The challenge over at Simon Says Stamp is ‘Shabby Chic’. I also decided to give myself a challenge of using I stamp that I haven’t ever used yet.

In my mind, shabby chic generally involves a lot more pastels and lace, but buttons and a woodgrain are definitely part of the aesthetic. I have been hanging on to that button-print paper for so long, I decided it was time I finally used it. The stamp is a mini Edwin that was part of the Winter 2009 Magnolia Stamp club. I didn’t want stark white on this card, so I stamped him in Rich Cocoa Memento ink on to some kraft paper.

This is actually from a kraft envelope – I wanted some kraft card bases, so I bought some the last time I was at Michaels. I bought flat cards by accident, so I’ve been using those up like they were regular cardstock. Now I have a pack of 10 envelopes to use up too!

I crumpled, ripped, and tore the diagonal panel, then glued it to a rectangle of white-with-red-dots paper that I’d already distressed with Tea Dye Distress Ink. Then I inked the button panel. The horizontal button panel I bent over the edge of my desk, then rubbed it with a nail file. I did that a few times at random angles to get those lines. Then I got out the makeup sponge and ink again (can you tell I stopped by Shoppers Drug Mart on my way home from work for some craft supplies?).

All the patterned paper is from Recollections – the button one is actually from a sock monkey series of papers. I just bought the buttons though. The real buttons are from my stash, and are tied with some sock yarn scraps. Sock yarn because I can’t find my cross stitch kit at the moment…. I really need a craft room with lots of desks and even more shelves.