Sometimes projects just seem to design themselves, right?! Well, that’s how this project seemed to me.
About a week ago, my father gave me an old freebie calendar that had images of paintings by some of the great masters. While the monthly images were too large for this project, the thumbnail size images that were on the last back page seemed perfect for a pocket letter.
Around the same time, I had purchased a destash box of papers (really the last thing I need, but at just the cost of shipping I couldn’t pass it up) from my crafty friend, Carol (YT: Crafty Carolina Gal). In that large box were all sorts of specialty papers, including loads of stickers (some seemed to have lost their stickiness, but that wasn’t a problem with a little hot and wet glue) and cut-a-parts from Kaisercraft’s “Enchanted Garden Collection.”
Well, the elaborate frame stickers fit the little thumbnail sized images of the master paintings perfectly. It was like this project was just meant to be. 🙂 There were also die cut sentiments, pennants, banners, flowers and background papers that all coordinated beautifully.
I inked the edges of a lot of the pieces with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain, Victorian Velvet and Forest Moss (as the paper colors seemed to dictate). I then “hung” all the pennants on green and white baker’s twine (using hot glue to secure them) and used pale pink flat back pearls and summer green sparkly bling pieces to embellish each pennant.
For a little movement and extra pizzazz, I added a string of crystal beads, a gunmetal rose, and a vintage style key charm as a dangle from the top hole of the pocket letter sleeve. I also trimmed the selvage area with some Tim Holtz wash tape, which I fussy cut down to size and used an Xacto knife to reestablish the holes.
More out of practicality than anything else, I also added a pink heart paperclip to one of the top pockets to keep all the crafty goodies in that pocket from slipping out (some bulkier items have a tendency to do this, especially from the top row of pockets). I’m not going to reveal all the yummies behind each pocket so that the my friend who will receive pocket letter can be surprised.
The following is a video share of this project:
This pocket letter is being entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday Die-cut Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday No Ordinary Paper Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Sparkle and Shine Challenge
Inspired by Stamping Color Challenge
613 Avenue Create Anything Goes with an Shabby Chic Option Challenge
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Anything Goes Challenge
Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful crafty day! WOOF
Gorgeous pocket letter very shabby chic. Thanks for joining us at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends and good luck.
Rose DT x
Thanks for stopping by and for hosting such a warm and welcoming blog! I love Lil Patch of Crafty Friends! Big hugs, Kristina
This is such a beautiful pocket letter! I LOVE the shabby chic feel, beautiful use of color, and all those amazing banners! Thank you for joining us at Inspired By Stamping! HUGS! 🙂 Mynn xx
Thank you Mynn! I love all styles but I sometimes struggle with shabby chic so I appreciate your kindness even more! 🙂 TF stopping by. Big hugs, Kristina
I absolutely LOVE this beautiful card. I would like to warmly invite you to share your amazing art with us at Word Art Wednesday, We’d enjoy having you play along, if you can, and have you share your talents with us. It would be a huge blessing to me and I really hope you will join us. We offer awesome prizes each week in our Anything Goes challenges. You can find us here:
Word Art Wednesday
http://www.cropstop.com/blog/uncategorized/linky-party-6-anything-goes/
Blessings,
Karen Letchworth, Blog Owner
Word Art Wednesday
Thanks so much Karen for the sweet comment and for the kind invitation! I will certainly check out your challenge blog and hope to participate soon! 🙂 tf stopping by! Hugs, Kristina
Great take on Sparkle and Shine challenge.Love all your beautiful cards. Lovely colours. Thanks for playing along Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!
Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind comment! Hugs, Kristina
This is a very creative use of your old calendar! Very nicely crafted. Thanks for sharing with us at 613 Avenue Create!
Hugz,
Chana, Owner
Thanks so much Chana! I love upcycling whenever I can. 🙂 TF stopping by! Hugs, Kristina
Gorgeous creation! Amazing how you took odds and ends and created such a masterpiece. Love it.
I am having a blog celebration; with lots of prizes. I would love for you to join as a follower (if you aren’t already), comment and add your link. I couldn’t find a way to follow your blog.
Thanks so much for joining our Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge. We hope to see you again in the next challenge. Good luck in the drawings. Hugs, Gloria DT
http://purpleglocreations.blogspot.com
Thanks so much Gloria! I have just checked out your blog and it looks like you have so much info and share such great projects! I have subscribed and look forward to getting to know you better. You can follow my blog (the area is toward the top on the left side). Thanks again for stopping by and for your super sweet comment! Big hugs, Kristina
I love pocket letters, so this caught my attention right away. And those lovely pennants…beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us this week for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. It was fun visiting your blog! ~Michelle
Thanks so much Michelle! I am starting to really love pocket letters too–it took a while. LOL TF stopping by and another fun challenge at SSSMC! Big hugs, Kristina
Beautiful soft and ethereal pocket letters! Lovely shabby chic effect! Thank you for sharing it with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!
Thanks so much for stopping by and another fun challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! Hugs, Kristina
Wow! what a great creation! I love how feminine and sweet this is. You are such an inspiration!
Thanks for joining us over at Inspired By Stamping.
Hugs
Jo
IBS DT
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment, Jo! I really enjoyed creating this pocket letter and it was fun sharing it with Inspired by Stamping! Hugs, Kristina