Ho {cubed}; It's Christmas

~ photo heavy post ~

The paper crafting continues {smile}.  I was struggling earlier yesterday, and couldn't figure out where to start.  So, I simply just started {smile}.  I used the current sketch from Cardabilities, to get the creative juices flowing.  And it did!  I created a pair of holiday cards using some sweet vintage-y style pattern papers from Paper Studio.  And I purchased these pattern papers on sale.  Cha-ching!

current sketch:

I'm also entering the current challenge over @ the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  Their current challenge is: Christmas; it will soon be here.  Check out their creative design team.  Very talented!

and what I created (the red version):

and the green version:

and yeah, I did stamp the inside:

The sentiments were stamped on very vanilla card stock.  I used two new holiday stamp sets by Stampin' Up!. (outside the card, uses Oh What Fun stamp set, and inside the card, uses Cozy Christmas stamp set.) They were hand-stamped with basic black classic ink.  All the pattern papers are from Paper Studio.  For the inside of the card, I cut a narrow strip of the margin pattern paper, and tore the end to resemble washi tape.  

I sponged all the edges, of the various papers, with crumb cake classic ink.  I also added machine stitching along the bottom portion of each card.  And machine stitched the cotton trim and cotton ribbon.  The cotton trim was purchased from a local sewing store.  The cotton ribbons are from Stampin' Up!

I added buttons from my stash (red corduroy and garden green button) are retired from Stampin' Up!. And a silver reindeer charm is tied to the bow with cream twine.  

Thank you for looking.  I'm planning on making a few gift card holders and gift bags using this festive holiday pattern paper.  Stay tuned {smile}.  And these cards will be for sale in my Etsy shop.

Sweet Music Note; card

Howdy!  Today I had a rough time getting started.  I have a list of paper crafting projects that I need to get done.  Get done in 4 weeks!  Yikes!  But to be honest, I feel overwhelmed.  Very overwhelmed.  So much so, I don't know where to begin, so I spent most of the morning looking @ Pinterest.  And its a love-hate relationship.  {smile}  I love the inspiration and ideas.  But boy is it a time sucker. Ugh.  At this point in my crafting, I just have to sit down and start.  Start somewhere.  Start with a theme, a color scheme, a layout, a project.  Just START!  

And so that is exactly what I did.  I picked up a digital image I just printed, and used that as my starting point.  Either way, I need to get stuff made, because time is running out.  My other obstacle is that I don't just throw stuff together.  Cards easily take 1 - 2 hours, and other paper crafting projects take more time.   I like balance, I like cohesiveness, I like shabby chic, and I like pretty things. 

So with my digital ATC card in hand, I picked up a sketch I had printed from a favorite sketch challenge site: Cardabilities.  I love their sketches, because they are super easy to work with, and the design team will certainly inspire you!

Before I show you what I created, I need to give a few explanations.  I used a whole doily, instead of a half doily.  I used a rectangle piece instead of the circle element.  I figured that the shapes were interchangeable.  And I used another rectangle piece instead of the leaves.  I kept the lines long to mimic the spray of the leaves.

here is my card:

I kept the colors of the card stock and pattern papers neutral, so they wouldn't compete with the digital ATC card, as my focal piece.  

Recipe:  I used vintage cream cardstock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  I just love the weight of this card stock.  The main panel is a ledger pattern paper by Melissa Frances.  I heat embossed some water spots on opposite corners of this pattern paper.  I added a strip of music paper.  I wanted to repeat the music script that is on the ATC card.  I layered a burlap doily over the music paper.  

For the trim, it's all machine stitched to the card front.  I first machine stitched the white cotton scallop trim.  Next, I machine stitched the rose pink scallop trim.  And finally, I did a zig zag stitch to attach the white crochet trim to the card front.  

I cut out an ATC size card, and used foam tape to adhere it over the layered card front.  I die cut a piece of card stock weight vellum, by Stampin' Up! for my sentiment piece.  I used a black ink and hand-stamped 'Just a Note' by Paper Trey Ink.  And then I added a white resin blossom, by Melissa Frances to the right of the sentiment piece.

To add a bit of sparkle, I added white, pale pink, and gold sequins to the card front.  

Thank you for looking.  This card will be for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  I hope that your weekend is going well, and that you get a chance to do a few fun things {smile}.

My card was selected as a winner for this sketch, on Sept. 29, 2015.
I'm super happy and proud! {smile}

Tea

Hello.  Earlier this week, I went to afternoon tea with a couple of girlfriends.  And well, we had a blast!  There is a 'new' tea room in Albuquerque, NM, call the Ivy Tea Room.  Let me just say, that it was wonderful!  The decor is fresh and fabulous! and the food was excellent!  Did I mention that the three of us are true foodies?  Yeah, we know food, and we know great food!  and this was GREAT!

For those of you who do tea, you know about the tiered dish, but for those of you who don't, all of your food is served at once.  You eat your way up to the desserts.  There is a tea that is paired with each course (or level of the service).  At the Ivy Tea Room, you are given a menu of the teas that they serve, and your attendant will help you select a tea that will go nicely with that days menu.  It was rather refreshing to select our own teas.
Please note that the food needs to be prepared, so that it is easily eaten in several small bites.  So, you won't see large portions served.  Remember danity size food, to compliment the delicate tea service and doilies.

Here was our service:

Ok, as you can see, I have labeled some of the foods.  Let me first start by saying that everything served was delicious!  The atmosphere was upbeat, the furniture was unique, eclectic and comfortable.   We felt welcomed, and relaxed.

1st course (bottom layer):  We had open faced egg salad sandwiches, cucumber and lemon aioli sandwiches,  pea puree with manchego cheese crisp topped with prosciutto, and the center item was a beet waffle basket filled with goat cheese and turkey, topped with dried cherries and pistachio dust.  

2nd course (middle layer):  We had a warm broccoli, roasted red pepper and cheese stratta, and cranberry orange scone with orange glaze.  The clotted cream served in the middle was a fresh vanilla bean clotted cream.  

3rd course (top layer):  We had a salted caramel cream puff with toasted almonds, and two seasonal cakes:  a layered chocolate cake with a whipped peanut butter filling, and a blondie (brownie).

If you are new to 'tea' or simply want to experience something 'new', this is the place to go!  There are several seating areas.  Each seating area has beautiful furnishings, that are a bit hip and fresh.  The atmosphere is relaxed, but exciting.  And the service is impeccable!  This would be a great place to hold a bridal shower for a young bride, or a red hatters luncheon.  And yes, I would definitely go again!  {smile}

Vintage Winter Treasure Tin

Welcome!  I was surfing the internet, and stumbled upon two new challenge sites, that I should play along with.  I say 'should' because I need to get more holiday crafts completed.  

I stopped @ the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  They have a new challenge, titled: it will soon be here: Christmas!

I also stopped by A Snowflake Promise challenge site.  Their current challenge is: winter/Christmas.

here is what I made:

I have really loved decorating these blank tins.  {smile}  I first paint the tins with chalk paint, then distress with various sand papers, and finally seal the tin surface.  I wanted to make some tins that were event specific.  And I had some scrap pieces of this beautiful winter holiday pattern paper from Authentique.  {smile}

the outside of the tin:

I distressed the pattern papers, too.  I layered some of the papers, and added some machine stitching.  

This blank tin measures approximate 3 3/4" x 2 1/4".  

Thank you for looking.  I'm working on a few tins for 'new' babies.  {smile}

Magnetic A

Welcome.  Yeah, I've been busy crafting! and all I can say, is, YAHOO!  I just love it!  It really does my heart and soul good to create something with paper, seam binding, and buttons!  happy, happy, happy!  {big grin}

All of the items I am sharing with you, are for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  And what doesn't sell, will be for sale at several local (Albuquerque, New Mexico) holiday craft shows.  [please note, that I have not shared everything I have made for the craft fairs on my blog.  some items either don't photograph well, or don't ship well.]

One of my top sellers, are magnetic monograms.  I take 4" tall letters, and alter them.  I use pattern papers I have on hand, and add various embellishments.  You know me, seam binding, and a vintage button or two, and always something feminine like a rhinestone(s) or pearl(s). {smile}

All I have left to do, to finish this monogram, is to adhere the two round, strong magnets to the back, and viola!  

I used a scrap piece (4" x 4") of my favorite text pattern paper from Melissa Frances.  I love the dark grey color of the text, and the beautiful font.  This pattern paper is very easy to work with.  You add the color you love!  I painted the letter with a pearl cream color paint.  I wanted to keep the letter neutral, so the color doesn't compete with the pattern paper.

I wrapped some white crochet trim around the lower portion of the wide leg of the letter.  I wrapped some pale pumpkin dyed muslin around the middle of the letter and tied it in a simple bow.  I added a light coral lace blossom from Prima, Coffee Break collection.  I just love the soft, beautiful look of these lace blossoms.  

I added a light coral paper blossom just above the lace blossom.  I added some of the pearl cream paint to the tips of the paper blossom.  I tucked in a clock stick pin from Prima.  And finally, I added two berry sorbet vintage buttons, from Paper Trey Ink.  And finally, I wanted to add some sparkle, so I cut the legs off a rhinestone brad, and tucked it in close to the muslin bow.

Want to see more photos of this gem?  Head on over to my Etsy shop!  and Thank You for taking the time to visit me, and I hope I have inspired you, to create something beautiful, and in your favorite color!

Garden Glacier Treasure Tin

Howdy.  I had a lot of fun creating a few more treasure tins.  The tins aren't actually Altoid tins, they are jus the same size (3 3/4" x 2 1/4").  I use chalk paint to paint them.  I use three different grits of sand paper and a wet sponge to distress them.  Once I am finished distressing them, I apply by hand, a cream sealant.  That way the tins are protected against any more distressing.

This tin, I painted a pale blue color (glacier) and created it for a girl who loves her garden.  {smile}

and the outside

The wheel handle is actually screwed to the top of this tin.  I used my husbands tools, to knock the hole through the lid, to tread the wheel handle to the top of the tin.  I added some various pattern papers and a few embellishments to create a pretty treasure tin!  I added three tiny paper blossoms to the neck of the handle wheel, to help soften the over all look.
This tin is for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  Remember, if you want something custom made, please convo me, and let me know what you are looking for.  Please allow me a chance to create something beautiful and unique just for you!