Just for you!

I can't even believe it's already Nov. 1st! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this time of year?!? I'm pretty sure I have, but I still don't think that's enough! So today I'm here to share another fall inspired card that I created.

I used products from the Mind the Gap kit by Studio Calico, a lace punch, lace trim and ribbon with scallop to create the feminine feel. The colors are ivory, green, orange and brown- perfect harvest inspired colors! The pumpkin in the background was actually picked during my visit to the Westport Rivers vineyard- which I posted about here. And speaking of fall, I think now that we are officially in November, I need to get started on my Thanksgiving inspiration board...so stay tuned, there will be more to come on that! xo

Supplies Used: Cardstock- Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper- My Mind's Eye, K&Company; Buttons- My Mind's Eye; Lace Trim- TPC Corp.; Rose Trim- Webster Pages; Letter Stickers- Sassafrass; Ribbon- Making Memories; Kraft Envelopes- Pebbles Inc.; Lace Punch; Martha Stewart Crafts; Distress Ink; Ranger/Tim Holtz; Stamps- Other

Photos by; Wahkuna

Album Project

Supplies: Flowers- Prima; Letter Stickers- American Crafts (thickers); Rhinestone Flourishes- Prima; Rhinestones- My Mind's Eye; Transparency Papers- Hambly & Best Creation Inc.; Floral Patterned Paper- Basic Grey; Circles Patterned Paper- Hambly; Cardstock- DCWV (Matchmakers)

al·bum

[al-buhm]
–noun
1. a bound or loose-leaf book consisting of blank pages, pockets, envelopes, etc., for storing or displaying photographs, stamps, or the like, or for collecting autographs.
2. a printed book containing an anthology of writings, reproductions of photographs or artwork, musical compositions, etc.

Origin:

1645–55; 1955–60 for def. 2; < L: neut. sing. of albus white, i.e., a blank (tablet) painted white for writing on


Recently I've been working on a new project, a scrapbook for a friend documenting her trip to Florida with her boyfriend. The challenge is not to make it too feminine, since it's essentially for both of them as an anniversary gift. Of course I reviewed the supplies that I chose with them both before beginning and there were no complaints (see above), which is a good sign! I want it to be pretty, but not "girly" if there is such a thing, anyway, I'm working on it! Here's a preview of the first page...

I created photo corners out of buttons with embroidery thread wrapped around them.

Here I made the butterfly embellishments out of a stamped image, added color using colored pencils and used rhinestones for the body. 

I stitched the flying path for the butterflies using embroidery thread, following a swirl line that I sketched out by hand first. Also the sides of the ground paper is painted with Tim Holtz  Ranger distress crackle paint in tattered rose & distress ink in shabby shutters.

Supplies: Cardstock- DCWV (Matchmakers), Patterned Paper- Making Memories; Transparency Paper- Hambly; Letter Stickers- American Crafts; Crackle Paint- Ranger Tim Holtz; Distress Ink- Ranger Tim Holtz; Butterflies- Stamped Image; Embroidery Thread, Rhinestones & Buttons- Other

For the title, I cut out a decorative border from a Hambly transparency paper and then layered on thickers letter stickers by American Crafts.

I'm still working on this, and the deadline is fast approaching! Trying to prioritize and make sure everything gets done in time, the Holiday season sure keeps us busy! Thanks for stopping in & come back soon!

Old Friends~ New Tradition

At the end of last week I received a surprise in the mail. It was a card from a very dear friend of mine. We've been friends since 2nd grade (about 20 years as she put it) and have gradually grown apart over time due to distance and separate life paths. But the good thing about always remaining friends and staying in touch from time to time is that you always stay connected some how, and although it's far and few between, when you get together it's almost like yesterday and no time has past at all. That is how I feel around her...she is my special long distance friend. The funny part is that I've been thinking about her lately and how we've been  needing to catch up, which was exactly when I received her card. Life is funny like that.

In response to her thoughtful card, I of course had to make one to send back. The sentiment is so fitting- I miss you. To create this card I used part of my July Studio Calico kit- Continental. I love Studio Calico coordinated kits, they are always so fun and have such great color combos/embellis! I also LOVE to incorporate stitching (whether by hand or on the sewing machine) and also some kind of fabric or ribbon. That must be due to my fashion/apparel background. I spend my days around clothing, fabric/swatches, ribbon, buttons and fasteners. It always spurs up some kind of creative ideas! Here is the outcome;

Supplies; Textured Cardstock- DCWV(matchmakers); Patterned Paper- Studio Calico;

Flower- Studio Calico; Textured Fabric- K&Company;

Distress Ink- Tim Holtz(pumice stone);

Rhinestones- Other; Sentiment Stamp- Other.

I love the color palette for this card. Its sweet yet sophisticated with a little bit of distressing to produce a worn look. For the flower design on the top left, I cut it out of a Studio Calico advertisement card that was patterned on the back side, and I couldn't resist using the pattern, it's so beautiful and adds a great focal point to this card! I definitely think my friend will enjoy receiving this in the mail. It's worth saving! I would like this card-giving to become a tradition, almost like a pen pal, a new way to stay in touch more. Since we live far apart, I'm hoping that we are able to constantly write to eachother to stay connected and keep our friendship strong, afterall...who has time to sit on the phone for hours anymore! And being a memory preserver, having everything in writing and documented makes it so much better for future keepsakes (which reminds me, I still have all of her letters from Middle School!!!) :-)

~Love is in the Air~

Hey there! So it's been a while since I've posted but I wanted to drop in a share a couple of lovely cards I've created lately. Tis the season for Love and Marriage, so why not!


This first card is an engagement card with a vintage/nostalgic feel. Vintage is always beautiful to me. The muted, rustic colors and the beautiful patterned floral papers. Vintage + Love = a match made in heaven if you ask me!

I created the shaped card by hand, with the good ol' pencil and exacto knife. (Those "old" tools will never grow out of style and are sometimes the most affordable, comfortable and accessible crafting tools you will ever own!) I then inked the edges using Tim Holtz vintage photo distressing ink. I cut out the title shape, inked the edges, used a rub-on from Cosmo Cricket's Beautiful You, then created the title sentiment and printed it out on Studio Paper ink jet transfers and rubbed it on for the finishing touch!

This next card is a little more "retro" with the black and white polk-a-dot patterned paper. I also gave it a more bold style adding the black borders around the edge of the title and front frame. The stitched bow with a flower button accent gives it a feminine touch. Very classic and as my husband said...it reminds you of lingerie. (Right up my alley! *wink*)

Hope these cards can be a source of inspiration for some of you! Enjoy.

Sweet Pea

Supplies; 5x7 Blank Greetings Card- Paperbilities; Patterned Paper- Making Memories, Chloe's Closet (orange polk-a-dot), Animal Crackers (ella giraffes); Buttons & Paper Flower- Making Memories, Animal Crackers (ella embellishments kit); Crochet Lace; Textured Velvet Ribbon; Brads- Pink Star; Textured Cardstock- DCWV; Stamp- Sweet Pea; Colored Pencils- Prismacolor; Distressing Ink; Tim Holtz (pumice stone)

Happy Monday all! It was a gorgeous day out today in NY (too bad I spent it indoors, as usual *frown*). Anyway, I hope most of you were able to get out and enjoy the day and capture some beautiful moments!

Today I would like to share the most recent card that I made. I've been in the card making mood lately. I've decided they take less time than LOs (for me anyway), depending on your style and they are quite fun to create (the best part about them is you don't have to have pictures *smile*). This card was one that I made for a friend at work who's baby shower we had on Friday! The shower was really sweet, we had lots of goodies, even a chocolate fondue fountain and mom-to-be was SUPER surprised, she had NO idea!!! It was a great time!

Here is how to create this baby card;

Step 1; Cut the Polk-a-dot cardstock and mount it to the front of a 5x7 blank greetings card.

Step 2; Cut the baby giraffe patterned paper to cover about 1/2 of the card and adhere to front of card. Ink all around the outside edges (for a distressed look).

Step 3; Use a tag stencil to create the blue tag, and a star stencil to create the ivory tag and ink the edges of both (for a distressed look). Punch a hole in the tag to insert the star brad and stamp the Sweet Pea sentiment to the star.

Step 4; Add color to the Sweet Pea stamped image using colored pencils and adhere the star to the blue tag, then mount both to the side edge of the card with foam squares to create a 3D effect.

Step 5; Thread embroidery floss through the holes in both buttons and tie them in the front (to create a homespun look). Then adhere buttons to the card using a glue gun.

Step 6; Cut crochet lace and textured velvet the full width of the card and use as a border at top. Lay the velvet ribbon ontop the lace and attached with adhesive.

Step 7; Lastly attach the flower with button center to the front top side of the card for the finishing touch!

Hope these instructions are helpful so that you too can create a sweet baby card like this one! Happy crafting!! *smile*