I have been blessed to create several paper bouquets over the years and each one holds a special place in my heart because a paper bouquet marked the beginning of The Embellished Boutique. I must say this one surpasses them all. I’m not sure if it’s the flowers or the color palette but it brings me immense joy. I love transforming paper into art. This piece truly embodies that vision. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I wish I had kept track of how much paper was used in the process of forming each petal but I do know it was several packs, but it was well worth the end result. Happy Crafting. Portia with The Embellished Boutique

49 and Market Little Celebrations Frame

Hello fellow crafters! Today, I am thrilled to share with you a fun frame I altered using 49 and Market's Little Dreamers collection. This is a stunning line that beautifully complements special photos. The die-cuts were ideal for embellishing the corners, and I used some with foam dots to add more dimension. I particularly appreciate the versatility of this line's color palette, which makes it perfect for both boys and girls. The colors are exquisite. To achieve a distressed look, I applied Tim Holtz walnut oxide stain. I hope you enjoy this project. Happy Wednesday! Portia with The Embellished Boutique.

Where it all began.....

 

        It all started with an old book that was going to get tossed in the garage sale bin….. Little did I know that that book would be the inspiration behind The Embellished Boutique.

       Not long after I got married I lost my mom to a tough fight with cancer and I remember thinking "time heals all wounds". Maybe for some it does, but for me it just seemed to hurt in different ways. I was wishing more than ever she was here to get to know her amazing grandchildren and watch them grow. It seemed the memories were starting to fade and I just couldn’t let that happen. I was grasping at things that kept those memories alive. As we sat going through things I just wanted to hold on to everything. There was so much stuff! As I looked at these dusty old books, among other things, I remember thinking that I had no idea how I was going to proceed forward, but that I was going to do something to honor her memory

       These books belonged to someone amazing. Whoever received these books would not know the story outside the covers. They sat in my craft room for a long time….not knowing what I would do. You see I was never that crafty…. I couldn’t sing or dance. I couldn’t sew or build. My mom…..she could do anything. Me, I just liked to scrapbook, I have enjoyed since the 6th grade. Then it dawned on me that a book was paper and if I knew anything (which was very little)…..it was paper. So I decided to make something that reminded me of mom. My mom loved loved flowers, so I thought I would try and get creative and try to figure out how to make a flower from the book.  I had the toughest time thinking outside of the box (or the book).  I came across some origami and though I failed miserably at the origami lily I tried the Kusudama Flower. I liked it…..but what was I going to do with 436 other pages?

       This is were The Embellished Boutique began. I made my first arrangement using 142 sheets of paper. I was amazed at what I had created, all the history that could be captured within paper. It has been my mission through The Embellished Boutique to always capture that. I try to always incorporate a piece of my mom in all my work. Whether it is a ribbon or button to paper, she has been a huge part of what my passion is all about. Her memory is stronger then ever and such an inspiration! I have grown so much through this journey and I never thought coming from cardstock and stickers that I was capable of something this exciting. It was then that I realized all of us are blessed with our own unique talents and if nourished properly, they can flourish. It’s where I learned that all talents are amazing and that no talent is better then another. But it is truly up to us where our talents take us and how high we soar. May you all soar high!

                                              God Bless,
                                                          Portia with The Embellished Boutique