Coffee & You, Card

Oh my! I had a lot of fun creating a card for the Friday Mashup challenge this week.   Their challenge this week, is to use their sketch or project or 'mash up' and use both!  So, I did!  Let me first say, that the sketch is super user friendly and easy to work with.  The project is to use 2/+ embellishments.  How fun will that be?   I used both the sketch and the project requirement of 2/+ embellishments (pearl brad, 3D paper embellishment, sequins, and bakers twine.)

I used the same new pattern paper pad for this card, too:  Signature, by Color Bok.  I also used the same stamp set: We Go Together, by Paper Trey Ink.  Here it is:

I wanted to  make a special card for a super special friend.  This fabulous lady, Nichole, has been a great source of comfort, support, encouragement, and just a plain super duper great friend!  And one of our favorite past times, is to drink coffee and visit.  How wonderful is that?  So, I wanted her to know that I love her more than coffee! {smile}

Recipe:  The card base is crumb cake card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  The pattern papers (3) are from the Signature pattern paper pad by Color Bok.  I sponged the edges of each paper, and then layered them on top of each other.

For the banner piece at the upper right corner, I first added a journaling tag from the Coffee Break collection by Prima.  Then I stamped my sentiment onto shimmer white card stock, with baked brown sugar classic ink.  I stamped the sentiment again on a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock, and fussy cut the 'my coffee' line and adhered it onto the sentiment banner with foam tape.  Finally, I stapled this collection to the upper right corner of the card front.

I wrapped some bermuda bay bakers twine around the bottom third of the card.  I tied a multi-loop bow with the bakers twine and secured it to the card front with a pearl brad.   

I added a paper 3-D 'coffee break' embellishment just above the pearl brad.  I love how the to-go coffee cup is sitting in a bouquet of flowers, along with an 'imagine' tag, a heart bubble, and a lone blossom are elevated with foam tape.

To add a little sparkle, I added a trio of sequins by Studio Calico.  A pair of green sequins above the to-go coffee, and a brown striped sequin just below the pearl brad.  I thought the mix of these two sequins added a little 'pretty' to the card front!  I'm pretty sure Nichole will like my card.  But mostly, I just want to send her a hand written note.  Because who doesn't love getting this kind of snail mail?  Just curious, but how do you mail your hand-made cards? Translucent or Opaque envelope?

I hope you get a chance to create something beautiful and creative this weekend.

Smiling Today, Card

I got a chance to head into my craft room today.  I have a few cards that need to be mailed out.  But, sometimes most times, I need a little inspiration.  I had recently purchased a few new items, and wanted to craft with those.  I just need a sketch.  So, I headed over to a 'new' favorite:  Friday Mashup - #195 sketch and project (use 2/+ embellishments)  I used the sketch and the embellishment requirements ( paper blossoms, a button, resin lock, lace, cotton ribbon, and pearls).

I purchased a new pattern paper pad from a big box store: Color Bok:  Signature.  It is a collection of shabby chic double sided patterns.  Very pretty. {smile}  The thing that really caught my eye, is the tab piece at the upper right corner.  Just love the thought of that.  And so, thats just what I did!

The sentiment says:  Thinking of you today and smiling.  I really love this sentiment.  {smile}  I will be mailing this card out to my friend Denita.  She is a very good person, and we have a good time when we get together.  I just want her to know that I was happy she came out to my house so we could craft.  {smile}

Here is the recipe:  The card stock is crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!  The two pattern papers is actually the same page, I just use both sides {smile}.  

I cut a piece of blushing bride card stock, by Stampin' Up! and trimmed the edges with the open scallop trim hand punch.  I thought this type of scallop would look prettier.  I adhered these pieces together, and then used my sewing machine to add a simple machine sewn border.  I thought it added a bit of charm to the card front.  

I stamped my sentiment onto vellum card stock, by Stampin' Up! in versa mark ink.  I sprinkled on some white embossing powder, and then heat embossed the sentiment.  I used the  We Go Together stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.   I layered a piece of white polka dot and light aqua pattern paper under the vellum.  I cut the same flag end to both pieces.  I also made the polka dot pattern paper a bit longer.  I stapled these two papers to the upper right corner of the card.

I added a piece of white lace to the lower third of the card.  I strung blushing bride cotton ribbon, by Stampin' Up! through the 'holes' in the lace.  I adhered a white resin key hole over the lace/ribbon combo. 

I distressed two paper blossoms and a vintage button with white paint and glitter.  I thought it added a little shabbiness to the card {smile}.  I first added the pink blossom above the key hole.  Tied some cream twine through the light aqua button and tucked it just under the pink blossom.  And finally, I slipped the white rose bud in at the top of this embellishment pair.  

Finally, I added a trio of white half faux pearls to help add some softness, some sweetness to the card front.  I added a medium pearl to the right side of the staple, and a pair of tiny pearls between the embellishments and the sentiment banner.

I hope you get a chance to create a card for this challenge.  I'm sure you will fall in love with the sketch!  Carve out some time today, and create something beautiful and wonderful!  But, before I go, I was wondering, do you hand deliver or mail your hand-made cards?

Love, Miss You Card

~ photo heavy post ~

This post is  l o n g  and has several images.  So, grab a latte, tea, or any other beverage of choice. {smile}  Lately, I have been surfing the internet.  Love the internet! and Pinterest!  With this 'free' time, I wanted to create something pretty.  Only because I don't feel so 'pretty' today {frown}.  Ugh.  So, let the crafting begin!  I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Mojo Monday: #382 - tall & skinny.  If you aren't a fan of 'tall & skinny', you are free to adapt the sketch to whatever length/width that fits your fancy*.

I also stopped by a favorite color challenge: Creative Color Challenge: #28 - photo inspiration

use pink, green, pattern papers and laces

And then, finally, I went to a challenge site I frequently visit: Craft Hoarders Challenge:  choose your challenge.  For this month's challenge, there is a grid of different crafting elements, and you are to select at least one option from the list in each category (coloring medium, fiber, technique, texture, and embellishments).

ok, so that you have an idea as what I need to craft, let's just get to it!  

Here is my card:

So. let me explain my card, and how it fits these challenges.   Let's start with the sketch - I turned it upside down!  How clever, right?  For my circle element, I used a large fabric blossom.  The green polka dot pattern piece is the 'grey' rectangle piece. The 'green' rectangle is actually a layered element.  I used a wide, silk ribbon.  Then sewn a piece of layered, ruffled tulle, and sewn a piece of crochet trim on top of the tulle.  And finally, the thin banner piece was created with two elements to create a line: the 'love' bulb, and the green seam binding bow.

The creative color - I used two pattern papers.  The largest pattern paper has pink blossoms, and pink stripes over a sheet of music.  The large blossom and large sequin are both pink.  The small, green pattern paper has green polka dots.  There is a green seam binding bow, and a pair of green sequins.   The lace portion, is a bit of a stretch.  I have a piece of layered, ruffled tulle, along with a piece of crochet trim.

And finally, the craft hoarders challenge -  the coloring medium: ink and paint.  The 'miss you' sentiment is stamped, and the edges of pattern papers are sponged.  I painted the edge of the pink button and white resin frame, with white paint before dunking them in glitter.  The fiber choice: twine, ribbon, and seam binding.  The twine was tied through the distressed button.  Pink silk ribbon, cram tulle, and crochet trim across the card front.  Green seam binding tied into a bow.  The technique I used was stamping.  I stamped the sentiment.  The texture I selected was distressing tool.  I distressed the edges of the pattern papers with a thread cutter.  The embellishments I selected were flower, button, and bling.  Bling was defined as glitter, pearls, and sequins.

Ok, now for the recipe:  Whew!  Never thought that we would get to this part!  The card base is blushing bride by Stampin' Up!.  Love their heavy weight card stock.  Just wonderful to work with.  The two pattern papers I used are both digital papers, and from the same collection.  I used a thread cutter to distress the edges, and sponged crumb cake classic ink.  I ran a simple stitch along the edges of the pattern papers.  I also did a little zig zag stitching to add some pizzazz!  

I wrapped a wide strip of pale pink silk ribbon around the card front.  I did some sewing to hold the layered, ruffled tulle to the silk ribbon, and then one more layer of sewing - the crochet trim on top of that!  I think it adds a sweet, soft, delicate, shabby chic-ness to the card {smile}.

For the blossom, it's a Prima pink, felt-like flower.  I painted the edges of the petals with glue and then sprinkled some fine gold glitter from Martha Stewart, onto the blossom.  I just love how pretty gold and pink are together!  I used my hot glue gun to adhere it to the card front.

I tucked in a Prima treasure 'love' light bulb.  I just adore these little treasures {smile}.  To give my blossom some foliage, I added a light green multi-loop bow, made with 'Ocean Front' colored seam binding.  I tucked in a white distressed, tiny pink button tied with cream twine, just below the seam binding bow.

I stamped my sentiment with baked brown sugar classic ink, from the Mixed Messages stamp set by Paper Trey Ink.  I adhered a tiny white resin frame, from Melissa Frances, around the sentiment piece.  I painted some glue on the edges of the tiny frame, and added more fine, gold glitter. I also tucked this piece in between the blossom and green bow.

To add a little bling, and continue with my shabby-chic look, I added two faux pearl swirls, and a pair of faux pearls at the bottom right corner.  And finally, I added a trio of sequins: a pair of small green sequins near the top right corner, and a lone large pink sequin above the bulb.  I thought these little touches help create a home-made, shabby chic card {smile}.

Whew! a lengthly write-up.  But, I like to give you info on what I used, so you have the information.    And as always, if you have any questions, please let me know {smile}.  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I sure do love the company.  I also hope that I have inspired you to participate in any or all of these challenges!  And remember, whatever you do, do it from the heart {love}.

Vintage Cars Card

Welcome!  A very special person, my step-father, asked me to make a very special birthday card for his brother, with a vintage automobile on it.  'Sure', was my response.  I'd pretty much do anything for a family member, if they simply ask.  I'm pretty sure, you would do something similar.  I hold family, and very special friends near and dear to my heart.  So, a simple request, like asking me to make them a card, is always a 'yes'.  However, masculine cards are extremely difficult for me.  And I hope and pray, that they don't want a style other than shabby-vintage.  Because then I'm seriously lost.  But, no style or color combo request was made.  Just add a vintage car.  So, a birthday card for a brother.  Easy Peasy! Right?  Ugh.   NOT SO MUCH!

I can add flowers, buttons, white resin embellishments to ANYTHING!  but not a masculine card.  And I need to add an image of a vintage automobile too!  Ummm, what to do!

Hand-made cards typically take me an hour or two.  And if it is a special request, can easily take me upwards of three hours.  So I set out to my craft room.  Looked through some pattern papers.  Looked through the scrap box.  Looked through some Tim Holtz embellishments.  Looked through some other odds and ends embellishments.  Looked through stamp sets.  And finally, looked at Pinterest.  Because, when I don't have a clue where or how to start, I can ALWAYS find some inspiration on Pinterest.  Right?  Well, Tim Holtz likes to do steam punk and tags.  And Frank Garcia has a more feminine touch.  Ummm. I'm kinda in the same position I was in before!

But, I am always up for a challenge and a dead line keeps me focused!  Here is what I made:

Ok, now some of the pattern papers are from my scrap box.  So, I can't guarantee that I have the manufacturer correct.  So, lets just get to it!

The card base is lagoon by Stampin' Up!  I use their card stock for almost ALL of my card bases.  They make this wonderfully heavy weight card stock that holds up to my embellishing.  (Always a good thing {smile})

The ledger paper is from a paper pad by Die Cuts With A View.  The large text paper is actually an eye chart pattern paper.  I believe its from Teresa Collins.  But I could be completely wrong.  The other side of this pattern paper has flourishes in the same lagoon blue color.  Very pretty.  I distressed the edges with both scissors and sponging.  I had a heavy hand with the scissors on a couple of spots, but it only added character.  Right?  I did some machine stitching to hold these two layers together.  And who wouldn't love a little zig zag stitching?  I thought the fussiness keeps it from looking too girly.

The green and blue polka dot pattern paper I truly have no idea.  (sorry) I matted it on a scrap piece of the lagoon card stock.  

The automobile photo is actually a digital download from Haute Graphique.  It's a shop on Etsy.  I wasn't sure what size of car photo I was going to need, so I wanted a digital image, that way I can create any size I need.  I matted the digital image onto pool party card stock.  I wanted to bring out the blue flames on the forward car.

I stamped my sentiment on two separate pieces of white card stock, in jet black star-on ink.  I used crumb cake classic ink and my sponge to add some color.  I didn't want the stark white paper.  I curled the ends of the banner ends to help give it a worn look.

I added a torn piece of text paper to the lower left corner of the card.  I thought it added some visual interest.

I stamped the 'water spots' in versa mark and dusted them with silver embossing powder and heat embossed.    Love the random look.

Ok, now for the embellishments.  I added a vintage price tag brad to the sentiment corner.  But it needed something, so I added a flat-back TH crown.  Love it!

I added a metal thunderbird wing set just above the text piece.  I tied a multi-loop bow with a dark blue seam binding, and adhered it just inside the wings.  And finally, I added a spark plug embellishment from Prima.  

I'm actually proud of myself for creating a beautiful masculine card.  Now, just don't ask how much time I spent on it, or how many days I had to walk away, or how much card stock/pattern paper I cut, matted, and un-adhered.  You don't really want to know.  Let's say, lots.  But, I'm very happy with my final card! and I hope the 'brother' loves it too! {heart}

Vintage and Shabby, right next door

Howdy, and welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  It really does make my heart happy to have to visit.  {smile}

One of my favorite shops in town (Albuquerque, New Mexico) is the Specialty shop.  That's where I rent pans when I need to bake more than 2 cakes or 3 dozen cupcakes at once.  It's also where I buy edible glitter, flavorings, boxes, and a variety of many more baking supplies.  

Anyways, a shop that shares their parking lot is a 'new' shop named: Vintage Market and Design.  Ok, just from the name alone, it sounds fabulous!  And so, when I was returning a few pans from baking a three layer German Chocolate Cake yesterday, I went inside this 'new to me' shop!

To start, just look at their business card.  How clever, unique, and stylish is this?  The inside of this store is just as fabulous!

Oh my!  I was in vintage, shabby chic heaven!  It looks like a European flea market on the inside! rooms filled with all things vintage and shabby!  They have linens, furniture, nick-nacks, wall art, calendars, do-dads, books, sheet music, and so so so much more!

They also have a room dedicated to paper crafting!  YES, they do!!! Tim Holts, G45, Authentique, and a few other brands of this style of paper crafting.  But, they have tons of stuff.  Tons of unique and different stuff from the big box stores! and their prices are comparable to those big box stores.  And one of my greatest finds there:  Scor Tape!  Yes, we no longer need to make those purchases off the internet!  And all widths!

Ok, I just wanted to share this store with you.  I hope you venture in.  It is actually very neat, and wonderfully 'old'.  {smile}  They just may have a new stocker frequent visitor {smile}

Have a great day!  I am heading into my craft room.  I have a few special orders that I need to work on.  And yeah, I'll share a photo or two with you when I'm done.  Take care!

Tulips, Please Card

Happy Friday!  I hope this post finds everyone well, happy, and ready for the weekend!  Me, I am!  I have a wonderful friend who needs a German Chocolate Cake for a party on Sunday.  So, she asked me to deliver her cake on Saturday.  So, I am excited to bake something wonderfully yummy!  (I'll post a photo or two this weekend {smile})

But, before I tie on an apron and get the oven heated, I wanted to share a sweet card I am teaching tonight.  Yes, I do workshops on card making.  LOVE it! and I really get energized by the ladies who come out to my classes.  A lot of fun!  So without further ado, here is tonights workshop card:

Recipe:  (all products used to create this card are from Stampin' Up!)  The card stocks used are: pool party, lagoon, and whisper white.  The stamp sets are: Dictionary, and Love is Kindness.  

I stamped the dictionary stamp onto the lighter blue cardstock and heat embossed the lettering with white embossing powder.   I stamped the Love is Kindness stamp with Black ink.  I used my blender pen and ink pads to 'color' the tulips.

I poked a hole on either side of the newspaper roll and threaded my gold bakers twine through and tied in a simple knot.

I wrapped gold satin ribbon across the large, embossed panel, before adhering it to the card front.

I matted the small panel with lagoon card stock and used foam adhesive to adhere it to the card front. Viola!

Ok, some tips and tricks:  You want things to repeat, so that they belong.  Use a small print back ground stamp, or pattern paper that coordinates with your focal image.  You don't want the background to be too busy.  Also, use 'matching' ribbon and twine, so the colors repeat.  You also want your ribbon/twine to compliment the card stock.  And finally, use the same color of card stock, but different shades, to ground the card.  

The card is pretty, didn't use every technique or tool in your craft space, and you didn't have to spend a $100 in supplies.  Remember, to use what you have.  And have fun doing it {smile}

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day!