The first portion of this post can also be seen on the Verve Visual blog. Check in there for more Back To Basic projects over the next few days.
When Julee first told us about the Back to Basics series on the Verve blog, I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive. What project would I do? Basic…what is the definition of basic? So, I looked through some of my older projects when I did not have a lot to work with and went from there.
I took my creative self to “Remember When…” and this is the creative process journey that I experienced.
First things first, what was I going to do? I decided to do an alterable item. These days I pick up alterables just about wherever I go, but when I first started stamping/paper crafting, I worked solely with what I had. A glass jar, such as this Frappucino bottle is alway fairly simple to come by, so I grabbed one out of my collection as a starting point.
Next, what color scheme did I want to do. Think about it…when you first started stamping, what was the ONE color pad that you got initially? Black, of course. To go with that black ink pad, you probably had some basic colors of paper as well. At one point, I only had black, white and red, so that is what I chose as the overall color scheme here.
I had my project piece and my color scheme, so it was time to pick my stamp set out. Flowers, of course! Black and red flowers, you ask? Yep! Now was the time to get to work and make it work. This is what I came up with…
I did use some of my more current tools (punches), but made sure that this project could be done with no tools, except scissors. I created the scallop edge with my corner rounder punch. This could be done with scissors if you do not have the punch. I wrapped black twill ribbon around the center, which could be replaced with black paper. This also holds true for the ribbon around the edge of the cap. The small red matting square adds a punch of colors with minimal use of product, something that I still find very important. To complete the project, I filled it with Hershey nuggets. I wanted a plain silver look for the candies, so I left them in their “basic” form without fancy labels.
While I was apprehensive about this when I started, I must admit that it was fun to take a look back at where I started and where I am and meld those into a project.
Mom Update:
I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support! You are all so wonderful!! THANK YOU!!! My mom successfully underwent a double mastectomy yesterday. They did not find anymore cancer in the lymph nodes. I spoke with her in the evening and she sounded a bit groggy from the meds, but overall in good spirits despite the day’s happenings. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers; they mean so much to me and my family.
It’s always better to save the best for last. The best thing at the CHA show wasn’t the sunny SoCal skies, the paper, the stamps, the inspiration, the stars…it was the real people that I met and hung out with!! I am not even going to try and make a list because we would be here until next month. There aren’t any pics of the Paper Pretties girls, tho {boo!!} They were really very sweet and fun to hang with.
Here are a *few* pics…
Me with Alli and Sherrie…
Alma of The Cat’s Pajamas and Kim of MFT {’tinis anyone?} 
Back Row: Alli and Sherrie
Center: Emily {THE EMILY from Staming Bella!!}, Kim, Nicky {waving Hi to Nicky!!!}, Alma, Me, Jamie {waving still}
Front: Carole {of course she would be front and center ;)} and Christy {MFT illustrator}
Yes, Julie is just as cute in person!!! THE JulieHRR!!!
Jami, Mary Jo, Carole, Taylor, Me, Jenn
Kim and Me at the show {LOVE this pic!!!}
The Bella chicas and Me {Hey, Em, don’t look too cheery! }
Gettin’ down and dirty with the Dirty Dozen {past and present} gals…
