Sweet Floral Card

Howdy!  I needed to make a card for a Stampin' Up! customer, to simply say 'thank you'.  I wanted to use only Stampin' Up! supplies, so I went browsing the internet for some inspiration, and well . . .

I went to the Friday Mashup Challenge to see what they have this week, and well, look at this impistaional board:

these lovely ladies ask you to make a project using the triple layer technique, or floral, or both.
(I made the Friday Mashup Glamette list with this floral inspired card!  Yahoo!)

I really had a fabulous time with this weeks sketch over @ retro sketches.  So, I decided to play again.   (I received a retro shout out list with this floral card, using this sketch!  Yahoo!)

this week's sketch:

and here is what I made:

I really liked the cascading roses in the Friday Mashup inspiration photo.  So, I decided to create cascading roses for my corner embellishment.  I used the masking technique for the roses and leaves.

Recipe:  I used the pink pirouette card stock for the card base.  I used whisper white card stock as the main panel, and matted it on strawberry card stock.

I used the Stippled Blossoms stamp set to create the 2-step blossoms and leaves.  

To create the random dry embossed dots with the swiss dot embossing folder and a stylus.  I added a trio of bright pink sequins to the card front to add some sparkle.

For my sentiment rectangle, I stamped my sentiment from the Hello There stamp set, in baked brown sugar classic ink.  I matted this piece onto a scrap piece of brushed gold card stock.  I cut a scallop rectangle out of pink pirouette card stock and adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  I stamped the 'thank you' in basic black classic ink onto whisper white card stock.  Then cut it out with my scissors and adhered to the sentiment rectangle.

I tied a simple bow with gold bakers twine, and added it the side of the sentiment rectangle.

Thank you for stopping by!  I just realized that I used the same sentiment for the other card I submitted.  And I also did the same simple bow on the side of the sentiment rectangle.  {ugh}  oh well, I guess I really liked the sentiment and the bow {smile}

Sherbet Heaven

Howdy! I'm so happy that you could take a moment, and stop for a visit, here in my little piece of blog-land {smile}.  I went exploring the world wide web this morning, and decided to play along with some 'tried and try' challenges, and a brand-y new one to me {smile}.

Each Monday, the super talented ladies over @ Mojo Monday (#381) give you a sketch, and then give you some fabulous inspiration!  And well, this Monday, was no different!  The sketch is basic, but that only provides you with an opportunity to add your own flair!  here is this week's sketch:

And the wonderfully talented and gracious ladies over @ Word Art Wednesday (#166) share with us scripture each week, along with some very creative inspiration!  Their challenge site, has real life stories of people triumph and pearls and teaches us each, to have faith, to be good Christians, and in turn to be better human beings.  If you haven't had a chance to stop by their challenge site, I encourage you to do so.  You will not be disappointed.  And please, take a moment out of your busy day, to read their post.  It will truly inspire you!

Their challenge this week is Anything Goes.  So how fabulous is that? scripture and the freedom to create!  A true blessing to share your talents with them, and us {smile}!

Ok, and so I did stop by a 'new-to-me' challenge site this morning, to see, a wonderful color palette, right up my alley!  cure for the monday blues.  This week, we have been provided us with an inspirational board of pink, yellow, mint, and geometric shapes.  What fun!  and here it is:

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used Crisp Cantaloupe card stock, by Stampin' Up! for the card base.  I just love this soft peach-y color.  I used Lullaby DSP, by Stampin' Up!  Since the inspirational board has mint in it, I used the blue/green version of the polka dots.  I used Daffodil Delight card stock, by Stampin' Up! for my matts.  I just love this sunny shade of yellow, without a tinge of green.  I used the pink/brown version of the looped circles, as my main panel.

For the long rectangle at the top of the sketch, I used this to hold my sentiment, which is this week's scripture from Word Art Wednesday.  I added two aqua mist vintage buttons, from Paper Trey Ink to either side of the scripture.  I also threaded some 1/4" gold ribbon, from Stampin' Up!, through the buttons.

For the large circle piece, I machine stitched three different ribbons to a Martha Stewart doily.  I used a crochet trim by Stampin' Up!, an Aqua Mist satin ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink, and a pink, gold, and sheer ribbon I had in my stash.  The lacey blossom for the center of my doily is actually a 'flower' from Prima Marketing, their Coffee collection (#578527).

To help give my card a 'home-made' feel, I added some simple machine stitching around each panel piece, and finally to the rectangle.  I think it helps make the card look 'finished'.  To help tie in the pearl button center on the lace blossom, I added a trio of white half faux pearls, and a pair of clear faceted sequins.

Thank you for stopping by {smile}.  It is always great to have company.  If you see anything that inspires you, please let me know.  Your comments do make me happy! and helps motivate me to keep crafting.  Sometimes, we all need is a little encouragement, to know that what we do, does make a difference. {smile}  Have a great Monday!  Oh, and as usual, this card will be in my Etsy shop.

Sweet Gold Card

Howdy!  I got a chance to head back into my craft room, again.  And that makes my heart happy {smile}.  I stumbled upon a challenge site, that I haven't seen before.  And thought, I should give it a try.   It's called: cure for the monday blues.  How fitting, huh?  The theme was 'golden gathering'.   Very classy, and chic.

*when I went to upload my card into this challenge, it had already closed. {frown} I missed my upload time by just a few hours.  But, I still urge you to check them out.

I visit retro sketches constantly.  However, I mostly don't play along.  Not that they don't have great sketches, or inspiring design team member... I don't really have an excuse {frown}.   Their sketch:

So, please don't let my absence influence you.  Play along with either or both of these challenge sites! here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used white card stock by Paper Trey Ink, for the card base.  It's a nice heavy weight card stock.  For the main matt, I used basic black by Stampin' Up!.  Love the true black color of this card stock.  The text pattern paper is actually a retired DSP from Stampin' Up!.  It's a newsprint pattern.

For my decorative corner, I added a 4" circle doily.  I purposefully allowed it to hang over the side and top.  I added a 2 1/2" circle of a yellow, glitter, text pattern paper, from My Mind's Eye 2.

For my sentiment block, I used the Hello There stamp set, by Stampin' Up!  I stamped the sentiment in Versa Mark, and added gold embossing powder.  Then heated it with my heat gun, and viola!  Beautiful gold raised lettering!  I used a scallop rectangle die, retired from Stampin' Up! to create the beautiful shape.  I layered it onto gold glitter paper, and then a scrap piece of the newspaper text DSP.  I took a fabric daisy and folded it into quarters, then tucked it under the sentiment stacked rectangle.  I also added a white button, by Bo Bunny, Enchanted collection.  I swiped some glue to the edge of the button, and then added gold glitter to its edge.  I tied a piece of white and black baker's twine to the button, and into a simple bow, and adhered it to the center of the quartered fabric daisy.

The card remains blank on the inside.  And will soon appear in my Etsy shop.  

hello, you Card

Welcome!  Sorry I have been absent lately.  I haven't really been paper crafting.  Shocking, I know.  But, I have been trying some different recipes to use the Meyer Lemons a sweet, and dear friend sent me {smile}.  I tried an 'easy' lemon chicken, from the barefoot Contessa.  And it was delicious!  and a Lemon Glazed Zucchini Bread.  I loved it! {smile}.  And a favorite: Lemon Bundt cake by Martha Stewart.   Cooking always gives me a break from the hum of life.  It allows me to slow down and concentrate on creating & crafting.  {smile}  Several of the grand kids did spend a few days at our house.  Anyways!  I did get a chance to head into my craft room, pull out some supplies and craft!  Yahoo!

To help give me some direction, I went to the internet and went to find someplace to play {smile}.  I stumbled upon a challenge site, that I don't believe I have ever played along with.  the Card Concept.  But, I do love their inspiration boards, and their design team will certainly inspire you.  And well, this weeks board really spoke to me!  Look at this!  I was inspired by the blossoms and the colors! (pinks, blush, and green)

I also stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Cardaabilities.  These talented ladies, always have a great sketch, and the design team is sure to inspire you.  Here is their latest sketch:

here is what I created:

To start I need to give you the disclaimer -  this card was not created in simply an hour.  It was rather a labor of love {heart}  I will give you the supplies and tips of creating this card from the base to the last layer.

Recipe:  I used white card stock from Paper trey Ink.  They make great heavy weight card stock that will stand up to an embellished card.  The creamy, tan card stock, is actually Toffee card stock by Amuse Studios.  I just love the soft color.  The floral woodgrain pattern paper, is actually a digital download from a favorite shop of mine @ iralamija.  I added a simple machine stitch along the edge to create a sweet border.

The circle, is actually a cross stitch hoop shape.  I used a die from Paper Trey Ink.  It has a hoop and banner in the set.  I used a piece of a wood sheet, by Stampin' Up! (these wood sheets are retired. {frown})  I brushed clear crackle paint on the wood and then dipped the whole piece into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I cut a 2 1/2" circle from a canvas sheet, by Stampin' Up!.  I sponged some crumb cake classic ink on the canvas circle to help give it some dimension.  I used a liquid glue to hold the canvas piece and the wood piece together.  

I used flowers from Prima marketing.  The larger pink blossom is from their Symphony Blend Amoraso Pink collection (#537852) and the two littler blossoms are from the Cabriole Aqua collection (#566807).  I used my hot glue gun to adhere them to the wooden hoop.   I tied a multi-loop bow with some old ribbon I had on hand.  Its a sheer shimmer vanilla 1/4" ribbon.  I tucked the bow just under the larger pink blossom.

For my banner piece, I stamped my sentiment onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used Versa Mark ink, and gold embossing powder by Stampin' Up!.  I cut a flag end and an arrow end on the sentiment strip.  I used foam tape at each end, to attach it to the card front.  

I cut my leaves with a leaf die, using some retired pear pizzazz polka dot dap from Stampin' Up!.  And finally, I added a trio of white half faux pearls, by Mellissa Frances to the card front, along with a pair of clear sequins.

This hand made greeting card will be for sale in my Etsy shop.  Thank you for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you to play along with either of these challenge sites, or simply craft something pretty! {smile}

Choose Happy Card

Welcome.  I was looking around the internet yesterday, and ran across this challenge site.  It's not new, but I don't think I have played along with this talented group of ladies before.  CAS(E) this Sketch.  They create Clean And Simple cards.  So, I thought I'd try my hand at this {smile}.

here is this weeks sketch:

When I first saw this sketch, it seemed too simple.  But, then, after I looked at the design team samples, I was truly inspired!  And now I am a believer, that sometimes, 'less is more'!

here is what I created:

Recipe:  The card base is made from Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The aqua script pattern paper is from Carta Bella, their 'so noted' collection.  The floral pattern paper is from Teresa Collins, I believe it is from their 'sweet afternoon' collection.  (But I could be wrong.  I only have a scrap piece left.)  I added a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I wanted it to have a home-made 'feel'.  

My sentiment circle with banner, is actually a chipboard piece from Heidi Swap.  I added a multi-loop bow from this blue-green ribbon I had on hand.  I tied a pink blush vintage button from Paper Trey Ink to the center of the bow.  I used bermuda bay bakers twine to tie the button to the bow.

I added a trio of pearls, and a trio of aqua blue rain drops, to the card front.  

This card was actually fun to create.  And I know its not my usual 'shabby chic' style, but I do love the mix of script, polka dots, and floral images.

If you have a chance to play along with the ladies over @ CAS(E) this Sketch, I am sure you will have fun, too {smile}.  I have also placed this card in my Etsy shop.  There are a few extra photos there, too.  

Pink Sparkle

Welcome.  I've been a bit busy, so I apologize for my absence.  I ordered some crafting supplies from a few different places:  an Esty shop, and Stampin' Up!.  Stampin' Up! has started their Sale-A-Bration campaign.  They have some new pattern paper collections and some new designed rubber stamps.  Always a great purchase!  {smile}  

I haven't 'noticed' flair buttons before.  But lately I have noticed them everywhere!  and well, I want to see how fabulous they are to craft with.  So, I headed over to Easy, and found some that are reasonably priced, great graphics, and wonderful customer service, @ aflairforbuttons.  One of the packages of flair buttons I purchased, are these: {Aqua} Let Them Eat Cake.  I know that I am typically a 'pink person', but the shade of aqua, caught my fancy {smile}!

Ok, now that I have some great supplies, I needed a little direction, so I head to Mojo Monday, for their sketch challenge this week.  And since this is the first Monday of the month, it is a prize challenge.  Here is their sketch

and here is what I made:

Recipe: the card base is white card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The tannish grey pattern paper (sahara sand and whisper white) is called Something Borrowed DSP, by Stampin' Up!.  The floral pattern paper is Sweet Christmas, from Tilda.  I matted the floral pattern paper on Rose Red card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  

The silver glitter paper, was cut with the tasteful trims die, both by Stampin' Up!.  I added some pale pink seam binding.  I attached these to the front of the card with some machine stitching.  I tied a thin silver cord into a simple bow.  I added a multi-loop bow of the pale pink seam binding.   The rhinestone flat-back button is also new this season.  

I cut a tiny tag from whisper white card stock, using the tiny tag die by Paper Trey Ink.  I stamped the sentiment in sahara sand classic ink, using the fancy flexible phrases, both by Stampin' Up!

I added a appliqué I found in the clearance section of a big box sewing store.  There were actually three in the bin, so I bought them all.  {smile}  I added a flair button to the upper corner of the appliqué.  I selected the Marie Antoinette image with an aqua polka dot background.  I loved the matching pink dresses.

I added a trio of white sequins and a trio of rhinestones to add some bling and some visual interest.  I have posted this card in my Easy shop: InkwoodDesigns.  I have also entered this card in the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hopefully, I get a chance to craft more items and I promise to share with you.  {smile}