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!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 80 and Bring Back Beautiful Challenge

Hi everyone! I hope that you had a great weekend and  that your week is off to a good start. Another quiet weekend here at the little house in the woods. Friday night I went to a party where the hostess's good friend who is from India was there with her beautiful jewelry that she makes; I resisted any purchases since I lost one of the tiny gold hoop earrings that I wear 98% of the time. As I was brushing my teeth the other night, I noticed I was only wearing one earring. I was home all day, so I believe it must be in the house, but careful searching through furniture cushions and dusting of the floors hasn't turned up the missing earring.  Well, I guess hubby has got a great idea for a present for our anniversary in a couple of months (if I go with him and pick them out-hee, hee).
Last week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge hosted by Silke Ledlow was a color challenge--kraft, hot pink, soft yellow, and black. This color combination was a toughie for me. I  knew I wanted to use one Flourishes beautiful floral stamps, so I went through my stamps, thinking pink. I chose the stamp set Poppy Patch. While we normally think of poppies as red, there are some beautiful pink poppies.

 I stamped the image and sentiment in Memento Black Tuxedo and colored with these copics:

Now to work in more black, yellow, and kraft. This took a long time. I pulled out patterned papers, cardstock, and background stamps. After many choices and discards, I finally settled on my trusty PTI background stamps.

As always thanks for stopping by and for your comments,

Supplies:
Stamps: Poppy Patch(Flourishes); Background Basics: Distressed Stripes,  Background Basics: Tin Types(PTI)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo (Tsukineko), Raspberry Fizz(PTI)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Raspberry Fizz, Kraft, Lemon Tart (PTI)
Other: Copics; Notebook paper die, Raspberry Fizz Grosgrain ribbon (PTI)

Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz

I am so happy to be able to participate in this month's Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz.  You can check the list of participants by visiting the Waltzingmouse Forum .The theme this month is vintage/shabby chic. This is a style I love, but honestly, it is not a style that is easy for me.
 I actually have two cards to share. The first uses an image that reminds me of one of my favorite purchases during my trip to Ireland a few years ago--a small print of a thatched roof cottage.

I colored the image from  Irish Blessings with Prismacolor pencils and blended with baby oil. I thought this might fit the vintage theme  since my coloring is pretty primitive.  :)  I aged the image with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  A little crocheted trim  and some zig zag stitching add to the vintage feel.

This second card is a little more shabby with its mix of prints, layers, colors, distressing, and stitching.

I used Victorian Frippery circle border and sentiment for the focal point which is mounted on a Label 3 die. I also stamped the border on Sweet Blush and cut along the bottom of the design.

 Enjoy your waltz; I know I will.


Supplies:
Cottage
Stamps: Irish Blessings(Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress Ink
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Rustic White(PTI); We Are Memories Keepers; My Mind's Eye
Other: Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), border punch (Martha Stewart), buttons (Paper Studio); trim
Merci
Stamps: Victorian Frippery (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Sweet Blush Pigment Ink (PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush (PTI); Paper Studio; K and Co
Other: Circle Nestabilities, Labels 3 Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Sweet Blush Vintage Button (PTI); flower (AC Moore wedding department); ribbon (Simple Treasures etsy store)

Pure Summer

When I saw the latest challenge on the Cards blog, I knew I wanted to create a card using an image I found at Scrapologie of a family vacation at the beach.

 I cut the starfish embellishments with my Cricut, embossed with Swiss dots embossing folder, and then decided they needed a little sparkle, so I added some Stickles. The starfish charm was in my stash and was the final touch.
Stay cool on this summer day!

Supplies::
Stamps: sentiment-Poppy Patch(Flourishes), Background Basics:Text Time 1(PTI)
Ink: Tea Dye Distressed Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink(Ranger)
Paper: Rustic White, Melon Berry, Bitty Dot Basics(PTI); Gingham (Paper Studio)
Other: Border punch (Fiskars); Melon Berry Pure Vintage Buttons, Melon Berry Twill ribbon(PTI); Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities, Ribbon Labels(Spellbinders);A Child's Year cartridge (Provocraft); Fruit Punch Stickles