Rain Drops by Ryn

Hello Everyone, I hope you are having a great day.     We had freezing rain overnight, it looks quite magical outside with heavy ice everywhere!    I hope the buds on our flowering trees are strong enough to survive.     

We are very excited about Designs by Ryn's new Water Effects stamps that have just been launched. 
Ryn's popular Waterdroplets have been flying off her shelves and I'm sure these Rain Drops will too, they are so cool ! 

To create the background I started with water colour paints - wet on wet (tutorial here).  I added a little salt in a couple of spots for added texture.   After letting it dry I stamped Patio Stone with Seedless Preserves, Shaded Lilac & Salty Ocean Distress Inks.   Next I blended Seedless Preserves & Salty Ocean DI over Studio Calico's Circle Graph Stencil.  I stamped the Rain Drops with Black Soot Distress Ink and highlighted with a white Gelly Roll pen.

I embossed Black Eye Susan with black, coloured with my Tom Bow markers, added glitter and cut out as shown.   The sentiment that works perfectly with the Rain Drops is from Chocolate Baroque's Loving Sentiments set. 

Design by Ryn's stamps are extremely high quality, deeply etched, they stamp out beautiful every time.   If you are interested in purchasing Ryn's stamps, please visit her webstore for more information.   Also Ryn's Facebook page is updated ongoing with lots of inspiration & the Design Team Blogs are posted on my sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the weekend,
Shirley

Wanda & a School of Fish

Hi everyone !

I have a card today created for Designs by Ryn featuring another 'Sea Scene'.   Ryn has a variety of awesome Sea Creatures to choose from !

  

The background was created using watercolour paints (wet on wet) and adding sea salt that absorbs some of the colour.   I followed the steps that I showed at my blog post here but then added sea salt and let it dry.  

I stamped with Ryn's Sea Bubbles (using the small one in the set) with Salty Ocean Distress Ink.  I stamped off the ink on a scrap sheet first for a more subtle look.   I wanted them to blend with the sea salt marks so that it all appeared as sea bubbles.    The School of Fish was stamped with Midnight Colorbox Ink and embossed with blue over top.   Just a note B3552 is from Impression Obsession. 

I embossed Wanda the Angelfish with silver and colours with my Tombows, cut out and attached as shown.

If you have a chance, please drop by Miranda's and Eileen's Blogs, both with lots of inspiration,  who are also on Ryn's Design Team.   Also Ryn's Facebook page is full of ideas using her stamps.

Thanks for your visit & have a great day !
Shirley

Celtic Stars with Watercolour

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great week.     I'm still busy working out in the gardens whenever I have free time and making progress.    I'm also going through lots of Epsom Salts in baths to ease the aching muscles :)

I created another card for Designs by Ryn using her Celtic Star Set.   For this card I used just one of the three stars in the set and had fun playing with the backgrounds.  Different colours again for Christmas !

I think there is enough pink in this card to join the In the Pink Challenge (criteria- use dry or wet embossing).   There are so many beautifully pink creations by the DT & participants if you have time to visit.

I embossed the stars with gold on the first background and then blended Picked Raspberry & Broken China Inks over top.  I sprayed water and added salt and set it aside to dry.    On the second background I used 443 & 679 Tombow markers and also sprayed with water & added salt.  I left both to dry.

I stamped Peace & Joy from a lovely Penny Black Sentiment set - Christmas Cheer.   I also stamped another star & embossed with black and blended Broken China Distress Ink over it, cut it out & attached as shown.  I also added pink & purple half pearls.

Design by Ryns Celtic Star Set - CM C7

Celtic Star Set CM C7

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest the week !
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

A Peacock and Gardens

Hello everyone !

I hope you had a great weekend and getting a chance to watch some of the Olympics.   I haven't had time for crafting recently - it's summer & we are busy, but I thought I would post a card today that I created recently for a friend's birthday.

She likes Peacocks so I took out my Chocolate Baroque -  Peacock Fan set along with Impression Obsessions - Peacock Feathers 3065-SM to create this card. 

The background was created using Tombow markers, water & salt on watercolour paper.     This one was created by using left-over paint on my craft mat so the colours are subtle.      The Peacock, Feathers & Centre were all embossed with gold, coloured with Tombow markers, cut out and adhered to the background.  A few rhinestones, and layers of cardstock and it's done !  

I've been able to garden a little more as my knee is doing much better :)  I'm so lucky.    It's not 100% but I'm happy to get back into physical activities again.    I thought I would share some photos of our gardens here.

Our sweet boy Archie (our male kitty) likes to hang out & watch me as I make my rounds.  Above he is sitting on the patio as I'm taking a photo through the gardens.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
Shirley

Zentangle Twinchie

Hello everyone, I'm finding my mind is going back to those tiny pieces of artwork called Twinchies.   I can see this could be come a habit-forming :)   I thought it would be fun to do a teeny tiny Zentangle and since the current challege is Anything Goes at Show us your Twinchies Challenge Blog now is the time to try !  
   

  
The background was cut from a piece of leftover watercolour using Tombow markers, water & salt .  I can't part with any of the leftovers.      I doodled a flower and then drew some Zentangle to fill it in and doodled the sentiment.  I used a 005 pigment pen as the image is quite small.   I layered the watercolour paper onto the black mat to give it a frame.

Below I show the measurement in Metric.      Twinchies are a 2 inch or 5 centimetre square.  It's SMALL !   One of my blogger friends tells me there are Inchies...oh my, that would be even more challenging.

I still intend to get back to creating cards and will be back soon.  Thanks for your visits and kind comments, they are appreciated.

Shirley

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

Texture with Fish Scales

Hello Crafters !  I hope you are having a great week.

I've been working the last couple of afternoons on card designs for classes and also for Designs by Ryn.   I'm pleased as I've managed to get a lot accomplished.    

This card was created using three of Ryn's stamps, Fish Scales, Flying Hummingbird 2 and Black Eye Susan.

The background was created by using Tombow markers & water and blending the colours together.  I over stamped while it was wet using Ryn's Fish Scale & also Blackeye Susan stamps with Broken China Distress Ink.   

The Hummingbird & Blackeye Susan were embossed with gold on water colour paper and coloured using Tom Bow markers and then cut out and mounted onto the background.    The sentiment is by Kaisercraft (CS763 set)   I like Ryn's Hummingbirds stamped in black as the details stand out so well but I used gold EP for a change.

This second card was created using the Fish Scales again on the background and Ryn's Wanda the Fish.

This background was also created using TomBow Markers & Water with a large brush to blend the colours.  I overstamped Fish Scales with Harbor Pigment Ink and then used Juniper Glimmermist in a few areas.  Wanda the Fish was stamped and embossed with silver on watercolour paper and coloured with my Tom Bow markers, cut out and attached.  The Quote is from Impression Obsession (5053)

Design by Ryn Stamps used:


Flying Hummingbird 2 CM-B9



Black Eye Susan CM-F3



Fish Scales CM-T1




Wanda CM-S7

 

That's all for today ! 

Thanks for your visit and have a great weekend.

Shirley

Less is More - Sketch Challenge

Hello Crafters !  I hope you enjoyed your weekend !      We were working outside most of the day in our gardens !    We have lots to do, but it felt wonderful !  

I'm venturing again into the world of Clean & Simple and entering another challenge at Less is More.  I enjoy looking at the elegant creations by the DT & participants.  I'm intriqued by the challenge of this style which is different for me.    I like to 3D images and create colorful backgrounds with no white space,  but it is also fun to make cards that are CAS !   

This week's (#65) is a Sketch Challenge, but there is a choice of either a square or circle in the centre.

I've been playing a lot with Tombow markers, water & salt to create backgrounds so I have a lot of bits & pieces left over.   I decided to use a little orange/yellow one for my mini-background.  I stamped & embossed in gold, a small leafy branch from the Hero Art Set - CL477 Delicate Leaf Clusters and then adhered the piece onto a very narrow dark brown mat.   I popped up the 'mini scene' over the white square folded card stock.    I stamped the just a note sentiment that is from a little Kaiser Craft Set - CS921 Thinking of you with Memento Rich Cocoa Dye Ink.

This is the Sketch I chose:

Thanks for stopping by.  Your visits & kind comments make me smile !
Shirley

Fairy at Sunrise

Hello Crafters !   

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I had fun today with wonderful ladies in a class over at Crop Circles teaching the background technique with Tom Bows, Water & Salt .   Wow, what a mess we can make when 'playing', but the ladies created beautiful work !    Helen (owner of Crop Circles) will send me photos and I'll get them posted soon.   

Last night I worked on another card using this technique to show the ladies today.  I was inspired by the photo (see bottom of this post) from For Your Inspiration's Blog and this is my second entry into their current (FYI #28) challenge.

I'm also entering this card into Craft a Scene Challenge #4, as the theme is to use a Silhouette this month.

It's worth taking time to check out both Challenge Blogs as they feature awesome creations from both the DT and participants ! 

The background was created using Tom Bow markers, water & salt.    The 'grass' was created by using a stamp from the Hero Art CL428 Set which was stamped several times (partly off the page) & embossed with gold.  The little fairy silhouette is from Class Act Inc. ANGF316C (sm butterfly pixie) stamped with ColorBox Boysenberry Pigment Ink and embossed with Clear.  

The picture below is from For Your Inspiration's Blog.    I can't stopping look at this, it's such a gorgeous photo !

That's all for this evening.  Thanks for all your visits, they are appreciated ! 

Shirley 

Winged Things with Outlines

Hello Crafters !

I received a newsletter from Outlines last week with the surprising news that they are closing.     I'm sad to hear this as Outlines has been one of my favourite stamp companies, their stamps are fun to work with.  I will treasure my Outlines Stamp collection.  

I started this card for the March 26th Outline challenge which was planned to be 'Going Buggy - Winged things'.    Once I read the news, there wasn't a hurry to complete the card, but today I've finished it.   Because this is not entered into an challenge with Outlines,  I added a non-Outlines sentiment.  

The background was once again created with Tom Bow markers, Water & Salt.  (Tom Bows 673, 676 & 703).     I sprayed Purple Glimmer mist over the background.   Nice effect but hard to see in the photo.     I kept the card large as I didn't want to cut any of the water colour off.   It's such a neat technique,  I'm always intrigued with the interesting results.

I stamped Outlines H61 Flutterfly Lg & embossed with Silver EP.   I stamped twice to 3D the inner section of the butterfly.   I blended Milled Lavender & Dusty Concord Inks to colour and then added Mica colour Interference paints over top.  I cut an extra body from a third Butterfly to add one more layer.   I added some Dusty Concord Distress Ink onto my non-stick mat, added a little water and brushed it to the outside border of the wings.  I also used a little dark Purple Smooch in the spots.   A little Diamond Stickles was  added along the edges and the body.   I popped up the layers as show and onto the background.

The sentiment is by Kaisercraft CS921 (set of 4) which was stamped with Memento Sweet Plum Dye ink.  I blended a little Milled Lavender Ink over and again added some Mica colour paints and distressed the edges.  I rounded the corners with a little punch.    The finishing touches are some rhinestones, ribbon and Starform corner & border stickers. 

Well that's all for today.  Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.
Shirley

Miraculous Art Zonnegroet (Sunflower)

Hello Everyone !  I hope your week is going well.

Two years ago while on vacation in the Netherlands I was introduced to Posthumas, a wonderful stamp store downtown Amsterdam.    I was so inspired by the many beautiful card samples they had on display.      Last fall I learned that the talented lady who creates their cards is Miranda.   You can find her creations at her blog,  Miracle art Inspirations.  

Miranda is also an artist and designs stamps for Inkerbell Stamps and Crealies in the Netherlands.   As soon as I saw her Miraculous Art Zonnegroet (Sunflower) set, it came to the top of my 'wish list'.     My kind young sister who lives in the Netherlands purchased the stamp sheet from Inkerbell Stamps and mailed them out to me.    It's a beautiful set and I'm posting two creations featuring them today.   I enjoy cutting so had fun with these flowers !   A third creation is in the mail to my sister to say 'Thanks' for all that she does for me :)  

The background strip was created by blending Banana Custard & Lettuce Smooch Inks and then I stamped  the poem twice with Bamboo Leaves Memento Dye Ink.  I stamped one of the leaves from the Zonnegroet set with Brilliance Gold on the dark green cardstock (hard to see in the photo).

The flower was stamped and embossed twice with Copper EP.  I blended Banana Custard Smooch Ink on the petals and then added Pumpkin Smooch Ink with a little water on my craft mat using a small brush.   I used Lettuce Smooch in the centre which seems to be Zentangle, love it.    The Smooch ink didn't blend like water colours, it dries too quick, but I wanted to add a little contrast.   It was a little experiment, a different effect.   I cut out extra petals from the 2nd flower to pop up on the main flower.   I added liquid pearls to the centre.    You cannot read the poem on this card,  it's there for a background effect.   I like the script.

Marianne Design Creatables LR0150 Branch & Crealies Shapes CL CS 11 were used for the foliage.  I also used Crafts-Too flower embossing folder for the small strip.  

This next card was done with water colours and was arranged so that you can read the poem.  If you don't read Dutch as I mentioned above, I think the script is attractive and makes a nice background.

Unfortunately I cannot read Dutch, but I should as the Netherlands is my heritage and I have close family living there.    I always love my visits as I feel 'at home'. 

I started with a piece of background created with Tom Bows, water & salt.   I stamped the Dutch Sunflower poem twice over top with Bamboo Leaves Memento Dye Ink.      The flower & leaves are arranged so that you can read the first verse at the top and the second on the bottom.

The flower & leaves were stamped and embossed with copper EP and colored with Tombows and water.  Again the flower was stamped twice and I cut out extra petals from the 2nd flower to pop up on the main flower.   I stamped the very small Sunflower from the set on brown card stock with Brilliance Gold ink (again hard to see in the photo).    I added Diamond Stickles to the centre of the flower.    

That's all the flowers for today.   Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !

Shirley

Beauty

Hello everyone ! The post lady delivered my most recent order from Chocolate Baroque a couple of days ago.  It's a beautiful set of stamps- "Artistic Expressions" UA4GW0384.     This set is a new release from CB and I pushed ordering it ahead of others on my wish list as I know I'll use them frequently !  I'll post a photo below so you can see what I'm talking about !

I decided to use 'Beauty' together with a flower from the "Fantasy Meadow" set UA5SP0355 also from Chocolate Baroque.   This expression makes me think of all the beauty that is around us. 

The background on this card was created by using Tom Bow makers, water & salt.  There is a little purple in with the pinks.    Both images were stamped and embossed with a dark plum EP.   I added a little white & pink to the flowers with my Prisma Pencils and then used a little holograph glitter for highlighting.

The mats behind the water color background are dark plum, then bright pink and the folded card is white.   I added white sheer ribbon and a flower charm before adhering it all together.

 

Below is a photo of the actual set of rubber stamps that Beauty comes in.   You need to order an EZ Mount sheet with these, but they are easy to mount & cut.  You get great value by doing a little work !

Thanks for stopping by and have a Beauty day !
Shirley

Owl Always be Thankful

Hello !     It's another Challenge Thursday at Impression Obsession !   This week's challenge theme is "Oldies but Goodies", which means that unless the stamp(s) are the brand new soon-to-be released images, they qualify !        You can find all the wonderful Design Team creations and information here at Impression Obsession's Blog.  

So here's my entry into this week's challenge -  "Owl always be thankful for our friendship".   This card is one of the designs that will be included in a class I'm teaching at Crop Circles in April.

The background for this card was created again by using Tom Bow Markers, water & salt.   Actually I dipped the water colour paper into paint that ran off another creation onto my craft mat.   I didn't want to waste the ink and therefore the background is subtle. 

I used the following stamps from Impression Obsession:   Ornate Owl F2137, Owl Leaves H2370, Feathers 3065-SM and "Owl always be thankful" C5546.     I really love these stamps, the Owl is quite funky.  Because he has intense eyes, Helen (owner at Crop Circles) thinks he would make a cool Halloween card.

All images except the sentiment were stamped and embossed with silver on watercolour paper.   The Owl Leaves image, which is quite cool,  is actually much larger - I cut a small section for the owl to sit on.   I used the small feather from the Feather Cling Set for accents beside the Owl.

I used Tombow 373, 133 & 443 for most of the images and 969, 977 on the branch.    I used the Tom bows directly on the paper and added water with a brush to blend out.

I stamped the sentiment with Colourbox Harbour Pigment Ink and embossed with clear to make it stand out.      All images are layered as shown onto co-ordinating card stock.   Ribbon, Diamond Stickles and small pearls are the final touches !      The close-up below shows the colours better. 

My inspiration for ordering the Ornate Owl and Owl Leaves stamps came from looking at beautiful cards at the Posthumas Stamp store in Amsterdam.    I'm pretty sure those cards were designed by the talented Miranda (her blog is 'Mir'acle art Inspirations).   She designs cards for their store which has awesome samples & stamps to make you very inspired !  

One more note - I'm having trouble getting into page views on some Blogs (mainly overseas), and cannot leave comments.  Very frustrating !   One of my kind followers let me know that she is having a problem commenting on my blog, she reached me through Paper Planet.  I have no idea what is wrong, but hopefully the issue is resolved soon.
 
"Owl" always be Thankful for your visits to my Blog and kind comments that cheer my day !    Have a great one !

Shirley

Playing with Watercolours

I hope everyone is doing well.   I was lucky to have a 'snow day' today !    It was quite messy out with snow/rain/ice here this morning and I cancelled my plans so Hubby could take the car with snow tires.    I was home alone all day 'playing' in my craft room.... actually I was 'working' to design cards for classes this Winter.  Fun :)

I'm posting a card that I created while playing with watercolours.   I've been 'smitten' with creating backgrounds with Tom Bow watercolour markers, water & salt !     I've posted cards using this Butterfly Stamp by Designs by Ryn previously but it is making another appearance in different colours.  Ryn is a talented artist and a very nice lady !   She described this technique during a busy craft show when we first met.  

After creating the background and letting it dry, I stamped Tsuki CMB5 and 2 of the leaves from the set CMF5, both from Designs by Ryn and the sentiment (by Inkadinkado 96614 set) with Colourbox Midnight Pigment Ink and embossed in clear.      The butterfly or moth and leaves were also coloured with Tom bow markers.    I cut out the butterfly and popped him up and then added ribbon, the leaves and layered onto co-ordinating card stock. 

And below is the view from my craft room this morning.... no sun & snowing......

That's all for this evening ! 
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley