'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday 20 June 2020

Hello!
I've been meaning to blog this all week, but I just got busy - playing! No excuse other than being so wrapped up in what I've been doing 😉 while listening to videos and music. 
I hope you're all surviving and looking forward to more freedom - if you don't already have it. 'Normality' still feels a long way off but I think I'm going to have to get used to it again soon. 

When I was using up my Ecolines - I still have lots left - I made several backgrounds and really loved some of the more colourful ones. This was one of them. Sorry the light is mixed, but this photo was taken in full sunshine. On the other hand, you can see how the sunlight brings out the best in these gorgeous colours.  Look at the contrast where the sun catches it. Wow! It just looks magical. 
As you can see, I did a little bit of basic background stamping on this bit of card before using it.
I decided it couldn't be for anything other than whimsy and quirky and so I pulled out my little stash of Janet Klein images and words. I love these but I think it's the words I love most. I added very little to the background because a) it's so busy with colour and b) I didn't want to cover it too much!
So I folded it in half, then folded it back on itself, stamped and coloured. 
These are the unfolded pages. Although I stamped them directly on the pages, I also stamped, coloured (watercolouring and Prisma pencils) and fussy cut images to cover over the top.
I did attempt stamping the words directly, but I should've realised they just wouldn't show clearly enough. So I stamped on white card and cut them out, which gave me a little more leeway and is my preferred style anyway.
Here are the individual pages.


And this is the cover page


Instead of making a front and back cover, as I normally would, I  used an offcut folded card to make the book. I wish I'd made front and back covers because it won't open up flat but - to be absolutely honest - I didn't want to have to stamp/decorate the back... 😳... shame on me!
Because of the way I'd made it, there wasn't much room to add a greeting to the person I sent it to (she already has it 😉) so... remembering something I'd seen on Dar's Blog, one of our KCUK members, I opted for hiding a tag behind them. It was a bit late to do it well because I'd already attached the pages, but I found a die cut of a gusseted tag holder, so I managed to fix that to the back of one of the pages and inserted a little tag that I could write on. You can see its ribbon popping out above the second page.

Here's the book as it looked when completed.


As you can see, I added lots of white on this, doodling and stencilling, just to brighten it up a little and to add more interest.
The recipient liked it, so I'm happy, and it was fun to make 😊

Linking to
As You Like it, Digital or Rubber and Why?  
I definitely prefer rubber because they are FAR more versatile and give you lots more options with techniques, placement and double stamping - to avoid cutting out the fiddly bits.
Everybody Art Challenge, Favourite stamps... I have too many loved stamps to have a favourite but right now, these JK images are right up there in my Top Ten, especially the Underwear one)
Use Your Stuff, It's a Girl Thing
Stamping Sensations, Make it Colourful

Back to the Craft Room for me!
Thank you so much for calling in today
Back soon
Stay safe!
Cath
xxx

16 very kind comments from lovely people:

crafty-stamper said...

Absolutely gorgeous -love the fabulous backgrounds and quirky stamps-love all the pops of white stencilling and doodling too
Carol x

pearshapedcrafting said...

This may not have turned out as you would have liked but I must say it certainly cheered me up! Lovely bright colours, those fab images, the fun quotes and all in a little mini book - what more would your friend want!! I have so enjoyed my catch up today Cath! So pleased you got to see your granddaughter and hope you get to see her again soon! I have to wait a while to see my grandchildren!! Big hugs, Chrisx

DVArtist said...

OMGosh Cath these characters are just too darn cute. I am not looking forward to going out. In fact, I'm not. Not many people followed the rules in my town to begin with. Now the tourist have invaded like there is no covid. They are normally rude and trash my town but it seems they are more errant now. I do go to the store when they open. I have so much to do here at home that I do not miss going out at all. I do have to have eye surgery July 7. I am terrified. LOL

brenda said...

What absolute fun Cath, such vibrancy and so much detail and I can you just had fun making this, thank you so much for joining in with our 'Colourful' theme at Stamping Sensations challenge.

Not sure what format your Ecolines are as I know they have moved on in recent years, but going way back to the early days of C&C I did a couple of shows introducing Ecoline in little ink bottles. At the time most thought I had totally lost the plot with all that vibrant colour and I think the only person who really understood was Glenda Waterworth who was in the studios the same day introducing Glimmer Mists. How things have changed.

B x

María said...

This is absolutely awesome, I love the bright colours on the background. And those stamps are super cute but what I like more are those sentiments they're very very original. Hugs, María.

My name is Erika. said...

This is a such fun colorful page Cath. I've been eyeing those AALL and Create kids. They are just adorable and it is good to see them used. What a great creative piece. You have used your time well! Happy rest of your weekend, what is left to it. Hugs-Erika

Let's Art Journal said...

Beautiful makes! I love the background that you created of the rainbow colours and stamped patterns - amazing 😁. It showcases the whimsical figures and wording perfectly! Happy Sunday and wishing you a wonderful new week! Hugs, Jo x

Linda Kunsman said...

what a really darling book- fantastic colors and happy images! Who wouldn't delight with such a thoughtful gift...

Sally H said...

Wow, wow, wow, Cath! What an amazing creation! I love the vibrancy of those colours. I have ecoline inks in bottles somwhere, but have been hanging my nose over the brush pens. I love your colourful creation for our challenge at stamping sensations this month! Thanks for joining us and good luck!

missgailly said...

OH MY! This is just so darn cute, awesome, cool, wow, wow, WOW! LOVE IT! Thanks for playing along at USE YOUR STUFF - Gail #staysafe #stayhealthy

Words and Pictures said...

Fabulous rainbow colours - such an uplifting little book to look through. A smile on every page. Brilliant words too.
Alison x

pinky said...

OMG this is AMAZING! The colours just jump out, the quirky images are class and yes, as you say the wording is just brilliant! Can you tell I LOVE this!! Thanks for joining us this month at Stamping Sensations.
Pinky

HandmadeCardsByGeorgia said...

Thanks for joining us over at Creative Fingers Challenge blog. Just amazing I love it! Georgia DT for Creative Fingers.

Zw@@n said...

Oh wow, love this book. Super cute images and I looooove the colours and backgroundpapers. Thank you for joining us at As You Like It. xx Wilma

Lorraine said...

This is a fabulous project, stunning stamping and colours


Thanks for joining our challenge at As You Like It this time
Lorraine x

Neet said...

I never thought all those years ago when I used to come to you for workshops that I would ever find you doing something like this.
Isn't it funny how our tastes change so? Mine has, I used to write "anything but cute" on my list for what type of card I liked but now these Janet Klein stamps appeal to me as they do to you. Aren't they gorgeous/exquisite. What a wonderful excuse they are for using bright colours as you have done and just plain old having fun creating.
I am sure the recipient was as delighted to receive this as I was to look at it. Brilliant, love it Cath.
Hugs, Neet xx