Inspired by a Quilt - Part Two

If you saw my post on Monday, you'd have seen a card that was inspired by this Williamsburg quilt:

I had a piece of stamped cardstock left over, and decided to make another card with it.

I'm entering Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge:  Country Comfort.  I find quilts very comforting, and have lots of country charm.  And of course, I've based my stamping on the Williamsburg quilt.

The flourish and sentiment are Verve - Celebration of Thanks, on a Labels Thirteen die cut.

A peek inside the card:

That does it for me!  I've got lots of housework to do.  See you later!



Stamps: Celebration of Thanks - Verve; Elements of Style - SU
Paper: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla - SU
Ink: Riding Hood Red - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: red sheer ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Other: pearls - Queen & Co; Doily Lace Trim punch - Martha Stewart; Big Shot; Labels Thirteen die - Spellbinders
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Inspired by a Williamsburg Quilt

It's been too long since I posted an "Inspired By..." card.  I miss doing them.  Today, I found the perfect reason to do one:  the Quilt challenge over at CARDS: create blog.  I combined it with a sketch from Pals Paper Arts.

My mother-in-law has the most gorgeous Williamsburg red and white quilt that I love, and maybe someday I might buy one of my own.  :)  Here's a picture of it, found online HERE.  It's called Williamsburg Brighton Red Toile:

I focused on the all-over floral pattern, the scalloped hem, and the ruffles around the pillows.

The floral spray from Elements of Style (Stampin' Up!) is one of my faves.  It creates such a beautiful background or patterned paper.

The ivory gathered ribbon is my take on the pillow ruffles, and the scalloped punched border echoes the scallops on the bottom of the quilt.

This sentiment is from Flourishes' Sleigh Ride.

Thanks for popping by!



Stamps: Elements of Style - SU; Sleigh Ride (sentiment) - Flourishes
Paper: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake - SU
Ink: Riding Hood Red - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions; gathered ivory grosgrain ribbon (?); crochet lace - Spare Parts/The Paper Studio
Other: Big Shot; Ribbon Tags die - Spellbinders; paper flower - Recollections; buttons;
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Butterfly in Neutrals

Hello!  Did you all have a good weekend?  I had a happy one.  My husband planned an overnight getaway for just the two of us, at a luxury hotel in Philadelphia:  The Hyatt at The Bellevue.  We each had a massage, and he also had a facial, and for me - a detoxifying mud wrap for the body.  Oh, did my skin glow!  We had dinner at the famous Ruth's Chris Steakhouse a block away and it was so yummy.  It was very precious and special to hang out with the love of my life, all alone.

I wish I had brought my camera with me, because the Bellevue hotel (click on link for more history on the building) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and first opened its doors in 1904.  Here is some  info from the website page:

The Bellevue-Stratford opened its doors in 1904 and became known worldwide as Philadelphia’s pre-eminent hotel, nicknamed “The Grande Dame of Broad Street.” Famed hotelier George C. Boldt (he also managed the Waldorf-Astoria in New York) wanted to build the best hotel of its time—and he did.

Designed in the French Renaissance style, The Bellevue features Gilded Age architectural flourishes including a magnificent two-tiered ballroom with delicate light fixtures designed by Thomas Alva Edison, stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, chandeliers by Lalique and a celebrated cast-iron circular staircase. Many of these flourishes remain and make it the marvel that it is.

Famous guests include Jacob Astor, J.P. Morgan, William Jennings Bryan, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and the Vanderbilt family in addition to countless socialites, luminaries and heads of state.

Every US President since Theodore Roosevelt has visited The Bellevue.

Here are some photos I found on the Internet:

The lobby, photo taken in 1976.

One of the lobbies, and this is where we checked in.
When the hotel was new back in 1904, guests checked in on the top floor (19th), then went downstairs to their rooms.  The tradition proved too cumbersome,
and the lobby was set on the ground level.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The Cafe on the top floor, where we had lunch and breakfast.
I wish there was a photo of the ceiling.  
It's just loaded with Gilded Age details.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

It was a bit too cold to be on the restaurant's balcony.
This must've been taken in the summertime.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The famous XIX Restaurant,
so named because it is on the 19th floor.
Look at the beautiful pearl chandelier draped over the tables.
It is so gorgeous in person.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I do have a card to show you today, too!

This is entered in the City Crafter Challenge:  "It's All Natural" (use natural colors).

Inspiration photo from City Crafter.

I used two stamps, available through Blockheads Paper Arts.  Using the Shipping Ephemera stamp and Crumb Cake ink, I created my own background paper.  Then I stamped it one more time on a scrap, trimmed it, inked the edges and mounted it on a piece of Early Espresso cardstock.

The butterfly was colored with Copic markers, then trimmed and mounted onto the card.  I added three petals of a paper Prima Wildflower, which had been dyed with coffee.  Since I was unable to save the antennae when I cut out the image, I drew them on with a marker instead.

The base of the card is simple:  vanilla cardstock base, followed by an Early Espresso panel (embossed with the Textile embossing folder by Cuttlebug, then distressed the edges).

Hope you enjoyed the photos today!  It was fun looking for them so I could share them with you.



Stamps:  Shipping Ephemera - Blockheads Paper Arts; Butterflies - Lost Coast Designs
Paper:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla - Stampin' Up!; white - PTI
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: Copic markers; taupe trim; pearls - Queen & Co.; coffee-dyed paper flower - Prima Wildflowers; Big Shot; Textile Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug

Winter Wishes

This is my second post for today.  To see the Play Date Cafe challenge, scroll down one post.

Considering it's 63 degrees here on the East Coast today, that's a weird title for my post.  It feels like anything BUT winter!

I am playing in Moxie Fab World's Cure For the Winter Blues challenge, where we are to use navy.  I picked up a sketch from the Merry Monday challenge, too; a nice, simple one:

I used a stamp from the Blockheads set, Feeling Regal.  I used the large flourish stamp to create patterned paper and attached it to the card front.

The snowflake punch was sprayed with adhesive (Elmer's) and coated with Martha Stewart Sterling Tinsel Glitter.

To finish it off, I added some pearls and a rhinestone to the sentiment (Verve - Glad Tidings).

Thanks for joining me today!



Stamps: Verve - Glad Tidings; Feeling Regal - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: white - PTI; Night of Navy - SU
Ink: Night of Navy - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: pearls, rhinestone - Queen & Co.; lace trim - Simplicity; Himalayan Snowflake Punch, Sterling Tinsel Glitter - Martha Stewart; Big Shot; Oval die cut - Spellbinders; large oval, scalloped oval punches - SU

Play Date Cafe 120 - You Inspire Me

Hello Friends!  I can't believe it's been a whole week since I had a card posted.  What a busy week it was, with Girl Scout cookie selling (last big push before it all ends) at our dentist's and doctor's offices, a cookie booth at a grocery store, and a few other folks here and there who decided to help us out.

I also had LOTS of stamps for sale on eBay and sold quite a few.  That kept me super busy, researching shipping rates, combining shipping, then mailing everything and keeping it all straight (no small feat for my brain-like-a-sieve).  Thanks to my friend Emily for helping me out with some of that research!

It's time for a new Play Date Cafe challenge, and here is our new color palette:  Baby Blue, Orangesicle, and Basil.

I have to admit, I was stumped with this one.  As usual when confronted with colors that stump me, I put on my CAS hat and came up with this:

I pulled out scraps from Stampin' Up and punched them (1 3/8" square punch), and cut some bases for them with coordinating card stock.  Each small square is propped up on a square white panel, and then that panel is propped up on the card base. The sentiment is from Verve's Dare To Be (thanks for the loan, Andrea!).

I cut off the metal things on the back of this Pumpkin Pie corduroy button brad (what are those things called?) and glued it in place on one panel.  DONE!

Our sponsor this week is Theresa Momber of Gina K Designs.  Go check out her amazing sponged backgrounds: wow, can this lady wield inks!  Theresa is offering up this generous prize package to one lucky winner:

Thanks for joining me today.  Hope you'll come play with us at The Cafe!



Stamps: Dare to Be - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery; patterned scraps - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Pumpkin Pie Corduroy Button Brad - SU
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Proud of You

I made this for my daughter, the one who battled anorexia last year.  I'm not sure I tell her often enough how proud she makes me.  It took a lot of strength and bravery to help herself get better, and faith and trust in us to help light the way toward good health.

This card happens to be made in her favorite colors of lavender and light green, but it doesn't hurt that these are the CR84FN challenge colors this week, too.  ;)

The closest color I had to chartreuse is Kiwi Kiss, so I stamped my new Market Street Stamps background, Punched Tin, with it.

The circle panels (Basic Gray scalloped circle and text circle) were in one of those fab $1.00 Scrap Bags from my Stampin' Up! demo.  I stamped a flower from Inkadinkado's Floral Damask set in Lovely Lilac on the text.

On a Labels Eighteen die cut, I stamped Hero Arts Old French Script in Antique Linen Distress Ink and a sentiment from Verve's Dare To Be. 

The ribbon has a subtle tie-dye look.  At first, I tried to ink up this white seam binding by Wright's with a Lovely Lilac dye ink pad.  It looked splotchy, so I soaked it in water and Lovely Lilac re-inker.  Ah, much better!

Those flowers I added are a combo of el-cheapo blossoms from Michael's craft store, and a single stem of something I found on the floor there.  (shhh, don't tell)  I REALLY need some nicer looking flowers in my stash!  My supply is rather pitiful.  ;-)

Thanks for coming by today.  I appreciate your visit!

Colleen

Stamps:  Floral Damask - Inkadinkado; Dare to Be - Verve; Punched Tin - Market Street Stamps
Paper:  Basic Gray, text -SU; white - PTI
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Lovely Lilac, Kiwi Kiss - SU; Antique Linen Distress - Ranger
Other:  Big Shot; Labels Eighteen die - Spellbinders; flowers; white seam binding - Wright's 

Play Date Cafe 119 - Beautiful You

It's Color Splash week at The Play Date Cafe!  Yay!  These are always my favorite.  This week's splash is a Bright Pink.  Remember to use just a splash - just a tiny bit of this pink. ;)

I can't wait to show you what I made.  I love it!

I knew I wanted to use this dress form from The Girls' Paperie Paper Girl set, and I had already stamped the image.  It was lying on the table, and I had the lace out for another project.  I threw a small piece (headed for the trash) near the dress form, and voila! - an idea was born.

The Bella Toile background stamp from Stampin' Up! (sadly, retired) seemed a perfect fit for this ultra-girly card.  The sentiment and flourish are from Verve's Celebrating You set.

Our sponsor this week is the ever-popular, much-loved The Twinery!

Go check out what my teammates created for you this week.  There's more than just cards to see!  And while you're there, check out the prize up for grabs too.  ;)

Colleen

Stamps:  Paper Girl - Girls' Paperie; Celebrating You - Verve; Bella Toile - SU
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other:  Big Shot; circle, Labels Four dies - Spellbinders; Pink Sorbet twine - The Twinery; pink bling - Queen & Co.; lace

Victorian Birdcage

It's been a while since I played along with a Splitcoast challenge, and I spotted one that caught my attention:  TLC364 'Wrinkle Free Distress'.  This involves using Distress Inks (by Ranger), a craft sheet, and a water mister.  This was a fun technique and I will definitely do it again!

I don't have an official craft sheet, but I used a little mat that came with my hot glue gun, and it was perfect.  A craft sheet is non-porous, slick and can withstand heat from a glue gun and other crafting tools.  There is a tutorial for the wrinkle free distressing technique HERE.

The stamps I used -- the birdcage and the flowers in the top left corner of the card --  are from Blockheads Paper Arts (click on image or caption to see the set at the store):

The first thing I did was ink up my 'craft sheet' with Peeled Paint and Broken China Distress Inks, then mist gently with a bit of water.  Then I placed my card front over the inks and pressed down.  When I removed my card, I hit it with a heat tool.  This, of course, can make your paper curly, so I weighted it down for a bit with heavy books.

The rest was just as easy:  stamp the birdcage (which fills up 2/3 of the card) and the flower heads, add some ribbon, pearls and a flower.

The flower is assembled from Prima Wildflowers, which come in white, but I dyed in coffee and let dry.  A decorative brad helped assemble the petals.

A big HELLO to all the new faces I see in my Followers on the side bar, and to my new email subscribers!  It's so nice to see you here.  :o)

Colleen

Stamps:  Victorian Eccentricities - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper:  white - PTI
Ink:  Broken China, Peeled Paint Distress Inks - Ranger
Other:  ribbon; pearls - Queen & Co.; Prima Wildflowers; Antique Brad - SU

My Heart Beats for You

I created a Valentine today for my sweetest husband, based on this Mojo Monday sketch:

I used Webster's Pages 6 x 6 papers, from the Waiting For Santa collection, which I've been hoarding TOO long.  Those are on the smallest rectangular layers.  There's a bit of Baja Blue cardstock there, and the largest layer on the card is retired (yes, I know, again) Stampin' Up! Christmas patterned paper in River Rock.

This sentiment is from Verve's Heart to Heart, and so is the stamped double heart behind it.  The heart comes as two different stamps:  a solid, and an outline.  You can use them separately, or together.

I put a small crocheted lace ribbon tab beneath the sentiment label, 'cause that's the challenge at CARDS: create this week -- 'cards with ribbon tabs'.

The crocheted lace looks like upside-down hearts to me, so I used a bit of that, too.

Beneath the stamped heart, I used the Wrought Iron corner punch to create one little 'crown'.

One more challenge entered:  Ribbon Carousel Challenge 39 - 'Anything Goes'.

I'd better run...that Ribbon Carousel challenge closes in hours!

Colleen

Stamps:  Heart to Heart - Verve
Paper:  Webster's Pages 'Waiting for Santa'; Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, River Rock dsp - SU
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler - SU; Antique Linen and Walnut Stain - Ranger
Other:  Big Shot; Wrought Iron corner punch - Martha Stewart; pearls - Recollections; crochet trim - Mark's Finest Papers; Labels Four, Labels One - Spellbinders; Dotted Scallop punch - EK Success

Marigold Mania

This is a card that was rejected by Paper Crafts magazine for their most recent publication call.  I happen to love it, and it took forever to line up all these marigolds, one by one!

I used a flower from the Blockheads Paper Arts set, Flower Garden.

I began with the center marigold, lining things up with a ruler, then worked out from there.  And I used a stamp positioning tool, such as the Stampamajig, to help me get things right.  I can't use rubber stamps without that indispensable tool.

I stamped one more marigold, on a piece of scrap cardstock, then colored it and trimmed it out.  It's attached to the card with a foam dimensional sticker.  The orange satin ribbon is vintage, from my grandmother's sewing room.

I'm curious what you all think about the black frames around my photos today.  I usually soften and blur the edges, but this is a different look.  Thoughts?

Thanks for coming by!

Colleen

Stamps:  Flower Garden Full Sheet - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper:  white cardstock - PTI
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other:  Botanical punch - Martha Stewart; orange satin ribbon; Copic markers