Cardmaking - Butterfly Cards

I made butterfly cards for IWin charity today.

I cut some of my bold watercolor paper with the Stampin Up Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die then I layered a MS Butterfly punchie over it. 

I chose a Brilliant Blue card base and adhered a layer of paste paper in yellows and oranges.  A strip of Botanical Gardens vellumm was adhered on the right hand side.  The butterfly accent was adhered near th bottom right hand corner and the Modern Label punchie greeting was placed higher up on the card.

I placed double sided tape on the back of the vellum hidden by the 2 elements on the front.  

White insert.

Another, Brilliant Blue card base in A2 size with portrait orientation.

I added a piece of blue metallic paper I made years ago. 

I cut a strip of the watercolor paper in the orange tones and placed it just left of center.  It was not long enough so I cut it where the accent was going to be and aligned both ends with the edge of the metallic paper.  I then adhered the butterfly with 3D foam tape and the Modern Label punchie greeting with tape.

Added a white quarter sheet insert.

I chose an SU Only Orange A2 card base to match the brightness of the watercolor butterfly.

I added a layer of SU Botanical Garden vellum to tone it down a bit.  I added a strip of gold decorative paper on the left hand side.

The butterfly accent of 2 butterflies was adhered with 3D foam taper and the greeting had a Modern Label Punchie from the watercolor paper layered to the back of the SU Word Window punchie greeting.

Double sided tape was placed behind the vellum where it would be hidden by the elements on the front.

A white insert was added.

I chose a lilac A2 card base.

I chose some bright orange paste paper to coordinate with the larger watercolor paper butterfly.  To the larger butterfly I added the MS purple butterfly punchie held with Scotch Quick Dry adhesive.

I added a scrap strip of the Elegant Eggplant cardstock to match the small butterfly and adhered it to the left of center.

I added the greeting with 3D foam tape which is a SU Modern Label punchie from paste paper and a SU Word Window punchie. 

A white insert was added.

Cards - A2 - Scraps on my desk

The card base is dark brown textured cardstock.  

I cut a piece from a scrap of this gold and kraft polka dot card stock to leave a small border and adhered it to the card front.

I glued a strip of the card base card stock across the front aligned to the top.

I cut a bird on a branch with the Tim Holtz die and adhered it on with Scotch Quick Glue.

I used a gold sharpie marker to add an eye to the bird and some marks on the cardstock strip and branch.

A white insert and an off white envelope.  Yeah!

I chose a Stampin Up Kiwi Kiss card base for this card.

I cut a piece of SU designer paper which was just begging to be colored.  I used some Prismacolor pencils to color the main flower and the surrounding leaves.  I left the lilies white.

This layer was adhered to the card front with double sided tape.

Really simple but effective.

A white insert and envelope and another hits the stash.

Another Kiwi Kiss card base with a totally different card front.

The designer paper is a leftover.  I cut the layer leaving a small border then I cut it again and turned over the small piece to show the script back side.  I taped these together with clear tape.  It was adhered to the card front.

I added a narrow strip of dark brown cardstock over the join.  

I cut a bird on the branch again this time in Baja Breeze and used quick dry glue attached him along the strip.

A white quarter sheet insert and a matching envelope.

A cute baby card.  I painted this little bear a few weeks ago for my Macro Monday challenge on Flickr. 

I turned it into a card.  I trimmed it to the 3x3 size which is the limit for MM.

I layered it onto dark brown cardstock leaving a nice border.

I mounted it onto a Baja Breeze card base.

Dug into my stash of greetings and added this 2" oval punchie mounted with 3D foam tape.

Added a quarter sheet insert and an envelope.

 

Watercolor Pencils - Set of 12

I was wanting a set of good watercolor pencils to use while I am away from home.

I have collected a rag tag selection of them from the ReUse Center over the last couple of years.

Some are high quality which made me realize that my Artist Loft set need to be replaced.

I had the case so today I went to Delta Arts and got 3 colors to round out the set.

I got a red, a grey and the silver. Thanks to the staff a Delta I got 3 watercolor pencils in the same brand. She pointed out the watercolor pencils are hexagonal in shape. I had 1 of the 3 right. Great customer service.

I have documented them all in the front page of my sketch book.

They all dissolve completely and it should be a treat to paint with them.

The brands are 

Staedtler Karat to 

Kohinoor Hardtmuth Moneluz to 

Caran d'Ache Prismalo and the new ones are 

Faber Castell Albrecht Durer. 

All the basic colors and one metallic.

These will last for as long as I need them.

The technical pen is still working great.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

 I took this at the St. Albert Botanic Park.  I just adjusted the contrast on this shot but I think it looks painterly.

The dahlias were in fine form with many, many blooms to photograph.

I took a visit to the Little Blue Fiber Studio that I learned about from my niece who heard about it from my sister.

I understand my sister took a needle felting class at the studio some time back.

It has yarn, roving, classes, knitting needles, felting needles, Sashiko thread, and books as well.

I did restrain myself and walked away with no purchase but I will return for roving when I solidify my idea for a future project.

My neice brought the matching chair for the yellow one I've had for quite a while.

I am happy to have a conversation corner in my living room with comfortable chairs.

A bit of light to read by if I choose and a table to hold my cup tea.

Thanks for bring the chair!

I have enjoyed African Violets all summer long.

Being in the east window has agreed with this plant.  I should get another one - just thought of that.

It also gets a grow light for a few hours in the morning.

This is the fountain pen I found at the ReUse Center last week.  It is by Creeks n Creeks and has "Les feminnins de Creeks" written on it's side. 

My research on line seems to indicate it is a  a small French school fountain pen from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

It averages about $50 on line so I am very happy with this find. It is a cartridge pen so I will have to check out where to find those.

I checked on line and found out it takes an international standard fountain pen ink cartridge.

Staples only sells these on line so I could order through the store have some brought in.  I checked with Delta Arts - they had no stock and have been working to get some in from Shaeffer but not been successful yet.  I will check back. 38mm or about 1.5 inches long.

I discovered that I could refill the empty cartridge so that is what I did.  I cleaned the cartridge and the nib thoroughly.  I had a bottle of ink I bought last year for my dip pens so I used that.  The syringe is leftover from dental surgery.  It all worked very well.

Love it!

I needed to put my metallic watercolors into a water proof container.  I found this chocolate box in my stash so I repurposed it.  I discovered that they live in full watercolor pans which is great.

They fit nicely in this box.  The domed lid makes it a bit bulky but for the time being it will do.

I used some large glue dots in the bottom of the box to keep the pans in place.

I have documented the colors here since I will recycle the cardboard box.

I don't think I will ever concern myself with the actual color names.

Seven Blessings by Ruchama King

Story of romantic relationships in the Jewish culture.  Follows several couples and their matchmakers.

Beth is the central character who is 39 years old and really wants to marry but is not finding a mate.

She is recommended several men and dating taking place but there are problems.

I confess that I don't know much about the Jewish culture.  I found the culture was very complicated and there are many rules.

Not a great read.  In the end there is still no marriage. Disappointing.

Cards - SC Christmas - Colored Pencil

I worked on more Christmas cards this morning.

I chose to use images I have drawn digitally.  This is my Bethlehem which I had to resize to accommodate this card size but that was easy. It was printed on ivory 65lb card stock.

I used colored pencils and colored the sky, the sand dunes and the windows. 

I cut the large star with the Sizzix Star & Starbursts die in silver card stock. I then punched the others with a CM Star Border punch. Large star adhered with 3D foam and the littles with QuickDry Adhesive.

The image was then adhered to the card with double sided tape, the white insert adhered with glue stick and a strip of d/s tape with carrier on the flap.  This is a self closing card made with 1/2 sheet of 12x12 navy card stock.

I really love how this one came out.

This is an angel a drew digitally based on a wicker angel I saw in a garden center at Christmas many years ago.

Subtle blue background, metallic halo, green metallic on the wings, a red dress with a green and gold border at the bottom.

A bit of flesh color on the face.

A self closing card from a 6x12 inch piece of card stock.  I adhered the drawing onto the card with a white insert opposite.  A length of double sided tape with carrier on the the flap.

A nativity I drew a few years ago. 

A subtle night sky, a yellow star with a wooden stable. 

The figures were colored with traditional blue for Mary and brown for Joseph. Just a wee head for Jesus.

Subtle blue sky, green and tan for the ground background.

Drawing adhered to the card, a blank white insert (not sure if I will regret this later when I have to handwrite the sentiment), carrier tape on the flap. 

Card is 6x12 navy blue linen card stock.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

It's been busy!  

I had my aunt and her husband over for tea on Sunday.

It's been a long while since she was over so we had a good visit.  I was able to ask a couple of guy questions - about the DeWalt drill I inherited from my Dad. One of the batteries won't charge so he recommended calling DeWalt.  On the ToDo List

I sent peaches from the case home with them.

The car went in for servicing at 7:30 am so I had to spend half a day in the area.  I read my book in a bit of a coffee shop till businesses opened at 9:00 am.  I stopped at Starbuck and did some craft ideas journaling while I drank my $4 chocolate milk! 

I then headed to VV.  I sure can spent a few hours there. Forgot my coupons at home.

I bought myself a light backpack because I did not take my big one from college days because it weighs too much. It has a slot inside to keep the water bottle upright and a waist strap. Yes we will take that.

I had several stops on my list.

I stopped in at Dollarama that day as well.  I was looking for tape but came out with these metallic watercolors for $2.

They are great.  Very impressed.

Easily moistened, sit in full sized pans and provide good coverage.  I will have to find a container/box to keep them in.

I have been using them a lot.

The Call of the Wrens by Jenni L. Walsh was the book a read this week.  A wonderful book with strong female main characters.  We meet Marion Horton in WWI and Evelyn Fairchild in the WWII which served in the WRENs. WREN stands for Women's Royal Naval Service in the United Kingdom.  

Marion Horton is an orphan and at eighteen she ages out of the support system and has to find her way in the world.  The war is on so she joins the WRENs and finds family.  Her boyfriend Eddie Smith,  a fellow orphan lies about his age to join the war effort as well.  They do their basic training and motorcycle dispatch training and are posted close enough to see each other.

Evelyn Fairchild is a teenager and loves to drive fast. She is found at Brooklands regularly.  She has a clubfoot for which she has had many surgeries to correct. It has not kept her down and she has pursued her goals. Her mother is very protective of Evelyn. Evelyn thinks it is too much and she does not want to just get married.

There is a wonderful twist at the end of the book was made a great conclusion to the story.

With needing to embellish my linen coasters I decided that maybe some Sashiko work might be useful.

I looked up where I might find such things where I live.

I discovered a new to me quilt shop - Trapunto ( which means quilt in Italian). 

The ladies were very helpful and I came home with the cheaper needles and some thread as well.  I have heard of this type of stitching through Kathryn and my slow stitching challenge.

We shall see.

I have decided to trade in my great Contigo plastic water bottle for metal ones.  keeping water in plastic contributes to micro plastic in my body so I made the switch.  Of course, metal Contigo bottles on the second hand market are non existant.  Will other brands be water spill proof?

I did buy a few before I found a couple I was happy with. I have the blue one for the car and the white one fits in the new backpack.  MTF had a 50% sale on the whole store. Good to go!

It feels like back to school. 

I have bought myself a couple of jean type pants in the last couple of weeks.  This pair of stretchy jeans are a bit short waisted so they needed a belt.

I bought the belt a couple of days later after I had worn the jeans a couple of times.  I still have to shorten them.  The price was $10 but with the 50% sale I was happy with the final cost.

The belt was $2 at VV later in the week.

Keeping with the feel of back to school I bought a pair of new to me runners as well.  

They fit well,the color was good at teal and black and they were in good condition.  They needed a good cleaning.

The cost was more than I am used to but that is with everything these days.  At $16 but after I looked them up on line I was happy.  The regular price runs between $130 to $150.

I gave them a good wash and let them dry in the sun on the balcony for a couple of days.

Good as new!

I dropped off art at the Spruce Grove Gallery for the Open Art Competition

Then did some shopping at VV.  The Goodwill store has closed. Bummer! 

I connected with my aunt and dropped by for a visit and a game of scrabble.

It has been a very busy week!

Card Exchange - October 2021

I made a couple of large cards for my October card exchange.  Since they are late and it Christmas time I chose to make them with a Christmas theme.  Love making Christmas cards at any time.

I chose turquoise alcohol ink background paper in 4x6 and cut ornaments with the Sizzix Bigz Die - Ornaments #4. One of each design.

I cut the hangers from copper metallic paper and glued them on top.

I added copper metallic thread.

I embossed a layer of white with a Cuttlebug folder from the Winter Bundle.  I wrapped the thread to the back and adhered the snowflake layer to the front of the Tempting Turquoise card.

The ornament was adhered with 3D foam tape.

I added a Stampin Up Modern Label greeting which was offset with a punchie from the same paper as the ornament.

On this one I added the copper star and mounted the turquoise one in the left hand corner.

These are large A7 5x7 cards.

These are on their way to my card exchange partners.

Art Project - My Square

My aunt has proposed an art project and requested a fabric art piece from all the women in our extended family.

This is my piece.  It was recommended that 6x6 be the largest it could be so that is what I chose.

Being a photographer I decided to feature a camera on my square.  I did some research on camera quilts and there were a few patterns out there but of course way too big. 

I designed the block on grid paper so I did not get the proportions wrong. Originally, I wanted to create the camera like paper piecing but it quickly became obvious this was too small a scale for that technique.

I chose a printed white on white background fabric.  Based on the grid pattern I cut my camera from black cotton fabric and appliqued it to the background.  I cut a 2" circle from silver lame metallic fabric which my sister contributed.  Thanks!  I cut the black and white circle at the same time with my Spellbinder Nestabilities and the Big Shot machine.  Then I cut the black and white again to reveal the silver behind.  These were appliqued to the front of the camera. 

I found a translucent button for the sensor which was sewn on with silver metallic thread.  I cut silver fabric for the shutter button and the flash.  These were appliqued on with stitching. 

I found a couple of ivory heart buttons and placed those on either side of my word which is a staple for portrait photographers.  I cut the word out with my Stampin Up Little Letters thinlit dies from red and white fabric to which I had ironed Heat and Bond on the back.  I just lined them up and ironed them above the camera.  I then stitched on the heart buttons. I added silver thread light flashes going out from the flash on the camera. 

I lined the square with a piece of flannelette for a bit of padding.  I cut my backing fabric 1" bigger than my 6" front square.  I then pressed the binding to the front and pinned it very carefully.  I then stitched it down with a straight stitch.  

I added my name in permanent marker in the bottom right hand corner.  It will be off in the mail this week.

Sewing Project - Stitch & Slash Coaster Set

The Flickr Macro Monday challenge on March 30th is layers.  I thought I would come up with my own piece to photograph.

Fabric layers came to mind so a bit internet research brought up art pieces with splits with bits hanging out.  A bit more research and the technique of Stitch and Slash came into focus.  I watched several videos, read several tutorials and I was ready to tackle the project.

I was grateful to be able to dig deep into my fancy fabric stash. Taffeta, organza, velvet, crepes, and others came out.  I did find several metallics and satins also. 

I created a large piece which was then cut down to 4" square coasters. 

Christmas Card Challenge - March - Madonna

The subject for the Christmas Card Challenge is Madonna.

I used the Gentle Peace Set by Stampin Up for the challenge in black on white card stock.  I then used pencil crayons to color the image of the Holy Family.  The outside frame was done with the metallic crayons.  I trimmed the image very close to the border.  I ran a black crayon along the edges.

I chose a deep warm purple textured card base.  I used my tracing wheel to add texture to the card front.

I then mounted the image to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I added a greeting in the top right hand corner also with 3D foam tape.




I added a green card base for this card and added the same texture to the front with my tracing wheel tool.

This image I gave the main characters different colored garments and put a purple border all the way around. It is mounted with 3D foam tape.

The greeting is a Stampin Up Artisan Label punchie mounted with 3D foam tape.

A few more cards in my card box.

These were time consuming but I really enjoyed the coloring same as when I was a kid.

R2Go Christmas Card Stack Kit - Set 11

I started with a dark teal card base of textured card stock.

The silver layer is metallic card stock cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.  It is adhered to the teal card front.

I trimmed the teal foiled ornaments recycled Christmas card to 3.75 x 5 inches.  I managed to keep the essential elements.

I placed 3 teal snowflake sequins on the teal ornament layer and made holes with a push pins and inserted tiny round pewter brads to hold them in place. I pressed the prongs apart on the back.

The teal ornament layer was then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A quarter sheet insert with a Christmas sentiment is included in the kit.

The card started with a set of recycled Christmas cards each a little different.

I chose a warm grey card base to repeat the color in the pencil drawings on the card.

I placed some red metallic paper on the bottom half of the card which was adhered then trimmed to the card edge with scissors.

The card layer was then adhered with 3D foam tape.

These look great!

Sympathy Card - Aunt

This card is for my aunt. My uncle Henry's funeral is today.

I started with a grey green card base.  The designer paper is from a pad.  I loved the subdued and tone on tone pattern.  It is a floral with leaves.  It was cut to leave a small border.

I cut a Sunburst with the Stampin Up thin die from silver textured paper.  I cut it larger than the quarter sheet so I could position my center.  I adhered it to the designer paper then trimmed off the excess with scissors.

I added the greeting in the center of the sunburst. It is a color printed greeting layered onto a circle green layer. 

 They included these small candy bars at the reception for my uncle's funeral.  His name was Henry and he had a sweet tooth.  I thought it was so fitting. 

Excellent.

Card to the Gallery - Decorative Paper

Using a kit from Card Club I just replaced the polka dot layer with a piece of my decorative paper layer in shades of blue. 

The decorative paper was cut to leave a small border then adhered to the card front.  I tacked down the silver glitter star in place then used a push pin to create a hole in the card front.

I remove one of the strands on the fiber just leaving the shiny one. It was wrapped onto the red star brad. The brad was inserted into the hole and the prongs pressed apart in the inside of the card. I like the lighter feel to the fiber on this card.

One of the ladies last night mentioned it could be a Christmas card. That would be great.

Another Card Club kit.  I replaced the Japanese handmade paper with my own decorative paper in greens and browns. 

I chose a dark brown card and adhered the gold square.

I wrapped the ribbon across the card front and tape the ends to the inside.  I adhered the 3.75 inch square of decorative paper over the ribbon.

I added 3 fall leaves brads onto the decorative paper.

Another Card Club kit.  I replaced the bird layer with a piece of my own alcohol ink background papers in blues and greens. 

I used the navy card with the warm gray layer adhered to the front. The background paper was adhere to the front.

I added a punched card stock flower in the Bermuda Bay behind the silk flowers and chose a brad that matched the card stock.

I added a strip of the Bermuda Bay card stock across the bottom third of the card. 

The greeting was color printed, punched with the SU Artisan Label punch then adhered over the strip with 3D foam tape.

Card Club - Sept - Copper Leaves

My card is my nod to fall arriving and thanksgiving. It is a trio of copper leaves.  The leaves were cut with the Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves die.  It cuts these 3 leaves at one time.

I chose some copper metallic handmade paper I purchased a few years ago from a local business which has since closed.  I embossed the most solid one wit the Tim Holtz Cracked embossing folder to provide some texture to the card front.

The background designer paper is by BasicGrey - Pyrus - Oblate.  I loved that it had the copper tone and some wonderful green ones too. 

I added a green raffia bow held in place with a large copper brad. 

I chose not to include a greeting as the leaves fill the card front quite nicely.

R2Go Christmas Kit - Bethlehem Triptych

I'm working on Ready 2 Go Stack kits for my class on June 5.

It features a Bethlehem Triptych with a gold foil greeting.  It is 3.5 x 4.75 inches.

I chose a navy card.

I trimmed the 12x12 gold metallic card stock to 4.00 x 5.25 inches which leaves a small border.  This layer was adhered to the card front.

I added 3 gold star confetti adhered below the greeting with Bling Zots.  I placed the center one first then evenly space the other two on either side.

HB Metallic

I made this card for a friend who is turning 93 today.

I cut the Memory Box Jumbled Happy Birthday from gold and silver foil card stock with 2 passes.  This allowed me to change the spacing of the words.  I adhered them to the navy blue card with quick dry adhesive.
I placed an embossed border at the bottom of the card in light blue done with the Anna Griffin Acanthus set.

Quick and bright card.

Prima Flowers - All Occasion

I created a couple of cards using silver metallic flowers from Prima. The designer paper is from g.c.d StudiosI - Kaleideoscope.  I placed a piece of ribbon across the top third of the designer paper and taped the ends to the back. Using the largest flower to align, I created a hole in the designer paper with a push pin. I layered a silver sequin, a white silk flower, white handmade paper flower then the silver metallic flower onto a tiny white brad.  I pushed the prongs through the DSP and press them apart on the back. The DSP layer was adhered to the front of a black card.

The particulars for this card is pink ribbon and pink handmade flower.

Christmas Card Challenge - Sept - Skate Diecut Banner

Here's my card for this month's Christmas Card challenge.  I challenge myself to make cards all year long so that I will have the ones I need by December 1st.  How is your card making going?  I hope you are on track.  I think I'm a little behind.

The focus of the challenge is to include with skates, die cut and a banner.  I cut the Tim Holtz Bigz Die - Ice Skates from some warm blue card stock.  I cut the skate blade again from blue metallic card stock and trimmed it and adhered over the card stock skate. I laced it with some heavy crochet cotton and finished it with a bow at the top. I added a white snowflake punch to the ankle area. I chose a deep warm blue card.  I embossed a white layer with the large Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder.  I added a banner greeting which was stamped with Stampin Up sentiment from the Home for Christmas set with Marina Mist on the same card stock as the skate.  I trimmed it close and use the Triple Banner punch to flag both ends and mounted it onto a piece of dark warm blue card stock.

Card - Christmas Ornament

I found this tutorial for the Bokeh technique with Stampin Up products. I tried it but I fear I have not be very successful. I made the background with watercolor paper and Brilliant Blue, Pacific Point, Brocade Blue re-inkers and Whisper White craft ink.  I trimmed it to leave a small border of the Not Quite Navy card.  I cut the ornament with the SU Ornament Keepsakes frame-lits. I added a strip of Silver Glimmer paper on the left hand side. I cut a bow with the Tim Holtz Bunny die from the same paper. I cut a narrow strip of the silver paper and mounted it onto a narrow strip of NQN card stock. I mounted a circle of vellum and a Martha Stewart snowflake punch in the centre of the ornament.  I added stitching around the vellum circle with a silver pen and also added markings on the hanger and the bottom tip. I mounted the ornament to the card front wit 3D foam tape.  I added texture to the background with SU Itty Bitty Background stamps in NQN.

I'm submitting the card to the following challenges:
Sparkles Christmas Challenges - Inspiration Photo - blue and silver ornaments.
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges - Stitching