Busy Sunday

It was a fun day. Lots to do and trying to keep a balance so worked on finishing a project. I love creating backgrounds. These are done with Alcohol Ink, blending solution, and water-base dye ink. Started with the lettuce green alcohol ink and then rubbed in early espresso dye ink. The blending solution created the neat looking rings of color (or lack of). My goal was to create a feel of a rabbit hole. This is for a swap at Paper Traders, Alice's Mad Tea Party ATC. What do you think?

Then found this great vintage clip art on Graphic Fairy. A perfect fit and used some photo pens to color her in to give a aged look.

Here is the almost completed ATC. I stamped a clock face on the background. Added some black card stock that was embossed. I liked the added piece tea cup and heart. Seems like it needs something.. may need to let it sit..  What do you think?

Time flied today.. feel just like the Alice rabbit... I'm late, I'm late...  but just relaxed this afternoon and found lots to be thankful for and my top 5 are:

1. Beautiful weather after a good rain
2. So much inspiration around
3. A wonderful Palm Sunday and the beginning of Easter Week
4. Alcohol Ink
5. Keep trying new techniques

Have a wonderful week!

Paper Quilling

Tonight was my demonstrator meeting and I brought a project for our group, paper quilling. This so fun to do. A very simple technique but adds a fun flare. To create the quilled pieces, take thin strips of paper (1/16) and wrap tightly around pin or I used a toothpick. Keep wrapping around until you have the length you want. Slide out the toothpick and you have the curled pieces. Add until all petals are covered and I used a pearl over the center. Flower can be added to anything, we added one to the bookmarker that did earlier.

Vintage design and flowers

This card has several parts that I like to do. The background is dry embossed. I then rubbed ink over it so that the embossing would show more. The green behind the large flower is embossed the same way. I also used a flower punch with a circle punch for the center and the green bud. Then the happy birthday words is cut out so it would fit the label. I have a punch that fits the stamp for the label itself. This has two labels turned cross ways to make the design. To give a aged effect, I ruffed the edges. Simple but nice card,

Moody Monday

Back to work but did finish another project this weekend. This is part of a swap over at Paper Traders group. The theme is old west and it was to be created on those coasters you get in restaurants. I chose to use the Pony Express as my design theme. The route for the Pony Express was from St Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California so a little local history for me.  I used an express rider for the focal item. Added the background trail and fence and then on the bottom added in some twisted, rusty wire. The back side is a pony express stamp and the label. I look forward to the exchange to see how others made theirs. It is fun to see the different ideas.

Hope all have a good week.

Sunday inspirations

It was a rainy day today and for most of the weekend. Spent time working on small projects and with the family. This is a card I completed this week. The daffodil stamp is a older stamp that I love to use. I have colored it several ways. I have used chalk, markers, and this time was ink with a blender pen. It is a more watercolor type look. Sponged the thank you tag and some on the flowers too. There is a small butterfly up on the left side. Wanted the card to have a nature feel so I used a mulberry paper for the background. This is a fun spring card. I have lots to be thankful for and the top 5 today are:

1. Rain that was needed

2. Daffodils

3. Sharing art design with my sister

4. New beginnings and keeping my hope up

5. Making cards for friends

Spring Sunday

This time of year is beautiful here. Today is a sunny day after a few windy rainy days. Spring is also a time of new beginnings and freshness. And who can not miss all the beautiful new flowers. Here is a flower we made at a demo meeting I had last week. It is made of ribbon that you cut and place on sticky paper in a spiral pattern. Then you use a heat gun and the ribbon melts and curls to make the ruffled petals. After it is cooled, we added some layers of leaves and a large brad for the center. 

The flower can be added to many things, a gift package, a card, or as I am doing this week at my open house, a bookmark. So simple yet very pretty. Such beauty does remind me of my thankfulness. My top 5 this week are:

1. Sharing art with friends

2. To always be open to learning

3. Changing weather and the beauty of spring

4. Prayers and thoughts for those affect by the tornadoes and bad weather

5. Though tough sometimes, to find a good balance in life

What is first

Another week goes flying by. I was able to sneak in a little art though.  These are some moo cards for a swap due today. The theme for the swap was vintage fashion. These little cards are simple and I added a tiny seashell for added effect.
Well have a great TGIF tomorrow!

Sunday clarity

Well I am back after a wonderful retreat with my daughter. This is the first statue you see when you walk up to the retreat center. It was so welcoming and a lovely place, I wish I could stay there longer. I am very thankful for what I did get to do and my top 5 items this week are.

1. Learning to slow down and appreciate my blessings

2. Fun times with my Daughter

3. Keeping an open mind

4. Keeping good to my Lenten promise

5. Time to do what I need to do for myself and others

Have a wonderful week.. Amanda

Altered schedule

These are leftovers from various projects. Every time I look at them I think about different things to do with them. Do you keep pieces from projects that don't make it in or are extra? Or do you finish a project, clean up, and get rid of any leftovers?

I see possibilities in these little pieces and I keep them out so that I can look at them for colors, designs, or just for the creative muse of it..

Well today is an altered schedule for me. I am going on a mother-daughter retreat with my younger daughter and I am excited but can not show it too much... don't want to over load her (I sometimes do that). This altered time is like my pieces.. a time to slow down, take stock of my relationship with her, and appreciate all the beautiful parts of my daughter and me..

Wishing all a wonderful day, take care...

Ash Wednesday

Another simple ATC for the swap over at Paper Traders. I love hearts.. and what better why do show it then with all different types of papers, textures, and sizes. And a little late but February is a whole month of love right??  Not just for Valentine's day...

And with today being Ash Wednesday, I reflect on the many loves in my life. I love my family and friends. I love paper of course and the wonderful things you can do with it.. ATCs being my new favorite thing to do with it.  Hmm.. not too sure where I am going with this post but I was just trying to be true to my Lenten Journey this year and LOVE needs to be a big part of it.. Love myself, love others, and love those who may not love me back.. And for my gifts of love this season, I give up a HUGH love... chocolate..  And I do another love and that is to take the stairs not elevators... Well if I write this in my blog, I must hold myself to it!!  Haha..

I will keep you posted on this lenten journey..  it may take a lot of LOVE but it can be done.