Happy Butterflies

Welcome.  Today, I want to share with you a magnetic inspirational board.  I used a chipboard coaster.  You know, the kind you get at some restaurants.  (4" x 4")  

Recipe:

I covered the logo on the chipboard coaster with this teal, aqua colored pattern paper.  I distressed the edges with white acrylic paint.  Then I started on my main piece.  I used the other side of the white polka dot pattern paper, the butterfly side.  I distressed the edges with more white paint, and roughed them up a bit.  I added a purposefully sloppy double border stitch with my sewing machine.  I then added a strip of pale pink seam binding and a narrow cream cotton eyelet trim.  I machine stitched them to the paper.  I adhered this piece to the paper covered coaster with foam tape.

I printed a small Bingo card, and an ephemera piece.  The ephemera piece has butterflies, some washi tape, and a ticket that says, 'Happy'.  Who wouldn't love that?  I distressed the edges with more paint, and crinkled them.  I added more foam tape to these two ephemera pieces.  I tied a simple bow with gold tinsel, and layered a double bow tied with the pale pink seam binding.  I added some paint and glitter to a wooden button, and tied them all together with some gold bakers twine.  

I added my sentiment, or inspirational word just right of the bows.  I stamped the word in VersaMark, and used antique gold embossing powder, and heat set.  I also used the same heat embossing technique with a butterfly I stamped onto the ephemera piece.

And finally, I added some white paint to the seam binding bow.  Viola!  

Roses and Butterflies: Card

Howdy!  I am still working with my vintage spring pattern papers by Maja Design.  {smile}  This pattern paper I selected today, doesn't have pink or aqua colors in it.  Surprised?  It actually has purples, blues, and yellows in it.  The front side of this pattern paper has a faded calendar with yellow birds and April written in blue.  The other side of this pattern paper is paisley print.  

To help me get a direction on the construction of this card, I stopped by the Crazy 4 Challenges, to get a peek at their sketch.  And boy, am I in love with the sketch!  So many possibilities, and the design team did an awesome job with their inspiration.  {smile}

When I first saw this sketch, the circles look like the flowers, buttons, and pleated rosettes.  The white rectangle at the top looks like the perfect shape for a sentiment banner.  And here is what I made:

I made this card for my sweet daughter.  She loves blue.  It's her favorite color.  So, I was a little nervous about the faded color accents of blue, yellow, and purple.  But, I think she will love it {smile}

Recipe:  I started this card with my favorite kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  I just love the color and texture of this card stock.  I used one piece of pattern paper.  I just used both sides of the paper (not too clever, just resourceful).

My design allows me to showcase all three circles.  The large yellow paper blossom occupies the white circle shape.  And then I used a pair of yellow paper roses with leaves to occupy the small upper circle.  Then I added a multi-loop bow of pale lavender seam binding, and a white resin button to occupy the space of the small circle on the right.

I added a wide cotton trim to the left side of the top panel.  I however must confess that I cut my panel too short.  {grimace}

I machine stitched a double border around the center panel, and distressing to help the card look vintage.  I added some brown ink sponging along all the edges, along with a thread cutter and my finger nail to rough the paper edges.

The blossoms and seam binding were very 'clean'.  So, to help distress, I added some white acrylic paint to the blossom petal tips, and randomly on the top pieces of the seam binding.

I cut leaves with two different hand held punches.  I sponged the edges of the leaves with more brown ink.  I added a white butterfly stick pin I easily purchased 8 years ago at a local scrapbook store.

For the sentiment I stamped the greeting in Baked Brown Sugar classic ink, onto very vanilla card stock.  Then I matted the sentiment onto a scrap piece of heather card stock by Amuse Studio.  I adhered the sentiment to the card front, but also added a staple to help add in the overall look.

To add a little sparkle, I added two sets of sequin trios.  Both trios consist of one 6mm marshmallow sequins, and two 4mm lemon meringue sequins, by Pretty Pink Posh.

Thank you for looking at my creation.  I hope you have been inspired to craft a beautiful card using this current sketch, and paper crafting supplies you already have on hand.  {smile}

Bird House Ornament

~ photo heavy post ~

I have a quick tutorial for you today.  It's a quick, simple project.  However, you can always add more or less embellishments, whatever tickles your fancy {smile}.

I purchased one of those $1 bird houses from a big box crafting store.  I know, it looks rather 'sad' and 'blah'.  The design is clean and simple, but your finished project will be anything but blah!

I did a quick painting job of a white acrylic paint.  I wasn't too worried about being precise or 'clean'. I painted the bird house, to give it a finished look.  You can also just paint the edges, but this was a lot easier.

I used a ruler to measure the sides, and roof, to cut my pattern paper as best as possible.   Also, the angles aren't mirrored exactly.
I sponged all the edges of the paper with a kraft colored ink.
So, I used a piece of copy paper to make a template for the front and back.  That way, I wouldn't waste any pattern paper.
I used a die to create the scallops, and then layered them.  All edges of the scallops are sponged, too.  I used a hole punch, to cut away the notch were the rope hanger exits the house.

For the trim, I used a cream colored crochet trim.  I adhered it to the edge of the roof with scor tape.  Also, I did a miter cut at each point. so there wouldn't be any bulk as the two edges met.

I did not want a 'hole' for the entrance.  So, I did not make that concession.  I also decorated all four sides, as this little 'gem' is an ornament.  I also wrapped some twine around the perch, and added a half pearl to the end.

Once I start crafting, it is rather difficult to stop and photograph.  Sorry, for the lack of photos.  But, all I really did at this point was add products {smile}.

I will post some more close-ups to help explain what I did.  Those will be posted soon.  Give me a few days to get caught up with my Bunco prizes.  {smile}