INKY FINGERS

More pages in my A4 journal, made with watercolour crayons and Sharpies.

xxx

It was my turn to do the class at the Stamp Club on Saturday, and I couldn’t decide what to do, so I ended up doing three different things – sort of…  There was a mini meeting before we began, which I wasn’t allowed to attend (I’m not a member), so I started quite late and consequently was unable to complete the final project, a popup accordion book/card. I did give them the die cut cards and show everyone how to put it together, which is a bit fiddly, to say the least!

We played around with watercolour paper and water based dye inks, creating a misty looking background, then overstamped with pigment inks and heat embossed with clear powder.  Here are the results.

Some better than others…, lol.

Incidentally, if you haven’t yet tried the Tsukineko Delicata Gold inkpad, you really should!  It’s wonderful and it’s water soluble so if you add it to the paper with water, it leaves a lovely glitzy effect. That’s it on the card above, on the right hand side – used with my trusty Stampendous crackle stamp.

They’re all cut with the (TH) Sizzix Cabinet die, btw. I don’t have a lot of dies but I quite like this one.

I have photos of most of the accordion cards, so I’ll upload them in a day or so.

Wishing you all a great week.

xxx

…more pages!

These two are from Gelli prints Sarah, Lynne and I did together a few weeks ago, using deli paper and various acrylics.

These come from another avenue I’m currently exploring… a long, ongoing story …

… and these are my latest journal pages, hot off the press…

Thanks so much those of you who commented and welcomed me back – it means a lot at any time but especially at this moment in time.

xxx

Hello bloggers!  I’ve missed you – sorry I’ve been AWOL again but life has been a little busy lately and shows no sign of letting up.

I have, however, been doing a little creating, so I thought I’d blog a little to catch up.

Here are a few pages from my mixed paper size Faith Journal.

As you can see from the photo below, I went back in with the black pen to outline the stars and add a stitched border to top and bottom.

The side border is a Dylusions stamp which I cut around to create a shaped border.

This one was lots of fun to do.  It’s glossy card so I used alcohol inks on it to create a mid blue(ish) sky, then added the rays with a fine paintbrush. I added more lines and texture with Ranger’s original Acrylic paint – they changed its name to Pearly something or other last time I saw it but I haven’t heard of it for a while.  I used Butterscotch, and pulled more out with the paintbrush. I was really pleased with the effect and it’s very tactile.

More to come soon…

xxx

Black, white and a splash of blue…

Reverse Masking…

and because I used my handmade stencil for this one (die cut) I’m entering it into the current ‘That’s Crafty’ challenge.

Enjoy your week

xxx

This is the current challenge over at KCUK – I’ve missed so many of them lately but this one is so ‘up my street’ I thought I’d have a go in between resorting my Craft Room – again!

I’ve missed a reverse masking challenge, too so I hope to be back with that one soon.

Thanks for looking.

xxx

Just made a very quick card to send to my special friend in France, with a letter.  I really do need to make some cards quickly because there are a few KCUK birthdays imminent and I have  none to send…

Here’s the one I just made. I’ll show you two photos – the first, then the second after the addition of white pen and shading. It’s changed again because I’ve now added gold Liquid pearlsto the centre of the flowers, to add a little something. but that will take a little while to dry, so I can’t scan yet.

Here, too is another Journalling page from last week – I haven’t had time to do much this week because Isabella’s been here a couple of times and all has to be made tidy hidden away to keep from little, inquisitive hands!

This is an A4 journal and there are part pages to go with this one but I didn’t scan them – will add them soon.

It’s weekend again – yikes – where does time go?

Wishing you all a Happy Weekend!

xxx

Last week I went to my old Stamp Club (Victoria Stampers as it was) to attend a journalling workshop, led by a special friend, the lovely Sarah.  It was great and we had lots of fun but it was also very inspiring and this week I’ve actually made time in my currently busy life to play a little. 

One of the things Sarah covered was lettering – using a sample of lettering within a flower, so I had to try that – TWICE, in two different sized journals!  Sadly, unlike Sarah’s, my wording isn’t brilliant and words really are a huge part of my journalling – must try harder or go back to my usual handwriting, which I usually end up preferring, if I’m honest!

Susi very kindly pointed out that the current challenge over at Art Journal Journey is Flower Power, so I’m going to enter it over there –seems ages since I took part and there were far fewer entries then.  Thanks, Susi.

I had lots of fun with this page.

I’ll be back with more…

Happy Weekend!

xxx

This week, my friend of 40 years retired from a job she’s been doing in our church for 20 years – it’s been a very emotional time for all involved – both now and in the past - including her three sisters, who worked with her in the café. 

I decided to make a book for her, as a little keepsake to celebrate her time there.  She’s touched the lives of so many people in this time and vice-versa, bless her.

I had to get her sister to sneak some photos of her and we both managed to get some of the staff currently volunteering, plus a couple of those who worked there years ago.  Here are a few photos, though some of them are a little bit blurred – my phone photos are never as good as those taken with my camera.

I forgot to mention that the tags in the envelope are little messages from both staff and regular customers.

Here are a few shots to show the gorgeous mica effects – I don’t often use mica these days but maybe I should!

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend!

Hopefully, I’ll be back with some Attitude of Gratitude journalling – I haven’t been able to do any at all this week – life’s been really hectic this week with two lots of babysitting (all day) plus a party and a pretty nasty cold!

xxx

Still Practising Gratitude!

I’m still following Bernice’s course, even if my pages don’t seem to be strictly based on her fabulous inspirational videos and links – what a treat it is to focus on our blessings. I just won’t have time to journal daily – unless I just do small things…

Sometimes life isn’t quite as easy as it is at others, but I know that being thankful to God for what I have is what keeps my head above water.

Life is a gift :-D

I’ve been enjoying playing with Twinklers after a few years away from them – they blend so well and layer up really easily.  I’ve also stamped with them underneath the black flutterbies, though you may not be able to see it – the pearlescent sheen is there.

I had a much needed playtime and intend to make time for some more this coming week – I have a few important things to create!

I also used acrylic inks when colouring these – I’ve only had them for around 12 years ;)  It’s great to put old stash to good use, though. Love these Stampendous butterflies.

The Stampalot Challenge this month is Anything Goes, so these will be my entries.

I just discovered that some of my journal pages made Number One in the Make My Monday Top Three – what a lovely surprise!  Thank you. VERY much – I’m honoured.

Have a great weekend!

xxx