Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Simple Fun with Accucut, Dutchpapercraft, and Papertrey


Today I played with some of my dies. I made this box using one of my Accucut dies, and a "Sizzix" mover and shaper die to cut the center out adding the heart window to it. I painted the box a baby pink, darkened the edges a bit with ink, then placed a piece of acetate behind the heart. Then I added the beautiful and delicate heart shaped flourish, which accented the heart shape window perfectly. This is one of the dies I purchased from Dutch Paper Craft. http://dutchpapercrafts.blogspot.com/ I believe they are Marianne Dies or Memory Box. You can contact Darlene ( a.k.a. Evil Temptress) at DutchPaperCraft if you are interested in purchasing them.
 The Card I made using Papertrey Inks "Simply Jane" dies and stamp set, as well as the lovely lacy oval and flourish, again from Dutchpapercrafts. This set of stamps had lovely images as well as beautiful sentiments for many occasions. I cut the man and woman shapes out and glittered them with Recollections red glitter.  Placed them on foam tabs to oval cuts made with my nestabilities.
Lately it seems I am favoring a more simple design. Not a lot of clutter to these, but sweet and elegant. Now to find some foiled chocolates to put in the box. What a sweet "I love you" for someone special.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Valentine Romance


My friend Sarah in the UK inspired me to play with my dies and some pretty pinks when she posted about a challenge on Snazzy’s Design Team Blog. I have been sending die cuts from my collection of dies to Sarah for some time now. She is a member of W.O.C. design team and was in need of some items to decorate with their wonderful flowers. 
Recently she posted a box she decorated for their challenge. So I decided to go for it and used one of my new dies, Sizzix ( the box, the lacy heart, and T.H. movers and shaper) dies were what I used. As well as Marvelous Martha glitter!
 I used some older DCWV paper to cover the base of the box and Stampin-Up ink Real Red to darken it up a bit. Martha Stewart glitter (can't get enough!) that matched the sparkly ribbon I found at Joann's.
 Using crepe paper streamers I made my own fringed trim for the base, and the top. I cut out two Tim Holtz cupids and hearts.  The lid of the box already has the lacy cuts in it which made it my first choice for this project, it's vintage, romantic feel lends it to this project so well.
 I was going to add more to it but I love the simple shabbiness, and every time I pick it up to add something more, it seemed to say to me "enough, it's enough". I will fill it with sweet Dove chocolates, and perhaps surprise someone special for Valentines Day.
With the scraps, I broke out my Stampin-Up matchbox die and made up this cutie gift box. I will use it for one of my soldered charms. Having so much fun making boxes to house and give them in. Terri came over and we played yesterday. It's been so long since we did this, it was quite a treat. She cut out some boxes. You will want to head over to her blog because they are so stinkin pretty and while your there check out her blog shop. They will compliment her fabulous handmade jewelry nicely, http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/ .

Journal Swap on the Speckled Egg


Here is my second journal from the Speckled Egg swap. Its from Joyce Gleason, http://scrapforjoy.blogspot.com. It's beautiful She even made it personal for me by adding my initial. 
 Just look at the sweet buttons and key. Just lovely.
 To top it all off she sent me wonderful goodies too! Lovin the postcards(where did she find these?), the trim, and seam binding,  little tags, and vintage playing cards. Oh, and BONUS A bar of chocolate.
Thank you Joyce for the lovely journal and the great gifts! I cannot wait to use them!!


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Art Journal Swap

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I recently participated in a journal swap hosted by the "Speckled Egg". Today I received my Art journal from one of my swap partners.  Kim Johnson, her blog is http://whimsyandtheword.blogspot.com/. She makes the sweetest decorated domino necklaces and bottles. I love the colors and the vintage feel of it, the lace, ribbon and embellishments are very much up my alley...

She gifted me these vintage goodness, yummy envelopes, rick rack, buttons, and cool vintage cabinet cards.

Did I mention the pretty handmade flower pin? so pretty....

Here is the necklace she gifted me, so pretty,and very well made. I love it.


Thank You Kim for making this swap such a great experience. She emailed me that she was concerned that I might not like it, well stop worrying I love it!