June Photo a Day Challenge - Week 4

Here's another week's worth of pictures for Kati's June Photo a Day Challenge. We could post every day or once a week.

Day 22 - Green

I thought I would put a twist to my green photo and chose a golf green.  I was not sure if I could close enough with out getting beaned in the head with a ball but I just had to try.  It worked and there was no one around.

Day 23 - Pair

I found this pair of chairs at the Ellis Bird Farm on the weekend. They were located at the Wetland Center on the farm and the white and navy blue were perfect for the water focus of this area. They matched the trim on the building perfectly. Looks inviting!

Day 24 - Hot

This is a cup of hot tea!  I chose a different angle for this shot. I shot it from the absolute top which shows the doily encircling the cup. I'm happy with it.  

Day 25 - Cold

This is a cold lemonade drink we had at lunch today at the downtown square.  I love the idea of putting an actual lemon in the glass. It was full of ice cubes which put condensation on the outside of the glass. 

Day 26 - Thermometer

I chose an outdoor thermometer with a digital display.  It was a really nice day with a bit of a wind to cool me off a bit. The display rotates with the time so I had to wait for the temperature and ends up with several shots to get it right.

Day 27 - Fruit

I chose rhubarb as the fruit.  My sister gave me some on the weekend and I'm chopping it up and cooking it up to eat with yogurt.

Day 28 - Yellow

You will know that yellow is one of my favorite colors from my earlier post.  It has to be a golden warm yellow not the clear green kind.  My favorite flowers are sunflowers which are yellow.  I placed them in a nice yellow vase. I glad the shot work out so well.

Card - Geometric Label

I made a couple of these cards for my exchange group friends.
I started with a black card and added 2 pieces of geometric card stock.  I cut a black piece with Spellbinders Label 22.  I then layered a Stampin Up Decorative Labels frame lit die in the geometric paper. On to this a circle greeting was mounted with 3D foam tape.  It is comprised of a green 1 3/8, 1 1/4 circle then a 1 ink circle.  I stamped the greeting with Versafine on ivory then punched it out with the 1 inch circle.

Paper Decorating and Cool Tools

I spent time with my sister on the weekend decorating paper.  I was wanting a darker piece in browns.  My Christmas Card challenge for July is background paper so I designed the pink and green for that project. I really like the green, blue, and yellow piece. The bottom pictures identify the tools we used.  Tim Holtz distress inks, Nick Bantock ink, spritzer bottles, liquid acrylic ink and tooth brushes, sponges, eyedropper.
Texture comes from a variety of common every day items.  Commercial stencils, baskets, fish net pattern of plastic and much more.

I pinned my paper to a piece of card board so I could spray it vertically.

The colors I brought to play with that day were: Radiant Rain - Plum Crazy, FWliquid acrylic - Indian Yellow, Marine Blue, Rotring liquid acrylic Blue Violet and White Pearl. Nick Bantock Ink in Cerulean Azure, Rose Madder, and Chartreuse Leaf.  Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Peacock Feathers, Crushed Olive and Victorian Velvet.

Photo - Ellis Bird Farm

My sister and I visited Ellis Bird Farm on the weekend.  What a gorgeous day!
Mr. Ellis set out to provide a safe place for blue birds to nest and raise their young.  The farm has many bird houses. Birds like purple martins, wrens, cedar waxwings and others are flying over head. Bird song can be heard at all times.
Ms Ellis set up the gardens to attract butterflies to ensure pollination and production of fruit and berries.  There is a new visitor center building will be helpful in their continued education programs.
There is a wonderful tea house where we sat and enjoyed a tea and dessert.

June Photo a Day Challenge - Week 3

Here are this week's photos for this challenge hosted by Kati at Kati's Little Corner.  We could post every day or once a week.

Day 16 - Backyard

Here's a picture of my backyard.  It has a large tree which faces the back alley.  It was not very warm this week.  It's pouring rain.

Day 17 - Stripe

This is a napkin from the summer potluck I attended this week.  It's bright and perky and the word is worth repeating.  We certainly did! We had a good time and the food is always good!  I usually have a grilled hot dog at least during the summer.  

Day 18 - Something Old

This book was printed in 1808 which is over 200 years ago.  Of course, the bible is much older than that.   I chose to open the book to the 23rd Psalm. It's identified with the Roman Numerals XXIII.

Day 19 - Refreshing

This is a glass of Sparking Berry Punch.  This is a punch that has been used in our family for years.  I put it in a tall clear glass with a hexagonal base.  I added 3 ice cubes and a white plastic straw.  The white doily finishes it off nicely.  On a hot day it really hits the spot.

Day 20 - Book

This is a book I read recently.  I enjoyed the autobiography.  It was interesting to read about challenges one faces and how they handle it.  It was a good read.  She sang most of her early years and was destined to entertain. She has a great personality.

Day 21 - Summer

Aren't lilacs really symbolic of summer?  I love the way they smell. I like the shape of the cluster.  They have varigation in the colors because some blossoms are open and lighter in color and others are yet to, so they are darker.  Love the beautiful blue sky with a few white clouds which is a great look for summer.

 

Card - Tea Cup Birthday

I made this card for my sister.  We are getting together this weekend.
I started with a light green card. I chalked the background with a Heidi Swapp stencil.  I added a layer of vellum to soften the card and frame the elements.  I added a greeting of a color printed oval on a Stampin Up Decorative Label punchie in warm coral color. This is mounted on the card with 3D foam tape.  I added 2 flowers on the left with warm pink tiny brads.  The tea cup was cut with the Cricut and the Folk Art Cartridge.  I chalked it with warm pink.  Looking forward to time with my sister.  We are planning a decorative paper session.

2B Green - Re-purposed Cards

 

Some people feel badly about throwing out the cards and sentiments they received throughout the year and Christmas. As a card maker, some people give their old cards because they know I can re-purpose them into something useful.   Here's a set of cards I made from such cards.  Maybe I've discovered a new line of cards!!

Since most commercial card are larger than the A2 I make I have enough in the card to make several elements.  Like the turquoise one I punched the label from a piece of the card I cut off so the color matches perfectly.

Challenge - ATCs with a Theme

I created these 4 Artist Trading Cards for a Challenge on CST.  The challenge was to create 4 ATCs with a theme.
I chose to use paint chips in 4 different colors with 4 different words.  I cut my white paper to 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  Then I cut my paint chips with the Tim Holtz Stylized Labels.  I glued them to the top of the card and trimmed off the excess.  I stamped the music note from All Night Media in black onyx Versafine ink and clear embossed it. The words are handwritten with a fine black marker.  I then spritz the whole thing with Nick Bantock Lamp Black ink.

June Photo a Day Challenge - Week 2

Here are this week's photos for this challenge hosted by Kati at Kati's Little Corner.  We could post every day or once a week.

Day 8 - Childhood

I chose a coloring book and Laurentien Pencil Crayons.  I filled many coloring books in my childhood.  I loved staying inside the lines and making it look really nice according to me.  I had my name on each of my crayons so I would not lose them to siblings. When there is lots of kids things can get territorial at times.  I loved coloring because it was an individual activity and quiet time.

Day 9 - Macro

This is a yellow dragonfly and you can see her looking at me and my camera wondering what is going on!  I loved the focus I was able to get on the nearly invisible wings.  I took tons of shots to get this one.

Day 10 - Upside Down

I staged this photo because I wanted similar shapes in different colors and one was upside down.  I wanted a shape that it was obvious that it was different. Not sure I was all together successful in that aspect. These vases are complementary in their shape so it accommodated the closeness better. I chose to put the metallic on in the center because the others were more solid.  The fact that it has a reflection adds interest.  The black was has some reflection as well.

Day 11 - Jewellery

I chose the jewellery I wear most every day because I don't often change it.  On a special occasion I may wear something different but on average this is it.  I like pieces in silver.  A Timex watch, a brooch that I hang my reading glasses on when I don't need them, a magnetic bracelet, a white gold cross, and a set of Stella Dot Hammered Ball stud earrings.

Day 12 - Flower

I chose this Alberta Rose photo. They are blooming right now. I try each year to get a few good photo of this great pink flower. They can range from very deep pink to almost white.  I will keep an eye out for them on the back country roads.

Day 13 - Shadow

This is a picture I took of my sister and I.  We had been out on photo shoot for a few hours capturing all the cool things in nature around where she lives. There had been birds, flowers, ponds, cattails, dragonflies, and much more. At one point, I saw this shot and I'm glad I did not miss it.

Day 14 - Red White and Blue

I'm working on a stash of decorative paper using a variety of techniques.  Today, I chose these colors so I could include it in this challenge.  I rubbed the with wax candle to create a bit of a resist.  Then, I painted the paper with Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Faded Jeans and Aged Mahogny which I had dabbed onto a palette and then spritz with water. I applied it to the paper with a foam brush.  It was feeling a little blah so I decided to take a piece of acetate and brush some blue onto it with the dauber end.  It create these light brush strokes.  I then placed the acetate paint side down onto the paper and they squished and became much more visible.  I really like the way it turned out.

A Personal Photo Challenge - Stormy Weather

I put together this trio of photos of stormy weather for Donna's Personal Photo Challenge.  For June the theme is Stormy Weather.





We have seen plenty of this type of weather this year.  I wanted to capture the heavy, puffy, dark clouds as it prepares to dump rain again. The centre picture it was actually raining and debris was swirling around in the air.  I had walked a ways chasing the clouds and I got caught in the first bit of rain.  I was trying to protect the camera and get a shot too.  Delicate balance.  I find it interested how green the center on is.

June A Photo A Day Challenge - Week 1

I have decided to join this challenge hosted by Kati at Kati's Little Corner.  We could post every day or once a week.  With the class prep I had to do this week I decided to post at the end of the first week.

Day One - Leaf 

I chose the photo of a leaf with a water drop on it.  It had rained earlier and all the plants were wet.

Day Two - Favorite Color

Yellow is one of my favorite colors.  I have mugs, clothes, bags and my water kettle in this color.  My kitchen colors are yellow and navy.  Many years ago when I spent over a year unemployed I bought this kettle with my first pay cheque at my new job.

Day Three - Weather

I took this photo after I decided to join the challenge. It's rained quite a bit lately and this day I could see the clouds darkening so I chose to head to the river valley and what shot I could get.  I liked the bright green at the bottom against the dark of the clouds at the top.  It seems we have construction cranes everywhere this summer.

Day Four - On the Wall

I was looking for a mural painted on an outside wall but was not able to get one I was happy with so I chose a wall decal instead. 

One of the girls at work has this wall decal in her office.  It's a good philosophy and good words to live by. 

Day Five - Sunglasses

I took this photo of my Foster Grant sunglasses.  I wanted to take the photo from a different angle and I was able to get the name in the foreground.  Works for me.

Day Six - Dot

This is decorated paper I made myself this morning.  I made this polka dot paper with a technique I found on line a while back. I made some bright with purple and orange and pastel paper with blues and pinks for baby cards. Today, I chose red, green and gold because I will be making Christmas cards with this paper. The color is Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Pine Needles, Fired Brick and Tarnished Brass. Check back later to see the cards.

Follow this link for How To make this paper.

Day Seven - Water

I chose this reflection of a large building in the lake. I took a walk around this man made lake where I live and the water was not smooth for a perfect reflection but I thought it looked pretty good.  I love the blue sky.  One of the days recently when the weather was good, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and it was good the be outside.

Check back for my post next week.  Later.

Christmas Stack - Joy Background

I love this card.  When I saw this card stock background I just had to buy it.  I was not sure how I was going to use it but I just love the way this simple card turned out.  I color printed several images I designed onto vellum.  The strip is 2.75" wide.  Cut the white/kraft background to 3.75 x 5.00 inches.  I placed the vellum on the front of the background and folded over the top and bottom to the back.  I added several wraps of crochet cotton around this layer and tied a knot and trimmed the ends. This layer was then adhered to the front of a white card.





I included an ornament, an angel, a tree and a wreath in the set of cards.

You can find my Ready 2 Go Christmas kits here.

Cool Tool: Skate Lace Threader

Here's the cool tool! It's a floss threader but I used it to thread my red laces onto my skate. Here's how.
Pull your red thread through the loop so now it will act as a needle would.  Pull the thread through the bottom hole back to front first and pull thread to the half way point. now pull the lace through the holes from the back as you go up.  Release that thread and put the other into the threader. Now pull that thread through all the holes from the front which should create that little cross until you get to the top.  Tie a knot and trim the ends.
I included a threader in each of the kits.

Christmas Stack - Winter Skate

Like this one!  I used the Tim Holtz Bigz Ice Skates die to cut the skate from heavy white card stock. I would recommend heavy card stock. I chalked the heel with black and painted the skate blade with silver acrylic paint.  I chalked the lace area and cuff with teal chalk to coordinate with the card color.  I put red laces on the skate and tied a knot and trimmed the ends.  See the next post below for detailed instructions. I spritzed the teal card stock with Maya Mist Iridescent Pearl. I cut a Stampin Up Top Knot die cut from decorative paper then I cut it straight across on the point.  This was glued even with the top of the card.  I color printed the greeting then punched it out with my 2" oval punch.  I then cut a scalloped oval with the Spellbinder Nestabilities #3 in the small set from red card stock.  The greeting was layered onto the scallop oval then this layer was adhered over the top note with 3D foam tape.  The skate was adhered below the top note on the card front with 3D foam tape.

Christmas Stack - Gold Tree

I chose a red card stock for the green woven Christmas ribbon. Having placed the ribbon left of center vertical on the card I taped both ends to the inside of the card.  I opened the card flat. The tree was cut from gold card stock with the Sizzix Original Christmas Tree 2 die. I then placed the tree over the ribbon and using a push pin I made the 3 holes for the red star sequins. I placed one sequin on a tiny gold brad then put the prongs of the brad through the hole I just made and spread the prongs apart on the inside of the card. I repeated this for the other 2 stars. The color printed greeting was punched with the SU word window. Then it was glued to the gold SU Modern Label punchie. This was then adhered to the card front in the top right hand corner with 3D foam tape.

Christmas Stack - Silver Poinsettia

Today, I'm posting my Christmas Stack Class.  This first card has a gorgeous metallic and organza silk poinsettia as the focal element. I chose a grey card stock onto which I printed a damask pattern which I downloaded from Clker and the greeting in a burgundy color to match the felt ribbon.  I placed a piece of silver satin ribbon across the wide card below the damask pattern. The ends of the ribbon are tape to the inside of the card.  Then I adhered the centre of the burgundy felt ribbon across the satin ribbon going from top to bottom edges of the card, to the left of the greeting.  I opened the card flat and used a push pin to create a hole in the ribbons and the card front for the silver brad.  I cut the centre of the flower with the Tim Holtz - Tattered Poinsettias die from the same felt ribbon.  I then placed the small centre, the organza flower, the metallic silver flower onto the brad.  The I placed the prongs of the brad through the hole I just made and spread the prongs apart on the inside of the card.

You can find the Ready 2 Go kit here.