Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse Rain Boots Shaker

Hello, Friends!  February is the cruelest month of winter.  Just when you have hope in your heart that things are going to warm up and start turning green, the weather stands on its head and you are back to grey skies, cold winds and the winter blues.  So I thought I would try to hurry spring along by playing with the new Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse collection.  The sweet green gingham pattern and floral prints warmed my heart and made me forget about winter for a few hours.  Before I knew it, I’d cranked out 5 really cute cards that I’ll be sharing here and there.  (I also loaded these up into my ETSY shop if you need some Springtime color STAT!)

Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse Rain Boots Shaker

You can see why I had to let this cheery collection fall into my cart, right?  I can’t seem to “shake” my obsession with shaker cards, and keep finding new ways to make them.  This 5″ x 7″ layered card is made with one of the  new Tim Holtz Lace Baseboard Frames.  The shaker element is sewn into a pouch that sits behind the frame.  Then I just popped the chipboard elements from the collection on top.    Can I just say right now, I want a pair of these rain boots?

Altering the Tim Holtz Lace Baseboard Frame

The Tim Holtz chipboard frame comes in a sort of antique white finish with an inlaid pattern.  It’s pretty as it is, but I wanted to alter it to match the collection colors and give it more presence on the card.  Here’s how I did it:

• First, sponge on Bundled Sage Distress Ink using a dauber or blending tool.
• Next, lightly spritz with water and heat dry.
• Then, randomly spray some areas of the frame with Tattered Angels “Silk” Glimmer Mist.
• Now, heat dry, dabbing up any excess with paper towels. The mica in the Glimmer Mist will sink into the slightly recessed areas of the frame and creates a neat vintage effect.
• Finally, using a light “grinding” motion, apply another layer of Bundled Sage over the top of the frame.  Spritz lightly with water and heat dry.  The glimmer mist will resist the Distress Ink, creating a really neat vintage effect.

Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse Rain Boots Card Details

I dug through my stash and found these Prima Love Notes and Georgia Blues flowers that worked very nicely with this paper collection.  Peach Velvet Ribbon from my stash complements the Peach Seam Binding Ribbon and adds another layer of texture.  A little Ivory Burlap String anchors the trio of tiny blossoms in the corner of the frame.

Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse Rain Boots Card: A Peek Inside

I  kept the inside pretty simple, but I had to add the rain boots sticker to the sentiment panel.

So, if you’re suffering from the winter blues, the Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse papers might be just the medication you’re looking for.  I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and inspiration that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.  You’ll also find a linked supply list at the end of this post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse Rain Boots Card Supply List

• Simple Stories Spring Farmhouse Collector’s Essentials Kit 
  • 12×12 Simple Basics Cardstock
• Tim Holtz Baseboard Lace Frames
• Buttons Galore Apricot Premium Sequins
• Prima Flowers
  • Turner
  • Aubree (could not find a link)
• Peach Seam Binding Ribbon
• Ivory Burlap String