Simple Sentiments - Photo - Set 4

I chose a Stampin Up Chocolate Chip A2 card base.

I cut a piece of Summer Sun with the Tim Holtz Cabinet die.  I used the Stampin Up Slot punch to make two slots in the round end of the die. 

I adhered the photo to the die cut then pulled the ribbon through then around the card front and back to the front.  This is a Pumpkin Pie colored ribbon.  

I then adhered the die cut layer to the card front. I pulled the ribbon taut making sure it was not twisted on the inside of the card. I knotted the ribbon and trimmed the ends. An insert and an envelope.

These photos are from my Gentle Glow Calendar. Love the bokeh backgrounds.

Here is a House Finch in the late fall with no leaves on the trees.  I chose Sahara Sand for the Cabinet diecut.  

The card base is Cajun Craze and the ribbon matched so well. It is a beautiful soft ribbon. I just had a short length so I don't know where it came from.  I am down to my last couple sheets of this great color.

Again, slots punched, ribbon threaded through, knots made and the diecut layer adhered to the front.  Quarter sheet insert and envelope.

This is a photo of the top of a metal bistro table taken at the Muttart Conservatory.  Turned out wonderful.  I love the texture and the highlighted edges of by being used over and over by customers.

I used a Brilliant Blue card base and a piece of Smoky Slate card stock for the Cabinet die cut. The ribbon is Night of Navy seam binding.

A quarter sheet insert and white A2 envelope.

Some sweet Common Conecap mushrooms taken at the park down the street.

I chose a Creamy Caramel card stock for the card base.  A Garden Green piece for the Cabinet die cut.  A piece of beige seam binding found in my box.

The assembly as previously described and it was done.  These were fiddly to assemble but I think it was worth it.

A quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I found a few things at the Thrift Store this week.

There Christmas section upstairs was open so I had to have a look.  I found a PartyLite bird tealight holder. I own a silver one and a ruby one so this will make three. Perfect.

The little LED Christmas tree will come in handy and all it needed was a new battery.  The string of snowflakes works.  All of this for less than $2. 

I have been looking for a swivel peeler for about 6 weeks. When I visited one of my sisters she just used the peeler to create carrot curls instead of grating it.  I thought it was a genius idea.  

My old stiff peeler did not so such a great job.  The ceramic peeler was just what I wanted and for under $1.

My sister and I decided we needed to swap things that were going in both directions. We decided to each take a bit of a drive in meet in the middle.

We had lunch at Wendy's then hit the 2 Thrift Stores in town.  I found this tea strainer brand new in the box for less than $1.  I have been looking for one since I misplaced mine. It retails for over $10 so that was a bargain.

The shape could not be better, a little teapot shape.  I have not seen one of these before.That will pair great with Lemon loose tea I found recently and really enjoy.

I also found pillowcase for cotton for the bags I am going to sew.

My trusty 2" circle punch bit the dust while I was preparing tags recently.

When Michaels had a 40% coupon in mid October I bought a new one. I do have thinlits I could cut circles with but the punch is so handy.

It really comes in handy for a lot of things.

I have decided to buy my bread at Cobs. Yes, the price is high but it is very good quality bread.  I can pay the same price at my regular grocery store and not get the same quality.

I find with this bread, I can cut the size of slice I want.  I can eat 1 slice and not feel triggered to eat 3 more slices which I found happens with the grocery store bread.

The loaves are bigger than my regular store and it is very wholesome and very good.

It is more expensive but I eat less so it works out.

This is the Country Grain Loaf.

A small little book with a great story. The Music Box by T. Davis Bunn.

Angie Picard as moved from the city to the mountain country and her home town. She is a teacher and enjoys her vocation. She has had a lot of challenges in her 31 years. She returned as a young widow.

Melissa Nealey is a newcomer and is quiet and shy and in the eight grade. She and her father Carson have moved from the city. She loves music and has a music box left to her by her mother when she passed 3 years ago.

In a crisis, Angie steps in to help Carson and Melissa through a health crisis.  She cares and loves on them and much healing takes place. 

Melissa and Angie share their love of music and life brings healing to Angie as well. 

The traveling was good to attend the reception Saturday afternoon.  I met a couple of my aunts there and shared with the other artists in attendance.

The 12x12 pieces were hung by color.  There are many wonderful works in the show.  It was a good time to connect with others in the group.

I did visit Michaels again this week with another 40% coupon for basic card making supplies. 

Simple Sentiments - Photo Set 3

Another set.

This card features a Barn Swallow taken at the Lois Hole Provincial Park. Check out those ruffled feathers.

I started with a Stampin Up True Thyme card base. I added 3 .75 inch wide card stock strips in Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, and Really Rust.  They were adhered then I cut flag ends on them.

The photo was adhered on top of them.  Just love these warm tones.

This features Grape Hyacinth taken at the St. Albert Botanic Park. 

Brilliant Blue textured card stock with three color coordinated strips of card stock with flagged ends.  

Soft Suede, Lavender Lace and Gable Green.  These were adhered to the card front, trimmed then the photo was adhered over top.

White quarter sheet insert and a white A2 envelope.

These are Grey Partridges which I found at Patricia Lake. My one and only time seeing these birds.

I chose a True Thyme card base with strips of Chocolate Chip, Dill and Dusty Durango.  The strips were adhered to the card front then cut with flag ends.

The photo was adhered over top.

A white quarter sheet insert with a white A2 envelope.

A  light pink rose softly tinted rose with hints of a darker shade. This is likely taken at the St. Albert Botanic Park.

I chose a Pixie Pink card base and card stock strips in Chocolate Chip, Lavender Lace and Gable Green.  The strip ends were given flag ends and then the photo was adhered over top.

These made great all occasion cards. Birthday, Thinking of You, Thank You or any other reason for expressing ourselves to others in a tangible way.

Quarter sheet insert and envelope.

Simple Sentiments - Photo - Set 2

Another set of photo cards. 

I chose a different presentation for this set.

I chose Stampin Up Soft Suede as the A2 card base, scored in half and folded.

The accent layer is Really Rust cardstock cut to a quarter sheet and cut with the SU Top Note die.  Once cut I then cut it in half cross wise with the paper cutter and then trimmed the center points off with scissors.

I trimmed the photo to 3.5 inches wide to perfectly align with the widest spot on the half Top Note.  This was adhered with tape on the back then process repeated for the bottom half.

I chose a green-brown grosgrain ribbon to lay over the join of the photo and the die cut.  It was pull to the back and taped down with tape.  This layer was then adhered to the front of the card.

A white insert and envelope finished off the card.

This card features a Jacob's Ladder blossom taken at the Botanic Park.

I chose SU Elegant Eggplant for the card base and Lavendar Lace for the Top Note layer.

I ran a piercing tool over the photo to mirror the stitched edge on the Top Note layer. 

The grosgrain ribbon is Certainly Celery.

This flower is called a Late Tulip.  I don't remember where to found it.

The cardbase is Daffodil Delight which is half a sheet, scored in half and folded.

The Top Note layer card stock is Old Olive.  Same process to trim sides.

I found some nicely matching grosgrain ribbon in my stash to put over the joins.

A quarter sheet insert and white envelope. 

This card features a Copper Skipper which is a butterfly that comes out in early spring.  Usually the first one I see on my walks.

The card base is Mellow Moss and the Top Note layer is Really Rust

I found some Stitched grosgrain ribbon to match the tones of this card.  It is a chocolate brown.

There are a couple of the cards in this set that came from the Nature Photo Calendars so they are more masculine and tones and colors. Works out to balance the set of cards.

This makes a nice set of cards. 

Simple Sentiments - Photo - Set 1

I made some cards with my 4x4 photos.

These are Aspen Leaves taken at Elk Island Park in the fall.

I chose a Stampin Up Summer Sun A2 card base, scored in half and folded.

I then cut a 1/4 sheet of Brocade Blue with the Tim Holtz Cameo Frame die.

I had to trim the photo to 3.5 W x 3.75 T to fit within the score line on the die cut.  I adhered the photo with double sided tape.

I added caplets in warm gold yellow at the top and bottom. This layer was then adhered to the card front.

I added a quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.

This card features a Dandelion Seedhead with tiny water droplets from a misty morning.

I chose Winter Wisteria as the card base and Lovely Lilac as the frame layer.

I added iridescent snowflakes embellishments held in place with purple mini brads on the right and left hand side.

A quarter sheet insert and white envelope.

This card is a photo of a Palm Leaf I took at the Muttart Conservatory.  The sunshine through the lace curtains when I photographed this card makes it extra cool.

The A2 card base is SU Garden Green.

The frame layer is Gable Green.

I added leaf green star brads on either side of the frame diecut and adhered it to the card base.

A quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.

This is the very textural center of an orange Dahlia taken at the St. Albert Botanic Park.  Love the water drop in the right hand corner.

The card base is SU Ruby Red and the frame layer is Dusty Durango.

I added red caplets on the top and bottom of the frame layer.  These are easily installed with my Crop-a-dile.  The layer was adhered to the card front.

I quarter sheet insert and an ivory envelope and it is ready to go.

Note: I had to replace the photo on the card because it end up with double side tape on it.  I replaced the photo with tulips which works just fine.

Card - Birthday Balloons

A balloon birthday card for a boy having a celebration this week.

I watercolored a square of mixed media card stock with Not Quite Navy from the Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  Let that dry and pressed flat.

I cut the balloons with a thinlet die which has not brand name on it.  

The paper is paste paper with glitter that my sister and I made years ago. Love the bright colors.

I adhered these to the watercolor with 3D foam tape. I added bright green strings and a SU Artisan Label punchie greeting the same color as the card base.

I added a quarter sheet insert and a quite envelope. 

Love how the sun through the lace curtains adds something to the photograph.

Art Project - Inktober 2023

#9

I decided to participate in the Inktober 2023 challenge.  They published a daily prompt list which I did not have time to follow.

I have been inclined to try this medium for a while and when the I was made aware that there was a Flickr Group I could join, I did.

I have some permanent fine tip markers. I used 90lb watercolor paper for my first few pieces because that is what I had on hand.  I pulled out what supplies I had and got started. 

#1

I used a Ultra Fine Point Sharpie marker for this piece on the light weight watercolor paper.

I was always inclined to want to paint afterwards which why I used watercolor paper.

I laid out my wavy river lines then marked up the vertical and horizontal lines on either side.

I added dimension with the color.

I knew I had tools I had used in the 1980s for calligraphy so I pulled those out. Turns out I had Speedball holders and quite a few calligraphy nibs most of which had a reservoir. I had picked up a small metal box of dip nibs recently so I pulled those out and cleaned them.   There were a couple of straight dip nibs so I put one in a holder and tried it out.  I did have several bottles of Daley Rowney FW Acrylic Inks in my stash as well.

#2

This is my next piece which was a straight steel dip pen nib and DR FW Purple Lake acrylic ink.

I was able to achieve quite fine lines, tiny dots and marks. Filling in the darker spaces was a bit challenging and the paper was not smooth enough.

The watercolor paper tended to lose bits of paper fiber that would get stuck in the nib.

Composition quickly becomes a challenge and I was just making marks at this point.  I had check out a few videos on line.

#3

This one used blue acrylic ink. 

I used smooth 110lb white card stock I use for card making for this piece.  That worked better with next to no issues with the paper surface.

Still using the Macleans Best Ever No.2 steel dip nib and a black dip pen holder. 

It was not a very good composition.    I chose just a small corner that I thought worked out pretty well.

#4

The pen and nib were getting more comfortable and I dug more colors to play with.

This is a dark green in the same brand as before and the red is a calligraphy ink.

The grasses I managed to make some very thin and other a bit thicker.

The composition when drawing something actual instead of abstract worked out better.

#5

Here the drawing was a bit challenging.  I did make a light pencil to start with which I erased once the piece was dry.

More new colors was kind of fun.  

I was wanting to fill a shape with patterns - not realistic but artsy.

Other than the wing I am happy with this one.

After doing some checking on line for direction on a good nib for a dip pen I decided to visit my local art supply store - Delta Art and Drafting Supplies.  

The Zebra G nib was recommended on line so I purchased one of those at under $3. I was looking for a black ink which I could then watercolor on top. 

The Daler Rowney FW Acrylic ink was recommended on sale about $7. I had to leave it dry completely before watercoloring over it.

Now, I wanted a paper I could use.  After considering that I am a beginner and a $70 pad of paper was out of the question I settled on a Canson pad for fluid mixed media.  The pad was also on sale for just about $9.  I went home with supplies for about twenty dollars which I hoped would help advance my art pursuits.

I also found on line a video that recommended a container of alcohol to clean your nib as you were drawing. I chose an old film container as it seals tight.  I use put in enough to the depth of my nib.

I selected one of the dip pen holders I had in my stash.  I have no idea when I acquired this vintage Eagle Pencil Company - made in Canada holder.  It has been well used but still in good shape. 

That is the Zebra G Nib installed ready to go.

#6

Here's my first piece with the new tools and supplies.  The paper is very nice.  

I divided the page into 4 pieces with score lines which would make a manageable amount of space to fill.

I looked at several owl line drawings on line and composed one of my own using aspects of the ones I had found.

I am happy with this drawing.

And here it is watercolored.

I painted a light wash over the whole piece then added color to the owl.

I love the yellow eyes and dark wings.  Of course, the color is just out of my head.

I mixed all my colors mostly and used some black gouache to darken some of my colors.

#7

Here's my next composition.  I drew a meadow with a tree, flowers and a little mushroom.  The original was rectangular but with more flowers on the right hand side so I just cropped it to square.  I had to lose a bit of the tree to keep the mushroom which of course was necessary.

It was then painted. Again an overall light wash so I don't have a white background. Blue to the top and green to the bottom.

#8

Here's just an abstract where I drew lines then filled in the spaces with pattern.

I found this one quite dark as all the patterns are quite heavy.

It has been fun to work on these projects, learn something new, be inspired to draw and get the right tools and supplies to have some success at it.

I will make more projects and look forward to Inktober in 2024.

You will find number 9 at the top of the post. This is a smaller version of the owl for the Macro Monday challenge I do every week.  The theme was spooky but the limitations are that the piece photographed can only be 3 inches.  I scaled down my first one which was about 4 inches tall down to 3 inches.  I did not capture the ink drawing before I painted it.  I was on a deadline and missed a step.  That is how it goes.  Then photographed the painting with dramatic light and I think it did Spooky really well.

Sewing Project - Large Tote Bag - Stars and Planets

My sister and I had a conversation the other day about projects which we could make to give back. 

I still have quite a few microfiber fabric which can be used for another project.  Originally, they were collected to make Re-Useable shopping bags.

Those were donated and have not sold really well.  I think presentation is the problem. I am moving on.

Morning Star is an organization which supports women in crisis.

There is no dignity in carrying all you own in a plastic garbage bag so large bags can be used to give these women some self worth.

I chose the Stars and Planets pillowcase which is made of deluxe microfiber fabric. 

I paired it with some cotton fabric in deep navy small pattern which was donated to me when a quilter in our group retired and de-stashed her supplies.

I decided to put a piece of navy on the bottom since the fabric is white the bottom of the bag will likely get dirty fast and being a dark color will help.

I layered the cotton over the microfiber which will add strength.

I wanted the bottom to be boxed. I created the corners at 5 inches across then folded the  triangles onto the bottom of the bag and sewed them down.  That will add layers on the bottom and help to add structure to the bottom corners.

I chose a navy thread so it does not show on the cotton fabric.  It is more evident on the microfiber pieces.

I created the zipper insert the same what I made it for my own tote bag.  I used the method explained in this video Tutorial by Crafty Gemini.

This produces a completely finished edges with no open fabric ends.  Tabs are added to the 2 ends of the zipper so it is easy to pull open and shut.

I hemmed the top edge of the bag after I cut off about 10 inches off the top of the pillow case once I had undone the seam that created the top hem.  I used that fabric to make the handles. Microfiber more durable than cotton being handled all the time.  Handles are 1.25 inches wide finished with the seam place in the back center. They are 53 inches long. I tied the bottom of the handles in the cotton bottom for sturdiness. They were sewn 7 inches from the sides. 

 

It is important to have reinforce the stress points to ensure there is some strength is distributed to take the wear and tear.

The zipper insert is the same width as the opening of the bag. It is about 6 inches deep which is slightly more than the bottom but we have to account for the seam to put it in.

Now it is just a matter of pinning it very carefully and sewing the insert into the top of the bag.

I chose this decorative stitch on my sewing machine which produces this wavy seam which adds a bit of pretty to the bag.

Once the zipper insert is sewn in the zipper end tabs can easily be accessed when opening or tucked in when on your shoulder. 

It does allow an addition amount of space for hold stuff when the bag is full.

With the zipper insert the same width it makes the bag well sealed to ensure there are no holes where one could lose items from inside the bag.

The color of the zipper provides some contrast in the dark fabric so it is easy to see.  The tabs also help the find the zipper slider.

I will be making a few more of these to be donated in early December.

AAC Member Art Show - Value of Color

I dropped off my submissions for the Value of Color member show at the Spruce Grove Gallery on Saturday.  They requested that the pieces be 12x12 square with a predominant color in each piece.  I guess they plan on creating a changing wave of color on the gallery walls.  Should be interesting.

Since I did not have any square frames on hand I decided to try something new.  I purchased 12x12 Cradled Wood Painting Panels from Michaels. I bought some adhesive and decided to use a foam roller to apply the glue. It would be used to the adhere the photo to the board and then to seal the photo once it was dry.

The prints were expensive as well as the cradled panels so I hoped that this process would work. You can check another post to see the details and process.

Title: The Points

Size: 12.00 x 12.00 inches

Medium: Photography

Print 12 x 12 inches

Frame: 12x12 Cradled Wood Panel 

Color: Grey

Title: Orange Center

Size: 12.00 x 12.00 inches

Medium: Photography with acrylic                      gold spatter

Print 12 x 12 inches

Frame: 12x12 Cradled Wood Panel 

Color: Orange

Title: Tree Trio

Size: 12.00 x 12.00 inches

Medium: Mixed Media

Print 12 x 12 inches

Frame: 12x12 Cradled Wood Panel

Color: Green

These will be on display October 30, 2023 – January 2024 and the reception is Saturday, November 04, 2023 at 1:00 pm.  I am looking forward to it.