Shabby/Vintage 50th Girlie Card

My BFF's sister will soon turn 50 and I was intent on making her a special card to mark this milestone.  I always enjoy trying new techniques and improving my skills.  To help me along, I participate in Wednesday's Sketch Challenge on the Cricut forum.  It is just for fun, no pressure challenge where a small group of ladies create card's based on sketches either made by the host or found from various blogs.  We always give proper attribution for these sketches.  There are no prizes - just the opportunity to share our creations, get some feedback and have some fun!  You can join in and learn more here.

I wanted to make a vintage/shabby card.  I have made a few cards in this style and have been inspired by the wonderful cards and creations of the Shabby Tea Room.  This week's challenge is "Anything Goes" and so I will submit this card - just for fun!

I based my card on sketch #1 by Milo Lilja.

 

Papers:  My Mind's Eye - Lost & Found Market Street

Ink: Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Victorian Velvet and Peeled Paint

Handmade Crochet Flower and Paper Flowers

Cricut cuts for flourishes: 3 Birds on Parade, Cindy Loo, Elegant Cakes

and Martha Steward Seasonal Art Cake

Teresa Collins - brad

Miscellaneous ribbons, pearls and gems

I truly enjoyed making this card and building all of the different layers.  Hope you enjoyed it too and thanks for dropping by!

Another handmade flower tutorial

This week at RAQ's Challenge on the Cricut forum, we were challenged to make our own embellishments.  I always enjoy making flowers and trying new techniques.  So this week I combined a Tim Holtz tissue tape flower with a fabric flower that I cut using my Cricut.

Here is the finished product

I started with the tissue tape flower.  Tim Holtz has a great (and simple) video that you can follow Tim Holtz Tissue Tape Flower.  For my flower, I cut a one inch circle from scraps and started the process of pinching the tape around the circle. 

Once that was completed, I created the flower base.  I used Cindy Loo cartridge for cutting the fabric (which I ironed on heat bond interfacing).  I cut six sets of the loops, which I then stamped with Ranger Sepia permanent ink, using a stamp that looks like old writing. It's okay if the edges are frayed, it is supposed to have a vintage feel.

I then proceeded to hand baste the fabric loops to create the flower.  It is really easy and quick to do. And you simply continue from one set of loops to the next.  For this flower, since I was combining the tissue tape, I only used 3 sets of loops.



 I then did the same hand basting with old lace that I had and create a circle for the base.

And voilà, here is the thank you card for my DD to give her manager.

Paper: K&Company TC Blossomwood

Card base Recollections

Top portion of card - embossed with Tim Holtz, stained with Vintage photo distress ink

Punch - Martha Stewart

Base of the "merci" frame inked with Antique Linen distress ink

Cricut cuts: Ornamental Iron 2 for "merci" frame" and Cindy Loo for the flower base

Embellishments - ribbon, button, pearls and gems



Hope you try making your own flowers too!