Share Your Cup #187

This is the cupboard on the back wall of my kitchen.  It has been a mess for a very long time.  I choose this cupboard to do some messy crafting that I don't want to do in my craft corner. Like heat embossing, some decorative paper making, etc. Well, this week it got a clean up.  The counter got some bleach to remove some stamping that strayed from the card, the embossing powder and the dust are all gone.  As you can see sunflowers feature a lot in my kitchen. The painting is from my niece and her visit to Europe. The twig wreath I made many years ago.  The new water glasses have made it to the shelf.  I will have to work on maintaining it.

Isn't this a great image.  I made a visit to the Conservatory this week and they had these wonderful flower umbrellas hung from the ceiling.  I just loved it!!!  I will have to check the gift shop to see if they are carrying these.  How wonderful to have a sunflower protecting me from the rain this summer.

I brought this little piece of children's furniture home from the thrift store the other day for a whopping $2. It is very well made so I expect it's quite old. The decals on the front are pretty old school.  I will be transforming it into storage for my tea stuff.  I have started the transformation.  The doors have been removed, every inch has been cleaned, the feet have been removed and the clothes hanger has been removed from the wardrobe side.  The sanding has started. From the jar of paint you can see it will be painted yellow.

Linking with Share Your Cup 187 hosted by Carol at Art and Sand.

Decorative Paper - Card Set 4

This is another alcohol ink background in yellow and turquoise on 4x6 inch photo paper.  I trimmed it and adhered it to the card front of a yellow card.  I cut a blue card stock layer with the Memory Box Grand Happy Birthday thin die.  I added deep yellow washi tape in chevron pattern across the bottom.  I adhered that to the alcohol ink background.  I added a small piece of yellow chevron washi tape in the upper right hand corner.

This background paper was made with liquid acrylic ink in blues and yellows.  It was very diluted with water and applied to photo paper with a large paint brush.  I just love the watery feel.  I added a white double edge punched border with the Martha Stewart daisy border punch.  I added a narrow piece of turquoise card stock down it's centre.  I added a medium and small silk white flower over the scallop accent held in place with a large turquoise brad.

This decorative paper is paste paper was made with acrylic paint and home paste.  The paste was applied and then the paper was folded in half and pulled apart.  Then marks were made with a tool. I cut the paper with the Stampin Up Top Note and the vellum greeting was cut with the same die.  I adhered the top note to the front of the navy card.  I adhered the clear embossed greeting with a tiny star brad.  I added a lime green butterfly punchie made with Martha Stewart punch in the top right hand corner.

Decorative Paper - Card Set 3

This bright bold paper was done with alcohol ink on an acrylic plate and picked it up with 4x6 photo paper.  I printed the large greeting on white then I cut the FRIEND word from it with the Stampin Up Little Letters Thinlits.  I adhered the alcohol background paper to a black card.  I added some black washi tape to the centre of the white.  I then added 3 sets silk flowers onto it held in place with tiny brads. I adhered the white greeting layer with 3D foam tape.

The decorative paper on this card was done with masking areas on white heavy bond paper with every day items.  The diamond shapes were done with a net material.  Other areas were spritzed with colored ink a bottle.  I placed a piece of aqua chevron washi tape on the left. I adhered it to a yellow card.  I placed a teal teapot cut with the Cricut and the Folk Art Festival cartridge.  I added a greeting punched with the Stampin Up Decorative Label punch.  I then placed an green one cut in half and offset on the back.








This card would be nice for a guy.  I used a piece of white heavy bond paper and sponged on acrylic paint in a variety of colors such as green, brown, tan and yellow.  I trimmed the paper to leave a small border on the black card.  I applied several lengths of black and white chevron washi tape in several directions.  I added a Tim Holtz Old Jalopy die cut in black. It is raised with 3D foam tape.

Decorative Paper - Card Set 2

This decorative paper was done with liquid acrylic paint applied to a piece of acrylic board. I then picked it up with a 4x6 photo paper.  This features a warm yellow with deep blue and where they merged a deep green.  I trimmed the decorative paper to leave a small border.  I adhered it to the front of a dark green card.  The greeting was color printed in navy on vellum and clear embossed.  It was trimmed and placed in the bottom third of the card and held in place with tiny navy brads.  I added green sequins onto the brads then added a few more held in place with Bling Zots.





This card features letterpress decorative paper in pink and navy.  I added a piece of navy crisp ribbon across the bottom third of the card.  I added a white and blue silk flowers and a white sequin all held in place with a tiny navy brad.  This accent was placed on the right hand side and is offset with a scallop oval greeting in the top left corner.

This paper was created with watercolor onto heavy bond paper.  It features teal and purple colors in a very diluted colors.  I cut the paper to leave a small border. I ripped the top and bottom edges of the vellum greeting.  I placed the heart to the left then put adhesive under it and added it to the card front. I cut the wedding couple with the Cricut and the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge.  It was cut at 4 inches with the silhouette option.  I cut it from brushed white card stock.  I used quick dry adhesive applied with a very narrow tip to get the glue only where I wanted. it.

Decorative Paper - Card Set 1

This is another collection of cards for sale at the gallery.  I started with the green paste paper which I trimmed to leave small border.  I adhered it to a dark green card.  I printed a large greeting layer on white then cut out the Happy with the Sizzix Phrase die.  This was adhered to the paste paper then I added 3 gold stars cut with the Sizzix Stars die.


This card features a piece of decorative paper made with pink ink and marked with a letterpress die from Sizzix. I brayed some Night of Navy ink onto it then pressed it onto the pink paper.  It only left a faint mark.  I cut the piece to leave a small border.  I place a piece of crisp ribbon down the centre and taped the ends to the back. It was adhered to the card front.  I then place a silver metallic scallop circle then a white silk flower topped with a smaller pink one held in place with a tiny navy brad.  I trimmed the vellum greeting to 4" and placed onto the card front as shown and held it in place with 2 tiny brads.

This card features ink sponged background paper in light to dark green. I printed some script and postage digital stamps onto it in black.  The paper was trimmed and adhered with postage on the left to a medium warm teal card front.  I added a teal teapot cut with the Cricut and the Folk Art Festival cartridge.  I mounted the teapot with 3D foam tape.  Before I adhered it I placed a piece of mint green card stock behind the holes to highlight them.

2016-17 Photo Calendar - Beauty

Another calendar for the Vintage Bazaar at end of the month. This is a 4x6 photo calendar which includes a page for each month. It starts with April 2016 and goes to March 2017.  These are a collection of my own photos.  The center presents all the images in the calendar.  I have included floral and nature images. Check my calendar page of details on prices and formats.

2016-17 Photo Calendar - Retro

I'm going to be in a Vintage Bazaar towards the end of the month so I decided to create a photo calendar for the sale. This is a 4x6 photo calendar which includes a page for each month. It starts with April 2016 and goes to March 2017.  These retro images are created with my own photos.  The center presents all the images in the calendar.  I have included tea, floral, nature and street images.  I'm really liking the look!  Check my calendar page of details on prices and formats.

Sunburst Birthday Wishes

I purchased the Stampin Up Sunburst Thinlit during Sale a bration. I love this die!! Makes a great looking card in a hurry.

I chose a navy card and cut a scalloped circle with my Spellbinder Nestabilities Large Circle Set No.2 from the center from the same card stock.  I cut the sunburst from yellow designer paper.  I quite sure it's by Basic Grey. I designed a large circle greeting and printed and punched it out with the SU 1.75" circle punch.  I wanted something between the card and the sunburst.  I decided on vellum. I printed a bit of texture onto the vellum, heated some gold embossing powder then trimmed to leave a small border. Adhering of these layers was challenging because not wanting the glue to show through the vellum and the rays on the sunburst.

I've checked out samples on line and the next time I use it I will make it with another color.

Christmas Card Challenge - March - Purple / Wisemen

This is my card for this month's challenge.

I applied liquid acrylic color diluted with water to photo paper with a paint brush. One for yellow a large one of purple. I planned where I applied the color based on the graphic of the wisemen or kings.  The image comes from Pixabay. Once the photo paper was dry I printed the image in ink jet black on top of the color.  I trimmed the 4x6 inch photo paper to 4 x 5.25 inches. I adhered the main image to the black card. I flagged the ends of the banner with the Stampin Up Banner Triple punch. I applied the banner greeting on the card front with 3D foam tape.  I used a purple card on the right.

Submitting to the following challenges:
Weekly Christmas Card Challenges #13

Holly Jolly - Add a sentiment

Welcome - Baby Boy Noah

I made this card for Noah's Mom.  We are having a baby shower for this new little boy today.

I picked up on his name for the graphic on the card.  I added the boy's name at the top. I printed it on ivory card stock then I cut the top of the element in a smooth curve with my Creative Memories circle cutter.  I chose a turquoise card onto which I printed the sentiment in grey.  I adhered the Noah's Ark element below the sentiment.


I repeated the element onto the cards I made for Mom.  I used 4.25"T x 5.5" W quarter sheet printed cards I had on hand.  I coordinated the turquoise in the left hand side in the ribbon and the colors in the ark image.  I added his name above the element then printed the sheets.  I cut sheets of 24lb in a coordinating color and cut them down from the quarter sheet size.  I tacked them to the back of the cards.  I punched holes from the top and bottom at about 1.5" from the left.  I pulled a length of 1/8" satin ribbon through the holes and tied it in a knot. 

These are very versatile cards.  They can be used for thank yous for gifts received, they could be announcements, or used general baby correspondence.   Mom is a card maker so she does appreciate handmade cards.

Friday's Hunt 1.9

I'm submitting this to Friday's Hunt hosted by Teresa at Eden Hills.

The prompts for this week are:
Starts with "I"
Favorite
Blue

I have to say that I was a bit stumped with "I" so I pulled out the dictionary for inspiration.  I chose inch.  This is a clear ruler of which I took a picture of one inch.

This week's Favorite.  I have owned this mug for several years.  It was one of the freebies at my Steeped Tea party a couple of years ago.  It sat in a box till this weekend, when I discovered it during some indepth decluttering. I opened the box to remind myself what was inside and imagine my surprise when it was a turquoise mug because since I've owned the mug I have selected this blue for my dinnerware.  Now it fits in perfectly so it is this week's favorite.

I have been looking for containers to organize my tea collection.  I found these at the thrift store.  The labels had coffee names in them so I get the impression that they originally held flavored coffee.  After a clean up, they now hold tea bags in 3 types: Green, Earl Grey and Chamomile.  These are teas I always have on hand. The lids were not tight enough for loose tea.  I'm really happy with these.  I will pair them with my Tazo Tea tins which still have to have their labels removed.  That is a lot of work.

See I'm too late but you still check out the links.

Share Your Cup - The Bs

These are the blues that came to me this week.

I found another dish that matches my blue dinnerware.  I'm not sure who makes it because there is absolutely no markings on the bottom at all.

I needed a bottle brush for my travel mug and my yellow tea pot so I was on the look out.  I found this one at IKEA the other day and look at the color!!! The price was great as well.

These are the birds I saw this week.  I was working at the dining room table which faces a large window and movement caught my eye. I checked and saw this bird on the tree outside.  It had a red throat/chest so I'm not sure what type it is.  The other was a bird of a different kind.  Again, as the late afternoon sun hit the plane it stood out in the clear blue sky.

During my late afternoon walk I caught the sun on the dome of this government building.  The shine as it hits the edge, the completely still flag, and the trees in the foreground all contribute to a great picture.

That's some of my week.

Submitting to Share Your Cup hosted by Carol at Art & Sand.

Winter Snowflakes

I started with a Stampin Up! Elegant Eggplant card.  I used a couple of the snowflake stamps from Snowflake Soiree set in Lovely Lilac on Whisper White.  I trimmed the snowflake layer to leave a good border.  I adhered it to the card front. I then cut a piece of textured Lovely Lilac card stock to 4" W x 1.25" T.  I distressed the top and bottom edges with my distress tool.  I adhered it to the card front.   I cut the sentiment from silver card stock with the Cricut and the Winter Frolic cartridge.  I then adhered the sentiment onto the textured layer.

Submitting to
Stampin Celebration - 123 - Sketch
Fabulous Cricut - Monochromatic

Mosaic Monday - Recent Pics

My mosaic features my Stampin Up order which arrived last week.  Sale a Bration runs till March 31, 2016, have you placed your order?  I ordered some basic card stock, some framelits, Christmas paper and got some patterned vellum for free.

The Swan Teapot was in a window display on my walk this morning.  This was my first walk outside this winter.  It was pretty chilly so thank goodness I was facing the sun on my way home.

Lunch today before I go and run Card Club.  Beef and vegetable soup, a cup of tea, a glass of flavored water and a couple of brownies for dessert.  The glass is a new acquisition to replace glasses which were a gasoline promo from many years ago.  These were from IKEA.  I nice weight in the hand which is great.

Submitting to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Card Club - Feb - Half Circle

This is a design I have used before but with a change in paper and card stock it creates a new look.  Here I have selected a designer paper with lots of colors so I could change my card stock color and create variety in the kits.  I used purple, blue, green and pink card stock.  I dipped into my stash of white silk flowers and chose 2 different sizes.  I'm getting to the end of the large ones and they are longer available at my local craft store which is very disappointing.  The card is tall card the the card stock measures 4.25 x 11 inches.  This allows for the ribbon to easily be attached to the inside of the card.  The ends are taped to the inside of the card leaving a little slack, then a shorter piece is tied on.  Alternatively, tie on the shorter first and then tape the ribbon to the inside of the card.  The large flower is placed on the card front and a push pin is used to create a hole for the brad. Place the small then the large flower on the brad.  Push the prongs through the hole and press apart on the inside of the card. I chose this card to provide some with Easter greetings.  We will be meeting again before the holiday but if the cards need to be mailed it would be too late. The greeting is the Modern Label punch with the Word Window punch in the bottom right hand corner.
The grey card features Deja Views - Through the Years - Midnight Blossoms.

Card Club - Feb - DS Split

This is a designer paper split using coordinating double sided paper. I selected paper from Fancy Pants - Fancy Free collection - Tradition.  I cut the DSP to 4.00 x 5.25 then cut it at 3.5 inches.  I turned the smaller piece over and tape them back together with tape.  I placed the gold metallic ribbon over the join and taped the ends to the back. The laye was then adhered to the card front as a single piece. This is a great versatile design because it can become a tall or wide card.  I used the SU circle punches to create the greeting. I assembled it by adhering the 1 1/4" circle to the 1 3/8" circle then to the scallop circle.  The scallop is attached to the card front with 3D foam tape.

The second card features paper from WeRMemory Keepers - Urban Window Collection - Boho Chic Funky Fix. This one was put together in the portrait orientation which contributes to the design's flexibility.

Card Club - Feb - Large Greeting

The starting point for this card was a set of handmade paper flowers.  I had them in several colors.  I have used the aqua and golden yellow ones in these kits.  I've included sympathy greetings as well for the blue card.
There are 3 sizes and patterns on the flowers.  I coordinated the greeting color with the card and the flowers. Once the greeting was adhered to the card front the largest flower is placed in the top left hand corner.  A push pin is used to create a hole in the card front. I placed the white sequin then the smallest flower then the medium then the largest one on the brad.  The prongs of the brad are pushed through the hole and press apart on the inside of the card. The large greeting is my own design.  I can print it any color I need to which works for me.

Card Club - Feb - Photo Frame

We are meeting for card club today. I teach at 2 locations - Senior Centre in the afternoon and the church in the evening.

This card features one of my photos which has been trimmed to 3.75 inches square. The white card stock frame is cut with the Stitched Square Frame die by Die-Namics. The photo is adhered to the frame then that layer is adhered to the card front.  The greeting was trimmed to the banner edge with scissors then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.






I have a variety of photos and card colors in the kits prepared for this class.  With a collection of photos I can make a card with a gal with flowers and I had airplanes and hoodoos for guy cards.

Mat for Cross Stitch

A friend received this tiny cross stitch art piece representing the colorful historical houses in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland.  The original frame had fallen apart and she wanted to preserve the piece of needlework.  Knowing my paper craft skills she asked if I could make a mat to frame it into this new 2.5" x 3.5" frame.  I selected a black textured card stock.  I cut the piece to the size of the frame then with the motto of "measure twice cut once" I penciled the cut out.  After checking, I placed it on a cutting mat with lines across so I could cut very straight. Once cut, it frame the bit of art nicely.  I taped the fabric to the mat.  I cleaned the glass on both sides, slipped the art, the spacer and the backer back into place.  Voila!!  Restored to bring joy again. 

Friday's Hunt 1.8

I'm submitting this to Friday's Hunt hosted by Teresa at Eden Hills. 

The prompts are:
Starts with H
Favorite
Family

H is for honey.  I took a photo of my honey jar with golden yellow sticky stuff.  It's a large, heavy and clear glass jar with a lid with a space for the honey dipper.  Of course the honey dipper needs to be yellow.  This is my second one as I melted the first one when I was melting honey in the microwave.  I've learned my lesson. 

This is my favorite image of the week.  I had to go downtown this week so I took some time to shoot some city images.  I love the reflection of blue sky on the glass windows of this building.  I liked the angles and the square spaces.  The contrast of lights and darks works very well.

This is a shot I have shared before.  My sister and I were out on a photo shoot near a lake where she lives.  It was summer and the sun was shining bright.  I grabbed this shot of our shadows.  I added the Sisters quote.  She is part of my large family and I really enjoy spending time with her.