A crowning cup of tea ...

 

Hello again friends.  I love days that give me time to play with my toys and to visit my favorite blogs.  Before I begin baking Christmas cookies, I put together another post to share with you.  Mona is so talented and her blog (Cupcake's Creations) is just beautiful.  She has a fabulous color palette this week of red, brown, and tan.  The team at The City Crafter is taking us to Seattle - ok, not literally - their challenge is to feature a cup, mug, or teacup.  I don't drink coffee or tea (you'll only find me using it to dye cardstocks, ribbons, and textiles).  However, I do enjoy the delicate beauty of a china teacup such as the one I used today.  

Very Vanilla cardstock is my card base.  Riding Hood Red cardstock became a mat for two Designer Series Papers ...  Deck the Halls and Love Letter.  I stamped the flourish from Baroque Motifs to add a touch of color.  The ribbon is Early Espresso Striped (appropriate for this card - don't you think?).  I finally used one of my new crown dies and I'm thrilled!  Cut from Very Vanilla cardstock and sponged with Crumb Cake Classic Ink - I love it!  The teacup from Timeless Treasures is stamped with Riding Hood Red Classic Ink as is "Hello" from Chic Boutique.  I raised the teacup on Dimensionals and added Basic Pearl Jewel Accents to my greeting.

A couple lengths of Chantilly Crochet Lace and creme tulle tied on with red hemp adds detail to the flower.  The flower was made from three flower punches and Very Vanilla cardstock.  I have created so many of these you'll think I'm addicted ... which I am!  I sprayed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (the effect is gorgeous - click on the image for a better view) and added a Basic Pearl Jewel Accent to the center.

Time to bake with my dear daughter!  Thank you for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed your time here!


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Dashing

 

Hello!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday and I hope you did too.  With family at the the table we talked, laughed, enjoyed a good meal and each others company.  It was so nice to see everyone and get caught up on their lives.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day ... well, I guess if the Lions would have won that would have made for a more perfect day.

A challenge blog that is new to me, but maybe not to you, is 2 Sketches 4 You.  The Design Team is very talented and the sketch so helpful.  I chose to use their inspiration this week along with the always gorgeous color combination at the Colour Q.  The ladies there never cease to amaze me!

I began with a square card made of Very Vanilla cardstock and antiqued the edges with Distressing Essentials.  The mustard background paper was added along with Deck The Halls Designer Fabric.  Designer Series Papers from the beautiful Deck the Halls collection edged by the Scallop Edge Border Punch became my next set of layers.  The reindeer Dasher is stamped in Cherry Cobbler Classic ink and embellished with Basic Pearls Jewel Accents then raised with Dimensionals.  A Corner Punch helped to soften the look.

For my ribbon I used twill dyed in tea ... I think I let it soak a little too long and will pull it out sooner next time.  The tag started out as Very Vanilla cardstock but I dyed that in tea too.  Same result - note to self: one less tea bag and set the kitchen timer next time!  It was a fun process and you should give it a whirl if you have never tried.  The crown from Artistic Etchings was stamped with More Mustard Classic ink and the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler.  I dyed a Fleurette crocheted flower in water with drops of color from a More Mustard Classic Ink Refill.  After it dried I added buttons from Deck the Halls Big Designer buttons and Designer Buttons Regals Collection tied on with some old red hemp.

Thanks for stopping by today ... I hope you enjoyed your visit.  I'll be back tomorrow with some more ideas to share - good night!

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Pure and Simple

 

Hello everyone.  We have the bare bones of our Christmas tree up with the little ones waiting patiently for me to go get some new lights.  How do they burn out sitting in a box all year?  It's a mystery.  But before I go on my errands today, I wanted to share some inspiration with you.

There are so many talented artists in this field of stamping and creating, I am in awe of their work.  Surely I spend too much time wandering through different blogs and challenges amazed at what I see.  The City Crafter challenge this week is "Little Children" ... such sweetness to see there.  Play Date Cafe combines the colors of red, olive, and turquoise into a gorgeous combination.  The Waltzing Mouse sketch this week is simplicity at it's best and I tried to do the same ... keep it simple.  Here's a look at my inspiration -

Digging through my drawer of scraps, I found my three colors.  We often think of red and green together, especially this time of year, but adding just a little turquoise makes the colors sing!  The bow is made from my favorite ribbon (it ties like a dream) Old Olive Striped Ribbon.  I know it's a bit big but with so little embellishment on this simple layout, I thought the card could "carry the weight" ... so to speak.  I added another touch of red with a button from the  Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons collection tied on with Natural Hemp Twine.

I used the children sledding image from Welcome Christmas stamped in Basic Black Classic ink on Very Vanilla cardstock.  The silhouettes in this stamp set are just beautiful.  Various dies along with our Decorative Label Punch created the layered shapes.  Edges were antiqued with the Distressing Essentials kit.  And I just couldn't resist placing a few Basic Pearls above the silhouettes and then raising the focal point with Dimsensionals.

Time to go get some lights and garland for the house ... thanks for visiting with me today!

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I Spy ...

 

Hello friends.  Moxie Fab World posts an inspirational photo on Tuesday's that Cath calls "Tuesday Trigger" and every week I sit and stare at the gorgeous image.  This week, however, was an exception.  I absolutely LOVED the photo but "red and black" are NOT my typical "go to" colors.  I debated back and forth ... should I or shouldn't I?  Telling myself that there are times when we have to push ourselves outside of the box and for me ... this was definitely it.  I didn't know where to start.  Then I remember the game "I Spy" and the wonderful books filled with beautiful photography where you have to find things in the image.  That is literally what I had to do.  So with pencil in hand, I wrote down everything I saw - black on the bottom with horizonal lines, red in the middle, ruffles on the red, big pink satin bow below the ruffles, a black round shape at the top, and neutrals in the skin and background coloring.  I know it's funny to break it down like that and more "scientific" than "artistic" but like I said earlier ... I am WAY outside my comfort zone with this one!  What do you see?

I started with Very Vanilla cardstock layered with Real Red cardstock and antiqued the edges with Distressing Essentials.  A Scallop Edge Border Punch was used to add interest to the Basic Black cardstock while still keeping the horizontal lines.  I sewed strips of Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon across the center and added a Pretty in Pink Satin ribbon below.

The flower is created from Basic Black cardstock with a Rhinestone Jewel in the center.  Three different flower punches were used to create this embellishment...here's the tutorial link.   Sparkle was added to the flower with a glitter spray.  To include the neutral tones, I used Chantilly Crochet Lace and a tag stamped in Real Red and Basic Black Classic Inks.  A small French postal stamp from French Foilage and the sassy saying "Thanks - I love being spoiled" from Afterthoughts were perfect for the "feel" of the photo.

Simon Says Stamp and Show asks everyone "What Makes You Happy?" For me ... it's flowers! Click on the link for other expressions of joy (and some fabulous inspiration too)!



Whew, I feel liberated stepping outside the box!  Thanks for stopping by and sharing some time with me.



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Perfectly Plum ...

 

Cupcake Creations has the most gorgeous color challenge this week.  Mona is a fantastic artist and I encourage you to pay her a visit.  Her work is fabulous and the card for this challenge is absolutely breath-taking.  You'll understand when I tell you my "crown dies" have already shipped and I can't wait until they arrive!  Here is her inspiration photo ...

Isn't it wonderful?  I couldn't resist creating another project with this week's delightful sketch from The Waltzing Mouse.  Using some retired patterned paper with beautiful shades of plum, cream, kraft and grey,  I added the soaring bird from Notably Ornate which I stamped in Perfect Plum Classic Ink.  This little beauty is stamped a few times across the page which gives us different shades of plum.  A Scallop Trim Border Punch with Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper created a trim edge that I layered with Raven Black Lace.

A chipboard flower shape is painted lavender and covered in Fine Cosmo Glitter.  You can see the edges peeking out.  My "poof" flower on top is made from layers of dress patterns.  After scrunching each layer, I brushed the edges across a Perfect Plum Classic Ink Pad ... the finished flower is fantastic.  See the Antique Brad in the center?  Pure vintage ... I love it.

The tag is made from Very Vanilla cardstock stamped then punched out with our Large Tag Punch.  I distressed the edges and embellished with Basic Pearls.  A length of embroidery floss adds another texture and a touch of grey.

Simon Says Stamp and Show asks everyone "What Makes You Happy?"  For me ... it's flowers!  Click on the link for other expressions of joy (and some fabulous inspiration too)!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

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Yellow Roses

There is snow in the air today.  It's brisk and cold outside so I was happy to see this beautiful arrangement of yellow roses on Moxie Feb World's Tuesday Trigger.  The mix of yellows with a touch of pumpkin hues and shades of green all against a cream background ... sigh.  How many days 'til summer when my garden is in bloom?  Of couse, the Design Team at The Waltzing Mouse never disappoint.  Just look at this week's sketch ...

With my inspiration to guide me, I began pulling together my colors.  Starting with a So Saffron card I added this sweet polka dot print.  Stitching crazy wavy lines around the outside added a bit of whimsy.  You'll notice I highlighted the edges further by using our Distressing Essentials and Frost White Shimmer Paint.  The fabric corner in shades of yellow, orange, and green provides texture ... I love the softness it adds.  A strip of sheet music sponged with Frost White Shimmer Paint and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink has been folded and sewn on.

The ribbon is So Saffron grosgrain.  The large creme button comes from  Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons and I layered on the orange flower button from my drawer.  Natural Hemp Twine is looped in the back and the leaf stick pin with brass flower bead added.  "Thank You" is stamped in Basic Black Classic Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock with the edges distressed a bit.  The stamp is part of our Because I Care Hostess Set.  I am going to try my luck at dying tags in tea today.  I've "Googled" the technique and I think I know what I'm suppose to do.  I'm excited to give it a go and if I'm successful you will see them used here ... wish me luck!

Thanks for visiting with me ... enjoy the rest of your day!

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Three Leaves

 

Hello friends.  I hope the day is beautiful where you are.  The sun was shining with the temperature nearly 60 degrees today.  We couldn't have asked for anything better ... given the Autumn season.

My inspiration comes from two favorite blogs with the most amazing Design Teams.  The colors are warm, cozy, and soooo gorgeous at Colour Q coupled with the simple delightful sketch (just how I like them) offered by the wonderful designers at The Waltzing Mouse.

A new stamp set arrived just when I needed it.  I have been wanting to create something colorful and perfect for the fall colors outside my window.  French Foilage stamps were exactly what I had envisioned.  Using Watercolor Wonder Crayons, I colored my stamp then spritzed with water before stamping onto Whisper White cardstock.  A few snips of the scissors, a bit of Mod Podge with a very fine dusting of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and they were ready to sew on.  I kept the stitches toward the center so that the edges could curl up.  I love the result.

My card base is So Saffron cardstock with Cajun Craze cardstock and scrap strips of Designer Series Papers.  One DSP (at the top) is retired the other two are from our gorgeous Deck the Halls collection - Christmas themed I know but too wonderful to pass by ... the colors are perfect for this Autumn delight.  My doily is dyed with Always Artichoke Classic ink  applied with a Brayer.

The ribbon is seam binding dyed in So Saffron Classic Ink then dried and scrunched to perfection.  A big button in Always Artichoke from Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons with a saffron stick pin helped to embellish the bow.  The greeting (stamped in Cajun Craze Classic Ink) is from our "Because I Care Hostess Set" and makes this sweet card perfect for nearly any occasion.

I have friends coming on Saturday for some chatting, laughing, eating, and of course making art.  They are the best group of ladies and I so look forward to our monthly get togethers.  I am truly blessed! 

Have a wonderful evening and thank you for stopping by.

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Home for the Holidays

 
What a busy weekend we've had.  Teacher conferences, out to catch a college volleyball game with friends, and so much more.  I've been fitting in some craft time here and there ... in between activities and errands.  During my blog travels, these sweet little houses have caught my eye... I'm sure you've seen them too.  I love them so.  They are decorated for Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, and more.  So when Stampin' UP came out with this adorable cottage in our Holiday Mini Catalog, I had to get one.  It has been sitting in my craft room ever since ... waiting patiently for me ... and I must admit I didn't know where to start.  But once I did - I couldn't walk away.  I'm sure to make one for each of my seasonal displays!

The cottage itself comes in 5 pieces that are pre-cut and scored.  It was really super easy to put together.  Before I assembled the parts, I covered each with Designer Series Papers.  You may recognize the polka dots from the Love Letter collection.  Under the buttons on the roof, I added silver Waffle Paper ... it makes a fantastic roofing material.  The large star is chipboard from On Board Mix & Match which I painted red and covered with Silver Glass Glitter.  It stands tall glued to the cottage chimney.

The happy family inside can be seen putting up their Christmas Tree.  These sweet silhouettes stamped in Basic Black Classic Ink are from our Welcome Christmas stamp set.  The door and windows are  Riding Hood Red cardstock covered in Modge Podge and dipped in Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Wouldn't a glittered door be wonderful?  To create the window frame shapes I used our Decorative Label Punch and Designer Label Punch.

Rosettes made from long strips of Designer Series Paper adorn the sides of the cottage.  The gorgeous button is from Deck the Halls Designer Buttons.  I ordered bags of this collection as well as Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons ... they are large, wonderful, and too good to pass up.

Of course, no home would be complete without the warmth of a greeting.  Also from our Welcome Christmas stamp set and embellished with Pearl Jewels , these words wish blessings to all who visit.

You can see more winter scenes at these lovely blogs ...
Lil' Red Wagon asks everyone to use the color red this week!
Paper Sundaes says "Let it Snow"!
ABC Christmas Challenge  celebrates W for Winter Wonderland!

I hope my "home" inspires you to create decorative hand-made items too.  Thank you for stopping by!


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Country cozy

 

I don't think of myself as a "country girl".  Born and raised in a small town, I don't care much for the big city, however, I wouldn't put myself on a farm either.  But when I saw this photograph posted on The Shabby Tea Room, well I was so mesmerized.  The colors are fun, the arrangement layered, the look ... wonderful.  Later, during my blog hopping, I see that Just Us Girls (cute name, isn't it?) is featuring fabric flowers this week.  The inspiration there is breath-taking!  Gorgeous colors, fabrics, and ideas - I loved everything I saw.  With my colors defined in this photograph and thrilled to create a flower - I was off to my craft room!

I know I have shown you bookmarks in the past, well this one is very special.  That's because next week it will be delivered to the loving hands of a very special lady.  My son's 4th grade teacher.  I know he will be thrilled to give it to her and she is more than deserving for the love and caring she gives every day.

Two Designer Series Papers were used.  The stripe I don't recall ... it was a little treasure I found in my drawer.  The polka dot print is from our Love Letter collection.  I used some old red double stitched ribbon and lengths of white twine too.

Red hemp, creme tulle, and Victoria Lace layered beneath my flower gave the project texture and interest.  The flower itself is creme dress lining and organdy cut in circles and melted over a candle.  After dipping the edges in Modge Podge, I added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and glued on a sweet little red button.

(In case you are wondering ... yes, that is Edward you see in the pages of my book.)

I appreciate your visit and hope enjoyed today's post! 

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Sew much fun ...

Hello again.  I hope you all are enjoying our first week of November.  It's been chilly here with a mix of snow forecast for Friday.  I trust that will come during the night so I don't actually have to see it.  I'm not sure that I'm quite ready for snow in the air ... at least not yet.  I'd like to get through Thanksgiving first!

In the true spirit of Autumn, the designers at Embellish Magazine are featuring "vintage" this week with the lovely colors of green, yellow, and rust.  Isn't the photo gorgeous?  And who could pass by another fabulous sketch offered by the team at The Waltzing Mouse?  Surely not me.  So here is my divine inspiration ...

Earlier this week I had wonderful box full of SU! goodies arrive at my door.  Enthusiastically, I dug in.  There, stacked amongst the papers, embellishments and buttons was my treasure ... Puns from the Past.  Silly, I know - but I love the images in this stamp set....just take a look.  I was drawn to the sewing machine for this vintage challenge (and I admit I couldn't resist the pun.)  Forgive me.

I used scraps of Designer Series Papers and the sketch for my layout.  Trying to keep to the motif of the image/sentiment, I had all kinds of sewing doo-dads laying out on my worktable and put most of them away.  It's easy for me to "over-embellish" (as if that's possible) ... so sometimes I have to stop myself!  I stitched around the sleeve and added buttons along the bottom to give the the card texture.

A cardboard thread spool (what do you call these things?) dyed with Cajun Craze Classic Ink and wound with Victoria Lace was perfect.  My sentiment is stamped with the same color and punched out with our Word Window Punch.  I added Linen Thread and attached it all with a safety pin to the green twill ribbon found in my scraps while digging for the above mentioned doo-dads.

The tag is the sweetest sewing machine I've ever seen!  Stamped in Cajun Craze, our Decorative Label Punch provided the shape.  An eyelet and some Linen Thread were added.  I smushed (there is no other word for it) Sahara Sand Classic Ink on both tags to give them an aged look.  The card base is Garden Green Cardstock and the images are stamped on Whisper White.

There's more vintage over at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

Thank you for stopping by ... I hope to see you here again soon!

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A splash of burgundy



Something about the combination of black and white speaks elegance.  Add a splash of burgundy and you have something glorious.  The fabulous Design Team at The Play Date Cafe know all about it.  Their challenge for this week is just that ... a color combination inspired by this wonderful photo of columbine.

Add in a pattern, like damask as described by Moxie Fab World (the inspiration here is something you must see) and you have a vintage card for the Holidays.

The card base is Bravo Burgundy cardstock layered with Whisper White.  The photo is at an angle so that you could see the color clearly.  Only two classic ink pads were used - Bravo Burgundy (tag) and of course Basic Black.  I layered on various scraps of black and white Designer Series Papers - some edged with our Eyelet Border Punch or our Scallop Edge Border Punch.  The outside edges were brushed with Frost White Shimmer Paint to add a bit of soft reflection.  The stamp set is pure vintage (the theme for this weeks challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show).  This silhoutte is just one of the stamps that I adore in this set ... and there is so much more.  It's called Welcome Christmas. 

The bow is pure and simple.  A length of Black Satin tied around a scrap of Black and White Striped Grosgrain.  As you can tell  ... I save any little piece of this fabulous ribbon.  The sweet little tag is punch out with our Jewelry Tag Punch and is actually just a piece of the sentiment found in A Wish for Peace stamp set.  I encourage you to look at your greetings and sentiments ... there is lots of potential with this little punch.  Tied on with white string and embellished with stick pins, buttons, and Black Flourish Designer Jewels - my card is complete.

I hope you enjoyed today's visit...thank you for stopping by!


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