Decorative Paper Cards

We had a good day on Saturday. Today, more cards for the Gallery.

I created these sentiment layers which have the words in the middle of the frame line.  I printed them on a white quarter sheet then trimmed it. I chose a piece of blue acrylic paper and ripped the bottom edge.  Trimmed it to leave a border inside the border.  Adhere to the sentiment layer then that layer to the card front on a textured navy card.  Punched a navy star from the same card stock as the card and adhered it to the card front with 3D foam tape.

This card features ink applied with a sponge onto Whisper White card stock.  Colors are Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry.  I printed the greeting in RR directly onto the decorative paper.  I punched a large daisy flower from the Crushed Curry card stock to match the card.  I glued the decorative layer to the card front. Placing the large daisy going with the movement in the pattern I drew a stem and leaves with a black marker.  I then adhered the daisy punchie and the black centre to coordinate with the stem. 

This card features spattered dots of liquid purple ink which has silver mixed into it. You can see the silver pooled to the center. 
I printed the sentiment directly onto the decorative paper.  It was trimmed to fit the card front leaving a border. It was then adhered to the purple card front.
I die cut the candle with the QuikKutz die which cuts the solid and decorative one.  The decorative one and the flame is silver foil.  Adhered the candle layers together then glued the candle to the card front.

Mosaic Monday #2

I'm sharing a few things which have happened this week.

I took the dandelion photo last night for a challenge on the Flickr Group - Macro Monday. I went for a walk with a friend around a man made lake in the evening and the sun caught this flower making it sparkle.  You can find my photo here.

The London box I found at the Re-Use center when I dropped off my donations last week.  It was in pristine condition and it reminded me that several of my Blog friends visited England this summer.  I think I will fill it with small note cards and give it away.  I love that it looks like a suitcase.

Photo calendars are projects I spend much time on throughout the year.  I am always with my camera in hand and snap shots for creating these 4x6 photo calendars for the fall craft sale season.  I decided bring more of a focus for a couple of the ones I am creating this year.
 
Tea Time features tea tablescapes.

 


I created Owl Art through the process of paper piecing for this one.

Check out my calendar page for details.


 

I'm sharing with Maggie at Normandy Life for Mosaic Monday #2.

I created my mosaic in Photo Elements with my own watercolor background.

Tea Time Photo Calendar

 

This calendar features tea related tablescapes which I photographed.   I tried to vary the colors, the layout and tea pots.  I have collected tableware that I like and mostly they all coordinate so I can mix and match pieces quite easily.  

The calendar features heart shaped teacups and saucers by Steeped Tea, white bone china teapot and tea cup by Royal Worcester, a clear glass Sophe teapot by Primula, Cobalt 365 mugs from Ikea, yellow Infusion teapot by Maxwell and Williams, white teapot from Stokes, earthern ware mug in warm blues from a local potter, Johnston Brothers Regency white teacup and saucer, golden yellow cream and sugar set by Chantal, and finally a vintage Sadler lamp shape pink teapot with pink roses & periwinkle forget-me-nots with gold trim.  It was my aunt's and my research suggested it is 75 years old.  

I see that some of my other tableware did not make it to this calendar so there is tablescapes to create for another calendar. 

You can find my calendars on the calendar page.

Owl Art Photo Calendar

I've been working of my 4x6 photo calendars for the fall craft sale season.  A few years ago I had a cute Blue Bird calendar with art work designed by my sister.  This year I wanted a cute one so I designed and created this owl.  I drew all the pieces. I then printed the body on the back of the designer paper and cut it out by hand.  I then printed the wings on card stock or coordinating designer paper ensuring they were mirror images and cut those by hand.  I designed the branch digitally.  For each owl I colored the branch appropriately and printed it on the 6x6 inch background paper.  I cut the beak and feet from coordinating card stock. The eyes are .75 and .5 circle punches. I assembled the paper pieced owl and applied the googly eyes.  Once all 12 were assembled I photographed them to add them to my calendar template.  Only a few have nods to the celebration in the month.  January has a frosty type back ground, February is Valentine designer paper, October has pumpkin coloring and finally Christmas designer paper for December.
You can find it for sale on my Calendar page.

Sidewalk Sale - Saturday

I will be participating in the Sidewalk Sale held at the Center for Visual Arts on Saturday.  I will be launching my 2017 Photo Calendars - Tea Time & Owl Art.

I will be clearing old stock of greeting cards so the prices on those will be good.

I have several pieces of mixed media art of sale.

I would love to see you and get in on the deals. 

Hot Air Baloon Mixed Media Art

I've added a hot air balloon to my painting that I did at reunion a couple of years ago.

I hope to be able to sell it today at the sidewalk sale.

Sympathy & Get Well Cards

I made this card for a friend who lost her husband to brain cancer recently.  He fought a brave fight for several years.  I will miss him. 

I started with a warm brown card. 

I cut a piece of designer paper to 4.00 x 5.25 inches then cut it again at 3.5 inches.  I flipped the larger piece over to reveal the polka dots.  I taped these pieces back together then placed a piece of ginger colored ribbon across the join and taped the ends tot he back.  This layer was then adhered to the card front.

I punched a Stampin Up Decorative Label a coordinating blue card stock and printed the greeting in the same blue onto ivory card stock.  Punched the greeting.  I cut the blue label in half crosswise and trimmed the points off.  I then adhered the halves offset to the left and right sides. I adhered the greeting to the card front aligned over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

The get well card was assembled in the same way as the first card but I placed the dots on the top this time. 

Printed Sticker Greeting

During my sorting out in my stash I discovered some clear sticker labels.  I inherited the cut offs from some project.  I thought I could make my own stickers.  I was thinking greetings in particular.  I'm not sure that this was as effective use of this resource but this was my first try. 

I printed the greeting from the Stampin Up Lemonade Stand digital stamp set.  I colored it in Night of Navy and placed a Summer Sun border around it.  Once printed I embossed it with clear powder.  I trimmed it to the yellow border with scissors.
I placed this on a piece of Whisper White.  I added a layer of Night of Navy then onto a card in Summer Sun.  I placed a piece of Summer Sun grosgrain ribbon across the bottom of the white.  I then added 3 yellow handmade paper flowers topped by lighter ones all held in place with navy star brads.  The stars a bit of a nod to the nautical theme in the inspiration photo.

Sharing with  Stampin Celebration Challenges - #SC132

Friends - Exchange Cards

I made these 2 cards for my card exchange this month.  I managed to purchase the Elizabeth Crafts Designs Friends thin die on sale.  I love the calligraphy style of lettering. This is a A Word with Words collection by Suzanne Cannon - Quietfire Design - a Canadian.

I chose the designer paper which I ripped and removed a section and adhered the 2 pieces at each end of the warm light blue card. I cut the word from the green and the ivory card stocks and layered them onto each other.  I punched flowers from the same colors on the word.  These were layered and held in place on the card front with ivory brads. 

I chose a turquoise card.  I ripped the designer paper as the first card except I switched the orientation to tall.  The word was cut from cherry red and brown card stock. They were layered again using quick dry adhesive.  I punched daisies from turquoise and brown.  They are held in place with taupe brown brads.

I am sharing these cards with my friends on the card exchange list for August.

Snowflake Christmas Cards

While I was at it the other day I made another set of 6 snowflake cards for the card box.  Used the same designer paper paper by Recollections from Micheals. I trimmed to 4.00 x 5.25" leaving a small border.  

I adhered it to a true blue card which was Bazzil textured card stock.

I printed the greetings in Bashful Blue on vellum and clear embossed them.  This time I ripped the edges. I placed the greeting to work with the snowflakes on the paper.

I placed one tiny white brad on the left hand side to hold down the vellum to the card front.  I placed the other on the left.  I added a small iridescent confetti snowflake and used a white star brad.

Love this sentiment.  Snowflakes are winter's butterfly.

Share Your Cup #209

Sunflower Tile Framed

You will see my original plan on this post.  I was not able to get the existing tile from the frame so I just purchased another frame.

I removed the print and glass from this one.  I painted the back board with Blue Velvet acrylic paint so that the tiny gap between the tile and frame would not show.  I also painted the edge of the tile with the same paint.  I then dry brushed the same paint onto the frame to create a distressed look.

I am happy with how it turned out and it is hanging in my kitchen.

I have had the small blue saucers and the large plates for quite a while.

Yesterday, I found salad plates and cups to match.  I was very happy.  They will allow me to create tablescapes with more pieces. They work very well with my Myott The Hunter salad plates which are just a bit smaller.  The white plate with scallop edge is IKEA. 

Here is a few flower shots taken after completing my photo shoot for the 2017 Tea Calendar.  I had gathered flowers for the calendar shoot and when I was done with that process I said to myself  "I should take some shots of these lovely flowers."  So I did.  A white aster, a pink rose and a deep raspberry zinnia. 

Sharing with Carol at Art & Sand for Share Your Cup #209.

Christmas Card Challenge - Aug - Light Blue / Winter

I chose designer paper - Snowflakes by Recollections purchased at Michaels. I cut 2 sheets of the paper into 4 x 5.25 inch pieces.  I chose the one with dark snowflakes for this set of cards and coordinated it with card teal card stock.  I adhered it to the card front leaving a small border.  I then printed the greeting on vellum and clear embossed it.  It was cut to 1.25 inches tall and 5.25 inches wide.  I placed a white snowflake confetti to the left and held it, the vellum to card front with a tiny white star brad. I added a tiny white round brad on the right hand side to keep it from shifting.
This is a great card to make in volume.  I made six of these for my card box.

Sharing with Christmas Card Challenges - #34 - Anything Goes

Share Your Cup #208 - Cardinal on Birch

I did some painting this week with my aunt who is a painter.

I was wanting to make some art of the gallery show in December.  I did some research on the internet of birch trees.  Some were very graphic, some in between and some very realistically painted.  I was leaning toward the very graphic but ended up with something more painted.

I will describe my steps in the process.

Step One: 

Draw a sketch of your concept.  I was planning a card stock cardinal to be added after the painting.  I wanted a dark center to represent the woods farther away and the horizon line.  Medium color on the bottom for snow and lighter in the sky.

 
 


Step Two: Gather your supplies.  I chose Cadmium Red Medium, Cobalt Blue Hue, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Titanium White, and Phthalocyanine Blue.  I had several paint brushes and a 10x10 stretched canvas.


Step Three:

Mask off the birch trees.  I borrowed 1/2 inch masking tape as mine was 1" wide.  My aunt suggested that I use shorter pieces so the sides would not be perfectly straight as trees generally do not have absolutely straight sides.  This would provide an opportunity for branches later.  I plan to put my cardinal in the top right hand corner so I masked off a negative space for him there.

Step Four:
Paint the background.  My aunt helped me mix up my colors.  The center is orange (created from red and yellow) and cobalt blue.  As you can see the color was not mixed into an even color but was left somewhat random and painted on with a large brush which produced a variety of colors.  I managed to get my dark colors lower than the center so the top would be taller than the bottom. We don't want the painted to be divided into exact thirds.






Step Five:
Remove the masking tape. Once the paint was dry I removed the masking tape to reveal my trees. Pretty flat and one dimensional at this time.

Step Six:
Paint the bands on the trees.  My aunt suggested double dipping the corners of my .5 inch wide flat brush in the white paint and the brown paint we had mixed.   Then as I paint I will be applying both colors at the same time.  I fortunately painted several samples of a test paper because she warned me not to paint them across from each other which is exactly what I had done on my test paper.  I alternated where the brown was sometimes at the top and others at the bottom and varied the distance between bands as well.  This is really a dry brush technique.

Step Seven:
Define the edges of the trees and add branches.   Again, continuing to mix a brown color I applied the edges of the trees with a very small brush.  Working on one side then turning the painting over and working on the other side of the farthest tree to ensure I did not put my hand in the wet paint.  I painted a branch for my cardinal in the top right hand corner.  Once that was done I created a thin very light brown paint which I applied to all the spaces with no bands to remove the flat white spaces on the tree.  This was applied with a bit of a curve to the stroke to create dimension on the tree.

Step Eight:
Paint the edges of the canvas.  I mixed a dark brown color from the same colors as before.  I painted the edges trying to keep a very clean line on the top edge of the side.  With enough paint on the brush it went pretty well.








Step Nine:
The cardinal.  After checking on the internet and finding several samples that provided aspects I wanted,  I drew the cardinal.  I wanted him facing the right direction and be looking out of the painting. I drew him in black ink pen so I could scan him and clean it up.

I printed it onto red card stock a couple of times then cut him out with fine scissors.  I then traced him all again with the same black marker.  I added the eye with a white paint marker with the center created with the black marker.  I mixed up some orange yellow paint and painted the beak.  Again going over with the black marker to redefine the edges. I then cut out the wing and applied the same process again.  I then added highlights with a white pencil crayon to the bird and the wing.  I adhered the wing with 4 Zots to create some dimension.  The bird is adhered to the canvas again with Zots to add just a bit of shadow.



Here's the final painting so far. I had planned words for the bottom left hand corner to balance the bird and add more dimension.  I have not decided yet if there will be something and what it will be.  I will add another photo when I decide. I would like to thank my aunt Maria for the invitation to paint with her and for her advise and encouragement.

Sharing with Share Your Cup #208 hosted by Carol at Art and Sand.

Saskatoon Berries - Very Good

My sister and I found some wonderful Saskatoon Berries at a U Pick orchard.  Central Alberta's crop was mostly wiped out by frost when the flowers were in bloom.  Our regular place had none.  That has to be tough when that is their business.
We started searching and finally found this place, Saskatoon Valley Orchards.  The berries were plentiful, all ripe, easy to pick and we had a blast.  The price was good as well. The variety is Thiessen.

Check it out if you want berries for the freezer.

Share Your Cup #207

I headed out to the Wetlands after a visit to a gallery for my aunt's show.  It was at sunset which gives all things a wonderful glow.  There were very few birds in the water because it was way passed feeding time.  No pelicans, but everything is green and lush.

I worked on art work for an art calendar which will be for sale later this year.  I designed the owl myself using a couple patterns from the internet.  I then printed the pieces onto the back of designer paper and/or card stock and cut the pieces by hand.  The eyes are .75 inch and .5 inch circles. Small triangles for the beak and the feet. I designed the branch then printed it on a 6x6 of background paper which only had texture and no pattern.  I paper pieced the owl then adhered him to the background ensuring he sat on the branch.  I added googly eyes.
I made 12 of these for my art calendar.

I received the bouquet of flowers from a friend at church.  She prepares one every week for the sanctuary and I was the lucky girl to take it home this week.  Thanks Cheryl.





 


 

This is a shot from the tea photo shoot I did at my sister's house a few weeks ago.  The calendar is nearly ready to go and this one did not make the calendar so I am sharing it here.  This is a married bone china tea set.  I brought my tea cup and my sister the tea pot. The tea cup pattern is Serendipity by Royal Worcester.  The teapot is Mantles Knightsbridge. I will have to get the pattern.

I found a frame recently to show how my Alphabet Photography works while I am at craft sales this fall.  Very happy with this and it will provide a visual for the buying public.  

You can check here for the details for purchasing letters.

Share Your Cup #207 hosted by Carol at Art & Sand.

HB - Stripes

I started with the designer paper features thin stripes in grey and terracotta.  I used a dark grey card stock to punch borders with the Martha Stewart Arches Lattice border punch.  I adhered these to the top and bottom edges of the designer paper.  This layer was adhered to the card front.
I cut the greeting twice with the Memory Box Jumbled Happy Birthday thin die.  Once, with the back side terra cotta of the designer paper then another with dark grey card stock.  I layered these having the grey create a shadow and adhered them with Quick Dry Adhesive.
I glued the greeting on the designer paper. I added a strip of terracotta designer paper below the greeting and adhered it to the card front with 5 tiny brads.

Sharing with the following challenges: Come and Get It Challenges - Checks or Stripes.

Happy Birthday - Embossing

I started with a turquoise card.  I added a piece of designer paper by K&C Company - Addison Blue Teal & Green Floral that features turquoise, bright green, navy and pink.
I chose a taupe card stock that repeats the light curves in the designer paper. I created an embossed band with the  Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Foulard folder and taupe card stock. I placed it across the center of the card.
I chose handmade paper Prima flowers in green and turquoise. I added a daisy flower punchie from the same accent taupe card stock.  These are all held in place with a teal mini brad.
I stamped the greeting on the taupe card stock with Tempting Turquoise ink with a stamp from the Stampin Up Little Birthday Cheer stamp set.  I punched the greeting with the SU Modern Label punch.  It was adhered to the card front bottom right with 3D foam tape.

Sharing with Cute Card Thursday - #434 Embossing

Share Your Cup #206

Blueberries were on sale this week so I bought 5 containers.  One to eat fresh and the rest to freeze for winter time.  I love these small white plastic bowls.  They make a perfect serving and fit into my color scheme.  I placed a bit of plain yogurt, some blueberries and a dabble of honey.  Makes a great snack.  Can you guess what the original use was for the containers?  Leave me a comment.

My sister found me a glass egg cup in her travels of garage sales.  I was wanting one to use during my photo shoots to hold almost anything.  It could be uncooked rice with a beautiful spoon, turned upside down as a pedestal like in the first photo, an egg like this photo, tea leaves, legumes of any kind, a small amount of jam, and the ideas keep coming.

I wasn't looking for a water jug because I have been using my Steeped Tea Ice Tea pitcher but this one appeared with a blue handle and I could not resist. It's a better size for using on the table.

Sharing with Carol at Art & Sand for Share Your Cup #206.

Decorative Paper - Set 2

I delivered cards to the gallery today.
This card features the Memory Box Jumbled Happy Birthday greeting cut from silver foil card stock.  I chose a blue card which worked well this decorative paper made with ink applied to photo paper with a foam brush. It was glued to the card front leaving a small border. I adhered the greeting on the bottom third of the card with Quick Dry Adhesive by Scotch.  I punched 2 holes with the Stampin Up slot punch and pulled a piece of silver metallic ribbon through and knotted it.

On this wedding card I used some paper made with the Bubble Technique.  It was trimmed to leave a small border of the card showing.
It was in the purple lavender color range so I found a purple card that would work well with the paper.
I printed the clip art wedding couple from EDigg Clipart in black on vellum then clear embossed the image and greeting.  I trimmed the vellum to be smaller than the bubble paper.
I tacked the bubble paper to the card front then placed the vellum in place and held all in place with 4 tiny white brads in each corner.  I used a push pin to create holes for the brad prongs then spread them apart on the inside of the card.

This card features decorative paper made by brushing acrylic paint onto white card stock.  It creates a nice matte finish.
I punched the one edge of the purple and the white card stock strips twith the Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch.  I adhered the white one on to the right edge of the purple one.  I placed turquoise grosgrain ribbon on the right and white on the left.  This layer was adhered to a turquoise card.
I stamped the Stampin Up Triple Treat Flower stamp onto white with Tempting Turquoise. I punched the Five Petal Flower punch from the same decorative paper.  These were layered and I added a TT button in the centre held in place with a Zot.
I created a bit of dimension with some white cotton thread which was adhered to the accent.  The accent was then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.
Great card for any occasion.

Decorative Set - Set 1

This sunburst layer was cut from decorative paper made with technique using Alcohol Inks and Floor Wax.  My mixing of colors had created some muddy colors so it was a challenge to decide which color to highlight.  I tried warm pink, kelly green, yellow cards and finally settled for this warm green card.  I cut the decorative layer with the Stampin Up Sunburst Thinlit.  I adhered it to the card front then trimmed the rays to the card edge.  I added several Prima Flowers as an accent held in place with a gold flower sequin on a gold tiny brad. I added a greeting with the SU Decorative Label punchie and a SU Word Window greeting.  These were adhered together then glued to the card with 3D foam tape.



You can check out my other cards made with this great die by following this link.

On this card I used decorative paper made by spritzing color from a spray bottle through stencils and other materials to create decorative patterns.   This piece includes yellows, greend and blues.  I chose a pale blue textured card onto which I adhered the decorative paper.  I then spread a piece of metallic ribbon across the bottom third of the card and taped the ends to the inside of the card.  I layered several Prima flowers with other silks and held them all in place with a tiny gold star brad.  Great any reason card.

This card features a clear embossed color printed greeting in bold red letters on vellum.
Once printed I decided to create a custom background. I trimmed a piece of photo paper to leave a small border then applied Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Stain to the center and Walnut Stain to the edges.  I made sure to touch the cut edge of the paper was well.  This leaves the sentiment very visible against the background with a great dark brown border on the red card.
I chose a red card to repeat the color in the greeting.
The background was adhered to the card then the vellum was held in place with tiny gold star brads in the corners and other areas.  This makes a great card for a guy's birthday.