Wish You Were Here...Pecan Picking

It's that time of year again...pecans are everywhere...ready for picking.

The weather is cooperating, a light breeze, just enough to blow the pecans out of the tree.

This is my favorite type of picker.  It does a good job collecting up the nuts for me.

I have to be careful where I step so not to crush them.  There are so many under this tree.

Wish you were here!

All my best,

Valerie

Christmas Paper Cones with Webster's Pages

I couldn't resist making Christmas Paper Cones with Webster's Pages.  The Waiting For Santa Collection is,by far, the most beautiful papers around for the holidays.  These wonderful papers are getting harder to find.

A client wanted 40 pieces for a Christmas party she is going to have, and so I got busy making loads of paper cones.

I used the 12 x 12" sheets which provided me larger images to work with when cutting these cones.

Also, the fact that the sheets are two-sided make the inside of each cone as pretty as the outside.

The Waiting For Santa and Sweet Seasons paper collection include rich colors and fun images.  Flowers, Sheet Music, Santa, Christmas Trees, and Holly mix together to create a delightful scene on each sheet.

Each paper cone is lightly edged with vintage photo distressing ink for added vintage style.  I added a lovely 1/8" cranberry satin ribbon and Merry Christmas tag on each piece.  The tags are hand-stamped with a vintage border in sepia ink and edge with distressing ink as well. 

Need to gather all these little beauties up and get ready to ship them off.

All my best,

Valerie

Many Thank To Alice In Weddingland

Many thanks to UK's Alice In Weddingland for including my Paris Themed Table Number in her article titled Unique Table Numbers. 

http://www.aliceinweddingland.co.uk/

Take a look.

Valerie

I've Got Your Number

Some days, I kick back and play with making table numbers. The size of them allows for me to work with stamps, inks, and card stock, differently than making a card. 

I got a little carried away with this one.  The idea was to create a French Market theme.  It ended up more of a French collage with a shabby chic style mixed in.

This "Golden Chandelier" collection, I made for a client.  The base of the table number and matching escort card is navy blue with an ivory top sheet.  The inks are custom mixed dark blue.  The chandeliers are hand-stamped in ultra gold metallic ink.  I used two inks to create the aged effect around the cards.  These came out so beautiful.

This was some of my first botanical collection table numbers.  I did a two-tone effect inking part of the stamp in plum and part in green. 

This is one of the most popular tent number images.  It is a beautiful oak tree and the detail on it is amazing.  The numbers are in a deep russet red and the tree is hand-stamped in sepia ink onto ivory card stock.

This is another French themed table number.  This collage of images has a Paris theme.  I used six different images and four different colors on these pieces.  Gold, red, brown and black.

This was another "special" request from a client.  She liked the black damask pattern and wanted me to create a coordinating theme for her favor tag, escort cards and table numbers.  I used ivory card stock as the base and layered gold metallic paper.  These were labor intensive, but came out really nice.  I call this my "Luxe" collection. 

Moonlight and magnolias are very popular here in the South.  This botanical magnolia image is hand-stamped in sepia ink.

This was a quick table card I made for a client that was having a beach themed wedding.  She like my little starfish.  These little guys seem to be dancing across the bottom of the card.

Well, as you can see, I enjoy making these fun table numbers.  It's easy as 1, 2, 3!  Sorry, that was a little too easy..cheesy...to write.

For those in the States...Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Valerie

Hand-Stamped and Personal, Tags, Tags, Tags

It was never really my intent to do so many tags the past few months.

They just seem to be fun.  Some are hand-stamped, some are painted, some are embossed.  Personally, I like vintage.  But, my customers have different tastes and styles they like.  It requires me to work with all kinds of images and techniques.

This tag fits on a welcome bag for a destination wedding in Hawaii.  It is a large heavy-weight piece and has aqua and pale coral flowers and green leaves hand-stamped. I also made her a matching thank you card that will have her wedding picture on the cover.  Another customer liked it so much, she wanted some of these tags in mango and aqua for her wedding in Jamaica.

This sweet baby shower tag was made very personal by adding the baby's name at the bottom.  I just love this sleeping baby on the crescent moon.  The star is embellished with a silver rhinestone.  Pretty!

This large favor tag is bold and beautiful with the peacock strutting his full tail.  Peacock blue and green cardstock make this tag pop.

I just love this vintage wishing well image.  I couldn't help but make a wedding wish tag with it.  The bride and grooms names and wedding date personalize it.  I have also done a multitude of personalized favor tags for so many brides and grooms, with chandeliers, star fish, magnolias, damask patterns, and birds.

These are some of the matching escort cards I have done too.  The magnolia card is hand-pained with gold paint in the center of each flower.  The Golden Chandelier series I did has a gorgeous metallic gold chandelier and two tone vintage colors rubbed all along the edges.  Gold metallic paper highlights the Luxe series of black damask escort cards.  Beautiful!  Lots of seashells grace both sides on the beach escort cards with its aqua colored shimmer cardstock. 

I keep all my tags in a box next to my design station.  They help inspire me.

Talk with you soon.

Valerie

Pretty In Pink Large Scripture Tags

These are some of my latest scripture tags I made for a banquet hostess gift. 

These came out really pretty.  I used the large Tim Holtz tag die to cut the shape.  The tags are covered with cardstock that has the regal flourishes embossed pattern.  I then custom-made shimmer spray using Tattered Rose ink and Perfect Pearls.  Then I rubbed the whole card with Rub-in-Buff Silver.  Wow!  Elegant.

The hostess selected the scripture from Matthew 6:19-21, which I typeset and printed.  Rolled the edges and rubbed with vintage photo ink to create a little bit of an aged appearance.

Made a pretty pink, crystal and pearl stick pin backed with a white feather to soften the tag.  Added white lace trim, pink sequin trim and pearls across the bottom.  Oh, and some rhinestones too! Speaking of rhinestones, the hostess added the additional gift of a cross necklace.  I tried it off at the top and had it dangle from the pink and silver fibers.

  This is the table decor.  I also made the little heart shaped favor boxes on the table.

These scripture tags were a lot of fun to make, and hope they are received well at tomorrows banquet. 

Have a blessed day,

Valerie

Yummy Paris Cones

Had some fun today messing around making these wedding favor cones.  They are great for a petal toss or candy station.

I even thought these could get used for Christmas gifts to friends and family...stuffing them with home-made treats.

They were a little labor intensive to make.    The die cut is made from my Cricut machine and the cones have a nice scalloped detail at the top.  Before I roll the cut-out into the cone shape, I hand-stamp each piece in French script.  I made a mask piece for the Eiffel Tower, so when I stamped the script there is a big blank spot where the tower will go. 

Then, I stamp the tower in place.  The cone top is edged in vintage photo ink, giving it an aged appearance.  Next, I glue the cone together.  What a tricky little bugger! 

I then created a monogram tag for the bride and groom, edged it too in vintage photo ink, then secured it to hang from the cone with a 1/8" satin ribbon. 

Overall, these came out really cute.  I posted them on my etsy shop...we'll see what the "Brides" think!

Valerie

Distressing Ribbon

I have been collecting old ribbon for some time now.  Some of it is past its prime.  So I have played with washing it and then rolling it all up into a ball to dry...and look at the distressed effect!

This is a pale blue acetate ribbon.  After hand-washing with soap in cold water, I twisted and balled it all up to dry.  This achieved a really soft worn appearance.  It still has the satin shine though.  The fibers are raised.

I tried this process again with some old pale yellow gross grain ribbon that was 2 1/2" wide. 

Not sure I like this as much.  The ribbon dried stiff.  The process did achieve a really cool worn effect though.

The next ribbon is 5/8" black satin and it has a company's name printed on it in gold.  I washed the ribbon in cold water with soap and scrubbed lightly to take off the company name.  Then balled it up and let it dry.

This came out nice.  The ribbon is soft and has a little gold flecks in it left over from the old name. 

So, what am I going to do with all this, wrap packages, make flowers, sew on cards, tie off tags, lots of uses.

Try it.

Valerie

It's All In The Delivery

For some time now, I have been collecting and using an assortment of hampers and picnic baskets to help me carry and deliver goodies.  It seems the bigger the better.

This one I use for delivering my wines to friends.  The four compartments hold my bottles well and has a sturdy base.  There is a golden tone to the varnish which highlights the wore areas from use.

This one is heavy duty and I love the patina on it.  Both sides are open ended while the opposite sides are deep.  And has a very sturdy handle too to carry in all my fresh flower cuttings.

My picnic hamper is filled with goodies as Bill and I make our way down to our lake.  We enjoy our time on Hickory Pond, even if the fish don't bite, we sip our wine and enjoy how peaceful it is here.

The super sturdy leather handle is re-enforced with brass rivets.  The leather flap and wooden peg is a bonus to the look and feel of this picnic hamper.   

This is my favorite hamper.  Ol' Reliable.  This one is getting packed up for a quick stop to a friends house.  She's getting some of my wine, canned pears, fresh bread, and bread-and-butter pickles.

When my baskets are not being used, they are on display throughout my house.

These are my gentle reminders, it is better to give than to receive!

Have a most wonderful and safe Labor Day Weekend. 

Oh yeah, I am so happy it is September.  Now if the weather will cooperate and cool down a little, I can get back outside and ride my horse.

Valerie

Scrapbook Multi-Pocket Mini Album -- Gabriella Paper Collection

This was a really fun project to work on.  The Gabriella Paper Collection from Bo Bunny was amazing to play with ... all those butterflies!

I used 6" x 6" chipboard for the cover and back, and used 6" x 9" manila envelopes for the inside.  Metal binding rings were used to secure the book together.  Generous amount of ribbons and fibers cover the binding ring.  A beautiful wood and gold tone cross necklace is secured on the binding ring as well. 

Titled, "God's Beautiful Promise" this album features scripture from Psalm 121: 1-8.  I didn't want to hide the lovely butterflies on the paper, so I used vellum framed out in pretty green trim to showcase the scripture.

There are so many pockets and fold out pockets throughout this book.  Lots of vintage lace, vintage buttons, vintage dollies pieces were used on every page.

Die cut frames were painted and hand-stamped with french script, then mounted on dimensional for depth.

This paper collection was just so pretty.  Added to this section was ivory lace applique and mother-of-pearl buttons.

This section has so many butterflies everywhere.  A beautiful fabric rose accents the corner and sports a gold tone butterfly stickpin.

This "desk wallet"  cover that is trimmed in tatted white lace and gold roses.  This fold out section opens to provide more journal and photo areas.

These die cut frames were painted with white paint and hand stamped with sepia brown ink in french script.  The mulberry paper roses are used throughout this album.

Hope you enjoy viewing this multi-pocket mini-album. You can see more about this album on my YouTube channel.

Have a most blessed day,

Valerie