Red, White, Blue OCC Challenge...

I enjoy subscribing to other talented artists' blogs, and a particular favorite of mine is Sandy Hulsart's "Creative Moments with Sandy" and "Scenes by Sandy". This week she is a Guest Designer for "Our Creative Corner", another fabulous blog and they are having their weekly challenge focusing on the colors of Red, White and Blue.

This is my submission entry for their challenge, and I encourage you to submit your own cards using Red, White & Blue for a chance to win free stamps! That's always FUN!

My sister is coming to visit for over a week, and I'm so excited. So, of course, I'm trying my best to "straighten" my craft room, which is a feat in itself! We're going to drive down to Virginia to surprise my Mom this weekend!

As I rummage around and try to make some kind of dent in my creative mess, maybe I'll take a break and stamp some cards with stamps I purchased from the new Hobby Lobby that just opened in our area! More exciting news, the manager has asked me to teach at the store, and I'm also making preparations for my FIRST jewelry party!

What do you think of my Snowflake necklace and matching earrings? My glass lampwork beads are the focus of this pretty necklace as well as a Crystal Silver Snowflake by Swarovski. (Click on the picture and it should show a larger size.)

Stay tuned for more cards and news!

ATC crazy

So, I was on Circle of Crafters and normally I stay within the "General Card Making" category where you can see beautiful cards created by those around the world. Last week, when I was sick, I started browsing the ATC section of the forum. I had forgotten where I started my love of paper crafts. Back in 2004, I went from crazy quilting with fabric, to making fabric ATC's, then onto paper ATC's. I remember loving the tiny art treasures that I had made and exchanged in yahoo groups.

Needless to say, I decided to test the waters and joined the International ATC Swap. Instantly, 6 ladies asked to trade with me, so of course, I started making them right away. Below are the fruits of my labors!


The first ATC was done with a stamped floral background from Stampin' Up (I love that stamp). I stamped it in black ink onto glossy cardstock, then with a paintbrush, I painted the flowers with ink. I punched the edges, added a glittery oval peel-off sticker from Pop Ups by Plane Class and glittered a sticker dragonfly. I mounted that piece to a shimmery soft lavender cardstock, added some pretty rhinestones on the corners and was done! All ATC's are sized 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches.

The second ATC uses a floral background that my daughter made for me (she's the true artist)! I then punched a pretty border strip, added it to the background and topped it off with a glittered peel-off butterfly sticker.

This third ATC was from an unfinished greeting card. I had punched the white background using various hand punches from a pattern I made, but never finished the card. I dug in my stash and found the floral basket sticker, and mounted that to the background card. Then I sliced it in half! I was able to make 2 ATC's from that background piece! I backed it with a pretty teal foil cardstock, added a gingham bow and some rhinestones and was pleased with the results.

ATC #4 uses the other half of the stamped image of ATC #2. I used the same techniques for that card as well.

ATC #5 uses Copic Sketch Markers, a Thomas Kinkade stamp and two Stampscapes rubber stamps. I made the early morning background by taking the markers and adding colors for the sky. I used Pale Blue (B32), Heath (V01), Powder Pink (YR00), and Mauve Shadow (BV00). I then stamped the Pine Tree with Marvy Inks in Salvia Blue, Pale Lilac, Gray, and Blue #3. I used Salvia Blue and Blue #3 ink for the birds, and Black for the sentiment.

The last ATC, I decided to do a tiny version of Paper Embroidery. This was a fun and quick card to make and you don't necessarily have to use it for just ATC's. It works perfect as a miniature to mount to a regular card. You could back it with a pretty cardstock, then adhere it to a Cuttlebug embossed background. The pattern is below for your pleasure.

On a final note, I've also been doing my glass work and below is a picture of my latest beads! I'm having a blast and learning so much! I'm making very pretty bookmarks with my beads, and if you're interested in seeing some, just drop me an email and I'll show them!

the start of a busy week....

Well, I'm starting my week out with some cards and a free pattern for you to enjoy! This pattern is a release from my book, "All Ways Stitching". I'll gradually be releasing these patterns on my website, and on Circle of Crafter's from time to time, as the book won't be printed again. Enjoy!

This next card is very versatile as it fits a lot of occasions. I made this for my mom for Mother's Day. I used the new Fiskar punches and I did a tutorial on using them in a previous post. Once I punched my card, I put it through the Swiss Dots embossing envelope and Cuttlebug.

Though it's hard to see in the picture, I used another 2x2 embossing folder and embossed the sentiment "I Love You" onto white cardstock, backed it with black cardstock, and attached it to the card. I cut strips of ribbon and framed the sentiment from punch corner to corner.

Lastly, I cut out two hearts from a red and black heart scrapbooking paper, and added red rhinestones to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

This sweet card was fun to make, and you could choose any accent color instead of blue. I started with a blue notecard, and attached a pretty black and white scrapbook paper from Kaiser Craft.

On white Bazzill cardstock, I stamped "Melange Background" (Hampton Art) with blue ink then mounted it to the card. Next, I stamped the birds (Inkadinkado) onto another piece of white Bazzill cardstock using black Marvy ink. Below the birds, I stampd "just a note" (Stampendous) in black, then mounted that piece to black cardstock. (You can get all these stamps from Michael's.)

Lastly, here is my latest bead set! Is this too much fun? I'm also learning how to do pumpkins, cats, ghosts, ladybugs, and daisies. I'm still working on getting pictures of my bead sets up on my website. If you like this set and want a bracelet made or want to just buy the beads, feel free to email me. (The small crystals are Swarovski and I only use Sterling Silver, Bali Silver, Tibet Silver and Gold Filled findings.)

New patterns posted!

Here's a free new paper embroidery pattern I've designed for Spring! Right click on the image and save it to your computer. This pattern fits a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch note card.

I've also designed 11 other patterns that are perfect for Graduation, All Occasion and Mother's Day! My daughter will be putting them up on my website, "A Stitcher's Dream" tonight or tomorrow! I will email those on my Paper Embroidery mailing list as soon as they are up! If you'd like to be added to this list, please email me!

For those that are looking for some new pretty cotton threads, here's a great site for Sassa Lynne Perle Cotton Variegated threads! I, of course, have to have them all! You'll find them on Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions, and you'll get a glimpse of what I used to do before Paper Embroidery. Maureen makes beautiful Crazy Quilts and if you click on "My Blog" on her website, you'll see some of her work.

had fun today...

Here's a touch of spring for you today! It's been chilly this week, and this pretty stamp from Sweet Stamps it just what I needed to remind me that spring is on it's way!

I used Marvy Black ink on white Bazzill for this unmounted stamp. I punched the corners from a punch/embosser from Ecstasy Crafts, then colored the image with glitter markers from Marvy. They have such a shimmer to them! Then I attached the piece to a nice shimmery paper I got from a cardstock stack from Michael's, and then mounted both pieces to a polished stone cardstock by Murdock Papers.

I added gold peel off borders, corner stickers and a sentiment to finish the card. Card size 4 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches.

This next card is simple yet elegant. Unfortunately, my scanner didn't pick up the silver well enough in the swirls on the background paper. This would be a great card for Graduation, I think!

The background paper is black with shiny silver swirls which I adhered to a white card. I stamped the tree image by Inkadinkado (one of my favorite stamp companies) using Marvy Black ink onto white Bazzill cardstock. I mounted the stamped image to a piece of black Bazzill cardstock, then added it to the card.

I wrapped pretty silver ribbon around the tree image (as shown above), added a silver bow, and silver peel off sentiment and it's done! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

New Cards finally...

Here's a pretty card I made for my good friend, Sue Iven, for her birthday! We had a lovely evening celebrating at the Olive Garden with great food, wine, and friendship. I used one of the new Stampin' Up Textured plates in the Cuttlebug for this card.

I love these new plates, and you get 6 designs for under $10! You can't beat it, and they are so diverse! You do need a silicone mat to emboss these plates in the Cuttlebug. You'll need your A plate, C plate, cardstock and the silicone mat. Here is how to make the sandwich: A Plate, Texture Plate, Cardstock, Silicone Mat and C Plate. It will be a bit tough to put it through the machine, and you can always try the B plate if it won't go through no matter what you do. If you do have to use your B plate, use cardboard as shims to make it work.

I used a pretty double-sided floral paper from a paper stack I got at Michael's by K & Company and Brenda Walton. One side is the green floral, and the other side is the pink floral. I punched the edge of my embossed white cardstock with one of the new EK Success punches (from Michael's). Next, I mounted a pink strip of paper on the inside of the card, where the punched edge would show.

I punched both ends of the green floral strip with the Fleur-de-lis border punch from EK Success and threaded a pretty pink and gold ribbon through it, then tied a bow. I glittered the embossed white cardstock, added a "Happy Birthday" gold peel-off greeting and it was ready for Sue. She loved it, too! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

This next card is a favorite of mine. I love the color combination and I adore the dandelion rubber stamp by Hero Arts. The mottled background paper is by Murdock papers, and comes in a wide variety of colors. I used the Martha Stewart Lace punch on the background paper and mounted two punched pieces to a white card. Next I tied a black gingham ribbon to the card then stamped "thanks so much" in the white space between the two background pieces. This stamp is from Hero Arts as well.

Lastly, I stamped the dandelion onto white cardstock, adhered it to black cardstock, then mounted it to my card with foam dots. A simple yet elegant card! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Here's a sweet baby card that would work for either a girl or a boy. I used background papers from the "Nursery" stack from Die Cuts with a View that I purchased from JoAnn Fabrics. I cut one strip at 5 1/4 x 2 inches of the words paper, and the same from a green gingham print and adhered them to an olive green card.

I tied a pretty satin lavender ribbon around the card and added a sweet button for fun. I stamped the "baby shoes" from Stampendous on white cardstock and used colored pencils for a touch of color. I glued this piece to darker purple cardstock, then mounted it to the card with foam dots. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

and something new.... I've been playing with glass these past two months!! I've been learning lampworking and am making my own glass beads. I absolutely love this medium. It is so challenging and so much to learn! I've been fortunate to have already sold some of my beads and several bracelets, a necklace and earrings. It's so exciting and I'm having a lot of fun! Stay tuned for more information about my glassmaking!

I haven't posted in a while....

As you can see, I haven't posted in quite a while. I am still alive and kicking, but there are lots of changes going on in my life. I hope you'll be patient with me, as I work out these changes, and get back to creating cards and other fun projects for all of you.

I am currently working on some new Paper Embroidery Patterns, and will be posting a free pattern to Circle of Crafters soon.

Thanks so much for your continued encouragement and friendship.