Monday, April 21, 2025

Cards - Easter Watercolor

I created 2 cards from the watercolor I painted for Easter.

Rolling hills with a beautiful sunrise is the first.

I chose my Newton & Winsor small palette.

A blue sky with green hills and birds in the sky.

Painted on Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper. Works really well.




A tree on this one with a sun in the blue sky.

The card bases for these cards is Stampin Up Soft Sky in the A2 size.

White quarter sheet inserts completes the card and the addition of an envelope and they are ready for the card box after spent overnight under heavy books.



Sunday, April 20, 2025

Happy Easter

 

Wishing everyone who drops by a wonderful spring greeting and 
a Happy Easter to those who celebrate the day!

Friday, April 18, 2025

Cards - Donation - Teacher Appreciation

This set of cards feature more decorative paper.

The top card has a layer of Japanese origami paper mounted onto a Stampin Up Summer Sun card base. 

I added daisy punchies in green and gold with round sequins in the center and held in place with green mini brads.


This card is again the gorgeous Summer Sun card base.

I mounted a layer of SU designer paper in strips. 

I added a strip of Early Espresso cardstock across the top onto which I knotted some yellow cotton thread.

I added 3 maple leaf punchies mounted with Bling Zots.

The bottom card is an Old Olive card base with watercolor leaf designer pape from Stampin Up.

I added a length of the same green card stock across the top.

I then cut 2 stars with the Sizzix Stars#2 die with sharp points. Layered these and then mounted them onto the bar.

Again quarter sheet inserts and envelopes.


Cards - Donation - Teacher Appreciation

This top card is a reused card front from a card I made long ago.  

It is another piece of marbled paper with added frame with metallic gel pen mounted on a grey paper. I trimmed the card front so I could clean up the edges and mount it onto another card. 

I chose a Stampin Up Blushing Bride card base.


I have beautiful origami paper pack brought back by a friend who when to visit her daughter in Japan. 

I chose an Old Olive card base then added a piece of Night of Navy seam binding knotted on the front and adhered it all to the card front.

 

This floral motif marbled paper just needed a focal point so I added a daisy punchie in Pacific Point with a gold sequin and blue tiny brad.

I added a narrow strip of the same blue card stock along the left hand side on card front then adhered the marbled paper layer on top.

These again have white quarter sheet inserts and envelopes.

Cards - Donation - Teachers Appreciation

I made a few cards for my niece who is working on a project for Teacher's Appreciation Day which is May 7th this year.

I dipped into my decorative paper stash and found a few pieces I could work with.

Top card is black A2 card base with a wide strip of gold card stock adhered to the card front. I then glued a black/gold decorative paper and then 2 diamond gold punchies.

Next, is black and grey marbled paper which I mounted on a Stampin Up Smoky Slate card base in the wide orientation. 

I afixed a narrow strip of the same card stock along the bottom edge of the decorative paper.

I then added 5 black round sequins onto the grey strip held in place with Bling Zots.


This card is a black card base onto which I mounted a piece of handmade decorative paper from India with silver leaf motifs.

I added a black strip of card stock along the top and then a SU Decorative Label punchie topped with a silver daisy punchie, sequin and black brad.

These were all given a white quarter sheet insert and envelope.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Cards - I Win - Glitter Butterflies

I continued with the glitter butterflies today.

I chose a Stampin Up Glorious Green A2 card base.

I added 3 blocks of striped glitter designer paper and adhered them with double sided tape.

I added ribbon antennae and mounted it with 3D foam tape. 

I mounted the circle greeting just below the butterfly creating a cohesive focal element.

Added a white quarter sheet insert.


I created this card with similar supplies as the card above.

I adhered a strip of glitter striped designer paper to the top of the landscape (wide) orientated A2 card.

The glitter butterfly received its antennae of satin ribbon then was mounted with 3D foam tape along the bottom edge of the striped paper.

I punched a Stamping Up Decorative Label punchie from the striped paper then cut it in half to mounted the halves offset on the left and right.  Those were glued to the greeting punchie then the full element was mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A white insert was added.

I chose SU Island Indigo as the card base for this set of cards.  Cut to A2 sized card.

I mounted a SU designer paper from the Adventure Bound DSP pad.  Trimmed to leave a small border and mounted to the card front.

I put a strip of Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot with the Swiss Dots folder and mounted that to the DSP.

The butterfly got white cotton thread antennae and was mounted with 3D foam tape.

The SU Small Oval punchie greeting was adhered with DS tape.

A white insert was added.
Another Island Indigo card base with the Adventure Bound designer paper in beautiful blue tones.

I used a SU script folder with the writing going horizontally for this card as it was in the landscape (wide) orientation.

I glitter butterfly has white cotton thread antennae and is mounted with 3D foam tape.

The SU Small Oval punchie greeting coordinating color was adhered with double sided tape.  A white insert was added.

This will be headed to my sister's this weekend and will be in then next batch of cards for IWin charity.

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 3

K3N Cloth Tales - Comfort Coverlet - Week 3   

The theme for April is tea which I just love.

I added a tea house over my table of tea which I put in last week.

It is kind of modeled on a Japanese tea house.  I chose a dark grey floss for this addition to my composition.

Again, using the stem stitch to make nice even lines.

I am enjoying this composition.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Cards - I Win - Glitter Butterflies

I made a few more cards for the I Win charity today.

I used some glitter paper I made a while ago in tones of blues with some green and purple for the butterflies.

I chose Stampin Up Gorgeous Grape card stock in the A2 size as a base.

I embossed a mint green layer of heavy paper with a leaf folder which I adhered to the card front.

I added a die cut butterfly made with the SU Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. I added a black cotton thread antennae then mounted it with 3D foam tape.

I added a SU Modern Label greeting adhered with 3D foam tape and a white quarter sheet insert.

Another Gorgeous Grape card base.

The mint green layer was embossed with a SU floral folder.

I mounted the die cut butterfly with it's thread antennae with 3D foam tape.

A SU Small Oval punchie greeting adhered with 3D foam tape.

A white insert was added.

They are pressing overnight.








For this set of cards I chose a Taken with Teal card stock and cut it in half to create two A2 card bases.  Scored at 4.25 inches and folded in half.

I chose a sheet of designer pape from the Adventure Bound small sheet pad. Love the subtle pattern.

I added a wide coordination ribbon from my stash. It has silver metallic thread along the edges. 

I added a silver ribbon for antennae on the butterfly and mounted it with 3D foam tape.

The greeting is a Modern Label punchie in silver foil with a Word Window greeting layered onto it.  White quarter sheet insert.

I made this card in the wide (landscape) orientation.  

Used the same wide silver and blue ribbon from my stash.

I mounted the butterfly cut with the Beautiful Butterflies die with 3D foam tape once I added it silver ribbon antennae.

Punched another SU Modern Label punchie from silver foil card stock.  The is reflection of my shirt.  Added a Word Window greeting.

White insert and I was done.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 2

K3N Cloth Tales - Comfort Coverlet 2025 - Week 2

I added a teapot, tea cup and a lacy tablecloth to my stitching piece this week.

I chose a teal colored floss for these items.  Stitched with the stem stitch.  Teapot based on the one I use at home every day.

I added some brown stitches for my tea in the cup and some steam coming off the cup.

The lace I just stitched on the background just along the base of my tea items.

I am happy with the results.

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Cards - I Win - Acetate Butterflies

I make some cards for the I Win charity.

 I was at ReUse Center yesterday and found a 12x12" sheet of acetate with pink butterflies on it.

I cut the sheet into 4 pieces I could use. The one corner had butterflies too big for my A2 cards.

Then I dug in my stash to find paintable 12x12 card stock.  I used some of my alcohol inks to stain the paper in 4 different colors.

On this card I chose a scallop patterned paintable card stock and added green alcohol ink diluted with rubbing alcohol applied with a sponge.

I mounted the acetate and green paper to the Kiwi Kiss card base.  Greeting and white insert was added.

For this card I chose a heavy 110lb white card base.

I trimmed the acetate to be a bit smaller than the purple paintable card stock layer.  These are held together with black tiny brads. Then this layer was adhered to the card base with double sided tape.

I added a SU Word Window punchie greeting in black to coordinate with the brads.  It is mounted to the acetate with 3D foam tape.

A white insert was added.





Love this one!

The A2 card base is SU Crushed Curry.

I added a paintable card stock layer which has script on it.  It has been painted with yellow alcohol ink diluted with rubbing alcohol and applied with a sponge.

The paintable layer and the acetate had held together with yellow mini brads in each corner.  This is adhered with double sided tape.

I added a SU Word Window punchie greeting in pink.

A white insert and we are good do go.

I will press these over night.

The card base for this cards is Stampin Up Taken with Teal.  

The paintable layer has a script pattern. It was colored with alcohol ink diluted with rubbing alchol and applied with a sponge.

I attached the acetate and the blue painted layer with white tiny brads in each corner.   This was then adhered to the card base with double sided tape.

I added a blue SU Word Window punchie greeting in the top left hand corner.  It is attached with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and we are good to go.

Friday, April 4, 2025

Cards - A2 - Scraps on my desk

The card base is dark brown textured cardstock.  

I cut a piece from a scrap of this gold and kraft polka dot card stock to leave a small border and adhered it to the card front.

I glued a strip of the card base card stock across the front aligned to the top.

I cut a bird on a branch with the Tim Holtz die and adhered it on with Scotch Quick Glue.

I used a gold sharpie marker to add an eye to the bird and some marks on the cardstock strip and branch.

A white insert and an off white envelope.  Yeah!

I chose a Stampin Up Kiwi Kiss card base for this card.

I cut a piece of SU designer paper which was just begging to be colored.  I used some Prismacolor pencils to color the main flower and the surrounding leaves.  I left the lilies white.

This layer was adhered to the card front with double sided tape.

Really simple but effective.

A white insert and envelope and another hits the stash.




Another Kiwi Kiss card base with a totally different card front.

The designer paper is a leftover.  I cut the layer leaving a small border then I cut it again and turned over the small piece to show the script back side.  I taped these together with clear tape.  It was adhered to the card front.

I added a narrow strip of dark brown cardstock over the join.  

I cut a bird on the branch again this time in Baja Breeze and used quick dry glue attached him along the strip.

A white quarter sheet insert and a matching envelope.



A cute baby card.  I painted this little bear a few weeks ago for my Macro Monday challenge on Flickr. 

I turned it into a card.  I trimmed it to the 3x3 size which is the limit for MM.

I layered it onto dark brown cardstock leaving a nice border.

I mounted it onto a Baja Breeze card base.

Dug into my stash of greetings and added this 2" oval punchie mounted with 3D foam tape.

Added a quarter sheet insert and an envelope.

 

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Cards - A2 - Serendipity Paper

I created a 8.5 x 11 sheet of serendipity paper when I created cards with the origami paper this week.   

I cut it into 4 pieces to make the best use of it.  That means A2 cards.

I started with So Saffron card base to measure 4.25 x 5.5 folded.

I adhered my collage paper to the front leaving a small border. 

I cut a strip of the same card stock and added a length of Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon.

I added Spellbinder charm die cut hung with ivory crochet cotton.

A white quarter sheet insert and an ivory envelope.

For this card I chose the same yellow card base and adhered the piece of collage paper to the front leaving a small border.

I added a length of Early Espresso card stock across the landscape (wide) card in the top half

I cut a Sizzix Primitive Star with the yellow medium die. It was mounted onto the brown strip with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert and ivory envelope.

I was lucky to get 50 of these envelopes at the thrift store this week for $2.00.


Another wide card.

The card base is Early Espresso and the collage paper was trimmed to leave a small border.

I added a card stock strip of brown and topped with a narrower strip of So Saffron card stock.

I punched a pine tree from dark brown card stock and adhered it with Scotch Quick Dry adhesive on the left hand side.

A white quarter sheet insert and an ivory envelope to complete the card.


The fourth card in this series made with serendipity paper.  I used origami papers 3x3 collaged to card stock.  

I chose a ginger colored card stock and adhered the trimmed collage paper to the front.

I added a strip of the same card stock to the front once I had added a length of dark brown grosgrain ribbon across it.

I hung a square charm cut with Spellbinder die set.

I added a white insert and an ivory envelope.

Not my normal color scheme but they worked out well.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 1

I chose tea for the subject of my April slow stitching square.

I chose a mottle blue piece of cotton fabric which I invisible basted to a thin cotton foundation layer.

I chose to create a tea bag and tag which adds a border around my square.

The tea bag has been running stitch around the edge of it with seed stitches towards the bottom to represent the tea.  

The green tag is at the other end onto which I added TEA lettered in turquoise.

The string was embroidery with stem stitch in a grey floss. 

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Cards - A7 - Bands and Ribbon

Another set of A7 cards.

I started this one with a pack of origami paper 3x3 inches with travel and writing theme.

I just selected a few and glued them down to the front of my ivory card base.

I chose a light green card stock strip to overlay on the front and embossed it with a Stampin Up Script folder.  I then used SU Tea Stain ink to highlight the writing.  I added a length of Always Artichoke seam binding which I touched with the same ink to help it fit in.  I knotted onto the strip. I adhered it to the card front with double sided tape. 

Added a white insert and an off white envelope from my stash of free ones from years ago.

This designer paper is leftover from a previous card making session.

I love the colors.  I chose a Lost Lagoon card base and adhered the designer paper cut to leave a small border.

I chose a piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock and embossed it with a Cuttlebug folder.  I knotted a length of Baja Breeze seam binding around it and trimmed the ends.

The strip was adhered to the card front in the landscape (wide) orientation.  This seems to have a bit of a Christmas vibe.

Added a white insert and off white envelope.


I started with a designer paper leftover.

I added a Stampin Up Island Indigo card base.  I trimmed the patterned paper to leave a small border and adhered it to the front.

I added a card stock strip in Pumpkin Pie and embossed it with the D'vine Swirl folder.  I rubbed the swirls with a More Mustard ink pad. 

I added a coordinating knot of satin ribbon and adhered the strip to the card front.

I finished the card with a white insert and an off white envelope.


 

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Cards - A7 - Die Cuts

Another few cards today.  Again, A7 (5.25x7.25 inch) envelopes.

I started with an ivory card base.  I cut a piece of textured turquoise card stock to leave a small border.  

I cut a Tim Holtz Cameo Frame die cut from left over Stampin Up More Mustard card stock from yesterday's session. Trimmed a piece of watercolor designer paper to fit the middle of the die cut. 

The floral accent is a large daisy punchie in turquoise, topped with a small More Mustard one held in place with a turquoise mini brad. 

The cabinet die cut was then adhered to the turquoise layer with 2 more blue mini brads top and bottom.

I added the finishing border with a warm grey colored pencil and also added lines on the large daisy die cut.  A white insert and an ivory envelope to finish it off.

For this card the base is SU Tempting Turquoise card stock in 12x12. 

I used the negative piece from the Cameo Frame die cut to layer onto the card front leaving a tiny border. 

I placed a piece of the watercolor designer paper behind the More Mustard layer. 

I cut a Sizzix Leaf Stem die cut from warm green card stock then embellished it would pencil crayons. I cut a couple more leaves and added them below the opening.

I added a pencil crayon line along the inside of the die cut in a warm grey.

A white insert and an ivory envelope were added.

For this card, I chose a warm green card base. 

I ripped left over card stock in the More Mustard and the Tempting Turquoise and layered them with a piece of the watercolor designer paper.

I cut a flower with the Sizzix Flower Daisy #4 die from turquoise card stock.  I glued it to the front of the card with Scotch Quick Dry adhesive.

I added some texture to the flower with colored pencils. 

I mounted a tiny button in the center of the flower with a Bling Zot.

A white insert and an ivory envelope completes the card.

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Cards - A7 - Florals

I needed a distraction today so I put my hands to making some cards for my stash.

I found some A7 (5.25 x 7.25 inches) envelopes which were free when received so nice to destash.

The floral designer paper I chose is by Anna Griffin in this grey brown color cut to about 4 inches. 

The dark layer is some Early Espresso in Co-ordinations style which means it has a colored core and folding the card stock reveals that color so I used it for the layer and band instead.

The script paper at the bottom designed by Blue Fern Studios - Paisley & Vine - Bohemian. 

The card base is Stampin Up Sahara Sand.  A white sheet insert and ivory envelope.

This card has the same components.

I cut the floral paper to leave a large board all the way around then cut a Early Espresso layer leaving a narrower border.

SU Sahara Sand is the A7 card base used in the landscape orientation.

I cut a band of the dark brown card stock and flagged the end. Using 3 ivory mini brads I adhered it to the 2 other layers.

This full layer was then adhered to the card base with double sided tape.

A white insert and an ivory envelope.

For this card I chose a Stampin Up More Mustard card base to fit in an A7 envelope.

I cut the floral designer paper by Anna Griffin in the mustard color to leave a wide border all the way around.

I layered a piece of Early Espresso card stock behind leave a narrow strip on the left and right sides. These were adhered to each other with double sided tape.

I cut a strip of the dark brown card stock and then added 2 Stampin Up Five Petal punchies in the dark brown and the More Mustard colors with a tiny flower punch in the center all adhered to the layers with a More Mustard mini brad. 

A white insert with an ivory envelope.

A Stampin Up More Mustard base to fit in an A7 envelope.

The Early Espresso but to leave a small border all the way around and the mustard floral by Anna Griffin cut a bit smaller to provide an even brown border on all sides.

I added a band running top to bottom on the left hand side of the floral piece.

I punched a Martha Stewart butterfly punchie in More Mustard and adhered it to the 2 previous layers with a yellow mini brad.

This was all adhered to the card front in the landscape orientation.  White insert and an ivory envelope. 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 4

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 4. "My Favorite Colors"

I am still working with my favorite colors. I felt the middle of the circle needed something else.

I decided to add 2 squares of white stitching to the center.  They were supposed to be less regular than they turned out to be. 

I then added a star of white stitching in the middle of the squares.  I have a really hard time making thing irregular.  

You can see that I decided to finish the seams along the 1 inch border.  I think I will be assembling these pieces with stashing with a backing fabric to hind all the stitching when all the pieces are done.  


Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 3

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 3.

I continued to add stitching to the remaining bands of color. I stayed with my four colors and added yellow circles to the turquoise band.  

Then tight waves in navy on the yellow band.  Then wider waves in turquoise on the pink band. I used a scrapbook tool to mark out the waves onto the fabric. 

I then added a circle of tiny white rick rack couched down with pink thread. 

It is looking pretty good.
 

Monday, March 17, 2025

Sympathy Watercolor

I did this watercolor as a sympathy card for a cousin who loss her Dad recently.  He passed away fairly quickly so it will be an adjustment to life without him.

I reused some watercolor paper that had art on the other side.

A simple landscape with a river, trees, hills and birds in the sky.

I used a small Winsor and Newton set I picked up at the ReUse Center recently.

I added definition with a Micron black marker.

Mounted on SU True Thyme A2 card base.

Headed out of town for the funeral today.


Sunday, March 16, 2025

Cards - Watercolor Abstract

I wanted to add some cards to my stash so I chose to reuse the bright watercolors I created in this post.

I cut the watercolor art into pieces.  In this card 4x5.25 inches.  I then used a Micron fine black marker and outlined the shapes in the watercolor.

I followed the idea of neurographic art and rounded the intersections of the black lines.  I added a border all the way around. Added circles to some of the white dots.

I used a black marker to darken the edge of the watercolor paper.

Mounted on Stampin Up Island Indigo card stock with a quarter sheet insert on the inside paired with a white envelopee.

For this card I cut the watercolor art to 3.5 inches square.

Again, added black marker lines around the shapes in the watercolor.  Soften the intersections and circled some of the dots in the art.

Added a black border all the way around.

I mounted it leaving even edges around 2 side onto a SU Gumball Green A2 card base.

Added a white insert and envelope.




This one had a good variety of colors so there was a good choice of colors for card base.

In this card, I chose SU Pacific Point in the A2 size.  These I did mount all in the portrait orientation but they could be landscape (wide) as well.

I love the bright spot of pink in this piece of watercolor. 

Again, black marker to outline the shapes in the watercolor with a border all the way around.

A white quarter sheet insert and envelope.



The card base on this card is an A2 in the SU Kiwi Kiss color.

The watercolor was cut to 3.5 inches square.

Mounted to the card front with double sided tape.  I added white quarter sheet insert and an envelope.

Pressed under books over night and is now sitting in the box.

These were fun to do and allowed my art to shine again.

 

Tree Scent Ornaments - A few more

Colonial Candle Co. Angel Candle Hugger Vintage Made in Taiwan in the 1950s. Made of porcelain and measures 2.5" tall.

It holds an ivory felt candle which I fashion myself with a yellow flame at the top. It hangs from a warm toned ribbon gathered around her wings.

She is an oil diffuser where pure essential oil is placed on the felt and the scent is dispersed into the space.

Can be used with tree scented oils to provide a Christmas Tree scent to your artificial tree. She also stands so can be used in other spaces.

Use in any personal space to disperse a calming scent as you drink your favorite beverage and relax.

A wonderful clear glass heart ornament that features a frosted cupid playing its flute.

The felt diffuser is a small pink heart whose edge has been blanket stitched all the way around.  

A small E bead has been added to the front where it has been stitched to the pink satin ribbon hanger.

I can be given to a loved one as a token of affection and is practical.  It allows one to diffuse scent in a personal space and on the Christmas tree during the holiday season.

It measures 3.5 inches tall

The diffuser features a wooden kitty cat.  It has eyes and black whiskers.

Its tummy holds a black felt ball which is the diffuser.

Place a few drops of  pure essential oil of your choice onto the felt ball and the scent will fill your personal space.

It makes your morning tea or your afternoon snack break a time to relax.

It can be hung but it also stands on it own making it move with you as needed.



Another small frame turned into a tree scent ornament.

I chose a seasonal theme for this diffuser by stitching a bright green Christmas tree on green felt. I added a yellow star at the top and brown trunk at the bottom.

I used French Knots for the red ornaments along the branches.

I crocheted a hanger from cotton floss in the same red as the ornaments.  It was stitched directly to the felt oval to ensure it is secure.

The gold frame features enameled green decoration around the edge.