Crafting Life's Pieces

Welcome to my home ...

2015-09-30T08:59:00.001-04:00

Hi there everyone! I apologize for my absence. I've been neglecting paper craft because I fell in love with home decorating. I promise there will be handmade projects throughout the home. Today, I'm sharing photos from my foyer and how I decorated the entry table.

1. We made this table from pallet woods and an Ikea wood table top. Once cut and put together, it was time to sand, stain, and paint. We took the table inside when it was dry and started to decorate. I love the use of big glass bottle, it fills up the space yet keeping it open ... if that make sense? Got some fallen tree branches from the backyard, added some bright yellow floral leaves and that was it. A simple statement piece! I also made the grapevine wreath with a few dollar store flowers and pumpkin. A few crochet pillows and a woven basket anchors the table and add that warm and inviting atmosphere.

2. Make a new picture frame old by painting and distressing it, hang a wreath in the middle with a piece of burlap for a rustic country look. Adding a lace runner soften the look and bring texture to the piece.

3. A few acorns in the yard, nothing better then decorating with nature and what it gives us.

I decorate with what I think is a rustic country style. I've finish decorating the laundry room, the pantry and now the entry. I'm beyond happy calling this place my home. Welcome back and Welcome to my home!

See you soon!
Chelsea

Guest Designing for LemonCraft - garden project

2015-05-26T08:51:00.000-04:00

I'm still here! I've been having too much fun in my garden, so when I was asked to guest design for LemonCraft the only thing that came to mind is a spring time and gardening. I made a card for my friend and neighbor with a few sweet gifts for their garden as well. The set include some decorative flower pots, some decorated flower seed packages, and of course a warm spring time wishes with a handmade card.

Above: Gorgeous LemonCraft flowers and trim with added texture paste and glitter.

Above: I've layered some hand cut butterfly together, added texture mix and lots of glitter.

Above: A set of 3 altered mini flower pots. I planted Begonia in them and added ribbons to hang around the garden.

Above: A few decorated flower seeds for your friends to grow pretty blooms around their garden.

Thank you Anna from LemonCraft for having me, all of today's project was made with LemonCraft products that was sent to me. Absolutely gorgeous papers and embellishments, please stop by and check them out.

Thanks for visiting today, I'll share some photos of my blooming garden tomorrow. Have a wonderful day.

Chelsea

Hands to hold - altered frame

2015-03-13T09:02:00.001-04:00

I found some beautiful shabby chic frames at the flea market and here's one that I have altered. A blog friend sent me this wonderful burlap fabric that I've used as a backdrop for this piece. Add to it some doily, tulle lace, pearl strings, and some of my handmade butterfly and flowers. To hang this frame, I've used some seam binding ribbon embellishes with button and gold glitter bells. Here are some detail images ...

Thanks again for your visit and have a wonderful day!
Chelsea

Baby's christening bracelet

2015-02-18T08:51:00.000-05:00

Here's a baby's Christening gift I made using Swarovski pearls and crystal bicone beads. This was an easy project, yet the result is so pretty and dainty.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your day!

Chelsea

Nature's beauty

2015-02-17T09:54:00.002-05:00

We had an ice storm last night, a wonderful opportunity for me to get back into my love of photography and nature. Here are some photos from this morning, enjoy nature's beauty ...

Thanks for your visit! Have a wonderful day!
Chelsea

Love every day

2015-01-15T08:22:00.003-05:00

Hi there! Today, I'm sharing my "Love Every Day" card. Another romantic chic style with lots of pearls, beads, lace and chiffon. Here are some detail images of this card ...

Thank you for visiting, have a wonderful day!
Chelsea

Dream: Romantic chic

2015-01-09T08:52:00.001-05:00

Here's another card I recently finished, the colors are calming and relaxing don't you think?

I layered an embroider chiffon fabric over my digital paper, added a "Dream" chipboard sticker and a glass pebble.

A pretty lace banner with some fabric rose bud charms.

Some pretty soft pastel purple flowers and baby's breath to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting, have a great weekend!
Chelsea

Life is Sweet: purple and pink chic

2015-01-08T08:52:00.000-05:00

My first post for 2015 ... Happy New Year to you and wishing you a great 2015 with lots of happiness and good heath!

Boy, I can tell this is going to be another busy year and a great one! It's been 8 days into the new year and this is my first post? Where have I been? Well ... family visited, decorations are down, house is cleaned and finally a card is made!

Here is my "Life is Sweet" card to start of the New Year! I still have the love of shabbiness and hopefully you can see it on my card.

Some handmade flowers, vintage fabric bow, glass pebble and some baby's breath ...

Glamorous and chic stickpins, clay heart, pearls and fabric ribbon ...

Fabric butterfly and digital paper print out ...

Thanks for visiting! Enjoy your day!
Chelsea

Cherished Memories

2014-12-31T08:19:00.002-05:00

I have so many cherished memories in 2014, thought this card is appropriate to end the year. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your sweet comments over the year. It has encouraged and challenged me to make creative cards. I hope we will continue sharing our work with one another in the new year!

An exciting thing to share with you ... I'm a 2014 Top Blogger at AllFreePaperCrafts! How awesome is that?! Really made my year complete! Thank you very much, it's such a huge honor and I will proudly display this button on my blog.

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your day.

Cheers to 2015 and may the New Year bring you good health and happiness!

Love,
Chelsea

Butterfly garden

2014-12-17T08:07:00.003-05:00

With the busy holiday shopping and decorating, I hope my little card will give you a little break from the holiday madness today. The scene is a shabby chic garden with dainty butterflies flying about.

Love this fence found at Joann, I've used it on many of my card design. Can you see the butterfly on the fence?

Some glass pearl stickpins, paper flower, and fabric fringes.

Some tea dyed lace and another butterfly.

Thanks for visiting, have a wonderful day.
Chelsea

I love you just as you are

2014-12-12T08:33:00.001-05:00

I have some bridal tulle and embroider chiffon that I wanted to make a card for, and here is what I came up with. You'll also find some silk ribbon, gemstone and my fabric rose and charm.

Pretty silk ribbon, fabric rose, and pearls.

Jolee's gem center with my beaded charm.

"I Love You Just as You Are" banner.

Some Swarovski gems and sequins.

Thanks for you visiting, have a wonderful weekend.
Chelsea

Shabby chic card: Dream

2014-12-09T08:36:00.002-05:00

Had a great time making this neutral card, think I found another color combo to create my shabby chic style card. What do you think of this white and cream color combo? Most of the time when I think of this combo, I automatically go with wedding cards.

A few clay embellishments, flower soft and lots of lace!

A die cut butterfly layered with lace butterfly, seam binding, and pearls.

There are also some glass glitter on torn cardboard for lots of light reflection.

Thanks for visiting, have a wonderful day!
Chelsea

Today is for you - shabby chic card

2014-12-05T08:40:00.003-05:00

Taking a break from making Christmas cards and back to making girly shabby chic cards. I simply enjoy making these cards and I'm so happy to share them with you. Most of the embellishments on this card are handmade; clay hearts, stickpins, glass pebble, flowers and even the script paper (I'll share how I make them ... keep reading ... )

I added two layers of tulle under the papers, a strip of Spellbinder die cut on vellum with added pearls on top. To make the script paper I stamped a script image on vellum paper then emboss with clear powder. I then added some acrylic paint (Martha Stewart "Porcelain Doll") on the embossed image and used a cardboard to spread and scrape off the excess paint. Let it dry, then give it a torn edge by tearing the vellum paper.

I'm falling back in love with seam binding ... so soft and full of volume. I added a glass pebble (tutorial on the sidebar) and finished off with two pearly stickpins.

"Today is for You" is a sticker by K&Co. I stick it on a piece of muslin then some fran-tage around the edges. I shared these clay hearts are from a few post back, they can be used on cards and as gift tags.

I emboss the paper for some texture, added flower soft and inked the edges.

I'm so happy its Friday! Need to wrap up some presents and send them on their way! Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for your visit.
Chelsea

Merry Christmas - shabby chic Christmas card

2014-12-03T14:54:00.000-05:00

Making cards with this color theme is my favorite, not to mention all the girly things along with it too! How can a girl not love ruffle, fringe, tulle, bow and pearl ... even on a Christmas card right?

I've added micro beads and chunky glitters on this laser cut.

Layers of spellbinder die cut and torn muslin fabric.

I also added chiffon fabric behind the paper for more layers.

Some pretty girly tulle on the bottom of the tree.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.
Chelsea

Christ the Savior is Born - Christmas card

2014-12-02T13:17:00.000-05:00

It's always a busy time around the Holidays, I haven't been able to create as much as I'd like but here's a card I just finished. It's going to my in-law so I wanted to keep it traditional with a touch of shabby vintage.

"Christ the Savior is Born" is a laser cut wood ornament I found at Michaels. I think these wonderful wood ornament make beautiful cards. I added a snowflake charm with dangling swarovski crystal and pretty pom-pom around the edges.

The details on these laser cut are amazing aren't they?

Some silk flowers, handmade flowers and picks and sprays.

More picks, lace and an adorable Christmas tree embellishment.

How's your Holiday decoration coming along? My Christmas tree is out and I'm excited just thinking about decorating it ... where to start!?

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful day!
Chelsea

Clay tags - Christmas tags

2014-11-04T09:36:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I had some fun making these clay tags. It'll be adorable on gifts for family and friends this holiday season. I used Sculpey clay, a few christmas stamps and pieces of lace to make them. Easy! Fun! and so so Pretty!

Thanks for visiting, have a wonderful day!
Chelsea

Tis the season to be jolly - Shabby chic christmas

2014-10-30T12:11:00.001-04:00

I'm working on a Christmas mini album and I'll be share them as I go along. Here is the cover of the mini album that I just finished, what do you think? Once again, it's a shabby chic style with traditional colors and vintage images.

A pretty ribbon bow with Jolee elements ...

I added a hanging charm and lots of textures on the card with frantage, micro beads, and glitters ...

Flowers and glass pebbles ...

Here again is another look at the mini album's cover ...

I hope to share more from this album soon. Thanks for visiting!
Have a wonderful day.
~Chelsea

Shabby chic "Love" card - Free digital sentiment

2014-10-23T08:46:00.000-04:00

I've been so busy these days, but it's all fun! I have created a 4x6 printable sentiments for you, I hope you like it and find it useful. I also want to share a card I made using the "Love" sentiment on this printable sheet today.

Here's my card for today, made with the "Love" sentiment printed on cardstock, distress the edges and glue it on to a piece of fabric. I then added frantage on the edges to get a shabby and sparkly tag. The paper used are from the "chic neutral" collection, you will also find this card listed on etsy.

Ceramic bead charms and glass pebbles ...

Some handmade flowers ...

Shabby chic fabric butterfly ...

Another look at this card ...

Thank you for visiting, have a wonderful day.
~Chelsea

Shabby chic style charm embellishments

2014-10-20T18:09:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to introduce these pretty shabby chic charm embellishments to my etsy shop. All are uniquely design with a touch of shabby chic. The charm hangs on a piece of torn fabric and will be so beautiful on shabby projects like cards, layouts, albums ... and so much more!

Thanks so much for visiting, I'll be adding more soon!

Have a wonderful day.
~Chelsea

Shabby chic friends card - chiffon flower tutorial

2014-10-17T09:19:00.001-04:00

I'm sharing a card with lots of handmade embellishments including my chiffon flowers which I will be sharing a tutorial down below. I made this card using Shabby Chic Butterfly digi paper, stickpin, fabric butterfly, heart and gem charms and of course my chiffon flowers.

Here's how I made these chiffon flowers ...

	You will need: chiffon fabric flower die glue gun tea light candle twizzers
	Layer 3 pieces of chiffon fabric together and run through the die machine with the flower die.
	Once cut, separate the flowers. Lightly heat each flower over the candle flame (please be careful as the chiffon fabric will burn fast).
	Fold the flower in half.
	Fold the flower in half once again.
	Take your stamens and wrap each folded flower around the stem with a bead of hot glue.

	adding on the second folded flower.
	and the finally the third folded flower is added.
	Here are the results ... soft fluffy chiffon flowers.

Thanks for reading, I hope you find this post helpful. Have a wonderful weekend!

~Chelsea

A hearty greeting - shabby chic vintage chic christmas card

2014-10-13T15:17:00.001-04:00

It's time to get those Holiday cards ready. This card is a bit vintage and a bit shabby chic, not your traditional Christmas card but I love the way it look. What do you think?

Air-dry clay motif, frantage edges, vintage style glitter ...

Layering of pom-pom trim and lace ...

Christmas ice and berry picks, stickpin with dangling stars ...

Vintage Santa glass pebble, seam binding and twine ...

Handmade flowers ...

Another look at the finished card ...

Thank you for reading, have a wonderful day.
~Chelsea

etsy links:
Handmade Card - "Once again a Hearty Greeting"
Digital Paper - Chic Christmas (blue cherub angels)

Shabby chic butterfly - Digital paper design

2014-10-09T11:23:00.002-04:00

A new addition to my digital paper collection. I'm calling this one "Chic Butterfly", 4 different shabby design with butterfly theme. Hope you like this chic butterfly set, thanks for visiting today! Enjoy your day.

~Chelsea

Love is patient, Love is kind - Shabby chic love card

2014-10-08T08:12:00.000-04:00

If there's one thing I love doing, it'd be making soft, romantic and sweet card like this one. It's a style I love so much, so pretty to look at and there's something about it that's just so calming don't you think? I hope the person receiving this card will feel the same way I do.

I used a lot of frantage for that shabby look on the frame and "Love is patient, Love is kind" banner ...

I made these cute stick pins with fabric, finding and glass pearls ...

My shabby chic fabric butterfly can be found here ...

I made this flower using a texture fabric and some bridal embroidered tulle. Also added a glass pebble, you can see how I made it here ...

Another look at the finished card ...

Thanks for reading, have a wonderful day!
~Chelsea

Sugar & spice & everything nice - Shabby chic baby album

2014-10-03T15:20:00.001-04:00

I had so much fun making this baby album, I don't remember the last time I made an album ... It's been long overdue. The cover is made with my digital paper design (shabby chic blue)which I have printed on fabric then sewn to the cover. This album have 5 turns to hold 12 pictures, enough for baby's first year.

Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend.
~Chelsea

Shabby Chic fabric butterflies

2014-09-29T15:52:00.000-04:00

I have new style of butterflies made. These are shabby chic with white distress paint all over them. A pretty thing to add to your craft project don't you think? They are now available on my etsy shop, thanks for looking :)

Thanks for visiting, have a wonderful day!

~Chelsea