Exchange Cards - September

Another set of cards with a different sheet of spattered paper made in this session. 

When I chose this paper to decorate I did not think that all the cards would have to be portrait because of the text on it.

I chose a warm red card base to match the color on the paper.  I adhered the designer paper to the card front.

I added a Sizzix Filmstrip die in glossy black to which I tied a bit of red thread. It was adhered to the card front and trimmed to the card edge. 

I added red and black sequins to the card with Bling Zots. 

I chalked the edges of the Stampin Up Decorative label greeting with warm red then I adhered it to card front in the bottom right corner with 3D foam tape.

For this card I chose a black card base.

I wrapped a length of red satin ribbon along the bottom edge and taped the edges to the back.  I tied a piece of black thread on the right hand side and trimmed the ends.

I adhered the spattered designer paper to the card front.

I added black and red sequins to the card front with Bling Zots. 

I added a Stampin Up Modern Label greeting with an offset of black label.  It was adhered to the card front in the top left corner with 3D foam tape.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I have had to remind myself recently to Not Give Up!  I have had challenges with the car, the house, creatively with cards and photography and then there is the pandemic! 

I took a picture of a park bench at a church yard in my neighbourhood. Plastic ends with 5 pieces of painted 2 x4 and lickadee split you have a bench. I was inspired to use it as a quote back drop.   Here it is!

Things are hard and hopefully we are not all down at the same time.  When you feel better be sure to encourage those around you!  You don't know who may need it so just give it when you can.

I have had quite a few flying creatures appear on my balcony recently which is quite unusual.  I have had a couple of sparrows just sit on the rail for a few minutes just where I can see them.  They never stay long enough for me to get the camera but I enjoyed them anyway.

This large dragonfly staying for quite a while and I was able to get the camera. I wondered what it was doing.  Upon checking the photo on the computer you can see a set of wings right next to the corner.  I checked on line for what they eat and they are carnivores!  I expect it was eating a fly.  Wow!  I did not see that coming.  

I think of them as pretty and mild kind of creatures!

I  have been filling my face full of ripe chokecherries on my walks in the last few mornings.  They are always better after a freeze which I hope is not near. 

Canada Red Chokecherry trees are full of them and I can pick the bottom ones and leave the high ones for the birds.

I finished "The Paris Orphan" by Natasha Lester this week.  It was a great read. 

Set in the 1940's during World War II and then in modern times.  The main character Jessica May goes from model to photojournalist covering the war in Italy, France and Germany.  Victorine is the orphan that Dan Hallworth, an American soldier has rescued and "adopted" as she has no one else.  Dan is a good man and a great leader so is being promoted during this conflict.  He is working hard to motivate his men, protect the women (journalists and nurses) and children. There are many twists and turns in the story so keeping it all straight is a challenge.  Great characters which are honorable, trustworthy, prepared to do the hard stuff and love with all their hearts!

After talking with my sister yesterday about the papers I posted here I decided to give it one more try.

I made this one this morning and it comes much closer to what I had in mind.

I used liquid acrylic ink in teal, chrome yellow and silver metallic on this grey patterned designer paper.  I was looking for ink splotches.  I achieved this by knocking my wet paintbrush against another directly above the card stock from about 2 feet.

Really happy with this one.

I have found several window paintings during my walks around town.  These are reflections on windows of building where the glass creates a distorted image of the reflections.  The panes around it are flat and reflect the objects quite realistically but these are different.   I don't know what accounts for one pane being less flat than those near it but it does create nice images!

Flickr Macro Monday's challenge this week was "water". That should be easy!  Again, I don't know if it is my head space or what but it was another challenging week with hundreds of photos taken and not really meeting the concept in my mind.

On the left is a bubble showing off all it's color. You can check my Flicker SMDPics photo stream to see which one I submitted.

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #92 and with Mersad who hosts Through my Lens #252.  You can check out my Instagram SMDPics100 for a photo a day!

Challenge - 1 Layer Splatters

I started with a white card.  I created spatters with a toothbrush brushed against a craft knife for the small ones and a wetter toothbrush slapped against the knife for the larger ones.  The colors I used are: Vivid Teal dye ink and Nick Bantock Rose Madder.  I then stamped the large Joy to the World by InkaDinkado in Versafine Black Onyx which I quickly added embossing powder and heat embossed.  I added a star in the left hand corner by hand with a black marker.

I'm submitting this card to this challenge.
Less is More - One Layer Splatters.

Rejoice - Watercolor

Here's another card that was included in the box.  This a design I put together quite a few years ago and it still works well.  I did the watercolor background and scanned it.  Place it on my card digitally then added the sentiment.  This was color printed then the splatter of silver acrylic paint was added with a toothbrush.  Once dry I added the star die cut from silver decorative paper.  The diecut is one of from the Sizzix Stars die.

How To: Ink Spot Background

Here's a tutorial on how to make Ink Spot Backgrounds with Tim Holtz Distress Stains. I used Broken China, Tattered Rose, Bundled Sage.

You must protect your work space not just the surface as you will see from my note. I had ink on the walls.
Select your colors that coordinate or work with your theme.  I think this paper will make nice baby cards. You must strike the paper quite firmly.  Do a test on a scrap first if you need to. Spread your spots around the paper randomly.  This for some will be the most challenging.  Have fun!!

This would be a great activity with kids. They can then make projects (cards) with their paper. The paper takes about 10 minutes to dry.  The ink goes a lot way.

Card - Clean and Simple Challenge

I made this card for Clean and Simple Challenge 279.

I started with an ivory card.  I colored a digital background I created a while ago with Stampin Up! Regal Rose then printed it on the front of the card.  I tied a narrow organza ribbon that coordinated well with the color around the card front and knotted on the left hand side.  I cut scallop borders with the Die-Namics die.  I did not cut them as deep as the die and then placed them along the top and bottom edges of the card. I printed a greeting in the same color and cut a flag end on the left side.  Rubbed a bit of ink on the edges and mounted to the card front  on the right hand side with 3D foam tape.

Card - Ornament Trio

Here's the next one.  This card makes use of an ornament I drew quite a while ago.  I used it here filled with watercolor and here with a glittered star.
I started with an ivory card. The branches were created from a photo of an actual pine tree branch then placed at the top to anchor the ornaments.  I created the speckled dot background which is color printed in green. I placed a trio of the ornaments on the card with the center one being a bit larger than the other two. This time the ornaments were filled with filigree pattern in 3 different colors.  I added the string bow to each of them.  I created a clear circle in the center into which I put the 3 words: Peace, Love and Joy.  On the center one I printed Love again punched it out with a 1" punch and mounted over the center with 3D foam.

Card - Cricut Tree

I made a couple of these for my on-line exchange group.  I started with a black card.  I added a textured card stock layer in a color which coordinates with the leaves on the tree.  I added a TM Ornamental Die cut in golden rod text paper stamped with spatter background in black ink.  The tree is cut with the Cricut and the Straight from the Nest cartridge (4").  I added a circle greeting which has been mounted with 3D foam tape.