Welcome to the November project of the 2019 - 2020 Coloring Series! To read the introduction post for this series, clickHERE. To see all the coloring series projects, click HERE. I am a little late again this month. I had some bad migraine days recently, which put me a bit behind in all my craft work. I am feeling better now, so I hope to catch up quickly! The post this month is a bit "bare bones" as I try to feel better and catch my breath!
I decided to make a little scene this month using digital stamps from three different sets! If the images have a transparent background, it's as easy as pie (pumpkin pie, that is) to create a little scene! If your images are not on a transparent background, programs such as Photoshop can help you fix that issue. The directions are a quick Google search away! {smile} My card this month is a little smaller than 6" x 8". Not a standard size, but you would make yours to be the standard 5" x 7" or smaller.
I pulled out all the markers and pencils for this one. Not really, but I did use a lot of colors! Each pumpkin is a slightly different shade of orange! In the wild, no two pumpkins are exactly alike!
For my main image I used this image of pumpkins from the Pumpkins and Pears digital set. This is a little mini set for $5. If you want the full clear set, It is called Fortunes of Fall, and sells for $18.
I added the pumpkin containing a bouquet image from Season's Seatings to complete the scene. The pumpkin on the chair image is also part of the clear set So Grateful. For those of you who prefer physical stamp images, you can create a scene with masking, in the same way I created my digital scene. The only difference is that with digital images, I can resize them however I like to get the correct scale.
I chose the Painting Pumpkins digital stamp set from Power Poppy for my sentiment. (I used the jack-o-lanterns image from this set last month. See that HERE.)
I stayed with traditional (realistic) colors for my pumpkin table decor scene. I wanted this card to look festive and pretty for Thanksgiving. I once again colored with Copic markers and then went over the image with colored pencils to add depth, dimension, and shine. I started out coloring the pumpkins to "set the stage" for the other colors in the piece. I did not want to choose too many different colors, as that can make an image look "cartoon-like."
I did not write down my colors for you this month. Actually, I did write them down, but accidentally tossed the paper when tidying up my studio! Trying to figure out all the colors I used was an exercise in futility! But...that gives you a chance to try playing around with various combinations on your own. Try orange and yellow, with touches of red, brown, and cream for your pumpkins. Try coloring with markers first and adding some detail with colored pencils. See how you get on!
For the leaves, pick some deep greens, and for the pears, try for some pale greens mixed with yellow and brown. The pumpkin stems are a dull green. Color the flower bouquet in your favorite fall colors! I chose a deep burgundy and pale yellow, with pops of red.
Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you are inspired to color something! I will try to have it more on the ball next month for our December project!
Hello, Graphic 45 Fans! It is my turn to share my studio space with all of you! I am really excited to show you where I create. It has been a very long time since I have shared any photos or videos of my space, and some things have changed since the last time!
My space is in the “loft” area on our second floor, which is a large, open space approximately 21’ x 17’ in size. However, since it is a “walk through” space, I need to keep the walking path clear so that the guest bedrooms can be used!
I have a computer station, and lots of storage for office supplies, cards, envelopes, and tags, as well as shelves for Bible Journaling and Adult Coloring supplies.
I have two tall racks for storage. The one on the right holds Authentique papers, and the other one with drawers holds cardmaking supplies and other odds and ends.
I have two lovely, big windows which give me some natural light. I live where it is very sunny year round, and I get a lot of nice light through these two large windows. In fact, I sometimes have to close the blinds! I also get a sweet ocean breeze at certain times of the day! (I do NOT like when I get the super HOT Santa Anna winds in the autumn!)
I also have an extra working desk which I usually use for writing tutorials or doing other “office” work. This used to be where I did lessons for our kids when we homeschooled, but now it is just my office space!
The newest addition to the space is my die cutting station! After my last child graduated our homeschool, the full area became my studio! And since there was no one needing this desk space...it is the perfect area to set up my die cutting tools!
I keep my manual cutting machine here, with bins for my embossing folders. I also have a Silhouette Cameo and a Cricut Expression. There is plenty of space for those to sit on the workspace, too! When not in use, I have shelf space for my machines. (These shelves used to be filled with homeschooling books and supplies!)
I keep all of my dies on the shelves so that they are close at hand.
Tip: Store thin dies in plastic bins to save space. Insert each die set into a clear plastic envelope, label it, and store it upright in a plastic bin.
I love plastic storage bins! They are my favorite type of storage! They are not “pretty” or vintage or color coordinated - but you can see everything you have, label the bins easily, plus they are portable. This type of storage also keeps my items dust-free! I live in a dry, dusty area, and keeping the dust off my products is very important!
I love seeing my wall of goodies! Since everything is labeled, I can see in an instant what I need for a particular project!
Tip: Invest in a label maker! I would be lost without my label making machine! If you are on a budget, purchase a set of sticky labels and a permanent marker and label by hand!
I have a large work space, with plenty of storage around the desk. My desk is 71” x 36”, which gives me plenty of work surface! I keep my tool bag on the desk, along with bins of ink and adhesive. I like to have my most used items close at hand!
There are plenty of bins, totes, and cabinets for all my crafty items. I have a large storage unit on the back wall, as well as another work space and storage unit behind my desk. I use the top surface as my paper cutting and scoring station. (To see inside all the storage, view the video below!)
I love to look out and see all of my embellishments, stacked up and ready to be used!
I particularly love my Graphic 45 paper totes! I have six carts at the front and side of my desk to store all my G45 papers, by collection! I have some of every Graphic 45 release from the very first to the most recent! (I may be something of a FAN of G45!) Each tote holds 12x12 paper, plus all of the other components of each collection. Each tote is portable. I can pull the toteI want, take it to my desk, and get to work creating! Edited to add: The carts that I use for my paper storage are THIS style. You can find them at local stores such as Michael's, The Container Store, WalMart, etc. They are Iris brand, and each cart holds six totes for 12x12 paper. (If you order online, make sure you get the cart that holds the totes for 12x12 paper. There is a narrow cart that looks the same, but it cannot fit the 12x12 paper! I take the wheels off and sometimes stack two together to make a tall cart (as shown below). The black/clear carts above contain six totes, plus I have an extra tote on top of each cart for a total of 28 totes of paper. (You can purchase the 12x12 totes separately. The size of the totes that come with the carts is14.4"L x 14.1"W x 3.1"H.) The carts in the photo below are white with clear totes. The white carts are cheaper, for some reason. And the black are harder to find in stock. I did not care if I had to mix and match, so I have some of each!
I also have eight more carts to hold cardstock, various pattern papers, and the G45 Christmas collections! These carts are stacked with the wheels removed, giving me a nice “wall of paper”! I keep lots of finished projects on the top. Being surrounded by some of my projects keeps me in a creative mood.
Tip: Sort cardstock by color to make it easy to find what you need for each project. I have a 12x12 bin for each color or color family. The paper is kept flat, and out of direct sunlight and dust! I store my 8 ½ x 11 paper in drawers next to my desk.
To see a video tour of my space, see the link below. I give you a peek into each of the storage areas along with giving you more tips and tricks for storage. I even give you a look into the “overflow” closet! I do NOT allow you to see the “room of requirement” which is what I call my oldest son’s bedroom. He no longer lives at home and I am ashamed to say, his room has become the holding area for things that need sorting, discarding, and donating!
Thanks for coming along on my tour!
To see more about my ribbon storage, please click HERE.
Hello, and good morning! Can you believe that November is almost here?! It has been hot here (in the 90's) so it still feels like summer, not like fall in the least bit! So, with all this hot, dry weather hanging around, I decided to take a little break from making Halloween and Thanksgiving projects and make something PINK!
I pulled out the Graphic 45 Princess Collection and had some fun! This is another collection that I have had in my stash for a while and had not yet cut into! (I know...I buy things and then...life happens!) I decided to use this sweet collection to make a journal. Remember when I made THIS journal, I told you that you could buy extra inserts? I had some extra notebooks, and decided to make my own journal from scratch and add the G45 notebooks to it!
I created my journal to be 9" tall, 5" wide, with a 1 1/4" spine. Inside there are two notebooks and a waterfall photo element. If you wish to make your own journal, follow the directions HERE (this journal is slightly smaller, but it is easy to adjust measurements and number of notebooks).
I added lots of yummy seam binding as tie closures, and for decor on the spine. The front of the journal has one of the Princess Ephemera Cards and lots of flowers.
I love seam binding! You can buy it in tons of colors (HERE) or you can buy the white and color it yourself to match any project!
I love to add some fun to the spine of my journals. If you plan to take your journal out and about with you, and maybe put it into your bag or purse, you may want to keep the covers and spine a bit plain and flat.
Inside the front cover there is space for a photo and some journaling. The cover of the first notebook also have a journaling flap.
The first notebook has lined paper, and also has a pocket and tag in the front.
And another pocket and tag in the back. I used the G45 Large Kraft Tags (with 1" cut off the bottom).
The second notebook has watercolor paper. If you want to make your own notebooks, they should measure approximately 8 1/4" x 4 1/2" to fit this size journal.
This notebook also has pockets and tags.
Feel free to decorate your notebook pages as well.
The back of the journal has a waterfall that can hold 21 photos! For help creating a waterfall element, please see THIS tutorial (scroll down until you see the section on making a waterfall).
To see all the pages, please view the video below.
Thanks for watching! If you liked the video, please give it a thumbs up!
I am happy you came by to visit me today! I hope you enjoyed my little project!
Graphic 45 Supplies Used:
Princes Collection (12x12 Collection Pack, 8x8 Paper Pad, 12x12 Patterns and Solids Pad, Tags and Pockets, Chipboard, Ephemera Cards)
Good morning, Crafters! I love making little home decor items for the various holidays and seasons throughout the year. I have been making a few 6" x 6" home decor panels to sit on my desk, and decided that I would turn it into an Authentique Paper series! So far, I have completed four panels, plus a NEW one for today!
To see the Christmas panel, click HERE. To see the Winter panel, click HERE. To see the Spring panel, click HERE. And to see the Halloween panel, click HERE. Today I am going to share the Thanksgiving panel with you!
The paper collection I used is called Gracious, which is filled will autumn and Thanksgiving patterns and images. The great thing about these panels is that you can substitute any paper collection you wish! The panels are EASY to make, and fun to decorate and display!
I accented the piece with ribbon and flowers in a bountiful spray! Mix and match prints, add an image and some accent embellishments and you have a lovely panel to display all season! Here is a little tutorial for making your own panel.
Start with thick chipboard cut to 6" x 6" (the chipboard that I use is about 1/8" thick). You can also use canvas board, like THIS one. I actually prefer the canvas board because it is less porous than chipboard, and less flexible. You can get five panels for under $6 at your local craft and hobby shop. I ran out, and have not been able to purchase more, so I am now using chipboard, which is plentiful in the studio!
Cut a piece of Gracious (utensils) paper to 8" x 8" and use strong adhesive to attach the paper to the front of the panel.
Cut the corners at an angle and then wrap the piece of chipboard to cover the raw edge, as shown on the below.
Wrap a length of ribbon around the lower portion of the canvas and secure at the back, as shown.
The front of the canvas will look like the photo above. I used a length (8") of ivory and rust plaid ribbon, with sparkly gold thread running through it. Find the ribbon HERE.
Then cut a piece of Gracious (plaid) paper to 5 7/8" x 5 7/8" to cover the back of the panel.
Trim out an image and sentiment from the Gracious Collection. (I usually cut out several and match them up with the paper before choosing which one I want for my project!)
Choose three more prints from the paper collection. Cut two prints to 4" x 5" and one print to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". Mat all three pieces with dark brown cardstock. Select a 4" x 3" image and mat it with dark brown cardstock.
Arrange the prints onto the front of your panel as shown above. Adhere with strong adhesive.
Cut a 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of chipboard and wrap it with Gracious plaid paper (cut to 6 1/2" x 5 1/2"). Attach the image to the front of the wrapped chipboard (see below).
Attach the image to the main panel as shown. Use foam adhesive as necessary.
You can see here how wrapping the chipboard pieces gives a smooth, finished edge to the panels. I like this much better than the raw chipboard showing, or even inking or painting the chipboard first.
Create a bow from the same ribbon which you used to wrap the main panel. (I use a Bow-it-All tool to create all of my bows. Find the tool HERE.) Glue the bow to the panel as shown. I use hot glue to attach my bows and other bulky embellishments to my projects.
Glue some flowers, berries, and other items around the the bow to make a floral spray. I used some shiny berries and some glittery spirals, plus a few sparkly leaves. The ribbon is also very sparkly, but the photo does not pick it up very well.
Punch out the "give thanks" sentiment from the Gracious Elements Cardstock Die Cuts page and attach it to the bottom of the image with foam adhesive.
Place your panel onto a small easel stand and enjoy it all season! I love to change out the decor in my home, especially around my desk and studio. I have several easels that hold various projects that suit each season. I think because I live where we really only have one season, I love to surround myself with seasonal decor! (I guess we have four seasons - almost summer, summer, wildfires, and it might rain but probably won't!) If you want to make some fun decor for your desk, here is a list of all the panels in the series:
I will be making more panels (1-2 a month) for the next year, with the exception of those already finished. I will give you this list with links each month! Thanks for looking!
Authentique Supplies Used: Gracious Collection: 12x12 paper, Elements Cardstock Die Cuts Additional Supplies Used: Chipboard: Grafix heavy weight Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon Ivory/Rust/Gold Plaid Paper flowers and leaves: Wild Orchid Crafts Floral picks: craft and floral supply Transparent leaves: Prima Cardstock: WorldWin Brown Smooth Adhesive: ATG tape, Scor-tape, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares, hot glue, white glue
