Vintage vision ...

  

Hello again friends.  It has been a busy week, hasn't it?  I have only had a few moments at a time to steal away to my crafty little haven.  When I saw the color challenge and wonderful inspiration from Mona and her design team (and let me also mention the fabulous entries so far) ... I just had to play along.  Be sure to gaze on all the beauty over at the CR84FN Color Challenge.  And don't you just love that quote?!

I have had this image for months - straight from the pages of Somerset Life (I believe).  Lovely, isn't she? 

My card is Very Vanilla layered with First Edition Designer Series Paper (.. love this newsprint) and a fun polka-dot scrap along the bottom from Jolly Holiday.  The lace is from my supplies as is the rub-on in the corner.  I painted, distressed, and "glitterfied" the chipboard from the Mix & Match collection and the little white buttons.  A simple white seam binding bow with a few burgundy posies ... and my project is complete.

Again, my thanks to Mona and her team for pushing me "out of the box" and to you ... just for stopping by.  Good night ...

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A wren ...

    

Hello again friends.  The sun is shining here and the icicles are dripping into the garden.  The scene gives me hope that spring is near.  I know my tulips (those that the deer and squirrels haven't carried away - sigh) are hiding beneath the ice and snow.  They are one of my favorite flowers ... beautifully welcoming the new season ... I'll post photo's when they arrive.  The inspiration from The Play Date Cafe has me wishing ... for sunshine, warm breezes, flowers and butterflies.  Our little wren paid us a visit yesterday ... my son and I stood silently at the window watching and listening to his (or her) sweet song ...cherishing the moment.

Have you noticed the fabulous new flowers dotting the shabbiest of cards lately?  I have and I am head over heels in love with them.  So today I found an old cardboard box (plenty of those around here) and had fun making this for you ...

I used a flower die to cut my shapes.  They were painted a soft creme and the edges brushed with a light brown (I'll do better at that next time ... promise).  Some holes made with this Paper-Piercing Tool gave added interest.  The buttons are from the Subtles Collection.  The vintage music sheet and fabulous lavender lace are both from my SIL Shirley ... yep, she's fabulous too.  The blue print can be found in a package of Blueberry Crisp Designer Series Paper - I added a single word rub-on.  Seam binding dyed with Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant Classic Inks makes for a wonderful bow.  The little tag was created with an old set I've held on to and the Jewelry Tag Punch ... so cute peeking out from under the button.  Here's another photo ... kind-of a "close up".

Thanks so much for stopping by ...enjoy your day!

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Sweetness ..

Hello friends!  Yesterday I got the most wonderful surprise ... dear sweet Stella sent me a gift package filled with fabulous chipboard frames!  And she was so thoughtful ... they included letters that spelled my name!  Yes-siree ... you bet I was excited!  She works magic with these gorgeous embellishments and I couldn't wait to try myself.  Of course, Mona and her Design Team over at CR84FN Color Challenge provided (once again) a fabulous color palette ... as you can see.  And the uber talented Kirsty and her delightful team at City Crafter Challenge Blog had us all sighing "Awwwww" with her super sweet baby theme this week.

You know how I just love Mona's quotes,  and never has one been so true as this one.  I struggled with this project.  So excited to work with my new frames ... wanting to make it the focal point, making sure the wonderful embossed detail showed through, and always so grateful to Stella for her kindness ... "over thinking" things can be stressful but I am pleased with the result ....

Painting my frame with a shade of light lilac, rubbing some color away after it dried then sponging on Soft Suede Classic Ink was just the look I had hoped for.  The background is created with En Francais stamped with Old Olive Classic Ink.  Layered over the script is Fifth Avenue Floral stamped with Perfect Plum Classic Ink.  Cardstocks used are Very Vanilla and  Crumb Cake.  Lace is from my dear SIL Shirley and the polka dot print from my scraps.

The seam binding was dyed with Perfect Plum Ink and the crystal topped pin has some added beading.  A soft velvety purple and green leaf is tucked in behind.  That cute carriage is from Puns From the Past ... lots of vintage images in this set.  I added a purple flower button and pearl to complete my look (Regal Button Collection and Basic Pearl Jewels).

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed today's visit!


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We are like old friends ...

  

As I search my favorite blogs ... gazing at the beauty I see ... I feel comfortable, happy, and I guess you would say ..."at home".  It's hard to put into words, perhaps you feel it too.  I am surrounded by friends ... sisters who share a common passion ... who inspire me with their creativity, challenge me to step outside my comfort zone, and lift my spirits with their kind words.  As if we've been friends forever and will always be.

What a wonderful combination of colors from Just Us Girls this week  Shades of blue, the softness of pink, and a cheerful splash of yellow.  The samples from the Design Team are something to see ... be sure you pay them a visit.

I hope you enjoy today's post.  I began with Baja Breeze cardstock ... edges brushed ever so lightly with a soft pink paint.  Layered on top with a black/white print and pink header scalloped with this border punch.  The gorgeous filigree frame (Notably Ornate) was stamped in Basic Grey ink on distressed Very Vanilla cardstock.  The chair and greeting are from Timeless Treasures (sooo in love with this set) stamped in Basic Black ink on distressed Whisper White cardstock.  While playing with various neutrals, I thought the combination gave the card an eclectic look ... as if layering elements from different eras.  The lace gave texture to ensemble.

A scrap of blue print from my pile of "left overs" was shaped with a Scallop Circle Punch.  I painted a chipboard crown with a saffron shade of yellow, added some stitching and then "glitterfied" it with Dazzling Diamonds.  Having always wanted to try to stitch on chipboard, this was my first attempt.  I learned a little and will improve the next time ... but mostly I learned that I love the look!

Finally - on to the bow.  I've had this ribbon for a very long time ... just enough Pink Taffeta left on my roll for this project today.  A pearl bead was added to the stick pin with the lovely blue button from the Subtles Collection.

Thank you for stopping by!

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Spring sunshine ...

  
Yesterday was such a beautiful day ... the sky bright with sunshine ... bulbs peaking up from the ground fighting their way through the few remaining piles of snow.  I can't wait to get out into the garden once again ... looking out the window and thinking of all that needs to be done to get ready for my summer blooms.  I stop by the forsythia to look for signs of bright yellow breaking through the buds.  I pick through the winter matting and see little leaves of green deep in the center of my daylilies.  It can't come soon enough ... so when I saw this color challenge at ColourQ and the delightful projects posted by the Design Team, my heart skipped a beat!  Paired up with the fun loving sketch from The Waltzing Mouse ... here is what I have to share with you today ....

I began with scraps from my piles of yellows and greens.  Such a cheery combination put me in the best of moods.  Some white trim from Shirley (thank you!) and stitching added the first layer of texture.  The seam binding is hand dyed with  Old Olive Classic Ink (adding varying amounts of water will result in different shades of green).

With a happy print from Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper ... I cut out my banner pieces.  It's an absolutely beautiful collection of printed papers and perfect for this project.  A rub-on message and a length of Linen Thread created a bit of whimsy ... so cute and fun to make.  The bright yellow flower with a sweet green button (Regal Button Collection) and soft velvet leaves provided the finishing touch.

Enjoy the rest of your day ... I hope the sun is shining where you are!  Thanks for stopping by ....


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Shades of blue ...

Mona's challenge this week is truely inspiring.  The combination of blues ... in both a smokey and greenish hue ... are just gorgeous.  And paired with grey ... they calm me.  I am not a "blue" person, in fact I find it a very difficult color to warm up to.  But Mona and her Design Team at CR84FN Color Challenge have given all the direction I need to share this with you today ... and the quote always touches my heart.

I began with a card of Very Vanilla cardstock layered with patterned papers from my scraps.  A piece of lace, some stitching, and distressing the edges create a shabby look.  Distressing Essentials is my tool of choice while the Scallop Punch border adds another attractive detail.

The ribbon I've have forever ... waiting it's turn to be in the spotlight.  Coupled with a regal pearl and silver bead pin ... a tag stamped in Basic Grey Classic ink with a flourished greeting from the All Holidays stamp set ... and a sweet flower button from the Subtles Collection ... this ribbon is elegantly perched on the top of the world.

I hope you haven't grown tired of my handmade flowers.  I just love to make them.  This one is done in a cool, crisp shade of Whisper White ... the perfect compliment to blue and grey.  With the sparkle of a Rhinestone Jewel center ... and resting on the softness of velvet white leaves ... this flower takes center stage, looking like it would settle for nothing less.

I hope you enjoyed your visit, I'm so glad you took the time to stop by....good night.


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Thinking of Spring ....

 

Hello again.  I bet you didn't expect me back so soon but I have so much to catch up on!

Dear, sweet, and oh so wonderful Kirsty sent me a package of gorgeous papers!  What a kind soul she is .... I am blessed to call her my friend.  Filled with the softest of colors and the most beautiful floral prints ... they make me smile and have me thinking of spring.

The dot and small pink flower print are from my scraps.  The deliciously gorgeous flower print is from Kirsty ... isn't it wonderful?  I'm in love...sigh.  The rub-on is the perfect message and the Basic Pearl Jewels add to the vintage look.  I dyed some seam binding with water colored with drops from a Certainly Celery re-inker then added a Pretty-In-Pink corduroy button (still available in a variety of colors in our Clearance Rack.)

The flower is hand-made with a small 5 petal die and cardstock scraps.  Slightly dampening each layer will make curling the petals upward around the center easier.  I added a soft pink acrylic paint on edges and "glitterfied" it with Dazzling Diamonds.  More patterned paper scraps along with our Scallop Punch and our Beautiful Wings Embossed Die creates a lovely layered embellishment.

Thanks for stopping by ...


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So very grateful ...

 
Hello, my friends.  Words can not express the joy in my heart as I return to my blog.  I won't bore you with my tales of woe ... but I must say I am so happy to have finally finished the last of my medications today.  When you have your health - the world is a much better place.

While being "down and out" these past weeks, I have visited all of your blogs and wished so much to be back in my craft room.  Finally ... I am able to share something new with you and what better way than to join Mona and her design team for this week's challenge CR84FN Color Challenge?  Just in the nick of time too!  Here's the gorgeous color combination ...

Don't you just love that quote?  Thanks, Mona, for the inspiration!

Here's what I have to share today ...

The card began with Crumb cake cardstock with edges brushed in a soft shade of off-white.  The funky orange print paper is from my scrap drawer and the bees along with the gentle honeycomb pattern is from Botanical Gazette.  The lace ... a piece from my dear sister-in-law, Shirley.  The ribbon is old Stampin' Up and the flower ... well, I've had that for ages.  A pin with a button, bead, and tag added is the perfect topper for my project.

The sweet little crown and funky rub-on are from my supplies.  Both are so fun for this card!

That's all for now.  I soooo want to jump into things with both feet but am trying to pace myself now that I feel just an itsy-bit better.  Thank you for stopping by today ... I've missed you!

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A note ...

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Hello my friends ... I have been away too long.

Our guest has returned home to France. It was such a wonderful experience to have her stay with us. We were busy everyday ... showing her as much of our local community and state that we could fit in. Shopping in our little downtown shops, trying different restaurants, a weekend away to a waterpark, and a fun night of "laser tag" was a hit ... As was a sleep over with all the seventh grade girls. My children got so much in return ... They practiced their French and made a new friend along with memories they will cherish for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, I have been ill for this past week. Other than crawling out of the house to make it to the office, my days and nights have been spent in bed. By Friday, I couldn't even manage that. I hope to be up tomorrow .... Your beautiful posts have kept my spirits up and I miss my craft room so!


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