Merci Bouquet

I may have already mentioned how much I love Wendy Vecchi's new Tabbed Classics Collection from Spellbinders; and also that I (now) love stenciling on perforated paper. This time I used the Build a Plaid Layering Stencils (from Not Your Ordinary Card Collection) with Wendy's Archival Inks on the perforated, having cut the decorative pocket cover from the Essential Envelopes Everyday Add-On set and added more decorated stitching to the widest strip of plaid.

I decided the pocket shape was a bit like a vase (...just go with it...) and since I had a bunch of leftover blue and purple flowers (also from Everyday Add-Ons) from this post, I decided they'd be the perfect addition. I made a split background with the Polka Dot and Posy Duo Embossing Folder to set the scene. 

Check out the Make Art with Wendy Vecchi Facebook Group for lots more ideas, inspiration, tips, techniques and projects; you can thank me later!

Icons of Fall

Autumn *begins* at the end of September, but somehow it really kicks into high gear after Halloween. Here are some favorite Fall Icons, represented by Eyelet Outlet Brads: colorful Leaf Brads; an acorn from the Acorn & Squirrel Set; a Sunflower, and a Pumpkin Brad... all set off perfectly with Wide Brick Washi Tape.

Fabulous Fall Shopping List:

Leaf Brads

Acorn & Squirrel Brads

Sunflower Brads

Pumpkin Brads

Wide Brick Washi Tape

Everything you need for Autumn and Winter (and Holiday!) cardmaking can be found in the Eyelet Outlet Online Store!

SOS560: A Few of My Favorite Things

The new challenge at Shopping Our Stash is called, "A Few of My Favorite Things" and what we'd like you to do is make a card that uses two or more of YOUR favorite crafty ingredients... and make sure you tell us what they are and why. Sound like fun? I thought so, too! Though honestly, the hardest part for me was to focus in on just a FEW favorite things... 'cause I have lots, lol!

Pertaining specifically to this card/challenge, THESE are a few of my Favorite Things:

1. COLLAGE! Not a thing, as such, but a style that I always love, especially with lots and lots of layers and a combination of items that don't necessarily "go" together but I liked how they looked.

2. Stickers! All of the flowers here are from the Botanist's Sticker Anthology book that Stephanie gave me a year or two ago and despite lots of use, I still have loads left. If you love stickers and/or beautiful books, you should check out the DK Sticker Anthology series.

3. Washi Tape! I love all beautiful tape and LOTS of my faves are from Eyelet Outlet; but in this case, I broke out the BIG guns...49 and Market's 4" wide (four inch wide!) Spectrum Sherbet Lace Washi. Again, I've had this for several years and I'm maybe only about halfway through the eleven yard roll.

4. Vintage Goodies! Some years ago, I realized that I have sooooooo much vintage paper, the only way to even make a dent in it was to start my own Etsy Shop (it's called Just Enough Stuff, just sayin') and make themed packs of vintage and found collage ephemera, including illustrations, sheet music, foreign text, nature images, and lots of other stuff. On this card, there's part of a map and the map index, some sheet music and a Georgian building; plus a strip of grey and purple bus tickets that my friend Heather brought back from South America.

5. Machine Stitching! Again, a technique rather than an item, but I do love stitching on cards. Mostly, I just like the look and the texture, but in the case of collage cards, when there are lots of items that go right to the edge, stitching around the perimeter is quite useful, because you know that NOTHING is going to fall off or try to curl up. So it's win/win. I am also still in love with inked edges, and you can see that there's just a tiny bit of Frayed Burlap around the edge between the stitching and the card base.

6. BIG Cards! Kind of tangential, but I really do enjoy making larger-than-A2 cards. This one is A7 (about 5 x 7"); I also love A6's (6.25 x 4.75"ish) and 5.5" square cards. I expect this is because I'm somewhat of a Maximalist; also when it comes to collage, the images are whatever size they are and I hate to cut off too much so... (shrug) ...I sometimes make cards that are whatever size they turn out to be and then figure out the envelope issue later. :)

There are lots more inspiring cards from the Crew at SOS, and you can read about their Favorite Things as well. SOS560: A Few of My Favorite Things runs until the evening of Monday, November 17th and we'd love for you to join us!

Stickles Autumn Sparkle Card

Autumn is a season full of color and drama, but alas, not much sparkle... except, as in this case, in card form! Head on over to the Ranger Project Tutorials Page and follow along as I combine Stickles Glitter Glue and Archival Inks in lots of lovely fall shades to make...  

...this vibrant fall greeting!

Pumpkin + Patchwork

Here's a twist on the ordinary mandala: it's a zen doodle pumpkin drawn with Letter It Fineliners from @ranger_ink ...set in a patchwork of orange patterned paper. Inside my Dina Wakley 6x6" square Kraft Journal, which is no longer available but... there are lots of other amazing journal choices at Ranger; including large, small, Kraft, watercolor, square, ledger and more; you should probably check them out!

I hope your first week of November is off to a good start! ♥

Hey Little Pumpkin!

Here's a fast and easy Autumnal crochet project for which you can use ANY yarn, including leftovers (which is what I did); the pattern is FREE from Sarah Maker's website and you can choose between three sizes. There's only minimal finishing, as well, which is a big fave of mine. Also, it's worked flat rather than in the round, which I know a lot of folks prefer; and you need only know a few basic stitches, so this is a great project for beginners.

I used one strand of Lion Brand TruBoo and one strand of the leftovers of some fancy yarn store variegated yarn that I can't remember the name of; on a G or F hook... but truly, this is one of those projects where you can pretty much wing it and still come away with an adorable make!

HOPPY Anniversary

Would this be a good time for another funny, punny, fanciful card made with my Gina is Arty Clipart? (Let's assume the answer to that was, "Yes" ok? Thanks.) I've made a few "HOPPY" cards using stamps or Eyelet Outlet Brads. The pun works excellently with frogs, beers and... as in this case... BUNNIES! 

This time I used two of Gina's whimsically colored rabbits, plus a bunch of her multicolor hearts. I added a Dymo sentiment and a gel print background that I adorned with a bunch of white 49 and Market rub-ons from the Ranger store.  I matted the design panel on black and then attached the whole thing to a black A7 card featuring another coordinating gelli.

Here's a reminder what the book cover looks like and HERE IS A LINK to the page on Amazon where you can purchase your very own copy. Want to see a Flip Through before you buy? Visit THIS POST on Gina's Instagram @ginaisarty where you'll also find lots more of G's beautiful art and merch! Want a chance to *WIN* a copy of the book? Check out THIS POST on Gina's Instagram! ♥