PaperFections

October Calendar

Ever since I started working full-time again outside our home the first of this year, I've noticed I've been slacking off on my monthly calendars and haven't done one in several months (sorry about that!).  I thought I'd remedy that this month ... Here's my October calendar (on time!):

I decided to go back to a 6-inch calendar to hang on my Taylored Expressions Frame Your Imagination Vertical Stand on my desk.  The pretty background paper isn't store bought paper at all, it's JustRite's beautiful Autumn Damask Background stamp!

I inked the background first with Memento Tangelo ink pad and then used the Potter's Clay ink pad around the edges of the stamp.  I stamped it onto Neenah Classic Cream cardstock and then trimmed it closely around the image.  I placed the background close to the top of a 6-inch piece of chocolate cardstock.

The beautiful butterfly from JustRite's Grand Sentiments stamp set was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto cream cardstock and then airbrushed with Copic YR12 and E08 Sketch Markers and hand trimmed (no need to be neat about airbrushing if you are going to closely trim the image!). Chocolate Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen was used over the stamped swirls to give them a pretty sparkle:

The poppy flower is from JustRite's Botanical Medallions & Banners clear stamp set.  It was colored with Copic YR12, YR16, YR18, E08, YG91, YG93, YG95, E23, E25, E57, cut out and popped up on Copic foam tape.  (Unfortunately, the oranges aren't showing the shading very well in this photo -- sorry about that!)  The foam tape was also used just down the center of the back of the butterfly, so its wings could still stand up.

The pretty border at the bottom was cut with Spellbinders Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities dies and my 2012 downloadable calendar (Grid 2-Pg) was cut with Spellbinders' new Card Creator Matting Basics A die set.

It has actually been FEELING like October and Autumn here in N. Texas this weekend . . . how about where you are?  Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

~ Sharon

Supplies:

 

Amazing Paper Grace Kit Club 2-October

Today the JustRite Papercraft design team is showcasing projects made with Becca Feeken's Amazing Paper Graces October Kit Club exclusive stamp set and dies.  This month's JustRite stamp set in the October Kit is It's Sew Vintage:

 
And the exclusive (JustRite Custom Dies made by Spellbinders) die set for the October Kit is Vintage Frame Label & Spool Toppers.  This awesome die set includes dies to cut for the tops of spools to give them a decorative accent, a bobbin die for wrapping lace and ribbon, and two awesome label dies!

Here's a peek at the October Kit Club projects that come in the kit, created by Becca:

This month you can test drive a single month's kit or you can become a Silver Club Member (6-month membership) or a Gold Club Member (12-month membership)!  You can find all the membership details here.

There are still a few September Kits available here.

I've been re-organizing and rearranging my craft studio, so I decided to put these stamps and dies to a (pretty!) practical use of labeling some of my crafting supplies (click on any photo for a larger view):

The "cookie" jar on the left holds my Baker's twine that is now all organized and wrapped around wooden spools (previously a jumbled mess of yardage!), with pretty decorative tops (stamped color indicates twine color, for quick & easy grabbing!):

The jar lid, with antique silver gemstone accents on Spellbinders red Labels Twenty die cut . . . I love the black accent filigree stamp from this set!  I inked the sentiment separately with Black & Rhubarb Stalk Memento dye ink markers:

The white doily accent was airbrushed with Copic E50 so it would match the ivory cardstock die cut better.  The other jar on the right above holds different types of lace:

Pins are all organized together in a see-through top tin (right below):

Above left is a key chain I made with the bobbin die from this set (love that saying!).  

Die Cutting Tip: If you want to create a larger mat layer for a die shape you don't have the next larger die for, just trace around the outside edge of the die template and hand trim . . . that's what I did here for the key chain!

The key is an antique skeleton key that goes to my newly re-vamped antique hutch (previously my in-laws' china cabinet, handed down from my husband's grandparents, circa 1945!).  My sweet husband painted it black for me (to match the other furniture in my studio) and it now houses all my ribbon/trim, buttons and other embellishments, so the key literally DOES "untie (or unlock) the ribbons"!

Here's a close-up of the key and key chain in the door:

I hope you'll check out these design team members, who also have projects to share with Becca's fabulous October Kit:

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson 
Marisa Job
Sharon Harnist <=You are here!
Barb Schram
Heidi Blankenship 
Michele Kovack 
Sheri Holt 
Darsie Bruno

Thanks for stopping by today!

~ Sharon 

Supplies:

Tissue Pear

Hello, I hope you are having a good start to your weekend!  I've been playing in the CLASSroom today and having fun with dimensional tissue paper shapes.  I hope you'll join me to see how to create this fun card!

~ Sharon

Scrapbook Hoarders Ultimate Garage Sale

Above is what my studio looked like a few weeks ago ... all disheveled as I was rearranging, purging and clearing out (that's new bookshelf storage I was putting together on the floor!). Fortunately, my local scrapbook store (The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie) announced they were going to hold a Scrapbook Hoarders Ultimate Garage sale soon ... color me happy!

So, just a PSA here: If you happen to live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, it will definitely be worth your time to head down to the store tomorrow, Saturday September 15 from 10am to 5pm to see all the gently loved/used items for sale at great prices. I know there were at least 33 people signed up to contribute to the sale -- that should make for a very wide variety of product!  I personally dropped off my SUV FULL of products: rubber stamps, ink pads, scrapbook paper, shelving, etc. (no, not any Copics!).

Want a sneak peek and chance to shop early?

They are having a special preview and purchase night TONIGHT, Friday September 14 5pm-10pm. Fee to get in will be 3 items for the charity organization, Bluebonnet Chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.  You can find the items they need HERE (scroll down a few sections to the Scrapbook Hoarders Ultimate Garage Sale). However, there is no fee for Saturday shopping.

Happy weekend ... I look forward to finishing the clean-up of my studio so I can get back to stamping!

~ Sharon