Tuesday, February 27, 2018

A Punch Needle Project For Spring


I had a ton of things to do this weekend.

I had to do laundry and pack for a trip. I had a house to clean. I had an article to write.

So what did I do? I procrastinated. Yep, that's my style!

With a long list of things I should do, it seemed like a great time to get started on something I've been wanting to do instead.

I grabbed this punch needle pattern from Brenda Gervais, and in just an afternoon, it was finished.


This was my first time using Valdani perle threads. I am in LOVE! It it so much easier than separating strands for a project. Just thread your needle and go!

Here is the back side:


I used the Valdani to create the background, using two different colors to create some shading and movement. I really like the effect.

Here is the front side:


I still plan on covering it with a Slightly Distressed spray to age it. And then, when that is dry, I will finish off the project to create a sweet little Easter basket.

I have not one, but two punch needle projects that are completed in the stitching department, but still need to be finished off in the project department.

That's going on my TO DO list for next week.

Like I said, procrastination is my style.

Blessings, cafe friends!

Sunday, February 25, 2018

PTI February Blog Hop



Hello, and welcome to the cafe!

It's blog hop day at Papertrey Ink! Our inspiration is this lovely Easter tablescape. Green grass, flowers, pastels. It certainly looks like spring!

I made a spring themed Easter card using more of my favorite Spring Woods birds!


I stamped the bird on watercolor paper, and gave it a light blending with a wet brush.

A few clouds, a few flowers, some sunshine peeking through. Yep, spring is around the corner!


{Today's Brew: Spring Woods (PTI), Shine (PTI), winter woods tree die (PTI), Inspired By Grace (PTI), PTI ink and card stock, enamel dots, cloud stencil}


Grace and peace to you!

Saturday, February 24, 2018

A Pricey Update at The Cottage


When we move in to a new house, the last thing we want to do is spend big money on a room like the laundry room. But that has been the case for us here at the cottage.

We left behind our Whirlpool Cabrio washer and dryer with the sale of our Illinois house. Truly, we just didn't want the hassle of transporting it once again, especially when we needed every square inch of space in our pod-style moving trailer. So we asked for the washer and dryer to be left with our new house. Yes, they were old, but our hope was they would be fine in the interim.

And they were okay, except for two problems. The washer was so loud, it sounded like a jet engine was being fired up every time it was in use. And when you consider that the laundry room has no door, and it's right off the kitchen and great room, well, it was a problem. You couldn't hear the television if you were doing the laundry.

The second issue? The washer drained into an ugly utility sink, which was not to code. Twice, someone left a sponge in the sink, and when the washer drained, the sponge would get sucked in to the drain, the tub would fill with water and overflow into the hallway and basement below.

No bueno.

We could've made it work for a little while longer, except the washing machine died right after Christmas. The laundry room got bumped to the top of the remodel list.


I researched machines based on their cleaning ability and their quietness rating. These LG machines ranked high in both. So we bought them from Best Buy, and when they were delivered, we discovered that the hot and cold water taps had seized and were leaking, and we'd need a plumber.

Around this time, I was hearing cha-ching every time anyone discussed the laundry room.


The plumber came...over the course of three days. In the meantime, we purchased a new utility sink, which my husband assembled. But it sat in my great room for about six weeks until all the various jobs were finished.

For starters, the plumber cut into the wall, installed new piping and new hot and cold water taps, and put the shut offs recessed into the wall...to code, as it should've been all along.


Then, I found a contractor through Nextdoor.com who was able to do the drywall repair, mud and sand the wall, paint the repaired section, and install the new utility sink.



Yay! No more sink in my great room!

My contractor asked if I had some leftover paint, so I gave him what I had from the office room. Looks like the new laundry room color will be Benjamin Moore Philadelphia Cream!


We found the sink at Lowe's. I liked that it had a nice deep sink, with a decent faucet and spray nozzle, and a shelf for important stuff.


Another cabinet for storage...always handy! I liked the beadboard detail, too. Very cottage cute.


The room is not quite finished yet. We still need to paint all the walls. When that is done, I will get a new curtain rod and put a real curtain over the window. In the future, we will probably need new flooring, and we will have to have a drain installed in the floor (again, not to code). But for now, we've spent plenty of money on this room.


As for the washer and dryer, I love them! Nice and quiet, as promised. They do a great job of getting our clothes really clean. Everything smells much fresher now. The funniest thing about the LG appliances? When the cycle is over, they play a little catchy tune. My husband says it sounds like the Pied Piper that plays his flute (if you've ever been to the Glockenspiel at Frankenmuth, Michigan, you will understand!).

Since Christmas, we have had to replace a washing machine, a dryer, a garage door opener, and an office printer. Yikes! Hoping we can slow down the house spending this spring. Paint. Paint is cheap, right?

Blessings on your weekend, cafe friends!

Friday, February 23, 2018

Pop Up Sale

Hello! I'm having a pop-up sale! Shipping is extra (I will give you the best deal I can!). Paypal payment accepted. Please email me at: maryrosescafe@gmail.com

Stamps with dies:

Love Lives Here w/ dies $10
https://www.papertreyink.com/stamps/love-lives-here-stamp-set/

Believe w/ dies $10 ( missing tiny dove stamp, but die included)
https://www.papertreyink.com/pti-dies/papertrey-ink-believe-die-collection-set-of-3/

Peace Be Still w/ dies $10
https://www.papertreyink.com/pti-dies/papertrey-ink-peace-be-still-die-collection-set-of-3/

Label Basics w/ dies $10
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399835273157232304/



Stamp sets:
Iconic Images anniversary set $5
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257408934936615982/

Holiday Button Bits $5
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/14003448813475764/



WPlus9 Pretty Poinsettias With dies $20
http://www.wplus9.com/pretty-poinsettias/

WPlus9 Pretty Patches Christmas With dies $15
http://www.wplus9.com/pretty-patches-christmas/

WPlus9 Pretty Patches Tree With dies $5
http://www.wplus9.com/pretty-patches-tree/

Stampin' Up wood mounted sets, sold as a lot $30:









Walk This Way
Elegant Inspirations
God's Way
Refuge and Strength
Quilt Quips

Simple Stories Journaling supplies $20:
Includes clear journaling stamps
Life In Color Snap Pack
SNAP Weekly Planner inserts
SNAP Basic Planner Inserts
SNAP Life Documented Planning Sheets






Tuesday, February 20, 2018

PTI M.I.M. #312: Framing Sentiments


I noticed it this weekend. The birds are singing again! After a long, silent winter, I can hear the birds singing their praise songs. It sounds a little like "Thank the Lord, spring is coming!"

I made this card for the Make it Monday challenge at Papertrey Ink. Framing sentiments was hard because, honestly, PTI does not carry a lot of frame dies, especially in smaller sizes. I improvised here by using the Rustic Wreath die, cutting it in segments and then gluing those segments in place. I think it works.

I stamped on watercolor paper, and then lightly brushed everything to give it a hand painted look.


{Today's Brew: Spring Woods (PTI), Rustic Wreath die (PTI), PTI inks and card stock, watercolor paper}


Thanks for visiting the cafe today!

Monday, February 19, 2018

Hands On


Sometimes, I feel really disconnected to paper crafting.

I tend to have a love-like relationship with it that comes and goes. On the one hand, I enjoy making cards. On the other hand, I'm not the best at getting them mailed out, and they can pile up, unused, for  quite a while.

I like new products and techniques, but I also get frustrated with "trends" and the need to keep purchasing the next big wish list item while neglecting the items I already possess. Honestly, the spendy side of this hobby convicts me.

Does anyone else struggle with this?


In a way, stamping often feels like a shortcut to me, as if I'm missing something in the process in a rush to get to the end product.

I rely heavily on stamps and papers, which is fine. But I really want to start designing my own images. I need to explore my own style, and stop borrowing from the style of the moment.

Hands-on. That's what I'm after right now.

It's funny, because I got really "hands-on" with some water coloring recently. Who needs a palette when you can mix colors right on the back of your hand?



{Today's Brew: Beautiful Bouquet: Ranunculus (WPlus9), PTI paper and card stock, doily, seam binding}


Thursday, February 15, 2018

Pizza My Heart


I thought I was being SO clever for Sam this Valentine's Day. I had big plans to order him these heart shaped pizzas for dinner. Cute, right?


And when I told him my plans, he said "Oh. We had heart shaped pizzas at school for lunch today."

Gah!

Of course, do you think this teenage boy was going to refuse pizza twice in one day? Nope! He loved it, and said the Jet's pizza was better.

At least the card I made him was clever!


{Today's Brew: Pizza My Heart (Lawn Fawn), PTI ink and card stock, PTI Bitty Big paper, COPIC markers}


Hope your Valentine's Day was sweet, cafe friend!

Monday, February 12, 2018

Digging Out, and Digging In To A Color Challenge!


A winter storm blew through Michigan this weekend and dumped a foot of snow. That's right. Twelve inches!


We had so much snow over a thirty-six hour period that we were running out of places to shovel it!



That's Pure Michigan for you! Of course, hearty folks (like us) still made it to church on Sunday morning. We really don't have an excuse, as we could probably walk to church if need be.

Spring seems to be far off in the distance, but that doesn't stop us from checking out the garden magazines and dreaming of flowers and sunshine.

I made this card for today's color challenge at Papertrey Ink!


It turns out that Soft Stone and Smokey Shadow is the perfect combination for making chickadees! I did some stamping on watercolor paper, and then blended everything with a wet brush to give it that "of course I painted this myself" look.



{Today's Brew: Winter Woods (PTI), Spring Hills (PTI), Shine (PTI), PTI inks and card stock, watercolor paper, Dew Drops, stitched banner die}



This morning, the sun is shining and reflecting lots of light off the snow. I'm going to soak up the sunshine while I can.


Blessings, cafe friends!

Friday, February 9, 2018

PTI 11th Anniversary: Retirement List Challenge



February is an exciting month! Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, my birthday...and Papertrey Ink's Anniversary!

PTI released the retirement list today, with the challenge to make a card with a stamp set from the list.

I recently found Tick Tock on the buy/sell forums. I love cuckoo clocks, and this set is so cute! The sentiments work for so many occasions, too. My advice: pick up this cutie before it's gone!

I just love how the dies will open the little shutters.


{Today's Brew: Tick Tock (PTI), stitched die, PTI ink and card stock, PTI chicken scratch paper}


Thanks for visiting the cafe!