Autumn thank yous

I noticed my thank you card selection was short and I needed some French ones for colleagues, so decided to use the homespun gratitude kit from Simon says to create some autumn themed thank you cards

I’ve been experimenting to learn how to do the splatter background with ink and brush so tried that in most of these.

I also tried inking in a shaded background though it doesn’t work great on this type of paper, it’d be easier with watercolour paper.

On this one I enjoyed putting a moon in with my Copics

On the next one I used a stamp for the splatter background instead of doing by hand

All in all, I was in the mood to make Christmas cards so it was hard to get in the mind set for this but the stamp set had lots of accompaniment images like leaves which made it easier to put these together easily.

Tim holtz card kit inspiration

 Hello,

I’ve been quiet the past year but was looking at my site and enjoyed going back and reading and seeing points in time over the years.  This past weekend I was super inspired and challenged learning a new colouring technique using watercolouring with distress inks and I wanted to share with you.

So here you go, some of my creations from the long weekend:

And some more:

And

I was using the Tim Holtz Christmas card kit from Simon Says. There is a 3 hour workshop video to go with it which I learned a lot from.  I did supplement the kit with additional cardstock and items.

After close to 20 years colouring with Copics I was curious to try a new technique.  I found there is a real learning curve but enjoyed the results.  It is relaxing and enjoyable to watercolour and gives a different artsy look to, so another great option to throw in some variety.  Given the cost of water colour paper though, versus high quality cardstock that works well with copics, it’s definitely a luxury choose to use only here and there.

It’s hard to see in the photos but a real takeaway for me was the technique to use glossy accents to adhere glitter, if you haven’t tried this search for the workshop video and check it out!

Changes all around

 The past month has gone by quickly and while I have not posted them I’ve created a lot of nice cards as I am getting back in to my craft room.  Normally at this time of year I spend weekends skiing, but I’ve been battling health issues that have prevented that, and so my card stash is growing.

This was a rough week with one of my cats very ill, my own health issues and doctor appts and tests, and hubby down with the flu.  On top of that, a big doozy was work changes, my self and almost my entire team affected.  I’m still reeling from the news and processing my plans for 2025.  It is disappointing but in life we have to roll with the punches, as they say.  I made this card yesterday, it fits how I’m feeling

I used SU card stock and dies compined with some art papers I got from Amazon 

Getting back in to the swing of things

 Getting back in to card making means pulling up and using rusty skill sets and I still have not found all my supplies.  Today, I should have invested time in locating my rubber roller tool that I use on difficult to stamp detailed images.  I also should have pulled out the watercolor pencils.  Getting a high quality evenly stamped image was impossible and colouring this well also impossible, but I still think the finished product looks good.

Golf happy birthday

 Made a birthday card for hubby— featuring his favorite sport, golf.

Happy overall with it but if I made it again I’d do the sentiment differently as it just blends in.

Image is from Colorado stamp company 

LL237 Lovely Legs~Tee-Rific Dad

Coloured with Copics

CAS Rhino Thank you

 It’s been fun and a little bit overwhelming digging through my supplies and dreaming up my next card creations.  So many options, so little time.

This stamp sets is one I had not used yet and I believe I picked it as it has many unique sentiments for a thank you card.  And the Rhino is super cute!

Meowy holidays

 I’ve been enjoying unearthing my craft room, it is almost heartbreaking to see all the stamps and supplies which have been gathering dust.  I wonder if I will ever use it all?  

What has not been a joy is figuring out how to blog again....I need to set up a new "photo corner" so you don't see my scratched paint, I need to download a new app to edit and add watermarks to photos.  I did manage to update the colours on my blog itself, but couldn't do a lot of edits without losing key elements.  Luckily I didn't break it in the endeavour!

This card features another LOTV image.  Sadly I don't know the name of the stamp, I looked in my email for the receipt but could not locate.  The stamp itself is just plain grey rubber with no sponge / sticky backing so I had to employ the "lick and stick" method (no worries, no spit involved lol!) to stamp it, and it did take about 4 tries to get a good stamp.  This was not aided by the wobbly folding table that moves underneath when I employ force--still debating if I will take over the kitchen table and island again, the island was the perfect height and so solid for crafty things!

It's coloured with Copics.  I love colouring with my copics and can not imagine making cards otherwise.  I do have chalks, watercolour crayons, watercolour pallets, and pencils, however do not enjoy any of those the way I do my markers.   I'm thrilled that after so many years my copics are doing so well.  However it did cause me to appreciate that might not last forever.  I completed an inventory -- I have about 200 copics, and about 130 ink refills.  That means at some point I will be down 70 markers.  I spent yesterday hunting refills, which is surprisingly challenging.  Amazon wants to charge $30 per refill (crazy!), Ebay wants $16 shipping per marker (I emailed the vendor to see if that could be fixed, he has not responded), Online retailer in US took an order but it's on hold pending their shipping review as I am in Canada.  Finally found Curry's in Canada and ordered a few, but then somehow saw I managed to order a black 100 and 3 of the blending formula (?????) not sure how that happened, sent them a note to see if they can refund that/cancel that.  Yikes!  If not I'll be experimenting with many techniques to use up blending formula lol..... Anyway, the hunt for copic refills is on!

Winter carols

 This is the first card I made in several years and I am thrilled in how it turned out!  I used a gorgeous House mouse stamp and am entering this in the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge.

I stamped the image on Gina K pure luxury 80lb paper using Tim Holtz black soot distress ink. I then coloured with Copics.  I used craft ink on the edges and dotted with a white paint pen.  On the background I stamped snowflakes with white craft ink and sprayed with tattered angels glimmer mist.  

Farewell to Bear

 My first post in a long time.  It’s been a challenging couple years with illness and the burden of work, and I’m entering 2025 with the commitment to resuscitate my life.   I unearthed my craft room as part of this path.

I made three cards on my first day ‘back’.  This one made me cry and will go as a final gift to my cat whom we had to rehome recently.  I miss him every day and hope his new life is good.

My craft room is still missing some key components— we had a flood last year and my craft room was packed up in a rush.  The printer, silhouette, my Scot pal and stamping mat are amongst the missing items.  Luckily my Copics were safeguarded carefully.  Everything is in different order though.  I used to have my ribbon on special racks on the walk, but those came down in the Reno and now I have a giant bin of ribbon on to dig in.  I managed to cut my finger open fussy cutting and observe my vision is not what it used to lol!

As for this card, I think it may be the first time I inked up this stamp which I’ve had over 10 years!   My craft goal this year is to buy NO new stamp sets, paper or supplies except for adhesive and some copic refills, I have SO much stuff already waiting to be played with.

Image is LOTV.  I pulled out my precious Gina K pure luxury 80lb white cardstock for the image which is a delight to colour on.  DP in SU.

Digging out my craft stuff again

 

Where has time gone, it looks like it has been 2 years since I blogged, and I have missed it.  The Covid era has continued, and the past couple of years have included golf, skiing, yoga, zumba, gardening, a new job, and travel.  So much to catch up on!

Right now my mother in law is sick in the hospital, so tonight I dug out my craft stuff again, set it up on the kitchen table, and put this together:

Bag of chips

Friday morning, the end of week 10 in self isolation.  It’s been a tough week.  Businesses are trying to open up and restart operations but logistics are challenging and many of us don’t want to risk it and leave out home.

At my workplace we had large layoffs this week, and due to that and other factors had to put a one year suspension on my golf membership.  Will find a more economical option for the next few months and look forward to next year.  I think a lot of people right now are dealing with similar challenges.

On a happier note, here is a card I made up last weekend, using a digi from StampAnniething.  I love this card, it makes me think of being at an actual birthday party where we mingle and laugh and eat chips.