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!


.

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!

.

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!

.

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.



.

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!

.

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!

.

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.

.