Hibiscus, Hummingbird and a Blog Break

Hello everyone,  I hope you are doing well.

I have a design to show today that features a background that I created while on a recent vacation.  Miranda showed us how to create backgrounds using Ecoline Inks with embossing.  I created a card using the background after I returned home.

We started by embossing a Hibiscus flower with clear power here and there.   Next added some Ecoline inks and then embossed a few more flowers.   Next I stamped a Hibiscus using Distress Inks.   I was stamping on a very uneven surface and ended up with 'non perfect' stamping which actually created more interest (I think) to the background.

The Hibiscus, leaves and Hummingbird were all stamped on watercolour paper with cobalt archival ink and then coloured with Brushos crystal inks.  Lots of fun.

Design by Ryn stamps used:    Hibiscus set, and Flying Hummingbird 2

With the return of nice weather we've been very busy with outdoor chores, other activities and I haven't had too much time or energy to be in my craft room or on my computer.    So I'm taking a break from blogging, I don't know how long but I will be back.... soon... I hope :)     

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day
Shirleyx

Gelli Plate Print and Alcohol Inks

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well.  We enjoyed a great long weekend and also time in the gardens. 

I'm in the craft room this evening for a change and thought I would show you a card that I created a using a Gelli plate print that had been sitting in my stash for a little while.

The smaller background is glossy paper with alcohol inks.   I stamped the beautiful Song Thrush Silhouette  by Chocolate Baroque with black archival ink.  I created the flowers with  Crealie dies (CLCS24, CLCF22 & Double Fun No 12). I coloured the flowers with Distress Inks before molding.

UPDATE:  I received an email asking if the alcohol inks would hurt my Gelli plate.... I thought it would, but see information below from Win Din.    However, I did not use Alcohol Inks on my Gelli plate.  The larger background is a Gelli Plate Print created with Acrylic paints on the Gelli plate.  The smaller background behind the bird is glossy paper with Alcohol Inks.  Sorry about any confusion !

ADDITIONAL UPDATE (May 22):  Win Din, talented mixed media artist,  left me this information in a comment on this post:    "I've been assured by the Gelli people that since alcohol is a component of the Gelli plates, the inks will not harm them. They may, however, stain them, but with prolonged use, so does acrylic paints to some degree".

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the week,
Shirley

Words of Gratitude

Hello everyone, I hope you've had a great week.  

I've started to work in a smaller (5 1/2" x 7") Art Journal with lose pages that I'll hook together with metal rings.  At some point I will make covers.   I haven't had time (or Mojo) to be in my craft room lately, but I did manage to have some fun playing with different mediums to create this page:

I used the following mediums but can't remember the exact steps as I was 'going with the flow'.

• mixed media paper
• Liquitex Acrylic Inks and water
• circle stencil with Gesso and sand texture paste.
• pen & Acrylic ink (around some circles)
• black acrylic paint with Design by Ryn's Floral Spiral Stencil. 
• acrylic paints
• Silks Acrylic Glaze
• Distress Crackle Paint. 
• I added glitter and micro beads with Gel Medium

The words are from Chocolate Baroque's Words of Gratitude set.

You can see the glitter in the close ups below:

It's Victoria Day long weekend here, enjoy!
Take care,
Shirleyx

Zendala

Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying the week.  The weather here is gorgeous so we have been able to spend time in our new small gardens.  While they are so much smaller than I'm used to, they still need work and more plants.  

While on vacation my talented Tante (Aunt) taught me how to draw circles to create Mandalas.  It's so relaxing to draw and colour them and one I turned into a Zendala.   It's a simple design as I haven't been practicing Zentangle in a while, but I love drawing them. 

I used Inktense pencils to add some colour when I returned home.  I didn't have my crafting supplies with me.  That would have required 10 suitcases !

Thanks for your visit and have a great weekend,
Shirleyx

Love with Bushos and No Stamping

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well.   Thanks for all your kind words regarding my previous post, it's very much appreciated.       I think some people think I'm not going to blog anymore, but I will be and here I am back already!     But somehow I need to figure out a way to spend less time at my computer :)  

I have a design today that was started while I was on vacation.   The main image was created with Design by Ryn's Japanese Anemone stencil.

The background was created with Brushos ink powders.   Next I used light molding paste over the stencil and let it dry.  When dry I rubbed some Inka Gold wax over top of the flower.    I rubbed Distress Ink over a TCW stencil for the words.  No stamping on this design !

Thanks for your visit and have a great day,
Shirleyxx