Craft Critique: Button Cover Tutorial

I have an article posted on Craft Critique. It's a review and tutorial on using button covers.

I do like fabric covered brads and buttons. They bring a classy element to the craft world. I've come to like making my own too. Especially since I don't have a lot to work with in my current craft stash. And when you purchase button cover kits, the only other thing you need is the fabric. And I must admit that I sometimes grab some fabric swatches from Joann.

So, if you get a chance, check out the button cover review and tutorial on Craft Critique. I'm especially interested in what folks think about the video tutorial. I sort of like it.

Here's the scoop on the card that accompanies the article:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ribbon: Offray
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
scalloped circle dies: Cuttlebug
twine: Darice
felt: unknown

Happy Everything :: Color Inspiration and 2 Sketches 4 You

Wow, the week almost went by w/o me doing much card making. Just taking it slow is all. I did get the Cuttlebug Challenge done (see yesterday's post).

I do like the inspiration for the Color Inspiration - skeins of yarn. I love when I see the DMC floss all lined up and color coordinated. The 2 Sketches 4 You sketch is a no-frills sketch. Love that.

I don't have much more to say about this card. It's just simple and fresh. I started to distress the edges and do some sewing, but sometimes less is more.

Thanks for looking .... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: ??
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
ribbon: Michaels
flower die: Sizzix
felt: craft supply

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 8

Time for another Cuttlebug Challenge and this one was indeed a challenge. I have been working on it for a couple of weeks. I must say that after this challenge, I will leave the making of embossing folders to the makers of the Cuttlebug. And that was the challenge: to make your own embossing folder.

I did, however, finally come up w/something that I could use on a project.

I cut out some hearts using a die from CuttleKids. I then layered them inside a piece of folded plastic. I think it was the plastic from the front cover package of one of the Cuttlebug embossing folders (before they began to use a picture on the front). Then I carefully laid the cardstock on top of the row of hearts and just as carefully laid the plastic folder in my sandwich for embossing ('A' plate, 'B' plate, plastic folder and 'B' plate). I ran the sandwich through the CB and then rolled it back.

I am more proud of my felt flower than the embossing. I don't have many colors of felt, but my brown and cream are two of my favs. I originally made this flower to use for last month's Papertrey Ink. Blog Hop, but I did not use it. It ended up being a good fit for this card though.

Overall, this was a pretty simple card to make. And it's got a cute thing goin on ...

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper and fabric brad: K&Co.
die cut hearts (used for the embossing): CuttleKids
die cut flowers and circle: Sizzix
letter stickers: American Crafts
felt and ribbon: unknown
other: sewing

November Blog Hop

It's that time again. Time for Papertrey Ink's monthly Blog Hop. This month's challenge is to create a floral embellishment.

I was really looking forward to this one. Mostly due to my recent fascination w/fabric and fabric brads in particular. And boy do fabric brads look nice w/felt and fabric flowers.

I like the flower for this one. It was really easy to make. The fabric used to make the first layer is from Joann. It's actually just a swatch from the upholstery department. I matched up the fabric w/the fabric brad. The fabric brad is from K&Co. Love those. I think they have 9 for $3.99 - not too bad.

If you want to see more of my fabric flowers check out some of my previous posts:

• So Thoughtful Card
• Thank You Card
  

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Archivers and Bazzill
patterned paper and fabric brad: K&Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaColor
ribbon: Michaels
fabric: Joann
felt: unknown
flower die: Sizzix

So Thoughtful :: Card-a-Licious

The design team over @ Card-A-Licious have some awesome work to check out. I like lots of layers and they have that. Sometimes I go simple and they have that too.

For this card, I went w/the layered look. I have been seeing some cards w/the bow and the flower on top and I've been meaning to try that. Well, here it is. I actually tied a very nice bow and almost did not want to cover it up. I like the double-faced ribbon too.

Then there is that flower. It's a nice little stack, right? I do like that new flower die from Sizzix. It's one of the Hello Kitty ones. I almost overlooked that one and the price is scary too - $19.99. Of course, I had a coupon.

I am officially in love w/K&Co. patterned papers. The paper here is from the news stack/pack that I purchased called "Life's Journey". Love that. And the mini journaling page is from Making Memories.
Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger and VersaMagic
circle punches and die cuts: Sizzix, Quickutz and EK Success
fabric button: The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby
flower die cuts: Sizzix and Cuttlebug
ribbon: Michaels
mini journal page: Making Memories

Thank You :: Color Inspiration 30

Well, if you ask me how excited I am about this card and I will tell you "uber excited"! And let me tell you why. I absolutely love the flower and the mini folder.

First of all, I am using Krista Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge. This week's colors were Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand and Whisper White. I love, love, love olive. So it was easy for me to coordinate for this challenge. The problem for me is the picture. I may replace it if I can produce an image that showcases the colors more vibrantly.

But my new favorite thing is fabric buttons. I went to a handmade craft fair this past weekend and lots of vendors had them. Then I went to etsy and saw even more wonderful fabric buttons. Check out these from Fabric Farrago.

So I mentioned the fabric buttons to my mom who immediately said that Joanns has the buttons covers used to make your own fabric buttons. Guess who made a trip to Joanns? That would be me. I got the buttons covers along w/a Sizzix Hello Kitty die - the outer layer of the flower. You will more than likely see more of these flowers on more and more of my cards. I like choosing my own fabric and even stamping on the fabric and making my own buttons. Now I just need to find a place that sells the buttons covers by the bag full. Watch out.

Oh, and I got the idea to use the Quickutz mini folder from Card-A-Licious; that's their challenge this week.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Company
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
ribbon: Michaels
mini folder die cut: Quickutz
flower die cuts: Sizzix and Cuttlebug
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
felt: unknown
button cover: Dritz
other: fabric