Paper Crafting with Patches

"Sew it, stick it, do somethin' with it." That's the tagline on the packaging of one of the patches. Isn't it perfect?! There is so much you can do with these little textured treats. Whether you sew it on or use it as a sticker, you're sure enjoy working with this up and coming crafting trend. Think beyond clothing and backpacks to paper crafting. Patches are a quick and easy way to add texture without adding bulk. Use them on albums, scrapbook pages, cards, gift wrap, and home decor. 

patches.JPG

About the Patch

Many are sticky-backed, some are iron-ons, and others are meant to be stitched on. 

Like the enamel pins, patches seem to be a throwback to the '80s. They're back in a big way! Of course, you can use them on your clothing. In fact, many clothes are currently designed with patch designs already in place, like this cute Cat & Jack pack that I picked up at Target (which Maggie promptly claimed as her own).

patches_pack.JPG

Where Are They?

Patches are available locally at stores such as Target, Michaels, and Hot Topic. You can also find them online. There are so many to choose from. You'll find something for everybody. Try searching "iron-on patches" or "embroidered patches." I have a Pinterest board with a few fun possibilities. Prepare to be '80s inspired! ;)

Paper Craft Using Patches

Pair patches with fabric bags to create fun gift wrap or even add them directly to the fabric liner of your planner. Both are fun iron-on options. The peel-and-stick variety stick very well, so proceed with caution but also know they'll stay put, even on textured surfaces like this awesome Jillibean Soup frame.

patches_halloween.JPG

Of course, patches are a natural partner to pair with paper projects. They're flat, so they work well on scrapbook pages.

patches_mermaid.JPG

Maggie loved making a quick card and gift bag. You might say these are stickers with pizazz, making they quite kid friendly.

patches_card and bag.JPG

Some are small enough to make awesome planner extras. Taco Tuesday anyone?

patches-planner.JPG

As Seen On TV

I'll share even more ideas today at 11:00 AM on Studio 5 (Utah channel 5 if you're in the 'hood, otherwise, you can watch live streaming here).

patches_display.JPG

Thanks to My Production Assistant

I have to give a special shoutout to my help. She made going to the show more fun (which I didn't know could be possible). Thanks, Mags!

patches_Nov17_Megan-Mags.JPG

Upcoming Classes

I'm so excited to have four local classes coming up. I'd love to see you at any or all of them. Space is extremely limited, but I'd be happy to give you dibs. To receive an e-mail when class sign-ups are posted, please email me at meghoeppner@gmail.com and I'll add you to my mailing list. I hope to see you there! :) The classes are:

1. Wreath Making

2. Creative Planning (November and December classes)

3. Creative Journaling Using a Bullet Journal

Cheers!

Wanna Play Cards?

I got on a card kick last night. Well, that's not exactly true. I had a need for cards. Sadly, a need for support/sympathy cards. Several I know have suffered loss lately. Yet another reminder to hold those we love close and truly live and value our time.

Shaker Cards

supplies: PAPER: Echo Park Paper; VELLUM: Stampin' Up!; "Thinking of You" STRIP, VELLUM ACCENTS: Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper; WOOD HEARTS: ummmm... I think they're Freckled Fawn.

Throw kindness around like confetti.

This quote holds extra meaning for our family and reminds us of someone special we lost, so I put confetti pockets on several of my cards.

supplies: Exact same as previous card :) Except the pre-made heart in the circle, which is part of the confetti mix. It's from Simple Stories.

The confetti is a mixture of crepe paper scraps, foil bits, wood veneer pieces, and pre-made paper bits. 

supplies: Same as first card. Additions are: SEQUINS: Doodlebug; ROSE: Pink Paislee (I think); "I'll be there" STICKER: Simple Stories

I stitched vellum to my card fronts to hold the confetti bundles in place. This is a fairly quick way to create a card. And I love that stitching adds such reinforcement to my cards. I don't' feel like there's room for concern about the cards coming apart in the mail or anything. Phew!

Rub-Ons

supplies: PAPER: My Mind's Eye; VELLUM: Stampin' Up!; RUB-ONS: BoBunny; CORK HEART: Pink Paislee; ENAMEL HEART: My Mind's Eye

For my second set of cards, I used the foil rub-ons from BoBunny. I adore these, because the finish is such that it looks like the cards have been heat embossed, even though they have not. Hooray for shortcuts.

supplies: PAPER: Crate Paper; VELLUM: Stampin' Up!; RUB-ONS: BoBunny; HEART: Simple Stories

These particular rub-ons apply with little effort, too, which is so nice. You simply trim around the letter, peel away its backing, position it on the card, and rub. The letter then transfers to the paper. I wish rub-ons were more of a "thing" again. I always enjoy using them. Especially when they're as easy to use as these are.

A Few Extras

I need to mail nine cards today or tomorrow, so this isn't even all that I need, but sleep started to get the best of me around 3:00 AM, so I made a few more quickies and hit the hay.

supplies: PAPER: Crate Paper (black/white), Fancy Pants Designs (gold stripe); BUTTERFLY AND ROSE: Simple Stories; VELLUM SHAPES: Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper

supplies: PAPER: Fancy Pants Designs; ALPHA STICKERS: Elle's Studio (small gray), Fancy Pants Designs (floral); CORK HEART: Pink Paislee; VELLUM FLOWER: Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper; ENAMEL DOT: My Mind's Eye; ADHESIVE: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L (red permanent runner)

A common theme throughout is that these designs are fairly simplistic. No fancy techniques or tools needed. They also require minimal products. A few sheets of paper and a few extra bits was all it took.

Life is short. Take time to hug those babies, hold someone special's hand, and eat that sweet treat you've had your eye on. (Orange rolls, here I come!) Call a friend. You know, actually dial a number and speak into a phone. (Say whaaaat!?) Tell your parents thank you. And, for pete's sake, exhale. I tell you this as a way of also reminding myself. It's too easy to get caught up in the crazy. Breathe. It will be okay. The crazy can wait. How about I leave you with a sweet pic of Lulu I just snapped? Because babies sure are a wonderful piece of it all, and I kind of adore this one. ;)

Thanks for your visit!

"Uh uh uh ohhhh!" Even though her throwing everything out of her crib and onto the floor was in no way an accident. But I sure do love the way she almost grunts uh-oh at such times. And the more recent development of throwing her hands over her mouth as she says it only adds to the cute. ----> Lulu, 11 months

Breast Cancer Campaign (Blogs for Boobies Auction)

"Breast cancer"--Two words that hit far too close to home for far too many. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, and witnessing her go through more than a year of care and treatments was one of the most difficult things I've experienced. I feel very blessed to be able to say "survivor" when telling her story. What I'd give to be able to say the same for a friend of mine. She lost her life to breast cancer earlier this year.

...She was a special person and is missed by many!

So when I was asked to participate in the Blogs 4 Boobies event with Skipping Stone Design again this year, I was happy to join in. I decided to make a card set that includes two cards, two envelopes, and a gift bag and tag.

I'm auctioning my cards off, which is kind of scary, but the goal is to bring in some money for the Susan G. Koman Foundation. 100% of the proceeds I raise will be donated! More on how to bid below.

How My Cards Came Together

To create the cards, I first painted the background using watercolor paint. I then added foil using the DecoFoil pen by Therm O web, which allowed me to hand-write "love" and the butterfly trail. Photographing foil is the pits. This is a shiny, pretty silver in real life. Wish it showed better. Sorry!

I used the Heartsong stamp set from Skipping Stones Design to stamp several butterflies.

I then cut out the butterflies and painted them a bit to better match my painted background.

I layered several butterflies together and sewed to create a popped up look. I purposefully left some of the thread to work as the antenna.

With a little wing fluffing, my cards were complete.

To top it all off, I made a little gift bag and thank-you tag to go with the set.

Free Stamps Included!

Here's a fun bonus! I'm going to include my stamp set with my cards. Yes, it was gently used to create these cards, but that's it. Otherwise, it's brand new (and so cute!). I thought it would be fun to give it to the winning bid so you can make more of this card style (if that's your kind of thang). But whether you win or not, you're going to want to do some shopping at Skipping Stones Designs. For every stamp set purchased between now and June 14, they're donating $2 to the Koman Foundation! Isn't that wonderful? You'll definitely want to check out their newest stamps, released today in honor of the celebration. They're amazing!

You'll definitely want to check out their newest stamps, released today in honor of the celebration. They're amazing! Here's a peek at one of the sets. So cute!

How to Bid on My Card Set (and stamp set)

I'd LOVE to send this set your way. If you feel so inclined to bid, this is a card auction (more on that below). I'll collect bids here. Skipping Stones Design is donating all money raised to the Susan G. Koman Foundation.

Hop On!

Here are the rest of the blogs participating in Part 1 of this fun hop today:

Connie Mercer

Ilina Crouse

Kelly Gettelfinger

Amy Sheffer

Deana Benson

Megan Hoeppner (so nice to have you here!)

Giovana Smith

Stephen Kropf

Jacquie Marie

Thanks, from my heart, for your support. Breast cancer, be gone!

Warmly,
Megan