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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Waltzingmouse May Blog Party-Fabric Ruffles

Today is the Waltzingmouse Blog Party, and did I struggle with this one, although I think that is the point of challenges...to try things you might ordinarily not use in your everyday life.  The theme is felt or cozy fabric.  I rarely use either of those on my cards although I have just about every color of felt imaginable.  I can never seem to resist buying it and you would think I would use it on my card today...nope!  I had absolutely zero ideas for using all those rolls of felt.
I did however come up with an idea using fabric.
I have made paper ruffles before, and I always thought it would be easier to just use real fabric instead of trying to make my paper look like fabric.  Now I know why it isn't any easier...the ends fray and this card weighs a ton!
Last Summer I bought this fabric in Montana because I thought it looked so much like the big pinecone image in Waltzingmouse Festive Foliage stamp set.  I used three strips of fabric to make my ruffles and adhered them with scoretape.  I stamped some patterned paper using the graph paper stamp from Offbeat Backgrounds and distressed the edges with Tea Dye.  The frame is outlined with an image from Very Vintage Labels #18.  The big old pinecone branch I love so much is from Festive Foliage with a few of the pinecones popped up with dimentionals.  The sentiment is from Say It Loud Winter Holiday.  I added a bow from some dyed seam binding and had to add a few little bells as a final embellishment.
This is definitely going to be a "hand-it to you" kind of card, it's way too heavy to mail!  Make sure you check out all the other projects using cozy fabric or felt, here's a link to the Blog Party.  You just might be tempted to try out your own cozy felt or fabric on the next card you make!

34 comments:

Joyce said...

This card is absolutely gorgeous, and you can hand it to me any time you like! Those fabric ruffles are amazing--and you are right that the fabric is a perfect match with that stamp set. Also, I love your bow with the bells, and thank you for showing me what to do with that fabulous graph paper background.

Julia Aston said...

LOVE your fabric on this holiday card Cathy! and the colors of your pine cone stamping and the label/sentiment are so pretty! Beautiful card!

Deborah Frings said...

It might weigh a ton, but it looks fabulous! Love the ruffles and ribbon - a super Christmas card!

Lynn Mercurio said...

Amazing, Cathy! I'd love to have some seasonal drapes that are made from this fabric. An outstanding creation!

Bonnie said...

Oh my goodness! That fabric is gorgeous and you are right - what a close match to Festive Foliage! Delicious card!

Kary said...

Hi Cathy! What a Gorgeous card!! I love the ruffles, and the fabric is perfect for the Christmas card you created. Love it! {hugs}

Jeanne J. said...

Cathy - This is drop dead gorgeous! Your card is all dressed up and ready to WOW! This one is a keeper - I don't think I could part with it! BEAUTIFUL!

Cassie_lu said...

beautiful card and the ribbon you dyed is stunning.

Cassie_lu said...

beautiful card and the ribbon you dyed is stunning.

Marybeth said...

Cathy I think I would keep this one! I can see it on a mantle in your cabin. It's so pretty and Christmasy. Well ,you came up with a great way to use your fabric. Love this one, too!

Sharron said...

Wow, Cathy, the fabric is the perfect match! And I agree about keeping it. It would be wonderful for a special spot at Christmas! Love the gorgeous bow too!

Karin Ã…kesdotter said...

WOW!! Your card is amazing And your ruffles so beautiful!!! WONDERFUL Christmas card! Have a great day and a fun Hop, hugs, Karin

Bumblebee said...

so lovely and Christmassy! great use of the fabric, it matches the pine cone stamp really well.

Jessica Wekenman said...

Oh, my! Cathy, this is absolutely gorgeous! That fabric, that ribbon, those pinecones...all so prefect together! That is so funny you bought that fabric because it matched that stamp set...paid off big time today! I love those pinecones!

Renee said...

Gorgeous!!
I remember you telling me about this fabric and you're right...
it's perfect with those gorgeous pinecones!!
Love that label...
the popped up cones...
and that sentiment!
And I can imagine that the card weighs quite a bit...
feel free to deliver to me any time! :)

Kim Heggins said...

Wow, I would have never thought to put fabric ruffles on a card, just so clever and feminine. You really did a beautiful job on your card, it is so amazing and I agree with Joyce but instead of handing it to her, you could send it to me....so beautiful!

Jen Cuthbertson said...

Wowza, Cathy! I love those ruffles and that fabric is perfect for those stamps! I swear I smelled pine needles when I saw it! :) Great job!!

Peanut said...

What a stunner, Cathy! This is no ordinary card.

Anne-Elise said...

Beautiful christmas card, Cathy! The bow and the fabric are gorgeous!

The Paper Parade said...

OH MY GOSH!!!! I love the rustic fabric ruffles and that great bow with the jingle bells...whoever gets this card is going to be in awe!

Katie Gehring said...

Wow Cathy- This card is amazing- from the fabric ruffles to the crinkly ribbon- it's truly a work of art!

Kelly S. said...

I am so glad that you said you bought that fabric because I would be sitting here scratching my head trying to think how you stamped those images so perfectly, heeee! It IS a perfect match and your ruffles are fantastic! I love the label you created to match. Doesn't matter if it weighs a ton because this card should never get smushed up in an envelope! It needs to be the star of the show perched on a package at Christmas...the person won't even get past the card to open the gift :)! PS...I love the bells with the seam binding!!!

Kara said...

those are some ruffles!! so gorgeous!

Jan Garber said...

Your card is beautiful and probably well worth whatever it may cost to mail! I know most of mine end up being "hand delivered" only due to thickness and weight! Your recipient would be thrilled to receive this message!

Tracey McNeely said...

Your ruffles are stunning Cathy. Don't worry about the weight, the recipient will be in awe!

Mona Pendleton said...

Stunning card Cathy! That pine cone stamped ruffle trim looks fabulous!

Unknown said...

Oooo, fabric ruffles! This is so rich & beautiful - I can just smell the pine...

Claire said...

Gorgeous frill Cathy - I can imagine it weighs a tonne and it was very fiddly to do but well worth the effort!

Tara Cardwell said...

That fabric was quite a find. I love the richness of your card and the little bells are such a cute finishing touch!

Karen M said...

So lovely, Cathy. The card may be heavy with the fabric, but it sure does add that special touch. Everything about this card is just lovely Kx

Christina said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Cathy! I have had that WM Festive Foliage set on my wish list for ages but never get around to buying it. Soon! It looks amazing with the ruffled fabric and shabby seam binding.

Charmaine Stack said...

Cathy, you did a great job with this challenge! You are right, the fabric is a perfect match to the pine cone stamp. I like the way you popped up the pinecones, which balances out the fullness of that ruffled skirt. The hand-dyed seam binding sets it all off!

Lori said...

Wow! The ruffled fabric is gorgeous--so rich looking!

Pauline said...

This is so lovely Cathy, it has such a rustic feel and I love these pine images. Another set for my wish list!