Dot & Whimsy

Well, hello!

It feels like forever since I've blogged.  

The end of the month always seems a little slow in the

Papered Cottage blogosphere...just getting projects lined up 

for the weeks to follow :)  

This is the very last challenge that I'll share at 

Bittersweet.

I love this final kit with all of the blues, greens and yellows.

Until recently, I've not noticed that I lean towards using this

color scheme quite a bit.   Echo Park definitely hit this one out of the park

(no pun intended) with For the Record 2!

We love a "Pinspo" Challenge at the Nook.

Pinspo is simply finding inspiration on Pinterest.  

Normally we post photos for cardmakers to work with, but this

week I've decided to let them choose their very own inspiration.

I found mine on Pinterest:

And here's my card:

So, if you're ever stumped for an idea (which I often am)

head on over to Pinterest!  It's fun to see the amazing things that people create & share!

See you soon ♥

is the name for the very first CARDS Challenge for September at

My Scrapbook Nook forum!

The Nook will be closing its doors at the end of this month, but boy, they're

going out with a bang with this final kit by Echo Park Paper:

The blues, greens and yellows are a perfect way to end the Summer.

For my challenge, I've asked participants to create a card using:

Something Borrowed: this can be anything unconventional to scrapbooking.

 Scour the house for an unusual item...use a cookie cutter as a template, 

fabric from an old dress, jewelry, or the image from a gift card as the inspiration

...just anything that inspires will do!

Something Blue:  make any color blue as your main color scheme.

Here's my take on the challenge:

Something Borrowed:  I always save bits and pieces of interesting clothing...especially denim.

  I cut a small piece from an old shirt and lined the back with a bit of batting and then machine

stitched into a heart design.

This card is two-part as I wanted to share some more of the lovelies that can

be found at PRO 31 DESIGNS

The blue braided trim and pearls, as well as the turquoise paper flowers 

are all in supply at www.pro31designs.com :)

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That's all from me today...be blessed!

Aren't you so glad that it's Friday?

Can I get a little

The craziest thing...we watched the weather before going

to bed last night.  We were hoping that we'd get some rain, but the

weatherman told us that it wouldn't happen. At 2 AM we awoke to 

the loudest thunder and the brightest lightening that I've ever seen.  A loud

pop struck at the front of the house and this morning we find out that one of 

our large oak trees was hit by lightening...about 20 yards from the boys' 

bedroom!  It rained all night; it's still raining :)

Sometimes you love it when the weatherman is wrong...this is one of 

those times.  We greatly needed the rain!

Wanted to share my last card for this month's 

at My Scrapbook Nook

The challenge is: Round-And-Round

I asked that everyone use at least FIVE circles on their card.

Here's mine:

I chose to use nothing but the red/pinkish tones from the 

My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Collection and coupled it with the bright green

and pale yellow from the Jillibean labels (also in July's Kit).

Also, we're having a 

These are challenges that have been posted and will be posted all

Summer long at the Nook.

My challenge is a PINSPO Challenge 

(Pinspo= Pinterest+ Inspiration)

I've asked everyone to use this subway art as inspiration for

their card

 Here's my card...using the JUNE Nook Kit

by Simple Stories

Have a greaaat weekend, friends!

We're mixing things up a bit over at 

this week with a product

Each Design Team Member was asked to create a project

using THREE (3) different collections from Imaginisce.

I went with a 12x12 layout and a neat sketch from Page Maps

I used patterned papers from {Hello Cupcake: Red Dot}

{Sole Sisters: Stripe} and {Makin' Waves: Blue Chevron}

These are ALL the reverse side patterns of the papers, which makes most ALL

Imaginisce products easy to Mix & Match :)

Cardstock by Coredinations.

Here is the sketch:

And yes, I stayed exactly with the sketch...as if you couldn't tell all ready LOL

It's a week's worth of MIX & MATCH projects, so come on by and see us

MY SCRAPBOOK NOOK
It's Wednesday and that means that I have another Cards Challenge.

This week it's a CARDS SKETCH CHALLENGE to be exact!

The Sketch:

My Card:

For my interpretation of the sketch, I moved everything to the center.

Using the July Nook Kit, I layered a couple of the Jillibean Soup

labels and added a punched heart to the center.  

Everything is from the kit with the exception of the punched leaves,

orange pearls and jute twine.  

My Scrapbook Nook always have the BEST kits with the most 

up-to-date papers and embellishments!

-Join Today-

See you all tomorrow for the

UNITY HIP HOP!

It's CARDS Challenge time at 

This month we've been delighted with the new and popular

It reminds me off an Indian Summer with the warm ocher, rust,

raspberry, olive green and neutral tones.

For my challenge this week, I've used the letters in the word 

to create a play-on-words, so to speak.  Players are to use one of these

words on the front of their cards:

G-Grateful

I- Inspiration or Inspired

N- Neverending

G- Good Bye

E- Everlasting

R- Romantic or Romance

I wanted to show two totally different looks using this Nook Kit.  

I even used the same doily cut-out on both cards: for the bottom card I just flipped

it over and used the reverse pattern; I built my card from there :)

Danni Reid, Jessy Christopher and I are the hosts of the CARDS forum

at The Nook.  Beginning this month, we've altered the way in which we award prizes.  

I think this will encourage more to play along with us as there are TWO 

GRAND PRIZES totaling $40 ($20 for Monday and Wednesday Cards Challenge Winners)

If you're interested, check out the details right -->HERE<--

And don't forget to sign-up to receive My Scrapbook Nook Kits!

They're always packed with the latest and greatest papers and embellishments

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That's all from me today!

  I have a couple of projects to work on and then it's 

off to the parents' later on this afternoon for a cookout, swimming and then fireworks 

in town.  Hope all of my American friends have a HAPPY and SAFE

Happy Wednesday!

I have my last CARDS Challenge for the month up at 

For this week's challenge, I roped in members of the Nook Forum

to help cook up a unique soup.  

1. TWINE
2. BUTTONS
3. BUTTERFLIES
4. DECORATIVE EDGE
5. MIST
6. STAMPED SENTIMENT
7. STICKERS

 Just use any FIVE on your card and use a Nook Kit.

I've used the May {This & That} Kit by Echo Park

For my card I used twine for stitching the buttons, butterflies, decorative edge,  

stamped sentiment, sticker strip and mist.

Stamp sentiment (Every Breath) by Unity Stamp Co.

Simple and sweet...my kinda card :)

See you all tomorrow and as always, thanks so much for stopping by today!

...and they'll take a yard!

I love that old saying.

It's the theme for my CARDS Challenge at

this week :)

For the month of May, we've enjoyed the beautiful collection of

Echo Park Paper's This & That.  One of the papers is lined in different colors

and sizes of yard sticks, or rulers.  I love it! With that design in mind, I thought this 

would make a great challenge.  I sought out several photos

from Pinterest and Etsy.  I'm not showing all of the inspiration photos here, but you can

check out the entire challenge at our Nook Blog or on the Forum.

These butterflies from Maya Road are cute.  Since they're canvas, you could mist them,
paint them, stitch on them, etc.  I decided to leave them plain.  But because they're not
really stiff and I wanted the wings to 'stand-up', I inserted a brad through the center
and then pointed the prongs upward...this made the wings stand up just as I wanted!
I love this card...it has so many great textures, yet it's simple <3
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Thanks for visiting me today :)
 

So I actually got out of the house today.

(I'm the type that can spend days at home and never get bored!)

I went and visited with Michi at Scrapbooker's Emporium

in Texarkana and will be teaching my very first mini album class

there in August :)  I can't wait!  

Then I went to Wal-Mart...I hadn't been in close to two months; seriously.

I came across two friends who were shopping.  They both said the same

thing "I'm just trying to get my stuff and get outta here!"  I guess a lot of us share that

same disdain for stepping through the doors of Wal Mart LOL

But it's done.  Thank the Lord, it's done. 

Now on to scrappy stuff!

I had the best intentions of blogging my other projects that were 

featured here and there yesterday (and Wednesday!), but I just didn't get around to it.  

So, here we go...

I have been in love with this stamp ever since I laid eyes on it

and can't believe that I'm just now getting around to using it:

I used my watercolor pencils and Zig markers on this one.

And the best part?  I dug waaay back into my paper collection and brought out

some old Basic Grey...I love to use up the old stuff!

You can order Ippity (Unity Brand) Stamps here:

For this Wednesday's CARDS Challenge, I went with a sketch.

Once again, I am a self-proclaimed pretty-pitiful-sketch-artist...but hey, I try hehe!

I've really enjoyed working with the Echo Park This & That Collection

this month...both the masculine and feminine sets are drool-worthy.

I wanted to carry the 'cloud' motif up towards the top of the card, so I hand-cut 

these two clouds from cardstock and then embossed.

I made this one for my son, who'll be graduating two weeks from today :)

Both cards were quick and reinforced my love of using sketches!

A hint for June's Nook Kit?  It has to do with SIMPLE and FRESH...hmmmm?

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I.love.these.BINGO.cards

You can get a huge collection pack of 'em directly from VSM!

This collage art is layered with lots of vintage goodness.

I have several photos and details up on the blog.

And this is the card that I made for my mom for Mother's Day...she loved it :)

Most every single thing on both projects came from Vintage Street Market!

I'll upload the newest mini album that I made tomorrow.

Off to grab a bite to eat and relax.

Enjoy your weekend!

I hope this Wednesday finds you well!

I'm sharing my latest CARDS Challenge at 

My Scrapbook Nook today.

The theme for this Wednesday's challenge is 

I've really been having loads of fun with the May Kit featuring

Echo Park's This & That...lovin' the colors, the designs and elements.

It's not hard to get your creative juices flowin' when you have such a

variety of beautiful things to work with!

One of the patterned papers is lined with vintage style BINGO cards,

so I thought this would be an appropriate recipe-style challenge :)

Use the following on your card:
B-Buttons, Brads or Bling...any number will do
I-Ink...stamping, hand-lettering or penwork
N-Nine...count 'em up. you should have a total of NINE things on your card
(will include all of the required elements, plus any additional elements of choice)
Your buttons will only count as ONE, but you can count each different patterned paper you use :)
G-Green accent/element...can be paper, sticker or embellishment
O-One Sentiment

Here is my card:

Aside from This & That kit items,

 I also used stamps from The Craft's Meow (Sew Lovely)

and Sizzix Button Dies.

Come on over and play along with us!  This challenge expires next Wednesday

and the winner will receive a beautiful Card Kit.  

Check out the deets here.

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Thanks for stopping by...see y'all soon!

The very first May CARDS Challenge is up at

In keeping with the themes of the This & That Collection

from Echo Park Paper, I've gone with a 

Quilting Bee Challenge!

Here is my card

 I used this quilt inspiration that I found at Etsy

Just go to the Nook link above to see all of the quilting samples to
choose from. You can also see the samples, as well as Hilde and Deanna's
takes on the challenge at the Nook Blog!

Okay, friends...time to get something productive done today.  I spent most
of the day yesterday tweaking my new blog...don't you like??? :)
Thanks much to Kate at Whimsical Blog Designs...she offers affordable blog designs
and even premade blog templates!

Have a lovely Wednesday!

 As my final CARDS Challenge this month at

I combined a scalloped Easter egg, welded phrase

 (both SVGs that I cut with my brand new eCraft)

and of course the sweetest March Nook Kit 

featuring All Dolled Up by My Mind's Eye!

I managed to eek out a pretty pitiful card sketch, but I think it works :)

and here's my card:

Would love to have you play along!  Just click the link above to take you to the MSN Forum :)

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I got an email from Michelle, owner of Vintage Street Market.  

My banner birthday card was featured in an article, "Layering is HOT"

over at Paper Crafter's Corner!  

Ummm, my little card pales in comparison to the gorgeous layouts showcased there, but

I'm pretty stoked none-the-less!

Check out their super-informative site if you haven't...tons of information and inspiration :)

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All-righty...off to hang with the family for the night.

See you all tomorrow!

Shellye

...with Simple Stories!

My (somewhat cheesy) About-Me/Bio is up at Simple Stories

I love the format and how they took part of our application comments and added them to the bio :)  Cool!

And speaking of Simple Stories, Crafty Steals has THREE collection kits up today...THREE for under $30!

It's Wednesday, so time again for my CARDS Challenge at The 'Nook.

This week, I went with a sweet collage from Pinterest to use as an inspiration.

 The colors go along perfectly with the March Nook Kit.  Players are encouraged to use the colors, as well as a segment of the collage as their card inspiration :)

I used the balls in the basket as my inspo for this card.  

And boy, have I really gone through the 'wooden' buttons from the February Nook Kit...must. get. more.

And don't forget:

For new subscribers to the Nook Monthly Kit!  Supplies are limited, so get on over there and sign-up today...you won't be disappointed.  A *hint* for April...something NEW from Crate Paper :)

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I'll be back tomorrow with Ippity.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday, friends!

Shellye