Thursday 27 November 2008

Inspiration Challenge and Happy Thanksgiving


Today is Inspiration and Themes Challenge day on ILWS. For this week's challenge I've chosen a seasonal and topical for some of us in the UK - Snow!

For this card I wanted to create the homespun look that I love so much - red, white, kraft, gingham and stitching definitely achieves this rustic, homely style I think.




I embossed the snowflakes from SU's Best Wishes and More set onto kraft paper and sponged the edges with white pigment ink, then sewed it onto the real red card base. ( I have finally got my grandmother's sewing machine working again - yay! I love it, it's a pale blue 1960s Singer, not the most advanced machine ever but does the basics. My grandmother was the most amazing seamstress and I love that I'm now using her machine for my own craft work, she's not with us any more but I know she would have loved that. I also love it because it is truly vintage and y'know I adore anything vintage, especially when it's the real mackoy! It fits in perfectly with the vintage style of my craft room - thanks Nana!)

Back to the card :) The tag stamp is from SU's Perfect Presents set and punched out with the tag punch. The tags are 'hung' on gingham ribbon to look like a banner. I tied more gingham bows inbetween the tags, added those uber-cute red heart buttons that were tied with linen thread.

Thought I'd post these wooden heart decorations too - these are for a craft fair I'm doing next weekend. Again I wanted to make something in a folk art/homespun style, so again I went for red and white (yes it is one of my all time favourite colour combos!)


I painted some plain wooden hearts with red acrylic paint, stamped a polka dot backgrounder with white acrylic paint, sanded the edges and added a tin folk heart and bead onto the linen thread. I really like these and might keep a couple for my tree!

And finally! I want to wish a VERY happy Thanksgiving to all my Americal blogging friends and also to all those living in America. I hope you have a wonderful time with your family and friends.

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Card-
Stamps - Perfect Presents/Best Wishes and More (both SU)
Ink - White pigment(Adirondack)/Real Red (SU)
Card - Kraft/Real Red/Whisper White
Other - clear e.p/gingham ribbon/red heart buttons, linen thread(SU)/tag punch(SU)/sewing machine

Ornaments-
Wooden Hearts (Panduro Hobby)/red and white acrylic paints/polka dot backgrounder/tin folk hearts/red beads/linen thread/sand paper

12 comments:

Julie Allain said...

WOW This is Stunning!!!

Thanks so much for the award xxx

ikki said...

Great work, love the card and the hearts. Ikki x

Jose said...

Love those hearts, Im sure they will sell well at the craft fair
Jose x

Sue McGettigan said...

I love that country style and colour scheme too Kate - those ornaments are fabulous, you should definitely keep a couple for yourself! Good luck with the craft fair - take photos :)

Vickie said...

The card is cute. The stitches really do make the card so homey. What a nice reminder of your Nana, sometimes the basics are the best.

The wood hearts are very nice. I like those kind of ornaments. When I buy them, they give my tree a handmade touch.

ikki said...

Hi Kate, have left something for you on my blog. ikki xx

Unknown said...

Fantastic card - love it

Thank you so much for the award

I hope the craft fair goes well - enjoy it :-)

Maxine said...

Love the colours, having trouble with a good clarity white ink so will try this one, looks great!

Crafting Queen said...

Just beautiful and what a great idea! Love the heart hangers.

Dawn said...

Hi Kate
Wow this is stunning - you make such beautiful creations and crafted so perfecty...

Dawn

Anonymous said...

Kate,
Your creations are just beautiful. I love the hearts...and the card is stunning. I will play along with the ILWS challenge when I get back from Las Vegas.
Michelle (ShellieStamps on ILWS)
x

Anne said...

Oooh, your card is cute, I might just have to use that idea (if that's okay). Your wooden hearts are lovely, too, I really like the rustic, homespun style!
Good luck with the craft fair!
Anne
xx