Comfort ...

School is back in session and everyone is settling into the new schedule.  Drop off, pick up, clubs, homework ... it feels good to have everything "click".  My children are soooo happy and naturally that makes me happy too.   I find comfort in "schedules and plans"...some of you may find that crazy thinking "where's the fun in that?".  But to me life is good when I have purpose and structure...I guess that's just me.


Pool Party  is such a lovely shade of blue.  It goes perfectly with my new favorite papers from the Domestic Goddess collection.  I've added a few of these gorgeous prints to my new Bingo Card background stamp.  Now I can create this vintage game look in any color - just add ink!

Some cardboard cut with pinking shears and brushed lightly with paint came next.  Three butterflies all cut from the same paper collection are layered with a sweet little button on top.  I used both the Butterfly Punch and Beautiful Wings.

The ribbon is dyed seam binding and I've added a decorative pin.  The tag is created with the Jewelry Tag Punch and again the little words in Pennant Parade came in handy.

Be sure to visit the ladies at The City Crafter.  Their challenge this week was to use 1 ribbon, 2 or more words, and 3 or more butterflies.   Every week there's something inspiring from Kirsty and the Design Team ... they never cease to amaze me with the challenge ideas they dream up and the projects they post.  Thanks ladies for sharing your creative talents!

And thank you too - for stopping by ...

Pennants and butterflies

It has been a busy week here but I'm so pleased that another room is nearly complete.  A fresh coat of paint is such a big difference and I enjoy the "nesting joy" you feel when working on your home.  The days ahead will be used to hang pictures, mount bookcases, and a bit of sewing for our new room.  More "nesting joy" ...

Thankfully I was able to spend some time with friends yesterday.  Everyone gathered at my house and here is just one of the projects we created.  It's simple, based on classic colors, and fun with pennants and butterflies.

Beginning with Very Vanilla card stock, print papers from the "ever overflowing scrap drawer" were added.  I'm loving those polka dots!  The Large Lace Border Punch made a beautiful cut pattern for the middle.  I'll be featuring that punch in many a future project.  (You can see a more detailed image about this punch via the link.) Basic Black is just one of the many gorgeous colors this 5/8 inch satin ribbon is available in.  It ties wonderfully - here I added a white button with a Natural Linen Thread .

My sentiment is from a sweet new set ... Pennant Parade!  The words fit perfectly on the Jewelry Tag Punch.  The pennants are First Edition paper - a classic newspaper print.  I simply punched them out with the Petite Pennants Builder Punch.  There are two shapes in this punch but here I chose to keep my lines clean and simple.  Butterflies are cut with Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (which dry embosses the shape while it cuts).  Finally, every butterfly needs a rhinestone, of course.

So happy you could stop by - I'll be back soon with more to share.  I have so much to show you!

You have my heart ...

Goodness - two posts in two days .... I told you I missed you!  Volleyball is a big part of my life in the springtime - following my daughter as we travel the state together...enjoying every minute with her.  However, I am not one who can just sit.  Like you ... our minds and hands are always crafting or visualizing our next project.  So my idle time, while she is not on the court, has been spent crocheting ... sweet delicate white hearts have been my latest love.  I use the softest of yarn which makes them so elegant.  You'll see one featured on today's project and more in my ETSY shop.  The Play Date Cafe has a color challenge this week combining purple, green, and grey.  Isn't this wallpaper fabulous?!  Don't miss seeing the work of the design team ... you'll enjoy the visit! 

I began with Very Vanilla card stock and layered on scraps of decorative papers .. one a simple newsprint the other in shades of purple.  The print in the lower right is created with the gorgeous Bella Toile background stamp and Old Olive Classic Ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  This background stamp is wonderful and makes such a beautiful background pattern ... I love it.  I also used  Basic Gray Classic Ink paired with a script background stamp ... En Francias to create a space for your eye to rest.  My sentiment is retired but I love the message it sends.  The layered butterflies are made from a creme felt and a fun decorative paper ... cut with the Beautiful Wings die and embellished with a pearl.

My seam binding was dyed with reinkers in shades of green and the button is from the Designer Buttons - Brights collection.  While the antique lace adds a vintage feel, the soft white crocheted heart is the perfect compliment to a shabby bow.  

I enjoyed creating this for you and my thanks to the Play Date Cafe team for the colorful inspiration!

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 ...


.

A Note of Appreciation ...

Good rainy day to you, my friends.  The garden is drinking up the water from last night's rains.  The cherry trees and crab apples are in full bloom as well as some early flowering rhodo's...both in shades of pink.  Everything is rooted in a carpet of blue blooming myrtle (just like my mother had).  Spring is finally here and I couldn't be more excited!

Today's post is inspired by a photo on The Shabby Tea Room blog.  Aren't these colors just wonderful?  So warm and cozy.  Shades of blues with a touch of pink, what could be better?  It reminds me of the garden view from my window.

Various Designer Series Papers from Stampin' Up serves as the mosiac of blues. Included are papers from the Bella Bleu collection. The butterflies are created with Beautiful Wings Embosslits die and I added just a little big of bling with tiny self sticking gems. 

My flower is organza in a gorgeous deep copper color. I melted the edges of different sized shapes and layered them together to create the finished look you see here. Of course a splash of pink for the flower center ties it all together.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed your stay.  Be sure to take time to visit The Shabby Tea Room and see the beautiful creations inpired by this week's photo.  Please leave a comment below with your thoughts ... and make it a wonderful day!

.

In Need of a Title!

Here is my second Scrapbook page set for my upcoming event.  The girls toured a historic home and had tea afterwards in the sunporch.  Wonderful old dresses, hats, purses were provided to "dress up".  It was all very vintage and just beautiful.  Of course, no one can have tea without their white gloves, beads, and wearing their finest!  Don't you agree?

I love how the soft colors pick up on the elegance of our afternoon.  Buttons and lace were added to keep it all very girlie.  However, I am missing a title and could use your help.  What would you suggest?  The background papers are from our Tea Party collection.  How appropriate!  My color scheme drew out So Saffron, Certainly Celery, and Pretty in Pink.  Punches made creating these layered flowers so simple!

I used our Scallop Circle, 5-Petal Flower, Extra Large Fancy Flower, and a 1" circle.  The friendly butterflies were made with our Butterfly punch and the gorgeous Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die.  Everything is raised on Dimensionals. 

The crown is from our Extreme Elements set.

I hope you enjoyed today's post.  If you are able to help me with a page title I would be grateful.  Leave me a comment below with your thoughts.

Day Two - Klompenstampers Blog Hop

Good Evening!  I know I am posting the night before the day I'm suppose to (does that make sense?).  I am so excited to be participating in the Hop that I just can't help myself!  I just have to post early!  And ... since it is so late in the day here in Michigan I figure no one will see this post until tomorrow anyway.  (The fact that this reaches different time zones around the world goes un-noticed.  LOL.)

Here's my second posting to share with you!  I just recieved my Stampin' Up Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die and I had to play with it.  Doesn't it make beautiful butterflies?  The die actually cuts four gorgeous winged friends and I used two on this project.  The papers are from  ... yep, you guessed it - Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper.  You can order a package for yourself on my website, just click on the link to the left.  It's filled with gorgeous papers and colors.  On this card I used Pretty In Pink cardstock and ribbon.  Update:  I did put an extra length of ribbon folded over on itself on top of the ribbon befreo i tied it.  That makes the ribbon look fuller.   And it makes four "tails" instead of two.  Notice the Whisper White card stock border?  That was created with the cutest Pinking Hearts Border punch (along with the DSP this is also in the Occassions Mini Catalog).  The polka dot leaves are from our Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch. 

The gorgeous circular filagree (LOVE IT) is from our Vintage Labels set.  I got that set FREE through our Sale-A-Bration event.  WOOT!  I punched it out with our Scallop Circle Punch.  I also punched out three more scalloped circles to create the "flower" from scraps of DSP.  A button sewn in the center holds them together.  I just LOVE making these flowers.  You can add more layers to make them "poofier" (that's a word, right?) or you can use a few layers to make them less poofy.  Like I did here!  I didn't want my flower to detract from the butterflies!  To see a poofy flower ... click here!  My sewing machine was used to stitch around the outside of the card front.  And I've included a couple detailed photographs which I hope will show your some of beauty of this paper collection. 

Thanks for visiting today and please stop by tomorrow.  You can leave me a comment below if you'd like.  Now it's time to see what Edna has created for you to enjoy!  Click here for Edna's Blog!