Paper Sweeties March Inspiration Challenge #53

Evening, y'all!  I'm super excited to be joining the lovely ladies over at Paper Sweeties, for their monthly inspiration challenge, today.  I took inspiration from the chalkboard, as well as the colors, in the graphic below to make this card for my niece.

I started this card by piecing a trio of prints together onto the white, cardstock, card face.  The bottom corners of the combined prints, as well as the card face were rounded, before everything was anchored with bright-pink-threaded, straight, machine stitches.  The vertical center of the card face was then wrapped with a length of white, seam binding ribbon, tied in a double bow and embellished with a bright pink, gingham, ribbon bow, as well as a pearl, backed with a white, string bow.

I then white-embossed a wide variety of birthday-themed phrases onto a rounded, black cardstock rectangle; smudged it with a hint of White ink to give it more of a chalkboard look; framed it with a gray, woodgrain, patterned print; and popped it up, in the center of the card face, with foam tape.

The cupcake was then stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a watercolor paper die-cut; watercolored; dressed up with Clear Wink of Stella and a red, gemstone cherry; and popped off the edge of the "chalkboard" with foam tape to complete the look.

Here's your Challenge #53 graphic to get you off and creating in the right direction.

Be sure to stop by the challenge link above to see how the Design Team was inspired, as well as to get all your challenge details.  Thanks for stopping by, and thanks to Debbie and the Paper Sweeties Design Team for having me!  Have a magnificent March, friends!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: You're Invited, Sending Sweet Thoughts, Little Wishes, Joy, & So Sweet of You (Paper Sweeties) Paper: white (Paper Studio); black (Bazzill); watercolor (Canson Studio); woodgrain (Jillibean Soup); bright pink polka dot (Jenni Bowlin); multicolored spots (unknown); hearts (American Crafts) Ink: Jet Black (Ranger); White (SU!); watermark (Versamark) Other: bright pink thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Clear Cut Stackers: Rounded Rectangles die (Wplus9); Sending Sweet Thoughts Sweet Cuts die (Paper Sweeties); Big Shot (Sizzix); white embossing powder (Zing!); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); red gemstone & pearl (Paper Studio); white seam binding ribbon (Hug Snug); white string & gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby); watercolors (Kuretake); Clear Wink of Stella (Zig)

PLS Pinterest Inspired: This Is the Life

Morning, y'all!  I'm up on the Pretty Little Studio blog today, sharing a page inspired by the pin below.  I interpreted the bold, bright, happy colors through Heather Dolittle's Summer Vibes Collection; and the concrete structure and wood door reminded me of our many mission trips to Mexico, one of which became the subject of today's page.

I started this page by adding yellow and orange watercolor puddles and speckles to the 12" x 12", watercolor, base page.  Once that was dry, I used Peeled Paint Distress Ink to add a few strategically-placed ferns to the design and stamped lots of flowers in Jet Black ink.  I then laid a number of prints, a couple of which were hand-cut in the form of pennants, onto the design behind where my photo, which was matted with white cardstock, would lie, along with a "this is the life" Let's Go Outside 3x4 Journaling Card, which I used as my title, and splattered everything with Pure Black and Titanium White acrylic paints, before anchoring a number of them with black-threaded, straight, machine stitching.  "Juarez, Mexico" was then stamped, in Jet Black ink, along the vertical left edge of the journaling card, which I also used to house a few affirmation scriptures.

A hand-cut, from our Flower Power patterned paper, bloom was tucked under the top edge of the journaling card over my inked ferns and topped with the Pickles the Parrot Vintage Die Cut, which was popped up with foam tape.  Just to the right of Pickles, under the top edge of my prints, I tucked a Picnic Tag, laced with white string, tied in a bow.

"REMEMBER THIS" and "today" Aloha Die Cuts, as well as a "hello adventure" Paradise Phrase Strip, can be found in the top right corner of my photograph.  The latter two were popped up with foam tape...

and I tucked a Black Label Sticker, used to house my June 15, '16 date, under its bottom left corner.

Another inked fern, topped with a hand-cut, Flower Power patterned paper bloom, as well as an All Day Flair Button, backed with a tangle of black thread, can be found along the top edge of the design...

grouped with a trio of Lantana Long Labels, which I used to house my journaling.  My journaling reads, I couldn't be any more proud of my boys for giving so much for those who have so little.  My prayer is that they will always find joy and fulfillment in being God's helpers.

This upper cluster was then grounded with a Sunny Clear Word Art strip and stamped, in Jet Black ink, "days", as well as the "God is a good worker but loves to be helped," phrase.  A scattering of color-coordinating buttons, laced with white string, as well as a healthy dose of Baby Avery Yellow Confetti Mix sequins, completes the look.

And here's that pin that inspired it all.  LOVE!

Thanks so much for visiting my neck of the woods!  Have a truly terrific Tuesday, friends!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: So Happy for You (SU!); Christ Is My Life (Mr. Cricut Crazy); Alphadot (Paper Smooches); Spring Fling (Teresa Collins) Paper: white (Recollections); watercolor (Master's Touch); Summer Vibes: Berry Sundress 8x8, Kaleidoscope 8x8, Flower Crown 8x8, & Lemonade Vellum 8x8, Here Comes the Sun: Blue Diagonal Vellum 8x8, & Tinsel Town: Gift Wrap 8x8 (PLS) Ink: Jet Black & Peeled Paint Distress Ink (Ranger); Black PITT artist pen (Faber Castell) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); watercolors (Kuretake); Pure Black & Titanium White acrylic paints (FolkArt); Mini Ferns stencil (Crafter's Worshop); white string (Hobby Lobby); purple, bright pink, & turquoise buttons (SU!); orange button (Buttons Galore & More); Marigold: Lantana Long Labels, Let's Go: Paradise Phrase Strip, Summer Vibes: All Day Flair Button, Picnic Tags, Let's Go Outside 3x4 Journaling, & Aloha Die Cuts, Baby Claire & Jack: Baby Avery Yellow Confetti Mix, Here Comes the Sun: Black Label Sticker, Treasure Island: Pickles Parrot Vintage Die Cut, & Sunny Clear Word Art (PLS)

The Studio You Challenge

Happy Sunday, y'all!  There's a new challenge up in The Studio, and it's all about you.  As long as we learn something about you from your page, you may interpret this challenge any way your little heart desires.  Here's how I was inspired.

I started this page by applying a little gesso to the multicolored, polka dot, base page.  Once it was dry, I added a few watercolor puddles and splattered everything with those same shades of pink, teal, and mint.  I then started a pile of prints to back my photograph, which was matted with white cardstock; but before anchoring them with gold-threaded, straight, machine stitching, I splattered everything with Pure Black and Titanium White acrylic paints.  My cut-apart, "dreams ARE FOR CHASING" title was stapled peeking out from under the left side of my prints; backed with a yellow and pink label, which stretches to the opposite side of my photo and had its left-side corners rounded; and topped with a "today" die cut, popped up with foam tape, as well as a "what's next?" phrase sticker.

A gold foil, chipboard frame, as well as a doily, was tucked under the top edge of my prints.  The top right corner of my photo was embellished with a chipboard tag, laced with gold thread, tied in a bow; and a couple of phrase stickers round the corner...

to two cut-apart tags, laced with white and yellow string, tied in bows, respectively, as well as a mint label, which houses my December 24, 2011, date.  I also tucked a pink, floral, cut-apart label under the bottom right side of my photo.  Gotta love those layers!

The bottom of my design was dressed up with lots of chipboard, die-cut, and sticker phrases, as well as my journaling, which was prompted by a stamped, in Jet Black ink, "the details".  The journaling reads, Johan [my brother-in-law] took this photo for my Designer of the Month feature in the April 2012 issue of CARDS Magazine.  I nearly fell out of my seat, when I got the request from Hannah [Craner].  It was a dream I never really thought would come true and the boost of creative confidence I needed to continue sharing my love for paper with others.

That brings us to the bottom left corner of my photo.  It was dressed up with a gold foil, transparency flower, backed with a couple of feather die cuts and topped with a butterfly die cut, set atop a nest of gold thread.  A number of phrases were stamped, in Jet Black ink, throughout the design; and a sprinkling of sparkling clear sequins completes the look.  Eeek!  I just adore these sequins, but I've already used every last one of them :(.  Please send more, Trina!

Further inspiration for this page came from Citrus Twist's February 19th Sunday Sketch.

You have until Sunday, March 12, 2017, to link up your takes, on this You Challenge and/or our February Sketch Challenge, in the right-hand column of The Studio blog.  Be sure to stop by the challenge link above to see how the rest of the team was inspired.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Dream Catcher (The Craft's Meow); Today You (Ali Edwards); "why stop dreaming?" & "get crafty" (Citrus Twist) Paper: white (Recollections); multicolored polka dot & aqua hexagons (Crate Paper); yellow speckled (Citrus Twist); pink floral, black plus sign, & teal polka dot (Maggie Holmes) Ink: Jet Black & Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink (Ranger); Black PITT artist pen (Faber Castell) Other: gold thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); gesso (O'Leary Paint); watercolors (Kuretake); star stencil (Jenni Bowlin); Pure Black & Titanium White acrylic paints (FolkArt); white string (Hobby Lobby); gold foil transparency flower (Freckled Fawn); "You are capable of amazing things" die cut (Pinkfresh); tags, "dreams ARE FOR CHASING", yellow/pink label, pink floral label, & tag cut-aparts (Maggie Holmes); staple & stapler (office supply store); phrase stickers & mint label (Pinkfresh for Citrus Twist); yellow twine, doily, sparkling clear sequins, & today, feathers, & butterfly die cuts (Citrus Twist); chipboard elements (American Crafts); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

Friday Faves

Evening, y'all!  Just popping back in after my dinner date, as I didn't want to tread all over today's earlier post, to share this month's Friday Faves lineup.  It all begins with Reverse Confetti's super sweet, Cured stamp set.  Those darling pigs had me at hello, and the puny sentiments couldn't possibly be any more perfect.

I adore these Love My Heart Crochet Coin Purses from Studio Won Jun.  They're so deliciously simple, practically inviting, and just as cute as can be!

I wanted to get my hubby and I Magic Twirl's Orion Half Heart Keychains for Valentine's Day.  I love the unique, hand-painted quality and availability for custom personalization of all of Liliia's shop items.  I just wasn't sure how well they'd hold up to my hubby's abuse.  He's so hard on things!  I may have to give them a try one day, though.  LOVE!

Finally, I couldn't resist throwing in Converse's All-Star Chuck Taylor Sneakers.  I lived in a pair of these when I was growing up; and thanks to a sweet sale and $35 in Kohl's cash, I'm so excited to have added them back into my wardrobe recently.  They'll be light and airy and perfect for the hot temps summer promises to bring our way.

That does it, for this month, folks.  Thanks, as always, for stopping by!  Hugs!

PLS Feature Friday: Tips for Mixing Patterned Papers

Happy Friday, y'all!  I trust you've all had a wonderful work week!  Ours has been super busy with a lot of appointments to keep and, of course, our studies; but I'm looking forward to dinner out with a girlfriend this evening to relax and unwind.  Before all the unwinding can begin, though, I'm up on the Pretty Little Studio blog, sharing a happy, winter-themed page of my big kiddos, before there ever was a little kiddo.  And if you'll hang in there with me until the end, I've got my top ten tips for mixing patterned prints to follow.  So, let's just get started.  Shall we?

I started this page by adding blue watercolor to the 12" x 12", watercolor, base page; stamping a few random snowflakes in Jet Black ink; and splattering everything with the same shades of watercolor used previously, as well as Pure Black and Titanium White acrylic paints.  I then anchored a happy mix of print strips, from numerous, different collections, horizontally, just left of vertical center, with gold-threaded, straight, machine stitching, before topping them with my tower of photos, which were matted with white cardstock.  The "SNOW Adorable" title was created, along the vertical left edge of my photos and over a vellum, snowflake die cut, with Gold Metallic A to Z Die Cuts and an "Adorable" Word Art die cut, popped up with foam tape.

My topmost photograph was wrapped with a length of Baker's Twine, tied in a bow and embellished with a couple of Magical Words Stickers, as well as a Rose Bush Tab, housing my Feb. 21, 2013, date.  You'll also find another vellum snowflake peeking out from behind its top right corner.

The ends of a couple of Salt Lake Clear Shipping Tags creep out from under my center photograph and add a scrumptious pop of blue right in the center of the design.  A "joy" Jingle Bell Words Die Cut was popped up with foam tape...

just behind the top edge of our Belle Kids Vintage Die Cut, which I backed with a tangle of gold thread, yet another vellum snowflake, and a "let it snow" Remember Banner.  A number of smaller, vellum, snowflake die cuts were scattered throughout the design, along with our 4mm and 8mm Crystal Sequins, to complete the look.

Without further adieu, here are my top ten tips for mixing patterned papers.  For clarification purposes, I've pointed out how these tips were put into practice on this particular page.  However, these are my go-to methods for combining prints on any and all my papercraft projects.

1. Repeat colors.  I've stuck with a mostly blue and red palette on my page.
2. Mix types of the same pattern.  I've included two vellum, snowflake prints, as well as a blue, snowflake, patterned paper; and there's even snowflakes on the Trees & Flakes print.
3. Match colors, not patterns.  This tip may seem to contradict the previous one; however, even my snowflake prints are all blue or considered a neutral.  I wouldn't want to throw pink or purple snowflakes into this particular design.
4. Involve embellishments.  All of my embellishments include the colors red and/or blue or are, once again, considered a neutral.  They also keep the theme of my page in mind.
5. Throw a neutral in with colorful patterns.  This is one of my favorite ways to get lots of different patterns/layers onto a page.  Neutrals tone everything down; and our metallic neutrals add lots of elegance to a project, too.
6. Include a statement pattern.  At first glance, the Trees & Flakes print above may not seem to coordinate; however, it keeps the winter theme of my page in mind and coordinates with the snowflake prints already included in the design.  Therefore, its wow factor works.  Plus, it draws the eye up and away from the embellishments/title work located near the base of the page.  It's all about balance, folks.
7. Vary scales of your patterns.  For example, I've included bold, boxy gingham and large polka dots, not to mention wide stripes, alongside dainty snowflakes and tiny triangles on this particular page.
8. Combine hard lines and soft edges.  Check out the combination of stripes and triangles next to snowflakes and polka dots above.
9. When in doubt, polka dots, stripes, and I'm even going to go as far as to say gingham go with everything.  Consider them the neutrals of prints.
   
10. Have fun!

I hope this collection of tips helps you find success in your future, creative endeavors.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a blessed weekend, friends!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Rustic Greetings (The Craft's Meow) Paper: white (Recollections); vellum (Paper Studio); watercolor (Master's Touch); Wonderland: Gray Snow Vellum 8x8, Holly Jolly: Santa's Bag 8x8, Winter Joy: Trees & Flakes 8x8, Snowy Night 8x8, & Wishes Vellum 8x8, Woodland: Navy Caterpillar 8x8 & Gold Metallic Pebbles 8x8, Here Comes the Sun: Gold Metallic Stars 8x8, & Treasure Island: Jewel Archipelago 8x8 (PLS) Ink: Jet Black (Ranger); Black PITT artist pen (Faber Castell) Other: gold thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); watercolors (Kuretake); Pure Black & Titanium White acrylic paints (FolkArt); Baker's Twine (Clean Country Paper Supplies); Marais Snowflake & Ava Snowflakes craft dies (Poppystamps); Big Shot (Sizzix); Holly Jolly: Magical Word Stickers & Remember Banners, Woodland: Rose Bush Tabs, Winter Joy: Jingle Bell Words Die Cuts, Summer Vibes: Crystal 4mm Sequins & Crystal 8mm Sequins, Let's Go: Salt Lake Clear Shipping Tags, Here Comes the Sun: Gold Metallic A to Z Die Cuts, Gold Metallic Adorable Word Art, & Belle Kids Vintage Die Cut (PLS)

For the Love of Books

Well, hello there, strangers!  I apologize for it being a bit quiet around here.  I've had a lot on my plate and been spreading myself a little too thin lately.  So, I needed to take some time to just enjoy being with my family in this unseasonably warm weather we've been having.  I'm talking short sleeves, y'all!  My big kiddo has even been sporting his shorts on occasion, which is unheard of for February in Kansas.  But despite our truly loving being able to get outdoors and play, I've really missed winter this year.  My most favorite, winter-themed, children's book of all time couldn't explain my grief any better, which is why I've chosen it for this month's For the Love of Books pick.  It is written for children ages four to seven and packed to the brim with big, bold, vibrantly detailed and inviting scenes that prove the author's point of view perfectly.

Simply put, from warm, woolly sweaters and thick blankets of snow to hot cocoa with grilled cheese and lingering cuddles by the fire, Winter Is the Warmest Season, written and illustrated by Lauren Stringer, is a cheerful celebration of all the things that truly make winter the warmest season of all.

Thanks so much for humbling me with a visit, friends!  We're off to Kaden's three-year-old checkup this morning.  It was postponed due to a death in his pediatrician's family.  He's not so fond of going to the doctor.  Wish us luck, and happy reading!

Poppystamps: Be Mine

Hey, y'all!  I'm up on the Poppystamps blog today, sharing my hubby's Valentine.

I started his card by adding a little interest to the Pool Party, cardstock, card face, which had its bottom corners rounded, by rubbing Pumice Stone and Broken China Distress Inks through lattice and heart stencils respectively.  I then popped a white, cardstock Stitched Tunnel Tag up, just right of vertical center, with foam tape.  The tag itself was topped with a piece of watercolor paper, watercolored in shades of blue and speckled with those same watercolors, as well as Pure Black and Titanium White acrylic paints.  The watercolor piece was then stamped, in Jet Black ink, with a trio of hearts and topped with the die-cut, black, cardstock Playful Deer Collage, which I white-embossed with a "be mine" sentiment.  I have no idea why the black is photographing as though it is speckled with white spots.  I promise they aren't there in real life.  Grrr!  So frustrating!  Maybe I'd better take a closer look at my camera lens.  It's been keeping pretty busy lately.  Anyway, both the stamped hearts and sentiment came from our playful, Be Mine Penguins stamp set.

The completed tag was then laced with a length of hemp twine and embellished with a length of white, seam binding ribbon, tied in a double bow and dressed up with a sheer, turquoise, polka dot ribbon, tied in a bow, as well as a turquoise button, laced with a white, string bow.

Our Powell Butterfly, die-cut from Island Indigo cardstock and dressed up with a coat of Clear Wink of Stella, and a trio of wood veneer hearts complete the look.

It will most likely be a bit quiet around here over the next week.  I have a little time before my next DT assignment and will definitely be using such to try to get ahead on a number of projects coming down the line, especially now that basketball season is officially coming to a close.  But I look forward to being back with lots more creativity to share and will, without a doubt, be around to visiting a few of you in the meantime.  Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Be Mine Penguins (Poppystamps) Paper: Pool Party & Island Indigo (SU!); white (Recollections); black (Bazzill); watercolor (Canson Studio) Ink: watermark (Versamark); Jet Black, Pumice Stone, & Broken China (Ranger) Other: foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); lattice & heart stencils & wood veneer hearts (Jenni Bowlin); white seam binding ribbon (Hug Snug); sheer turquoise polka dot ribbon & white string (Hobby Lobby); hemp twine & button (SU!); Clear Wink of Stella (Zig); white embossing powder (Zing!); watercolors (Kuretake); Pure Black & Titanium White acrylic paints (FolkArt); Big Shot (Sizzix); Powell Butterfly, Playful Deer Collage, & Stitched Tunnel Tags craft dies (Poppystamps)

The Studio Sketch Challenge

Hey, y'all!  Just popping in with our first February challenge from The Studio.  We've got a playful sketch, based upon Vivian's take on last month's Mood Board Challenge, for you all, this go around.  Here's how I was inspired.

I started this page by applying a little gesso, to the busy, multicolored background, just to soften it and create a less penetrable surface for my watercolors.  After watercoloring and adding a little texture, through a punchinella stencil, with modeling paste, everything was splattered with more of those same watercolors, as well as Pure Black and Titanium White acrylic paints.  Once everything was dry, I began placing each element, beginning with the cut-apart "NOTES:" journaling prompt, which was stapled to the background and reads, Birthdays are so hard for me.  I hate being the center of attention & watching my family scramble to put something special together.  I don't really mind getting older, though.  Older is wiser & closer to the woman I delight in becoming... a woman who has taught her children to dream big & not to be afraid of failure; who can see true beauty even in the midst of difficulty; who is satisfied right where God has put her; whose friends & family don't doubt her love; and who doesn't doubt she's worth celebrating.

A bright, orange, puffy "delight" was stuck, vertically, along its left edge...

and an orange label, housing a hand-penned, Me @ 37 yrs. Jan. 22, 2015, and anchored, at its right edge, with a hand-cut, from patterned paper, butterfly, secured with messy, white-threaded, machine stitching, tops it.  A trio of stamped, in Jet Black ink, phrases were also added to the mix.

A "LIFE is lovely" cut-apart, which was used as my title, was secured, tucked under and just to the right of my journaling, with white-threaded, straight, machine stitching and embellished with a hand-cut, from a patterned print, butterfly, fastened with more messy, white-threaded, machine stitching.

A couple of Polaroids were tucked under the bottom right corner of the title piece, as well as the stack of machine-stitched prints found under my photo, which was matted with white cardstock.  I just love the way the banner die cut, which was popped up with foam tape, pulls all the colors and elements together perfectly.

I stamped a couple more phrases, just above a die-cut, scallop edge, which, along with the navy, starburst print, found along the bottom edge of the background print, anchors the entire design, and tucked a wax envelope, housing a manila tag, laced with white string, tied in a bow, under the right side of the photo.

The tag itself reads, My poor, little bear has been having such a difficult time getting his teeth.  Thus, the reason for his swollen, red eyes.  BJ made my fave... Apple Crumb Cake.  Yum!

The opposite side of the photo was embellished with a white doily; a trio of stacked, butterfly die cuts, all anchored, down their combined center, with more messy, white-threaded, straight, machine stitching; and a couple of hand-cut pennants, popped up with foam tape.  A sprinkling of clear, sparkle sequins throughout completes the look.

Here is your February Sketch Challenge to get you off and scrapping in the right direction.

You have until Sunday, March 12, 2017, to link up your takes in the right-hand column of The Studio blog.  Be sure to stop by the challenge link above to see how the rest of my talented team was inspired.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: all phrases (Citrus Twist) Paper: white (Recollections); teal polka dot (Maggie Holmes); pink speckled (Crate Paper); multicolored background, navy starburst, & mint triangles (Pink Paislee); yellow arrows (Citrus Twist) Ink: Jet Black (Ranger); Black PITT artist pen (Faber Castell) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); manila tag (Paper Studio); orange puffy "delight" (Fancy Pants); orange label (Pinkfresh for Citrus Twist); polka dot Polaroid, yellow butterfly die cut, yellow scallops, wax envelope, & clear sparkle sequins (Citrus Twist); teal & orange butterflies & banner die cuts (Cocoa Vanilla); "LIFE IS LOVELY", "NOTES:", green butterfly, & "CURRENTLY" & "REMEMBER THIS" phrase cut-aparts (1 Canoe 2); white string (Hobby Lobby); staple & stapler (office supply store); yellow polka dot butterfly & mint Polaroid (Crate Paper); gesso (O'Leary Paint); modeling paste (Liquitex); punchinella stencil (Prima); watercolors (Kuretake); Pure Black & Titanium White acrylic paints (FolkArt)

Poppystamps: Thank You for Your Kindness

Morning, friends!  I'm up on the Poppystamps blog today, sharing a collection of thank yous I sent out for my birthday gifts last month.  Kansas seems to have completely forgotten how to produce snow, and winter really isn't much fun without such.  So, I'm willing the warm weather back with these springtime beauties.

Let's take a look up close and personal.  Shall we?

I started this card by die-cutting the Floral Stem Collage craft die from Coastal Cabana cardstock and its flower, in three layers thick, from Ballet Slippers cardstock.  I then anchored the center of the layered bloom with a soft yellow button, laced with white string; and embellished the petals with a sequin butterfly.

The "thank you for your kindness" sentiment was white-embossed, vertically, along the right edge of the die-cut window, which was backed with clear cardstock.

I then machine stitched a white-threaded, double, straight-stitch frame around the prepped piece's outside edges, before framing its backside with foam tape to house the shaker elements.  I couldn't decide whether I wanted to do a double or single, machine-stitched frame; and while the stitching does help anchor the clear cardstock to the backside of the window, a single layer is sufficient.  So, a few of the cards have only a single layer of such.

A piece of white cardstock was then adhered to the kraft, cardstock, card face, before adhering the window in place over a healthy dose of heart, Sparkling Clear, and Seaspray sequins, as well as silver seed beads and those sweet, little, white, cardstock, Bunny Hop die cuts.  I just love how cute these tiny die cuts look in a shaker!

Further inspiration for this collection came from Cupcake Inspirations' Challenge 393.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope to see you back here, on Sunday, for a new challenge from The Studio.  Until then, have a wonderful rest of your week!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Grateful Heart (Poppystamps) Paper: Coastal Cabana (SU!); Kraft & Ballet Slippers (Wplus9); white (Paper Studio); clear (unknown) Ink: watermark (VersaMark) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); buttons (JoAnn Fabrics); white string, heart sequins, & silver seed beads (Hobby Lobby); white embossing powder (Zing!); Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Summer Vibes: Seaspray Sequins (Pretty Little Studio); butterfly sequins (Maggie Holmes); Big Shot (Sizzix); Bunny Hop & Floral Stem Collage craft dies (Poppystamps)