Painted Blooms

Lately, I've been on a crafting streak, and it's only partially because I'm avoiding cleaning my house!  On this beautiful Memorial Day in North Carolina, the sun is shining and we (gasp) have very little humidity!  It's wonderful and makes me think of all the flowers blooming. 

I love to harness moments when inspiration hits and go all out with creating things.  This week, I focused on utilizing the stunning Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper before it officially retires.  I had recently purchased a few frames at Ikea, and was happy to find something to fill them!

First, I cut my piece of DSP to 5 x 7 to fit the frame.  I ended up with a little white space in the corner, and decided to free hand a quote that I found on a stamp set several years ago.  I thought it fit well with this paper!  With some of the remnants, I cut out a few blooms and used some Tombo glue and dimensionals to add a little oomph to the mat of the print.  It's subtle, but I really love to affect.  Even a little butterfly or something in the corner of the glass would be nice!

This one uses the same piece of paper, but I've embossed on it instead using the "Hello Life" stamp set. I also added another bloom with dimensionals in the corner.  It adds such a nice touch and really lets the person receiving this know they are special!

Last, I used some scraps to make a fun accent on the side of my card.  Oh how I LOVE scraps and using up every little bit of something.  Doesn't it make you feel accomplished to use everything you have? :)

I broke out the watercolor paper and colored these lovely tulips with Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizazz, and Crumb Cake Ink.  The background has a little Pool Party wash as well.  Tip: I would recommend painting one part of this (such as the leaves, tulips, or newspaper wrapping) and letting it dry before painting another section.  This will help your painting not to bleed as much.  I went back over my tulips with a more concentrated ink on one side of the bloom to add some dimension after the initial color had dried.

Motivating Missionaries

I was asked a few weeks ago to help with preparing some care packages for our students and chaperones doing to South Africa for 12 days for a mission trip.  We were to write each person a note each day to open during their reflection time each evening.  I knew this would be an undertaking, but always look forward to a challenge!  After developing thoughts and scriptures for each day, I set out to put these in the cards.  Originally, I wanted to hand-write these, but quickly learned (thanks to hand cramps after about note 5) that typing notes and signing each would be easier!

Here are a some of the cards that went into the packets.  Some I made specifically for the group, while I used cards on hand for other days.  I really liked how the first one here turned out.  I tried to make a more masculine and more feminine version so the guys on the trip didn't have too many florally things from me!  The Bon Voyage card used Project Life cards- so easy!

Once I had all the cards finished, they were stacked up on my dining room table ready to package.  I used these super cute chevron bags and some paper scraps to make tags for each bag. 

Last but certainly not least, I made journals for each person.  I was going through a box in my craft room and found some simple journals about Midnight before the packets had to be turned in.  Can you tell my best ideas come late at night?  ;) I just had to make a journal for each person to be able to write down their experiences and journey through their mission.  

Again, I tried to make the guys and gals journals a little different, even down to the writing of their names.  I am super obsessed with this chalk pen, so it gave me an excuse to use it even more!

I can't wait for this group to come back so I can hear all of their stories and see their pictures!

The Art of Repurposing

It's that time of year again!  Time to start going through what is retiring and deciding if I am going to use it up or perpetually hoard it because I like it too much to use it! ;)

I am trying to do the former, although I have my moments from time to time.  One of my organizational spurts lead me to my remaining occasions catalogs and taking off the Sale-A-Bration cover.  I loved the design and look of the inside cover so much and just couldn't stand for these to be thrown out!  So, I just had to use these for some projects.  Free patterned paper is always a hit, y'all!

First project is one I CASED (Copy And Share Everything) from those wonderful folks at Stampin' Up!.  I took the background banner from the Sale-a-Bration cover and added some Project Life cork letters that sadly are retiring in a short month (sniff).

This second guy uses a Sale-a-bration stamp set and Bermuda Bay card stock with some Crushed Curry in the banner.  Man, what I wouldn't have given to have had the new build-a-banner punch for this project!  Patience, Erin!

I have to remind myself sometimes that a simple and clean card can be just as beautiful as it's fussy cousins (I have a tendency to go a little overboard with my decorations!).  This card is simple, clean, and a great way to showcase the great pattern in this paper. If you trade out the rhinestone bling for perhaps a little washi tape, this card would be great for a guy, too.

Here they all are together!  I have a few more covers remaining, so who knows what will come next! 

Happy crafting!