MFT Sketch Challenge #287

MFT Sketch Challenge #287

Using the challenge outline, Lucky Dog Stamps from MFT & Blueprints #24 I created a simple shaker card. The banner portion was embossed using a Stampin Up embossing folder from Sizzix.

MFT Color Challenge #48

MFT Color Challenge Submission

I have recently played with making little occasions card collections. I thought they would make such

nice gift for friends or family. I have the Accucut die for the large stationary box and recently purchased the Note card collection from Papertrey Ink. I love their dies and this was a sweet set that had a variety of dies and stamps that made small square note cards. They also had a larger size add on set that cut the pretty scalloped 3.5" x 4" card. 

Being a big fan of MFT (My Favorite Things) I also have several Pure Innocence Stamp sets, but to be honest I am all about their dies. My friend Terri (TerrisBloomingIdeas) and I came across this color challenge, and we both loved the color combination for the challenge and I decided to play.

I used Spellbinders dies for the cover, and to be honest am not sure where the flower dies were from, the solid paper is Papertrey Ink. 

I used Prismacolor pencils to color the images and gamesol to blend. I used seam binding for the bow.

It happened that I had an old paper stack from K & Company called Floral Dreams in those colors. The stack has both satin and metallic finishes on portions of the prints. I used one of the prints to make a divider and line the inside the bottom of the box.

 My inks are from Stampin Up, and Versafine black.  Ice Stickles have been added for a bit of sparkle.

 The plain and scalloped ovals were cut using Spellbinders dies. These were added using some mounting foam to add a little dimension. The inside of the cards are blank, so a personal message can be added.....

 I made the envelopes using We R Memory Keepers envelope board (although I had to tweak the measurements - 7" paper scored on the 3" and 4" marks) using plain white copy paper, then I stamped swirls in coordinating colors on the front and back tab of each envelope.

Sentiments have been mixed and matched to the images to reflect a card for several occasions.I tried to include one for congratulations, sympathy, get well, missing someone, hello, etc. I added some of the smaller flowers and leaves die-cut for the box cover.

Card Making.......

I sat her last night staring at all the stamps, trying hard to motivate myself to make a card. Normally not that difficult but lately, a real effort. You see I was recently let go from my job of 18 and half years. My boss it seems sold the business (after assuring us he was not going to do this). At 60, with only two years from our retirement I was both shocked and upset. After all he had told me I had nothing to worry about. 

So I have had to really push myself to create, as i have been in a fog of "what do I do now?" for the last three weeks. Well after watching countless you tube videos, hemming and hawing, taking sets out and putting them back, I chose to play with the Ranunculus set from Simon Says Stamp.

I have been in love with the whole watercolor play for years. I enjoy it even more that coloring. Of course it allows me brush time which I haven't been able to enjoy for some time. I am hoping to get my kiln hooked up so I can start painting china again soon.

I used inexpensive watercolor paper, embossed the flowers and cut them out. I mounted them on a piece of paper from paper studio and added some glitter (love glitter) and a few sequin flowers. What a nice way to say to someone how much you admire them.

Mojo Monday 433

Mojo Monday 433

Here is this weeks template......

My submission....

Paper was made up of scraps, but the stamps and dies are from Papertrey Ink.  I am sending thei as a Valentine, but it could easily be a birthday or celebration card.

Mojo Monday Challenge 432

Mojo Monday Challenge

So here is my submission:

Stamp is from Lilly of the Valley, baby die, little tag stamps and die from Papertrey Ink, 

This was a fun card, like the layout, a good way to use scraps!

Swap with Carollyn

I had just [posted my swap with Virginia Retro. I had a couple comments and one was from Carollyn (Carollyns Tatting Blog). She had thought I was posting to join a swap, and I messaged her to say that no I had just received my part of the swap. Well after a few messages we decided to swap, She really seemed to like my Mouse "Spoolie" I had made. We decided to do a casual swap.

No real deadlines, although I believe the end of the month (February) was what we had agreed upon, not sure maybe March? Needless to say I have a lot going on. I am going to be a "Grand-Mother" for the first time This year and I had to get this done and out. Need to start the plans for baby shower, and such.

I decorated a large cigar box to place the mouse/pincushion in. Carollyn didn't specify a particular color but mentioned she liked Victorian. Well so do I, which for me meant I could embellish to my hearts content. Break out the dark red glitter, the velvet, the sparkles...

The box slides open and she can use it later to store some treasures.....

Here is her most royal majesty, the Queen. Upon her velvet throne/pincushion.

 Next to little gift boxes that hold some tatting treasures...

I made her a "Tat-alaine", a take on a Victorian Chatelaine. Her instead of sewing items I made her one that will hold one of the picot gauges (I made those from allan wrenches that I soldered onto rings), a crochet hook pendant (I made by adding it to a lovely natural stone), and a large clasp on one end for a pair of small scissors.

I soldered a charm with her name on one side and a small tatted motif on the other. She just drapes it across her neck and it will keep her tatting tools right at her fingertips.

Here you see what I mean. I am sure she isn't as fumble-fingered as I can be. I am forever dropping my gauges, or looking for my hook. Look no more they will all be there at your fingertips (even when you have to get up in a hurry to answer the phone, LOL). I hope she likes these gifts as much as I enjoyed making them.

 P.S.This is a "beaded" Shuttle bag I tatted. I had seen one made by Joelle' on her Youtube channel. I decided to try it. It was my first attempt using beads in tatting.

Yummy Goodness Swap!!!!!

Okay so Sandy @ 521 Lake St Blog hosted a Valentine box swap. My partner was Lynne at http://www.cottagegalstyle.com/. Let me start off with WOW! You blew me away Lynne.  First the box arrived late Thursday night late. Steven found it on the porch at 4 am as he was leaving for work. I was concerned as well we have not had nice weather and it was cold out here.

I was so surprised to see it was filled to the brim.....

 Look at this...

 Here are the Yummy goodies...I adore junior mints, and the tea :)

My "box" was this lovely tin (this will be so handy to place my tatting thread in :)!!

 Chuck full of crafty goodness in all the shabby colors I love.

 So much fun to be had.....

  Two pieces of jewelry a necklace and a bracelet!

 It just kept coming, bits of handmade goodness and vintage fun

 Okay this is by far one of my fav's. A vintage baby planter (we are expecting out first grand baby this year!!!)

 Gorgeous seam binding, ribbons glitter a  "crown stamp" and more...

 Look at this lovely Tea cup!

 Lynne you made my week! It was better than Christmas. Thank You!

Wonderful, Wonderful!!!!!