Thankful ...

 
It's wonderful to have a day off.  I have so much planned - a visit to the bookstore (the new Somerset Life is out and I can't wait to get one), sewing a chair cushion with my daughter, and then of course there is the ever needed ... grocery shopping.  Ah well, I can't complain - I will be spending the day with my children and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Ros has given us a sketch challenge this week over at The City Crafter Challenge Blog.  At the risk of repeating myself (and I know I am) ... sweet and simple is the best kind of sketch.  Thanks Ros!  The Design Team has created some beautiful samples to share with you - they are so talented.

My project began with Very Vanilla cardstock layered with Designer Series Papers from the Springtime Vintage collection.  My goodness, I am using this a lot lately - I hope you're not growing tired of it!  Hand-dyed seam binding and some delicate lace added dimension and texture plus helped to soften the contrasting patterns.  I also added a touch of paint in a light shade of pink around the edges ... forgive me - I have to practice that technique.  (You are all so patient with me as I dabble in "this and that" along the way.)  My "tag" is a beautiful example of ephemera ... I've been collecting all that I can get my hands on.

The sweet creme flower and decorative pin compliment the strong color of the Rose Red button from Subtles Button Collection.  My sentiment is stamped in Rose Red Classic Ink and held in place by a button of the same color.

It was so nice of you to stop by!

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Vintage blue

 
The kids are sledding and I'm sure they are having loads of fun.  We'll light a fire when they get home and warm them up with cups of hot cocoa.  Remember the days when your toes would defrost in front of the fire ... they were soooo cold that you could feel them tingle?  Mom would make hot cocoa with milk ... in  a pan ... with REAL cocoa.  She couldn't stop stirring or the milk would burn.  Goodness, I miss those days and hope my two young ones will look back with the same fondness.

The Play Date Cafe color challenge this week is stunning.  What would I do without these ladies?  Their ability to find the perfect inspirational photo's, assemble them into a pleasing palette, and then provide a variety of beautiful projects.  I am so thankful for this very talented team!  (They make us all look good - don't they?)

I started with Very Vanilla cardstock and layered on delicious patterns from the Springtime Vintage collection.  The doily is die cut and sponged with Crumb Cake Classic Ink to give it an aged look.  The seam binding was hand-dyed (lightly) with Baja Breeze Classic Ink and the tea-stained tag is stamped with Basic Grey Classic Ink.

I've seen so many gorgeous examples of lace flowers lately that I thought I'd give it a try and create one myself.  So I dug through my scraps and came up with about 9 inches of a lovely lace scallop and some tulle.  Holding them together, I created a running stitch down one edge - gathering the trims as I went.  The ends of my cotton embroidery thread were tied together (forming a tight circle) and I "adjusted" the ruffles.  With a Baja Breeze embellishment in the center from Vintage Flower Adornments, I am very pleased with the result.  (I hope you like it too.)  A velvet leaf tucked behind the bow added a bit more texture to the soft romantic feel of my card.

Stay warm, my friends and thank you for stopping by!

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Shades of Spring

 
Hello again, friends.  We have a few new inches of snow here today.  Everything is so clean and white.  It's beautiful outside and oh so cozy inside.  I think I'll put my feet up later and crochet a while ... bliss.

Mona's challenge over at CR84FN Color Challenge this week is another beauty.  Shades of spring is what I see ... soft and subtle.  And Rembrandt's quote is so very true - isn't it?  Thanks for sharing, Mona.

My project started with Whisper White cardstock - layered with scraps that coordinated with the challenge palette ... the softness of yellow and shades of green.  If you ever see my garden (perhaps I should post a few photos) - you will see those colors everywhere.  I even dyed some seam binding with Certainly Celery Ink to add yet another glorious green.  All the images are stamped with Basic Grey Classic Ink.  My sentiment came from Sincere Salutations.  The postage mark and script is from a retired set.  That sweet little bee (love him) can be found in Nature Walk.  You've seen other stamps from this same set used here and here and yes ... here too.  I admit  - I am smitten.  And finally, the wonderful image of the Eiffel tower is from the Artistic Etchings stamp set.

The lavender heart is crocheted and an aqua button embellishment tied on with string.  And my green/lavender velvet leaf found the perfect place to be - tucked in securely behind the bow.

Thanks so much for visiting with me.  I hope you enjoyed your stay.

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Spring is calling ...

 
I was very busy today and am so glad that I am able to share a second post with you.  While laundry and cleaning were on my "to do list" ... I was able to sneak away to my craft room for just a bit.  Green is my FAVORITE color and I just had to participate in this weeks color challenge over at The Play Date Cafe.  Just look at this photo ... isn't it wonderful!?  The color is serene ... the water refreshing - I can hear it, can't you?  Tell me it's the sound of snow and ice melting.  With everything frozen here, this waterfall photo is a welcome sight and has me wishing for Spring.  I know it's coming ...

Over at Etsy Inspired they are celebrating the French country vintage and handmade home decor of La Pomme.  Such beautiful things to see there.  Ephemera, tins, sheet music, and these fabulous fruits that became part of my inspiration today ....

So I began with Very Vanilla cardstock as my base and layered on delicious papers from our Botanical Gazette DSP collection.  I am absolutely deeply in love with these papers.  Every sheet is gorgeous.  A delicate white lace is held in place by various sized buttons in shades of green.  Since the inspiration photo calls for gold, I added a piece of left-over mesh along the bottom - perfect for my little bird to rest.

An old piece of wide twill was used for ribbon.  I added a pearl and a silver bead to a green decorative pin.  My sentiment is stamped in Always Artichoke Classic Ink and cut out with the Jewelry Tag Punch.  It's small, sweet, and just the right size for little words of happiness.

My bird is obviously not a "Michigan-der".  I am not aware of any feathered friends this shade of green in Michigan.  Perhaps he's here visiting from down south?  I stamped him in Jet Black StazOn and colored him with various Classic Ink pads.  Since the Classic Inks are water based and the StazOn is not, I was able to use an Aquapainter and it worked beautifully ... allowing me to blend and shade.  I should tell you I used a watercolor paper to be sure I could apply water without damaging the paper itself.  This little friend of mine is from the Nature Walk stamp set and I have been using these images a lot lately ... but I guess I don't have to tell you that.  Sylvia has a gorgeous vintage card on her site that also uses this sweet set.  Be sure to leave her a comment when you stop by!

Again, thank you for all your kind comments.  I enjoy reading every one - your words mean so much.  Have a wonderful evening!

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Pom-Pom's?

 
Good morning friends.  It's a cold "single digit" morning here ... which makes the house feel so cozy.  I love early morning.  The family is still asleep so I have some quiet time to share with you.

The challenge sketch from Get Sketchy is fabulous!  I've commented before on the joy of a simple sketch ... it gives direction without constraining your creativity - this one is another perfect example.  The color combination comes from the ladies at ColourQ - they never disappoint and once again have provided a beauty to inspire us.

My project began simply but finished with more layers and details than I expected!  A Whisper White card layered with a beautiful blue print from Springtme Vintage Designer Series Paper was a good beginning.  I added a So Saffron polka dot (it seems to be my "go to" background lately).  Basic Black Classic Ink created my birdcage from Nature Walk.  I also used Artistic Etchings and Style Beautiful stamp sets.

The layers of lace, a blue stiped print and Daffodil Delight Pom-Pom Trim did not go as I had intended.  To stay true to the inspiration colors (I was missing Daffodil Delight), the pom-pom's were added - my first time working with this type of trim.  Hence, the "layers of detail" ... that's all I'll say about that (thanks for your understanding).  How about some guidance - do you sew them on, glue them or tape?

I dyed some seam binding and wrinkled it to perfection.  An old fabric flower layered with a crocheted Fleurettes II detail and a Pearl Jewel tops my bow.

I have a lot to learn about working with pom-pom trims.  I'm sure you'll see more of them in the future - but only after I have them "under control" - so to speak.  Have a wonderful day ... I hope to be back with a second post later!

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Spun Sugar

 
I've been away too long and have missed this little blog of mine.  Returning to our daily routine has kept me very busy this week. I couldn't wait to create something to share with you. The gorgeous color combination presented on Mona's new blog (CR84FN Color Challenge) has been on my mind all week. The shades are so soft and sweet ... they look like "spun sugar" to me. Delicious.

I began with Pretty in Pink cardstock as my card base. Layered with a yellow polka dot print and a beautiful stripe from the new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Papers collection my card began to pull the inspiration colors together. The flourish plate from Notably Ornate stamped with Pretty in Pink Classic Ink fit perfectly. My message of love is from the tres' chic Artistic Etchings set.





I made the shimmery flower and crocheted the heart for this project.  Tutorials and instructional links are found in previous postings.  Various other embellishments such as buttons, a wispy fabric and netting, half-pearls, dyed wrinkled seam binding and a decorative pin added texture while keeping to the recommended color palette.


 

 
I know this is a short post this evening. If I don't hurry, I may be the last participant in Mona's challenge!  I'll be back later with more to show. I have so many new things to share with you. Thanks for visiting - I'm so glad you could stop by.


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Occasions Mini Announcement

 
Just a quick note today to announce the release of our latest fabulous offerings! Introducing the new Occasions Mini Catalog! Lots of yummy vintage things to see. Wonderful prints and colors in our new Designer Series Paper collections (and don't forget the matching fabrics). Delicate ribbon rosettes ... in three sizes and pre-made just for you. Delicious "Glimmer Paper" and sparkley brads, colorful buttons, and vintage trinkets to dangle from gorgeous bows. There's more - beveled window panes, pom-pom trims, and an entire section dedicated to the seamstress in all of us. I hope you have a moment to wander through this catalog. I think you'll find it inspiring!

Click here to VIEW the contents of this catalog.

To SHOP the products offered click here.

I have my new goodies and will be creating something for you this evening so stop back for a visit soon!



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