ATC Exchange

Hello Everyone,  I hope you are having a great week.    My knee is slowly improving and my index finger is much better, but still can't bend these joints.  I had a visit to the fracture clinic this week and the very good news is that I don't have damaged ligaments in my knee.  I'm still moving very slow and of coarse there is pain if I try to do too much.  It's difficult to look at gardens that need work and ignore them.    OK no more whining....

Two weeks ago I traded ATCs with a talented lady,  Maria, who lives in Belguim.   You will find her beautiful work at her Blog:  Maria's Knutselplezier.  (translated is Maria's Craft Pleasure).    Sometimes overseas mail takes a while but early this week I received a beautiful ATC from Maria.    

Below is the ATC that I mailed to Maria: 

I created the background with Tombows, water & salt.   The images are from Chocolate Baroque Gossamer Wings.   I stamped the image with black ink direct to the background.   The wings were stamped again on Velum and coloured with Tombow markers.  I popped up the 2nd wings for a little dimension.    I also coloured in the butterflies.   I used a black pigment pen to add the 'grass' outline.   I doodled a flower on the back but forgot to take a photo. 

Below is the BEAUTIFUL ATC & envelope that I received from Maria.   It was like getting 3 in one !   





Envelope with ATC inside

 



Envelope open



Inside envelope has another piece of artwork



THE ATC !!!

Maria included lots of beautiful inking, stamping, masking and colouring with Copics on all these pieces.  I love it.  Thank you Maria !

That's all for today, I hope to be back creating soon.  Thanks for your visit and have a great weekend,
Shirley

Experimenting with Dylusions Ink

Good Morning Everyone

I  hope you had a great weekend.    Because of my fall last week I'm still doing a lot of sitting around and taking this time to relax and catch up on reading.  I normally like to stay active, but still thankful the injuries are not worse and I will heal.   Thank you for all your well-wishes, they are appreciated.

Yesterday I was 'itching' to do something crafty so I decided to get out my new Dylusions Inks.    I can spray inks while standing up and do a little stamping, just can't get into making cards where I need to move around my room.

Without looking at any tutorials, I created a 'mucky mess'.    I wondered why is this looking so awful when I've seen such beautiful creations on Blogs that I follow ?   So I search UTube and watch tutorial videos where I learn you should spray water first and have a big role of paper towels handy.

I tried again.... and 'ta da' ...beautiful vibrant colours emerge !  This is great fun & I can't wait to 'play' some more.   Now I would like to add some stencils to my growing crafting tools.   It never ends does it ?
Here is the simple tag I created.   The colours are more vibrant than this photo shows.  

After spraying the background with Dylusions Inks,  I stamped with Black Stazon ink using Hero Art, S5154 Three Ferns, Designs by Ryn CM-F5 Leaves & the word 'Art' is from Chocolate Baroque, Artistic Expressions set.   I was stamping at a table that is uneven so the ferns didn't stamp properly, but I decided they look 'distressed' and it would be fine on this tag, this is a practice piece.  I added a little fibre & leaf charm. 

June 29th update:  Here is a link to YouTube Video with Dyan Reaveley, Ranger Signature Designer demonstrating her ink, stencils & stamps:   Dylusions Demo

Thanks for all your visits & comments, they are very much appreciated.  Have a great day,
Shirley

Fun with Stickers and a little accident

Good Morning everyone.

Unfortunately I'm 'out of commission' for making cards.   On Tuesday evening we were getting ready to entertain outside when I had a little accident while rushing to bring things in when a big storm suddenly came up.     I've learned the hard way that I should NEVER run in heavy rain on a concrete patio, especially while carrying a heavy patio umbrella and stand.  I fell onto the concrete and my left index finger & knee took most of the impact.

So now I have a splint on my left index finger, it has a minor fracture (difficult to type) and a brace covering my left leg as I've damaged tendons.    I always thought my knees looked very 'knobby' well now it's really weird looking :)   So card making and other things are difficult at the moment.   I've had to cancel many plans unfortunately.   OK enough whining, I'm lucky that it's not worse and in time will heal so I'm thankful.

I'm scheduled for two classes this September at Crop Circles, Peterborough, Ontario - Fun with Stickers & Creating Backgrounds with Smooch Inks.    These 3 cards will be created in the Sticker Class.  

The Starform Sticker images were attached to Vellum and dry embossed at the back before adhering to the cardstock.  The first card has a background created with Distress Inks, ripped cardstock and circle negative.   The Sentiment on this first card is by Penny Black 4178H The Wind.    Part of the images were coloured with markers.   Now I'm on the look out for a nice Sail Boat stamp :) 

 
Ok that's all for now.  I'm not sure when I'll be back,  but hopefully soon :)  
Thanks for your visit & have a great day
Shirley

Fan Dancer

Happy Monday !  

Here it's raining, but the rest of the week will be hot hot hot !      I've been very busy, normal for summer, but still made myself clean out my craft room this past week.   It calms my mind to be organized.  I gave away things I'm no longer using as it just creates clutter in my space.

Just a quick post this morning with another card created for Designs by Ryn .  Ryn hand draws all her designs and her high quality stamps are deeply etched which can be easily used for other mediums.  I've recently picked up some Polymer Clay and can't wait to try out her stamps using it.

I love this image (CM-M3 Fan Dancer) she is so cool and unique.   I love the way her fish tail/legs turns into fans :)   My crafter friends determined that she is Art Deco style.    

   
The background is textured paper from a small block that I've had in my stash for a few years, "Far East" by Tex.Tured.   (but I'm 'seeing' how this could be created with Dylusions inks & stencils .. I need stencils... it never ends !)

I simply embossed the image on watercolor paper and used my Tom Bows to color using water to blend.  (and yes this is one of my favorite color combos).    I also added a little holograph glitter in her hair & on the fans then layered as shown.  

That's all for now,  I hope to be back later this week.
Have a great day
Shirley

Climbing Vine in Pink

Hello everyone.   I've had a busy week, I can't seem to get on top of everything, but I'm thankful that I have so many things I love to do.    Sorry I'm a little behind on visiting blogs, but I will get caught up !

Yesterday I hosted a group of crafty friends here for 6 hours of embroidery, talking, eating & laughing... such an enjoyable day.  We enjoyed our lunch under trees out in the gardens, it doesn't get much better !

I'm posting a card today that I created for Designs by Ryn .   The stamps used for this card are two of Ryn's Flora Designs:  Climbing Vine CM-F17 & African Daisy CM-F1.  The climbing vine is also a nice match with Ryn's Vine Heart CM-F16.

The background was created with Taffy & Snickerdoodle Smooch Inks.   I love the sheen of Smooch Inks, which is hard to see in photos.  

The Climbing vine, Daisy & Quote were embossed with gold.   The Daisies were also coloured with Smooch Inks.  I blended Snickerdoodle around the quote (IO's C3671) that was stamped on a die cut using Spellbinder S4143.   All were layered as shown.

Design by Ryn Stamps used:



CM-F1 African Daisy



CM-F17 Climbing Vine

I was also given the honour yesterday by Ellen at The Serendipitous Stamper of another Blog Award which originates from Italy and is intended to bring luck.    You will enjoy a visit at Ellen's Blog as she is a talented crafter and includes some awesome tutorials.  Ellen is a very kind hearted person who keeps quite busy with her family, volunteer work and DT functions.  I don't know how she does everything.  

I feel honoured to receive so many blog awards from my kind followers, but I think that I've received more than my share.   I find it too hard to select blogs to pass the award onto and leave others out.    Your kind comments & visits make blogging reward enough and also gives me encouragement to keep on creating.

  

That's all for now.   Thanks for your visit and enjoy the rest of your weekend !
Shirley

Paisley Pinwheel - FYI #31

Hello again Crafters !

It's very unusual for me to post two days in a row, never mind twice in one day, but here I am again, this time with a card for the For Your Inspiration Challenge #31.       The photo for this challenge is at the end of this post.    If you have a chance, visit FYI's blog to see all the DT & participants creations, they are beautiful !

This card is pretty much the opposite of the clean & simple style from this morning's post :)      I was inspired to get my Kaleidacolor Creole Spice Ink out for this challenge by Sylvia at Poppys Papercraft Patch as she used it for her Creation as a DT member.  Thank you Sylvia, your creation reminded me that I have Kaleidacolor inks waiting to come out again.

 I posted a similar card last fall for an IO challenge, but it had a completely different background and different colours.  I also taught a workshop in April 2011 with a similar design.  If you were there this will look familiar.   

I used my brayer to ink up IO's Cover A Card Large Paisley CC039 with the Creole Spice Kaleidacolor Ink.   I use the Mega Mount with CAC stamps.   

The Paisleys are from IO's Paisleys set 3061-MD and the center circle is from another IO set Butterflies & Blossoms CL119.   All were embossed with gold and coloured by blending Distress Inks and then adding a little accent with Distress Markers.  Next I painted over top with Mica Color Interference paints which gives it quite a shine !    I also added some holograph glitter after is was all put together.

Also used:  Spellbinder S4143 & CB Paisley Embossing folder for the center strip.

And below is the Inspiration Photo.......

Well that is ALL for today !
Thanks for your visits & kind comments, they are appreciated.  Have a great week,
Shirley

Less is More #71

Hello Crafters !    I hope you had a great weekend.  We have been enjoying wonderful summer weather and spending lots of time outdoors.   I had a busy week with participating at a show and teaching a workshop at Crop Circles on Saturday.  I had a wonderful time again with crafty & fun ladies.

I created a quick card this morning to enter into Less is More Week #71 Challenge.   This week's guidelines:  just one layer card and use a Flourish.    Clean & simple is still a challenge for me, but I continue to be intrigued by the elegant & clean beauty of the DT & participant's creations.   

I folded quality smooth white cardstock and stamped with Impression Obsessions' D2145 Heart Flourish & B3552 'Just a Note' sentiment and embossed with Gold.   It's a delicate & pretty image.       I treated myself to a few new mediums this past week (I'm SO bad... ) including a set of Distress Markers.   I thought I might as well just buy the entire set, as I'll just be frustrated looking for missing colours.  I used my new markers to colour the image (broken china, peeled paint & forest moss),   I added a little water ...love them !     I blended Broken China ink around the card, hopefully I left enough white space for the LIM guidelines. 

I took a few photos of one of our many gardens this morning and thought I would share a few.   The bright sun washed out the colours, but there are lots of pinks, grey & mauve right now.  Later into the season it will change into bright yellows, white & purples.   

That's all for now.  I hope to be back soon with a card the For Your Inspiration photo challenge.   Thanks for your visit and have a great day !

Shirley 

By the Sea with Impression Obsession

Good Morning Crafters, I hope your week is going well.

I participated at Brookside Bed & Breakfast Open Gardens with Artisans yesterday.   It was a great day, I met lots of nice people and was pleased to sell some of my cards.      I recently treated myself to 26 Pan Pastels and have Dylusions Inks on order, so now I don't feel so guilty.

Impression Obsession's Challenge theme this week is "By the Sea".    All the details are here at Impression Obsession's Blog.    My IO Fish & Seaside stamps came out again for a swim to create another 'Fishie' card to participate.      

I'm also entering this card into the All Sorts Challenge Blog - Week 157 as the theme is "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside".    You will find great DT creations at both blogs. 

IO stamps used for this card:   F2211 Large Angel Fish & CL182 By the Seaside Set, both by Leigh Hannon. 

The background was created with Shabby Shutters & Broken China Distress Inks using the Acrylic Block Technique and then sprayed with Gold Glimmermist.   I stamped the 'bubble' fish from the Seaside set with Colorbox Harbour Pigment Ink many times on the background which gives the appearance of 'fish shaped bubbles'.

The blue panel at the top was created with Broken China Distress Ink using same technique and then sprayed with Juniper Glimmer Mist.   I stamped the 'wave' image from the Seaside set over the top panel with black Versafine ink & cut curves to imitate a wave.  

The Large Angel Fish, Shells & Seahorse were stamped on Watercolour paper, embossed with black and then coloured with Tombow markers and water.     I cut out the images, popped up the fish & seahorse and used double tape on the shells.   I added diamond stickles to the fins of the fish and areas of the seahorse, but it's hard to see in the photo.

The little poem is also from the wonderful Seaside clear set.  IO's smaller MC183 Angelfish set compliments it as the images go well together.  I was disappointed when I realised that my small Angelfish from the MC813 set is missing, sadly he must have swam away, I ignored him too long I guess :( 

Thanks for your visit and have a great day !
Shirley

Silver Anniversary

Good afternoon Crafters !

I hope you had a great weekend.   My husband Jim & I celebrated our 25th Anniversary (a little late) on Saturday with friends.

It's amazing & scary how time flies by.   It makes us realise that we need to treasure each day.   I think it's funny now that I thought I was an 'old' bride at 32 and I would be 'really old' when we reached this milestone.  OK I'm an older lady yes, but 57 isn't as old as I thought it would be :)   My hubby is still working hard at 63 !   We brought out our wedding photos and we certainly looked much younger back then !     I feel that as long we are enjoying life we are not old.   Of coarse life gives us both ups & downs, and we've had our share of both, but we feel grateful for everything that we have. 

So today I thought I would post a couple of Anniversary cards.  

I made this card while playing with the 'stamp-kissing' technique.  I was inspired by work created by Miranda at  Miracle art Inspirations.    I used the same Impression Obsession stamps - Solid Oval F6193 and Cover a Card Pine CC030,  that she used on her card which you can see on her post here When Stamps Kiss.

I need to use my IO Solid & Cover a Card stamps more.  I am lucky to own many CAC stamps, they are great to work with.     The two birds are also from Impression Obsession - D8193.  

I used Versamagic Magnolia Bud Chalk Ink on the Solid Oval stamp and then used Boysenberry Pigment Ink to edge the Oval.  I stamped-kissed with the Pine Cover a Card and then stamped the 'kissed' oval onto smooth white card stock.  Next I stamped (the normal way) the birds with Boysenberry Ink over the Oval.  The sentiment is from Kaisercraft CS916 Occasions.

I added the border die cut (using Spellbinder S5-034 set), gold ribbon and layered as show.  Below is a close up of the stamp kissing.

 

This next card is very similar to one I posted previously using Designs by Ryn  CM-F16 Vine Heart and is the card that I gave to Jim.

The Vine Heart was stamped onto Vellum, turned over, placed on a pad and embossed with a stylus.  I created the background with Tom Bow markers, water and large flat brush.  I added Starform Silver Border & Corner stickers and a little 25 for extra silver !

And here we are with the tasty cake one of our friends baked for us and the long-stemmed roses Jim surprised me with.  

Well that's all for today !   I hope to be back later in the week with a card for Impression Obsession's Seaside Challenge.   More fishies .....

Thanks for your visits & comments, they are always appreciated and have a great day !

Shirley