Here’s a crafty way to celebrate springtime – make some sweet cards with nature themes and pastel colors. These cards have a base of handmade paper in pretty colors to coordinate with vintage spring illustrations, natural elements and petite embellishments. Find more details how to make these collages in my first springtime cards post. I hope they inspire you to sweep away the winter chill and send a sweet note to family and friends…
In addition to machine sewing on my handmade cards, I love adding vintage items as a focal point. We have some excellent flea markets in Ohio, and one I especially like is the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market. The market holds outdoor Extravaganzas in May and September, with hundreds of vendors selling a little of everything. And thanks to the Midwest location, prices are great too. I love spending the afternoon meandering around the rows of antiques. Between the furniture and dishware, there are bins and bins of little antique buttons, bottle caps, metal trinkets, and my favorite – paper…
I love using unique techniques for my handmade cards, and one of my favorite embellishments is, of course, sewing! The stitches add texture and give the cards a special detail. I like using it in different ways – to frame a picture or words or to draw a shape. You can stitch little pockets and even sew on ribbon and fabric embellishments. To sew on paper, it is easiest to match the top thread with the bobbin thread and test your stitches on a scrap paper to adjust the tension. Also lengthen the stitch, because using small stitches will perforate the…
Here is another handmade paper crafty project I made using a scrap piece of wood as a base and silver wire for hanging. I thought these would make cute summer gifts that could be hung by a little shelf in a beachy themed bathroom, or tacked on a “to do” board for a little pick me up during the work day. To start, I found a quote about the sea – how it makes us feel walking along the edge with our toes in the sand and the relaxing sounds of the rolling waves. I printed the quote on light…