Mixed Media Butterfly Cards

Hello!

We've been hit with a very chilly and biting cold snap and I thought it would be a great time to think of things that remind me of spring. Flowers and butterflies came to mind and so today I am featuring a pair of mixed media butterfly cards.

These cards have lots of layers and textures, but the soft colors keep them feeling light. I started with a basic white cardstock and layered it with a panel of 7gypsies Gypsy Moments paper that is part of the 8x8 paper pack. I then added two panels to the center of the card -- the first a piece of Canvas Corp. Blue and Ivory Ribbon Stripe paper and layered that with a piece of the Tattered Angels Mixed Media Origins Wings paper.

Before I layered the paper panels to the card, I tied a piece of raffia to a vintage-style metallic embellishment to add a decorative touch. 

To the upper corner of the card, I stapled a square of Canvas Corp. Natural Burlap that I cut out from the 12x12 sheet. To that I adhered two butterflies that I punched out from the Tattered Angels Mixed Media Origins Mermaid paper, to which I had previously spray-misted with the Tattered Angels Abominable Snowman Glimmer Mist. 

If you are not familiar with Mixed Media Origins paper, it has a wonderful fabric-like texture that is perfect for spray-misting, painting or coloring. Canvas Corp Brands has a lovely assortment of these papers which you can find here. 

To finish off my cards, I added an inspirational word to the bottom corner. I cut them out from a sheet of 7gypsies Gypsy Moments 8x8 paper pack.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you are inspired by these butterfly cards!

Beth

Sending Smiles

I'm sending smiles because I am so pleased to continue on as a member of CCB Creative Crew!

Canvas Corp Brands has an amazing range of craft supplies -- from specialty paper, canvas fabric items, paints, and their newest 7gypsies collection - Architextures™-- all of which I plan to feature here in coming days.

Today I'm featuring a card I created from Canvas Corp Brands Kraft Greeting Cards.

The size of the card is 5" x 7" and I've layered it with a panel of 7gypsies – Gypsy Moments paper. Gorgeous!!!

For the flower, I used Canvas Corp Brands Black and Ivory Plaid paper. I punched out the flowers and leaves and cut out the stem. I added a pink gemstone embellishment to the center of the flower to give a bit of zing.

I stamped "sending smiles" onto ivory paper and layered it onto a small piece of 7gypsies – Gypsy Moments paper that is backed onto kraft paper. A piece of natural twine adorns the edge of the card, adding a wonderful dimension of texture.

This was such fun card to create -- and is perfect for the new year ahead!

Please be sure to stop by Canvas Corp Brands Shop.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Beth 

Little Christmas Planners

It's the end of October and Halloween hasn't yet arrived, but we all know what's next!!

November and December are full of activities and in spite of our best intentions, they always seem to leave us wishing for more time, more money and more help! One of the things that always helps me is trying to plan ahead stay organized as best I can. That's why I love having a planner on hand, especially one I can easily throw into my purse or totebag.

Here are a few little Christmas planners I've created using beautiful canvas fabric from the Canvas Corp Collection - Farmhouse Christmas. For my notebooks, I was able to use images of Santa Claus, a Christmas tree and old-fashioned sleigh!

I started with a  mini composition book and measured a piece of the canvas fabric to cover the front of the notebook. The notebooks I used here are 3-1/4" x 4-1/2." Because I don't sew, I instead glued the fabric onto the cover and then trimmed to size.

I distressed the edges with a black ink to give a rustic look. Then I added strips of red and gold ribbon to add a festive look. "Merry Christmas" was stamped in black ink onto ivory paper, which was then backed with black cardstock.

For a finishing touch, I adorned each notebook with a fun holiday embellishment! 

These notebooks make the perfect holiday planners -- they are small which makes them so easy to keep on hand in your bag, backpack or tote - or just a pocket. The printed canvas is so festive (as well as durable) and makes these little notebooks the perfect Christmas and Holiday Planners!

Be sure to visit Canvas Corp Brands - Farmhouse Christmas for this lovely canvas fabric and additional items!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Beth

October

October is such a great month ... really! It's only days away and here's why I love it ...

We're sad that summer is over ... but then October bursts forth with vibrant fall colors, crisp air and crisp apples, gorgeous sunsets, cornstalks and pumpkins ... so many wonderful things!

Here's my tribute to October and all the fun it brings!

These little pumpkin note cards are so perfect for fall! They've got a rustic look and lots of texture -- and the color is so rich!

Striking silhouettes  ...

Can't overlook those autumn leaves ... 

Enjoy the season!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Please be sure to visit my Etsy shop Pretty Byrd Designs!

Canvas Corp. Brands - August Challenge

The August Challenge at Canvas Corp. Brands is titled, "Let's Visit the Cinema" and I've created three little journals to submit.

I love the romance of old Hollywood and that became the starting point for my creations.

The first mini journal features a "Classic Hollywood" image that worked perfectly with the 7gypsies - Odre Du Jour paper. I covered the front and back of the journal with paper from the 8x8 paper pad. I backed the Hollywood image onto a panel of  ivory cardstock and glued that to the front of the journal. I placed a strip of patterned paper from the Bo Bunny "Beautiful Dreamer" collection underneath the image. Over that I place a piece of  the 7gypsies new Architextures - Iron Fence embellishment. Love the old style look here! If you haven't seen or used Architextures, you're in for a real treat!

My next little book is pure classic Hollywood and features a movie poster image of the film, "Casablanca." The front features Canvas Corp. Brands Grey and Ivory Ribbon Stripe paper (no longer available) and a panel of paper from the 7gypsies - Gypsy Moments 8x8 paper pad. I backed the "Casablanca" with Canvas Corp. Brands - Black and Ivory Zig Zag Reverse paper and layered that onto the front of the journal. The top features the word "Passion" cut out from a piece of the Gypsy Moments paper. This film certainly embodies passion!!

The last little notebook features a movie poster image of the 1951 Cannes Film Festival. It follows with that old cinema romance I was looking for. I used Canvas Corp. Brands Pink and Ivory Ribbon Stripe paper to cover the front and back. Over that I layered a panel of Canvas Corp. Brands Black and Ivory - Paris paper, which coordinates so well with the Cannes theme. I adhered a strip of the Black and Ivory Zig Zag Reverse paper which really set off the film festival image.

I am really pleased with the way these three journals turned out. This challenge was great fun and the cinematic theme was a good way to incorporate something new into my work. 

I hope you take the time to check out the great papers and embellishments available from Canvas Corp. Brands.

Thanks for stopping today!

Beth

Wedding Season

We're well into the month of June. And, of course that means we're well into the wedding season!

My Etsy shop, Pretty Byrd Designs, features a wonderful array of items that are perfect for your gift giving needs during the wedding season.

Beginning with the wedding shower, here's a charming vintage-style drawer that would be perfect for an advice box or lovely shower decoration:

 

This little box has 4 compartments that fit lots of little tags!!

Another item that's perfect for a wedding or shower is this lovely gift box:



My shop features several of these decorative boxes -- the perfect way to present a gift -- or they easily stand alone as keepsake gift!

If you are looking for a special card, my Etsy shop features a number of cards that are appropriate for a wedding shower or for the bride and groom. Here are a just few examples:





Well, I certainly hope this gives you some wonderful gift ideas this wedding season.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you will visit again soon!

Smile Note Cards

Sometimes the most wonderful color and pattern combinations happen by pure accident. I was going through my collection of papers from Canvas Corp and while doing so found these three papers stacked on top of each other.

Wow -- I would never have thought to put these three papers together in a project, but something clicked and the result is a set of four little note cards.

This was actually a fairly easy project and I started by assembling all my materials and tools.

Materials:
Canvas Corp: Grunge Check Ivory and Green
Canvas Corp: Grey and Ivory Mini Dot Reverse
Canvas Corp: Black and Ivory Plaid
Black Ink (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Black Soot)
Tombo Mono Permanent Adhesive

Tools:
Paper Cutter
Butterfly Punch (Fiskars)
Oval Punch (Fiskars)
Rubber stamp

I began by cutting out the base of each card using the Grunge Check Ivory and Green paper. The size is 3-3/4" x 5-1/2" (when folded measures 3-3/4" x 2-3/4"). The next step was to cut a 3" x 2" top panel from the Grey and Ivory Mini Dot Reverse paper. 

I stamped the "Smile" message on the back of a piece of the Grey and Ivory dot paper and then punched it out with my oval punch. I used my butterfly punch to punch out the figure from the Black and Ivory Plaid paper.

I easily assembled everything using my Tombo Mono Permanent Adhesive, which is my preferred adhesive.

I am so pleased with the way these note cards turned out. The color is very spring-like and they'd be a great way to say hello and make someone smile! They are now available in my Etsy shop, Pretty Byrd Designs.

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Spring and Easter Cards

I'll confess up front that winter wasn't nearly as bad as it has been in past years. Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the return of Spring as much as I always do. Is there anything better than hearing those birds chirp in the early morning, or seeing the first little stems sprout out of the ground? It's all in anticipation of what is to come ... beautiful flowers, beautiful nature, the rebirth of all things wonderful.

And, it's nature that influences my creations for this time of year. Soft greens and florals inspired this Easter card:



Here's another card done in soft shades of green, pink and ivory. Perfect for any occasion this Spring. Spread that sunshine!!




Know someone with a Spring birthday ... here's a lovely greeting done in soft blue and brown. The butterflies are so cheery!




Easter is only a few weeks away ... and here's a card that features flowers and greenery and all things Spring!




Well, these are just a few of the items I have listed in my Etsy shop, Pretty Byrd Designs, that are available for your gift-giving needs this season, In addition to cards, I have journals, keepsake boxes and mixed media art.

I invite you to visit my shop. Custom orders are always welcome -- please let me know if I can create something special for you!

Thanks for visiting today.

Beth

Love You Card

The winter months can be so dreary, so I was very glad to create my latest card featuring a cheery and colorful quilted heart.

Aren't these colors wonderful?

I started with a basic white card and layered it with a panel of vintage-style newsprint paper. The "Love You" message is printed in black ink on white cardstock and backed with violet paper. For a decorative touch, I added strips of black & white polka-dotted ribbon and white felt rick rack.

I then adhered the quilted heart to the bottom corner of the card and adorned it with a tiny white button.

The colors contrast nicely against the black and white -- and really make that colorful heart stand out!!

This charming heart was given to me compliments of the Etsy shop ArtFromTheCabin. Donna's shop features beautiful acrylic and watercolor paintings, cards and home decor items. Be sure to give her shop a visit soon!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Beth