Halloween Old London City

Hi everyone,

Today I am joining Hand Stamped Sentiments for their Halloween Theme Challenge.  I hope you will join in the fun!  This is my first Halloween card of the season ... more to come.

I stamped both Old London City and the Sky Witch Writer in StazOn Black.  Next, I punched a 1 3/8" circle from a post-it note as a mask for the moon.  The background was sponged in Adirondack Cool Peri, Perfect Plum, Adirondack Purple Twilight, Adirondack Eggplant and Elegant Eggplant.

I removed the mask and applied SU Frost White to the moon for a little shimmer.  This card took me no time at all to create :-)

I mounted the focal image to a piece of Brushed Silver then onto a DCWV purple textured card.

Please be sure to stop by HSS to see what the design team members have created.

Can you see the shimmer?

  

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Old London City (S8579) by Cherry Pie Art Stamps, PSX Sky Witch Writer (F-2098)
Paper:  DCWV Purple Texture, Brushed Silver, Glossy White
Ink:  Images - StazOn Black; Background - Adirondack Cool Peri, Perfect Plum, Adirondack Purple Twilight, Adirondack Eggplant, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories:  1 3/8" Circle Punch, SU Frost White on Moon, Post-It Note
Techniques:  Sponging, Masking

ODBD Customer Card of the Day

I just wanted to share with you some good news.  My autumn card was selected and is being featured on Our Daily Bread Designs "Customer Card of the Day".  I was elated when I received an email from Angie letting me know.

Here is the link to the post.

So even though I am having some blog issues it is still a great day!

Autumn Field Flowers

I couldn't wait to ink up my new Stampin' Up Field Flowers set, which happened to be a gift :-)  I stamped the stems and leaves in Old Olive onto a piece of matte marble camel paper, which was cut from a Labels Eight #6 die.  Using a blender pen I filled in the leaves.  The left flower was stamped in Really Rust then Dusty Durango and the right flower in Crushed Curry then More Mustard.  Cut them out and applied copper Stickles to the left one and yellow Stickles to the other.  Looking at the pictures you can't really tell the difference in the shades.

The flower buds were stamped in Dusty Durango and More Mustard and colored with a blender pen.  Bees were stamped in StazOn Timber Brown and colored with a blender pen in So Saffron and Crumb Cake.  I then used a clear glaze pen on the bee wings for dimension.

I cut a piece of the marble paper with a Nesties small petite ovals #1 die and stamped the Autumn first by loading it with VersaMark then Chocolate Chip ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  This oval was layered onto a large petite scalloped ovals #1 cut from Dusty Durango paper.  The edges were sponged in Chocolate Chip.

Everything was adhered to a piece of Chocolate Chip paper then mounted to a Natural White Linen card.  This card is 4 1/2" x 6 1/4".

I've started my Halloween cards and I look forward to sharing them with you.  This Saturday I will be offering some blog candy so be sure to stop back.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower." ~ Albert Camus

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Field Flowers, Season by Season, Bees by Inkadinkado

Paper:  Natural White Linen, The Paper Company Matte Marble Camel, Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango
Ink:  Stems & Leaves - Old Olive; Flowers - Really Rust, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, More Mustard; Bees - StazOn Timber Brown (colored with So Saffron & Crumb Cake); Sentiment - Chocolate Chip with Clear EP; Sponging - Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Copper & Yellow Stickles, Nesties Labels Eight #6, Small Petite Ovals #1, Large Petite Scalloped Ovals #1, Clear Glaze Pen, Blender Pen
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Two-Step Stamping
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4" 

Autumn Get Well

I wanted to create a get well card for a male co-worker and saw this beautiful layout by Cheryl at Ink Up.  Her designs are gorgeous!

For those of you who may be new to Stampin' Up, the Lovely As a Tree set is a "must have".  This set offers a variety of trees with so many options.  It is one of my "go to" sets when creating get well and sympathy cards.

I started by cutting two circles with my Big Shot.  One in Very Vanilla and the other in Early Espresso.  Stamped the oak tree in StazOn Timber Brown and colored the leaves with a blender pen in More Mustard, Really Rust and Yoyo Yellow.  The trunk was done in Chocolate Chip.  The ground was sponged in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige and Distressed Brushed Corduroy.  Around the image I sponged Distressed Antique Linen.  I adhered the focal image to my Early Espresso circle. 

Next, I cut a piece of Very Vanilla paper 2 3/4" x 4 3/4", used my corner rounder and sponged it with Distressed Antique Linen, Distressed Scattered Straw, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige, Distressed Brushed Corduroy and Distressed Vintage Photo (around edges).  Using the Baroque Motifs set I stamped the flourish in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige.  It created a softness with the right amount of shimmer.

The Bordering Blue paper is 2 1/4" x 4 1/4", used my corner rounder and was sponged with Brilliance Pearlescent Beige with a little bit of Distressed Faded Jeans.  The edges were sponged in Distressed Vintage Photo.  I mounted both sections to a piece of 7gypsies Venice Designer Paper, added my brown brads and mounted everything to an Early Espresso card.

The get well sentiment by PSX was stamped onto a piece of Very Vanilla paper inked first by loading it with VersaMark then Early Espresso and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  Sponging was done in Distressed Antique Linen, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige and Distressed Brushed Corduroy.  The flourishes were stamped in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige.  The little leaves were stamped in StazOn Timber Brown and colored in Really Rust and Yoyo Yellow to coordinate with the front.

I am debating whether or not to continue typing up my card recipes when I post.  Do you find them to be helpful?

A peek at the inside.

An autumn oak tree.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Lovely As a Tree, Baroque Motifs, Sentiment by PSX

Paper:  Early Espresso, 7gypsies Venice Designer Paper, Bordering Blue, Very Vanilla
Ink:  StazOn Timber Brown, More Mustard, Really Rust, Yoyo Yellow, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige, Distressed Antique Linen, Distressed Scattered Straw, Distressed Brushed Corduroy, Distressed Vintage Photo
Accessories:  Brown Brads, Corner Rounder, Nesties Large Classic Circles #6, Small Classic Circles #6
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging 

Rebuilding the Wall

When we installed our gazebo approx. 12 years ago my husband and I built a retaining wall supporting the peripheral raised garden.  As we all know, nothing seems to last forever and due to frost heave and the Northeast winters the wall needed to be rebuilt.

Finally, last week when the weather was cooler we spent several days rebuilding the wall and laying a base of crushed stone down for drainage.  It feels so good to be able to cross this project off the "To Do" list.  Here are a few pictures of the new retaining wall.

See, the wall is level right now - we will check it again in about 10 years ... lol.  Right now I don't feel like carrying another brick until then!

ODBD Randi's Song

I decided to case myself and made another card using the Randi's Song set by Our Daily Bread Designs.  I started by stamping the Ecclesiastes 3:1 in StazOn Royal Purple on a piece of Shimmery White paper, which was cut from a Spellbinders small long rectangle die.  I then sponged around the edges of the paper using colors from a Kaleidacolor Fruitcake ink pad also adding some Adirondack Purple Twilight.  This piece was layered onto a piece of shimmer spice cut from a large long rectangle die.

The leaf image was stamped on Shimmery White paper also using the Kaleidacolor Fruitcake ink pad then I sponged the leaf in Adirondack Purple Twilight and Rich Razzleberry.  I used a corner rounder on the edges.  I adhered this to a piece of shimmer spice cut from a Nesties small classic square #5 die, which I also used a corner rounder and layered it onto a piece of metallic punch cut from an eyelet square #3 die.  Next, I weaved a piece of satin burgundy ribbon through the eyelets.  The card base is metallic punch with an Elegant Eggplant mat which I ran through my Big Shot using the textured impressions square lattice embossing folder.

The inside sentiment by DRS Designs was inked first by loading it with VersaMark then Purely Pomegranate and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The edges were sponged in Adirondack Purple Twilight, Rich Razzleberry and Elegant Eggplant.

The little leaf is from SU's With Gratitude set.  This image was stamped in Elegant Eggplant, embossed with clear embossing powder and sponged with Adirondack Purple Twilight and Rich Razzleberry. 

A look at the inside.

This card was boxed up and mailed out.

Have the leaves started to change yet in your area?  I see our maple tree is starting to change color.  I will have more fall cards to show you during the week.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs Randi's Song, SU With Gratitude, DRS Designs (G1122)
Paper:  The Paper Company Metallic Punch, Elegant Eggplant, DCWV The Shimmer Matstack, Shimmery White
Ink:  Ecclesiastes 3:1 - StazOn Royal Purple (sponged with colors from Kaleidacolor Fruitcake Ink Pad) plus Adirondack Purple Twilight; Maple Leaf - Kaleidacolor Fruitcake (sponged with Adirondack Purple Twilight & Rich Razzleberry); Inside Sentiment - Purely Pomegranate with Clear EP; Inside Leaf - Elegant Eggplant with Clear EP sponged with Adirondack Purple Twilight & Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  Offray Satin Burgundy Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Nesties Large Long Rectangles #4, Small Long Rectangles #4, Small Classic Squares #5, Eyelet Squares #3, Clear A2 Box from Papertrey Ink
Techniques:  Embossing Sponging 

First Day of Autumn

Today marks the changing of the seasons - it is a special day.  The autumnal equinox, where night and day are virtually equal, is a specific moment however, not the entire day.  It is said that during an equinox the sun can be observed directly over the equator.  The equinoxes are the only days the sun rises due east and sets due west.

Autumn is a gorgeous time of year!  Nature gives us a spectacular show of color, and I love rich scented candles that evoke spice and warmth. 

"Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." ~ George Eliot

My card today is in celebration of autumn and the deep layers of richly colored leaves.

May you enjoy the first day of autumn!

A peek at the inside.

This stamp set is Randi's Song by Our Daily Bread Designs.  I started by stamping the Ecclesiastes 3:1 in StazOn Timber Brown on a piece of Shimmery White paper, which was cut from a Spellbinders small long rectangle die.  I then sponged around the edges of the paper using the second and third colors from a Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves ink pad also adding some Really Rust, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip.  This piece was layered onto a piece of Chocolate Chip cut from a large long rectangle die.

The leaf image was stamped on Shimmery White paper also using the Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves ink pad then I sponged the leaf in So Saffron, Summer Sun and More Mustard.  I used a corner rounder on the edges.  I adhered this to a piece of More Mustard cut from a Nesties small classic square #5 die, which I also used a corner rounder and layered it onto a piece of Chocolate Chip cut from an eyelet square #3 die.  Next, I weaved a piece of Naturals Hemp Cord through the eyelets.  The card base is Early Espresso with a Really Rust mat and a piece of The Paper Studio Old White Fence Designer Paper.

The inside sentiment by DRS Designs was inked first by loading it with VersaMark then Early Espresso and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The edges were sponged in Really Rust.

The little leaf is from SU's With Gratitude set.  This image was stamped in Brilliance Cosmic Copper and colored with More Mustard and So Saffron.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs Randi's Song, SU With Gratitude, DRS Designs (G1122)
Paper:  Early Espresso, Really Rust, The Paper Studio Old White Fence Designer Paper, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Shimmery White
Ink:  Ecclesiastes 3:1 - StazOn Timber Brown (sponged with 2nd & 3rd colors from Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves Ink Pad) plus Really Rust, So Saffron & Chocolate Chip; Maple Leaf - Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves (sponged with So Saffron, Summer Sun & More Mustard); Inside Sentiment - Early Espresso with Clear EP; Inside Leaf - Brilliance Cosmic Copper (colored in with More Mustard & So Saffron)
Accessories:  Naturals Hemp Cord, Corner Rounder, Nesties Large Long Rectangles #4, Small Long Rectangles #4, Small Classic Squares #5, Eyelet Squares #3
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging

Harvest Blessings

While driving to work I see sunflowers and they are so tall and pretty.  Maybe next year I will grow some in my garden.  My card today is inspired by nature and was given to a friend for her birthday.

I stamped the sunflowers from the Harvest Blessings set by Our Daily Bread Designs in StazOn Black on Naturals Ivory cardstock.  The leaves and sunflowers were colored in with ink pads and a blender pen.  I added some copper Stickles to the center of the flowers.

The butterflies were cut from Pumpkin Pie paper with my Big Shot and SU's Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die.  I painted them with Spiced Cider Shimmerz Paint.

I wasn't sure about the background paper, but then came across my Papertrey Autumn Abundance pad and thought the plaid would go really well with the sunflowers.

I added 3/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon to the corners and glued my bow with Crystal Effects.

The inside sentiment was stamped in VersaMark and embossed with gold embossing powder and a heat gun.

"Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also.  He attracts and follows." ~ Jean Paul Richter

Card Recipe:  

Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs Harvest Blessings, Sentiment by PSX (F-318)

Paper:  Desert Storm, Close to Cocoa, Papertrey Autumn Abundance Designer Paper, Pumpkin Pie, Naturals Ivory

Ink:  StazOn Black; Leaves & Stems - Kiwi Kiss, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive & Wild Wasabi; Sunflowers - Summer Sun, More Mustard; Center - Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso; Sentiment - VersaMark with Gold EP

Accessories:  3/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Copper Stickles, Spiced Cider Shimmerz Paint, SU Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Bow-Easy

Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Blender Pen

Autumn Decorating

As the cooler weather approaches I have already started to decorate my home.  This is my favorite time of the year.  I am inspired by the red, orange and gold hues of autumn harvest.  

I thought I would share with you what I have done with two leaf garlands from Michael's Crafts.  I don't consider myself to be much of a decorator other than putting out a few things here and there. 

I do like color so you won't find any plain white walls in my home.  My kitchen is painted in a faux ragging technique.  The neutral palette allows me to change out the decorations from season to season.   

This is the Department 56 Halloween Pumpkin Scene.  I really like it because it is battery operated and can be place anywhere.

A full garland is placed around my chandelier - so easy and only took a minute.

A wrought iron shelf has half a garland with some autumn baskets and indian corn.

I have decorated the top of my embellishment cabinet with the Grimsly Manor and Haunted Mansion houses.  The kids like to see them when they come to the back door.    

In my den I have a shelf decorated with a light up ghost and pumpkins. 

I hope you take some time to enjoy the beauty of the season!

Tea Time Primavera

For Friends Sharing Tea this week I have set up a little table in front of my Chelone oblique also known as turtlehead.  Hooded, snapdragon-like flowers appear in terminals racemes from late summer into autumn.  Flowers purportedly resemble turtleheads, hence the name.

(click photos to enlarge)

This set of Primavera mixes antique Italian love letters and postcards with 19th century botanical prints in rosy pinks.

Modern baroque mugs with a Victorian detailed handle that inspires conversation.

I can't decide which mug I like better!

This beautifully detailed teapot is made by Rosanna, Inc., known for her inspired design and timeless collection of tableware.

I have put out an extra cup hoping one of my followers will join me today.  Would you like a raspberry drop cookie?

A white handkerchief with a pink rose design in the corner compliments our tea setting.

A close up of the turtlehead flowers.

I am linking with the following gals this week for tea time.

Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites

Tuesday Tea for Two @ The Plumed Pen  

Resources:
Teacups & Dessert Plates:  Rosanna, Inc.
Teapot:  Rosanna, Inc.

Handkerchief:  Crabtree & Evelyn
Amethyst Votive Holder:  Barreveld International

Floral Tapestry Mini Book

This mini book was created using Tim Holtz's Movers & Shapers Baroque Die with the magnetic 1/4" punches.  I started by positioning two of the holes on the die for my binder rings then ran it through my Big Shot using Sizzix Cream Mat Board.  This mat board works great for binder covers.

I decorated the front and back covers using The Paper Company Spring Floral Tapestry Designer Paper.  The frame was stamped on Shimmery White paper in VersaMark with Elegant Eggplant ink and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  

The sentiment from the Elements of Style set was inked in VersaMark and embossed with silver embossing powder and a heat gun.  All the flowers from SU's Vintage Vogue set were also stamped in Elegant Eggplant and embossed.

I sponged the frame, flowers and flourish with VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria and added Kaiser Pearls in Lavender.

The inside of the mini book was completed in brushed silver.

A closer look at the flowers.

Mini Book Recipe:

Stamps:  Elements of Style, Four Frames, Vintage Vogue 

Paper:  Cream Mat Board, The Paper Company Spring Floral Tapestry Designer Paper, Brushed Silver, Shimmery White

Ink:  Frame & Flowers - Elegant Eggplant with Clear EP; Sentiment - VersaMark with Silver EP; Sponging - VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria

Accessories:  Kaiser Pearls in Lavender, Tim Holtz Baroque Die with magnetic 1/4" punches, Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes Die, SU Decorative Label Punch, 7 gypsies Small Antique Silver Binder Rings

Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging

Strolling the Autumn Garden ...

The weather has certainly been conducive to enjoying the outdoors for the past several days.  My gardens continue to cycle through the various blooming plants.  As the cooler weather approaches I can feel autumn is in the air.

Today as I took a stroll around the yard I thought I would share with you some late summer blooms.

This Japanese Blood Grass 'Red Baron' has striking blades when backlit by the sunlight.

Here we have some Eupatorium 'Little Joe' with Goldenrod 'Fireworks' in the foreground.  This goldenrod adds the feel of fall with its yellow arching flower stalks radiating from the center like a burst of color from the evening skyline.  Soon they will be in full bloom.

While I was strolling look who I found!  He is a little camera shy and won't show his face.

I'm enjoying several different varities of Stonecrop.  This first plant is 'Brilliant' and attracts butterflies to the garden.

Just look at the honeybee on this sedum.  He or she doesn't have a care in the world.

This one is shorter in the front thanks to one of our garden bunnies.  I caught him snacking on it!

Origanum 'Rotkugel' also known as Ornamental Oregano is very showy in late August.  These plants were purchased years ago from High Country Gardens.  The flowering stems have large, loose heads of bi-color flowers with dark purple calyces and deep pink flowers.  This oregano looks nice nestled among my coneflowers and russian sage.     

Perovskia 'Blue Spires' Russian Sage are nice in floral arrangements. 

A Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' is one of my favorite fall shrubs.  The olive green leaves are starting to turn maroon, standing out in the border.  To the left is a Ninebark 'Summer Wine' with dark crimson-red foliage and to the right a Miscanthus 'Morning Light' grass. 

Here is a closer look at the Virginia Sweetspire.

Marmalade Coral Bells are holding their color in pink, gold, amber and sienna.

Northern sea oats has arching foliage with decorative flat flowerheads that shimmer and rustle in the wind, aging to bronze by fall.

Chrysanthemums and kale are sprinkled throughout the patio for autumn color and scent.

As the gardens mature it is a joy for me to look out, stroll around, and see that our hard work has borne such beauty.  I hope you enjoy it too!

Thank you for coming to visit me.  I am linking with the following garden friends.

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms.Green Thumb Jean

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Cottage Flora Thursday @ Fishtail Cottage

Mountain Cabin

Today is my brother's birthday and this is the card I created for him.  Happy Birthday Paul!  I hope you have a great day.

I first stamped the Rocky Peaks in StazOn Stone Gray, but before I inked up the stamp I masked off the bottom of the mountains with a paper towel to soften the transition.  Next, I stamped the cabin, rocks and tree in StazOn Black.

I punched a 1" circle from a post-it note and applied it to my paper for the sun.

The rocky peaks were sponged in Perfect Plum, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Ruby Red and Basic Brown.  It's hard to believe I used all these colors, but I really did.

The grass was sponged with Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Garden Green and Handsome Hunter.  Sky in Bashful Blue, Tempting Turquoise and Adirondack Denim.  I wasn't sure about the rocks, but settled on Going Gray, Basic Gray and River Rock.  I added Handsome Hunter around the rocks to darken the grass and to the tree in the lower right corner.

After removing the mask I sponged the sun in Yoyo Yellow and So Saffron.  I mounted the focal image to a piece of Mellow Moss then onto a Hemlock card. 

The inside sentiment was inked with VersaMark then Close to Cocoa and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The pine trees were stamped in Distressed Pine Needles.

I can just picture myself spending the weekend at this cabin without a care in the world.    Wishing you a peaceful day and a great weekend!

A peek at the inside.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampscapes Rocky Peaks, Cabin with Fence, Sedge Filler, 3 Rocks & Grass, Rocks & Grass, Pine Row, Geese in Flight, Sentiment by PSX (F-2320) 
Paper:  Hemlock, Mellow Moss, Glossy White, Whisper White
Ink:  Mountains - StazOn Stone Gray; Cabin & Rocks - StazOn Black; Mountains colored in Perfect Plum, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Ruby Red, Basic Brown; Cabin - Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Early Espresso; Grass - Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Garden Green, Handsome Hunter; Sky - Bashful Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Adirondack Denim; Sun - Yoyo Yellow & So Saffron; Rocks - Going Gray, Basic Gray & River Rock; Sentiment - Close to Cocoa with Clear EP; Pine Trees - Distressed Pine Needles; Geese - StazOn Black
Accessories:  1" Circle Punch, Post-It Notes
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Masking