Simple Pleasures...Outdoor Fun & Hot Cocoa

Saturday greetings, friends!  Shellye here with you on this first day of September...I'm excited that Fall will be upon us soon.  We've had a milder-than-usual Summer in North Texas and yesterday I noticed just a slight change in some of the leaves already...yes!  Mums have filled the shelves at the local greenhouse and pumpkins will soon follow.  I'm ready for my favorite time-of-the-year...can't you tell? :)

I snapped several photos of the family having fun out-of-doors last November.  The {Take A Hike} Collection not only brings out the colors in the photo perfectly, but captures the warm and rustic feel that nature evokes.

For the 'mat' I used a sheet from the 6x6 paper pad, along with several basic patterns. 

Part of my love for Simple Stories is the plethora of cardstock stickers that are offered with each collection.  I paired up the two different sticker letters to create the title for my page.  I did add a thin foam dot to the backs of the square letters.

In keeping with the outdoor theme, I added embellishments of rusty metal stars, wooden buttons and jute twine.  I picked up the stars from the Christmas aisle at Hobby Lobby!

{Take A Hike} Product Used:

• Bingo Cards/Chevron Simple Basics 12X12 Take A Hike Paper |#2521
• Brown Wood/Map Simple Basics 12X12 Take A Hike Paper |#2516
• Take A Hike 6X12 Page Elements 12X12 Take A Hike Paper |#2515
• Take A Hike 12X12 Expressions Cardstock Stickers |#2503
• Take A Hike 6X6 Paper Pad |#2501
• Take A Hike 12X12 Fundamental Cardstock Sticker |#2502
• Yellow Chevron/Grid Simple Basics 12X12 Take A Hike Paper |#2519

We shop a lot at a wholesale food club.  Whether it's my mom who goes or myself, we tend to split up our goods between the two households.  During a particular trip my mom just couldn't pass up an extra big box of colorfully packaged cocoa mixes :)  I like to sit mine out on the counter when the cooler months arrive, so I derived this helpful cocoa bin from an empty Keuring coffee box and the {Handmade Holiday} assortment!

Two sheets of 12x12 paper cover the larger-sized box perfectly.  I simply used the contur of the box as the template, trimmed the excess and then glued into place. 

In wanting to hide the opening of the box and its rather tattered edges, I glued on a bit of pretty trim.  And of course I just had to top it off with a gingham bow!

I had the most fun creating the inviting little embellishment for the front of the bin.  I love layering  journal cards with various cardstock stickers, buttons and other textured accents.

 

And here's a peek at how the sides of the box look.  For the top, I just creased the paper neatly before gluing down...much like wrapping a present!  This would make such a sweet little gift for anyone on your list this Christmas Season :)

{Handmade Holiday} Product Used:

• Handmade Holiday 12X12 Fundamental Cardstock Sticker |#2702
• Handmade Holiday Flashcards 12X12 Handmade Holiday Paper |#2709
• Holiday Cheer 12X12 Handmade Holiday Paper |#2705
• December 25 12X12 Handmade Holiday Paper |#2706

 Although I've shared this card on the Simple Stories Facebook page already, I wanted to share it here as well!  I love the feeling of cozy Autumn memories that it brings to mind.

And cozy wouldn't be cozy without a bit of blanket stitching, hand-sewn buttons & burlap :)

I created this card with this intention in mind:  On the journaling card that I have tucked down in the pocket, I will have each member of my family write down something that they're thankful for.  What a wonderful keepsake this will be and hopefully a new tradition will be started!

{Harvest Lane} Products Used:

• Fundamentals 12x12 Cardstock Stickers |#2602
• Harvest Lane 6x6 Paper Pad |#2601
• 4x6 Vertical Journaling Card Elements |#2612
• Harvest Lane SN@P! Pockets |#2623

Glad that you've stopped by today!  If you have any questions about the project(s) shown, just leave a comment and I'll respond just as quickly as I can :)

Thank you!

Comments

[Tracey]

These are absolutely fabulous projects!!

[Mary]

Great projects! I love your design for the title on your Take A Hike layout.

[Kellie Rabideau]

Awesome projects! Love the cocoa holder!

[Bente Fagerberg]

Shellye these are adorable!! I love thye 'dressed up' box and of course your cards are spot on as always.

[Melinda Baca]

The projects are absolutely beautiful!

[Amber :)]

Beautiful beautiful!! I'm amazed with everything you do!!

Amber :)

[Penny Kitzmiller]

These are amazing projects!! I love the trim!!

[Monique]

Fabulous projects Shellye!! Love your eye for detail!!

[Danielle]

Fabulous projects Shellye!
Love the style of the layout with those wooden buttons and that twine.

And that coffee box is amazing, love that idea and you made it gorgeous :-)

[Katarina]

Fantastic work!!! Love the versatile style you have, both LOs and alters..... Lovely!
//Katarina