Card Cafe Thursday with Melissa Phillips!

Hello!  I'm so excited to join you today for Card Cafe Thursday!  What a treat is has been to be invited to share with you a few of my favorite things.  I've created cards for you today that all use certain things that I currently love, some trendy, some timeless, all my favorites :)

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Let's get started.  First up, do you notice the lovely, weathered, chippy, wood paper along the left edge of my card?  Oh, so beautiful.  I love this look and always will, whether I decorate with things like this in my home, or use it in my paper-crafting.  This paper comes from Crate Paper and Maggie Holmes Styleboard collection.  You'll notice shimmery gold accents used on this card and on my next card...another current favorite of mine.  I love how the die cut Styleboard ticket on this card is embossed with just a hint of gold.

Stamping...it's hard for me to NOT use stamps anymore as I love them so much and stamping has become such a huge part of my creative process.  The sentiment used on this card was so sweet and unique, that I couldn't resist.  It is from the Sweet Roses set by My Favorite Things.  Another trendy crush I have now and don't think will go away anytime soon, is that of doilies.  I love their delicate intricacies and they always seem to provide just the right touch when needed.  I love tucking them under other elements, so that just a portion of them can be seen.  These Mini Delicate die cut doilies are also from My Favorite Things.  Felt is another element I love incorporating as it adds softness and touch-ability and comes in every color of the rainbow.  My Favorite Things has a full selection of colors to choose from and their felt works flawlessly with their dies.  

Moving on, I'm sharing with you my favorite color, in life and in crafting...yellow!  I don't know if it's because I'm craving the sunshine this time of year, or because of what it reminds me of, happiness, but I love it.  Behind my Crate Paper Styleboard die cut frame, I've used stenciling and modeling paste, a favorite technique of mine right now.  I used the My Favorite Things Graduated Hearts stencil over pink cardstock and framed it in to accent just a bit of it.  What a fun technique.  It adds texture and dimension and is just so much fun to try.

More stamping, of course.  I love machine stitching on my cards, but when you've got a zig zag stitch stamp, why not use it instead?  This stamp along with the large heart and sentiment are all from the My Favorite Things Homespun Hearts set.  Another favorite, kraft, kraft, kraft!  I can't get enough and now you can find it mixed with gold, such as with the decorative tape from Crate Paper's Styleboard used above.  It's delicious and irresistible.  One can never have too much Kraft, in my personal opinion.

 

And, sequins and vellum...both staples around here.  Vellum provides softness and I love the subtle color it can bring in.  Sequins provide perfect last minute touches.  When you've got a space on your card that feels like it's missing something...just try a sequin and see what happens :).    

You'll notice touches of gold used here and there on this card too.  I tell you, once you start, you just can't stop.  It's a harmless addiction.

And, just a few more of my favorite things used on my final card.  Confetti or the appearance of...love it and the Crate Paper Love Notes Heartthrob paper across the bottom of my card resembles it.  Confetti reminds me of sprinkles on a cupcake...most likely the number one reason I love it :).

Vintage trim is one of those timeless loves of mine.  I have a big basket of it sitting right beside my craft table and love to pull from it and use it where appropriate, such as across the bottom of my card.  Just a touch of softness.

More stamped stitching across the top of my card, and vellum/transparencies used as layers in the center of my card...not to mention my favorite shape, the heart.  Oh, and wouldn't you know it, a doily transparency!  I can't end without sharing my washi tape addiction with you.  The washi trend is going strong and I love it in small doses, used as accents across the corner of my card, down the edge, or even folded and trimmed into a banner. I used Freckled Fawn washi on this card as well as on my first card.  

There's so much to enjoy about this wonderful world of paper-crafting and card-making.  It's been a pleasure sharing a few of my favorite things with you today.

Melissa Phillips

 

Comments

[Helen G.]

Such a fabulous shabby-chic card! Thanks for the inspiration today, Melissa!

[Donna Rawbone]

Beautiful!!!

[Linda E]

Melissa, your cards are always so incredibly pretty!

[Susan]

Hi Melissa....you are such a breath of spring; TFS!

[barbara macaskill]

These are all so pretty! Love your style!!! TFS!

[Kim Thomas]

They are lovely! Thank you for sharing them with us. Take care.

[Carol Jones]

Gorgeous cards!

[jan m]

So many beautiful touches on your cards Melissa! We share a fondness for many of the same card ingredients!

[Jenny Kozar]

these are just beautiful!

[TracyM #6773]

BEAUTIFUL cards Melissa, loving your colours, layers and pretty details!!!

THANK YOU for sharing your crafty inspiration!!!

[Maryann]

THANKS so much for your wonderful inspiration here Melissa, your cards are so beautiful and I just absolutely love the softness in them in both style and the wonderful colors, you´ve used for them as well.

[Becky Green]

WONDERFUL MELISSA!!!!!!!!!:) ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, EVERY ONE!!!!!!!!!;) I "NEED" TO let loose & try the Washi Tape! I have some & just can't figure out where to put it!!!LOL I LOOOOOOVE the same things that are YOUR FAVORITES!!! :)SUPER POST!!!!!!:)

[roseline]

cc. trés jolie carte, superbe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!