My Little Craft Corner of the World

Along with my recent move, came the reality that I needed to downsize and seriously organize my craft area.  I lost a whole room, the room that was my craft area and the table that was my work table, so the crunch was on.  The pictures you see below are the new look to my craft studio and supply closet.  I have turned what should be my bedroom into a combination craft room/sleeping room.  :-)  Yes, I do spend more time crafting than sleeping so it seemed the perfect solution.

Sharing my crafty space and supply storage with you was prompted by the Fifth Monday Feature Week over at Craft Hoarders Anonymous.  You can read all about it HERE. Since today is my birthday, this would be a sweet little gift to receive and add to my growing craft supplies.

In the first picture you see the area where I do all of my work.  It is nice to have my computer so convenient.  That is an improvement over what I had at the other place.  And, I love the window above my desk.  It faces east and I love all of the natural light I get coming in all the day long.  For now, it works but I do have some changes I will eventually make.

The next two pictures are of my craft supply closet.  It's still not completely organized.  It is a work in progress.  It started out being so organized, then the remaining boxes that needed unpacked demanded to have their contents shoved onto shelves.  It became organized chaos.  Also, you have to factor in I'm constantly in and out of the closet getting this or that to start or finish a project.  Hmmm?  I think it is time to get my act together and clean it up.  My very sweet favorite oldest granddaughter has graciously consented to help with the organizing.  All I have to do is give her a call and work it in around her work schedule.  She's a peach!

As you can see I, too, love using those clear plastic totes.  They hold flowers and buttons and ribbon and all sorts of sweet goodies to make creating so much fun.  The three drawer totes you see in the right center of the photo above are great for my 8-1/2" x 11" colored card stock and the shelves are deep enough to allow the 12" x 12" card stock to lay flat.  It's nothing fancy but I love having everything in one place and a door that shuts it in so no one can see when it gets disorganized.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy Birthday!

What better way to celebrate my birthday than to make a bright cheerful birthday card.  Throughout the past several days, I've been getting birthday cards from family, friends and neighbors.  I don't know about you but I love birthdays.  I don't mind getting older simply because there is nothing I can do to stop the process.  So, why not just celebrate it.

Stamp Set:  Beautiful Birthday - retired (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Labels Collection Framelits, Secret Garden Framelits, 5/8" Pool Party Seam Binding, Melon Mambo Brights Button - retired, Linen Thread and Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels)

Here is the My Favorite Things sketch I used for my card.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Dare to Dream Canvas

Do you know how hard it is to get a project done when you have a little four year old man coming in to check up on you and ask questions about what you are doing?  I'm sure many of you do.  I had my youngest grandson visiting for a few hours today.  He brought his trains with him and built a railroad track all over the living room floor.  I was in the craft studio trying to get this project done to enter in a challenge.  He would come in every five or ten minutes to climb up on my lap to see what I was I was doing.  I don't think I'm on time for the deadline but will enter it anyway just so I can share it with you.  The challenge is over at Ink on My Fingers.  You can get there by clicking HERE.  I absolutely love the work of Hels Sheridan.

Paint, ink, matte medium, ink and paper.  An after of crafting doesn't get any better than this.  I just hope I can get the all the stains off my fingers before church tomorrow when I get to see my oldest granddaughter baptized.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sparkle, Glitz and Glam

With a few anniversary dates approaching, I knew I needed to get busy and get the cards done before I forget.  Yes, I have the dates written on two calendars but they seem to get buried amongst all the crafty stuff and you know the old saying, "out of sight out of mind."  Add to that my advancing years and you have a perfect formula for forgetfulness.

The current challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous was perfect for a beautiful silver and black anniversary card.  I love these two colors together!  It also let me use some rhinestone trim I've been keeping in my stash.  Since I have to mail this one, I kept the layers to a limit.  In all honesty, I think this was a good example of less is more.  It really let the rhinestone trim stand out.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  VersaMark Watermark Ink; Card Stock:  Basic Black (Stampin' Up!), Glitzy Glitter Cardstock Stack (DCWV); Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch and Black Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up!), Silver Rhinestone Trim, Black Rhinestone Trim, Pop Dots

Here is the inspiration image from the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Bermuda Birthday

Well, there's nothing like waiting until the last minute.  I've had such a busy last week that I've not had a lot of time to spend in my craft studio.  With the beginning of a new week, it's time to catch up on all that I've neglected.

The colors for the current Color Throwdown Challenge were perfect for pairing with Gorgeous Grunge and my last (looks like I need to visit Heather again) die-cut happy birthday which was cut from Bermuda Bay card stock.  I kept the card very clean and simple.  The background colors were stamped off to mute the colors a bit so the sentiment would stand out.  Yes, I purposely placed the letters in this fashion.  It's for a slightly irregular friend so it fits.

Stamp:  Gorgeous Grunge (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Perfect Plum, Pacific Point (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Happy Birthday Die-namics (My Favorite Things)

You can find the Color Throwdown Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Time to Give it Up!

This is me trying to stay awake to get some work done in my craft studio.  It is not going well so I gave it up and decided to get some sleep.

I've had a busy two days and they have finally caught up with me.  Today and Saturday are slated to be busy as well.  I haven't had time to create but do have a project I hope to have done today to share with you.  In the meantime, I'm out of here to shut the other eye.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha 

I Love Spray Webbing!

Oh yeah, you got that right!  Tuesday night found me at my local craft store taking a mixed media class that showed us how to use the spray webbing.  It was so much fun.  I learned a lot and I now feel more confident about creating mixed media.  I can't wait until next month's class!

We used flowers cut from aluminum cans.  The birds and tree limb are cut from cereal boxes.  The background is a piece of brown paper sack adhered to a 5" x 7" canvas.  Once the paint on the background was dry, we sprayed the webbing.  I thought it would be heavier and thicker but it isn't and gives a very cool texture to the paper.  I'll be making more of these in the future.  I see Christmas gifts happening.  :-)

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Love Grows Here

Oh yes, another fun challenge.  I love challenges!  When I don't have a lot of time to spend in my craft studio, creating from a challenge is the way to go.  You get the sketch, you get the colors and sometimes you get both.  Today I'm playing along with the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  I love the simplicity of the sketch and it showcases the blue rose I made using my new Spiral Floral Die.

Stamp Set:  Garden Shed (Taylored Expressions); Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Marina Mist and Etcetera Designer Series Paper Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Spiral Flower Originals Die, Extra Large Oval Punch, Stamping Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

This is the sketch that inspired my design.    HERE is where you can find all the challenge details and play along yourself.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Bursting with Flowers

Can you tell I am ready for Spring?  I've been making a lot of paper flowers lately but I would so love to see the real thing.  The one thing I miss most about apartment living is the lack of a flower garden.  I love flowers.  The Fusion Card Challenge had a great floral inspiration and I liked the sketch, too.  You can do either the sketch challenge, the inspiration photo challenge or you can combine them, which is what I decided to do for my card.

Stamp Set:  My Friend (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Pear Pizzazz (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Happy Harvest Paper Pad ( Doodlebug Design, Inc.); Accessories & Tools:  Floral Fusions Sizzlits, Bird Builder Punch, 1/8" Silver Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals and Mini Glue Dots (Stampin' Up!)

With the boldness of the floral paper and the die cut flowers, I knew the stamped part of the card needed to be bold as well.  I love this hello from the My Friend Stamp Set.

Here is the current sketch and inspiration photo from the Fusion Card Challenge.  Just click the image below to find all the details.  You still have time to join, too.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy St. Patrick's Day

It's rare that I make two posts in one day but I saw this design while out doing a cruise about on the Internet.  I don't remember where I saw it or the person who's card I viewed but I do appreciate the inspiration.  It's definitely a study in green with a touch of gold and cream.  The heart die-cuts make for a great looking shamrock.  Since today is St. Patrick's Day, two designs just might be a lucky thing.  :-)

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Gumball Green and Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker (Stampin' Up!), Crushed Olive Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Card Stock:  Garden Green, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper - retired and Gold Foil Sheets (Stampin' Up!), Clever Paper (Authentique); Accessories & Tools:  Full Heart Punch, Hearts Collection Framelits, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Flower, Gold Baker's Twine and Gold Sequin Trim (Stampin' Up!), Rhinestones, Blending Tool

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pot of Gold

It was so much fun to make this card for the current Friday Mashup Challenge.  I love rainbows.  They are bright and cheerful and they hold a promise of calm skies ahead.  I always remember the colors of the rainbow by remembering ROY G BIV.  Wearin' o' the green has always presented a dilemma for me.  Green is not a color I particularly like unless it is on a tree and I certainly didn't like getting a pinch when I was seen not wearing green on March 17th.  But, as I would point out to the one pinching me, I am wearing green and I wear green every day of my life!  Have you figured out why I always have green on?  Yup, you guessed it.  I have green eyes!  So, should you see me tomorrow, be sure to look me in the "green" eyes before you pinch me!  :-)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Marina Mist, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black, Whisper White, Gumball Green and Gold Foil Sheets (Stampin' Up!), Adorbs Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye); Accessories & Tools:  1-3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Flower, Stampin' Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen and Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Stampin' Up)

I love The Friday Mashup Challenge.  I always try to do the 'mashup' whenever I get a chance to play along and sometimes it's not easy.  You can find the challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Mother's Day Etcetera

Did you all enjoy the Wacky Watercooler March Blog Hop?  I saw several projects that had me adding more things to my wishlist.  April 10th is the date for our next hop, so mark your calendars because you won't want to miss it.  For now here is one of the projects I created today.  I was skeptical at first about the Etcetera Designer Series Paper but once I had it in hand, I fell in love with it.  I so love the colors.  My mom was a very talented seamstress and I immediately thought of her when I saw this design.

Stamp Sets:  Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Etcetera Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Decorative label Punch, Large Oval Punch, Old Olive Brights Button (retired), Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

I played along with the challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches.  Just click on the image below to see all the details about their great challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Wacky Watercooler March Blog Hop

Great day in the morning!  Or should I say evening since it is actually evening for me and time for a brand new Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop!  For this one we pulled out all the stops and will be showcasing all kinds of Stampin' Up!® products.

For my first card, I embossed some Pool Party Core'dinations Paper using the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder then, sanded the dots.  I was going to add some color to the dots but decided I wanted to showcase those cute flowers made with the Floral Fusions Sizzlits.  I'm liking that little die.  I'm not wild about the ribbon since I tried to age some Pool Party Seam Binding.  The photo doesn't do it justice but it did add a bit more contrast to the overall card.  And, the oval used to stamp the Oh, Hello sentiment from the Oh, Hello Stamp Set, was punched from one the tags on a sheet from the Etcetera Designer Series Paper.  It worked perfectly with the Extra Large Oval Punch.    

Stamp Set:  Oh, Hello; Ink:  Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Night of Navy, Pool Party Core'dinations, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry, Etcetera Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Deocrative Dots Embossing Folder, Extra Large Oval Punch, Floral Fusions Sizzlits, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Flower, 1/2" Pool Party Seam Binding, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

When I ordered the Etcetera Designer Series Paper, I wasn't sure I would like it.  I've changed my mind.  All of the different designs you see here are from that paper collection, even the flower I made using the new Spiral Flower Die.  

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen; Ink:  Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Etcetera Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Adorning Accents Edgelits, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Secret Garden Framelits, Circles Colleciton Framelits, Spiral Flower Originals Die, Scallop Circle Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels, 2-Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

I'll have you know that all the gold is not in California!  It's all over my third card.  I love those Gold Foil Sheets.  The other day I came across this butterfly HERE and wanted to give it a try but with a Stampin' Up!® twist.  Our Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape looks really good made into a butterfly.  I purposely didn't add a sentiment since I'm not sure just what occasion I'll be using this card for. 

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Gold Foil Sheets, Whisper White, Vellum; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Tag Topper Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape, Gold Sequin Trim, Gold Baker's Twine, Antique Brads, Mini Glue Dots

Now it's time to move on to your next stop.  Heidi always has such great projects.  You are going to love them!

To go back to look over those cool projects from Susan, just click on the image below.

Since I know you just can't get enough of all these great projects, you can head HOME by clicking the cooler below and start your journey over.

Thank you for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Springtime

It was an absolutely gorgeous spring day here in Iowa.  Sunshine, birds singing and 68 degrees for a high.  We have had what seems to have been an extremely long winter.  Mainly, due to the unusual cold temperatures.  I'm so glad that we seem to be turning the corner to warmer weather.  I am so ready for real flowers.  For now, here are two little flowers adorning my tribute to Spring.  I opted not to add a sentiment, but I was thinking about a get well or thinking of you card. 

Ink:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Crisp Cantaloupe and Crushed Curry (Stampin' Up!), Place in Time Paper (Graphic 45); Accessories & Tools:  Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Flower, Bird Builder Punch,1/8" Calypso Coral Ribbon, Dazzling Details and Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!), 1/8" Cream Ribbon

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

May the Lord

It's time for another Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge.  This time it can be vintage or retro.  As you can see, I chose vintage.  One of the things I pulled out of my stash is the vintage tatted lace.  I have always had a fascination with tatted lace.  When I mentioned to my mother that I was thinking of learning how to tat, she brought out this box of very old lace and gave it to me.  She wasn't sure who made it, she thought one of my grandmothers.  I have had it for years and it is now over 100 years old.  Talk about being hard to cut into for my card.  Whew!  I actually had tears in my eyes.

Stamp Sets:  Anemones (Flourishes); Inks:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral and Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Card Stock:  Always Artichoke, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral and Wild Wasabi (Stampin' Up!), Secret Garden Papercrafting Paper (Graphic 45), Accessories & Tools:  Chalk Talk Framelits, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Gold Baker's Twine and 1/8" Silver Mini Brads (Stampin' Up!), Mini Tiny Circles Stencil (Balzer Designs), Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger), 1/8" Scor-Tape, Mini Glue Dots

You still have time to play along with the challenge.  You can find all the details HERE or the link below.

Challenge #3: Vintage or Retro Style

Graphic 45 is our sponsor this month, so let's see what you can make in a vintage or retro style. Do you hoard lace or vintage hat pins? Do you snap up all the postcards at yard sales? Do you love mid-century modern? Do you long for avocado appliances and orange shag carpets? Show your vintage or retro spin on a paper crafting project.

Oh, for those who are curious, I never did learn how to tat but I'm still fascinated by tatted lace.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha 

A Friend Is

Can I just say I love that little Banner Punch from Stampin' Up!®  It made creating the banner for my card so easy.  You can get it free and love it, too!  With every $50 you spend, during Sale-A-Bration, you get a free gift.  Now how cool is that!  You can click on the Stampin' Up!® Catalogs tag to find the Sale-A-Bration Catalog.

Now on to the card I made for a very sweet friend.  She was there for me after my mother passed away and I have treasured her friendship every day since.  Through the good, the bad and the ugly, she was there to love and encourage me.  I am so thankful to be blessed with such a friend.

Stamp:  A Friend (Stampabilities); Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral and Etcetera Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Linen Thread (Stampin' Up!)

For the banners I folded a strip of paper and punched out the banner just before the fold so I had a double layer banner instead of a single layer.  While it doesn't show well in the photo, the banner is not attached to the top of the card except at the ends where the Linen Thread is attached.  I guess you could call it a fluttering banner.

Now I'm off to get my hands really dirty!  I've been taking a series of stenciling classes.  I have learned a lot about what you can do with a stencil.  Julie is a very good teacher and so cute.  Yesterday she wore ears during the broadcast.  Too funny!  If you are interested, go check out her blog HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

My Friend

Well, there is nothing like a little excitement to keep the heart pumping!  Sometime around 5 p.m., I was reclining in the chair watching The Rifleman (yes, I still like the Rifleman!) when all of a sudden the fire alarms in the building started piercing my eardrums!  Hallway doors automatically shut and tenants came out the of their apartments asking what's going on.  I did not have an answer but I know when there's a fire alarm, you're supposed to leave the building and wait for the all clear from the firemen who have come to our rescue.  Fortunately, it was not a fire but something to do with the sprinkler system.

Now that the excitement has died time, it's time to share my card for the My Favorite Things weekly sketch challenge.  There is one oops! on my card.  Can you find it?       

Stamp Sets:  My Friend (Stampin' Up!), Reflections (Tim Holtz); Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar and Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Tim Holtz);  Card Stock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Maggie Holmes Paper Pad (Crate Paper); Accessories & Tools:  Doily Die Die-namics (My Favorite Things); Circle Collection Framelits, Pool Party Sycamore Street Designer Buttons Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

I played along with the My Favorite Things Challenge #165.  You can find all the details HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Very Clean and Simple

And, that is exactly what this newest card turned out to be.  There was no ink used, no stamp used, just a die cut and a bit of fussy cutting around the little arrow sentiment.  It's the first time I've used the Cute Cameras 2 Die-namics die I purchased from My Favorite Things a couple of months ago.  You know you have too much stuff when you forget what you purchase.  Good thing I'm doing spring cleaning early.

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry (Stampin' Up!), Here & Now Paper Pad (Echo Park); Accessories & Tools:  Cute Cameras 2 Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

I played along with two challenges today.  The colors I used are from the My Favorite Things Color Palette Challenge.  You can find all the details HERE or click on the image below.

The sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches.  For more details, just click HERE or on the image below.

Well, there you have it from me for now.  I'm busy creating some new projects for an upcoming hop in which I'm participating.  Stay tuned for further details.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Amazing Grace

Well, there is nothing like waiting until nearly the very last minute!  I'm not usually a procrastinator and I've known for a couple of weeks that I wanted to enter the challenge over at the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog and what do I do, wait until the day of with only hours to go to get the project done and posted.  Whew!  I've worked all the morning long to get it done!  Okay, maybe not that long, but I do love the way the card turned out.  Clean, simple and blue.  I do so love my blue!

The challenge was to use a blue color palette and some of your hoarded stuff.  I have quite a bit of that.  The grosgrain ribbon, the patterned paper and the shimmer mist are all from my stash.  I don't remember the name of the patterned paper as this is the last sheet I had.  The ribbon is almost gone and I know I will cry when that is so.  Sigh... all good things come to an end, eventually!

Stamp Set:  Amazing Grace (Our Daily Bread); Inks:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen Distress Ink and Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Card Stock:  Night of Navy, Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi (Stampin' Up!), Patterned Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Top Note Die, 5/8" Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon - retired, Floral Fusion Sizzlits, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Flower, Bird Builder Punch and Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Mist)

You can find the color palette and the details of the challenge HERE on the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog.  Gorgeous, right?  It's blue!

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha