Re-Purposed Cuff

Howdy!  I hope you are well.  I am doing ok.  Work has been work.  Enough said.  So, let's craft something!  I collect cardboard coffee cuffs.  Crazy, right?!  But, for a very good reason.  It's corrugated cardboard, that's thin.  That translates to easy cutting with my die cut machine!
I was looking at creating some gift card holders for a few friends, when I remembered a sketch challenge that was perfect for my little creation.
Jen, from Deconstructed Sketches has the perfect sketch for me to use my coffee cuff collection!  It's sketch # 173.  Here it is!

I traded the stitching at the top for a sentiment that I stamped directly onto the pattern paper.  The 'green' rectangle is actually the gift card.  The brown center rectangle is my re-used coffee cuff.  I used a banner piece in place of the scallop trim.  But the sentiment remains the same.   Here is what I made!

Ok, so here is the recipe:  The card base is always artichoke card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The matts are kraft by Recollections.  The two sentiments are from the same stamp set by Verve: Delightful and Delicious.  I think it's retired.  I believe that I purchased the stamp set over 5 years ago.
I took a 'collected' coffee cuff, and used the 'back' side.  (I didn't think the 'green' side would work.)  I wrapped some strawberry bakers twine around the card, and tied a green vintage button from Paper Trey ink to the front.  I used 3 (yeah, three!) glue dots to hold the button in place.
The pattern paper is: Happiness is Homemade by Tilda.  (I had to purchase the pattern paper from overseas.  Tilda is a company from Sweden.)
I inked the bottom of a 'favorite' coffee cup into soft suede classic ink, and 'stamped' it  right onto the pattern paper.  I thought the coffee rings would look sweet.  I then took a water mark/splatter stamp and stamped onto the pattern paper, too.
Ok, I made several (about 12) of these cards.  I used different papers for different 'looks'.  Here are a few others:

office theme

floral theme

and of course I had to make a holiday version!

holiday theme

And  yeah, these will be for sale at my Arts and Craft Fair this Saturday!  Thank you for stopping by! I am off into my craft room once more.  I need to create a few more notepads and notebooks, and a couple gift bags.  Thank you for stopping by!

Holiday Banners

I am having a great weekend.  I got to see some wonderful girl friends and I got a lot of crafting done!  Yahoo!

And so, I want to share with you what I made.  I created some banners (ok, 2) out of thick chipboard, and some wonderful holiday pattern paper: Christmas by Fancy Pants.  Here is what they look like:

I used a variety of the pattern papers.  I just love the mix of blue and red and green.  Just gorgeous and festive and playful.  Love it.  

I cut a large scallop trim piece from one pattern paper and matted it onto cherry cobbler card stock.  I machine stitched it, to give it a home-made and nostalgic look.  I also used cherry cobbler card stock to create the scallop circles under the rosettes.

I created the rosettes by hand.  I scored a 1" x 12" strip of pattern paper every 1/4".  I stamped and heat embossed the letters in early espresso embossing powder onto shimmer white card stock.  I matted the letters onto cherry cobbler card stock, and then ocean tides card stock.  

I used ocean tides ribbon from Paper trey ink.  I tied red vintage buttons on to each bow.   I have both banners for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.  Don't forget, my easy shop will be closed the day before, the day of, and the day after each craft fair.

Thank you for looking.  I'll be posting more soon!

Holiday Gift Wrap

I know it's hard to even begin to think about the holidays.  But, if you are mailing your gifts, it's really never too early.  It can, however, be too late, though {frown}.

I have been adding some beautiful hand-made, hand-stamped items to my Etsy shop as often as I can.  So, if you can't find exactly what you are looking for, please send me a note, and let me see if I can make exactly what you are looking for!

Now, you have that perfect gift, let's get it wrapped!  I have two gift wrapping options for you in my Etsy shop.  I have a green version and red version.  I can either wrap your item from my Etsy shop (HERE), or send you the wrap.  Please make that note in my shop 'notes section' before making your purchase.

here is the red version:

here is the green version:

The gift wrap 'kit' comes with two sheets of white tissue paper (18" x 20") and 2 yards of satin ribbon.  The ribbon is single sided, so if you want a matt look, wrap with the other side of the ribbon up.  Two hand-stamped, hand-made gift tags accompany this kit, in a decorated small glassine bag.

Please be aware, that since this item is hand-stamped and uses pattern papers, there can be some slight variations.  Now that you have used the tags for your gifts, what to do with the decorated glassine bag?  Why not use it to hold a gift card? or other small trinket!

Well, I am off to make a few holiday banner pieces for sale at this year's holiday craft fairs.  Remember, come early for the best selection.  But, if you are looking for something specific, let me know.  I just might be able to make a custom order for YOU!

Roses

I had a little time to create something pretty {smile}.  So I used some of this new (ok, new to me) pattern paper from Anna Griffin : Camilla.  Just gorgeous!  For a little focus, I stopped by Mojo Monday to see what their sketch is this week.  And yeah, I can do this!

and here is what I made:

Ok, before you mention it.  The circle shape at the upper right corner of the sketch is 'missing' from my card.  But actually not really!  It's the sentiment ovals: Birthday wishes and Thanks so much 'labels'.  I basically couldn't decide if I wanted to make a Birthday card, or a Thank You card.  So, I made a card, and two sentiments {smile}.  The sentiments are hand-stamped onto shimmer card stock in basic grey classic ink.  I added adhesive to the backs, so just remove the protective layer and stick the sentiment on the card front.  Viola!

Recipe:  I used soft sky card stock for the card base.  Love this color of blue.  It's so soft and sweet.  Just a gorgeous hue!

I used the blue floral pattern paper from the Camilla collection.  I added a text paper strip across the middle.  I wanted something to break up the roses.

I wrapped a piece of white seam binding around the middle of the card.  Love how lovely it looks. (smile)  I tied a multi-loop bow with more white seam binding, and added a 'jewel' from a rhinestone strand by Melissa Frances.

The middle square, is actually a digital download that I shrunk.  It is originally 4" x 4".  But I reduced the size to 75% so it's now a 3" x 3".  I matted this piece onto a scrap piece of soft sky card stock.  

To give my card a little more sparkle/pizzazz, I added 5 clear faceted sequins.  But felt that they needed a little more of something, so I added tiny half-faux pearls to the centers of the sequins.

here is how I envisioned the sentiment on the card:

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I appreciate the company {smile}.  Don't forget, if you are in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area, I will be at Grace Church @ 6901 San Antonio Drive NE on Saturday, November 1, 2014.  It's my first holiday craft fair this season, so it will have all of my latest paper crafting creations, and much more!  Some pieces are just brutal to photograph.  Especially Tussie Mussies {smile} aka paper cones!

Baptized

WOW!  Can't believe that I haven't posted for almost a week!  Yikes!  But, I have been busy paper crafting.  I went to a paper craft retreat over the weekend.  Had a fabulous time.  I went with a super duper bestie! and it was a retreat that was super productive!  We actually got projects done, AND won stuff!  So, how great is that?

My oldest granddaughter was baptized this past weekend also.  I was able to craft a few cards for this super special event.  Here is what I made:

For this card, I used pink pirouette card stock for the  card base.  I just love the heavy weight of Stampin' Up! card stock.  {smile}

I took a piece of white card stock and dry embossed it with an embossing folder.  Love the pretty design.

I matted the embossed paper onto a piece of gray card stock.  I felt that brushed silver looked too brassy.  (not sure if that makes sense.)

I wrapped a piece of sweet blush satin ribbon (by Paper Trey Ink) around  the lower third of the card and tied a simple bow.

I threaded white bakers twine through the bow and tied the bakers twine into a simple bow, also.  However, I did string a cross dangle with the bakers twine.  I love how the silver looks with this pale pink color.  And the rhinestone center adds a little sparkle.  (gotta love that!)

I made my sentiment in a word document (on the computer) and printed it on shimmer white card stock.  I used my 2 1/2" circle punch.  

The pale pink doily was made with blush card stock by Amuse Studio.  I used the doily trio die by Stampin' Up!

I wanted something sweet, but large enough for the sentiment circle.

My mother couldn't find a card from her local card shop (Hallmark, and Taget), so she asked me to make her a card to give our latest baptized baby.  So, here is what I made her:

For the card base of this card, I used white card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  I used their card stock because the white card stock is a lovely heavy weight card stock.  Very sturdy.

I printed the pray onto shimmer white card stock.  Trimmed the size and matted this poem onto brushed gold card stock.  Love the amount of shimmer and metallic glitz.  

I used my very last strip of an exclusive Stampin' Up! floral lace trim.  I wrapped it around the front of the card.  

I added a strip of gold satin ribbon by Stampin' Up! across the center of the lace trim.

I added a cream paper blossom by Recollections to the right side of the card.

Viola!  not a lot of fuss.  But very elegant and very pretty.

I selected gold for my accent color, because my mom had purchased gold cross earrings for our oldest granddaughter.

Thank you for stopping by.  I am working on creating some very similar baptism cards to add to my 'stock' for upcoming Arts & Crafts Fairs in Albuquerque, New Mexico next month.  Yeah, next weekend.  However, once I have them finished and photographed, they will be added to my Etsy shop, HERE.  Give me a few days to get some of that done.

Happy Owl

Hello!  I want to welcome my new followers: welcome, please have a look around, and I hope you find something pretty and inspiring {smile}.  And I hope I am inspiring my seasoned followers.  {smile}.  My style has changed over these last few years.  I have really embraced the shabby-chic, country-glamour 'look' of paper crafting.  I just love machine stitching, seam binding, buttons, bows, and polka dots!  But, in my craft endeavors I have learned that sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone, and spread your wings.  {smile}

Teresa Collins creates some very glamorous pattern paper lines.  And I have to say, that I was really drawn to the Stationary Noted pattern paper collection.  This line is crisp and simple.  Blues, grays, with bits of red, library pockets, simple sayings, and elementary designs.  I'm not knocking this line, but rather elevating the simple beauty of it.

I used a sketch from the wonderful sketch challenge site, Cardabilities.  Typically the sketch designs are beautifully simple.  So you can either embellish your heart out, or keep it minimalist.  And then everywhere in-between.  How wonderful is that?  Here is the current sketch challenge:

I used my Stationary Noted pattern paper, and made a more modern, clean lines card.  There isn't any machine stitching.  No seam binding.  No buttons.  But, I am really happy with how it turned out. {smile}

Recipe:  the card base is made with Bordering Blue card stock.  Retired from Stampin' Up!.  The blue is kinda dusty, soft, mute color.

The blue and white flourish pattern paper is the type writer paper reverse side.  I matted the typewriter paper onto true black by paper trey ink.  It has a clean black color.  

The ledger-owl piece is actually a cut out from another pattern paper from this collection.  I matted this piece onto a scrap piece of bordering blue card stock, just to tie everything together.  The red houndstooth paper was added to help highlight the red label piece.  This red houndstooth pattern paper has rulers on the reverse size, and is also from Teresa Collins, but another collection.  

I added a coordinating brad, and a chipboard sentiment.  I love the bike and sentiment.  It reminds me of a wedding, or anniversary.  

I added my own black bakers twine.  I tied a bow first, and then looped the long tails through the brad's legs.

I love the open label piece on the pocket card piece.  You could stamp a date, or a word, or small sentiment inside.  Or simply leave it blank.  It doesn't look like it's floating, or that its incomplete. 

I hope I have inspired you to craft something using the sketch from Cardabilities.  And use a style of pattern paper that is different from what you typically use, and spread your creative wings {smile}!

Runner-Up in Creative Colors

Hello.  {smile}  Welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I just wanted to pop in to share some sweet news with you all.  I created a card with some new pattern paper by Anna Griffin, and entered two challenges with it, and well, my card was selected as a runner-up in one of the challenges!  Yipee!
Thank you Creative Colors challenge blog.  and here is my badge!

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have a chance to create something beautiful!

Holly Days Craft Fair

Howdy!  I just wanted to get a reminder out!  The first of the Arts & Crafts Fairs that I am participating in this holiday season is right around the corner.  November 1st!  At the Grace Church @ 6901 San Antonio NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I will have a variety of hand-made paper crafts for sale: greeting cards, altered note pads, altered notebooks, desk top calendars, holiday packaging (bags, and boxes) and much, much more.

I hope to see you there!  My virtual shop on Etsy will be closed the day before, the day of, and the day after the craft fair.

If you have any questions, please contact me {smile}

Elegant Birthday Wishes

~ photo heavy post ~

I am having a GREAT weekend!  I have had time to craft, and my husband and I went out on a date last night {smile}.  I am working on getting my crafts completed for the holiday arts and crafts fairs that I am participating in, this year.  So, I have been making Holiday and non-holiday crafts.  

One of the non holiday crafts that seem to sell fairly well, are Birthday cards.  So, I have created another one!

To help give me some guidance, I stopped by a new favorite challenge, and an old favorite challenge {smile}.

To give me a starting point, I stopped by Retro Sketches to see what they have this week.  And I LOVE it!

This will be a sketch I use more than once this week!  You can replace the 'tag' piece with a gift card holder, or add a small envelope holding confetti, or faux snow - just ALOT of possibilities!  And I am a sucker for sweet banners. {smile}

But I also wanted more direction.  A color combination.  An embellishment requirement.  Something.    I went searching the web for something, and I stumbled upon a color challenge I haven't seen before. The challenge blog is Creative Colors.  They provide an inspirational photo and some requirements.  Sounds fun!  Here is this weeks inspirational photo:

use pink, blue, and green.  include a pink banner/bow.

Oh my goodness!  The colors are just so shabby pretty! {smile}  I think I can do this!  So, here is what I created with the retro sketch and the creative color challenges:

For starters, I switched the tag for a thread card.  I added my bow to the bottom of my 'tag' shape.  I also added one more banner piece.  (So I have three banners instead of two.)  As for the colors, they are in the floral pattern paper.  The card base is blue.  The seam binding is pink, with a pink bow!
Recipe:  The card base is Rain by Paper Trey Ink.  The pattern paper is Camilla Collection by Anna Griffin.  Gorgeous, huh?
I used a scallop floral lace trim from Stampin' Up!.  It's retired for a few years now.  But I still had 6 inches.  I used pink pirouette seam binding (stampin' up!).  I machine stitched the seam binding and the lace trim to the front of the card.  I tied a white vintage button (paper trey ink) to the center of the bow with gold bakers twine (stampin up).  The bow is attached to the card front with hot glue.
For my banners I used a pink pattern paper and a gray pattern paper from the AG collection.   The gold/vellum stripe paper is from Stampin' Up!.  I used a photo corner punch to create my flag ends.
The sentiment is stamped in basic black classic ink by Stampin' Up!.  And the stamp set is Occasional Quotes stamp set.  It was a hostess stamp set, but has also been retired for a few years.
The thread card is an embellishment from Tilda, the Happiness is Homemade collection.   I added a white paper blossom from my stash, and added some glitter to the petal tips.  I cut 2 leaf branches from green card stock.  I sponged kraft ink to the tips of the leaves and then added glitter.
I added a single plastic bead to the white paper blossom/leaves cluster, to add a sparkley surprise {smile}.  I have some gold sequins, but they aren't faceted, they are flat.  (ugh).  So I adhered 5 gold sequins to the card front randomly.  Then added a faceted clear sequin on top of the flat gold sequins.

This card won't fit in an A2 envelope.  So, I decorated a large glassine bag.  I folded a white paper doily in half.  I cut three different lengths and widths of the pattern paper I used for the card.  I flagged the ends.  Adhered them together in a staggered pattern.  I cut two banner pieces: one pink and one gold/vellum.  I stamped the same sentiment on the pink pattern paper.  I stapled the banners into their position.  I glittered the tips of another white paper blossom, and adhered it to the collection with my glue gun.  I wanted to add a little more sparkle, so I wrapped a generous length of gold bakers twine around the glassine bag.
Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you get a chance to play along with your favorite challenge, or try a new one {wink}!

Lovely Thanks

~ second post for today ~

Welcome.  I have been waiting to use this 'new to me' paper pad from Prima: the Printery collection.  I know it's not a new release, but I only recently picked one up, back in August.  So, it's new to me.  {smile}.  I just love the abstract images, the little office supply introduction, and the lovely color scheme.  I also purchased some 'new to me' prima blossoms: Guava Peony Brahms, back in August.  So, why not pair them together!

Now, I just need a little starting point!  So, I headed to a sketch challenge site that I adore.  They make some of the most beautiful sketches I have seen.  Easy to work with.  Easy to embellish or leave simply beautiful.  Cardabilites.  The design team has some gorgeous creations, and a lot of inspiration to help get those creative juices flowing!  Here is the current sketch:

A lot of potential here!  Love the absence of required layers.  Love the emptiness to allow you to 'see' what 'speaks' to you creatively.  And who wouldn't love to add a sentiment banner piece?

here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used ripe avocado card stock by Paper Trey Ink for the card base.  I just love this shade of deep green.  Not to 'fresh' and not to 'old'.  Just the perfect shade.   I  took a sheet of 6" x 6" pattern paper and cut it down to 3 7/8" x 5 1/8".  Then matted it onto a piece of true black (by paper trey ink) cut to 4" x 5 1/4".  [Oh, sorry.  The card is traditional A2 size 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".]  

I wrapped a piece of cream lace around the layers.  Machine stitched some black seam binding to the front of the card.

I hand stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink by Stampin' Up! onto very vanilla card stock scrap.  I used scissors and hand cut the banner end.  I matted this piece onto a scrap of ripe avocado card stock.  I also hand cut the banner end.  [the stamp was a 'gift' from Verve Stamps.  It was a 'thank you' for an order I had placed a few years back.]

I used my hot glue gun to attach the flower first.  I didn't want any of the petals to hang over the edge of the card.  I then added the multi-loop bow made from the same black seam binding.  I wanted my bow tucked under the blossom, just a bit.  I attached the bow with my hot glue gun, too.

I used scor tape to adhere the sentiment piece.  And finally, to add a little visual interest, I added five clear sequins: there below the blossom and two above the blossom.  I adhered the sequins to the front of the card with a glue pen.

Not a lot of layers, or a ton of embellishments, but I really do like how simply sweet this card turned out.  Because lets face it!  Sometimes you just need to say 'thank you' without a huge production!

I hope that I have inspired you to use what you have in your stash.  I know it is super easy to 'want' the latest and greatest paper crafting products.  But why not use what you have in a different way?   Decorate a box.  Transform a tin.  Embellish a basket.  Dress-up your packaging.  Or simply make a card with a lot of character without spending a bankroll.  {smile} and no, that's not the Industries new motto! {smile}  Just me crafting on a budget.

Happiness in Psalm

Welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I hope this finds you well, and crafting!  I have a very sweet card I want to share with you today.  I had another package come in the mail recently, and just had to 'play'.  Another pattern paper collection from Tilda, a company in Sweden.  This pattern paper isn't 'Christmas' in theme, but rather has a sewing theme:  Happiness is Homemade.  

I needed a little focus, so I went to an industry staple:  Mojo Monday, to see this week's sketch:

Clean lines, nice size element pieces, easy to embellish.

But, I also wanted something very special.  So, I went to another favorite challenge blog:  Word Art Wednesday.  I have been stalking visiting their challenge site for sometime.  But only recently have I started playing.  Don't really know why, it just 'came upon me'.  My friend Christina says that the Lord is guiding me to share my talent.  All I know, is that I have become very fond of their challenge.  They provide a scripture each week.  They also explain what it means, and how to use the scripture in your life.  For the challenge, they want you to use the scripture as your inspiration.  You don't even have to use the scripture in your paper craft.  

This wonderful group of talented ladies is just a blessing.   Here is this weeks:

So, I combined the three.  Some beautiful pattern paper that just called to be cut, a wonderfully designed sketch, and some beautiful scripture.  Here is what I made:

Recipe:  The card base is crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the weight!  Nice and heavy to hold up an embellished card {smile}.  The matts are ripe avocado by Paper Trey Ink.  The largest piece of pattern paper isn't polka dots, its actually stars!  (Happiness is Homemade from Tilda.) Love the pale mint green color.  I did a 'sloppy' double border machine stitch.  I really wanted it to look homemade {smile}.  No pun intended.  The tiny script pattern paper is a scrap left over from a paper project I created in April.  I believe the company is My Mind's Eye.  And the beautiful floral pattern paper is also Tilda Happiness is Homemade.

I printed the scripture onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!  I love using their white card stock for all my printing; either digital paper or word documents.  The card stock is a printer friendly weight, and for digital work the colors come out clean and crisp.

I took a piece of this pink crinkle satin ribbon I purchase while in Phoenix, and a piece of a beautiful white crochet trim and did a zig zag machine stitch across the front of the card.  The floral paper piece is adhered to the front of the card with foam tape to lift it off the front of the card, due to the crochet trim.

I made a multi-loop box out of the same crinkle satin ribbon.  I tied a pink vintage button to the center of the bow with some kraft twine (both items from Paper Trey Ink).  I adhered the bow to the front of the card with hot glue.  I then tied some kraft twine to the trio of tiny vintage buttons (Paper Trey Ink), and adhered those to the upper corner of the floral pattern paper with hot glue, too.

For the final touch, I added 5 half faux pearls to the front of the card.  (Ok, 4 are on the card, and one is on the kraft twine bow on the button.) I wanted something pretty, feminine, and soft.  So I chose the pearls over rhinestone/sequins.

Thank you for looking.  I hope I have inspired you to create something beautiful! and to get back into your craft space and play along with these wonderful challenge sites:  Mojo Monday and Word Art Wednesday.  Both challenge sites have supper talented crafters who are sure to inspire you!

Sweet Blessings

Whew!  I just love this Sweet Christmas pattern paper that I purchased!  It's so beautiful and romantic!  But, I wanted to see more potential for this pattern paper.  So, I set out to create a non Christmas card with this Christmas paper.  And I am super happy with my results!

The talented ladies over @ Retro Sketches have a wonderfully creative challenge this week.  Use any sketch from their archives!  and so I did!

I used a sketch from a few years back.  But just look at it!  Very sweet, and I love the curves and bow!  And yeah, I used my Sweet Christmas pattern paper from Tilda.

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock from Stampin' Up! as the card base.  They make this wonderful heavy weight card stock.  I cut a piece of the grey background busy pattern paper.  (This is two sided pattern paper.)  I matted it onto a piece of whisper white card stock, and did a simply border stitch.  I think if the sewn lines aren't straight it adds some character.  (Ok, I really can't sew a straight line. {frown})  

The other side of the ballerinas, and polar bears, is that sweet tiny floral pattern.  So, I used my Top Note die, and cut a strip of the tiny floral pattern paper.  

I took a strip of pink pirouette seam binding and a piece of white crochet trim and machine stitched them to the front of the card.  I did another simple stitch line for the top of the seam binding.  I thought it looked more tailored.

I cut the tag from one of the sheets of pattern paper.  Yeah, a whole sheet of different sizes of tags.  I inked my sentiment in Basic Gray classic ink and stamped on the tag.  I used Signature Greetings stamp set from Paper Trey Ink.  I just love the mix of fonts.  I really love that one word looks like hand writing.  (I know, I'm such a dork. {smile})

I tied a simple bow with more of the pink pirouette seam binding, and added a half pearl brad by Recollections, to the center of the bow and attached the bow to the tag.  I used a strip of foam tape to fill in the gap between the top of the seam binding/crochet trim and the card front.  So that the tag is flat and not caddy whom-pass.  (I hope that makes sense.)

For the final touch I added a trio of half faux pearls along the upper left corner.

Now, this Christmas paper doesn't look so holiday-ish.  That translates to more uses, and doesn't paint me in a corner, so to speak.  

I am happy you stopped by!  But, now I need to get back into my craft room and get some post cards made for my upcoming holiday arts and craft fairs.  I want to keep the postage on these 'post cards' to the minimum, and not have to put the cards in plastic sleeves.  So, we'll see how that goes.  Keep your fingers crossed!  And yeah, I'll post those, too!  

Romantic Christmas

Howdy! and welcome.  I was able to spend quite a few hours this weekend crafting.  And I was really anxious to use some new pattern paper I purchased from Sweden.  Yeah, all the way over from Sweden.  Typically I don't purchase a large amount of paper crafting supplies from Europe.  Mostly because paper weights a lot, causing the shipping cost to be ridiculous.  But, this paper is gorgeous!

Tilda paper company, created a beautiful Christmas paper with grays, pinks, reds, and pale blues.  They used images of fancy boots, polar bears, roses, ballerinas, and Santa Claus.  I know, this paper sounds kinda crazy.  But just look!

Now, a little inspiration for the sketch, so I turned to Retro Sketches.  Well, this week, its designers choice.  So, I looked through the archives, and found a sketch, that I think works very well!

here:

I selected this sketch, because I felt that I could show you the beauty of this pattern paper, and still add some sweet touches.  I used the busiest pattern paper for the main image.  I used vellum as the banner matt.  I didn't want any distractions.  And then added a small sweet pattern paper piece over that.   

here is what I crafted:

Recipe:  I used crumb cake card stock for the card base.  I cut this beautiful pattern paper to 4" x 5 1/4".  I did a simple machine stitch along the edges.  I cut a piece of vellum card stock to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".   I flagged the end.  I cut a red/pink floral edge pattern paper to 2" x 3", and used the flag end as my template so the ends would match.  I inked a holiday sentiment in basic gray classic ink and stamped directly onto the pattern paper.  I wrapped a piece of pool party seam binding around these two banner pieces.  I then did a little zig zag stitching to attach this piece to the card front.  

I cut a strip of three white fabric roses, and tied a multi-loop bow made from the same pool party.  I used kraft twine to tie the bow, and the red button, to this trio of white rolled roses.  I then adhered this decorative piece to the strip of seam binding.

I added a trio of white half faux pearls in a random pattern: two towards the lower left corner, and one near the right upper corner.

For the final touch, I matted this whole piece onto a piece of whisper white card stock.  I have a thin (1/8") border of white card stock peeking out from behind this beautiful pattern paper.

Thank you for stopping by!  And, I hope you get a chance to craft or simply create something fabulous!

Pink or Blue or Both

Happy World Card Making Day!  Yeah, an official celebration for those who create and craft their own hand-made cards. {smile}  Please support those of us who find this paper crafting an art.

So, to celebrate today, I decided to make a set of cards.  Because would just one card due?  Not really, right!  But, I wasn't quite sure what kind of set to make:  Birthday, Thank You, Thinking of You, Friend, umm.....   

Well, I came up with an idea!  I create a four card set.  But what color?  I love pink.  But not everyone does.  Do I make them horizontal or portrait?  Decisions!

I made two pink, two blue, two horizontal, two portrait, and a collection of sentiments.  This little set, was a little time consuming.  I hand-stamped, and hand-cut out trio of roses.

Here is what I made:

I used crumb cake card stock for the card bases.  The pink cards have blushing bride card stock as the matt, while the blue cards have pool party card stock as the matt.  I used digital pattern papers for the main pattern paper piece.  

I added a strip of lace and seam binding.  I tied a cream/kraft button near the button card with kraft twine.  The button card was hand stamped and fussy cut.  The trio of roses is a triple stamp set.  The leaves are a duo stamp set.  Both of which were fussy cut (roses and leaves).  

The sentiments are hand stamped in Jet Staz-On on vellum card stock.  Just peel off the sentiment strip and stick on the front of the card.

Thank you for stopping by!  and celebrate World Care Making Day, by crafting something pretty to mail!