Celtic Doves for Christmas

Hello everyone,

I hope your week has been going well.  I recently worked on a couple more cards for Designs by Ryn .   This time using her beautiful Celtic Doves with traditional styles for Christmas.  

I'm also very excited to tell you that Eileen Godwin of  Eileen's Crafty Zone has joined Ryn's Design Team !  I'm honored to be working on the same team with such a talented lady !   If you have a chance, please visit her blog to see her gorgeous designs here.  

I apologize but again I had a difficult time trying to capture the colors on these cards properly.   Some days colors just don't want to show their true shade and this is one of them.

 
For the above card I used Design by Ryn's , Celtic Dove Set CM-C10.      I also used Impression Obsession - Cover a Card Flourishes CC027 and 'Christmas Magic' B3585.

I started with a green patterned designer paper sheet and embossed the Flourish CAC with Gold.   I also embossed the Doves and Sentiment with Gold.  I used Evergreen Bough Distress Ink around the outside of the images. 

For this next card I used bleach around the images to highlight them on black card stock:

The designer paper is by Basic Grey - Capella Collection & the die used is Spellbinder S5-019.

I embossed the doves with black on black card stock and used bleach to highlight the images.   I guess this one is not so traditional with black & cream and could be used for another occasion other than Christmas.  

We have a load of soil sitting in our driveway waiting for us to move it.  We had an awful time this summer with grubs & then skunks digging them up which damaged a good portion of our lawn.  We are working on an Acre property and even with all the gardens, we still have lots of grass.   So you know what we are doing this weekend :)  Lots of wheeling soil and raking it in.     We'll take a break here & there and maybe enjoy a cold beer ! 

That's all for today, thanks for your visit & have a great long weekend (it's a holiday weekend here in Canada),
Shirley

Fill my Life with Music

Good Evening Everyone !  I hope you've enjoyed the weekend.   It been HOT here again !  

I was working this weekend with another one of Designs by Ryn new Faerie stamps.  This time I used her beautiful Harp Faerie.   She has the most gorgeous wings with feathers on the ends. 
 

Stamps:   Design by Ryn - CM-M11 Harp Faerie
               Impression Obsession - CC018 Cover a Card - Greenery
               Magenta - CSet 15 "Fill my Life" is from the set

The background is created by stamping the Greenery CAC stamp with Peeled Paint DI over a sheet of Basic Grey light blue & slightly pattern paper from a 6x6 pad.  (sorry don't remember which one) I blended Peacock Feathers DI around the edge.

The angel was embossed with black on water colour paper and coloured using my Tom bow markers with brush & water.  I added glitter to the middle area of the wings and the feathers on her dress.   I cut her out and mounted her with a feather behind to compliment the feathers on her wings & dress.   

The quote is from the Magenta set which was also embossed with black and distressed with Shabby Shutters & Peacock Feathers DI. 

I was also playing with my Pan Pastels (for the first time, shame) and tried creating scenery around the Harp Faerie in the card below.

I can't say that that it turned out quite the way I wanted & I'm not happy with how it photographed, but I thought I would post her to show what I was trying to do !   The grass turned out a bit muddy (maybe shouldn't point this out) from trying to watercolour on top of the Pan Pastels trying to create a shadow under her, not a good idea.    I'll try again sometime soon :)

Design by Ryn Stamp used:

CM-M11 Harp Faerie


That's all for this evening.  Thanks for your visit  & kind comments !

Update Monday Morning :   Do you need a laugh ?  Then please visit Darnell's Blog.  She just cracks me up with her hilarious interpretations of every day things that happen to all of us.  Her cards are beautiful & elegant and she usually has a great story to go along with them.   Today she talks about 'why she wishes she didn't have to blow her nose' - you will laugh at the reason why and will relate to what she is saying, at least I sure did !

Have a great day !
Shirley

Bold Blooms For Your Inspiration - FYI #36

Hello everyone !   I hope you are having a fabulous week.   We are enjoying wonderful late summer weather, lots of sunshine !   

I was inspired to create a card for the FYI #36 Challenge at For Your Inspiration when I saw their gorgeous inspiration photo (see bottom of post).   They are taking a break until January, so this is the last challenge for a while. 

I'm also entering my card into Simon Says Stamp and Show as their current challenge is "No Rules", so anything goes !    

This is my interpretation of the photo.  I had a lot of fun trying to re-create the texture & colours.   It also gave me the chance to use my new Chocolate Baroque, Textured Fragments Set (which my sweet Sis kindly gave me) along with their Bold & Fresh Blooms Sets:



To create the background I started with Tombow markers, then sprayed with water & salt.   After it was dry I sprayed with Dylusions Inks, used a bit of white acrylic paint along with a couple of Crafters Market templates (TWC 278S & 239S).   I also used a couple of the great images from the Textured Fragment set and stamped using Chipped Sapphire Distress Marker.    

I embossed the flower & leaves with Eggplant EP (deep purple), then coloured with Tombow markers & water.   I added holograph glitter (hard to see in photo) in the little circles.  I thought about adding a sentiment to the top RH corner, but I didn't want to cover up anymore of the background.

And below is the gorgeous inspirational photo...love it !

Thanks for your visit & have a great day !

Shirley

Ornament Faerie - New Release by Designs by Ryn !

Hello everyone, I hope you had a great weekend.   The weather here has been wonderful... not too hot, not too cold, lots of sunshine....perfect !    I brought my Sister to the airport this evening for her flight back the Netherlands.  It's hard to say good bye but I'm looking forward to the next visit and am very thankful for email ! 

Ryn of  Designs by Ryn released an awesome new line of Faeries this month !    I created this card with her beautiful CM-M7 Ornament Faerie.    I love how she has holly for wings and is carrying the most gorgeous ornament.

Since I've used different shades of Pink, I'm entering this as my 2nd entry into the '50 shades of Pink' Challenge at In the Pink  before it closes this week.  

The background was created by using Tombows 673, 676 & 703, water & salt.   I also sprayed Pop Rock & Cranberry Glimmer Mist after it was dry.

I stamped Ornament Faerie with black Stazon on watercolour paper and coloured with my Tombows.   I added holograph glitter to her fur trim and liquid pearls to her beautiful ornament.    The sentiment is by Impression Obsession - B3585 "Christmas Magic" which I embossed with black.  I added a ribbon & bow along with the matting.  

Spellbinder Die:  S4-347.  I drew around the outside of the die on the back of the green paper (by BoBunny) and cut out to create the mat behind the image.   I blended Evergreen Bough Distress Ink around the image die cut.

You can see the glitter & liquid pearls better on the close up below:

Update August 20th:     I sent over these photos to Ryn just at the time she had been working on a card using the same stamp.  She has her creation posted on her blog.   I love her colour choices and how her Holly wings look 'real'.      You can check out her details here at  Designs by Ryn's Blog.   Below is Ryn's creation and below that is the stamp design we both used :)

Designs by Ryn stamp used:


CM-M7 Ornament Faerie



Thanks for your visit & kind comments, they are appreciated.

Have a great day !
Shirley

Christmas with Dylusions Ink

Hi everyone !  I hope you are having a great week.   I've had so much fun with my Sister here visiting.   The weather has co-operated most of the time :)

Just a quick post today with a simple card that I created with Dylusions Inks.   I wanted to try something for Christmas.

I created the background by spraying Cut Grass and Postbox Red Dylusions Inks.  I also used Crafters Workshop Reversed Mini Ringlet Template TCW266S.  I was trying for Christmas colours and I think these worked but I also think that a blue would look great with the red.  Will try that soon :)   I used Festive Berries DI around the edges.

When the background was dry I stamped the Eiffel Noel image (Stampendous P129) with Black Stazon Ink and then added some red & green Stickles.      I just attached this to black folded cardstock.  I don't have any other colours here that seemed to work.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend,  I hope to be back soon with a card using one of Ryn's new Faerie releases. 

Shirley

Life is Beautiful

Hello everyone !

My sister is out visiting today, and it's raining so I had unexpected time for crafting.     I decided to work on a card to enter into the For Your Inspiration  Challenge Blog (FYI #35)  before it closes in 4 days.   I always find the photos and creations from the DT inspiring.  See bottom of this post for this challenge's photo, it's a beauty !

I was going through all my stamps with my Sister yesterday and when I saw this one I had the desire to create something with it.   I've always been 'in love' with this design, but haven't used it for at least a year & half.    How does the time go by so fast ?    Too many stamps and not enough time :)

Since I've used a 'forgotten' stamp, this also qualifies for Judiths' Forgotten Friday as well.  If you have a chance to visit Judith's blog you won't be disappointed, she creates beautiful work !

Stamps:   Hero Art - S5356 Etched Medallion
               Impression Obsession - CC027 Cover a Card - Flourishes
               Rubber Stamped - A1102E Fern
               "Life is Beautiful" sentiment stamp was included in the gift package at the Art Specially show in Zeist, The Netherlands in April.   I wasn't there, but my sweet Sis kindly gave me hers  :)

Dies used:   Marianne Design LR0150 (blue leafy branch)
                  Crealies CL CS 11 - green leaves

The background for this card was created by using a sheet of paper from the Basic Grey Kioshi Collection (6x6 pad).   I stamped over this sheet using the CAC - Flourishes with Brilliance Galaxy Gold Ink. 

The narrow strip across the background is a piece of left-over watercolour paper that I dipped into Peacock Feathers DI that was rubbed onto my craft mat and sprayed with water.  I then stamped it with the Fern stamp & Mowed Grass DI. 

The flower was stamped and embossed with Gold EP three times.  The powder has a bit of glitter in it, which gives an uneven texture and a bit of sparkle.    I coloured the flower with my Tom Bow markers and cut out them out in sections to layer as shown. 

"Life is Beautiful" was stamped with Colorbox Harbor Pigment Ink.   I also added rhinestones. 

And below is the Inspiration Photo:

By the way, some of my blogland friends have been asking about my knee.  I'm happy to report that I'm doing great.  Not a 100% (yet) but I'm thrilled to be back to most of my regular activities !

Thanks for your visit & have a great day !     
Shirley

In the Pink with Celtic Stars



Happy Weekend !

A new Challenge Blog launched this week -  In The Pink.   If you love using the colour pink then this is the challenge site for you :)     Sylvia (aka Pretty Patricia) and Christine (aka Posh Priscilla) created and are co-hosting this blog.  Both are mega talented and have posted gorgeous creations for inspiration.

I can't honestly say that I'm a 'Pink Person',  but I enjoy creating with lots of different colours and Pink makes an appearance from time to time.   Certainly a big change from the green & blue that I gravitate to :)

This is a busy (but fun) time with my sister visiting, but I had this card ready for Designs by Ryn last week using the colour pink.   I was hoping that the first pink challenge would be 'anything goes'.   I guessed  right as their first challenge is "Fifty Shades of .......... Pink" :)    As long as you use lots of pink, anything goes :)

I created a Pink Christmas card using Designs by Ryn Celtic Star Set CM-C7 .

The background was created by blending Snickerdoodle & Taffy Smooch Inks.  I stamped one star from the set with Picked Raspberry Distress Ink over the background using a 'smoosh' technique.

I've been using Smooch inks to create backgrounds for over two years and still using the same small bottles with the exception of one favourite colour (Pool).  They are also great for colouring in small spaces using the applicator tip or just blend them around using your fingers.   These inks leave a beautiful sheen that is hard to see in the photo.    A good friend of mine uses Smooch for colouring all the time with her fingers and ends up with beautiful images & creations.

To create backgrounds with Smooch Inks:

• Cover white cardstock with Versamark Ink.  I use cardstock that is suitable for Copic Markers as I like the quality & smooth finish.
• Use a Colorbox blending tool with black moldable tip 
• Add Smooch Ink with lightest colour first
• Blend quickly, if you leave some white space the next colour is more vibrant
• Clean tool with baby wipes after you are finished, it's not necessary to clean between colours

I stamped the stars with Stazon Black Ink,  blended Taffy Smooch Ink over top & then cut them out.    The great quote is by Impression Obsession - C3503.   I blended SnickerDoodle Smooch in the centre and then Picked Rasberry DI around the quote.    I decided to mat everything with black to set off the pink.     A little black ribbon and pink pearls are the finishing touches. 

Designs by Ryn  stamp set used: 

CM-C7 Celtic Star Set



Thanks for your visit and enjoy your weekend !

Shirley  



Dream

Good Evening everyone !

My sweet & much younger Sister is arriving from the Netherlands tomorrow so I won't be blogging much over the next 10 days.

I was anxious to create something to post tonight and was torn between 'playing' with Dylusions Inks or creating another Christmas card.     The urge to 'play' won and I have inky hands again !   I also went for one of my favourite colour combos -  blue & green which I used for the cards in my last post.    I also used one of my favourite stamps by Designs by Ryn.

Stamps used:   Designs by Ryn CM-B9 Flying Hummingbird 2, Rubber Stamped A1102E Fern & Dream is from Chocolate Baroque - Artistic Expressions.

Template used:  Crafters Workshop TCW278S Mini Circle Explosion

The background was created with Turquoise & Cut Grass Dylusions Inks and the Mini Circle Template.   I stamped over the background with the Fern using Mowed Grass Distress Ink.

I embossed the Hummingbird with Black, coloured with my Tombow markers, cut him out and mounted over the background.   I didn't add anything else as I wanted to keep the background clear.

That's all for this evening !   Thanks for your visits and kind comments, they mean a lot to me.  

Shirley

Less is More with a Twinchie

Happy Weekend everyone !

This week's #79 Colour Challenge over at Less is More  is to use Green & Blue on a Clean & Simple Card and the Challenge #3 over at Show us your Twinchie is to use bright colours on a 2 x 2 inch creation.   I decided to combine them.

Below is my Twinchie, with the background created by using the bright new colours in the Summer Limited Edition Distress Ink set:   Mowed Grass & Salty Ocean using the Acrylic Block Technique.  These also happen to be one of my favourite colour combos !  The Stamps are from a little Basic Grey Clear Set that don't have a name or number on it.     I added a little glitter to the wing & beak. 

Next is my LIM card created from my Twinchie.  Very simple design, but I like how the white highlights the colours and tiny creation !

These simple creations take less than 15 minutes to create, so here is another one using Blue & Yellow.   This time I used Salty Ocean & Squeezed Lemonade Distress Inks with water on my craft mat.   The stamps on this one are from a small Technique Tuesday clear set - Pointed Perfection.

And here is another clean & simple card created from the Twinchie :

That's all for today !

Thanks for your visits & kind comments and enjoy the rest of the weekend.  It's HOT here, we will try to stay cool.

Shirley

It's a "Snow" Man's World

Hello everyone !

I'm back with another card for this week's challenge at Impression Obsession.    I'm a lucky lady as I won the $25 Gift Certificate to shop online at IO in the last challenge.   I was so excited I placed an order the same day !  

The challenge theme this week is "It's a Man's World" which means to me - create a 'manly' card.    Am I cheating a little with 'It's a "Snow" Man's World' ?  I have IO's beautiful Sail Ship Collage stamp waiting for me at Crop Circles which will be great for masculine cards.  Since I haven't picked it up yet & I don't have 'manly' IO stamps, I thought I would get started making Christmas cards.  I hope this qualifies:  It's a snow 'man', I could give this to a man & I didn't add a 'girlie' bow :)

Impression Obsession Stamps:  CC030 Cover a Card Pine, G7640 Snowman with Ornament (by Gail Green), A3589 Winter Wishes

Spellbinder Die:  S4-143

The background was created by using a sheet from Basic Grey's Jovial collection.  I stamped over the pattern with CAC Pine stamp using Memories Bonsai Green Pigment Ink.  I used clear Embossing powder to give it texture.

I embossed the snowman with Black and used TomBow markers to colour.  I cut him out, adhered to the background and then popped up a 2nd hat to add more dimension.  I also added chunky glitter which looks like snow/ice, it's great.   I used Evergreen Bough Distress Ink around the Sentiment.

As I'm typing this I see a hummingbird outside my craft room window !   It's strange to be talking about a Christmas card and Winter Wishes while it's hot & humid and Humming birds are flying around the garden.

Speaking of gardens, I received comments about our garden size and how much work it must be on my last post (July 30th) with garden photos.    We are crazy people and have about 6,000 - 7,000 square feet of gardens on an Acre property.     The photos in my last post show a small area of our gardens.

Yes it's a bit of 'work' out there, but I use a lot of ground covers, mulch, perennials & shrubs. My husband is great at keeping the edges neat and weeding.    So I don't spend the time you would think I need to. Gardening and Landscape design have been a passion for 25 years & I never considered it 'work' until I hit my mid-fifties.    Some days it feels like work and other times it's relaxing & peaceful.  The Spring & Fall are busier, but we also spend time just sitting & enjoying the view :)     Ok enough 'garden talk', I hope I haven't put you to sleep !

Thanks for visiting and have a great day !
Shirley