Boo!

Who is not a fan of spiders? Evidently, this little pumpkin isn't either eventhough this is quite a dapper little arachnid in his top hat and spats.

This little number uses those Pink Persimmon banner and alphabet stamps that I love! The vintage pumpkin image is from Joli-Paquet.The bats and spider stamps are from Crafty Secrets.

Have a spider-free day!

Supplies:
Stamps: Halloween Fun (Crafty Secrets),  Banner-small, Carnival Alpha-small, Mini Banner Greetings(Pink Persimmon); Background Basics: Tin Types (PTI)
Ink:Orange Zest, Plum Pudding (PTI); Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Orange Zest, Plum Pudding (PTI), white (Georgia Pacific)
Other: small ricrac die (PTI)

Papertrey September Blog Hop Challenge

 

Welcome!
As most of you who are visiting know, the focus of September's PTI Blog Hop is techniques.

 "One of the most fun things about this hobby is the people you meet, whether in person or online, and
the things you can learn from them. Now is your chance to show off any skills you might have learned
from a fellow stamper, and perhaps even give them a little shout out to thank them for the inspiration
they have provided. Create a project using one of your favorite learned skills and perhaps after a little
blog hopping, we will ALL learn some new tips and tricks and continue to pass on the love of this hobby!"

For someone who has only been stamping for about two years, I must give a huge THANK YOU to the online community who have been my teachers.  From your cards posted on your blogs and galleries, from your detailed instructions, from your comments on forums, I have learned some incredibly valuable tips and techniques.
 While I have seen the blackboard technique with colored pencils used by several people, I want to give a shout out to Jennifer Ellefson whose blog is one of the first places I remember seeing this technique. You can read her instructions for this technique  here and here.
 

Creating a fall card, I stamped the image from Vintage Picnic (one of my favorite PTI sets!)  in Fresh Snow ink and then colored with Prismacolor pencils, using the blending pencil to blend. I like the "rustic" look of the this technique which is perfect for my coloring skill. :)  I distressed the die cut a little with the white ink because it is so hard to keep a chalkboard clean.
I think this technique works well with larger images such as PTI's Year of Flower series. If you've time you can see a couple of cards using Lily of the Valley with the blackboard technique here.

I hope you'll sharpen your pencils and give this technique a try!
I can't wait to learn more during this blog hop!


Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Picnic, Limitless Labels, Embellishments(PTI)
Ink: Fresh Snow(PTI),Memento Black Tuxedo (Tsukineko)
Paper: True Black, Kraft (PTI); patterned paper --Thrift Shop 8x8 pad (October Afternoon)
Other: Mat Stack Die 4, Rustic Twine (PTI), Tags Trio (Spellbinders), Prismacolor pencils, Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars)

Celebrate Fall

I've been doing some fall decorating inside and out even though it has been in the 90s here. The fall wreaths are hung on all the exterior doors. The fall dishes are on the table. The gourds and pumpkins are out and bittersweet vine is draped here and there. Nothing makes me think fall quite like bittersweet, so I decided to celebrate fall by making a card using the twig and berry wreath from Flourishes Wreaths for All Seasons.

 With the rustic twig wreath I used other rustic elements as well--deckled edge Spellbinders die, distressed and ink edged paper, coffee-dyed trim, and twine. I colored with these Copics YR23, YR24,YR18,YR02,E43. While making the tag, I stamped a tiny portion of the wreath while the paper was still in the die to add just a touch of bittersweet to sentiment. The focal point and tag  are inked with Antique Linen. After distressing the edge of the patterned paper the edges were too white, so I darked the white with Antique Linen. After purchasing this trim it was a little too yellow, so a few weeks ago I dyed it with some coffee--the end result-- a much better shade and for few hours a wonderful coffee aroma!

I am linking this card to Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 85--Celebration Cards and Flourishes Bring Back Beauty Challenge--Rustic Beauty.

What are you doing to celebrate the beginning of fall?


Supplies:
Stamps:  Wreaths for All Seasons (Flourishes), Notary (Prima)
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa,  Memento London Fog (Tsukineko); Antique Linen (Ranger)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Kraft (PTI); patterned paper (K and Company)
Other: Deckled Rectangles (Spellbinders), Rustic twine (PTI), trim (Ellen Hutson),Copics,

Halloween Greetings

A Halloween greeting with a touch of elegance. What a subtle way to "trick" someone especially with a little
"treat" like a gift card or small candy bar tucked in the pocket behind the sentiment.

I used CPS Sketch #185 and the Cards Blog Challenge to use a pocket on your card.


Supplies:
Stamps:Very Vintage Label #3 (Waltzingmouse Stamps), Halloween Fun (Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black(Tsukineko); Orange Zest (PTI)
Paper: True Black (PTI), black and cream patterned papers (Paper Studio), orange patterned paper (digital paper from The Graphics Fairy)
Other: Library Pocket die (PTI), Cuttlebug impression folder, Shapeabilities Pendants-Fleur de Lis (Spellbinders), Orange Peel Stickles (Ranger),Ellens' Essentials Craft-a-Board (Ellen Hutson), black crochet thread

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #14 and Storage Cubby

Good Monday morning! How was your weekend? Ours was good! Saturday morning was cool and rainy. 
It was so relaxing to have the windows open with cats perched in them and listen to the rain--one of those perfect moments! I did a little stamping., starting on dh's  birthday cards; his birthday is in a couple of weeks.
Yesterday, was an absolutely gorgeous day! I spent some time on the screened porch reading with a little cat nap thrown in.  I made lasagna for dinner which we enjoyed on the porch. It is wonderful to be able to eat on the porch again after such oppressive heat and humidity this summer.  There is definitely a touch of fall in  the air now!
Speaking of fall ,Angy  posted this gorgeous photo as inspiration for the Papertrey Peeps Challenge #15.

I chose PTI's Autumn Abundance set for the focal point of my card

I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils and mounted on Terracottta Tile cs which I stamped with Embellishments in Versamark. The card base is stamped with Text Time in Versmark (It was sooo difficult to see the stamped text to stamp the next section! Fortunately, there is only  a small stamped border  to be seen, and hopefully no one will be looking too closely--there is definitely a handcrafted feel to this portion of the card--in other words, imperfections!)

I also wanted to share a photo of a new addition to the study/studio.My crafting space is a  portion of our small study . On one wall between two windows, I have a small desk with a hutch and a small matching two drawer cabinet. On another wall between two doors I have taken over a small chest for storing supplies as well as my paper trimmer.
As many people do,  I love this cubby organizer from Pottery Barn.

 However, I didn't like the fact that it's shallow depth meant my cd cases would protrude and the size meant it would have to go above the small chest.

So hubby built a smaller version that is deeper  And it only lcost $5! He had the stain and several pieces of left over wood, so all he had to purchase was a piece of wood for the back. This fits snuggly between the window and desk  hutch. It's always a joy to determine where we can attach something thanks to our uneven log walls and the chinking between the logs.  :)  Although my first choice for height didn't work out, we did find a good spot to hang the storage cubbies.

As you can see,  I am currently storing my PTI stamps and nugget tins with buttons here with my colored pencils on top   I think I'll have to add a couple of more stamp sets this week. :) I am so lucky and thankful that sweet hubby likes to get handy around the house.  I think some storage cubbies for copics would be another nice little project for him.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Supplies:

Stamps: Autumn Abundance, Embellishments, Background Basics: Text Time(PTI)

Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo,Versamark, VersaMagic-Red Brick (Tsukineko)

Paper: Smokey Gray, Terracotta Tile, Stamper's Select White (PTI);white (Georgia Pacific)

Other: Mat Stack Die 4(PTI),Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Prismacolor Pencils

Happy Birthday, Flourishes!

Flourishes stamp company turned three years old last month, and this month is hosting a belated birthday celebration. So using two of the fist Flourishes stamp sets I purchased and still two of my favorite and probably most used Flourishes stamps--Sweet Violets and Vintage Wallpaper-- I made a little birthday card to celebrate the Belated Birthday Bash  Look Who's Three Challenge as well as play along with the Timeless Tuesday Challenge.  
Let me quickly list some of the reasons I love Flourishes.
1. The most beautiful stamp images--Hats off to the stamp designers who are such creative geniuses!
2. The design team-- Speaking of creative geniuses--The Flourishes design team and Friends of Flourishes design team are so amazing. Their projects are always stunning! And several have visited here and left such kind words. I am so truly appreciative of their taking the time to visit and comment.
3. Awesome customer service--Orders and prizes are shipped pronto. I am always a little suprised and of course especially pleased to see how quickly my goodies arrive here. And any time I have had a question, I have received a response in a matter of hours!
4. The FLIP program--I mean who doesn't love to get a discount? And it certainly is not difficult to find products in the store in order to qualify.
5. I can pretend I am artistic. I truly don't have a lot of confidence in this area. Now, I am not confessing this to receive complimentary comments, but to explain that with these beautiful images and inspiration, I can pull out my Copics or pencils color create something that is passable.

Now  few deets about the card:

I stamped kraft cs with the Vintage Wallpaper background stamp in Champagne Versarmark and then cut out with a library pocket die. After folding and taping the pocket, I used the large image from Sweet Violets.
I used one of the smaller violet images to stamp the cream cs. After cutting the ticket and stamping the ticket border, I stamped the sentiment and scrollwork from Sweet Violets, using Post-it notes to cover portions of the stamps. I mounted the ticket with dimensional tape. With the name Flourishes, a little bling was necessary so I added a few purple gems (which sadly I did not capture well in the photo)

While the card may be small, my gratitude for the enjoyment I have with Flourishes stamps and my wishes for a happy birthday are HUGE!

PS-If didn't catch any typos, I am blaming it on my new bifocals. AAARRRGH! I am having a time adjusting to them. I prefer my cheepo readers.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Violets, Vintage Wallpaper(Flourishes); Just the Ticket (PTI)
Ink: Champagne Dazzle Versamark, Peony Purple Versacraft (Tsukineko)
Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Other: Library Pocket DieTicket Border Die (PTI); Corner Chomper(We R Memory Keepers), gems

Embellish Magazine Challenge

Hi! I'm back today with a couple of cards for the latest Embellish Magazine challenge. Each challenge always contains great inspiration photos, colors, and an additional element. This challenge is no exception!

With these great colors add the element of incorporating squares into the projects design and you've got the challenge.
I actually made two cards using this criteria.

After cutting the postage stamp squares, I stamped the fern and then turned the squares to create a wreath effect when mounting the squares on  Plum Pudding cs. Because this is a sympathy card, I kept it simpley,only adding a simple twill ribbon and bow.
The second card has a similar simple design.

I embossed some Coordinations cs with a Cuttlebug embossing folder (which I scored in the clearance section at Hobby Lobby). You know me-I love a bargain! Then after raiding my husband's stash of sandpaper, I sanded  the cs. I cut the white square for the sentiment with a Spellbinders die; while the paper was still in the die I stamped around the edge to create the square border for the sentiment. For the final touch I made a square chipboard/Stickles/Glossy Accent button.

Thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
With Sympathy:
Stamps: Wildflowers(Crafty Secrets);Mega Mixed Messages,Background Basics:Text Time(PTI); Ticking Stripe Backgrounder(CHF)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding(PTI)
Paper: Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado (PTI); white(Georgia Pacific)
Other:  Plum Pudding twill ribbon (PTI), Cuttlebug Celebration Embossing/Die set

Halloween Greetings:
Stamps: Halloween, Halloween Vintage Postcard Kit-sentiment (Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Black Magic Collection (Coordinations); Ripe Avocado (PTI); white(Georgia Pacific)
Other: Square Spellbinders die; Peeled Paint Distress Stickles(Ranger); Glossy Accents; ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #14

After taking a little break from blogland but not from crafting, I'm back with a card for Papertrey Peeps Challenge # 14 hosted by Sharon who posted this great inspiration picture from Country Living.

And here's Sharon's challenge: Make something using RED, YELLOW and CREAM with at least a dollop of WHITE!

I started with a card base of Harvest Gold (such a yummy color!)  and swiped a little ivory paint on the edges. The Pure Poppy panel is impressed with PTI's picnic plaid impression plate while the cream panel is stamped with Background Basics: Botanicals. The flourishes  from Embellishments stampset are stamped on white (my dollop of white). I resisted as long as I could, but finally bought the Beautiful Blooms II die which I stamped with Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger and Background Basics:Petal Power. The Harvest Gold scallop is impressed with the Linen Texture plate and pays homage to the scallop on the table in the inspiration photo while mirroring the shape of the flower blossom. With the finishing touches of a  little Martha Stewart baker's twine and  a Pure Poppy button, I have a bright cheery card with  plenty of pattern and texture.
(All supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Thanks Sharon for a fun challenge!