Spring Cleaning / Nesting GIVEAWAY - Open until mid-June - International Crafters Welcome

Good evening everyone!

May is one of my favorite months. 

Things come alive again and all around, the world

is bursting with new promise.  We all know instinctively, I think, that in spring

it is time to de-clutter our winter dens and throw open the windows,

ready for new adventures.

 

My newest adventure will make his dramatic debut in a couple of months,

but until then I'm happily right in harmony with the birds--

NESTING.

 

So of course, where does my spring cleaning always take me?

Oh yes, around the house and usually to the fabric stash too--

but particularly this year I'm having a major cleanout of the craft boxes and drawers.

Things I haven't used in a long time, things I bought too many of on sale, things I just

think someone else will be able to enjoy more than I can.

Some are brand-new, some are pre-loved.

All are packaged up and ready to go out to bring some smiles and crafty fun
 one of my readers and followers.

 

 

 

 

So, what do you need to do to enter?

Well, I tried to set up Rafflecopter for convenience sake, but it's being a pain at the moment--

so we'll just do it the old-fashioned way. 

 

 

After you add your link via the INLINKZ above,

here are some optional extras:

 

1. Leave me a comment and let me know:

*What is your favorite crafting style?  Shabby chic, freestyle collage, classy, vintage, CAS?

*What would you like to see more of on KTC -- card inspiration, free digital sketches, the return of the Treetop Monthly challenge?  I've been gone for awhile and have missed all of it, but I'd like to know what YOU would most enjoy!

*Whether you're a follower.

 

2.  Become a follower to receive updates, etc.  Then let me know that in your comment also.

 

3. Let your friends know through your preferred media platform and link them back here to me,

Kathryn Ritter at Kitchen Table Crafter

 

*Follow my Pinterest pages or profile for more fun inspiration on a regular basis.

*Hop over to my Gardening and Quilting blog, Gardener's Thread, for a peek around.

While you're there, leave a comment to enter for my Tula Pink Book Giveaway!  Double score for everyone! :)

 

 

 

This Giveaway will run until June 12th at least;

longer if delivery doesn't sneak up on me early!

 

International crafters are welcome as usual.

 

 

Thanks for dropping by, good luck to all, and

 

Be well and enjoy the sunshine,

--Kathryn

 

 

 

 

CAE Spring Encouragement Card - Card Concept #54 & PCCCS #192 etc

When I started card-making I was a newlywed in Texas, longing for a garden of my own each spring as the glorious Texas wildflowers burst from every roadside.  I can still picture the fields of lupine.

I grow lupine in my garden now, and remember--even though I'm a thousand miles away and in a much better place physically, emotionally and spiritually.  But the lupine was one of the things that helped me to get through, one of many "tender mercies" from our time there.
.
Back then, without a garden (besides the few pots I could fit on our tiny porch), I crafted and colored flowers instead, to ease that botanical longing. 
Now that I have my own garden at last to pour my energy into for as many months out of the year as possible, I haven't spent nearly as much time as before on botanical art. 
But this year has been different. 
Because of my decreased mobility after the injury I am only barely getting by on the most necessary garden chores.  The boys are enthusiastic garden helpers and do all they can,

but the rest will have to wait until next spring.
Those fruit trees for the mini-orchard I'd planned, the front landscaping, the new vegetable crops to try and the canning garden, to put up as much as possible...all of that is on hold.

So once again, static art has had to fill in for the living, growing art outside.
 

Still, it's not all bad to be an observant bystander rather than the one with the grubby knees. 
Case in point:  Aren't these irises gorgeous? 
I'm afraid I cannot truly claim them; they are my neighbor's.
But I see them out my window each late-April morning and they are just too beautiful not to share...
or be inspired by. 

And speaking of inspiration, how about this from The Card Concept #54?
My take is somewhere between Clean & Layered and Freestyle Collage.

These colors coordinate perfectly with MFP #17 The Color Purple and the
 Catch the Bug color challenge for April as well:

Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch #192:

So here are some views of my Clean-and...shall we say, Eclectic? take on this theme: 

Go easy on me over the sketch challenge spatters, girls.  I never have quite gotten the hang of controlled-yet-random-looking spatters. 
Usually I leave all projects in THAT department to the boys, who are--I can assure you--complete experts.  I know you'll understand.

I also decided to stray just a bit from the PCCCS sketch and switch the
sentiment and label/image area around.

  

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}
Patterned paper {Ninth Street by The Paper Studio}
Stamps {Sentiment tag - Stampabilities; Modern Leaf - Papertrey Ink}

Ink {Winter Wisteria, Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink}
Glimmer Mist Gold {Tattered Angels}
Glossy Accents Clear {Ranger}
Colored Pencil {Remind me to return it to the boys' art caddy before they wake up}
3D Dragonfly {K&Company}
Corner Rounder Punch {EK Success} 

Thank you so much for visiting!

Before you go, hop over to my quilting and gardening blog, Gardener's Thread, 

to enter for a Tula Pink book giveaway!

That giveaway will remain open until I finish my Spring-weaver quilt. 

 

I'll be hosting my craftroom SPRING CLEANING GIVEAWAY here

tomorrow morning (light is not so good for photographing tonight, I'm afraid)

so do check back.

 

Be well,

--Kathryn

 

 

Bluebird Anniversary Card - Shabby Naturalist Style

 I'm here again to share a card that's in my self-titled Shabby Naturalist style.  This one was a real delight to create, especially since bluebirds have a very special meaning in our family.
There's the old "bluebird on my shoulder" song, but in addition my father always called a lovely spring day a "Bluebird Day," and usually when he got up on the weekend to make pancakes for everyone and announced it was a "Bluebird Day," that meant he and Mom had an adventure planned for us.  Either a get-up-and-go-to-the-mountains adventure or a day on the water, or a working staycation at home or in the woods.  Either way, it was always great family time on a "Bluebird Day."

So this card is filled with some wonderful memories and will probably be used for my parents' upcoming anniversary.  Just so many things you can say with the symbols you choose to include in your cards sometimes.  Because of this, I felt this card really said enough for my parents without a sentiment on the front.

 

Here are the challenges:
 

Our Daily Bread Designs: Recipe Challenge "ODBD"

Oval

Die-cutting

Bird

Distressing

 

Clear it Out Challenge: Theme - Birds, Nature / Stash - Greenery (Leaves, Ribbon, etc)

 

 ModSquad: Mother's Day

3 Muses: Birdy Birdy 

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Butterfly Challenge: Butterfly + T is for Texture

Crazy 4 Challenges: April Showers / May Flowers 

Really Reasonable Ribbon #139: Ribbon + Things with Wings

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Large Classic Oval Die {Nestabilities}

Embossing Folder {The Paper Studio}

Glimmer Mist - Gold {Tattered Angels}

Pigment Ink pad {Craftsmart}

Roses, Burlap Bow, Pearls {Spare Parts by TPS}
Large Mushroom flower {Recollections}

3D Bluebird Sticker {Paper House}
Classic Butterfly Punch {Martha Stewart, 2009}
Floral Greenery {Stash--well, actually stolen from one of my home décor arrangements....sssh! ;}
Fabric scrap selvage

 

Thank you for dropping by and check back this evening

for my Spring Cleanout Giveaway!

 

Be well and enjoy the sunshine,

--Kathryn

 

 

 

Saint Matilde - in honor of St. George's Day April 23rd

I'm back with a card for Less is More #273: Saints, Dragons and Heroes.

I inked some SUPER old rubber for this one, a Santa Matilde stamp from Stampington and Company.  The image is 16 years old, folks, and still stamps beautifully.
I embossed with Ranger Superfine Black, which gives a sort of velvety appearance.
I thought it fit the image nicely.

 

Tuesday Throwdown #291 Anything Goes

 

 The Crazy Challenge #221 Buttons

 

Crafty Creations #314: B&W and a Pop of Color

 

CAS on Sundays #81  TIC TAC TOE

(I did Punch-Stamp-Button)

 

 

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Collage Stamp {K5525 Santa Matilde, Stampington & Company 2000}
Sentiment stamp {Inkadinkado}

Ink and Clear Superfine Embossing Powder {Ranger}

Ribbon, buttons {Offray, stash}
Rose sticker {Stick-abilities by TPS}
Eyelet Edge punch {Martha Stewart}

 

If you would like to see my Clean-and-ECLECTIC version of the Santa Matilde card,
jump over to that post, but here's a peek:

 Fun, yes?

Now I really do need to go prep and roast those 8 lbs of fresh tomatoes and 3 lbs of red peppers.
Making a canned homemade pizza sauce that's just fantastic.  We ran out of last year's batches back in December and that was a sad day for our family pizza-making night after gymnastics.

I will be back with my Spring Cleanout giveaway!
You won't want to miss it, so stay tuned!


Be well and enjoy the sunshine,
--Kathryn

Eclectic Santa Matilde - INSPIRE - Color Throwdown 390

Here I am again, as promised, with a card that I really REALLY had fun creating yesterday evening after the house went quiet.  Seriously, I feel like I broke loose and flew, just like that giant butterfly.  Sometimes a limited color palette will do that for you,
but in this case it all just came together and I released a LOT of creative energy and hit my stride, willing to try anything, apologizing for nothing.
While I love to create in all different card styles and genres,
I think this sort of Clean-and-Eclectic style really expresses me best. 
Combining vintage and naturalist elements with a fresh twist and always a bit of homespun--it's just the best fit I've found so far for my taste and personality.

The main inspiration for this card came from the limited but very trendy color palette from the Color Throwdown this week.  I pulled out some SUPER old rubber for this one, a Santa Matilde stamp from Stampington and Company.  This image is 16 years old, folks, and still stamps beautifully.
I had Matilde out already for a CAS challenge card at Less is More, where they're celebrating St. George's Day in the UK with a Saints, Dragons and Heroes theme.  The contrast between this one and that is striking but they were both very fun to lay out and create.  Sneak peak:

So here are the challenges for my Clean-and-Eclectic and uber-vibrant version:

Color Throwdown #390

 

Tuesday Throwdown #291 Anything Goes

 

{PIN}spirational Challenge #164 Women in our Lives

 

 

 

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Patterned paper {Ninth Street by The Paper Studio}

Stamp {K5525 Santa Matilde, Stampington & Company 2000}

Ink {Distress Ink: Faded Jeans} 

Clear Superfine Embossing Powder {Ranger}
Sentiment sticker {Stick-abilities by TPS}

Satin Ribbon and mustard/ivory polka-rose trim {Robert Stanley, stash}

Vintage Spool wood shape {Spare Parts by TPS}

Butterfly {Free vintage printout}

 

The original link to the vintage printable is broken now, but I do have the graphic itself, so here it is in case you'd like to add it to your collection:

If you like the butterfly graphic or the naturalist style, you may enjoy poking around my
Botanical + Entomological board on Pinterest as well.

I was lucky enough to be given a color laserjet printer last year (all I had to do was to buy the cartridges...a pricey thing, but considering how much I was spending on inkjet cartridges at the height of my Etsy business, I considered it a good deal still!).  These vintage printables are amazing because all I have to do it print them and with the laserjet they come out with a sort of sheen that you don't get with inkjet.  I used to work in a print-shop and enjoyed most every minute of it, so these kinds of tiny details matter to me :).

Need to do some kitchen work now on a canned homemade pizza sauce that's TO DIE FOR...
8 lbs of fresh tomatoes and 3 lbs of red peppers to prep and roast...
but after that when I come to put my feet up again,
I will be back with my Spring Cleanout giveaway!
You won't want to miss it, so stay tuned!


Be well and enjoy the sunshine,
--Kathryn

Dream Big, Believe - CAS - MUSE #163 and CASology #195

This is a quick CAS card inspired by this week's Muse #163, Jenni Murray.

Her card utilizes a lot of white space and a big, bold, typographically interesting sentiment

that takes center stage.  She used a metallic multi-layered chrysanthemum flower to the left

in mid-range pink colors.

 

Here is my take on the sketch. 

 

 

My card measures 5 1/4" square.

I did a double-white mat layer for extra texture and dimension,

then stitched some incomplete straight lines without thread using my Viking, which is always at my side and ready for anything. :)

As a lover of typography, the large sentiment appealed to me and I thought this

could make a good motivational card for many young people I know who are either graduating or just starting out on into the great unknown.

 

The crystal sprinkles on the blossom really REALLY remind me of sugar.  DE-LICIOUS.

The boys and I really love baking together and of course every muffin is better with some coarse sugar on top, right?  As a matter of fact, I think I might need to go set out some butter to soften.

There's got to be SOMEBODY who needs some home-baked goodness today or tomorrow...

Anyway, with all those Sprinkly thoughts

I'm also entering this one into the CASology Challenge #195.  You guessed it, SPRINKLES.

 

 

 

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Ribbon {Robert Stanley}

Crystal-crusted flower {Recollections}

Sentiment Stickers {Stick-abilities by TPS}

 

 

 

Well the boys' play break is over (they were playing cave creatures, as we've been studying land formations after our recent rock-cycle unit), so we have a bit more schooling to get through (a fraction food lesson...mwah hahaha!) and then I'll be back with a couple more cards that I had a GREAT time creating last night, as well as my spring cleanout giveaway.

 

Be well and enjoy the sunshine!

--Kathryn

 

 

Morning Glories for Mother - Shabby Spring Pinks

My last card for the night is made with Mothers' Day in mind.

The sentiment is more of a thank you, but realistically--what is Mothers' Day all about, if not gratitude and appreciation?  I think it's apropos.  Mothers help our souls to blossom.

 

 

 

I colored the image with Prismacolors while my boys sat next to me listening to scripture stories on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.  I love our day of rest, and while the squirreliness of two young boys is sometimes inescapable, they do in fact seem to enjoy the change of pace too.

Sabbaths are important for the heart, and so special for the family as well.

I was pondering all this while I colored the morning glories, and the phrase kept

running through my mind, "Who can glory too much in the Lord?"

Any gardener who's ever dealt with morning glories can attest that these flowers certainly do not skimp on their morning praise.

 

Here are the colors I used.  I know, I know--normally morning glories are blue or purple. 

But I have seen pink too.  And they were lovely.

 

 

 

 

This card participates in the following challenges:

 

CASology #194 "Mom"

 

JUGS Photo Week #340 

 

TGIF #52 "Love you Mom" (and Happy Birthday to the challenge!)

 

Really Reasonable Ribbon #139 "Things with Wings" + Ribbon/Lace

 

Just Add Ink #308 "Just Add M"

MOTHER & MORNING GLORY

 

The Crazy Challenge #220 "Spring is Here"

An old favorite bilingual challenge. 

I remember playing when they were in the SINGLE DIGITS.  Time flies.

 

 

 

 

Materials Used on this Card:

Card base {Markings by C.R. Gibson} Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Stamps {Papertrey Ink} Ink {Images - Distress Ink: Brushed Corduroy;

Edges - Old pigment ink pad nearing the end of its days}

Burlap ribbon, Fabric scrap, Vintage lace {stash, scrap bin}

*this lace once belonged to my great-great grandmother,

so a perfect addition to a Mothers' Day card - one for the generations

Tiny pearl {The Paper Studio}

Butterfly punch {Martha Stewart}

 

 

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Before you go, hop over to my quilting and gardening blog, Gardener's Thread, 

to enter for a Tula Pink book giveaway!

That giveaway will remain open until I finish my Spring-weaver quilt. 

I'll be hosting another craft cleanout giveaway here *very* soon, so do check back.

 

Be well,

--Kathryn

 

April Showers - Under the Weather GWS x 2

I have two versions of an April Showers / Under the Weather card for you this afternoon.

The first, I am very happy to say, draws its main inspiration from a challenge that I had thought was gone.  I must have gotten a bad link when I searched for it a few weeks ago, though, because I re-found it on Savitri's blog, and was quite excited.

 

The ColourQ #338!

 

Here is my take.  For the metallic gold, I included some bling--literally.  The recipient can detach the necklace (clasped in the back) and feel pretty while getting better. :)

 

 

In addition to ColourQ, this first card also plays with:

 

Addicted to CAS #86 - "Rain"

Fusion Card Challenge - Umbrellas / April Showers

One-Layer Simplicity Challenge "As You Wish" April

My Time to Craft #320 "Get Well Soon"

 

 

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Stamps {Inkadinkado: Gemstone Flourishes;

Unknown "Under the Weather" set}

Ink {Papertrey Ink: Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet; Ranger: Archival Black}

Clear Superfine Embossing Powder {Ranger}

Ribbon, Gems, Gold Necklace {Stash}

 

 

 

For the second version, I decided to try another monochrome card, this time in blue and white.

 

 

As such, it qualifies for the following:

 

Addicted to CAS #86 - "Rain"

Fusion Card Challenge - Umbrellas / April Showers

One-Layer Simplicity Challenge "As You Wish" April

My Time to Craft #320 "Get Well Soon"

Tuesday Throwdown #290 - Monochrome

Fantasy Stampers #61 Monochrome (GDT)

 

 

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Stamps {Inkadinkado: Gemstone Flourishes;

Unknown "Under the Weather" set; Unknown Cross-stitch set}

Ink {Papertrey Ink: Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening; Ranger: Archival Black}

Ribbon, Gems, Button {Stash}

 

Here is a quick technique:

If you would like to shade a single-color image, use a blending stump or tortillon to lift inkpad color and enhance your image.  You can also fill in missed spots this way and save a stamped image with a "hole in it."

 

 

 

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Before you go, hop over to my quilting and gardening blog, Gardener's Thread, 

to enter for a Tula Pink book giveaway!

That giveaway will remain open until I finish my Spring-weaver quilt. 

I'll be hosting another craft cleanout giveaway here soon, so do check back.

 

Be well,

--Kathryn