Rose bud

Good morning my sweet friends!  We have a fresh powdering of snow on the ground making everything look clean and white.  The kids are going sledding this afternoon on a Boy Scout outing after having a fun sleep-over here last night.  There was lots of music, dancing, computer games, movies ... and a heaping dose of laughter and giggles.  Everyone had a fun and I'm sure today will be filled with more wonderful memories.

Here's another color challenge hosted by Moxie Fab World.  Lovely shades of rose and oh so vintage.  I love it and knew I had to participate as soon as I laid eyes on this trio!  And would you believe that the ladies over at Just Us Girls are calling for hand-made flowers this week?  They are singing my song!

Here is how this post came together for you ... beginning with Very Vanilla cardstock the corners were rounded (Corner Punch) and the edges antiqued with Distressing Essentials.  The patterns are from the gorgeous collection of Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper.  Just can't get enough of these colors and patterns - as you know I've been using this paper collection a lot lately!  The lace is from my dear sister-in-law - thank you Shirley!  The pin had a crystal teardrop on top so I added a rose colored bead and a pearl.  The seam binding is hand dyed with Crumb Cake and Soft Suede Classic Inks.  I made so much that I had extra for this card after making this too.  JOY!

The chipboard ring was painted first then "glitterfied" with a rose colored chunky glitter.  This Butterfly Punch was used to create my little winged friend and the flower is handmade from scraps of the same papers.  I used a die to cut out four 5-petal flowers, spritzed them lightly with water, then used the end of a marker on a soft pad to curl each petal up.  My hot glue gun (never far from my side) was used to hold them together - nested snug inside one another.  Here's a tutorial that will help.  I brushed the tips with a creme shade of paint and added a green "flower" on the bottom for leaves.

Thank you all for stopping by.  Enjoy your day!

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Thankful ...

 
It's wonderful to have a day off.  I have so much planned - a visit to the bookstore (the new Somerset Life is out and I can't wait to get one), sewing a chair cushion with my daughter, and then of course there is the ever needed ... grocery shopping.  Ah well, I can't complain - I will be spending the day with my children and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Ros has given us a sketch challenge this week over at The City Crafter Challenge Blog.  At the risk of repeating myself (and I know I am) ... sweet and simple is the best kind of sketch.  Thanks Ros!  The Design Team has created some beautiful samples to share with you - they are so talented.

My project began with Very Vanilla cardstock layered with Designer Series Papers from the Springtime Vintage collection.  My goodness, I am using this a lot lately - I hope you're not growing tired of it!  Hand-dyed seam binding and some delicate lace added dimension and texture plus helped to soften the contrasting patterns.  I also added a touch of paint in a light shade of pink around the edges ... forgive me - I have to practice that technique.  (You are all so patient with me as I dabble in "this and that" along the way.)  My "tag" is a beautiful example of ephemera ... I've been collecting all that I can get my hands on.

The sweet creme flower and decorative pin compliment the strong color of the Rose Red button from Subtles Button Collection.  My sentiment is stamped in Rose Red Classic Ink and held in place by a button of the same color.

It was so nice of you to stop by!

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Vintage blue

 
The kids are sledding and I'm sure they are having loads of fun.  We'll light a fire when they get home and warm them up with cups of hot cocoa.  Remember the days when your toes would defrost in front of the fire ... they were soooo cold that you could feel them tingle?  Mom would make hot cocoa with milk ... in  a pan ... with REAL cocoa.  She couldn't stop stirring or the milk would burn.  Goodness, I miss those days and hope my two young ones will look back with the same fondness.

The Play Date Cafe color challenge this week is stunning.  What would I do without these ladies?  Their ability to find the perfect inspirational photo's, assemble them into a pleasing palette, and then provide a variety of beautiful projects.  I am so thankful for this very talented team!  (They make us all look good - don't they?)

I started with Very Vanilla cardstock and layered on delicious patterns from the Springtime Vintage collection.  The doily is die cut and sponged with Crumb Cake Classic Ink to give it an aged look.  The seam binding was hand-dyed (lightly) with Baja Breeze Classic Ink and the tea-stained tag is stamped with Basic Grey Classic Ink.

I've seen so many gorgeous examples of lace flowers lately that I thought I'd give it a try and create one myself.  So I dug through my scraps and came up with about 9 inches of a lovely lace scallop and some tulle.  Holding them together, I created a running stitch down one edge - gathering the trims as I went.  The ends of my cotton embroidery thread were tied together (forming a tight circle) and I "adjusted" the ruffles.  With a Baja Breeze embellishment in the center from Vintage Flower Adornments, I am very pleased with the result.  (I hope you like it too.)  A velvet leaf tucked behind the bow added a bit more texture to the soft romantic feel of my card.

Stay warm, my friends and thank you for stopping by!

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Pom-Pom's?

 
Good morning friends.  It's a cold "single digit" morning here ... which makes the house feel so cozy.  I love early morning.  The family is still asleep so I have some quiet time to share with you.

The challenge sketch from Get Sketchy is fabulous!  I've commented before on the joy of a simple sketch ... it gives direction without constraining your creativity - this one is another perfect example.  The color combination comes from the ladies at ColourQ - they never disappoint and once again have provided a beauty to inspire us.

My project began simply but finished with more layers and details than I expected!  A Whisper White card layered with a beautiful blue print from Springtme Vintage Designer Series Paper was a good beginning.  I added a So Saffron polka dot (it seems to be my "go to" background lately).  Basic Black Classic Ink created my birdcage from Nature Walk.  I also used Artistic Etchings and Style Beautiful stamp sets.

The layers of lace, a blue stiped print and Daffodil Delight Pom-Pom Trim did not go as I had intended.  To stay true to the inspiration colors (I was missing Daffodil Delight), the pom-pom's were added - my first time working with this type of trim.  Hence, the "layers of detail" ... that's all I'll say about that (thanks for your understanding).  How about some guidance - do you sew them on, glue them or tape?

I dyed some seam binding and wrinkled it to perfection.  An old fabric flower layered with a crocheted Fleurettes II detail and a Pearl Jewel tops my bow.

I have a lot to learn about working with pom-pom trims.  I'm sure you'll see more of them in the future - but only after I have them "under control" - so to speak.  Have a wonderful day ... I hope to be back with a second post later!

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Spun Sugar

 
I've been away too long and have missed this little blog of mine.  Returning to our daily routine has kept me very busy this week. I couldn't wait to create something to share with you. The gorgeous color combination presented on Mona's new blog (CR84FN Color Challenge) has been on my mind all week. The shades are so soft and sweet ... they look like "spun sugar" to me. Delicious.

I began with Pretty in Pink cardstock as my card base. Layered with a yellow polka dot print and a beautiful stripe from the new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Papers collection my card began to pull the inspiration colors together. The flourish plate from Notably Ornate stamped with Pretty in Pink Classic Ink fit perfectly. My message of love is from the tres' chic Artistic Etchings set.





I made the shimmery flower and crocheted the heart for this project.  Tutorials and instructional links are found in previous postings.  Various other embellishments such as buttons, a wispy fabric and netting, half-pearls, dyed wrinkled seam binding and a decorative pin added texture while keeping to the recommended color palette.


 

 
I know this is a short post this evening. If I don't hurry, I may be the last participant in Mona's challenge!  I'll be back later with more to show. I have so many new things to share with you. Thanks for visiting - I'm so glad you could stop by.


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