A Blog Called Wanda

Crochet Granny Square Blanket for a Special Baby Boy!

Hi guys!! Today I'm sharing a crochet project!! I made another Granny Square Blanket!! I think it's my favorite thing to crochet. It feels kind of vintage/retro, but also modern at the same time. And I love using multiple colors in my crocheting...so it's the perfect stitch for me. It's relaxing to work the same stitch over and over and see the blanket come together. You can use any kind of yarn and any color palette. And you can make it as small or large as you like. I love a good granny square! 

Today's blanket is for a sweet mama to be, and her baby boy that will be here soon. I'm so happy I finished it before he arrives!! I made it for the super kind and lovely lady that owns Pretty Pink Posh. Paulina is such a sweet person and I know she's going to be the best mom!! So excited for her! I used shades of light blues and greens with soft white perfect for a babe. (and for a baby Seattle Seahawks fan!)  I found the border pattern on Youtube and it's a new one for me - but I really like it. Kind of polished fancy.

The yarn is from Hobby Lobby - I think they have the best baby yarn - in the prettiest colors. I linked all the supplies at the end of my post. I used a 4mm Hook size. The finished blanket is about four feet square. I made pom poms for the corners using that minty green yarn. They are tied on with bows so they can be removed for washing. Here are some pictures!! Take care and have a wonderful day!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!! I'll be back soon sharing something crafty!! XOXO

Tiny Houses for Spring!

Hello crafty friends! Happy Monday - here's to a great week! I just realized it's been over a week since I blogged! OH NO! I've been a busy bee! We got our taxes done (ugh) and I had to get my car fixed (ugh). I've had some good photography jobs to keep me busy (yay), and I've been stitching and crocheting a lot too. I just haven't really been paper crafting. Sometimes that happens. I have a lot of creative pursuits, and not enough hours in the day, that's for sure. Today I have a super fun project to share with you. I spent almost the entire day in the studio yesterday. Had the music on, and there was sunshine streaming in the windows. It was a lovely, slow, creative day. It's been a while since I had one of those. I feel like my best projects come from those kinds of days. And I reallllly like today's project!

I used lots of supplies from Tim Holtz for this project. I also used the AMAAAAZINGGGGG new paper collection from My Mind's Eye - called Gingham Gardens. This paper collection was hands down my FAVORITE thing from Creativation this year. I literally stood in their booth with my mouth agape, drooling over this paper. I even tried to have my friend Becky distract them so I could rip it all off the wall and run! LOLZ. But, soon enough, I now have it in my hot little hands. And I bought everything!! Really excited to create with it. This idea for today's houses came to me when I popped open my eyeballs Sunday morning (before coffee even!).... Let's look!! They are tiny houses for Spring! I made three houses and had so much fun decorating them!! No stamping either! 

 

The Sizzix Die has two sizes of house on the same BIGZ die. You cut two of each house (front and back) and glue them together, and then glue the roof on. I used chipboard to make mine because I wanted them to be sturdy. I covered them with gorgeous papers in all different patterns and florals. Then I went through my stash and made them fancy. 

 

All the pieces were splattered with both Vintage Photo Distress Ink and White Paint. All the pieces were edged with a sponge dauber and Vintage Photo Distress Ink too. I really love the contrast between the soft colors and that juicy brown ink. Just makes it feel so shabby chic to me.

 

I used some other Tim Holtz Sizzix dies for the butterfly and the leaves on this house. I put on some chunky Rock Candy Glitter on the leaves as well. I used the Big Chat stickers to spell out words and phrases on each of the houses. Those stickers are a go-to product for me. Each pack comes with black and white stickers.

 

You cannot go wrong mixing and matching all these beautiful papers!! Don't be intimidated by all the pattern play!! Stripes, gingham, florals, houndstooth...it all works!! And it's soooooo yummy. If I lived alone, my entire house would be decorated exactly like this!! LOL. (Somehow I don't think my husband truly appreciates English Country decor!!)

 

The front/back, the sides, and the roof, are all different patterns on each house. I die cut the chipboard and then die cut the paper and glued it to the chipboard. The small house is paper with no chipboard. I think I prefer the chipboard better. It's more sturdy, but both are good.

 

 

 

Right now these are on display in my studio on a shelf with a candle and my old camera.... Just makes me happy.

 

 

 

This is what the tops look like.

 

Here are some in process photos....I like to lay out my projects first before I glue everything together...

 

Inking and glittering....makes me happy.

 

Some more close up shots of details...Ideaology embellishments, ribbons, enamel dots, word stickers...ephemera.... These are a few of my favorite things!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, that was fun! Thanks so much for popping by my blog today! I hope you are doing well, and I wish you a happy and productive week! XOXO

As I'm typing this post and doing my supply links - I see that the entire paper collection is on SALE at Scrapbook.com! YEAH. (Maybe I should buy some more to hoard???) Also, I didn't realize that this Tim Holtz Tiny Houses Die was discontinued until after I made my project (boo). I did find some on Amazon and I linked them for you in my supply links below. (Thank you for shopping my links - I REALLY appreciate it!!)

CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the supply list/links for today's project. (Affiliate Links Used). 

Pinkfresh Studio Background Stamp new release blog hop!

Hey there everyone! I'm back today as part of another awesome blog hop! Pinkfresh Studio is launching a new release of beautiful background stamps! We are all showcasing different ways to use background stamps and there is tons of inspiration in this hop. So happy to be part of it! I made two fresh and bright cards that are just right for Spring. So ready to use vivid colors again in the craft room, aren't you?? There are prizes and tons of crafters involved today. So please be sure to read all the way to the end of this post! So happy to see you today! Hope you have a great week! 

First up is a modern and graphic floral card made with the awesome new Diamond Tiles Background stamp and the Simple Blossoms stamps! I always love to use black and white with pops of color. That is one of my go to card designs. This finished card is an A2 card base in white. I layered black cardstock first. Then I layered a white panel with the background stamped onto it in crisp black ink. My focal floral cluster sits onto a pretty banner...

 

 

I stamped and die cut out a bunch of flowers and leaves and set them aside. Then I die cut the pretty banner and the word die. The word die is layered with black cardstock and vellum. (I love that the Pinkfresh word dies have a background die too - it's so polished).

 

To assemble the card, I attached the banner with foam tape. Then I glued the words onto that banner. I layered the flowers and leaves, also using foam tape squares. I added black enamel dots to the centers of the flowers to make them pop.

 

 

My next card is a big square card! I wanted to feature that gorgeous Lemon Lush Background stamp!! The background stamps are 6x6"!! This finished card is a 5.5 inch square. The card base is white and then I layered pretty lemon yellow cardstock. I used another pretty word die to finish this card. Very clean and simple layout...

 

I stamped the Lemon Lush background stamp in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I used my favorite watercolor paints and had a fun afternoon water coloring this gorgeous image!!! Man, I love to sit and color!!! I love how it came out too.

 

It was really hard to photograph this card - I feel like it is so much prettier in person!! This image is great for anyone who likes to color: Copics, pencils, or watercolors...

 

 

Thank you sooo much for stopping by my blog today! If you're new here because of the hop - welcome! I hope you'll come back sometime!! Thanks to the crew at Pinkfresh for inviting me to join in the fun today too! XOXO

PRIZE ALERT PRIZE ALERT PRIZE ALERT!!! Pinkfresh will be giving away the full release on the Pinkfresh blog, and on their IG feed! WOW! Also, each stop on the hop will be giving away a $25 gift card on each of our blog posts. WOW! The winners will be picked from all the comments. Pinkfresh will pull the winners & post them on Monday, February 24th on their GIVEAWAY PAGE. You must check that page & claim your prize within 2 weeks. Good luck everyone!

Pinkfresh Studio We is offering free US or discounted international shipping on all orders $35+ From February 17-21. Please reference  the codes in the graphic below! One code for US and one for International shipping!

CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the supply list for today's cards! (Affiliate Links Used) Thank you!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Hero Arts Spring 2020 Blog Hop! Fresh and Pretty!

Hey guys!!! Two posts two days in a row! Yahoooo! And, Happy Valentine's Day! The hubs and I are out vintage hunting today, and having a nice lunch together in this gorgeous weather. I hope you are having a delightful heart day too! Today is the awesome and GIANT blog hop celebrating the new 2020 Hero Arts Catalog release! It's Spring, and it's time to craft with color!! I chose some of my favorite brand new products from the catalog to share with you today. I made two cards and can't wait to share!! Be sure to scroll all the way to the end of my post to see the hop list and enjoy the inspiration. 

First up is a zesty lemon card with a cute sentiment! Squeeze the day! I used the gorgeous new citrus background stamp along with the new Zest Wishes stamps and dies to create this yellow, cheery card! I always looooove yellow in the Spring, don't you? (supplies are all listed at the bottom of my post) The finished card is a white A2 card base, then layered with kraft and they yellow and white! So fresh!

 

I stamped and die cut out the lemons, leaves and flowers. I colored them all with Copic Markers in greens and yellows. I hand cut the branch out from the stamp - stamped in brown ink.

 

The sentiment was stamped onto a banner and then I die cut out a couple more little banners for an accent piece. The focal point with the lemons is two die cut circles in white and yellow. This color scheme goes throughout the card. 

 

Here's a photo of that gorgeous Citrus Background stamp! OOH LA LA! It's red rubber, which means it stamps like a dream. I used white pigment ink and stamped it onto a kraft panel. It came out perfect the first stamp!! Love that about working with rubber. 

 

Here are my Copic colors for the lemons...

 

I placed the lemons and leaves onto the card using foam dots for more dimension! A few sparkly glitter enamel dots to finish it off!!

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE NEW CATALOG!

My second card is full of lovely Monstera plants!! I used the new Layering Plants dies and Greenhouse die cut to create a scene! It was such a fun card to create. The finished card is a teal cardstock A2 card base. I layered kraft with white and then all those yummy leaves...

 

I die cut out a ton of leaves first - in all different shades of greens. I inked all around the edges and the splattered them with white paint. On some of the leaves I used two different colors.

 

I also inked the pots with shades of terra cotta.

 

Here is the greenhouse panel. I die cut out the shape using the die. Then I die cut it a second time in white and fit the white part into the kraft opening. I layered a piece of vellum behind that to look like frosted glass!! I like how it came out - looks pretty on top of that teal.

 

 

 

The sentiment was stamped directly onto the kraft... Such a cute sentiment!! 

 

When I put the leaves onto the card I used foam dots to raise them up off the card. Aren't these leaves so beautiful?? I am going to use these a ton!!

 

 

PRIZE ALERT PRIZE ALERT PRIZE ALERT! Hero Arts will be giving away THREE $50 gift cards to the Hero Arts shop to some lucky winners drawn from all comments left across the hop.Comment by Wednesday Feb 19 at 11:59pm pst, Winners will be announced on the Hero Arts blog next week! Good Luck!

Thanks for coming by on this fun blog hop day to celebrate Hero Arts! The full hop list is at the bottom of my post. CLICK HERE or CLICK the graphic below to see my supplies for today. (Affiliate Links Used). I hope you have a great day! Happy Hopping! XOXO

BLOG HOP LIST FOR TODAY!! HAVE FUN!!

Hero Arts Blog
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Channin Pelletier
Debi Adams
Michelle Short
Caly Person
Emily Midgett
Janette Kausen
Ilina Crouse
Yana Smakula
Daniel West
Lydia Fiedler
Wanda Guess
Seeka
Laurie Willison
Amy Kolling
Erica A-B
Nichol Spohr
Jennifer McGuire
Libby Hickson

Introducing The Greetery - Lily and Palm Release - February 2020!

Hello everyone! Today is an exciting day! It's time to introduce the brand new, beautiful February release from The Greetery!! It's called Lily and Palm and it's all about Spring and Easter. Gosh, it's really all so beautiful and classic. I feel so lucky to be part of this team! Betsy blows me away each month with her vision and the gorgeous, timeless stamps and dies. I love Easter, so this release is particularly a favorite!! I know you're going to love it too. I'm sharing three projects today - as is the rest of the team. Be sure to pop over to The Greetery Blog today to see allllll the inspiration, and the links to the rest of the design team. All the new products will be for sale tomorrow morning! Yay! I hope you have a blessed and beautiful day! Now, let's look at some projects!!

First up is a gift/candy box and matching mini card. I am thinking this is a lovely idea for place settings at the Easter table. Or small gifts to give your friends and family at church. The pillow box holds a gift card or some candies.... I used the gorgeous new Lily Botanicuts Dies...

 

I made the pillow box using the Pillow Box Punch Board! I used the Summer Sketches leaves stamp and stamped onto the aqua paper with Versamark ink to add some interest. Then I assembled the box. I wrapped the box with vellum and added a small doily. The focal point of the piece is that gorgeous Stargazer Lily!!! It was SO EASY to assemble!! In all the die sets, there is a graphic sheet included to show you exactly how to put everything together. Love that. I used cardstock and then added accents with Copic Markers and white paint. I love how it came out!!

 

I made a mini note card from cardstock and did some simple stamping....Sometimes one layer looks so clean and pretty!!

 

Here's a close up of the flower and the stamping on the pillow box...

 

 

 

Next up is an Easter card in non traditional hues... The finished card is an A2 kraft card base. I layered white and teal and then white again to make my focus on the cross and palms. I used the new Caring Cross stamps and dies along with the Palm Botanicuts... SO pretty!!!!

 

The palms were die cut from Bristol cardstock and then water colored with distress inks. the cross was die cut with woodgrain cardstock from my stash. The sentiment was stamped onto vellum and wrapped around the cardstock layers. This is one of my favorite looks. In fact the very first stamp class I ever taught was all about how to use vellum!! 

 

 

 

I layered the palms in front of and behind the cross. I used liquid glue to glue them down. The cross is popped up with foam dots.

 

 

 

Lastly, is another Easter card made with the new Easter Jubilee Kit!! This kit is made up of dies, stamps and stencils and you're going to love it!! No one makes a kit like Betsy. She is a genius at designing things to work together so perfectly!! The finished card is an A2 white card base, layered with some pretty spring green cardstock and then a Crimped layer.

 

 

There are three stencils included in the kit and you use all three to layer down your base colors. In my photo, the first stencil was done with blue hues, the second stencil with green and the third stencil with purple. Then you go back with the stamps and add dimension to the flowers (dark green and dark purple). Like I said - genius!! The Easter letters fit inside the stenciled area.... love it!!

 

I wanted a watercolor effect so I splattered some more ink onto the panel. I added pearls for accents. And I used the new happy word die in purple and added it on top of the Easter part.

 

 

 

The color combinations for this are ENDLESS! I wanted to try something different so I used pretty purples....

Thank you for stopping by today! Please visit THE GREETERY Blog to see more inspiration! Please also remember to leave a comment on everyone's blogs to be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to The Greetery Store!! There are two gift certificates up for grabs! Scroll down to see the links to all the blogs for today! Happy Crafting! See you soon. XOXO

CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the items I used in today's projects! (Affiliate Links Used).

 

TODAY'S INSPIRATION!

Kay Miller

Laurie Willison

Dawn McVey

Heather Nichols

Keeway Tsao

Angelica Conrad

Lizzie Jones

Kelly Lunceford

Norine Borys

Wanda Guess

All My Love Vintage Typewriter Card!

Helllooooooo! Happy Monday and happy February! January seemed like it took forever! Geez. But here we are in the month of love! It's been really warm here and on Saturday we picked daffodils in our front yard already. Things are blooming for sure. Feels like the beginning of Spring. Hope you had a great weekend! I have a really fun project I'm excited to share with you. The idea for this card has been in my head for a while. I am really into old vintage typewriters with flowers. I love everything about that look and image. When Tim Holtz came out with his new Retro Type Die I knew I wanted to somehow create a typewriter card with pretty florals....

My finished card is a 5.5 x 5.5 inch square card with a kraft card base. I layered pretty patterned papers and mixed and matched flowers and type - another of my favorite looks....

 

This card has lots of layers and elements. It was an 'all day' card! I love those. When I take my time and create, and layer and all that good stuff. At first I made a pink typewriter, but then I changed it up and made an aqua typewriter so I could use pink flowers. All the dies are from Tim Holtz - and are outlined in the supply list at the bottom of my post. Those tiny type dies are awesome!!!! The sentiment is spelled out on a piece of vellum - that I distressed with ink and paint.

 

I die cut the typewriter pieces and the heart and a ton of flowers our of kraft core cardstock. I then sanded the edges and inked everything with Distress inks. I crumpled the vellum with my fingers...love how that came out. A pretty metal accent tied with twine. I enjoy mixing hard and soft surfaces in this way.

 

 

 

Here are some process photos of my die cuts...

 

OH that pretty type!!!

 

Here's the Typewriter and letter dies for reference.

 

I attached the typewriter to the card using foam tape. Then I used liquid glue to affix the flowers to the typewriter and to attach the letters to the vellum. Tip - use tweezers!! I added enamel dots to the centers of the flowers for a bit of shine.

 

For the flowers, I die cut them from kraft core cardstock. Then I layered them and inked them... Then splattered them with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then Copic Opaque White paint. (yes, this took a while!)... I let each layer of ink/paint dry before doing the next step.

 

 

 

 

I love how this card came out and I'm so happy to share it with you!! It's spring and valentines all rolled into one vintagey fun card. Hope you find it inspiring! This typewriter die is going to get used a lot. So many looks, and ideas. Yeah. Love it. Have a wonderful week - see you soon! XOXO

CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the supplies used for today's project. (Affiliate Links Used)