Christmas In July - Part 2

Hi there, everyone!  I'm back today to share my first Christmas card for the 2018 season.  For this card, I used the beautiful papers from an older Pion Design collection called "The Night Before Christmas."

This card was inspired by a card I saw on the Pion blog.  All paper edges were inked and distressed.  A Penny Black antique frame die was used on the dark burgandy paper.  On the Santa image as well as the sentiment banner, I also added some Prima Snowflake Paste.  The doily is from a Prima die.  Lace, seam binding, bell and twine are from my stash.  Pearls are Melissa Frances.  I then added some white splatters using water-downed gesso.

I just love these old-fashioned images and paper patterns.  I was so hesitant to cut into the papers but it was time to do so.  I hope you like my card.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by.  I appreciate your kind comments and enjoy reading them.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Christmas in July - Part 1

In watching YouTube for crafting videos, I have been seeing a lot of projects this month focusing on Christmas in July.  I decided to join in and get a start on my Christmas projects.  This week, I am sharing some tiny tags using Tim Holtz dies.

These tags are quite tiny, measuring under two inches.  You can get an idea of the size by comparing to the quarter on the right.  These were somewhat tedious to make because of all the extra tiny parts.  I used Distress cardstock to cut everything out.  For each of the images, I used glittered cardstock.  However, I wasn't happy with how it looked on the Santa; so I used Snow Writer and Diamond Dust on his beard and hat.  A holly sticker was added to the candy cane and some rhinestones were added to the snowflake.  Twine and tinsel garland were used for the ties.  Because it was so time consuming to make these, I think the next time I will just cut everything out on white cardstock and color with Copics. 

Here is a look at the card I made as well.  Details will be on my blog next week.

Thank you for taking time to stop by and for leaving a comment.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Love Story Tag

Recently, I was gifted with several sheets of Prima's Love Story papers and decided to make a tag with some of it.

Using a piece of cardboard to cut out the tag shape, I then covered both sides with the paper.  Isn't that image so sweet?  I edged it in a lacy trim to bring attention to it and mounted it on a piece of cardboard for dimension.  If you click on the photo, you will see some feathers I diecut from the paper using a Spellbinders die.  Various flowers, leaves, and resin birds from my stash surround the image.  A couple of hemp bows are tucked under the image along with cheesecloth.  Across the bottom of the tag, I added some trims and pearl strands.  A bit of lace and seam binding were tied to the top.

Well, that's my share for today.  It is an overcast day here but still warm and humid.  The next few days will be hotter and humid as well.  Counting the days until Fall! 

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by.  For those that leave a comment, I thank you.  I enjoy reading them and appreciate hearing from you.  Have a most wonderful week ahead!

Shabby Chic Embellishment Box

Recently, I tried my hand at altering a small plastic tool box (measuring about 5x7 inches) for a swap.  I must admit I was a bit intimidated by it; however, I gave it a whirl!  Here it is.

First, I gave the lid a coat of off-white paint and crackle paste.  After it dried, I couldn't see any crackling.  On to Plan B which was to cover the lid in a lacy fabric.  I then went through my stash and pulled out various trims, appliques, flowers, etc.  The flower to the left of the beige center flower was made by me using some trim and a pretty pearl cluster for the center.  I added a glittery bird for a touch of whimsy.  Here are some photos of the box from various angles.

Inside I added an assortment of trinkets and do-dads that can be added to different kinds of projects.  If you click on each photo, you can get a larger view of things.

Well, there you have it--my first altered embellishment box.  It wasn't quite so intimidating once I got started!

Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.  I appreciate each one and enjoy reading them.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

We Are Free Tag

Hello friends!  July has arrived and brings with it a long heat wave with the dreaded humidity!  For me, I can never understand why anyone loves the summer.  But, then again, many cannot understand why I love cold weather.  July also brings the Independence Day holiday (4th of July).  With that in mind, I created this tag.

The inspiration for this tag came from Sara Emily over at Sara's Closet.  I loved how she used Tim Holtz' paper doll and wanted to use it for a tag of my own.  Just about every item on this tag is from Tim Holtz.  No one recreates the old-fashioned, patriotic theme as well as Tim.  I began with a pre-made black tag and covered it with several layers of the Correspondence paper collection.  The chipboard frame isn't Tim's but I used it to frame another one of his papers.  I did use Distress Inks in Weathered Wood, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo on it.  I also used Distress Inks in Aged Mahogany and Blueprint Sketch to tint the paper doll and Tim's seam binding.  The three metal stars from Tim's collection were lightened up a bit with Inka Gold Old Silver Metallic Rub.  Tim's Wildflower dies were used on Distress cardstock and highlighted with Stickles.  The sentiment are from the Small Talk and Chitchat sticker collections.

I really am happy with how the tag turned out and hope you like it, too.  Thank you, Sara Emily, for the inspiration.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by and for your sweet comments.  Wishing those of us in the States a wonderful and safe 4th of July.  Happy Canada Day to our friends up north.