StarLitStudio

autumn - american style

For today's project I utilized this layout from Wanda which I adore - the Ralph Lauren look is timeless and these colors, textures and patterns are well-suited for a male-themed birthday card.

EK Success deer head punch - fully adhered the thin, crumpled gold paper I bought at Marco's Paper eons ago to thicker cardstock, then punched the deer out.  Ivory 'shield' is a spellbinders label 25.

Patterned paper is from an old October Afternoon line called Road Map - love this plaid pattern.  

Boxwood twine is new from Tim Holtz's idea-ology line.  Gold-tone brads frame the card front. Corrugated pale olive green paper is from the stash.

Card interior features a combo of a Memory Box Birthday Script die and Tim Holtz for Sizzix Block Celebration Words die ('wishes').  

assembly note: the boxwood twine was neatly stitched into place in three spots versus using glue.

Fall is upon us here in New Jersey!  These leaves were collected from a single spot by the mailbox.

Under the Tree and Wilted Violet

Santa arrived early this year in the form of a FedEx driver, and delivered the entire new October Afternoon collection, Under the Tree!

Ranger's newest Distress color, Wilted Violet for September, also arrived today!  

Best wishes for a great weekend!

Remembering today.

Summertime is shipping; lavender shadowbox

Summertime Collection from October Afternoon is here and shipping.  I am so thankful their paper, stickers and embellishments (save for the washi tape) are made in the good ole' USA.

The clear stamps, Pop Drops and washi tapes will be arriving shortly, but everything else is here and shipping.

Above is an 8x8 shadowbox framed piece featuring Memory Box Long Stem Lavender and Botanical Stem based on this card from Sherry Hester - cut from watercolor paper, watercolored with water and Distress inks (Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord and Seedless Preserves) and allowed to air dry completely. 

Once dry I randomly dabbed Distress Embossing Ink onto the lavender buds and leaves, then dipped inked portion into chunky clear embossing powder and heat set.  

Using a dry paintbrush and gold Perfect Pearls (the only color I ever seem to use), I highlighted the embossed areas, allowing the warm UTEE and excess Distress Embossing Ink to grip the Pearls. This gave the effect of sunshine and a gorgeous glowing aura.  

I learned this technique from Susan Pickering Rothamel - and originally experimented with this technique on this project back in 2007.

A wash of Distress Vintage Photo formed a base line on a piece of watercolor paper cut to fit the opening, and the lavender stems and cut-up Botanical Stem pieces were assembled and adhered into place using a combination of rolled Scor Tape and Mono Liquid glue.

The three gems are Swarovski flat-backed crystals.  

The mat is a piece of Bazzill Heidi.  8x8 frame is from Doodlebug.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

treasure map card

Watercolored the stamped ship image and added to a 6 x 4.5 inch Taffy card base.  Sentiment is from the Treasure Map - A Pirate's Life set, and was diecut from an MFT tag.

above: I used Distress Specialty Stamping paper (and spellbinders labels 22) and heat set the image.  This Ranger paper is super slick and heat setting was necessary...but the stamping ink is gorgeous on it.

For watercoloring tips I highly recommend watching Shari Carroll's video (click for link), and the above technique is similar to what Shari did in 0:23 to 2:35.  

To me, the Distress Stamping paper reacted differently with water than traditional (hot press) watercolor paper.  (hot press is smooth and I prefer this; cold press has some texture to it - great article here).

Natural burlap ribbon is included in the new ribbon kit designed with this Treasure Map paper line in mind.  Compass embellishment is new too and stitched into place using Linen Thread.  Ahoy! It's almost Friday!

watercolored bookmark

after watercoloring:

before watercoloring:

The Avery Elle bookmark die was cut once from watercolor paper stamped with October Afternoon's Public Library fox image and the sentiment, and once from black cardstock.  The black cardstock layer was lined with two-inch wide scor-tape prior to cutting, to allow perfect adhesion of the layers.

Watercolors used were from the Koi Pocket Set.  Simple Divine Twine accent (use 'divine' coupon code for deep discounts on these spools!)

Space at bottom allows user to add their name.  Thanks for stopping by today!

treasure map shipping

We've patiently waited for this line and it is finally here! Treasure Map from October Afternoon arrived yesterday thanks to Fedex Saturday delivery.  

I've compiled a suggested compatibility list of Bazzill Card Shoppe colors.  These can be found here.  The Taffy color actually takes on the blues in this line and is going to be my go-to card base with these delightful papers.  

Bear in mind color is subjective, and these are my personal recommendations. 

This week I will be developing custom ribbon kits for this line and listing them later in the week.  

The snow has *finally!* melted here in NJ and my daffodils and hyacinths are peeking through the earth - so very happy that spring is on the horizon...temps are still in the 30's and 40's (Fahrenheit).   Wishing you a very wonderful week ahead!

Saturday Mornings from October Afternoon

Since the wonderful folks at October Afternoon did not have a blurb about this new collection anywhere yet, I took it upon myself to pen this:

Rise and shine! It's Saturday Mornings from the amazing folks at October Afternoon!

A nostalgic collection capturing the vintage and retro feel of classic colors and images. Whether you like to sleep in or get up with the rooster on Saturdays, this latest collection from October Afternoon will take your weekend into creative days!

The new collection is here, and after I updated inventory I hammered out this 4x6 notebook:

The papers, stickers, stamps and so forth for this Saturday Mornings collection are all made in the USA - love that!

 

I'd love to ship you this 4x6 notebook - these little notebooks sell like hotcakes at the market on Saturdays where I'm a vendor.  They feature a refillable, spiral bound, lined notepad inside. 

I'll be letting one of my kids pick a random number from the answers left for this post...and hey - if you decide to gift it I'll send it to the lucky person for you!  My question is...are USA-made crafting products important to you?  If you want to elaborate I'd love to hear from you!  

Drawing will be next Thursday, January 22nd.  Happy Wednesday!!

public library notebooks

More finished notebooks using the gorgeous Public Library papers - finished notebook size: each measure 5 x 8 inches.  This top one uses one of the new Sizzix debossing folders, and some components from the stash.

idea-ology custom knob, seam binding used comes with the Public Library Miscellany pack. Papertrey heart die and wool felt. Happy Friday!

catching butterflies notebook

October Afternoon Public Library papers used - finished notebook measures 5x8 inches in size and features a refillable lined pad (my tutorial on refillable notebooks is here).  idea-ology curio knob, all components edged with Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy.

idea-ology metal arch piece, heart die and wool felt are from Papertrey Ink, crochet ribbon, MFT tag die, Teal Divine Twine. Frame is an old two-inch square Ranger Memory Frame and Memory Capsule, filled with tiny glass marbles.

Handy interior pocket; I use the 100 lined sheet pads from Staples.  Hope your week is going well!

public library card catalog hardware

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock shown is from October Afternoon's Public Library collection - Card Catalog cardstock specifically. I cut the drawers apart for a project...

 

...and discovered various hardware fits perfectly over the window - top shown is from the store - small label holders and idea-ology Mini Fasteners, and the bottom one is Graphic 45's Ornate Label Holders (used the brads that come with the package). Hope your week is off to a great start!