Papertrey Ink August Blog Hop

Our challenge this month was "to create a project inspired by any aspect of fall." Nicole's suggestions included texture found in fabrics and stitching. There is nothing that speaks to me of fall more than my quilts. Those first crisp Autumn evenings, with the smell of that first fire in the fireplace and being able to snuggle under a warm quilt, are heaven to me. While browsing through my fabrics ( and in a quilter's stash that could take days!), I came across a remnant from one of my projects that immediately said fall and the card evolved from there.

In a perfect world, it would be wonderful to go pumpkin or apple picking and then spread out a quilt on the ground for a picnic lunch. This is my interpretation.
I cut a rectangle of the fabric and fringed the edges. I started with a base of PTI Rustic Cream, then Dark Chocolate and 2008 Bitty Box Basics in Summer Sunrise. The upper portion presented a problem with my limited supplies, so I stamped Background Basics: Text Style on a piece of Rustic Cream. The ribbon is a piece of green twill from my stash. For the basket I stamped Vintage Picnic on PTI Kraft and shaded with Copics and adhered with pop dots. The pumpkins are stamped on PTI Cream with Smokey Shadow and also colored with Copics. (I had so much fun with the leaves.) The sentiment is from Autumn Abundance. Click on the photo to see a little more of the detail. I hope it made you feel like fall and that you liked it.

Here's another Autumn inspired card I finished before the Blog Hop deadline. I've found a new love in coloring with Copics. I studied tole and decorative painting for several years and I am using some of the principles of shading, etc. on my cards.

I tried to emulate rust colored mums from our garden and a yellow ware pitcher. This is the first time I've used a sketch from CPS and I went all the way back to #5 for this one.
The stamps are Autumn Abundance. Edging and pearls from my stash. And a huge thank you to Lauren Meader for sharing her tip of coloring embellishments with our Copics (April 2, 2009). I toned down the pearls from Michaels with the lightest color from my flowers. Big difference! True Black and Vintage Cream inks by PTI.
PP is by K&Company, Rust CS by DCWV, PTI Cream and Rustic Cream cardstock.

Enjoy the Hop and thanks for stopping by.

Why I love Papertrey Ink

Tell me, do you ever get to the point that, when you sit down to make a card, you have everything you need? Today was one of those frustrating mornings that nothing went as I wanted. I needed a quick birthday card to get in tomorrow's mail. I had the paper colors but not the ink. Then when I found some ink, the papers didn't match. Saturday is the new release for Papertrey Ink and I hope to finally fill in the colors of ink that I don't have. I'm almost glad they aren't releasing a new color this month. I'm trying so hard to catch up and not have to declare bankrupcy. Here's what I ended up with. Click on the photo for a better look. Even my photography wasn't working right.

This is based on Mish's ATC from Feb. 09. I didn't have a scalloped border punch or Nestabilities that would work (actually nothing was working). So I used a Martha Stewart doily border punch. The stamps are PTI Journaling Lines, Polka Dot Basics and Floral Frenzy. The button is from my stash (and it does match the green ink).

This is why I love PTI so much. They have fabulous stamps with wonderful sentiments and everything MATCHES! Yes, I was yelling. In fact I nearly lost it a few times. I hope my dear friend enjoys her card. After all, she'll never know what really went into making it. When she says thank you, and I know she will, and adds something about making it, I'll say - - -
Oh, it was nothing. (while trying to cover the bald spots on my head)