This morning's crafting  was grrrr-great because I luv, luv circles but esp. when they are partial-circles - don't ask me why, I am sure there is some deep psychological reason, so let's just stick with the fact I like them (wink!)...........so here it is!

I was feeling very girly or something - and decided part way it looked a bit..well, Victorian.

So then I really dug deep into my stashes and began throwing everything on....from stacking the sentiment - plus - and I am glad to say - I found a reason for this lace! It has been kicking around my ribbon basket ever since I purchased at a rummage sale {they are the best things for finding things like this on the cheap!}....so glad for that. I tacked it on with a bit of thread. {hate tying knots on my thread :(}....

And pink-corals were fun to work with - I am feeling a bit tired and sore today with a sore tummy and so these colours perked me up! And dare I say it - glitter! hehe!

Finally, I tried to create a Victorian mood with my photo - I have a number of shells around which I like to display differently from time to time - AND - that is my dear departed Aunt Isabel's brooch on display there, looks like so much of what we are wearing today really.

Hope you'all like visiting!

Cheers - and have a nice week-end! It's Friday! :)

Stampin' Up! Supplies: cardstock: Whisper White; inks: Melon Mambo (new!), Chocolate Chip; stamps: Love You Much stamp set, adhesive.

My friend Caroline inspired me today with her posting of the beautiful 'A Rose is a Rose ' card featured in Stampin' Up!'s catalogue and although I had been musing about doing a large floral card lately - when I saw thiss, I thought - great! I don't have to think this out - I can try this card for myself!

Now - this is where we 'work with what we have' ....it doesn't have to be spot on - you use your own supplies and imitate and initiate some of yourself into the card. Caroline is featuring the Paper Piercer Tool that Stampin' Up! carries (its only $4.50 - great tool for your must have list) and she made a full circle on her card - I decided to opt for part of a circle - and all I did was trace a martini glass - LOL!

I used my own Fifth Ave Floral rose stamp - its quite substantial - and added some silver brads. A good rule of thumb is to add embellishments in an uneven number - balances your design without looking too symmetrical.

So there it is - when YOU visit blogs for inspiration - enjoy your craft time afterwards and "MAKE IT YOUR OWN!'

Have a rosy day! :)

Beverly

Stampin' Up! Supplies: cardstock: Sahara Sand, Real Red, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Kiwi Kiss Patterns (retired), Kiwi Kiss (retired); colouring : White Craft Ink,Stampin' Pastels, glitter; embellishments: silver brads, filigree silver brads; craft tools: paper piercer; Signo Uni-ball Pen in white, Blender Pens, Craft & Rubber Scissors, 2-Way Glue Pen

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An inquiry tonight has reminded me that I must offer this stitching technique I dreamed up when I made my Birds and Bloom card {see earlier post} - because 'stitching' on paper is so 'IN' at the moment and I love the added texture, but its more than that - its very ' home-spun ' don't you agree?

At any rate, you can add the 'stitched' look in a variety of ways, and they range from simple {create faux stitches with a marker} to the more detailed like this technique.

However, time-consuming this may be, there is 1 benefit - its actually relaxing once you get the gist of it, as its repetitive - so set yourself up somewhere cozy and on a quiet moment, and enjoy!

Note - pictures correspond to directions from bottom picture to top.

Step 1 - Determine your Design.

Think of how you would like to incorporate your 'stitched design' into your project. For my example, I wanted it to take a supporting role, so it is placed as a "background" element and therefore, it runs behind the main focus {the birds and tag}. It will run the width of my card as well.

As an added design element - I've decided to incorporate a strip of ribbon - so I've decided to 'stitch OVER the ribbon' - therefore I must chose a ribbon.

I "eye-balled" the ribbon width to begin the placement of the ribbon and to border it with stitches. Take a moment to run a length of ribbon behind the tag so you get the sense of where you plan on the ribbon 's position - I have chosen to place it behind the middle 'point' of the tag - it feels like a natural point to start.

Step 2. Prepare the ' first ' line of paper piercing to accomodate the stitching.

Here I have a special ruler that has holes in it for paper piercing, but a regular ruler will act as a guideline. Pic #1

**Measure a 'starting point' with your ruler - see mine begins exactly at the no. 5 -in the picture. This will help you to measure the next line in order to 'alternate' the position of the stitches. Pic #2

Pierce your dots in a steady, line and spaced at regular intervals. I choose to pierce every 'second' hole {of my ruler} or at least, every few mm. along the ruler's edge. Pic #3

Step 3. Repeat the ' second ' line of paper piercing.

Move the ruler over - now I am beginning just slightly before no. 5 - and start the piercing again, same as the first time. Depth: placed at a distance from the first line to be slightly ' wider ' than the width of the ribbon. This ensures the ribbon will 'slide into place' easily when you stitch over it later. Pic #4

Draw a pencil line [erase later after piercing and before stitching] if it helps to keep you steady - avoid getting 'blurry' vision.

Step 4 - Stitch with Thread

Using cross-stitch thread, nice and fuzzy plus so many colours!....and a proper needle, I now begin to stitch "over top of the ribbon" - first one direction, and then coming back in the opposite direction over top the first set of stitches. {shown in finished card} Pic #5 + #6

The fact that I started the second row of holes to be slightly off-centered from the first row means my "criss-cross" stitching comes naturally.

Tie off threads neatly. Voila - you're done! Let me know how it works for you! Thanks!!

Beverly

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