Mixing

I started teaching technique classes again.  I really love teaching.  The reason I love teaching, is that I love sharing what I love {smile}.  I have a passion for paper crafting, and I want to share what I love with others.

I taught a 'Mixing Pattern Papers' classes this past weekend.  When I started writing down the principles that I use, I found it a bit difficult.  Not that I don't 'know' what I'm doing.  It's just that it was hard to put what I do into words.  The 'why's and 'what to do's.  Each person who attended this class was given my guidelines of mixing pattern papers.  

a full-size card:

a refrigerator magnet, to hold a wallet-size photo:

We used different packages of pattern papers and supplies from Stampin' Up!  I also taught them how to make my favorite multi-loop bow.  

My next technique class is in July, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I'll share what we make in that class, too.  Thank you for stopping by.  {smile}

Oh, Hello

A sad day.  On this particular Tuesday, in June, is the last challenge for the Nacho Average Challenge, #52.  At this point in time, the current design team is taking a break.  We are planning on re-starting, possibly seeking new design team members, and maybe changing the format.  Alot of decisions to be made, and some plans to be hammered out.  So, please check back and visit the Nacho Average Challenge site, to see what changes have been made.

Ok, onto the current challenge.  This week (#52) is a color challenge.  I was completely at a lost as to what to create with these colors.  But, all in all, I am happy with what I created {smile}.

when I saw the colors in this week's challenge, 

I knew that I wanted to use Melon Mambo as an accent color.

my card:

The card base is Bermuda Bay cardstock.  This teal color blue is rich and beautiful.  I inked my en francias background stamp with bermuda bay classic ink, and stamped onto whisper white cardstock.  I did the tap technique, because I wanted a random-ness.  I matted the text with bermuda bay cardstock.  

I cut a piece of subtler DSP (pool party) polka dot pattern paper and matted it with a solid piece of pool party cardstock.  I added some machine stitching along the border.  I wrapped a piece of pool party seam binding to the polka dot pattern piece.  I machine stitched this ribbon to this polka dot piece.  I tied a multi-loop bow.

For this round sentiment piece, I stamped the sentiment in bermuda bay classic ink.  I stamped the flower in melon mambo classic ink.  I used the 2 1/2" circle punch to create the round shape.  I really wanted to add a scallop trim, but SU! doesn't make a large enough punch/die.  So, I did it 'old school'.  I punched several 1/2" circles from the silver glitter paper and adhere circles around the circles.

Thank you for stopping by.  Please take a moment to create something beautiful and enter our last current challenge site @ NAC.

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}!

A Gardener's Journal

Welcome.  I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend.  I wanted to share a covered journal I recently created.  A fellow blogger had sent me an email about a submission call to an International crafting magazine, and suggested that I apply. So, I did.  The submission guidelines stated to create an altered project with a 'summer-time' theme.  Sounds easy.  Sounds fun!

I altered a hard-cover journal for writing down notes, from my garden.  I thought the whole thing sounds wonderfully summer-y!

here is what I made:

I really had fun altering this hard-cover journal.  I purchased the 'book' from the $1 bin @ a big box craft store.  And altered the front cover.  Because who wants some random image with horrible yellow stripes?

To start, I covered the front of this hard-covered journal with white cardstock.  I adhered it right to the cover, and sanded the edges, so it would be flush.

I used pattern paper from the Secret Garden collection of G45 (Graphics 45).  I just love this paper.  The images are so sweet, and pretty.  Very appropriate for a summer growers journal {smile}.

I layered a large scale floral print to the blue matt, for my 'base' piece.  From there I added all the layers and pieces.  In this G45 collection are some framed images that coordinate with their collection.  So I selected my favorite.  Are you surprised that there is a bird cage in the image?  I love the bird and floral piece, with the background text.  I looks so vintage, and pretty.

I matted it with a blue checkered piece.  I really wanted to do alot of blue accent pieces.  They contrasted so nicely with the corals.  I added a white resin architecture piece, from Melissa Frances, to the top of the framed image.  I also distressed some blue buttons in varying sized.  I tied each button with cream twine and added a pearl to their centers.  I stamped the sentiment on this piece, 'Plant a SEED.  GROW a dream.' in basic black classic ink, right onto the paper.  

I added a chipboard piece, that is also with the Secret Garden collection.  The clock image reminds me that we don't always have enough time, and planting season is pretty short.  I kept with the vintage-theme, and distressed the edges with white distress paint and glitter.  I tied a piece of peach-coral colored ribbon to this piece and added a color spritz paper blossom.  I made the leaves with a piece of green pattern paper from this collection, and distressed the edges of the leaves with paint and glitter.  And adhered it to the chip board piece.

I made a small trim piece with soft suede cardstock and the text pattern paper.  I love the contrast between the text and the floral images.  I machine stitched some tea-stained trim and seam binding to the accent piece.  I added a multi-loop bow with my own collection of trinkets.  I added a tag to the bow.  I stamped 'Fleurs' (french for flowers) in basic black classic ink, on to the tag, and distressed the edges with paint and glitter.  I added a 'crystal' dangle, from 7gypsies, to the tag.  I added a flat back jeweled 'button' from Webster's Pages, to the center of the bow.  And I topped the bow with another spritzed paper blossom with hand-made leaves, those edges were distressed with paint and glitter.

I had alot of fun creating this altered journal.  But, my creation was not selected to be published.  I'm sure their crafting magazine is packed with gorgeous creations, maybe next time.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  

Butterflies and Flowers

As this work week comes to an end, I hope you find the energy to play in one more challenge.  The talented Tammy, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has an unique sketch to push your creativity.

here is what I made:

I used things that I love.  Circles, butterflies, buttons, flowers, and burlap-type ribbon, and a lot of machine stitching.  I do know that not all girls are girly girls, so this card is for them.

The card base is baked brown sugar cardstock.  I used two different pattern papers from the same collection: Etc. dsp.  

The circles are made from soft suede card stock and Etc. dsp.  I used the ruler print.

The butterflies were cut from soft sky cardstock and stamped with en francias inked in crumb cake classic ink.  The centers are different.  I thought it would add a bit more visual interest.  I used the trio blossom punch for two of the floral shapes and the floral fusion die for the 4 petal flower.  The bottom flower and the top button are created with clay and the Buttons and Flowers molds.  The center butterfly has a simple floral shape with a pearl center.

All edges are sponged with crumb cake classic ink.  (all edges: the panels, the butterflies, and the blossoms).

I love adding machine stitching to my cards.  And this card is sporting some stitching {smile}.  I did a simple border around the center panel.  I also did a quick stitch through the strips of burlap ribbon.

The butterflies are adhered to the card front with dimensionals.  The floral centers are adhered to the butterflies with dimensionals

I added a simple sentiment tag.  I really wanted to add a tiny tag, but its retired.  So, I have to move on, and embrace these current products.  I added the simple 'Thanks' to the lower wing of the middle butterfly.

Once the card was complete, I spritz it with some smooch, and a few splatters of crumb cake ink.

Thank you for looking!  Now head to your craft space, and share with us what you create with our sketch over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  

this card is now available for sale in my Etsy shop, here

Classic

My apologies, for this being tardy.  There has been a bit of a jumble in our household, and it has thrown me off my schedule.

This is week #51 for the talented ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge.  I know what you are thinking . . . #51, what's the significance.  Well, at this point in time, #52 will be our last challenge.  Sad, huh?  There have been some real gorgeous challenges to play along with, and some real tuffys!  So, all in all, it has been wonderful, challenging, and full of creativity!

this week's challenge:

Oh yes!  a card full of banners!  Yahoo! what a gorgeous sketch, if I say so myself.  And yes, I had to add a little bit of my style to my finished card.  Here it is!

I have a girlfriend who just adores black and white, with a splash of color.  Any color, she doesn't care. And so, with her in mind, I created this card to go with this week's sketch!  And I have to admit, that the splash of color really makes this card look classy and elegant!  Thank you, Nichole {smile}.

The card base is basic black cardstock.  I wanted to add a splash of a soft, pretty color, so I added soft sky cardstock.  But the blue became over powering, so I matted a piece of very vanilla cardstock on top of the soft sky cardstock.  I cut my banners from the Modern Medley DSP.  Love this paper.  The possibilities are endless.  I made the banners in various widths.  The middle music sheet is 2 inches wide.  There are two @ 1 1/2" and two @ 1 1/4" wide.  I stacked, layered and staggered them.  There is a tiny piece (1/2" wide) of soft sky card stock at the top of the banners.  I cut a strip of silver glitter paper with my scallop edge.  That piece is butted right up to the soft sky cardstock.  I didn't have the energy to dye my seam binding with soft sky re inker, so I left it vanilla.  I machine stitched a strip across the card front.  I made a multi-loop bow.  (love those bows!)  I also added a new subtles button to the center.  I used a skinny strip of vanilla card stock as my 'thread', and adhered it to the center of my bow.

The sketch doesn't have a sentiment 'spot', so I improvised.  I created a label with my four frames stamp set.  I stamped the frame in basic black classic ink.  The sentiment comes from a new hostess stamp set, 'Express Yourself'.  I really love the font in this stamp set, and can you really have too many sentiment stamp sets?

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you find some inspiration to play along with our challenge over @ NAC.  I know we would love to see what you create with our sketch!

Have a wonderful day.  Stay cool, and see you soon {smile}.

this card is for sale in my Etsy shop, here