This Is What I Do: Create

Another card today using new techniques that I learned watching videos. It's nice that these pros post such helpful videos, so we novices can do and learn. I don't have all the neat equipment and supplies that they do, but I have learned to make do with what I have. This card took approximately 1 1/2 hours to complete because I was skeptical about what I was doing and using a technique I hadn't used before. But it turned our fabulous if I do say so myself!! LOL! I taped off the top and bottom of white watercolor paper (cold press 140# smooth side) then inked up the strip in the middle with blue and green dye ink from Hero Arts. I dried it well with heat gun, then sprinkled water on it, let it sit for a few seconds then blotted it off. Again I dried it well , then stamped the trees (tree stamp set from Stampabilities) with black dye ink from Ranger. I dried it well, removed tape. I stamped the sentiment with Versamark clear ink, added clear embossing powder, and heat e...

This month's "mini" mission is KEY. No other specifications were listed. No quote hints, or color suggestions. So I made a tag. Watercolor background with splatters of red and teal. The books are some ephemera that I have accumulated along the craft journey, the key was in  a collection of keys and hearts that I found at a local retailer for $1.00 around Valentine's Day. The "world" is from a foam stamp on cardstock in black dye ink, then "fussy" cut and the stars are some glue-on gems from my stash of colorful beads, etc. This expresses exactly my love for reading, along with my love for paper and mixed media crafting. That's all for today, Go, create something!!

Today I made two more cards. I tried another white on white one. I am always experimenting with my Cricut Expressions (older model) and found that I could use the "center point" feature to place a cut out oval (or any other shape) right where I want it. Then I cut the florals from the "Elegant Edges" cartridge, then placed them around the oval, added some pearls and some "wink of Stella" for shimmer. I cut the butterflies from the same cartridge. I stamped the sentiment on the inside. The dotted texture is from the Cuttlebug dotted swiss embossing folder and run through the Big Shot. If you click on the photo, the detail shows much better. I don't seem to have the right lens or the right technique for photographing the fine detail. There's that learning curve again. The second card was made with the "George and basic shapes" cartridge and some gems. The stamp was one I had from an inexpensive set of silicone stamps. I used purpl...

Today it's cold, icy and miserable outside. A good day to stay in and create. This is the 'white on white' card I made for my best friend for Valentine's Day. The dimensions of the card are 4.25"x 5.5". It's a top fold. Usually I use a side fold, but decided to "shake it up" a little today. I used 110 lbs card stock for all except the bird. I used 65 lbs card stock and made two, stacking them for a little texture and dimension. The music background is done with an embossing folder by Tim Holtz and run through a Sissix Big Shot. (The bird was cut with a die on the Big Shot.) Inside of the card simply says, "Hello friend." I stamped that onto a rectangle of white card stock and glued it inside. Embellished with a red heart stick on gem and two stick on pearls from ms.sparkle at Joann's. I had a good idea what I wanted this card to look like, so it really didn't take all that long tomake. I didn't want anything "mus...

Since retirement, I have become interested in Mixed Media art. Cardmaking is a favorite of mine, but I do attempt to create some other pieces as I go along. I love trying new products, and have a plethora of both old and new. I follow a few artists on YouTube, and have some favorites. I also have some favorite products that are my "go to's." As I go along, I will try to share what I have done, and also share some of my favorite products. So, with out further ado, I shall carry on. (Note here that any pictures I post on here are my feeble attempts at photography, unless I give credit to someone else.) This is a mixed media pic I did using a watercolor background, texture paste through a stencil and cut paper. The cardinal was free hand, then painted with watercolor and finished with a watercolor pencil. The "snow" around the edges is texture paste "smeared" on with a palette knife.    I belong to a Facebook group called Mission Inspiration. Eve...