" off the sides.  But, I do love the sketch.  So, here is my 'not so tall & skinny' card:

original image posted

photo taken 1/3/15

* the sun came out this morning, so I was able to re-photograph this card in natural light.

Recipe:  The card base is Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The matt is Kraft by Recollections. The first layer is a wood grain floral pattern paper.  This is actually a digital paper I purchased.  It's pretty sweet!  

For the two flagged ended papers, I used a digital bookmark pattern paper, and an actually pattern paper. 

For my belly band, I added a strip of gold glitter paper by Stampin' Up!.  I really wanted to add some sparkle.  I machine stitched some cream colored tulle fringe to the glitter paper.  I thought it added some interest, and a touch of softness.  I then machine stitched (zig zag stitch) a piece of cream crochet trim to the front of the card.

For my circle element, I added a cream fabric blossom.  But it looked too random and 'alone'.  So, I added a multi-loop bow made from 1/4" white silk ribbon from Paper Trey Ink.  

To me, the card needed a sentiment, or something, so I cut a tag with a tiny tag die, by Paper Trey Ink.  I used whisper white card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up!.  I attached the tag to the card front with a tiny metal button brad, by Stampin' Up!.  I also tucked in an aqua mist vintage button, by Paper Trey Ink.  I tied the button with a piece of cream twine, but only through 2 of the 4 thread holes.  And finally, I added a trio of marshmallow colored faceted sequins to the card front.

This card is also for sale in my Easy shop: InkwoodDesigns, if you love it some much you need to have it {smile}.  Now, if the sun comes out today, and I can get a better shot of this card, this post will be edited. {fingers crossed}

Enjoy the beginning of this new year!