...Crush on flags...(with an update)

It used to be that whenever someone mentioned flags and banners sailing and signaling flags came to mind.
 
Signaling flags are composed of different colors, shapes, and markings, which used alone or in combination, spell out different messages. The flags include 26 square flags for the letters of the alphabet and ten numeral pendants. The colors of the flags were selected because they are the most distinguishable at sea - red, blue, yellow, black, and white.



 

Besides providing maritime communication, signal flags are used to dress ships for ceremonial and festive occasions. Mariners string the flags end-to-end and hang them from the rigging in a bow-to-stern direction.

Being a resourceful and adaptable group, paper crafters started using both flags and banners to dress up everything from layouts to cards quite some time ago.  I remember the first time I saw a colorful banner on a birthday card...I fell in love.  It added such a whimsical, fun feel.  Flags and banners are one of my favorite elements to add to a project.
 
In this first card, I used the mini flags as tails to the medallion ribbon.  Layered vintage sheet music and embossed card stock...just lovely, don't you think?
 

Materials used:  card stock, printed vintage image, DCWV paper, K&Company paper, vintage doily, vintage sheet music, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen, crinkle seam binding, vintage buttons, baker's twine, tag, Hot Off the Press clear stamp sentiment, Kaiser adhesive pearl and Jolee's pearl bling.

This next card uses the same mini flags but in varying sizes and patterns.  I positioned white lace stickers over the top of the flags for balance.
 

Materials used:  card stock, Crafty Secrets paper, DCWV paper, Tattered Angels Glimmer Chips, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, vintage lace, paper doily, Tsukineko chalk ink in Malted Mauve, stamped sentiment, Hot Off the Press Dazzle lace stickers, leaves, American Crafts rose trim, and Prima adhesive pearl.

So, what's not to crush on?  Flags and banners in varying sizes, colors, and patterns can be used on any type of paper craft without breaking the bank...all you need is paper and a pair of scissors.  Though I have to admit to having just purchased the 'Build a Banner' stencil from Hot Off the Press.  Well worth the cost since I'm not one to measure twice and cut once.  The stencil has only enhanced my crush.
 
What's your favorite element to add to a paper project?
I'd love to see some of your favorites, so be sure and post a link with your comment so that I can stop by and take a look.
Have a wonderful day!
 

                 

Update:  I've put myself out there and entered my "Wishes" card in a contest over at Practical Scrappers, so if you feel so inclined (and without any form of bribery on my part) head on over and leave a comment expressing how much you love my card.  You can vote on up to three different cards each day until October 6th.  Leave some love, folks! ;)

...A Kitschy Tuesday Trigger...

With the last challenge behind me (without entering), and two failed attempts put away in a dark corner where I can't dwell on them, it's onto the next Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger. 

Delightfully Random

I love this!  It looks so kitschy and colorful...certainly outside my box, but I'm going for it!

Of course, with my confidence taking a blow with the last challenge, I turned to Valerie Salmon at Got Sketch? for a bit of a starting point.  I decided on an older sketch (#122 from June 29th)...a little retro to retro?

Without as much as a hiccup, I ended up with a set of Thank You cards...that's right TWO (2) cards!  I incorporated all the colors from the inspiration photo to keep the sentiment happy and thoughtful.

Materials used:  card stock, DCWV Cotton paper, lace, hand-cut bird from Pebbles paper, Basic Grey fabric/button blossom, Pebble's Chips, paper doilies, Tsukineko pigment ink in Moonlight White, Hero Arts wooden sentiment stamp, button, and baker's twine.

I can't tell you how happy I am that I was able to get past the flops from last week and move on.  It honestly pays to keep your head up and move forward...listen to your mothers! :)

Thanks for stopping in, and I hope I've inspired you.                

...October Tag...

Another month passes by in the blink of an eye.  It's already starting to look like fall around here with the leaves changing into deep hues of gold, orange and red...though we've managed to hang onto a few extra days of summer weather (getting as high as 80 degrees some days).  The days are warm and the nights cool...just perfect in my book. 

The fall season is my favorite here in Maine, but I am sorry to see summer winding down.  The girls and I enjoyed the beaches more times than I can count, and we just love spending time outdoors, but fall is beyond beautiful and the crisp air is so invigorating.  There are county fairs being held all over the state where you can purchase some amazing handmade crafts, savor organic and fun foods (fried dough being one of my favorites!), and enjoy a nice hot cup of apple cider. 

I've channeled my love of fall into October's tag.  I used a lot of scraps and vintage items and lots of layering. 

Materials used:  standard shipping tag, vintage bingo card, vintage dress pattern, vintage buttons, vintage lace, vintage doily, paper doily, hand cut bird from DCWV paper, leaves, burlap, key charm, Joann's initial brad, Tim Holts Distress ink in Black Soot, and American Crafts clear stamps.

                         

I hope you're spending time outside because before you know it, we'll be knee deep in winter.

Have a wonderful day!

                 

                   

...Update on the twins...

They've been cleared to go home!

Aren't they the most precious little bundles of sweetness you've ever seen?

Life is good!

                 

...a flop x 2=missed challenge...

I've been participating in Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Challenge for a couple of weeks now, and the last one was a little tough extremely frustrating for me.  I'm not sure why, but I honestly tried.  Twice.  Both attempts were complete flops.

Garden Glory

The inspiration photo was sweet enough...I loved the color combo.  Not something I would usually gravitate towards, but that's what these challenges are all about, right?  Forcing you to look and work outside the proverbial box.

My first attempt was okay.  I liked the way it turned out...for the most part...except for the flower within the frame.

To me, it's a bit blah.  I stamped the image and then embossed it for depth, but it didn't turn out exactly the way I had intended.  So....

I tried again.  Bleck.  I absolutely hate the way the bird turned out.  I sprayed it with Walnut Ink and then randomly attached bits of vintage paper, but I thought it was too dark for the rest of the card, so I painted over it with Making Memories Daffodil paint.  Didn't help any.

Live and learn, as my Mom used to say. 

I figured I'd go ahead and share my creative duds in hopes that some of you might have some ideas on how to salvage the flower or the bird.  Honestly, it pains me to look at them as they are.  Although I didn't enter these cards into the challenge, I consider my overall designs spot on...the execution just came up short.

Keep creating!

                   

...Babies!...

I've mentioned in previous posts that I'm one of those people who will go waaaaay out of her way just to goo and gaa over someone else's baby.  I've also said that I would have a whole bunch of babies myself if I didn't have to pay for them or want to retire to someplace nice someday.  With that said, I'd like to introduce you to the newest members of our family.

Kayleigh Marie

September 6th

9:50am

5lbs. 3oz.

Greyson Mackenzie

September 6th

9:53am

4lbs. 3oz.

They were born to my step-daughter, Ashleigh, and her husband, Tyler.  They came 6 weeks early, but I can say that as of today, they are making impressive strides towards going home soon.  They will be joining big brother, Jaxon.

Since they live in Kansas, all my baby needs will have to be met through pictures and videos until they are strong enough to visit.  In the meantime, I created a couple of cards to send with their gifts.

Materials used:  Card stock, printed vintage image, Studio 112 journaling tag, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, Making Memories Pitter Patter paper, felt lamb, paper blossoms, vintage buttons, vintage lace, DCWV Nana's Nursery paper, K&Company paper, Inkadinkado clear stamps, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Pearl and machine stitching.

Material used:  Card stock, Making Memories Pitter Patter paper, felt duck and star, Crinkle seam binding, Inkadinkado clear stamps, DCWV Linen Closet paper, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, vintage button, Thickers alpha stickers and machine stitching.

I'm feeling incredibly blessed with the addition of these beautiful babies.  It reminds me how wonderful the world can be.

Thank you for stopping by!

                

...Birthdays birthdays everywhere...

September and October are busy months for me.  I have 5 birthdays to create cards for, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone (as they say) and go to Moxie Fab World for inspiration.  It would seem that they're just as busy with 6 challenges all going on at the same time.  That sort of works out for me though...a challenge for each card.

My first card was inspired by the horizontal sketch designed by Go-to-Gal, Kim Hughes.

The card I created is for my Nana who is turning 85 years young on Friday and suffers from Alzheimer's.  She is the most amazing woman I know, and I love her so much.

Materials used:  6.5"x5" card stock, DCWV paper, Prima packaging, vintage buttons, Prima blossoms, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist is Vintage Pink, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye and Tattered Rose, glassine bag, paper doily, Fiskars Butterfly Magic clear stamps, Crafty Secrets paper, baker's twine, and Prima pearls.

I created this next card for my daughter, Madison, based on Nina Bracket's shaped sketch.

  I went with an oval shape rather than the round and used a sweet printed vintage image that reminded me of my Peanut.  She loves animals and is such a tender spirit.

Materials used:  4"x6" card stock, printed vintage image, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, vintage button, Inkadinkado clear stamp sentiment, K&Company paper, TaDa Creative Studios paper, paper doily, Martha Stewart gems, Heidi Grace rhinestones, and machine stitching.

For the next card, I turned to Julie Campbell's vertical sketch and tossed in the Card Play challenge just because I love the idea of using playing cards...especially on a masculine card. 

This card was a stretch for me because I'm all about texture and lots of layers, but I love the way it turned out, and I certainly hope Brian loves it too.

Materials used:  5"x6.5" card stock, DCWV paper, playing cards, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye, grosgrain ribbon, Prima pebbles, Kaiser pearl and monotype corsiva font.

I also used the Card Play Challenge on a birthday card for my brother-in-law, Brad.

Materials used:  6.5"x5" card stock, printed image, Crafty Secrets paper, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot, Basic Grey paper, DCWV paper, satin ribbon, bakers twine, Kraft cardstock tag, eyelet, vintage button, wooden stamp, K&Company stamped sentiment, adhesive gems, vintage wooden bingo chip, and paper clip.

This last card is for my sister, Kasey.  She is my best friend, and we've gone through so much together.  I didn't turn to any of the challenges for this one because I already had the design worked out beforehand.

Materials used:  6.5"x5" card stock, DCWV paper, Graphic 45 paper, 7 Gypsies paper, Tim Holtz Distress ink in Tea Dye, twill tape, corrugated cardboard butterflies, Hero Arts sentiment stamp, crinkle seam binding, Studio G pigment ink in gold, floral pins, Prima pearls.  FLOWER: paper doily, fabric, burlap, DCWV paper, Prima rose, metal button and vintage button.

A few posts back, I was complaining about my mojo going on vacation, but with the help of Moxie Fab World, I've been able to maintain a level of creativity I can be proud of.

I hope you take time for yourself and create something special today.

              

...Love Devine...

There isn't anything classier than pink and black, and The Shabby Tea Room is challenging you to create a paper project with a wedding, anniversary or celebration theme using these colors and any neutrals such as white, cream or kraft.

They even provide enough eye candy to get your mojo flowing...

The designers outdid themselves with this challenge (as they always do!), and there are already quite a few takers out there in the crafting world, so the pressure was on.

I chose to go with a wedding theme:

Love Devine

Lots of texture and bling...two of my favorite things.  You can't tell by the photo, but I embossed the hand cut mirror with a lace pattern.  I had so much fun creating this card that I'm already working on another one with a slightly different design.

Materials used:  card stock cut to 5"x6.5", K&Company paper, DCWV paper, embossed hand cut mirror, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye and Tattered Rose, mini tag, K&Company clear stamps, paper doily, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Pearl, American Crafts large rose trim, Prima gem flower centers, Making Memories paper and tulle blossoms, Prima vines, vintage lace, Prima adhesive gems, Hero Arts sentiment wooden stamp, Jolees pearl bling, floral pins, Ranger embossing powder in black, and machine stitching.

You only have until tomorrow, September 11th, to get your paper creation posted to The Shabby Tea Room for a chance to win a great prize from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope I've inspired you to create something special today!