Take What You Need - a get well card

I'm playing along in the Freshly Made Sketches #117 challenge with today's card.  It's been waaaay to long since I joined in and this sketch caught me eye!

Of course, my first thought was to use die-cut banners.  Or ribbon.  Hmmm, no.  I wanted to do something a little different.  Then I remembered this sweet stamp set I bought recently AND that I needed a card to send to a neighbor who is dealing with health issues.

So I created this card.

In real life the yellow is not nearly this bright.  No matter how I edited, I wasn't able to adjust the photos to show the true shade of yellow.

After sewing the black border to the stamped strips, I tied the thread in bows.  The rest is pretty straightforward.  A border of patterned paper along one side and a stamped sentiment (along with a few stamped hearts) and I was done.  I'm very pleased with it and I hope my neighbor will like it.

Thanks so much for taking a look today!

Supply list ~
Card stock: daffodil delight, basic black (SU)
Ink: onyx black versafine (Tsukineko), daffodil delight (SU)
Stamps: inside & out well wishes (PTI)
Patterned papers: breeze 6 x 6 pad (MME)
Other: bracket edge punch (Fiskars), thread, sewing machine

Grandma and Mom - a vintage style layout

If you're reading this post in an email, you may want to click through to my blog HERE to better see the (many) photos in this post.  Just click on a photo to see a larger view.

Today I'm sharing something that I created just for me.  Cards are my favorite paper crafting projects.  But, occasionally I create a photo layout.  Usually it's a framed gift for a family member, or sometimes a piece I've been asked to make...to be given as a gift.  This project is something I've been intending to create for about a year and a half.  That's when I purchased the wire hanger and the resin embellishments at a scrapbooking expo.

Just a couple of days ago, I decided which family members I would feature in this layout.  My Grandma C. and my Mom.  You'll see that the style I've used is very vintage/shabby.  A style I don't often use anymore, but I love it.
This has been a labor of love, as it took me close to 7 hours to create (over 2 days).  Yeah...I experiment and move things around.  A lot!

I'm so happy that I finally set aside the time to create this.  It makes me smile every time I look at it. :)

Get ready.  This post is loaded with photos!  I took lots of closeup photos, so that you could see all of the little details.

Ok, you've been warned.  :)

A photo of my Grandma C. (my Mom's Mother).

I used vintage buttons and doily, along with a Tim Holtz key imprinted with the word Memory.

A photo of my Mom at 1 year old.  I love this photo!

Crinkled seam binding, vintage buttons, 7Gypsies keys, SU mini pin, vintage crochet trim.

A SU button threaded with burlap fibers, pleated patterned paper trim.

A stamped sentiment from a Tim Holtz (Stampers Anonymous) stamp set, vintage buttons, a mini spool tied to the seam binding, corrugate swiped with white ink...under the photo.

A stamped sentiment...Tim Holtz, Stampers Anonymous.

A photo of my Grandma (embellished with a resin oval frame), along with a bit of zipper trim, and 2 stick pins.

A combination of stamped and die cut sentiments, on a pre-cut tag.  Two hearts stamped in Delicata Golden Glitz ink.  Glossy accents applied to the smaller heart.  Twine tied to the tag, layered over a doily purchased at an estate auction.

Resin swag embellishment by Melissa Frances, vintage buttons.

Photo of  my Mom, embellished with Pine Cone crinkled seam binding, a mini spool, a stick pin and layered over a piece of corrugate (swiped with white ink).

Tim Holtz key tied with SU Always Artichoke seam binding ribbon. A vintage doily and the stamped tag.

A view of the completed project.

The base of this wall hanging is a piece of 12" x 12" patterned paper by Anna Griffin (thank you Cheryl!).  I tore a piece of muslin to size, then machine stitched it to the base (some straight stitching and some zig-zag).
After that, I gathered ALL the pieces of vintage/shabby/distressed embellishments and supplies I own.  I spread them out on my craft table and quite a few hours later.................this is the result.

If you've stayed with me all the way through this post, I'd love to know what you think.  Oh.  And thank you for taking a look!

Here is my (long) supply list.
Patterned paper: Anna Griffin
Muslin: from an antique shop
Manila tag: part of a prize I won from Vicki Chrisman's blog
Doily and buttons: from an estate auction
Buttons (large brown buttons) SU and Melissa Frances
Large key: Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous
Mini keys: 7Gypsies
Mini safety pin: Stampin' Up!
Wood mini spool: Maya Road
White resin embellishments: Melissa Frances
Zipper trim: Melissa Frances
Burlap ribbon (1-1/4"): SU
Always Artichoke seam binding: SU
Corrugate: recycled packing material
Card stock: confetti cream, always artichoke, early espresso (SU)
Ink: frost white (Colorbox), always artichoke, early espresso (SU), vintage photo distress ink (Ranger)
Crinkled seam binding: pine cone (My Craft Spot)
Pleated patterned paper trim: Bazzill Basics
Sentiment banners: Melissa Frances
Stamp sets: love stamp set (Precious Remembrance Shop), playful journey stamp set (Tim Holtz - Stampers Anonymous)
Die: wonderful words (PTI)
Vintage Inspired Hanger: Melissa Frances
Stick/Hat pins: Maya Road, Petaloo, His & Hers Studio
Adhesives: Glossy Accents, Tombow Mono Multi, Foam Tape
Other: white thread, sewing machine

Sending you Sunshine!

Hi!  Well, now that I'm back to blogging, I wanted to play along in a challenge or two.  I chose CAS(E) this Sketch CTS#56.

I knew just exactly the technique I wanted to use.  Masking and sponging.  So, I created this card.

Ummm.  The only problem is............I missed the deadline.   Grrrrrrrrrrrr.
I guess I've gotten a little rusty at playing along, huh?  Oh, well.  I'm posting anyway.

I used post-it notes to mask the area I wanted to sponge.  Then used my blending tool and 2 distress inks to create my ray of sunshine.  I added my sentiment and placed the panel on a bright yellow card base.  Easy peasy!

Anyway, I'll get back into the swing of things soon.  Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies:
card stock - daffodil delight, whisper white (SU)
ink - antique linen, wild honey, spiced marmalade (Ranger Distress inks), onyx black versafine
stamps -  hello sunshine (PTI)
other - blending tool and foam pads (Ranger)

Hello...remember me?

You may have forgotten who I am; it's been so long since I've posted.  It feels good to be back.
Very. Good.

There are several reasons that I've been missing from blogland.  A weekend trip, lots and lots of yard work on a couple of weekends.  Then...my father-in-law passed away on November 13th.  Even though he was 95 years old, it was still a shock.  I've been concentrating on family lately, because that's my top priority.

Recently, I did create 2 framed photo projects.  No photos of those, since they were "commissioned" pieces that will be given as Christmas gifts.  It had been quite a while since I've done framed projects, so I enjoyed creating something a little different.  :)

Well, onto today's business.  CARDS!  My favorite kind of crafting, of course.  Hands down.
I was completely out of masculine birthday cards, so I used my new Tipped Tops dies (from Papertrey Ink) and came up with these 2 clean and simple cards.

I can tell that these dies will be some of my "go-to" dies for quite a while.  They're so versatile.  You'll also see that I used Stampin' Up's candy dots on both cards.  I love that these embellishments are nearly flat, which makes the postal service friendly!  Also, they work so well on masculine cards.  You know...not blingy.

Thanks for taking a look.  Till later,

Supply Lists

Geography Happy Birthday card ~
card stock: basic black (SU), kraft (PTI)
patterned paper: kraft resist paper stash (Tim Holtz Idea-ology)
ink: onyx black versafine
stamps: wonderful words additions (PTI)
dies: tipped tops die set (PTI)

Stripes Happy Birthday card ~
card stock: chocolate chip (SU), white (PTI)
ink: early espresso (SU)
stamps: simple sentiments (PTI)
dsp: parisian breeze (SU)
dies: tipped tops die set (PTI)

Happy Birthday Anne Marie!!!

It's a surprise Happy Birthday Link Up for Anne Marie Hile!  My 6 month term as a design team member at the Dynamic Duos challenge blog ended recently.  Anne Marie is the DT and blog coordinator...and all around "go to" person for any questions or "help!".   She's a sweetheart!  So, I couldn't miss the opportunity to participate in this link-up and wish her a very Happy Birthday!

I hope your day is fantastic and fun!  Since I know you love animals and your fave color is pink...this card is for you, Anne Marie. :)

I know that your pets and foster-pets adore you and flourish under your care.  So, I just had to pull out some Lawn Fawn critters for your birthday card.  I used my Prismacolor pencils to color these two pets.  The puppy is sporting a little bling on her collar - pink Stickles and a pink gem.

I added a little polka dot valance to my window (thanks to my seldom-used paper crimper).  The sentiment is stamped on vellum...so as not to obstruct the view from the window. Ha!  Yes, this pair agrees that Girly...you rock!

Hugs and Happy Birthday Wishes to you Anne Marie,

Suppy list ~

card stock: white (PTI), vellum (The Paper Studio)

patterned paper: lost & found/madison avenue (MME)

ink: basic black (SU), jet black (Staz-On)

stamps: critters in the 'burbs, a birdie told me (Lawn Fawn), signature greetings (PTI)

other: woodgrain impression plate (PTI), classic square dies (Spellbinders), pink gem (SSS), pink stickles (Ranger), prismacolor pencils, paper crimper

A Big THANK YOU to Cath!

That big Thank You is for Cath Edvalson at the Moxie Fab World blog.  Cath recently announced that she is leaving the MFW blog.  You can click HERE to read her post.  It was a shock to so many of us (me included) that have followed the blog for years.  I adore Cath's style, love the inspiration she provided, couldn't wait to read each Moxie Fabber of the Week interview.  Oh my...I could go on and on.  Truly.

So, I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Moxie Fab Thanks! Blog Hop.  Thank you Cath for always giving us more than we ever could have imagined!  Hey Girlie, YOU ROCK!

If you're following along the blog hop, you should have come from Cristina Nuenez' blog.  Becky Olsen is next on the hop, so just follow the link!  If you didn't start at the beginning you can click HERE to go to the Moxie Fab World blog.  You can also use the Inlinkz blog hop list, below.  Yes...it's huge!

You'll see how important Cath is to so many of us, and what she has done for the paper crafting community as a whole.  Oh my, you are Moxie Fab Cath!  I can't wait to see what you do next. :)

Supplies: white linen essentials card stock (Ellen Hutson), kraft card stock (PTI), taken with teal ink on the chipboard U (SU), onyx black ink for the sentiment (Versafine), wonderful words stamp set (PTI), patterned paper strips from the Follow Your Heart/Be Amazing 6 x 6 pad (MME), banner die (CCS), chipboard U from On Board Letters (SU), linen thread (SU), dark chocolate sequins (Cartwright's)

Happy Birthday - The Paper Players PP169

Yes, I'm back with the second post for today!  I got my inspiration for this card from Anne Marie's great sketch over at The Paper Players - PP #169.  It's been MUCH to long since I played along with them. :)

Uh oh.  Just as I uploaded this graphic, I realized that I didn't add a shape or image where that circle is.  Yikes!  I'm sorry. :(
It's too late to change it now, so I'll post my card anyway.

Circle or no circle, I'm pleased with this masculine birthday card.  That wheat stamp is one of my all-time SU favorites.  It's from the Autumn Days stamp set. It seems to work so well with that new burlap ribbon, doesn't it?  When I looked around for something to use for the 3 small banners in the sketch, my eye went right to my chevron punch.  It's one of my new favorite SU punches.  I know...I have lots of favorites, don't I?
Well, I've rambled on long enough, I think.  Thanks for taking a look today.  I hope your weekend was good!

Supply list ~
card stock: kraft (PTI), very vanilla, chocolate chip (SU)
ink: cajun craze, early espresso (SU)
stamps: autumn days (SU), boutique borders:birthday (PTI)
other: 1-1/4" burlap ribbon, regals candy dots, chevron punch (SU)

Celebrating You - CTS #51 and CASology

Hello!  This is the first of 2 posts today.  My mojo is moving very slowly this weekend.  Which means...not much creating.  I'm pleased with both cards.  But. They took  f o r e v e r  to make.

Yeah.  Tell me to quit whining.  Ok then.

I'm playing along in 2 challenges with this birthday card.

CAS(E) this sketch! CTS #51  I love this sketch, but it wasn't working for me at first, so I turned it upside down!

CASology - Cue Card: Country

Here is my take on the sketch and a country theme.

I used 4 sets of dies for this card, but just 1 stamp set.  Once I decided to turn the sketch upside down, this card came together quickly.  I sponged a little crumb cake ink onto the fence before assembling it, to give it a more rustic, country feel.

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to stop by.  I'll be back very soon with another post!

Supply list ~
card stock: crumb cake, early espresso, always artichoke, real red, more mustard (SU)
ink: crumb cake (SU), onyx black versafine
stamps: signature greetings II (PTI)
dies: picket fence, meadow, woodgrain impression plate (PTI), resting birds, grove branch (Memory Box)

Dynamic Duos Challenge #76 - And the end of a term

This is my final post as a member of the Dynamic Duos design team.  This team's 6 month term has come to it's end.
I've enjoyed working with and getting to know my awesome team mates.  They are an extremely talented group of women and I've learned so much from them.  A big thank you to Lesley for giving me this opportunity!
It's tough to say goodbye, but I'm so excited to see the new team.  I've seen so much talent in the crafters that play along in our weekly challenges.  Will some of you be members of the new team???

Hey, let's move on to this week's challenge, shall we?

Oh...purples.  One of my favorites!   I chose to use this color combo to create a Christmas card.  Not your traditional holiday colors, but I'm really liking it.

This turned out to be one of the quickest cards I've ever made.  I used sticky notes to mask the area over my sentiment, then stamped my snowflakes in Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder and Crumb Cake.  After removing the masks, I drew a few lines with a black marker.  The final touch was adding a bit of sparkle, here and there, with a Stardust Clear Glitter pen.  This would be a very easy card to mass produce AND an easy one to mail.

Thanks so much for stopping in.  I know I'll be popping to in play along with some of the DD challenges, so I'll see you there!   If you haven't done so already, become one of my blog followers so that I can visit you too!

Supply list ~
card stock: white (PTI)
stamps: snowflake medley, love lives here:holiday (PTI)
ink: perfect plum, wisteria wonder, crumb cake, basic black (SU), onyx black versafine
other: stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura)

Frightening Feline! - Freshly Made Sketches and Paper Issues

Hey, I finally found a bit of time this afternoon to create a card.  This morning was spent making some meals ahead.  Roasted vegetables, a baked squash and then baked oatmeal with fresh cranberries & apples.  The house smelled wonderful!  This was followed by laundry, then getting outdoors and doing some flowerbed cleanup, since the weather was good!

Oh, sorry.  I got distracted.  Onto to the challenges!

Freshly Made Sketches - FMS108

Paper Issues - Halloween Hootenanny!

Yes, one more Halloween card.  This is the last one.  I promise!  I couldn't let Halloween card making go by without using this cute stamp from Stampin' Up!.  I bought it last fall, after Halloween so it hadn't seen ink before today.  This "wordy" cat is so cute, isn't he?  He is embossed with Tangerine Tango EP.

That's it from me for now.  I'll list my supplies below.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supply list ~
card stock: basic black (SU)
ink: versamark
stamps: frightening feline
patterned paper: haunted 6 x 6 pad (MME)
dies: stitched mats: rectangles & stitched sentiments flag (Lil' Inkers Designs)
other: tangerine tango embossing powder, raven lace trim (SU)