Vintage Buttons

Today's card was created during my hiatus from blogging

Here is a closer look at the dimension and a
plethora of DETAILS

Inked and distressed the patterned papers before I used a loose zigzag stitch around the outside and a tight zigzag across the center. Not all of the buttons were vintage, however, some of them are and a few came off of old clothing that my husband had thrown in the garbage. The Mason Jar stamp was found during a shopping trip to a local antique's store.
If you look closely at this photo you can see that I colored the lid with Copic Markers, glued a piece of crochet lace then popped it up with foam squares.

Short and Sweet but I'm headed to dinner to celebrate my 23rd Wedding Anniversary

Handmade & Vintage Embellishments

Paper Trey Ink

has got me SOOOOO EXCITED and SWOONING to get my crafty little fingers on the products that they revealed today. Is it possible that they created the new Button Stamps and Button Dies just for ME???

Each day they are issuing very fun challenges and today's challenge is to create a project using BUTTONS in a Unique Way.....

CHECK IT OUT
-----------> HERE <------------

FLOURISHES TIMELESS TUESDAY CHALLENGE
has also issued a "Button it Up" Challenge

-------------> HERE <--------------

If you are looking for some fun CHALLENGES please scroll down to the bottom of my posts to find the ones that I use Let's talk about my project which was created for my wonderful friend Erin Smetak as a thank you for the lovely flowers that she sent to me after my Breast Biopsy.

The idea was to create a little package of Handmade & Vintage Embellishments that she would be able to use on her own projects

Close up of the Tags where I mix and matched sentiments from Paper Trey Ink & Crafty Secrets

The circular border stamps are from PTI (tags for spring &

Cute little house Embellie that I created by layering 2 different scalloped square punches and inked the edges. The roof was just a square that I cut in half. I used a small heart punch then lined that top square with a scrap of scarlet jewel cardstock.

I included some seam binding and vintage fabric that I dyed in tea
The way in which I packaged these goodies also lends some fun baubles that Erin will be able to incorporate into her projects. Just look at the delicious bells, button, twine and ribbon

Here is Graphic 45 card that I flipped over to the plain side where I used glue dots to attach vintage buttons. The brown flower is not vintage, however the blue one with fabric still has it's original thread attached!!

Erin had jokingly asked me to share some of the Antique goodies that I picked up at the Antique Markets in Sicily
Think she will like the Antique Key Hole?

I gathered all of these goodies together and placed them in a Glassine bag from PTI and created a cute little topper and tag. These stamps are Hero Arts ( )

CHALLENGES I USED:
Paper Trey Ink: Create a project using Buttons in a unique way
Kaboodle Doodles: Break out that Ribbon Stash
Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays: Button Up
Tuesday Throwdown: Buttons
Simon Says Stamp: Anything but a card
Paper Pals Arts: Those were the days (VINTAGE)

....................Supplies I used......................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (tags for spring, ), Hero Arts ( ledger), Crafty Secrets (chandelier fun, material girl), Unity
Inks: PTI (scarlet jewel, dark chocolate), Momento (black)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (scarlet jewel, kraft), Stampin Up (natural)
Patterned Papers: Basic Grey, Graphic 45, Crate paper
Ribbons: Paper Trey Ink (scarlet jewel extra fine polka dot, ocean tide satin, jute twine)
Misc: Tim Holtz chipboard, Prima flower, PTI (glassine bag)
Tools: Marvy Uchida, Stampin Up (large label die, scalloped square punch, scalloped circle punch, ) Cuttlebug, Spellbinders (Lacey Circle, Circle dies), Martha Stewart (flower punch)

Moxie Fab Neutrals Color Challenge

MOXIE FAB WORLD
NEUTRALS COLOR CHALLENGE

The challenge is to use this color combo EXACTLY: French Vanilla, Twig, Smoky
There are some serious prizes being offered for these color challenges ie: Cricut Prize Package Bundles valued at $1000, being published AND receiving the coveted "I'm a Moxie Fab Challenge Winner" button for your blog. (I've got just the spot for that sucker)

Complete Details
----> HERE <----

Close up of that delicious crochet lace, the Tim Holtz Chipboard Heart that I painted and distressed along with a peek of the inside

Challenge I Used:
Moxie Fab: Neutrals Color Combo
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Childhood Memories (my mom actually had one of these vintage doll carriages and on rare occassions my sister and I got to use it when playing house)
Tuesday Throwdown: Distressing
Paper Sundaes: Distressing

...................Supplies I used................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (Just Hatched, Anniversary bonus stamp set)
Ink: Tsukineko Momento (tuxedo black), Tim Holtz (antique linen)
Paper: Stampin Up (very Vanilla), The Paper Studios
Tools: Martha Stewart border punch, Spellbinders (Fair Isle)
Misc: Wrights Crochet lace, Vanilla acrylic paint by Delta, Tim Holtz (heart grungeboard basic elements), 7 Gypsies (vintage stroller decal)

Presto - Dinners Done

I created this fun Tag for my daughter's boyfriend "Bryson" (hence the large, glitter "B"). Bryson has recently discovered that he loves to cook but he had been complaining that nothing in the kitchen was "HIS"!! I found this wonderful VINTAGE container that has 3 separate compartments labeled "Paper Towels", "Aluminum", and "Wax Paper".

I only wish that I had thought to create a really funny quote something along the lines of

"You're right Dear, wearing Ladies underwear is fun!!

REMEMBER
there is still time to enter
ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team Challenge
" Baby It's Cold Outside "

I personally think my project is perfect for this challenge, I mean who doesn't want to stay inside on a cold day and BAKE?

EVERYTHING in the store is 10% off EVERYDAY
FREE SHIPPING on CLEAR STAMPS and All Orders over $75
at
ABC TOYS and CRAFTS

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Baby It's Cold Outside

................Supplies I used...............
Crafty Secrets: Scraps & Homemade Journal notes
Hero Arts: "b" chipboard letter

Antiqued "Old St. NicK"

Good Saturday Morning to Everyone
just popping in quickly to remind everyone about ABC Toys & Crafts

"" SEW Special ""
Challenge

I know what you are probably thinking!! Justine where is the SEWING??? Come on be a REBEL, there is stitching on one of my ribbons ;o)

No one said I had to do the stitching or that it had to be done on a sewing machine

My Santa image was a die cut that came in the Graphic 45 "Christmas Past" 12x12 pack. I pressed the sides into Versamark then into gold embossing powder and heat set. Pretty Cool

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CHALLENGES I USED:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Create a Christmas Card
Kaboodle Doodles: Make it Vintage
Wild Orchid: Classic Christmas
ABC: H= Holidays
Paper Pretties: Embossing

The "KEY" to Surviving Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
and let you know that Buttons and Bows has the most beautiful Handmade Pink Ribbon Buttons
available
HERE


Here is a closer shot of the Pink Ribbon Button on my project
(I distressed my button using ink & a sponge to give it a more aged appearance)

My daughter just turned 21 and I thought this was the perfect time to educate her about Breast Cancer Awareness and share that Early Detection is the " KEY to Surviving Breast Cancer ". I am hoping that an Easel Card will be easy to display and serve as a reminder for her to perform Monthly Self Breast Checks.


1. I used a large Tim Holtz chipboard key in which I painted a light pink, distressed the edges with brown ink, applied a layer of glue and sprinkled it with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

2. I dipped my seam binding in a pot of boiling tea to age it.

3. The Tag above and the photo below show how I used one of the new Hero Arts Cling Stamps "LEDGER" from ABC Toys & Crafts to create the layer that sits behind "The Girls Club" Crafty Secrets scrap. I colored on the stamp to make the lines red & blue, I then used a hole punch then using my stylus, I tore the holes to make my paper look as though it had genuinely been torn from a ledger or notebook. Lots of distressing going on there.

This Easel Card will stand upright because I have placed an Antique Keyhole on the inside. I purchased several of these at an Antique Market while living in Sicily, Italy. I first painted it white then I painted over that with pink acrylic paint rubbing off the top portions which allowed the pink to settle into the crevices and the white to show on the raised areas.

Now look closely at the photos below to see how I lightly colored directly onto the Crafty Secrets' images to create a PINK BRA and to make the lady in the lower left row have a PINK SHIRT & PINK FLOWERS on her HAT

CHALLENGES I USED
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Ink & Distress the edges
The Crafty Pad: Distressed or Torn Edges
For Fun Challenges: Something you purchased but haven't used (the antique keyhole)
Wild Orchid Challenge: Pastels
Our Creative Corner: Embellishments - the more the better
The Sisterhood of Crafters: BLING (I loved me some glitter)

Cock a Doodle Doo, Happy Birthday to You

Thought I would share a VERY quick TAG project that I threw together in a matter of a few minutes.

Because I LOVE to clean (honest), I enjoy using "GOURMET" Cleaning products, some of which are from Williams Sonoma. As I was making my purchase the other day, I decided to grab a bottle of the Grapefruit Counter Spray for my little sister. The idea of just handing her a bottle of cleaner seemed kind of cheesy so I added a couple dish towels, washcloths and a cute little basket. Here is a photo of her gift:
She and her family came down from Atlanta so that she, my husband, and I could celebrate our birthday's together. Our birthday's are all within 5 days of one another. We had so much fun combining our parties, just like when we were little.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Ohh La La Creations: Stripes
Paper Romance: Clean & Simple
Fresh Brewed: Brown (I stamped in brown)
Some Odd Girl: 3 or more images (rooster, postmark, swirls, script in the background-I used 4!)

Fall Fashions

When I hear the word FALL, I think " FALL FASHIONS "
Do you love Vintage or Distressing?? This was a super fun week for Challenges. I've listed all the ones that I am participating in at the bottom of this post

I used one of the new Hero Arts stamp sets "SEW STYLISH" for my model and her fun distressed tape measure. I stamped the model twice (once onto a natural cardstock and a second time on a light yellow), I then cut the pieces out and only colored (very lightly) the flower in her hair, the pocket and 1/2 of her belt. I then used a sponge dipped in brown ink to distress her. Isn't she FABULOUS. It was like playing paper dolls.

The tape measure was started out as an accident because I had cut my card too large!! That was the strip that I had removed and it was PERFECT for the Tape Measure Stamp. After stamping it, I crumbled it up and distressed it by sponging the edges.

The Domestic Goddess sentiment came from the "Crafty Secrets Domestic Goddess" Scraps Sheet. At only $3.50 these sheets are a super inexpensive way to create cards. But Wait, why pay full price?? I have an

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CHALLENGES I USED:
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Distress It
Pile It On: Layers
Artful Inkables: Distressed Out!
Stampin for the Weekend: Shabby or Vintage
Our Creative Corner: ABC's or 123's (I used numbers)
Creatalicious: Vintage
My Partner in Crafting Crime: Let's Try Vintage

Vintage S.W.A.K.

Sure I'm thinking about Valentine's Day!!! Aren't you?

This little sweetie was a FREE image that I obtained quite some time ago from one of the Vintage Image Crafts Newsletters -------> HERE

I started out with the intent of creating a Fall Card!!!! UMMMMM, well apparently I got a wee bit side tracked.

Here is a partial peek at how I completed the inside of this project.

I would love to bring you down the Road to Distraction with me

Did you know that I have
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ABC Toys & Crafts

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CHALLENGES I USED:
2 Sketches 4 You: Laura's Sketch #60 (I used a rectangle instead of the circle)
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Layers (I used layers inside and out, btw, I am loving this new challenge site )
Pile It On: They are also wanting LAYERS
Stamp Something: Something Cute
ABC Challenge: C = Charms
Creatalicious Challenge: # 13 Vintage (Brand new challenge site for me)
Stampin for the Weekend: Vintage or Shabby
Stamptacular Challenge: Distress It (I inked the edges and used my fingernail to age the edges also ** New challenge site for me)
My Partner in Crafting Crime: Let's Try Vintage (new challenge site for me ;o)

Antique Italian ** Forget-Me-Not **

Sit Back, because I AM BACK and apparently LONG WINDED with
LOTS of PHOTOS to SHARE

When my family arrived back here in the United States one our first visits was to see our great friends "Mr. & Mrs. Crab" along with their brand new little "crab cake". (I'll post her blog so you might get a better understanding of this "crabby" family). I was blown away with the antiques in Williamsburg and especially with the Antique Mason Jars filled with BUTTONS!! I purchased one such jar but it happened to have been made into a lamp. How in the world was I going to bring myself to open that jar and savor any of the bounty that I beheld? Not long after arriving at our brand new home, I received a package from Mrs. Crab!!!

Here is a photo of the gifts I received......

Buttons, jars and a fantabulous photograph O MY, O Dear, what's a girl to do?? I love that jar SO much that I decided to dump out the buttons from my lamp and created a SEASHELL lamp with all WHITE TREASURES FROM the Ocean...

Here is what I created ............

Here is my wonderful "basket of Button Treasures"
So what became of the Jar of Buttons from Mrs. Crab you ask??? Well they are far to delicious to use so they are perched atop one of my studio shelves along with some other treasures...

Are you still READING?

Want to see close ups of what I created as a THANK YOU/MISS YOU Gift for Mrs. Crab?

Antique Lace & Button from Italy:

Antique Buttons, HOWEVER, take a look at that postmark!!! The envelope that I stitched on here was purchased at an Sicilian Antique Market. That is a 5 Lire stamp and the date stamped is April 10, 1919

(The ladies waving image was compliments of Vintage Image Crafts, I printed them out and distressed them. The Forget-Me-Not sentiment was stamped using Shirley's 2 Girls stamps)

Finished Set contains a 5 1/2"square card with a matching
bookmark


Stop by and VISIT Mrs. Crab
at
For The Love of a Crab

CHALLENGES I USED:
The Shabby Tea Room: Old Meets New (definitely some old stuff but the items on my bookmark are New)
Pile It On: Farewell to Summer (miss you, goodbye, farewell projects - Think I covered that, my ladies are even waving goodbye)
Cupcake Craft Challenges: Let's Get Digital (my image was printed from Vintage Image Crafts)
Digital Tuesday Challenge: Create a Gift Set
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Layering (I lost count on how many I used!!!)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays: Summer Memories (now that I don't live on an island waving goodbye to my endless beach days is going to be so difficult)
One Stitch at a Time: Girlie or Color Theme (I went for GIRLIE all the way)