Vintage Buttons

Today's card was created during my hiatus from blogging

Here is a closer look at the dimension and a
plethora of DETAILS

Inked and distressed the patterned papers before I used a loose zigzag stitch around the outside and a tight zigzag across the center. Not all of the buttons were vintage, however, some of them are and a few came off of old clothing that my husband had thrown in the garbage. The Mason Jar stamp was found during a shopping trip to a local antique's store.
If you look closely at this photo you can see that I colored the lid with Copic Markers, glued a piece of crochet lace then popped it up with foam squares.

Short and Sweet but I'm headed to dinner to celebrate my 23rd Wedding Anniversary

I love you Sexy

After I typed that title, It caused me to remember the funny song that Will Farrell sang in the movie "Semi-Pro "(love me sexy)

I am on a serious LOVE kick lately and although Valentine's Day and my Anniversary have passed, I'm just not ready to stop making "LOVE".

Close up of the Seam binding that I dyed in a mixture of pink ink & tea. The chipboard tag was covered with patterned paper and the edges inked. "I love you" sentiment from PTI . Flower was first stamped with a Unity stamp then punched using the Stampin' Up scalloped circle and the edges were inked

You can also see that I used blue thread for my stitching and I used white paint to distress different areas of my card. The Roses, pink patterned paper and the couple images are all Graphic 45

CHALLENGES I USED:
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Show some EPHEMERA (not exactly sure if this qualifies but I sure hope so because they give such a wonderful prize $50 to be spent at Simon Says)
Corrosive Challenge: Distressing
Tuesday Throwdown: Tags
Sweet Stampin Challenge: Oh So Girlie
Paper Play: Let's Get Sentimental

Handmade & Vintage Embellishments

Paper Trey Ink

has got me SOOOOO EXCITED and SWOONING to get my crafty little fingers on the products that they revealed today. Is it possible that they created the new Button Stamps and Button Dies just for ME???

Each day they are issuing very fun challenges and today's challenge is to create a project using BUTTONS in a Unique Way.....

CHECK IT OUT
-----------> HERE <------------

FLOURISHES TIMELESS TUESDAY CHALLENGE
has also issued a "Button it Up" Challenge

-------------> HERE <--------------

If you are looking for some fun CHALLENGES please scroll down to the bottom of my posts to find the ones that I use Let's talk about my project which was created for my wonderful friend Erin Smetak as a thank you for the lovely flowers that she sent to me after my Breast Biopsy.

The idea was to create a little package of Handmade & Vintage Embellishments that she would be able to use on her own projects

Close up of the Tags where I mix and matched sentiments from Paper Trey Ink & Crafty Secrets

The circular border stamps are from PTI (tags for spring &

Cute little house Embellie that I created by layering 2 different scalloped square punches and inked the edges. The roof was just a square that I cut in half. I used a small heart punch then lined that top square with a scrap of scarlet jewel cardstock.

I included some seam binding and vintage fabric that I dyed in tea
The way in which I packaged these goodies also lends some fun baubles that Erin will be able to incorporate into her projects. Just look at the delicious bells, button, twine and ribbon

Here is Graphic 45 card that I flipped over to the plain side where I used glue dots to attach vintage buttons. The brown flower is not vintage, however the blue one with fabric still has it's original thread attached!!

Erin had jokingly asked me to share some of the Antique goodies that I picked up at the Antique Markets in Sicily
Think she will like the Antique Key Hole?

I gathered all of these goodies together and placed them in a Glassine bag from PTI and created a cute little topper and tag. These stamps are Hero Arts ( )

CHALLENGES I USED:
Paper Trey Ink: Create a project using Buttons in a unique way
Kaboodle Doodles: Break out that Ribbon Stash
Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays: Button Up
Tuesday Throwdown: Buttons
Simon Says Stamp: Anything but a card
Paper Pals Arts: Those were the days (VINTAGE)

....................Supplies I used......................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (tags for spring, ), Hero Arts ( ledger), Crafty Secrets (chandelier fun, material girl), Unity
Inks: PTI (scarlet jewel, dark chocolate), Momento (black)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (scarlet jewel, kraft), Stampin Up (natural)
Patterned Papers: Basic Grey, Graphic 45, Crate paper
Ribbons: Paper Trey Ink (scarlet jewel extra fine polka dot, ocean tide satin, jute twine)
Misc: Tim Holtz chipboard, Prima flower, PTI (glassine bag)
Tools: Marvy Uchida, Stampin Up (large label die, scalloped square punch, scalloped circle punch, ) Cuttlebug, Spellbinders (Lacey Circle, Circle dies), Martha Stewart (flower punch)

I love Buttons!

I finally did it

What you ask?

Mailed out my Christmas Cards which had turned into my New Year's Cards and I suppose now they are my Valentine's Cards... To bad I had enclosed a family photo collage titled "Frederick Family 2010", I could have played it off and said that I was just early for next Christmas ;o)

This card set was created for my Grandmother.
She actively blesses the elderly shut ins, ill, and grieving members of her church with hand written notes.
What a wonderful ministry!

CHALLENGES I USED:
Corrosive Challenge: Button it up
My Time to Craft: Emboss (hopefully you can see that I embossed the first, large layer of DP)
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Whateva (you do have to stamp something)
Dutch Dare Card Challenge: Buttons, Buttons Buttons
Paper Play: Stamp It Out
Pile It On: Punch It (I used the ticket corner punch)
..............Supplies I used.................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink
Papers: Stampin Up (patterned papers), Paper Trey Ink (white)
Ink: Momento, Stampin Up (markers used on the flower in pot, real red on bicycle)
Buttons: Paper Trey Ink, some are from my stash
Toons: Stampin Up (embossing folder, ticket corner punch), Spellbinders Nestabilities (labels 4 & scalloped ovals)

Moxie Fab Jewel Tones Challenge

MOXIE FAB WORLD

is celebrating Card Maker's Week
" JEWEL TONES COLOR CHALLENGE "

Sugar Cookie, Sunshine, Pansy, and Blue Calypso
The challenge is to use only these colors in a New Project

COMPLETE DETAILS
-----> HERE <-----

I have no clue why I cannot seem to take a decent photo to save my life!! I actually held my cardstocks up to this computer monitor before I began to verify that my colors matched! They DO, however, my photos LIE!!!

Here is a close up of the clouds I created out of FOAM. I got the idea to cut them out using the Spellbinders Scalloped Oval Dies from Jacilynn. I then embossed them with one of the Stampin Up embossing folders. Pretty cool huh? The large cloud is popped up on foam squares. My SUN was created using a Spellbinders "Lacey Circle" Die

How PERFECT was this Gina K "Friends" Sentiment for the inside of my card?

CHALLENGES I USED:
Moxie Fab: Jewel Tone Color Challenge
Crafty Creations: Heat It Up (I'm thinking warm sunny thoughts)

.................Supplies I used.................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (scattered showers ), Gina K Designs (friends sentiment stamp set)
Ink: Momento (tuxedo black)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (pacific point, elegant eggplant, very vanilla, so saffron)
Tools: Stampin Up (big label die, Ttxture plates backgrounds 1), Spellbinders (lacey circles, lg oval scallops, lg scallops squares)

Misc: Ribbons from my stash

January PTI Blog Hop

Aren't Valentine's so much fun to create? Not a clue as to whom I created this for, however, it was created using
CARD PATTERNS Sketch #99

I also used Cupcake Inspirations photo below as my inspiration for the colors & background paper that I created


AND
The Paper Trey Ink
Blog Hop Challenge
(create a new project using Paper Trey Ink stamps that might be collecting dust)

I used Paper Trey Ink's " Love Songs " stamp set. If you look closely you can see that I created my own "Patterned Papers"!! (no clue why the photos aren't crisp, they were before I uploaded them) The Red background was achieved by using 2 hearts & two sets of lips. The pink paper was stamped with 3 different sized solid hearts. My scalloped circle was created using 3 stamps from the "Love Songs" set but I had too much space around the edges so I used a tiny little DOT stamp from "Polka Dot Basics" also by PTI.

I also stamped and cut out a second red heart then popped it up with a foam square

Photo of the inside of my card where I used up a few scraps that were laying around my table
CHALLENGES I USED:
Card Patterns: Sketch
Pile It On: Love is in the air
Totally Papercrafts: Add a Heart
Cupcake Inspirations: I was inspired by the colors & hearts (see photo above)
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Love is in the air
....................Supplies I used......................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (love songs, polka dot basics),
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (white, pure poppy, sweet blush, 2008 bitty dot basics,)
Ink: Momento black, Stampin Up (real red, riding hood red)
Tools: Marvy Uchida (scalloped circle punches), Martha Stewart (looped hearts valentine, loops)
Misc: Ribbon from my stash, foam squares

Teacher Appreciation Gift Sets

New Year, New School, New Teachers,
one thing remains the same
our
APPRECIATION
for
TEACHERS

At the end of the last school year, I made little gift sets just like these!! ABC Toys & Crafts along with Little Red Wagon, Stamp Something, The Pixie Cottage AND Shirley's 2 Girls are all having "BACK TO SCHOOL" Challenges and these were so much fun to put together that I decided they would be a great way to start of this school year.

Each set includes:

10 - note cards in red, blue, yellow, purple & orange

FRONT of Note Card ---->

BACK of Note Card ---->

20 - "This Book Belongs To The Library Of " stickers

1 - Personalized paper clip

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Back to School
Stamp Something: Back to School & a DT Search
The Shabby Tea Room: A Little Bit of Metal along with a photo inspiration (I liked the shabby colors which I used in my packaging & I used a metal paper clip)
Little Red Wagon: Back to School
The Pixie Cottage: Back to School &/or their sketch (I chose just to use the theme)
Shirley's 2 Girls: Back to School w/a "Twist to use Letters or Numbers" (I used both on the belly band of my packaging )
.....................Supplies I used..................
Stamps: Crafty Secrets (book lovers ), Paper Trey Ink (teachers apple)
Ink: Momento black, Stampin Up (real red, close to cocoa)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (real red, elegant eggplant, yo yo yellow, pacific point, tangerine tango, whisper white)
Patterned Paper: Autumn Leaves (Hall Pass)
Tools: Marvy Uchida (large scalloped circle punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities Labels 7 die)
Misc: Paper Trey Ink (small wax bags, 8 1/2" x 11" adhesive sticker sheets), K & Co (blank tags), metal paper clips, ribbon scraps

Takin out the Stash Tuesday "Birthday Wishes"

Takin' Out the Stash Tuesday
is all about using things that you might otherwise
"HOARD"

I'm learning to love using my chipboard pieces now that I have discovered painting but that BUTTON..... OH THE BUTTON is some SERIOUS STASH that I did not want to PART WITH. I would LOVE to HOARD this paper but you'll be seeing it again very soon. (shhhhh, only because I have more than one piece)

The Birthday card that I created today uses a wonderful sketch that I have no doubt, I will be reaching for time and time again. My great blogging friend NINA BRACKET (Crafting in Croatia) is pretty much a "Big Deal" within the Stamp and Card Creating community. Not only is she on the Design Team for Gina K Designs but she is also one of the Stamp Illustrators. Yep that's right, she has her very own line of stamps along with digital papers. How would you like to be a Guest Designer for Nina?? Would you like to WIN FREE STAMPS? Yeah, you and me both.

(Click on Nina's Sketch for complete details about the Guest Design Position and Nina's Blogoversary Givaways. )

Here is a close up of some more of the HOME MADE Ribbon that I created. For this particular ribbon, I mixed coffee & Neon Red Food Coloring ;o) I actually ended up with 3 different variations in color, each one a little lighter by diluting my "concoction". This is the lightest.
Other CHALLENGES I Used:
Crafting in Croatia: Sketch
Splitcoast Stampers: Clean & Simple CAS61 (only stamping allowed was the use of sentiments)
Simon Says Stamp: It's So Distressing (create a project using Distress techniques)
Creative Card Crew: Vintage or Aged
Our Creative Corner: Break out the Buttons! (I love the splash of color my button adds)
Stamp Something: PINK
Wild Flower Patch Kids: Birthday
The Pink Elephant: Nature (anything found in nature, take a closer look at my patterned paper)
..............Supplies I used................
Stamps: Unity ("wishes" from January KOTM), Paper Trey Ink (birthday sentiment)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (blush blossom), Stampin Up (very vanilla)
Ink: Stampin Up (close to cocoa), Paper Trey Ink (dark chocolate)
Tools: Martha Stewart (doily lace border punch),
Misc: Shirley's 2 Girls (button), Homemade ribbon, Delta (light pink acrylic paint), Martha Stewart (turquoise floss)

Homemade Embellishments for a Friend

While I impatiently await the release of Paper Trey Ink's newest stamp sets and a few other goodies, I decided to participate in a very fun challenge that they were having today. This challenge was to create a set of embellishments and attach them to a piece of clear acetate..

My project was created for my dear friend Karolyn Loncon as a Thank You for sending me my All Time FAVORITE COOKBOOK EVER. Besides reading "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" from cover to cover, I have made just about every recipe. If you have not picked up this Cookbook, I recommend you RUN to your nearest book store and grab a copy. Trust me your family will THANK YOU!
Here is the inside prior to the embellishments being added. Although you cannot see it, the clear acetate is covering the green vines.
This is a close up of the flowers I created. Unity stamps were used for the 3 coordinating flowers. The second layer is adhered with foam squares. Probably can't tell but they have 4 layers. The other two flowers were created by punching 5 scalloped circles. On one side I cut to the center and used that slit to adjust the sizes of my circles which also gives them some dimension. The embellishments are adhered to the acetate using glue dots and can be easily removed so that Karolyn can use them.

Here is a side view so you can see all of the layers, the dimension and the acetate.
Other Challenges I used:
CPS: Sketch
Creative Belli Blog: Ribbon (I've had this ribbon for 3 years)
Hand Full of Stamps: Open (create anything to share)
Crafty Creations: Friends (I created this for a friend, hope that counts)
2 RedBananas: Behind the Scenes (create your own background, I did this on the inside with the vines)
...........Supplies I used...........
Stamps: Unity
Ink: Stampin Up (always artichoke, taken with teal)
Paper: Stampin Up (always artichoke, garden green)
Patterned Paper: S.E.I.
Tools: Stampin Up (scalloped circle punch, flower trio punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities-label 4), Cuttlebug (textile embossing folder)
Misc: Paper Trey Ink (buttons), Martha Stewart (colored twine or floss), DCWV (polka dot ribbon)

Takin' Out the Cupcake Stash

Takin' Out the Stash is a challenge that I give myself.
This particular project uses lots of stash and every piece of paper was
a SCRAP that I had lying around my table (yes even the card base was a left over from
my Fat Free "Box of Chocolates")

Shirley's 2 Girls is Celebrating the launch of their newest Digi Stamps by offering some "SWEET" Blog Candy, a Blog Hop and a fun "Twisted" Thursday Challenge....

There is still time to check out all of the all of the excitement and enter for you chance to WIN some great prizes.
Click on their blinkie for complete Details.

Although I am no longer on their Design Team, I still love their images and would really like to WIN one of the new images. This week's "TWIST" is to create a project with the theme "Indulgence".. Cupcakes are my Weakness! Here is a random bit of trivia about me. I would love to open up a Cupcake Boutique featuring all things Cupcakes, edible, non-edible, you name it, if it is a cupcake it is simply to die for because I think Cupcakes are just as fun to look at as they are to eat ;o)
About this card and trust me there is a lot going on: I used a Nestie to die cut my circle then while it was still in the die, I sponged pink onto the center then stamped my cupcake. I stamped the Frosting again, cut that one out and popped it up on foam squares. I stamped the wrapper onto patterned paper, gave it a little shadow then glued it in place. The white circle is mounted with foam squares onto the pink scalloped circle. I dipped the end of my Stylus into white acrylic paint and added the white dots to each scallop then added a smaller dot at the joint of each scallop. I also added dots in various sizes to my cupcake wrapper. These dry rather quickly and are raised just enough to give some texture. If you look closely behind the center image, you will see that I used one of the New Martha Stewart Valentine punches. I stamped both sides of my strip of CS to achieve this look. No way I was throwing out all of those adorable little chocolate hearts that are left over from the MS punch, so I added one on the side of my cupcake with a little smear of white paint for reflection. Check out the inside of my card, I then glued a little heart into each of these scallops. Pretty cool huh?
How about that Funky flower?? I found a new blog this week and was just blown away with inspiration. Check out----> THIS BLOG <---- (I just went to get the link and realized that Linda added a Tutorial on my new found Flower LOVe) I used a small heart punch, inked the edges, crumbled them up then glued and stacked my hearts. That is one of my Fancy Sshmancy Italian Buttons. You can view that story ----> "Just Shoot Me with Buttons" ----> HERE Challenges:
Shirley's 2 Girls: Indulgence s2gsc40
There She Goes: Sketch
Paper Sundaes: pink, chocolate, lace (I didn't have this so I created my own using my MS punch), flowers(again, I created my own)
SCS: Clean & Simple- CAS51 use patterned paper (mine didn't turn out clean or simple)
...........Supplies I used............
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (cupcake collection), Inkadinkado (Valentine sentiment)
Paper: Stampin Up (chocolate chip, certainly celery, polka dot patterned paper), Paper Trey Ink (blush blossom, white), My Favorite Things (pink & whitle polka dot paper, heart patterned paper)
Ink: Stampin Up (close to cocoa, pretty in pink), Paper Trey Ink (dark chocolate, blush blossom)
Tools: Martha Stewart (valentine punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities circles), Marvy Uchida (scallop circle punch purple, small heart punch), Stampin Up (stylus, sizzix leaf die, sizzix large scallop circle, label die)
Misc: button from Italy, twine from a clothing tag, foam dots from ABC Toys & Crafts