Spring Challenge

Welcome.  I am sharing a post from an international challenge site, that is preparing for a project-based challenge for the month of March.  The site:  Shabby Chic.  This challenge site says:

Привет дорогие читатели нашего блога! ♥

Сегодня мы хотим рассказать о нашем новом совместном проекте - SWEET HOME! Стартует он 1 марта, в первый день долгожданной весны! И как вы догадались - мы будем украшать свой дом! И творить будем альтер-объекты! А что и как - вы скоро узнаете! Одно пока можем открыть - у нас будет 4 этапа, на каждый из которых будет отводиться по 10 дней, и творить мы будем в неизменных стилях нашего блога - шебби шик и прованс! Почитать и ознакомиться с этими стилями заранее, а также посмотреть примеры работ и мастер-классы вы можете в нашем блоге. И нашими мастер-классами можно и даже нужно пользоваться! :)

♥

Today we want to tell you about our new joint project - SWEET the HOME ! He starts March 1, the first day of the long-awaited spring! And you guessed it - we will decorate your home! And do we alter the objects! But how and what - you'll soon find out! Until one can open - we will have 4 phases, each of which will be given for 10 days, and we will do in the unchanging styles of our blog - Shabby chic and Provence ! Read and become familiar with these styles in advance, as well as see examples of work and master classes you can on our blog. And our master classes could and should use it! :)

inspiration board:

and here is their schedule:

So, you're in 4 stages:

Phase 1, March 1 

Stage 2 on March 12,

3 phase, 22 March 

Stage 4, 2 April 

So, stay tuned, to see what I enter, and don't forget to play along.  And yes, this challenge site does have a 'translate' button, so you won't be left wondering the guidelines.  Finally, your entry must be done in Shabby Chic or Provence style.  See you soon!

Celebrate YOU!

Welcome.  I wanted to use some of the scraps I had left over from a beautiful paper collection by Prima - Rossibelle.  I just love the flecks of metallic mixed in with florals, stripes, & texts.  I am entering my card in three different, but equally wonderful card challenges {smiles}:  Double D, the Card Concept, and Tic Tac Toe challenges.

My first stop was Double D challenge site.  They have some pretty clever challenges and their current challenge is no exception: sequins.  Now, who doesn't love sequins?  Not this girl!

I sprinkled my sequins

My next stop was the Card Concept.  I love this challenge site, because they have a theme and a mood board.  So, no confusion, and you are given a direction for your entry.  Easy peasy.  Their current theme: old fashion LOVE.  I can do that!

I used pinks, and a blossom

And finally, my newest interest: Tic Tac Toe challenge.  I like these types of challenges, because it helps give your crafting a direction and takes away some of the restraints.  LOVE that!  Here is their current Tic Tac board:

I went down the right side: Celebrate, floral, ribbon

and here is what I created:

still learning how to photograph shiny things

I just love the mix of metallic, pinks, cream, and pops of black - pretty!

and a different view:

Recipe:  This blank inside card is a typical A2 size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I used a pale pink card stock for the base.  I believe its one of my last few sheets of Blush Blossom from Stampin' Up!.  

I layered a text pattern paper and a black design pattern paper from the Rossibelle collection by Prima.  Then I sandwiched a scrap piece of cream cotton trim between them, and machine stitched a simple border.  I rubbed some tea stain ink across the machine stitching to help it pop.  

Starting with the right upper corner:  I adhered a tag from the collection and hot glued a double bow tied with pale pink seam binding.  I found that sweet tiny button in my stash.  I believe it is from CTMH neutrals collection.  

The focal piece is actually a piece from the embellishment kit.  I adhered it to the front of the card with foam adhesive.

I adhered a fabric blossom to the left lower corner of the focal piece.  I then tucked in a cream button from Stampin' Up!.  I thought the button design matched with the cream cotton trim design.  {smile}

And the last two pieces from the Rossibelle collection to go onto my card were those two strips at the lower right corner.  The pink text paper is actually a strip from the text pattern paper.  The sentiment strip is a sticker from the same collection.

My two final additions were the metallic embossed sentiment piece, and the sprinkle of the copper sequins.  The sentiment piece was hand-stamped onto cream card stock and detail copper kettle embossing powder was used.  I adhered the 'CELEBRATE' to the card front with more foam adhesive.  I glued the copper sequins to the card front.  I added three tucked, so they would peak out, and the other four I wanted full view of.  {smile}

Thank you for looking.  I hope you get a chance to play along with any/all of these challenge sites.  Have a great weekend!  and do something that makes your heart happy!

Sweet Little Moments Card

Welcome.  I'm so happy that you had a chance to stop by {smile}.  I needed to make a card for a friend who is having a birthday this week.  And I needed a little direction, so I stopped by two Russian paper challenge sites, and one of my favorites here in the USA.

My first stop is @ CharmedScrap.  This challenge site, is from Russia.  They do not have a translate button, but there is always Google Translate {smile}.  CharmedScrap, gives you either a mood board, or sketches.  I  love their sketches, because they include layers and little pieces of interest.  Here is their current sketch:

My next stop is @ InterNitka.  This challenge site, is from Russia also.  And again, they do not have a Translate button.  But InterNitka, has some very creative challenges.  The current challenge is a romantic gentle moldboard:

And finally, I am entering my card @ Word Art Wednesday.   This challenge site, is always a Anything Goes, Family Friendly challenge.  This challenge site will certainly inspire you.  They always provide a scripture that you can use in your paper crafting, but is not required.  {smile}

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  I used various scrap pieces of pattern papers from the Rossibelle collection by Prima.  I just love the splashes of copper metallic on the pattern papers, the distressed, worn patterns, and the soft tones.  This collection has pinks, and a vibrant peach hue.  I started with a Cantaloupe card stock by Stampin' Up!.  Their card stock is heavy weight, and stands up nicely to embellishments.  I cut and tore different pieces of the pattern paper, and layered them together.  Some staggered, and some layered.  I roughed-up the edges with the edge of a pair of scissors.  I inked the edges with tea stain ink.  The grey polka dot pattern paper peaking out under the cream cotton trim, is a scrap piece from a holiday collection by My Minds Eye, from 3/+ years ago.  I did a simple double border stitch along most of the card edge.  I purposefully didn't complete the border.  I brushed white paint across the Bingo card, and the Ticket.  I added foam adhesive to the back of the 'sweet' piece.  I layered these pieces in a way to look random. The blossom is from the same collection: Rossibelle.  I added white paint and glitter to the petal edges, and brown ink to the back of the petals, so help show separation.  I tied a double bow of cream & black bakers twine to the dark button and tucked it at the top of the paper blossom.  The wooden disc, was hot glued to the top right corner of the sentiment cluster.  I brushed white paint and tea ink to the edges.

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with any/all of these challenge sites.  {smile}

Pastel Christmas Greetings

Howdy, and welcome to my little piece of blog-land.  I've been a bit busy completing some special orders, and other everyday chores that all of us have {frown}.  But, I did have a chance to create something (I think) is sweet, and pretty {smile}.

I am entering my creation into two challenges:  Merry Monday Challenge  and  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge .  

The Merry Monday Challenge, is a Christmas card challenge site, all year long!  How sweet is that?  Their current challenge is to use pastel colors.  And they have an inspirational photo to help get the creative juices flowing.

I just love the vintage ornaments that create the wreath! so pretty!

My next stop is the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge.  Their current challenge is anything Christmas.  This provides you with the ability to just create.  And so I did!

and here is what I created:

My 'card' is a packaged gift card holder.  That might sound a bit confusing, but it really only takes a few seconds to explain.  You know those packaged gift cards you purchase at the grocery store, or the 'always open' pharmacies?  Well, that's what fits inside!  Now, you don't have to rip open the packaging to get to the gift card.  Just simply slide the whole package inside this cleaver little card.

Recipe:  I used Dark Chocolate card stock by PaperTreyInk, for the card base.  I just love this creamy, rich brown color.  And their card stock is heavy weight, so it will stand up to being embellished.

The pattern paper I used, is from a digital collection I purchased last year.  I just love this collection of rustic, holiday images in pastel hues.  Simply beautiful.  I printed the pink pattern background onto white card stock by PaperTreyInk.  I printed the deer pattern paper onto white linen card stock by PaperTreyInk.  I love the texture.  I matted the deer pattern paper onto white card stock.  

I machine stitched the three layers of paper together.  I just love how machine stitching gives my paper crafts that homespun look {smile}.  On the bottom panel, I also machine stitched the white glitter snowflake to the layers.  I wrapped the top flap with white crochet trim, and an aqua polka dot satin ribbon (polka dot side down).  I tied a simple bow with the ribbon.  I tucked a half white glitter snowflake in behind the crochet trim at the left upper corner.  The main panel, was a 6" x 6" sheet of digital pattern paper, that I shrunk down 50% before printing.  That way I could print that sheet as a 3" x 3" piece.  I matted it with Mint card stock by PaperTreyInk, and then with Dark Chocolate card stock.  I used foam adhesive to lift this beautiful piece off the card front.  I added this piece to the right of the simple bow.   My pink satin blossom, is from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima.  I just love their blossoms.  And with the pretty rhinestone blossom center, it is perfect for this paper craft.   I hand-stamped 'joy' onto a scrap piece of the pink background pattern paper I used for the first layer. And then adhered it to the back of a tiny Melissa Frances resin frame.  The finishing touch was that tiny white present bow.  I thought is help tie-in all the white, and give my card a little more 'pretty' {smile}. 

Well, thank you for looking.  I hope you have a chance to create something beautiful this weekend.  I'm in the mood to bake some scones.  I found this delicious sounding recipe for Apricot & Brie scones.  YUM!

Celebration Tickets

Howdy, and welcome.  I am still working on Christmas/Holiday themed crafts, but I think most folks are done with looking at those.  So, I am sharing some other paper crafts with you today - handmade cards.  It's like 'a hug with a fold in the middle' - how super sweet is that saying {smile}.

I am entering my card(s) into two challenges.  One a recent play-a-long, and the other is 'new-to-me'. So, let's start with the recent play-a-long:  Time Out Challenge.  Their current challenge is 'inspired by a word'.

I have chosen: Celebrate!

And the next challenge stop is a 'new-to-me' challenge:  Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Their current challenge is, well a sketch of course! {smile}

What originally caught my eye about this sketch, is the potential!  The circle can be a circle, a snowflake, a large blossom, a doily,  etc.  The possibilities are endless, and I just love those!

and here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up! for the base of this card.  I just love the soft, creamy kraft color.  The pattern papers are from  three different manufacturers.  I've been working hard at using what I have, and not hoarding collecting craft supplies {smile}.  It's a work in progress.

The pink ledger pattern paper is from Bo Bunny.  The mint polka dot pattern paper is from Core'dinations. and the random ticket pattern paper is from American Crafts.  I just love how these soft, sweet colors mix so well {smile}.  I layered the pattern papers on top of each other, and then did a simple border stitch with my sewing machine.  I just love the homespun look this gives my crafts.  I wrapped a piece of cream cotton trim, and seam binding around the lower third of the card, and sewn it in place.  Tied a double bow with the seam binding, and hot glued it to the front of the card.  I stamped and cut a wreath from the same crumb cake card stock, to repeat the color.  My sentiment is a stamp from Close To My Heart.  I stamped it in black ink onto a textured white card stock, then matted it with a scrap piece of pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.  I added some rhinestones to give it some bling, and tied a vintage button with a gold bakers twine to add to the sparkle.  The blossom was glittered and adhered to the card front.

I couldn't decide if I liked this card with pink or blue seam binding, so I simply made both.  {smile}

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you get a chance to play with either or both of these challenge sites.  Until my next craft share, have a great day!

Winter Wonderland in Blue & Green

Howdy.  I have another holiday-themed gift card holder.  I hope you are up for one more {smile}.  I am entering this gift card holder into two 'new-to-me' challenges: First Belarusian Challenge, and the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge .

My first stop is @ First Belarusian Challenge.  This is a challenge site from Russia, and yes, they do have a 'translate' button.  Their current challenge is Winter Fun.  You need to look at what the design team has created.  Truly creative and simply gorgeous!  They also have an inspirational board:

My next stop is @ the Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge.  Their current challenge is Always Anything Christmas Goes.  This design team uses pattern papers and die cuts with a creative flair.  You will certainly be inspired!

and here is what I created:

and a different view:

Recipe:  The base of this gift card holder was made out of Pool Party card stock by Stampin' Up!  I just love this soft, creamy, pale blue color.  I used two pattern papers from the same digital pattern paper collection.  I used Mint card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the matt of the music & floral pattern paper.  I added a simple border of machine stitching, to give it a homespun look and feel.  I just love the music & floral pattern paper, so I wanted the pattern paper to be center stage.  I added a pale green seam binding and vanilla crochet trim.  I just love how soft, and vintage seam binding makes projects, and the crochet trim to echoes the same softness.  The paper blossom is from the Sweet Peppermint collection by Prima Marketing.  I think this pink blossom goes very well with the pattern paper.  I added a double bow tied with the seam binding.  I tucked a sentiment chipboard piece to the opposite side of the paper blossom.  And finally, to add a bit more sparkle, I added several silver sequins.  I just love how shiny they are {smile}.  Once you open this 'card' you will find your gift.  Gift card, that is!

card opened:

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you aren't too tired of looking at Holiday/Christmas themed cards and projects.  I hope that you have time to play along with these or your favorite challenge site.  Crafting makes the soul happy {smile}.