Thursday, August 2, 2012

Preserving the Present



Preserves!  What a homey feeling that word gives me!  Growing up in the Okanagan, summers were all about preserving fresh fruit and vegetables for the rest of the year.  My parents had about 3/4 of an acre and most of it was garden.  They worked so hard on it, but it was wonderful to have the food when money was tight.  Every year, they had their annual argument about when to plant the peas.  The peas and the strawberries were usually the first to be harvested and I spent many a summer morning, crouching alongside a row of strawberries or peas, trying to fill my bucket faster than my sister.  She usually beat me, but in the process missed picking many ripe berries along the way.  I was more thorough, (or so I told myself), but it cost me time! 

My mom was up to her elbows in strawberry jam, freestone peaches, beans, peas, corn, pears and many more all summer.  Those were the days of no air-conditioning either and in the 100 degree weather that was Okanagan summer, canning in the heat of the day was exhausting.  I still look back on that with admiration at all my mom did for us.


Which brings me to the project I wanted to share.  It is a look at the Holiday catalogue, a stamp set called Perfectly Preserved and a set of framelits to match called the Cannery set.  You are able to buy the stamps and framelits separately, but, for the first time, Stampin' Up is offering bundles, with both sets together available at a discount.

This project was designed for a Technique Night class, the theme of which is Anything But a Card, and featured several 3D creations. 



I used some DSP from the Orchard Harvest series, also featured in the Holiday catalogue, and available now, as a background.  I stamped the images on Whisper White card stock and cut them out using the framelits and the Big Shot.  I used Early Espresso for the mason jar, Lucky Limeade for the pears and leaves, Raspberry Ripple for the apple and Summer Starfruit for the cover on the jar.  The linen thread tied around it makes a cute detail. 



As you can see, several elements were popped up with Dimensionals for more depth.  The little inexpensive, unfinished frames were purchased at a local dollar store, but make a perfect frame for the project.  The sentiment is from another stamp set, from the regular Idea Book and Catalogue and is called Forever With You.  I inked up the stamp using several Stampin' Write markers including Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo, Soft Suede and Summer Starfruit.  When you use markers, make sure to "huff" on the stamp with your breath to re moisten the ink so it will stamp.  I could have cut the sentiment out using the Windows Collection framelits, but they're still on my wish list so I cut it out by hand.  I was just so excited to see how easy it was to create an inexpensive, but attractive piece of folksy home decor. 
Have you ever done any canning or jamming or freezing?  What are your favourites?  Leave me a comment with your answers.  I love making contact with my readers. 

Time to "put a lid on it" if you'll pardon the pun.  See you next post!

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved (c126692) Forever With You (c 126727)
Paper:  Orchard Harvest DSP (126895); Whisper White DSP (100730)
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Early Espresso (126974); Lucky Limeade (126984); Raspberry Ripple (126859); Summer Starfruit (126991); Stampin' Write markers in Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit (126856; 5 In colour markers) Island Indigo (123002; 5 In Colour Markers) and Soft Suede (119703; Neutrals collection markers;)
Accessories:  Dollar Store picture frames, Linen Thread (104199); Cannery Framelit set (127822) or bundled with the Perfectly Preserved Stamp set (c129944)
Tools:  Big Shot (113439); Windows Collection framelits (129021)

1 comment :

  1. Heather, I loved to see how easy it all came together, and already have had compliments on the project. It's so "peachy"! :)

    My favourite canning has to be the freestone peaches. They look so pretty, all plump in their jars. Jam is a close second. Imagine the labels that this set could make! SO cute! I really could imagine little jars lined up by Christmas stockings...

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