September Set: "Black-Eyed Susans"

The first of 2 September Book Arts posts...

...before I go on a bit of a health hiatus for a while here at the Studio.

The colors that the end of summer brings can be bright and promising. This set has been inspired by the flower known as the "black-eyed Susan." I love that pleasant blend of golden yellow with a deeper orange, don't you? Some "Susans" come in a variety of colors, but I prefer this orange-y yellow the best.

Please respect my copyrights and follow the red letter Guidelines listed at the foot of this post. Thank you.

The set requires 2 circle punches, one in the 1 inch size, the other in the 1/2 inch size. For some examples of how I like to suggest that people might use my sets, please follow this link HERE and look for the Display.

Happy September Creativity!

PPS™Book Arts Set: September "Black-Eyed Susans"

Download HERE

(No ideas display this time, as no time. 

Please see post above. Thank you)

Plain Display:

You are free to:

use any of the above items

shown here in artwork and/or crafting

that is to be either kept or given away freely.

You are not free to:

sell these designs 

for any reason whatsoever,

even if you alter them first.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

ATC Sixpack:Acrylic Pour Peanut Butter + Hot Chilis

For today's Friday freebie, I've gone a bit wild this time by choosing today's weird color way for my Acrylic Pour series.

After all, whoever heard of having hot chili peppers with peanut butter? Thai food often will contain a combination of peanuts and spicy flavors, so why can't I follow suit?
:)

As I mentioned previously, this began with my second try at using the technique known as "Acrylic Pouring" or "Poured Acrylics." The "cells" that developed in this small pour are so very tiny that it is difficult to view them without a little help. So I took a few pictures and then played with it for a little bit using Photoshop. I had to zoom in an awful lot before the "cells" could be enjoyed.

This led to my musing as to how to play with some photographs I had taken of this experiment using acrylic pouring. There have been 2 other colors before, Aquatic and Fuchsia. These are fairly recent posts, so all you have to do is to scroll down just a little bit and you'll quickly see them in other posts. I've already offered a duo of envelopes with labels to match as well, which you will no doubt find on the way when you scroll.

Happy weekend creativity!

PPSATC™Background Sixpack: 

Acrylic Pour "Peanut Butter + Hot Chili Peppers"

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

only give, keep or trade any or all of the ATCs

given in my Set above, with or without altering.

You are not free to:

ever sell any of my designs

unless otherwise specified by me

in the Guidelines (like this one).

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Swirly Kaleidoscope Button Alphabet

Time to use that 1 inch circular punch or cutter again as my series of Button Alphabets continues with this new, swirly design. 

I thought this newest design would expand people's color choices a bit as the colors do tend to blur and blend into one another in some pretty and choice-expanding ways.

Please respect my  copyrights and do follow the red letter Guidelines located at the foot of this post. Thank you.

As long as the numbers hold steady or build for my 1 inch Button Alphabets, I will continue to offer a new version now and then. Please note that these are unique, totally my own creation. Fun though it may be, it still takes a while to develop ideas until they become workable or doable. These literally have taken months of spare time work. They'll have my copyright from this time forward.
Thank you for respecting my rights as the artist holding copyrights. I would hope that everybody does the same.

Happy Creativity!

PPS™One Inch Button Alphabet: 

Kaleidoscope No. 1

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Use my Kaleidoscope 1 Inch Button Alphabet

in artwork that may be either

given or traded (as in

for personal use only).

You are not free to:

ever sell anything made using

any of these letter button images

even if you alter them first.

(You may alter them otherwise, 
just not for sale, please.)

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

#ATCAD2017 7th and Final Post for ATC Freebies Week

This last post is all about playing with the framing of Artist Trading Cards.

This project began with a piece of ephemera I found in my travels but that required many changes before it could be presentable. It really was a mess to start with!

Please respect my copyrights and follow the red letter Guidelines listed at the foot of this post. Thank you.

Three of these frames have been derived from a single bit of online ephemera, that of an old menu with a window cut in its front page. I found it in the digital collections of www.nypl.com, but this was quite a while ago. Since that point, it lay buried in amongst a load of other ephemera files I had found here and there. Today, it finally gets its chance to shine. From an artistic standpoint, these might be sandwiched, as it were, between layers, leaving something peering from their diamond shaped windowpanes and with other things overlaying them. It could be fun!

The remaining three frames were self generated using Photoshop processes and features in my old and handy PSE8 (I know - who knew anything so outdated could continue to be so useful?). I went for simplicity along with narrowness and vividness of color with those three. Very challenging to get each differing one to look right with the initial trio. These frames may be merely printed onto card stock and finished without cutting into them, but they may also be cut to resemble physical frames. Such cuts need to be carefully done, of course. Perhaps either a trusty X-acto Knife or extra careful use of a good cropping station will do for such a process.

For a look at the entire PPS ATC collection, including past and present sets, etc. please follow this link HERE.

Happy Artist Trading Card Creativity!

PPS™ATC Sixpack: Frame That Card!

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Use the above ATC frames

in artwork that can be shared,

given or traded.

You are not free to:

ever sell them for any reason

even if you alter them beforehand.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Victoria's Autumn Sunday Best

Her style has become more grownup as she has gained a little more maturity, hasn't it?
:)

Today's outfit is to be worn mainly for church services but also for special occasions. Victoria's grandmother has had this pretty fall dress tailor made for her granddaughter. To complete this new ensemble, Grandmother Lacey has ordered a very fashionable and grownup style of hat. This gift of new clothes has been presented to Victoria on a Saturday, so that she might wear it the very next day.

Please respect my copyrights by following the red letter Guidelines at the foot of this post. Thank you.

Now back at home following a few weeks at her very first tutoring position, Victoria's mind is turning towards her home life once again. She won't have to attend classes until after the turn of the new year. Despite this, she will practice her conversational French daily with her Grandmother as her teacher and also continue her reading schedule.

Soon, she will be able once again to enjoy the company of her cousin, Mercy, who (unbeknownst to Victoria) has a few surprises waiting for her. The two are due to have what we might call a "sleepover" or a "slumber party," just the two of them, as best friends often like to. But there has also been proposed a small tea party of a quieter sort. To this Mercy plans to invite only a few guests, mainly family members and a few very close friends. But we'll save that for another day.

Happy Autumn Playtime!

PPSPlaytime™: Victoria's Autumn 

Sunday Best

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

play with or share or trade

this paper  doll outfit.

You are not free to:

ever sell it in any form 

and for any reason.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Autumn Garden Set: Croquet, Anyone?

For anyone who's ever enjoyed the out of doors in the early fall, this new set might be for you.

The two main colors I've chosen to use for this new part of the Autumn Garden Collection here at PPS are bittersweet and blue.
Bittersweet, the plant, may be highly poisonous, but the colors it displays certainly aren't. The blue of this set has many different tonal attitudes. I think of it as "blue with a mellow attitude."
:)

Please respect all copyrights and red letter Guidelines at the foot of this post. Thank you.

The bittersweet colors of autumn are some of my favorites. These are shown in the lady's bustle dress adorning the pockets. It is a late afternoon croquet game that she is playing. I have added leaves upon the grass, for that is what you will find in many places on a sunny and warm autumn afternoon.

There are 2 styles of badges for this particular set, Sunflower and Croquet. I have included two lace backgrounds, both made using a Digital pattern by artist, babypink (name is a link) over at Brusheezy. The copyright for the Digital Lace Pattern (entitled, "Spetts") is as follows: "This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You may redistribute, remix, tweak, and build upon this work even for commercial reasons, as long as you credit this artist by linking back."

Displayed first below are two optional idea images for you, one in Bittersweet and the other in Blue. After that will come the Downloads and the rest of the Displays.

Happy Autumn outdoor Creativity!

PPS™ Autumn Garden Croquet Set

Display of Ideas for Bittersweet

Display Ideas for Blue

Display version of Set

(lower quality than the download)

Download Set HERE

Download Bittersweet Lace Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Blue Lace Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the above set

in art that is made for fun.

You are not free to:

ever sell this set for any reason.

Please see the Lace Background 

copyrights listed in the post above.

Thank you

for helping me to 

keep free things free!

Autumn Garden Label Set No. 1

These will match and blend in with the bunting/banner as well as with everything in yesterday's post.

This collection is growing! Soon there will be two label sets with quotes included, as well as one with no quotes included. I hope to shortly also provide some other fresh fall colors in sets for book arts, collage, scrapbooking and general crafting.

For the original post that started it all, the Harvest Bunting/Banner, you can follow this link HERE.

Please respect all copyrights listed at this post and all others here at this blog. Most often you will see them written at the foot of a post as red letter Guidelines and/or Credits. Thank you.

Happy Harvest Creativity!

PPSFaithGraphics™: Matching Harvest Label Set

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use this label set for crafting, etc. that is 

personal and meant to be kept,

or for gift giving and sharing.

You are not free to:

ever sell this set for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

A Leafy New Autumn Collection

Autumn leaves! What could be better?

The sky seems to deepen in tone just enough to be noticeable this time of year, as the cooler temperatures paint every leaf a shining new color.

Please see the special new copyrights and Guidelines below this post's downloads. Thank you.

I have some thanking to do now. You see, I had lost some of my edge on creativity, and was really bored with everything that I'd just completed. I didn't realize just how in the doldrums I'd been until I happened across a new video by creative crafter par excellence, Shemi Dixon. (name is a link) That playful, lighthearted attitude of hers was just what I needed in order for me to snap out of my dull mood and into some more creative playfulness! This led me to playing around with a few favorite fall colors and using my Photoshop playfulness for a change. The result: an entirely new collage made from leafy patterns along with a contented me. 
THANKS Shemi!
:)

Included in this set will be a number of new items from which you may choose. Please be aware that certain copyrights had to apply in this case due to the materials and brushes used. (which see below)

Shown first is the new Pocket Set that is for book artists and crafters of all sorts. You'll notice the new badge style is made using an image of some antique leather along with a copyright free leaf. That particular item, along with the gemstone and antique glass buckle, are copyright free, with no strings attached. The same would apply towards the photo corners (4 in all to this set).

It's the collage which makes up the main body of each pocket and the trim at the top of the page that have certain copyright rules added. I am sorry for any confusion this could cause,and so will try to make things as clear as possible for everybody. Basically, it's OK to use everything here just for fun in your own personal world. It is NOT OK to sell the copyrighted things without permissions or licensing or attributing, depending upon the item. (Whew! -seems complicated! Please don't let it bother you, though. I promise it does get easier!)

The second, the simple Frames and cutouts Set, has copyrighted digital brush images throughout. A digital brush is not exactly easy to explain to the uninitiated. Each one is an image that is created for use with Photoshop programs. Some images look a lot like a natural brush stroke, while others have unique shapes, such as leaves or flowers or even buildings! 

The list is simply endless of the types of images to be had on the digital brush market anymore! I've collected and used only free brushes that do oftentimes have copyrights. I then follow the instructions as to crediting or attributing, and so on, so that I still get to give everything away free for you here at Plush Possum. Since this blog is all about Free images for creative use, this works well as long as the guests here will follow the example that I try to maintain for us all.

The third Set in this collection is just like the second, in that it is based upon that leafy collage design I mentioned above.

For the post that started this Collection, you can follow this link HERE.

Once you've read my list, you will quickly see how simple it really can be to get the gist of copyrights and sharing where digital brushes are concerned.
:)

Happy Autumn Creativity!

PPS™ Leafy Autumn Collection Part One

Download Pocket Set HERE (1/4 inch margins)

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Frame Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Leaf Decorations Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Credits, Copyright Information

and Guidelines

Digital Brush Credits:

www.obsidiandawn.com

(where you can find their Terms of Use)

http://www.dynamicbrushes.com/product/

grunge-2/braque-prime/

jsperry

(please click on the word "copyright" at that page)

Trim at top of Pocket Set:

http://www.melsbrushes.co.uk/free-fancy-edge-brushes/

Please visit each linked page

where you'll find each person's rules.

My Rules for This Particular Collection

You are free to:

use any of the above shown

downloads for fun and for gift giving.

You are not free to:

sell anything that you've made

using this collection's images other than the 

following:

The striped gem and glass buckle, 

the photo corners,

the leather and leaf badges.

Everything is free.

Let's keep it that way!

Thank you!

Victoria and Mercy Visit Friends in the Rheinland

Victoria and her two family members are enjoying themselves in the countryside not far from the scholarly German city of Bonn.

The scene this time will be out of doors, so that our Victoria and her cousin, Mercy might enjoy the fresh breezes near the banks of the River Rhein. Both of the dolls' outfits and the outdoor travel scene will be provided together in this single post.

Please respect my red letter Guidelines and the copyrights listed below every post in this blog, including this one. Thank you so much.

Mercy's new husband, Tom has connections with some friends of his own family there in Germany. Such friendly connections will allow all three busy travelers some time to relax together at a pleasant countryside estate that is located south and east of Bonn, and on the River Rhein.

The pavilion in this picture offers everyone a cooling place to sit on sunny afternoons. Tables have been left standing inside of this nice outdoor building. These tables have been used many times during spring and summer outdoor teas and luncheons. 

The garden pavilion is also a good place from which to view the lovely sky at evening. As we gaze eastward over the water, there is a sudden rise to the landscape. These hills comprise the "Siebengebirge," or the Seven Hills range overlooking the river.

It is a very picturesque view. Victoria is dressed in her dinnertime best in the Display picture (shown first below). This is her best dinner "corsage" or blouse she is wearing. The apricot tone of its cotton fabric is a flattering color for her pretty face, isn't it? 

Her long white gloves propose a challenge that every woman of a certain status understood during the late 1800's.
"A compromise was achieved with the mousquetaire wrist opening, through which ladies could slip their hands out of the gloves for meals without removing them altogether (it was and is against etiquette to eat or drink with gloves on). " {A reference link for the page I've just quoted from may be found HERE.}

Her soft grey skirt reveals a touch of a snow white petticoat along with one of her more formal shoes. The cut of her skirt you may recognize from the skirts of her Sunday dresses from last year, but it is still a fashionable style for a refined and modern setting such as this one. The house just beyond the garden may not be seen from here, but it is very ornate and grand. Each guest will have his or her own bedroom. Mercy and Tom have whispered together in the small sitting area in Mercy's room about the place being more of a "palace" than it is a house.

She and her cousin have a trip planned for the nearby University, where the two hope to practice a few of their language skills with some students their own age. Tom will not be along at the time, for he will be once again engaged in doing business for the day. 

In the meantime, there is to be a delicious and unique dining experience inside the spacious country home. Among the items on the evening's menu will be Spätzle, a very tasty kind of egg noodle dish known throughout Germany. Other items will include a choice between roasted chicken with currants or baked fish, a Gurkensalat (a  kind of fresh summer salad made from cucumbers), and a cake of strawberries made with meringue. But of course, that is just a sampling from a rather extensive menu from which Victoria, Mercy and Tom will be able to choose during this evening's meal. 

Their hosts are both prosperous, wealthy and very friendly. Their children will be supping with their nanny, but these happy youngsters will make a special appearance in order that they may be introduced properly by their parents to the family's guests.

The event promises to be very delightful, as their hosts are highly educated and interesting. The husband, a Mr. Charles Browne from London, married his charming and talented German wife, Klara ten years ago. They already have three admirable and talented children to their young family. Klara is to play the piano for her guests in their Music Room directly following their lavish meal.

Victoria has taken her sunset walk in the cool of the evening in the garden. Soon, a small gong will be struck by a groom on that garden lawn to summon everyone indoors to the dining room.

NOTE: Instructions for the assembly of the Rooms and Scenes of the Paper Doll Collection may be found by following this link HERE.

Happy Creative Summer Playtime!

PPSPlaytime™: Victoria Visits the Rheinland

Display of the Garden Scene

(lower quality than the downloads)

Download Upper Left Portion HERE.

Download Upper Right Portion HERE.

Download Lower Right Portion HERE.

Download Lower left Portion HERE.

Display of Victoria's Outfit Alone

(lower quality than the download below)

Download Victoria's Dinner Outfit HERE

Display of Mercy's Outfit Alone

(lower quality than the download below)

Download Mercy's Dinner Attire HERE

©RHMcGuinn as are all of the rest of the Paper Dolls, outfits, rooms, Scenes and Accessories, including standards. 

Thanks for the courtesy.

Guidelines

You are free to:

play with or give or trade the Paper Doll items

offered in this post.

You are not free to:

ever sell them for any reason.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free  things free!

Two Tone Paper Doll Gowns

Which will it be, Lilac or Lily?

In this post, there will be two dresses offered from which to choose for Victoria the antique Paper Doll.

Please respect the red letter Guidelines given each post here at PPS, including for this one. Thank you.

Lilies come in a number of colors and shades. They may be white, but with bright green stems and either orange or deep golden centers. They may be a pretty shade of shell pink or even flagrantly orange. I've chosen to go with orange this time, using this as the highlight and accessory color for the Lily version of this two tone gown.

Lilacs likewise come in several different tones, ranging from white all the way to deep, plush purple. I've chosen two of my favorite lilac flower colors for the Lilac version of this gown.

At the very bottom of this post, I am now adding an orchestrated dance tune by Strauss which was played at some dances. It was usually danced more often by the younger crowd. I can see how come!
:)

Happy Playtime creativity!

PPSPlaytime™: Lilac or Lily Party Gown

Download Lilac Party Gown HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Lily Party Gown HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

©RHMcGuinn as are all of the rest of the Paper Dolls, outfits, rooms, Scenes and Accessories, including standards. 

Thanks for the courtesy.

Guidelines

You are free to:

play with or trade or give

the above outfits.

You are not free to:

ever sell them in any form or 

for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

The Thunder and Lightning Polka by Strauss!

Spring Garden Accessories 4

Extra bits to play with using Set No. 4.

That set may be found by following this link HERE.

Please follow the red letter Guidelines below. Thank you.

Included in this set is one large embroidered butterfly button. I've added 2 very small ones with it just for the fun of it.

As before, the bench and its label have been color coordinated to go with the original Set. Some labels are left blank for the quote or words of your choice.

Thank you for stopping by with your~
Happy Creativity!

PPS™Spring Garden Collection

Accessories for Set No. 4

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the items in this set

in artwork

which may then be either kept 

or given or sold.

You are not free to:

ever sell anything from this set as it is now

for any reason.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Spring Garden Set 4

A slightly shabby 1870's Victorian embroidery pattern inspires this new set.

I've included a few changes to this one for the fun of it, and also for a little more variety.

Please see the red letter Guidelines at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

I've readjusted the vintage buckles from my own private collection very slightly to fit the trims a bit better. Also, the embroidery theme is followed through with the Butterfly patch. After all, what is springtime without pretty butterflies?
:)

Included in the first image below are 2 labels from my recently added Spring Garden Label Set from just a few days ago. 

Also, you'll notice how I've chosen to decorate the Background page this time with some specially designed (by me) "shabby" polka dots in neat rows. You'll see more things here based on that theme this year as well.

Mainly, while this set is all about Book arts from altered books and artist journals to smash books and scrapbooks, I could see parts of it being used in any number of other kinds of craft projects, such as a greeting card.

The Background has 1/4 inch margins, so perhaps setting your printer to have no margins at all might work better for you. All the same, it should work well enough for print.

Happy Creativity!

PPS™ Spring Garden Collection Set No. 4

Display of possible Use

Download Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Shabby Dotted Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the items in this set

in artwork

which may then be either kept 

or given or sold.

You are not free to:

ever sell anything from this set as it is now

for any reason.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Color Play 5 Ways

5 New Colorful Backgrounds + Accessories!

I am wrapped up warmly in my cosy socks and cuddly relaxation clothes today. I am having too much fun playing with color to be bothered over anything other than color!
:)

After I beat the Frosty Morning Blues (that post + downloads may be found HERE), I liked the idea of creating some new color ways of the very same pattern. The filigree lattice work is due to my work with Photoshop, while credit must be given to ObsidianDawn.com for the right digital brushes. Please see their Terms of Service (listed in the About Us Page in the task bar right below the banner of this blog). Also, please see the red letter Guidelines and Credits at every post here at the Studio's blog, including this one. Thanks!

Here is one example of the design principle behind mixing and matching the Frosty Blues collection with this newer one.

One Example

Below are 5 different color ways for the same Collage Background, with their matching and coordinating Accessories. The pockets in each set are designed to be folded before gluing. No rounded corners should show once your pocket is finished.

The Page Tabs are thrown in for a bit of whimsy. These are designed to be folded in half before glue is applied and the page tabs are added to the pages of your choice. There is a fun blank space label included as well.

Depending upon your computer or mobile screen's technology, the colors could appear different than they do to my eyes via my screen. This is generally the case between machines. Also, home printers may vary widely. That is why I have included 5 different color choices for you.

Happy Colorful Creativity!

PPS™Color My Winter Collection

Download Frosty Blue Accessories HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download  Lavender Collage Page HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download Lavender Accessories HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download  Magenta Collage Page HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download Magenta Accessories HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download  Orange Collage Page HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download Orange Accessories HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download  Green Collage Page HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

Download Green Accessories HERE

Display version

(lower quality than download)

You are free to:

Play with the designs shown

and to use them for fun.

If for profit, then you will have to 

attribute this blog's design work

as well as that of www.obsidiandawn.com.

With Obsidian Dawn, there is a more serious 

copyright issue

than for this blog.

Thank you for helping

me (and Obsidian Dawn)

to keep free things

legally free!