Tea Room Winner

Monday.  What a day.  Work was jammed packed with duties.  But it all seems right as rain, today {smile}.  I went to the Shabby Tea Room to take a look at this week's challenge.  I need a bit of inspiration to create some paper crafts due for this week.  And, well, I was last week's winner! Yahoo!  It was a surprise and my heart filled with joy!  Joy, because it is always so wonderful to have other's like appreciate your work!  Just ask the ladies at the post office.  I mailed my Mother's Day card today in a clear envelope.  My mom just loves it when I do that!  She says that she can never wait to take a peek at what I created.

So, I will be adding a new badge to my sidebar {smile}.  And I'll be heading into my craft room to create some more cards for Mother's Day.  I always make a card for my dear girlfriends.  There are six of us.  We are all moms and we really do put our families first. 

Thank you for stopping by today.  Don't forget, Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 12th.  I hope that you have a special someone to share this day with.

~stop by Sunday, May 12th, for your 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~

Breakfast @ Tiffany's

The movie, 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' is a classic.  The warerobe is classy, and the jewels re big!  One of my bestfriend's daughter's name if Tiffany.  And Tiffany is getting married next month.  Today is her Bridal Shower.  And yes, the theme is 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' {smile}.  The invitation asks that you wear your best little black dress and costume jewelry.  I picked out a tank style black dress with black sandles.  I put on my pearls, and made sure my hair was big and curly.  I selected a gift card from Soma, so she could get something just for her.  

And I needed to make a card.  I wanted to make something clean, classic and Tiffany blue.  I also needed to incorporate something wedding-ish.  I used black as an accent color.

Here is what I made:

  

The card base is Pool Party cardstock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love this color.  I added a panel of pool party textured card stock, matted with basic black card stock, as the main panel.  I added a strip of script pattern paper by Paper Studio to the Right side of the card.  I added a strip of white crochet trim and Aqua Mist satin ribbon to the card front.  I added some machine stitching.  I machine stitched just under the top border of the white crochet trim, to hide the sewn line.

For the tag, I cut a tag shape out of the pool party card stock and heat embossed the wedding cake in white.  I puched some flower shapes out and distressed the petal tips.  I added pearl centers.  I made a multi-loop bow out of the aqua mist ribbon and attached it the tag with an antique pearl brad.

Thank you for looking!  I hope your weekend is classy and fabulous!

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

Simply Birthday

I live in the southwest of the United States, and the weather has turned cold again.  We have a 'front' moving in.  So, when I was pulling out of the driveway to get to work, the thermometer showed 35 degrees.  Brrr! Baby it's cold outside.  In fact, we haven't turned our heaters off yet.  Our wood pellet stove still runs everyday.  I always wonder how other folks are doing.

I'm not a fan of cold/cool weather.  If it snows, I want to stay home, start a fire, get cozy and craft.  Other than that, I want it to be warm, light breeze, and the sun shining.  Anything else, I'm pretty miserable.

Deb, over @Sketch Frenzy Friday, has created an absolutely wonderful sketch.  But, I really had a time with it.  I blame the weather, and my extra hours put in at work.  Im sure that you will create something just stunning!

Here is Deb's sketch:

See what I mean?  A great sketch!  Let's create!

I really enjoyed the process of making this card.  I used river rock cardstock as the base.  I used Fan Fair DSP for this card.  I matted the graph paper in not quite navy cardstock.  I used two other patterns from the same package.  I used a square punch to create the flag ends.  I used the first edition DSP to create the paper blossom.  I scrunched them and used a small soda pop top to create the center of the blossom.  I punch a super small circle out of the FF DSP and early espresso bakers twine tied in a bow.  

I opted to add two stacked embellishments to the lower corner.  The ticket was stamped in Not Quite Navy classic ink, and the postage stamp in Soft Suede classic ink.  This card is pretty much Clean and Simple, for me.

I hope that you have found some inspiration.  I'm sure that we would love to see what you create!

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

Anniversary 'Love Letter's

It always feels like an accomplishment when I get a chance to play in some of these wonderfully creative challenges that I see each week.  The graphics are always pretty and inspiring.  The design team members are always clever and creative.  

The Ribbon Reel Challenge Blog has a very beautiful inspiration board, for their challenge this week.  They also ask that you include buttons, ribbon and twine in your creation.  

Here is their inspiration photo:

and here is the card I created:

I started with a Aqua Mist card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.  This color is just so pretty and vintage.  I took a piece of Pool Party Textured card stock by Stampin' Up! and dry embossed with my Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder by Stampin' Up!.  The pattern/text aqua paper is actually a scrap piece of a Christmas pattern paper from Scenic Route, that is easily 4 yrs old.  I added two coordinating washi tapes to the rop right corner, by Recollection.  The red polka dot pattern paper is from a Valentines collection by Authentique, I believe.  I 'hid' the seam with a strip of burlap ribbon by Stampin' Up!  I wrapped some red bakers twine around the main panel and tied an aqua button to the front of this card, creating a tiny bow.

The tag is actually a digital download found here.  I tied a multi-loop bow with pool party seam binding by Stampin' Up!.  I then tied an aqua button and heart shape tag to the center of the bow with some red bakers twine.  I really wanted to add some sparkle, so i applied glue and silver glitter to a mini clothes pin, and clipped it to the tag.

For my sentiment, I stamped 'Happy Anniversary' in Soft Suede classic ink, onto a 1/2" vanilla card stock.  I used a square punch to create the banner ends.  This sentiment piece is adhered to the card front with foam tape.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hopefully I get through my chores and have time to play in another challenge!

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

Altered 'V'

Ok, so I have uploaded my new blog header.  I don't know if I'm totally happy with it.  So, if you come back another day, and it has changed a bit, you'll know my answer to that question.  I thought I already had the codes for the blog background.  Appearently not.  I'll be working on that, too.  In the meantime, here is something new and pretty for you to see!

Have you ever set out to create a few different paper crafts, because you saw these wonderful challenges?  You know what you want to make.  Now, all you have to do is find some crafting time?  That happens to me, more than I would like to admit.  I found a few several challenge sites that have beautiful vintage/shabby chic challenges this week.  The design team really has inspired me to play along.  Now, all I have to do is find the time.  And that obstacle is looking more and more impossible, as this week moves on. {frown}.

So, I'm pulling up my boot straps, and tackling what I can.  (time wise).  Because I don't have any extra free minutes here and there that I can shave off.  You see, I have a few extra requirements placed on me this week.  I know that I will be able to play along in a challenge tomorrow.  And that's about the best I can do this week.

I did want to share a little surprise I have been working on behind the scenes.  I have altered another chipboard letter.  It is for sale in my Etsy shop here.  Here are a few photos:

I used some beautiful pattern paper from Authentique, Grace.  This pattern paper reminds me of my grandmother.  I know that sounds kinda crazy.  But it does.  This small floral print reminds me of her wallpaper.  And the other papers encourage other memories.  So, I went with it.  My grandmother's name was Vivian.  It's easier for me to alter a letter if I know someone who has the same first initial.  And then I create/alter the letter with them in mind.  It's a little weird.  But, its my process.  And I have been quite happy with my results.  

I added a rectangle rhinestone buckle ribbon slide to the front, and weaved my mint green seam binding through it.  I tied the seam binding into a multi-loop bow.  I added some pearls, a button, and a butterfly brad.  I loved how the butterfly had the same colors as the tiny blossoms in the print.

For the paper blosssom.  I started with one of those 'naked' blossoms.  It was white.  So, I sprayed some peach Tattered Angels shimmer mist on the paper blossom, until I was happy with the shade.  I used my picket fence distress paint to the tips of the petals and dunked the whole blossom in my tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I added a scrap piece of crochet trim.  The leaves I punched with my Build-a-Blossom punch.  I distressed the edges in the same manner as the blossom.  I added a few drops of crystal effects, to give the illusion of dew drops.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you get a chance to carve out some crafting time for yourself, and enter a challenge or two.  It really feels good to create something you love and share it with other paper crafters.  Have a good week, and happy crafting! 

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