Spring . . . New Begining

It's not officially spring, yet.  But the weather in certain parts of the country make you think it is.  And what a perfect time to celebrate the arrival of a new bundle of joy!  

I selected some pretty pattern papers in some beautifully soft hues of spring.  Now I have 3 grandsons, but my granddaughters out number them 4 to 3.  For me, making girly stuff, is sooo much easier than making boy stuff.  So why fight it.

I looked around the internet, and found a super usable sketch for this particular creations, over @ Cardabilites.  Here is their sketch:

I just love all the banner pieces, staggered, and a variety of patterns.  It even has a sentiment banner!

This card was really a lot of fun to make {smile}.  The difficult part was photographing it.  The embossed piece would either look 'black' or a shadow.  urg.  

I heat embossed the sentiment in pewter embossing powder onto vellum card stock.  I used pattern paper from a variety of different companies.  I used a half 4" white paper doily for the scallop trim pieces.   I added a multi-loop bow under my corduroy button for the embellishment.   I added some machine stitching around the border of the card.  I thought it would add a little homespun creativity.

My ribbon piece, is actually two pieces.  I machine sewn the ribbon to the front of the card, with the bakers twine under, created a multi-loop bow, and used the bakers twine to secure the button to the bow.  Here is a photo:

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you get a chance to play along with the wonderful folks @ Cardabilites.  This card will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair at the Albuquerque Christian School, March 15, 2014.

Life is Good . . .

Life is Good in the Country.  Wow.  That pretty much says it all!  Life is good out here.  There is a peace, a calm, but also a workable energy.  

I created a little framed sentiment today.  I used some pretty paper from Prima Marketing.  And then I added embellishments from my stash.  I'm still working with what I have, and not purchasing any new stuff with family money (another new year's resolution).

here is what I made:

I had a scrap of the Prima paper sitting on my craft table, and I thought the abstract images were the perfect back drop to my sentiment.  The frame I had left over from last year.  I made quite a few pin cushion frames, and this one hadn't been converted yet.  I used some seam binding, a vintage button, a clay rose, a tulle spray and a few paper blossoms.  

The sentiment I heat embossed, with an espresso colored embossing powder.  I really like how it turned out.  Sweetly simple!

This item will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair in Albuquerque, New Mexico, later this month (March 15th).  I'm still trying to get the permits settled to sell some cupcakes.  Hope to see you there!

Baby Girl

I have been busy crafting products for sale at my Spring Craft Fair next month.  And well, I've been making baby themed stuff.  I made a card this time.  I just love how it turned out.  

Anyways, sometimes I need a little direction/inspiration, so I search out some of my favorite 'spots' and it does help.  I knew what papers I wanted to use.  I knew what I wanted to make.  I just needed some guidance to put it all together.  So, without further ado, here is what I created:

I used the same papers that I used for the Card-Gift Combo I created earlier this week.  But, I added a few other 'pieces'.  I kept the main color pink.  Just love pink.  But I also wanted to highlight the aqua mist color, so I matted my yellow pattern piece on Aqua Mist card stock.  I am in love with the pink text/flourish pattern paper from Teresa Collins, so I used it as my main piece.  I'm also loving this silver metallic thread I purchased recently, and just had to use it!

The metallic thread adds just the right amount of sparkle, without looking over done.  I used a sentiment and frame set from Paper Trey Ink: Boutique Borders - Baby Stamp Set.  I just love that piece.  It really gives your sentiment rectangle a bit of flair!  Gotta love flair, right?  I love pairing buttons and bows with baby girl cards/projects.  There is something about the softness, the simpleness of them, that just seems to make it all work.

Anyways, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired, or at least loved the eye candy, so to speak.  I'm working on a few 'Spring' themed items (think Bees and Bunnies) for the Spring Craft Fair March 15th, so stay tuned for those.  I should have some photos up by the weekend, if not sooner.  We'll keep our fingers crossed for sooner {smile}.

Welcome Baby Girl

I had a lot of fun creating this adorable baby girl card.  {smile}  But, I am running out the door, to an exercise class.  I am staying true to my New Years resolutions.  So, have patience.  I am leaving you with a sneak peak of sorts.  

Enjoy!

I will write an actual 'post' when I get home tonight.  I just love how this card turned out, that I just couldn't help myself and share a little sneak peak of it, with you!  I am totally loving this new silver metallic thread I purchased last week!  It adds a little sparkle to my machine stitching {smile}.

Baby Shower Card-Gift Combo

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy, I have been crafting like crazy.  I'm still working on my Card-Gift Combo's.  And todays share is no exception.  I saw this fabulous challenge over @ the Shabby Tea Room Challenge and I knew I wanted to participate.  Here is their gorgeous inspirational photo:

See what I mean?  I just love everything about it!  The banners, the ruffle icing cake, the pretty colors, the pretty food, the white stork, the distressed wood.  Just everything!  Oh, and their sponser this week is Creations by AR.  I used their card-gift combo template to create this little prize.

here is what I made:

Ok, where do I start?  I used various pattern papers from my stash.  A mix and match of Crate paper and Teresa Collins, I believe.  I love how sweet Aqua Mist  and Pink Pirouette look together.  So that was the determining factor in using the bird print paper.

here are some close-ups:

machine stitching on the banner with metallic thread

 I like to add sparkle, and purchased this metallic thread at the fabric store, and just had to use it {smile}.  So, I added some machine stitching to the tops of the banner flags.  I also added some machine stitching to hold the seam binding and crochet trim together.  I added a trio of buttons highlighting the three prominent colors: sweet pink, yellow, and aqua mist.

love the tiny wood frame, to hold my sentiment

I didn't want a sentiment to take center stage, so I kept my sentiments small. 

and here is the back

and the inside

the note piece is not attached, so you can add your own hand writing

I just had to add a tag with washing instructions.  I think its adorable, and helps translates how fragile babies are {smile}.

And if you were wondering, yes, this baby girl card-gift combo will be for sale at the Spring Craft Fair, next month.  I haven't figured out how I am going to package these, or a price.  But, I'll post photos of them, most likely, the week before the craft fair.

Thank you for stopping by and taking a look.  I hope you get a chance to play along with your favorite challenge, and get to spend time in your crafting space {smile}.

Trio of Card-Gift Combos

I have to say, making these Card-Gift Combo's, is a lot of fun! 

Whew, I have been busy making some paper crafts for my upcoming Spring Craft Fair @ Albuquerque Christian School, in March.  Ugh, next month.  So, as you can imagine, I'm crafting every chance I can.   One of the new items at my booth, are these adorable Card-Gift Combos.  I've featured several of these little beauties here, here, and here.  Not to mention the one I made this week.

If you are a new visitor, These little beauties, open like a card, but they store a drawer, that can potentially hold a gift.  The drawer has a lot of versatilities.  You can store hand-made embellishments, a necklace, a bracelet , a gift card, a set of movie tickets, event tickets, a hand-made ornament, etc.  See, a lot of potential {smile}.

I love to mix patterns and colors.

to celebrate almost any occasion 

another any occasion ticket

no sentiment, so you can add your own

I love to mix pattern papers, and to added different and interesting embellishments.  But, I have noticed through the years, that if I sit and make several of the same items, they all begin to look alike.  So, I am taking a break from making these little beauties.

Today, I will be working on some altered magnetic initials.  And yeah, I will be selling these, too.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have found something you like, and maybe be inspired to create something, too!