This and That, Playing with Scraps!

Happy Saturday!  The weather is warming up a little bit in Minnesota, though we are a long way from it feeling like Spring here.  My driveway is an ice skating rink!!!!

Today I wanted to share a card I made using scraps from the Echo Park This & That Charming collection.  I love this collection - the color palette can be masculine or feminine.  My life has turned upside down over the last few months, so I felt like making a card that exudes encouragement - "You are Brave, Clever, Strong."

I had lots and lots of fun playing with the papers in the collection.  I cut out the banner from the "Border Strips" paper, got it wet, crumbled it up, then layered them on top of each other.  I love the effect it created!

The word cards are cut from the "Primer" paper.  For the background of the card, I used several papers from the collection.  I love creating my own backgrounds using multiple patterns - it always seems to make the card pop!


To finish the card off, I added some Caribbean twine from The Twinery.  I am playing with the banners challenge at The Twinery blog!

Here's to hoping your day is full of encouragement!

Mel

Materials:
-This & That Charming Collection by Echo Park (Paper and Stickers)
-Cardstock by Recollections
-Twine in Caribbean by The Twinery
-Button from Papertrey Ink
-Staples
-Distress Ink in Vintage Photo by Tim Holtz

Tattered Floral Challenge!

I am a procrastinator - wish I wasn't, but I am!  I am finally getting around to making something for the Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Challenge - only one day left to enter!!!!!

My papercrafting style changes depending on the materials I use (at least I think it does).  I love cute and fun, and I love vintage and my Tim Holtz products!  I consider the card I made for this challenge to fall in the latter.  I used the Tattered Floral Die by Sizzix/Tim Holtz to make the pretty tissue and tulle flower on this card.  As you may have guessed, using this die is a requirement for the challenge.  :)



To make the flower, I cut 2 of the largest flower and 4 of the medium flower.  The tissue I used is called "Terminology" by Tim Holtz Idea-ology.  It cut very easily with the die - it has a waxy texture so it doesn't rip easily!  I colored the flower cuts with colored misting spray and while wet, crinkled them up.  Once dry, I unfolded the cuts, then layered them on top of each other (the largest flower cuts on the bottom).  I also layered in some tulle to give the flower more dimension and added distress ink and liquid pearls to the edges, tissue leaves, and a pretty button to the center.

The friendship sentiment is a stamp by Tim Holtz (Heartfelt collection) and the pretty ribbon is from Stampin' Up!.

I have some news I really wish I could share too!  All I can say at this point is that I will be guest designing for a truly awesome scrapbooking company in the near future.  I am beyond excited!!!!

That's it from me for now.  Hope your day was/is awesome!  :)

Mel

Materials:
-Sizzix/Tim Holtz Bigz Die - Tattered Florals
-Patterned Paper by My Mind's Eye
-Terminology Tissue by Tim Holtz Idea-ology
-Stamps by Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Visual Artistry 'Heartfelt' Collection
-Cardstock by Recollections
-Ribbon by Stampin' Up!
-Button by Papertrey Ink
-Pink Ballon Sprinkler by October Afternoon
-Distress Ink in Vintage Photo by Tim Holtz
-Liquid Pearls in Platinum Pearl by Ranger
-Blossom Builder Punch by Stampin' Up! (Leaves)
-Tulle

Thank You for Helping Me Grow!

Happy Monday!  Today I am sharing a gift box I made for someone that has been there for me through all of my recent struggles (and there have been many).  I will share my story at some point in the near future - I am not ready yet.  I am so thankful that I am able to craft and share my projects with you all - it lifts me up!

The gift box has a sweet little barn on the top of it!  Isn't it cute!  The gift box and fence are from the Santa's Village SVG collection by SVG Cuts!  All SVG collections at SVG Cuts are on sale for 25% off - use coupon code SPRING2013!  A great time to pick up SVG collections you have been wanting! 

I added lots of fun details to this.  When I start with the little details, I sometimes have a hard time stopping with them!  This gift box is cute from all angles - make sure to see all of the pics below!  There is a garden on one side of the barn and chickens on the other, and a little surprise inside!  :)

 

The sentiment is from the February 2013 Kit of the Month by Unity Stamp Company.
Isn't this sentiment so sweet and perfect for this gift box!!!!

View of the garden and corn stalks:

The pitch fork, corn stalks, and milk jug are from the Grandpa's Organic Farm SVG collection by SVG Cuts. 

View of the chicken coop:

More Details:

I used embossing to create the worn look of the barn and it's roof. Love texture!

I used buttons to trim the box - love this effect!

The patterned papers and stickers are from the Farm Girl collection by October Afternoon.  The majority of the buttons are also by October Afternoon (various collections).  Which gets me to the surprise inside..........................................................

It is the girl from the Farm Girl collection!  She is inside the barn milking a cow.  Wish you could see it in person (the picture doesn't do it justice!).

Thanks for sharing my project with me!  Below is a motivational quote that I felt like sharing - it's a good reminder to live life to it's fullest! 

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” -Tony Robbins

Mel

Materials:
-SVGs by SVG Cuts (mentioned above)
-Unity Stamp Set - February 2013 Kit of the Month
-Patterned Paper, Stickers and Buttons by October Afternoon, Farm Girl Collection
-Red buttons by Papertrey Ink
-Cardstock by Recollections and Bazzill
-Distress Ink in Vintage Photo by Tim Holtz
-Embossing Folders by Sizzix/Stampin Up!
-Gem and Pearl Stickers by Creative Charms
-Mini Wood Dowel (for sign)

Easter Greetings - Meet Peter!

Hi there!  Today, I am sharing an adorable Easter card I made with the cutest bunny ever.  He is a SVG from the Easter Bunnies collection by My Scrap Chick.  Isn't he cute!!!!!!  I am gonna name him Peter for purposes of this post!  LOL!

I used paper from the Farm Girl collection by October Afternoon. Love this collection! The jar of carrots that Peter is holding is part of this collection as well (cut from the paper).

The "happy" stamp is from a past SMAK kit by Unity Stamps and the letter stickers used for "Easter" are by October Afternoon.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Creative Cutting Challenge - Easter Card
Paper Issues - Spring Project

So what do you think of Peter?  Hoping you all have a fabulous weekend and get time to craft (if you like to craft that is!).  :)

Mel

Materials:
-Bunny SVG by My Scrap Chick, Easter Bunnies Collection
-Unity Stamp Set - Nov 2011SMAK Kit
-Patterned Paper and Buttons by October Afternoon, Farm Girl Collection
-Cardstock by Baazill Basics and Stampin' Up!
-Rustic Twine by Papertrey Ink
-Mini Market Letter Stickers by October Afternoon in Teal/Black
-Distress Ink in Old Paper by Tim Holtz
-Cotton (Peter's Tail)
-Journaling Marker by Stampin' Up! in Black (Whiskers/Mouth)
-Circle Nesting Dies by Sizzix
-Gem and Pearl Stickers by Creative Charms

Call Me

If you follow my blog, you know how much I love Unity Stamps, October Afternoon, and Lettering Delights.  Today, I am sharing a card I made using all of these!

I was recently looking at the October Afternoon blog and I was inspired by some fun cards using the 9 to 5 collection.  You can see these cards here.  The papers in the 9 to 5 collection are so colorful and retro, and they worked perfectly with the telephone themed stamps and SVGs I used for this card.

I cut the 'telephone index' paper in multiple pieces and layered them to make it look like an actual tabbed index.  There aren't any contacts listed in the index - I thought about adding some, then decided to keep it blank so it didn't take away from the rest of the card.  Sometimes too many details is not a good thing.

The telephone dial background stamp is from the Unity Stamps November 2011 SMAK kit and the 'call me' sentiment is from the February 2013 Kit of the Month.

The phone and scalloped frames are SVGs from the Good Company collection by Lettering Delights.

Materials:
-Phone and Scalloped Frame SVGs by Lettering Delights, Good Company Collection
-Unity Stamp Sets - Feb 2013 Kit of the Month, Nov 2011SMAK Kit
-Patterned Paper, Brad, and Buttons by October Afternoon, 9 to 5 Collection
-Cardstock by Baazill Basics and Stampin' Up!
-Rustic Twine by Papertrey Ink
-Silver paper clip by Stampin' Up!
-Chevron Embossing Die by Cuttlebug
-Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Riptide
-Sprinkler in Token by October Afternoon
-Distress Ink in Vintage Photo by Tim Holtz

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to call me (pun intended)!  :)

Mel

Thinking of You

Remember me?  I hope you do! :)  I am still around - I just haven't been able to craft the last couple months.  Life has been challenging and crazy for me, and I am hoping it gets better soon.

Today I am sharing a card I made for a dear friend that has been struggling a lot lately.  I chose to embellish the card with butterflies because they symbolize hope and have that uplifting quality.  I was inspired by the February "Be Inspired" Unity Stamps Challenge - the sketch and the colors.  I love, LOVE, love my Unity stamps and used several for this card! 

I created the background for this card using many of my craft supplies.  I used a misting mask, spray ink, dictionary paper, distress ink, a doily punch and Unity stamps.  I love creating my own backgrounds!  I love being able to mix different patterns and colors to get the perfect, yet imperfect vintagy look.  Not sure "vintagy" is a word, but I am thinking you know what I mean!  :)

I was also inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest that had a multi-colored stacked paper butterfly.  You can see the card I was inspired by here.  I decided to create a similar butterfly for my card! 

Below is the list of materials I used for this card:
-Unity Stamp Sets - With Her Own Wings, BorderLINE Love, Feb 2013 Kit of the Month, July 2012 SMAK Kit
-Cardstock by Baazill Basics & Stampin' Up!
-Dictionary Page
-Mistables Misting Mask by Pink Paislee
-Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Multiple Colors
-Sprinkler in Pink Balloon by October Afternoon
-Distress Ink in Old Paper by Tim Holtz
-Butterfly Punch by Stampin' Up!
-Doily/Circle Scallop Frame Punch by EK Success
-Gem stickers by Want2Scrap & Creative Charms

Thank you for coming by!  Hoping to share another project this weekend so come by again!

Mel