Good Morning Fellow Stampers ~~
Whew! We're finally on the road to a little creativity! Well, it indeed was Pals Blog Hop week this week. And while we're working to get caught up around the Studio, I was not able to actually post up on Wednesday. But that's okay . . . since we weren't in the actual Blog Hop anyway; we can post whenever we want!!! LOL 😂🤣😂
This month's theme for the Pals was "Your Favorite Season." This has always been one of my favorite themes that we do. It gives me a chance to kick off MY most favorite season/holiday -- which is definitely Fall. And with as hot as it has been again, I am beginning to really look forward to the upcoming Fall season. Hey, we got married in the Fall -- so what better season to celebrate, right?!? 😉😉
I started thinking about a Sampler some time ago; it's been awhile since I made one. But I didn't want it to be the typical 9 squares, aligned in rows, Sampler.
I wanted something a little more eclectic I guess. Additionally, when I look at how this turned out, I an see the versatility of this and the ability to use it for an album page as well, if you are into doing "creative memories" type albums; which I am. So I'm really kind of excited with the results achieved here.
The background matting for this "collage" sampler - as I'm calling it - is created from Merry Merlot and Cinnamon Cider 12" x 12" and 11" x 11" (respectively) cardstock, layered to fit the frame. Then I cut a 10-1/2" x 6" piece from the Beauty of the Earth Designer Series Paper - a perfect backdrop for the lower half of my sampler. I cut the top edge of the DSP with the "peaks" edge in the Basic Borders Dies which created "mountains" in my background
From there, it really was all about playing. And I picked two main bundles from the Annual Catalog to do that with - the Beauty of Friendship Bundle and the Love of Leaves/Stitched Leaves bundle (this bundle carried forward from last year's holiday catalog).
I used the tree die in the Beautiful Trees dies to cut the main tree/trunk from Soft Suede cardstock; and the detailed leaf overlay was cut straight from somemore of that fabulous designer paper in the Beauty of the Earth DSP - perfect for giving my tree a lovely mix of Autumn-colored leaves.
You'll find those cute little birds in that same die st.
In the meantime, I cut a whole LOT of lovely leaves - LOL - using the various dies in the Stitched Leaves Dies, using a mix of colors from Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, and Merry Merlot, to Poppy Parade, Misty Moonlight and Mango Melody. The smaller trees were cut from Gray Granite and set to fill in the background.
I also used the really fun die in the Stitched Leaves Dies to cut little panels to sit behind and give some accent. I think the "cuts" this die makes are really kind of cool and create some more lovely texture.
And a lovely array of sentiments tucked here and there from the Beauty of Friendship, Love of Leaves and the Peaceful Moments stamp sets. The "Hope Changes Everything" sentiment was stamped, then fussy cut apart, and laid at the angles you see in the 2nd photo above.
Various ribbons and the lovely new Brushed Metallic Adhesive-Backed Dots finish it all off.
So fun!!
I hope you feel inspired by my Favorite Season project - think outside the box my creative friends!!
We'll be back soon with more fun! Stay tuned!
I Love to hear from you. Leave your questions or comments below!!
Hugs, . . .
