Thrift Shop {Play}

Good Afternoon Blog Friends (WARNING: mammoth post ahead).
I have not been doing a lot of crafty stuff lately, busy with the day to day goodness of life, and at a bit of a craft crossroads. You see, I have told you all before, I make cards because I enjoy doing it, it is my relaxation, my time for me, my way of expressing my creative side, etc... so this is what sits in my crafty space...

... lots and lots and lots and lots of handmade cards, all lovingly wrapped up in little cello bags, dreaming of ending up on someone's dresser with pretty words written inside that will make someone smile each time they glance its' way. So every now and then, such as in the last couple of weeks, as much as I am wanting to create, I simply don't, as it seems kind of strange to just keeping making something to sit in a box.

BUT.... today, I was really feeling the need to do something creative,  so I thought I would just make some more because I wanted to, the one's in the boxes can always use more friends right? I was inspired by a new range of paper, that is so not me, it's pretty and vintagey and not my colours and ... you get the idea... I love the vintagey cards with heaps of embellishments that other crafters make, I just can't pull it off myself.

... the red is such a pretty red, this one will have a home, it's for my Mum's stash ;) ( ♥ you, Mum)

I have had this Prima stamp for ages now, it was so nice to use it. Like I said, I do love the look of vintage goodies, I buy them often, but they usually sit on my shelf as I reach around them for the flowers and the pinks and the cutesy stuff. I need to get it into my head that it is ok to use retro/vintage inspired papers to make cards that are still clean and simple, like I have done today. For some reason, I think if I use these papers, I need to embellish the card into oblivion, which I simply cannot manage without going into creative meltdown.

Will I ever become tired of butterflies... I think not. I like making these sort of cards so I can use lots of different prints, there's nothing quite like being able to hack into each pattern ;) Vintagey colours, with my SweetSimplicitee spin on it I guess...

Well, as you can see, it has been a productive day on the crafty front for me. Thanks for stopping by and for your comments, I read each one and appreciate them so much ♥

Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend.

Ingredients

(All cards use Thrift Shop Patterned Paper by October Afternoon)

Daughter: Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug, Punch Ink - Hero Arts, Very Vanilla Cardstock and Real Red Ribbon - SU!, Border Punch - EK Success, Women of Life Stamps - Papertrey Ink

Friendship: Sentiment Stamp - SU!, Stamp - Prima, Pinecone Ink - VersaColor, Very Vanilla Cardstock - SU!, Chocolate Twine and Clear Embossing Powder- LSS.

For You: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug, Butterfly Punch - EK Success, Punch Ink - Hero Arts, Real Red Ribbon - SU!, Occassional Greetings Stamps - SU!

Happy Birthday: Butterfly Punch - EK Success, Women of Life Stamps - Papertrey Ink, Apron Lace Border Punch - Fiskars, Old Olive Ribbon - SU!, Punch Ink - Hero Arts.

(Phew... I think that's everything! Let me know if I missed anything;)!)