"Love Notes" Embellishments

The fortunate thing about having a lot of extra ready-to-use stock items in my files is that it can be much easier to make a few things than it might otherwise be.

My eyes need extensive rest at times since my optic nerve health to one eye became problematic this past Labor Day weekend. This will be my first truly New post (nothing like the most recent post that was found almost ready to upload) since summer 2017. I'm proud of it, even if it cost me in eye strength for the day. I've promised myself to refrain from taking further chances. Building things more gradually from now on might be one way to keep on creating - but gently.

All components are from older projects of times past, all of which have previously been seen either here or elsewhere online. What I did was to combine them for this new project. I think that everything fits together pretty well. Red + black + white is a color trio that's often used for Valentines Day creating.

The sheet music is from my own collection, scanned by me and then altered. The typewriter was in the Public Domain when I found it some while back. As for the phrases chosen, two of those are outtakes from the writings of William Shakespeare, while the third one is obviously universal. 

PPS™Embellishments: Love Notes

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

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:

ever sell my designs 

for any reason whatsoever,

even if they have been altered first.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Sapphire Blue September Book Arts Set

The second of 2 September Book Arts posts...

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

The month of September's gemstone is the Sapphire. I chose to use the differing tones in the average sapphire as the inspiration for this set.

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: Sapphire Blue September 

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:

ever sell my designs 

for any reason whatsoever,

even if they have been altered first.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

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!

No. 3 Swirly Kaleidoscope Button Alphabet

Time once more to use that 1 inch circular punch or cutter again as my series of Button Alphabets continues with this next Kaleidoscope design. 

I thought this newest design Set of my colorful alphabets would expand people's color choices a bit as the colors are a bit different.

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

This more vivid set I think could add some real zing to just about any project. This is my third version in the Kaleidoscope Button Alphabet Series. 

As long as the numbers hold steady or otherwise continue to build for my 1 inch Button Alphabets, I will continue to offer a new version now and then, possibly weekly -- that is, until I run out of ideas for them.  Lolz 

Please note that these are totally unique, and completely of my own creation. Fun though it may be, it still takes a while to develop such ideas until they become workable and usable. These literally have taken months of my spare time work. They'll have my copyright from this time forward.
Thank you for respecting my rights as the artist holding my own copyrights. I would hope that everybody does the same for all creative source material makers.

Happy Creativity!

PPS™One Inch Button Alphabet: 

Kaleidoscope No. 3
©RHMcGuinn

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!

"Abalone" Button Alphabet

The idea came to me that I was being too limited with the design choices for my Antique Button Alphabet Sets.

This led to some new ideas that will allow for more color choices when using some of the Alphabet Button Sets I'm soon to be offering here at PPS. All the lovely colors that flow into each other I thought would make it easier for my Book Arts guests (altered books, journaling, scrapping tags, etc etc etc) to use due to color variation in this set. 

Once again, 1 inch circular punches or cutters will be useful for cutting these buttons away from their page.

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

This time, I went for what I call "vivid pastels," if that's not a contradiction in terms. The reason such a nickname for the colors in these buttons works is owing to their initial source: a lovely mottled, blurry paua shell. The paua is a member of the abalone family, the name for which is a Maori word. For more about this beautifully shelled endangered species, please visit the article HERE.

This set might be of use when making art for this (American) Mother's Day, and this year (2017) that is only 2 days away as of today. And aren't beautiful pauas worth rescuing for the delight of future generations? The nature-conscious people of New Zealand believe that they are, and I know I do too.

As per usual, I've included one full alphabet per downloadable page along with 10 digits, 1 ampersand and 1 exclamation mark.

Happy creativity!

PPS™ One Inch Antique Button Alphabet: Abalone

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Use my Abalone Button Alphabet

in artwork that may be either

given or traded (as in

ATCs, etc.).

You are not free to:

ever sell anything made using

any of these letters

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!

As Promised: Shabby Chic Accessories

This project began with an antique tissue paper page that was loose within the covers of an antique book about butterflies.

It looked so forlorn at first, and yet somehow every wrinkle, crease and tear informed me that there was something I would be doing with them someday. 

Please acknowledge my copyrights by always crediting my work back to this blog, and please do follow the red letter Guidelines located at the foot of this post. This is a share-alike post of freebies that are not to be sold by anyone, even when altering has been done. Thank you. 

It has taken years for this journey from a book sale at a library till today. From 2004 till now, I've had many challenges to face as an artist, including learning enough Photoshop techniques in order to make it work well enough for me. The book itself resides on a shelf and is seldom opened due to its frailty, but I love knowing that it's still around. Somebody has to give tattered old books a loving new home, and I knew at the time that it was my turn to be the one.

The page view ratings for the original Stationary Set (found HERE) were a sign to me that the public might go for a few of the matching accessories I'd promised to make. The download offers a chance to create using both the pages I've already published here along with matching Labels and Photo Corners. All of this has taken time, so please respect my wishes as to copyrights. I'd appreciate it. Let's share and share alike, shall we?
:)

For a look at what the same Photo Corners in other colors look like when in use, you may visit an earlier post of mine HERE.

Happy Shabby Chic Creativity!

PPS™Shabby Chic Stationary Accessory Set

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

share, give or make art with

the items from this set.

You are not free to:

Ever sell anything from this et

even if you've altered it first.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Shabby Chic Stationary Paper

This set may be a little faded or wrinkled, but for anyone who enjoys antique pages, it might be fun to use for their handwritten correspondence.

This is just a suggestion for Mothers Day, but I think that it might make a fine birthday present for somebody who enjoys corresponding offline using the post or classic "snail mail." I began this process a while back - over 2 years ago, in fact. I wasn't impressed with my first results. You see, I tend to work more slowly nowadays than I used to do, and am also more choosy than before about what I am willing to publish here. I am still not as satisfied as I wanted to be, but I still enjoy how cute these pages look to me.

Please respect my copyrights and follow the red letter Guidelines located at the foot of this post. Thank you. All artists' rights do count, as do yours.

Notes are more fun if the paper is pretty, aren't they? This set of Pages began with an antique tissue paper page I'd found lying loose between the regular paper pages of an antique book about butterflies. I purchased my 1905 butterfly book years ago at a library book sale. 

That tissue page looked so charmingly crumpled and worn around the edges that I instantly fell in love with it! By using Photoshop processes, I slowly began to understand how to alter my scans of that tissue paper page so that it could be used by me in art for this blog.  This stationary or notepaper was the first thing that really made sense to me, although I have featured the crumpled bit of tissue here once before. (This was recent, during my ATC Background week that I featured earlier in April 2017.)

I'm offering all 3 colors in 2 styles: with lines and without. I'd like to encourage my visitors to customize whatever envelopes they might have around. The colors are soft and even old fashioned, but then so is the inspiration which got this whole project started. The shabby filigree pattern is one I've used previously in an older post which guests may find HERE. 

If this new set does well enough, I might be encouraged to make an accessory set for it of some kind. For more choices, I'd like to encourage guests to try looking through my Spring selections. My Spring Garden Collection is still growing. I've recently added a cheerful Rainy Day Set to it which you may find HERE.

It's possible to print your choices from home and then (of course) to make plenty of copies at your local Copy center. It might make a nice gift for someone who enjoys using something unusual for their correspondence. I could see a set of these pages bundled neatly with ribbons or lace, possibly in either a pretty basket or box. A unique little magnetic message board for an office might be customized using one of my designs. Moms might enjoy a handwritten letter using one of my pages as a part of their Mothers Day gift or card, too. 

Happy creative corresponding!

PPS™Shabby Chic Stationary Pages

All Six Displayed

Download Lilac HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Dusty Rose HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Faded Denim HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Lilac with Lines HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Dusty Rose with Lines HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Faded Denim with Lines HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Give or use or share these designs.

You are not free to

ever sell any of these designs for any reason

even if you've altered them first.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Rainy Day Spring Set

"April showers bring May flowers" is a very old rhyme which is the theme of this brand new Set.

The Set below is complete with matching Accessories such as Photo Corners and Button Alphabets in 2 colors. My next post will offer two further free downloads. These could be used in gifts or cards for Mother's Day as well as for year round creative fun.

For Personal Use Only: 
This is not a set to use in anything you make that is to be for sale. 
The reasons are as follows: 
Parts of this set must not be sold for certain legal reasons. Unless you have purchased a license from the digital brush designer, Mel Rodicq Creative, the Fancy Edges patterning used by me for this set may never be sold under any circumstances. (For more information, please follow the link, HERE) Those parts include the Trim (located at the top of the Download) and the Backgrounds (for those, please follow this link HERE) 
Everything else you see here is 100% mine, none of which I am offering to be used in items that are for sale. This is a Special Set. The digital brush designer whose free brushes I've used for this project has copyrights, too. Please respect all copyrights listed and follow the red letter Guidelines listed in this post. Thank you.

The illustration that inspired this new Set is from Victorian times when crinolines, petticoats and decorated bonnets were in fashion. The three girls are sheltering from a retreating rain storm under one very large umbrella. They seem happy in each others' company, don't they? I've chosen the three colors that were featured most often within the illustration in the other Downloads. Note how there are two colors of trim, along with their matching buckles, plus two 1 inch buttons and two 1/2 inch buttons in the first Download. The same buttons I've used in my new 1 inch Button Alphabets (same colors). 

For the Alphabets, you will need only a 1" diameter circular paper punch or cutter. For the rest, a 1/2" diameter one should be sufficient. As for the Bonnet Badge, it is 2 inches in width. Perhaps a circle cutter would work better for that item if hand snipping using your scissors wouldn't be your choice.

The entire Set is a PPS Exclusive, and that includes my new Bonnet Badge that can be made into a sticker or decal or else collaged as is onto your surface of choice. Everything has my copyrights, so you mustn't sell anything you see here, even if it is altered by you or someone else. This protects my copyrights and at the same time allows you to have my stock to use for free.

Posted below in order of appearance, is the first Download, followed by the Accessories. 

The matching Background Downloads, one in Pink and one in Blue, will be offered in the next post. You may follow the link HERE for both (Please see the red letter Guidelines and Credits there as the same rules apply to both the Backgrounds and this set. thank you).
:)

Happy Rainy Day Creativity!

PPS™Book Arts Set: Rainy Day

Download the Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Digital Brush Credits:

Fancy Edges and Flower pattern 

(used in ribbon trim shown at top in the picture above, along with the Backgrounds)

www.melsbrushes.co.uk

For Rules of Use and License Information, please go to:

http://melsbrushes.co.uk/terms-of-use

Display No. 2 in Blue

Download the Labels HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Button Alphabet 1 HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Button Alphabet 2 HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Photo Corner Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use any of the above items

shown here in artwork and/or crafting

that is to be either kept by you or given away freely.

Please credit me with a link to this particular post. 

Thank you.

You are not free to:

ever sell my designs in this set 

for any reason whatsoever,

even if they have been altered by you first.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Japanese Style Autumn Set for Book Artists, etc.

Based on some lovely creative artwork from Japan, where the leaves in autumn can be spectacular.

When I first laid eyes on this decorated screen, I couldn't help admiring the graceful design that had been applied to its surface. The gold leaf was looking older than my own design concept for it, so it had to be refreshed a little bit. However, the beauty of it even without any updating has been obvious from the start. The details in this screen made this creative process a real joy.

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

A happy thought occurred to me as I gazed in delight upon the screen's beauty: what if (I enjoy that kind of question) I were to turn it into a set doors for Book Artists and other creative people?

The results shown below are the answer to that question. In addition, I've added an antique postage stamp from my own collection along with some hardware (hinges and a locking hasp), all Japanese.

The Display offers a few ideas as to how this Set might get used. For one thing, a photograph of some rice paper is not really as nice as the real thing, is it? Japanese papers are among some of my very favorite craft supplies, due to their beauty and versatility.

Many art and hobby stores sell Japanese papers. Both rice and mulberry papers would be, I think, very nice to use as backgrounds or as added components for your chosen design. But this is not just due to the fact that they tend to be created either in Japan or using Japanese techniques, but because they are also thin, fine, soft papers which layer well over other types of paper, especially between the pages of some books. (Book artists will understand immediately what I mean) One source for pretty Japanese paper may be found by following this link HERE. And at the link HERE, the patterned origami papers are luscious! They remind me of kimono fabrics! Additionally, there are both Japanese and other Asian style papers at this link HERE.

Adhesives for rice papers can be either just right or could cause buckling and rippling. It is best not to overwork delicate rice paper surfaces. Heavy Matte Gel Medium that is not overly moist might be OK, if your project is left to dry under some flattening weight. I personally enjoy keeping one older jar of my Liquitex Heavy Matte Gel Medium for projects requiring less moisture but fast adhesion, and using my newest jar for damper work. But you are, of course, free to use whatever would work best for you.

Happy Autumn Creativity!

PPS™Book Arts Set: Autumn in Japan

Download Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Display of possibilities

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the elements included 

in this Set

for fun or for profit.

But

You are not free to:

ever sell the elements 

included in this Set in sets 

which you have assembled yourself.

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!

Garden Set: A Late Summer Butterfly

Or, a "pocket full of posies," as the old rhyme says.

I ran across this set of pockets when I was looking for something else in the Studio's files recently. I've decided to finish it and to also add two styles of the same patterned background.

Please notice and mind the copyrights and red letter Guidelines at the foot of this post. Thank you.
Note: Background Photoshop Lace Pattern is by babypink (name is a link) over at Brusheezy. The copyright for the 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."

The basis of this pocket duo and their accessories and backgrounds is, of course, a lovely old painting of a basket full of flowers and a charming butterfly on a windowsill. It is a favorite still life painting of mine, almost in my Top Ten list. I hope you will enjoy it too.

The items in the Set barely fit the dimensions for the average copier paper. Consequently, the borders are very narrow, a mere 1/4 of an inch. If your printer has the capability to print without any borders or margins, I'd recommend using such a setting. Otherwise, the narrower the better for this particular Set.

I'd also like to recommend card stock or stiff paper such as matte photo paper. This will make your pockets and accessories last a lot longer. The flaps or tabs, of course, are meant to be folded under, tucked out of sight and glued to your chosen surface. Double sided tape might be wise, or perhaps Uhu brand glue stick glue.

The Lace backgrounds I have made to work in two separate directions: Horizontal and Vertical. The Horizontal one I have featured in the suggested use Display, shown first below. Both colors come in both directions.

Let's enjoy the last few weeks of real summertime with our
Happy Creativity!

PPSGarden™: Late Summer Butterfly 

Display of ideas for the set's use

(lower quality than the download)

Download the Set HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Horizontal Blue Lace Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Horizontal Goldenrod Lace Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Vertical Blue Lace Background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Vertical Goldenrod Lace background HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the set and the backgrounds shown above

in works of art 

PROVIDED that

you will follow the copyrights and Guidelines 

that are listed here with them.

Please attribute as requested.

You are not free to:

ever sell the designs in the Set shown above.

Please respect all copyrights.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!