Craft Market Hoopla!

Such fun you are going to have today with our design team coordinator, Christine Middlecamp. She has a great project to talk about that is crafted from one of this season's most popular Crate Paper embellishments–Craft Market Wood Veneer Hoops!

When I heard directly from Lisa Parkin, Crate Paper's founder, that she was releasing an ADORABLE set of miniature wood embroidery hoops, I felt an immediate 'swoon' from within. Seriously, tiny wood embroidery hoops? Where had she picked up such an awesome idea and what direction would I run with it?

The hoops eventually arrived, and they have been patiently awaiting my attention. Finally, over the weekend, I took to playing with them, attaching felt to the backs and embellishments and papers to the fronts.

I'm in the habit of collecting every felt color known to man. I chose a pleasant, lively color palette for the altered hoop set; emerald green, bubble gum pink, carnival turquoise, & deep fuchsia.

I adhered each hoop to a patch of felt with 'hot glue' and cut away the excess using a sharp scissors. I double checked my glue job and re-glued areas that were in need of extra support or were missed altogether.

In the end, I crafted a total of 'five' hoops ranging from 2.5" to 6" in diameter. I covered each one with circles cut from Crate Paper's various new releases, including Craft Market & Maggie's Confetti. I layered some of the circles with cardstock and topped them off with an array of delightful additions.

**I attached the paper and elements to the felt background with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive (my fave wet adhesive) & staples.

The key to creating flowers such as these is 'texture'. I've always made my own one-of-a-kind layered flowers. Over the years, I have simplified the process some, but I still follow the same basic rules:

1. mix & match surface texture, tone, size and shape.

2. Try to keep each layer as distinctive as possible.

3. Include an occasional layer of contrasting cardstock.

4. Bring it full circle with a vintage, retro button & rhinestone.

5. Circle punches are a MUST.

{**I hand carved the bird from a stamp block using both V/U-shaped Speedball Gouges.)

You might not remember the diamond gold transparency design from the Journey collection, but it is stunning! It's part of a larger set of tags sold on a 12" x 12" sheet of gold foiled transparency.

The pretty pink multi-flower brad is from an old Crate Paper collection that is no longer in production. These last seven years, I have kept everything that Crate Paper has sent to me, brads included! I keep them stored in their very own drawer on top my desk.

These fancy Craft Market/Confetti phrase stickers are new to the Crate family–they are the perfect size!

The last two hoops call attention to a quote that inspired the project's running theme, 'letting go':

"We can never go back again, that much is certain." - Daphne du Maurier

It has been a truth that I have endured as a young widow the last six years. Now, is the time to focus on my future. The embroidery hoops express the journey ahead through color, tiny phrases and imagery.

Please feel free to pin anything that is of interest–the Craft Market embroidery hoops are too cute for words!

It's been an absolute joy spending time with you today! Happy Crafting!