One Man's Junk ~ Is This Woman's Treasure!

For years (okay most of my life) I have teased my dad about all of the things he accumulates. His response was always "You never know when you might need it". Well, he passed on his gift to me. Except I don't collect things that could be useful. I collect things that other people think of as junk. 

If it's rusted, dented, cracked, or just plain dilapidated... it catches my eye. Much to my husband's dismay, I bring it all into the house. He just can't understand WHY I insist on raiding the barn for home decor items. Unfortunately for me, he draws the line at putting up rusted corrugated metal on the walls. Though I have plans of completing that project the next time he goes out of town. {Insert evil giggle here}

For now, I'm keeping myself busy with the things he will (reluctantly) let me drag inside. I went to a junk show over the weekend. Note to self... take more money next time. Boy did I make a haul! I did notice that 90% of what I brought home was old galvanized metal items. I think I have a slight obsession.

One of the things I found was an adorable 3' long vintage galvanized chicken feeder. I didn't know what I would do with it, but I had to have it. Once I got it home and situated, I decided to fill it with my handmade paper succulents. PERFECT! Plus, I don't have to water it! I really love the way it turned out. Another great way to use Stampin' Up! products!

How-to instructions on paper succulents coming soon!

Gratitude is Beautiful!

I needed a Thank You card. I wanted something a little Christmasy because (well, it's the Christmas season), but I didn't want it to be TOO Christmasy. Yes, I know Christmasy isn't a word, but I'm using it anyway. I finally got to use my Beautifully Baroque stamp. I am in {LOVE} with this one! How classy is that? 

Supplies:

Cardstock ~ Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe (core'dinations), Very Vanilla

DSP ~ First Edition (retired)

Ink ~ Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe

Stamp Sets ~ Beautifully Baroque, Harvest of Thanks

Embellishments ~ Espresso colored satin ribbon (not a Stampin' Up! product)

With Sympathy

The reason for a sympathy card is always sad, but I did enjoy making this one. 

Supplies:

Cardstock ~ Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake Crisp Cantaloupe, Rose Red, Lucky Limeade

Stamp Sets ~ Ex Libris, So Sorry, Stippled Blossoms

Other Supplies ~ misc. ribbon

Vintage Christmas (Again?)

Yep. Vintage colors for Christmas. Works for me! This card didn't turn out as cute as I had it pictured in my head. Bummer. Oh well, I still like it.

Supplies:

Cardstock ~ Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe

DSP ~ First Edition, Glimmer Paper in Champagne

Ink ~ Crisp Cantaloupe, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip

Stamp Sets ~ Gorgeous Grunge, Open Sleigh

Embellishments ~ Very Vintage Designer Buttons, Bakers Twine

Bitter Sweet

It is BITTER cold outside. That's the bad news. The SWEET part is that Christmas is coming! It was 15 degrees out this morning when I went out to feed my horses. Poor little things! I wish I could bring them in the house, but for some reason my husband draws the line at the door. He just doesn't understand. Oh well..

So, I was in the Christmas spirit for this card. I had so much fun. I can't wait to get some more time to play around with all the ideas I have jam-packed in my head. I am a Christmas junkie. I turn on the tunes the day after Thanksgiving and (yes, while everyone is pushing and shoving on Black Friday) I decorate for Christmas. I'm not a traditional kind of girl though (If you haven't figured that out already...get with it!). I don't really like red and green. It's BORING! Why not add some pink and blue in there? And better yet, lets make it have a vintage feel to it. Yep, that's my kinda style.

Here is what I came up with. It's a little more green than I'd planned, but it has enough pink and blue in it to compensate for that.

Supplies:

Cardstock ~ Real Red, Very Vanilla

DSP ~ Everyday Enchantment (retired), Glimmer Paper

Ink ~ Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake, Rose Red

Stamp Sets ~ Come to Bethlehem, Gorgeous Grunge

Embellishments ~ Pool Party button, brads dipped in Pool Party Embossing Powder

Misc ~ Cream ribbon, natural thread

Checkin' it Twice!

I finally got my hands on this stamp set. I LOVE it. I have SO many ideas for this cute little Santa. I love the vintage feel (surprise surprise). I sat down today and instantly drew out 5 or 6 sketches for this guy. I only had time for one design though. Here is what I came up with...

Supplies:

Cardstock ~ Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Early Espresso Core'dinations

Specialty paper ~ Champagne Glitter paper

Ink ~ Crumbcake, Baked Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, 

Stamp Sets ~ Ex Labris, Santa's List, That's the Ticket, Gorgeous Grunge, French Foliage

Embellishments ~ Twine

*misc music print paper (not Stampin' Up!)

Vintage pink Christmas

I am O B C E S S E D with this card! I absolutely LOVE vintage pink Christmas decor. It just makes me happy. The new Stampin' Up! in Colors have been begging me to put a Christmas card together. The marriage between Crisp Cantaloupe and Blushing Bride (ironic) are PERFECT for this!

Supplies:

Card stock ~ Very Vanilla, Crisp Cantaloupe

Ink ~ Crumbcake, Crisp Cantaloupe, Blushing Bride

Stamp sets ~ Come to Bethlehem, Gorgeous Grunge

Embellishments ~ Pearls, Crochet ribbon, Rhinestones

*All images copyright Stampin' Up!

Midnight Mojo

Wheat harvest is wrapping up and I'm going to get my daily crafting time back very soon. I can't wait! I sneaked out to my woman-cave after everyone went to bed. It makes for a LATE night for me, but totally worth the sanity it brings. Even though I'm sleep deprived, but that's pretty much normal for me. 

I finally got a chance at Mojo Monday's latest sketch. This one was pretty cute. I had a lot of fun with it. I'm still working on my photography skills. I think I need more light. Off to Home Depot!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Very Vanilla, Pistachio Pudding core'dinations

Ink ~ Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar

Stamp Sets ~ Chalk Talk, Shop Around, Positively Chevron

Embellishments ~ Antique Brads, In Color Boutique Details, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons

Non-Stampin Up supplies ~ burlap, cream ribbon, hemp thread

Hump-Day Happiness...Get Over It!

Well, it's hump-day folks. Half way there...Get over it. Harvest is wrapping up (knock on wood) and I'm about to get my daily stamping time back. I snuck out to my woman cave lastnight after everyone went to bed. I stayed up WAY too late. Oh the things we do for sanity. 

This card was created for Retro Sketches Challenge #75. I really liked the sketch. As always, I deviated from it a bit. Once again, Crisp Cantaloupe took over. I love how it gives the edges of the paper a vintage look. My fav! I think this is the first time I used Pistachio Pudding. I'm still on the fence of whether or not I like that one. I think it all goes together pretty well. What do you think?

{{{Inside}}}

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar

Ink ~ Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding

Stamp Sets ~ Positively Chevron, Everything Eleanor, Daydream Medallions, Chalk Talk

Embellishments ~ In Color Boutique Details, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Antique Brads, Crochet Trim, Bakers Twine

Other (non-stampin up) Supplies ~ cream colored ribbon, natural fiber ribbon

Shop Around

I purchased the new roller stamp "Shop Around" from Stampin' Up! a while ago. I keep forgetting I have it because it's the only roller stamp I own, plus I haven't really found a home or it to store in yet. So, I was excited to put it to use. I am absolutely in LOVE with Crisp Cantaloupe. It' SCREAMS vintage to me. So, I set out to create a shabby, chic, vintagy card. I think it works well. 

Supplies Used: 

Paper ~ Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe (core'dinations)

Ink ~ Crisp Cantaloupe, Crumb Cake

Stamp Sets ~ Chalk Talk, Shop Around, Positively Chevron

Other Supplies ~ Labels Collection framelits, Window rames Collection framelits, Designer Frames embossing folder

Embellishments ~ Ruffle Stretch Trim, Antique Brads, In Color Boutique Details, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Burlap

*Still working on perfecting my photography skills.

Truly Retro

Freedom! The kids went to play at a friends house today. Woo Hoo! That means my house will stay clean for more than 5 minutes and I get some STAMPING TIME! I'm taking every second I can get these days. We're still right in the middle of Harvest. I swear this is the longest year ever, or at least it feels like it. Probably because it's keeping me from my woman cave.

I felt a bit like Cinderella today. Mentally thinking, "Now if I manage to get all of my house cleaning done, I might have enough time to squeeze a card in." Rambling to myself is nothing new. My kids think I'm crazy. I like to have a conversation with the vacuum cleaner. It knows all my deepest and darkest of secrets.

As it turns out, I had JUST enough time to crank this one out. I created it for Retro Sketches challenge #74. I had fall colors in mind for this one. We're getting closer and closer to those pumpkin spiced drinks that I love! I also decided to change the way I photograph my cards. I'll work on the lighting...

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Core'dinations in Early Espresso, More Mustard cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Specialty DSP

Ink ~ Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Baked Brown Sugar, More Mustard

Stamp Sets ~ Truly Grateful, Chalk Talk 

Embossings ~ Brads (coated with Pool Party embossing powder), White linen fabric (colored with the Brayer tool and More Mustard ink, Vintage Brads

*The embossing folder used for the background on this card is not from Stampin' Up!

Oh, Hello Friday!

Another week has flown by. We're wrapping up week 2 of Harvest. The combine sat at the shop for a better part of the day having a new tire put on. Seems like a simple task right? How about when your tires are taller than you are? I stood around and watched the guys work on the combine for a good 5 minutes before I decided it was just too darn hot for me (even though I was in shorts and a tank top and the guys were all in coveralls). I ran home and locked myself in my woman cave. I wanted to do something with a "wheat" color in it. This just popped into head. I've been wanting to combine these colors for a while. I think it worked out well. I created this card for Fab Friday's challenge #23 and will also double for A.R.T. Card Challenge #7 (Anything Goes).

Supplies Used: 

Paper ~ Wisteria Wonder, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink ~ Wisteria Wonder, Basic Gray, So Saffron, White StazOn 

Stamp Sets ~ Daydream Medallions, Oh Hello, Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk

Other Supplies ~ Floral Frames framelits, 1 1/4" circle punch, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Antique Brads, Brayer tool

Misc. Supplies (non-Stampin' Up!) ~ white linen fabric, tule 

*For the cute little linen flower, I cut a strip of white linen fabric, colored it with So Saffron ink and the Brayer tool and then folded layers onto the Antique Brad. 

*For the Oh, Hello banner, I started off with Whisper White paper, colored it with So Saffron ink and the Brayer tool.  

I'd rather be in Bermuda

Is it hot enough for ya'll? It's over 100 here. I just about FRIED when I went out to get the mail. YUCK! I don't like it when it's this hot. So, I sent the kids to the pool and locked myself in my woman cave. I'm desperately trying to catch up on some challenges. 

This card was created for Retro Sketche's Challenge # 72. I think I barely made it by the skin of my teeth on this one. It closes today! I chose these colors for another challenge that I missed out on. I love how they go together. I think I'll be using them again. Almost all of the supplies are Stampin' Up! With the exception of the burlap and the linen fabric. My daughter kind of came up with the idea of using fabric. I was looking for a way to make this vintage flower with Stampin' Up! Colors. They don't make designer fabrics anymore. Tisk tisk! So I had to come up with my own. I bought white 100% linen fabric and used my Brayer tool to apply the color. PERFECTION! It's the exact look I was hoping for. She's a genius and she's only 7!

 Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White, Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso

Stamp Sets ~ Positively Chevron, Truly Grateful, Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk

Stampin' Up! Supplies ~ Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, Circle Framelits, Labels Collection Framelits, Chalk Talk Framelits, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Antique Brads, Very Vintage Designer Buttons

Other Supplies ~ Burlap, linen fabric, bakers twine

Thirsty Thursday

It's been a DOOZY of a day. Busy, busy, busy! And HOT. Did I mention it was HOT? I think I drank a gallon and a half of water while I worked outside in the yard...and I'm STILL parched! After dinner I gave my hubby the look. You know, that look an obsessed crafting crazy paper freak gives their husband when they want to escape into la la land? He knows that look all too well. I don't even have to say anything. I just look at him and he laughs and shakes his head. He'll never understand. He's a man.

I locked myself in my craft room and turned up the music. Good ole' Pandora! Here is what I came up with tonight. It's a spin off of lastnights card. Same design, just different colors. I love how it turned out!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Gray, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Crisp Cantaloupe Core'dinations

Ink ~ Sahara Sand, Blushing Bride

Stamp Sets ~ Chalk Talk

Other Supplies ~ Pool party embossing powder, Vintage faceted buttons, pool party button, cream ribbon, basic pearl jewels, 

Retro Challenge

Here's today's card. I created this for Retro Sketches challenge #68. I love how it turned out. I think Crisp Cantaloupe is my new favorite color. I'm totally addicted to making my own designer paper. I hope you like it too! 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crisp Cantaloupe Core'dinations

Ink ~ Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe

Stamp Sets ~ Chalk Talk, Daydream Medallion, Gorgeous Grunge, Lovely Little Labels

Other Supplies ~ Designer Builder Brads, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Pool Party Ribbon, Pool Party Embossing Powder, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Basic Pearl Jewels, misc. brads

In Colors are the BEST!

As you've probably already guessed, I'm a HUGE fan of anything vintage. The new Stampin' Up! In Colors were made just for me, I swear! I think I had a color orgasm when I first looked at the new catalog. I received my first order from the new catalog today. Of course I had to test out my new stuff, right? Here's what I came up with. I hope you like it. I'm in {LOVE} <3

 Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Strawberry Slush Core'dinations, Whisper White, Designer Paper Series (retired)

Ink ~ Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand

Stamp Sets ~ Hello Lovely, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Lovely Little Labels

Other supplies ~ Designer Builder Brads, 1/8" brads, Soda Pop Tops, Designer Faceted Vintage Buttons, Pearl Basic Jewels, In Color Boutique Details, Doilies 

Epic Teachers... We love them! (Mojo Monday Challenge 296)

The school year has ended for my little man. His first year of preschool was a major success! I KNOW what his poor teachers had to deal with, so I am forever in their debt. He's a stinker! I had a little bit of time this morning, so I put this card together. It will also double for Mojo Monday's challenge #296.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Pool Party Core'dinations, Epic Day This and That DSP, Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Pistachio Pudding, Wisteria Wonder, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky

Stamp Sets ~ Blue Ribbon, Family Reunion, Affection Collection, French Foliage, Curly Cute (inside)

Other supplies ~ Designer Vintage Faceted Buttons, Pearl Basics Jewels, Bakers Twine

Acrylic Distress

As a self-proclaimed vintage technique whore, I can't believe I never thought of this. I have SO many acrylic paints it's not even funny. I think I need one of those displays they have at the craft store where they sell paints. It's ridiculous. I stumbled upon this today. Yes, it was from Pinterest. I seriously have a problem. Admitting it is the first step, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUcZDFnEcBI

Okay, so my YouTube link is being cranky with me. I cannot post the actual video to my blog, but you can follow the link above to watch it on youtube. Enjoy!

Distress Success!

I posted a tutorial on how to make a distressed flower this morning. I finally got a chance to sneak down to my craft cave after I fed the horses tonight. I can't believe how EASY this flower was to make!

Supplies used for this card:

Paper ~ Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Core'dinations Card Stock in Primrose Petals

Ink ~ Primrose Petals

Stamp Sets ~ Hearts a Flutter, misc letter stamp

Other supplies used ~ Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Apothecary Framelits, Paper Punching tool, Antique Brads

*This card was entered in Freshly Made Sketches Challenge 79

Happy Easter!

I had ZERO time to create my Easter cards this year. It totally sneaked up on me. Okay, I wasn't really paying attention. I didn't get this "Easter Blessings" stamp until a few days ago. I can't create under pressure! 

This is a simple design. It went together easily {THANKFULLY}!

Supplies used for this card:

Paper ~ Core'dinations Card Stock in Primrose Petals, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, More Amore Specialty DSP

Ink ~ Primrose Petals, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake

Stamp Sets ~ Easter Blessings, French Foliage

Other Supplies Used ~ Boho Blossoms Punch, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits, Crochet Trim, Sycamore Street Ribbon in Pool Party, Pearl Basic Jewels