My First Papertrey Ink Blog Hop -- Perception of Color

So, in a continuation of firsts, I have decided to participate in my first ever blog hop.

In early February of 2015, I received an email from a website I had casually stumbled upon looking for a set of number dies the summer before--a site for a company called Papertrey Ink. Over the next few months, I rediscovered how much I loved stamps.  This company's artistic style and aesthetic really spoke to me.  I have found some really cute stuff on either sites, but PTI keeps me coming around for more, time after time.  The florals, the crisp lines--I just love it.

Flash forward to last summer...

One of my new friends, Joyce, invited me over to spend the day crafting along to Papertrey Ink's annual Stamp-a-Faire celebration.  Up until then, I was too shy to post any of my creations, but she helped me out of that box.  Since then I have joined in on several "Make-it-Mondays" and other challenges posting photos on Instagram and Flickr.  I've again found myself in a group of some talented folks (OK LOTS of super talented folks) who enjoy this hobby as much as I do.

So, the blog hop?  Well, for those who don't know, an inspiration photo is chosen by the fine folks at Papertreyink.com.  Those who want to play along let it inspire them, make something using PTI products and post about it online.  This month's inspiration?  This fantastic print from Megan Carter:

To me, this reminded me of a fabric I would find in the kitchen.  Then it hit me.  Why not combine two of my favorite hobbies?  It's been quite a while since the sewing machine and I have had any interaction, but a nice apron would be a great way to get my legs again.  The gears began to turn.  It is a very pretty print, full of springtime goodness.  Still, the grey was a definite challenge, and not just to me.  Do I go grey?  Taupe?  Purple?

On one of my favorite new Facebook Groups, fellow card maker Crystal asked the group, to paraphrase, what shade of grey are you using?  Oh there were plenty of thoughts--it looked one color on the laptop, another on the phone....  Me, with the attention span of a small dog, found my mind drifting back to last year when that silly dress photo was all over the web.  You know the one I mean.

Is it blue and black?  Is it white and gold?  I doubt we'll ever really know.  

It made me want to do this:

That was it!  My imagination took off running.  I wondered if this was too far out of the box, but I was assured by Joyce, who has taken part in these blog hops many times, that the challenges were all about being inspired.  If this was the direction I was drawn, I should go with it.  So, I did,  I monkied around a bit with the pastels on yellow using some die cut flowers from PTI's Vintage Linens.  I liked where it was going, but this negative image was screaming for my attention.  It won out in the end.

 I started playing with inks and paints, along with one of my favorite stamp sets, Doodlie-Do, to see what would hold up to being laundered.  My initial direction was shades of blues, greys and teals on black. It was a bit dark, almost somber, and I could just imagine Pat, another PTI fan and papercrafter saying, "It needs more purple!"  The gears were really spinning now!  After  quick trip to the fabric store (oh, no, wait, that was just a wander through the fabric stash in the closet!) to pull out a "vintage" (OK, mid 90's) print and some black cotton, Also picked up a fresh new set of fabric markers that were made especially for dark fabrics from the local big box store.  I was on my way!

The part that took the longest was the stamped panel. 225 square inches of glorious color.

It was worth all of the effort.  I absolutely love it! 

I had looked online to see if I could find a longer apron pattern to make an apron suitable for gathering fruit and veggies during the harvest season.  I never seem to have enough hands!   I decided against a full length style and went for a gathered half apron.  It would have to be something that would be long enough and full enough to hold a nice bunch of peaches or pears.  I didn't want to squash them in a large pocket or bruise them with buttons.  Something simple, yet vintage inspired, with a modern color palate.  Nice and summery. Looking back on my weekend, it probably would have been easier with a pattern, but in true Project Runway fashion, I whipped one up.  Nina and Zack Posen would probably say it's a bit Arts and Crafts, but it will do nicely for the job intended.  I'm pleased with the end result.  Not going to win any ribbons at the fair, but hey!  Perhaps my jam made from the fruit I'll cart to the house while wearing it will?

A close up:

I hope you've enjoyed my slightly offbeat, non-conventional offering for this month's Blog Hop.

You can see what others have created by heading over to Nicole's Blog:

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2017/04/april-2017-blog-hop-inspiration.html

I had a lot of fun with this project.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Materials:

Stamps:  Doodlie-Do from Papertrey Ink

Ink from Hero Arts, color: Unicorn

Fabric Markers from Tulip Arts

Miscellaneous fabrics and notions

Many thanks to Joyce C., Crystal M. and Pat W. for the inspiration you,

albeit unknowingly, lent to this challenge.  

High-Gluten Gunsmith?

OK, so that might seem a little weird.  In July of 2014, the 28th to be exact, my husband, Todd, aka the Mister, was getting his ducks in a row for retirement after nearly 30 years in the US Submarine Force.  We were setting up our move out of the military community and into the civilian world.  This would take us back to our PA roots and the families we grew up with.  After making our Navy family for all these years, it was kind of daunting, a little sad and very exciting.  We've made so many wonderful friends who are like sisters, brothers and even some strange distant cousins.  I wouldn't trade them for the world.  We are truly blessed.

People would ask, "Are you heading home to Pennsylvania?" "Does he have a job yet?"  "Where will you live?"  The first and last questions were easy ones as we had been working on purchasing our home here in N.E. PA. since 2010.  The middle one?  That was a little more shocking to some.  What does one do after a 30 year Naval career?  My answer is, honestly, whatever he wants.  He decided it would be back to school at age 50 to learn the gunsmith trade.  He has been learning a lot and having a good time doing it.  Whether he becomes a gunsmith upon completion of the semester or just goes back to hunting, mowing the grass and tending the orchard and gardens, it will be a worthwhile experience.

He really enjoys his retirement.  He's still baking bread, brewing beer and making wine whenever he can.  When we were younger, he would say that he would work the first 20 years and I got to take the next (Dear Lord, please tell me he was joking.).  I've gone back into the banking world, part time, and gotten back into some hobbies that have been neglected.  I've also added a couple new ones, this blog included.  Those who have been waiting will be pleased.--it has only taken me 1,001 days to post something on it.  I am looking forward to sharing our little slice of PA heaven.

Getting started

So, I guess after registering for this blog in 2014 (gasp!)  I should take the plunge and write in it.  I thought it would be fun, a way to stay in touch with the many friends across the miles, etc.  Truth be told, I have been too scared to get started.  I have found a vial of courage; perhaps it will do the trick?
I was talking to the Mister tonight.  I told him, too, that I was going to give this blog thing another go.  He is, after all, the subject of my blog title.  It should probably be titled, "Hey Rocky! Want to see me pull a rabbit out of this hat?"  That is how I genuinely feel when trying a new project, recipe, or adventure.  Thankfully, most of our luck has been rabbits, but I'll be honest, I don't know how they get there.  

So, if you're here for the show, please enjoy!