Vintage Chic Blessing Card HSSSC154

My least favorite type of card to make is a sympathy card, and I really only make them when I have a reason to.  Well, this week, I need to send one off to a neighbor.  Upon sitting and thinking on it, I decided I would not do a typical black/dark/formal card, but one that might bring a smile to her face.  Pretty, ethereal, and with a simple blessing.

At Hand Stamped Sentiments, for the next 2 weeks, we have a sketch to work with, so here's what I came up with using sympathy and the sketch for guides.

I used layers of Very Vanilla, in the form of embossed cardstock and ribbon, and a die cut from Apothecary Accents, with a little Crumb Cake sponging.  Two butterflies punched with the Elegant Butterfly punch from Tea for Two DSP, and wrapped with a length of Linen Thread.  The card base is dry embossed with the Delicate Designs lacy embossing folder, and the center piece of CS is embossed with Lacy Brocade, brayered with Crumb Cake and popped up on the card base.

Inside, a simple prayer to remind her to trust in the Lord.

I like the way it turned out, and that it's understated.  I'll probably make a few to keep on hand for other occasions as well.  

What do you think of this sketch?  I hope it sparks some ideas and that you'll join in the challenge!  I'd love to pay your blog a visit!  Click the image below to see the other designers' projects and to link up.

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Crosses of Hope, Trust God, Layered Labels

INK: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

PAPER: Very Vanilla Tea for Two DSP

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon, Linen Thread, Elegant Butterfly, Frost White Shimmer Paint

BIG SHOT: Lacy Brocade EF, Delicate Designs EF, Framelits Apothecary Accents

Woodland Butterfly - Just Because

Here's a little something I sent off to my downline friend. I appreciate her enthusiasm and owe her my gratitude for sharing this awesome SU endeavor with me!

I made a batch of soda pop top necklaces recently, and this is another one of them. You can learn how they're made at this post. I know one of her favorite colors is red, so I placed this Real Red Glimmer Paper butterfly on a doily, and anchored it to a woodgrain card base from Naturals Composition DSP. This DSP is an upscale alternative to Crumb Cake, just a little fancier with the embossed details.

Inside...

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed and creative day. Erika

Christmas Elegance {Dryer Sheet Glitter Technique}

In my continuing effort to make all of the Christmas cards I had ideas for in December, but alas, did not have time to create, here is another that was on my to-do list.  The glittered dryer sheet technique.  

Oh, how I love glitter!  This was a fun technique I learned from a video tutorial by Tami White. I have been using some dryer sheets and stashing them away...in the same spot I'm saving other household castoffs such as paper towel rolls, bubble wrap, and shaving cream for making Pinterest inspired projects!

It's super easy to do.  Basically, you take a very used dryer sheet, iron it flat, spray with adhesive (I've heard aqua net works well too), stick it to your stamped image panel, spread flat, then sprinkle liberally with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I burnish the glitter to the dryer sheet by placing a piece of copy paper over it and pressing and smoothing with my hands, too.  You'll have less glitter falling off that way.  Not that I mind glitter falling, :) but some folks don't love it like we do!

I made a simple shadow box style card front with Apothecary Accents Framelits and Lacy Brocade Embossing folder, popped it up with Dimensionals, and tied a little Crumb Cake Scalloped Tulle to the top.

 I love Lovely As A Tree.  I hope it never retires.  That, and French Foliage!

Here's the inside, from More Merry Messages and a little pine branch from Lovely As A Tree.

And there we go!  One more for the Christmas shop.  I plan to make lots of these, as the glittered panel is really a WOW, and is no trouble at all to put together.

I'm playing along with Merry Mondays, with their "Elegant" card challenge this week.  Click below to check them out!

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  Heart of Christmas, Lovely As A Tree, More Merry Messages

INK:  Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede

PAPER: Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS: Crumb Cake Scalloped Tulle, Vintage Faceted Button, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

BIG SHOT: Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Framelits Apothecary Accents

OTHER:  Spray adhesive aerosol can, dryer sheet

Deer on a Doily!

This week for Merry Monday, I'm using one of my favorite new Christmas Stamps, Christmas Deer. She's so lovely, with her fancy curly antlers!  I thought she'd look nice among doilies & Lacy Brocade embossing. I assume she's a she, anyway, a reindeer, not a reinbuck.  Is there such a thing?

My deer is stamped on a doily with silver embossing powder, and embellished with pearls and mist.  The card base is Always Artichoke, with Vanilla and Pink Pirouette two-toned ribbon, and vanilla natural ribbon is stamped with the Good Cheer wheel.

The sketch for Merry Monday...cute!  I think I'll save this one for other occasions, too.

Travel Candle Tin Birthday Set {DIY Candle}

My latest project tutorial for Ustamp With Dawn & Friends is one I know I'll make over and over again.  It's a do-it-yourself travel candle in a repurposed Altoids tin, all decked out in gorgeous vintage frills!

The ensemble includes a criss-cross pocket card, embellished kraft gift box, and matching tag.  They're all adorned with the Artisan Embellishments Kit from the Spring Mini. I'll tell you, I have never seen Stampin' Up! put out more gorgeous, versatile, and on-trend products as what is in this catalog.  

You can get a full color 9 page PDF tutorial, with step by step directions on everything you see here, even how to easily create my tin candle with items you have around your house already.  Just visit Ustamp With Dawn & Friends Grow Creative Love.  There you will be in a private party zone full of friends like you, who love to stamp and love to create really outstanding WOW projects. This event has over 40 tutorials in all, from card sets to jewelry making, and it's only $24.95.  Chats, galleries, prizes, and all the inspiration a girl could wish for!

Valentine's Soda Pop Treat Hanger {Template}

Here's what I gave to my boys for Valentine's Day.

They're really into Cheerwine in the retro glass bottle, and it does make a cute treat holder! Normally I'd use a bottled water, but today is a sweet day.

This hang tag is just the right size for a full size bag of M&Ms. Here's the template, rough but it's all there :).

Have you got all your loved ones a sweet surprise today? There's still time!

Have a sweet, CHEERful day!

Quickie Valentine Treats

Here's a super quick project to put together for a class or a group of friends. My 8 year old and I put a dozen of these together in 15 minutes before youth group tonight!

Just a little Polka Dot Parade DSP, 4" x 1-1/2", punched on the end, and a layer of scallop circle punched Glimmer Paper with a circle punched image from Mixed Medley hostess set.

Have a willing assistant stuff 12 conversation hearts in each cello bag and you're out the door, no more than 10 minutes late :) My friends know that is Right On Time for me.

Have a lovely Valentine's Day! Erika

My Guy Valentine

Here's the Valentine I made for my husband.

I love this Sale-A-Bration set, Feeling Sentimental.  So far, I've only used it for more masculine cards, but I'd love to try it with a pink card.

Here's the inside, from Affection Collection.

Here are some simple note cards I made using all the images in this set.  They're for sale in my Etsy shop!

I hope you're having a nice Valentine's Day.  Don't forget to do something nice for someone particularly special - yourself!  

Papillon and Pop Tops

...or Wishing For Spring!  I'm blogging today watching the snow fall outside my window.  Half a foot so far, and 25 degrees!  I am not so sure Puxatawny Phil knew his head from his bushy little bottom!

There's a color challenge this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments that will get your mind on all things bright and beautiful.  Cherry Cobbler, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, and any neutral.  Whew!  That is a lotta  bright.  And you know I'm not a "bright" crafter (I can't believe I just said that).  

I decided on a flurry of butterflies in brights ~

Originally I thought I'd just do a pop top necklace for the color combo and just go extra tiny with it, but when I was done, I was actually inspired to keep going. So I made the card to match!

The card is a CASE from the spring mini, which was done with smaller butterflies and Pool Party CS, but the sketch is very much the same.  The butterflies are punched from the Tea For Two DSP & the Festival Of Prints stack from Christmastime.  I layered them with the newsprint paper from Tea For Two, sewed a doily on, spritzed it with Pretty In Pink.  I used the Papillon Potpourri stamp set to place some Melon Mambo and watermark butterflies on the Sahara Sand CS base.  I added a Vintage Faceted button and an Itty Bitty heart button, and embellished those with silver glass glitter.  

The pop top necklace!  I am getting hooked on these.  They're cute, easy to make, and the possibilites are endless!  I watched a tutorial video by Melissa Stout to get some tips.  

After smashing the pop top flat in the Big Shot, I used the Collage Curios stamp set, and stamped the background writing in Crumb Cake, then the circular stamp in Melon Mambo.  The tiny center butterfly is stamped in Melon Mambo, then again in Pretty in Pink on a piece of scrap and cut it out.  It's popped up over the Mambo, and then the whole image is covered in Crystal Effects.  A 1/16" punch at the top and a jump ring and chain, and voila!  A cute necklace!

So, do you feel inspired by our color combo this week? Valentine's Day?  Baby girl?  Spring?  I'd love to see what you come up with!  Click here to join in the fun.

SUPPLY LIST:
CARD:
STAMPS: Papillion Potpourri, Family Reunion
PAPER:  Sahara Sand, Melon Mambo, Tea for Two DSP, Festival of Prints Designer Stack
INK: Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Versamark clear
EMBELLISHMENTS:  Artisan Embellishment Kit (doily), Vintage Faceted button, Itty Bitty heart button, Elegant Butterfly punch, Frost White Shimmer paint (for spritzing), Spritzing tool (pink on doily), Vine Street embossing folder (SAB 2013)

NECKLACE:
STAMPS:  Collage Curios
INK: Melon Mambo, Pretty In Pink, Cherry Cobbler
PAPER: Very Vanilla
EMBELLISHMENTS:  Silver Soda Pop Top, Crystal Effects, 1-1/4" punch, 1/16" punch,
Other:  jump ring, silver chain