Happy Valentine's Day 5/2020

Forget chocolates and fresh flowers!  Send me some bulbs to plant so I can enjoy them forever!  Happy Valentin's Day.  Just finished Valentines for all the grandchildren and they must go to the post office tomorrow or they will think I have forgotten them!

I did have to make a shabby chic Valentine card:

I started with a simple red card stock base and added a panel of pink and red hearts.  I added a second panel of beige patterned card stock found in my scraps and glued it catty-cornered and trimmed the edges.  I hot-glued a strip of vintage gathered lace along the left edge of the card.  My focal point is a beautiful vintage print made by my friend and graphics designer, Alicia Reese-Holloway.  I curled the edges of the print and attached it with foam tape.  I added two silk green leaves, three lovely red and white roses and attached pearl stamens behind the roses before hot gluing.  I made a bow using red ribbon and white lace and attached it with hot glue as well.  I added some ecru flat back pearls and a small red foam heart.  All finished and ready for Valentine's Day!  ~  Gracie

Artist Trading Cards for Valentines 4/2020

I am not as comfortable with ATC cards as I am with cards but you never grow if you don't step out of your comfort zone!  I did have fun making them!

I used a paper pack and die cuts I received in a Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine.  It is still available as a past issue.

I used 110 lb card stock cut to 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches and glued back to back using Art Glitter Glue as my base.  I glued coordinating card stock to the front and back of each card.  I also used die cuts from the paper pack and applied them using foam tape.  On the top card I added gold pearls and gold ribbon using hot glue.  On the second I added lace, pink paper roses, a beautiful lace butterfly (from AliExpress), rhinestones and pink satin ribbon using hot glue.  On the third I used dark pink roses with green ribbon and made a pocket with coordinating card stock and tucked the hearts in the pocket before glueing.  Crafting really takes me to my happy place!!!  ~  Gracie

Just a Note... 3/2020

I made a trip to the Dollar Tree the other day and picked up a notebook .  Then the fun began...

It was a simple orange notebook.  I trimmed card stock to fit the front of the note book and used the small hole punch in my Crop a Dile to punch holes along the side of the card stock where the wire passes through.  I cut a small slit through each hole to place the paper to the front of the notebook using Art Glitter Glue.  I used a die cut for the center and place it on a contrasting card stock with foam tape.  then I busted out the glue gun!  I gathered lace and hot glued it under the edges of the die cut.  I hot glued pink paper roses, a butterfly, a gold key with a pink ribbon, some purple rhinestones and a pink satin ribbon bow.  I added a sentiment from Tim Holtz "she kept her word" using Art Glitter Glue.  I think it will make a lovely happy for someone!  ~  Gracie

Who loves Paper Dolls?? 2/2020

Oh, my...  I have started a collection of Julie Nutting stamps and I just love every single one!  Takes me back to my childhood playing with paper dolls that used to come in McCall's Magazine!  Today I made a Valentine tag and card using a Julie Nutting stamp "Travel Girl".

I had so much fun!  I stamped the doll image on white card stock, printed card stock, black card stock and grey card stock using my larger MISTI.  Then the fun begins fussy cutting each little part to make your doll - her head band, glasses, dress, shoes, and bag.  I then added Glossy Accents to the shoes and her glasses.  I colored the doll, sentiment and post card with Spectrum Noir markers.  I went through my stash and found coordinating red/pink card stock and mounted it on a panel of light pink card stock and a panel of red card stock.  For the card I used white card stock as a card base and applied the panel with Art Glitter Glue.  For the tag I used two panels of 110 lb white card stock glued together and applied the panel.  I attached the doll to each with foam tape adding ribbon and silver sequins.  She is ready to fly!!  ~  Gracie

Happy New Year!!! 1/2020

It's been a crazy year around our house!  But things are getting back to normal.  The grand-kids are back in school, the home-schooled grand-kids are hard at work and Elliott is a busy young man at Mississippi State University (SMH - we are Ole Miss Rebels though and through but support his decision 100%!)

I have been busy this month making Valentine goodies!

Valentine Gift Tags

I received a Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine last year with a wonderful paper pack from Hunkydory.

For some reason it got set aside and I found it while straightening my wreck of a craft space following a busy holiday season crafting!  It included a wonderful paper pack!  I used the card stock with the die cuts included to make my Valentine tags.  I trimmed 110 lb white card stock to make the tags and glued the beautiful papers and die cuts with Art Glitter Glue (if you haven't tried it - it is WONDERFUL!)  I added pink satin and white ribbon from Michaels and a few rhinestones.  The die cuts are placed with foam tape.  All ready for presents!!  ~  Gracie

Love Letter Stack 1/24/19

It's getting close to Valentine's Day!  Today I want to share a Love Letter Stack.  These are really fun to make and share!

I started my stack by choosing five papers which coordinate.  I actually went through several paper pads and picked paper randomly.  I used my envelope punch board and created envelopes sized 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches.  I used chipboard to stuff the first four envelopes and stacked them catty corner and secured them with hot glue.  The last envelope on top I attached a gold ribbon to the bottom before adhering it to the stack.  I stuffed craft goodies in the envelope and tucked the flap under the bow.  I went through my stash and added a bit of lace, roses, a medallion, a buckle to the flap and a lovely butterfly made by my dear friend, Alicia Reese Holloway!  This gem will be mailed off! ~ Gracie

Embellishment Box

Embellishment Box 1/17/2019

Oh, my goodness!  So much fun to make!  But word to the wise - measure twice and cut once.  Or measure three times!!!

Front Cover

I started the box with 3 pieces of chip board measuring 5 inches x 7 inches (2) and 5 inches x 2 1/2 inches (1).  I covered the pieces front and back with white card stock measuring 14 1/2 inches x 9 inches (join 2 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 together) and secured the edges with red-lined adhesive, allowing a 1/8 inch gap between the spine and front and back.  I then covered the white card stock with DSP.

I created a box for the right side.  I used white card stock and it measures 4 1/2 x 6 inches.  The left has three files sandwiched together.  The were also made with white card stock.  I added DSP to the inside of the box, the top of the box, and the fronts of the files.  Then I went through my stash and added embellishments.

I stuffed my box with note cards and craft goodies!

It's ready to be mailed! ~ Gracie