Sunflowers & Dragonflies

Paper Bag Recipe Book

I have some exciting news.  I am now on the design team for the Creative Belli Blog, and I’m thrilled.  I have worked with the creators, Chrissy and Holly, through the Technique Junkie Newsletter.  We would love for you to join us at the Creative Belli Blog, for your chance to be the highlighted card of the week.  The CBB is very popular; last week we have over 50 participants.

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This weeks challenge is to create something using the letter P, so I made a paper bag cook book.  It has lots of embellishments inside, and even photos.

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It is hard to tell, but I created the orange and yellow designer paper.  I stamped out a flourish with VersaMark and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Then I sponged orange and yellow over the embossed area.

So, come on over to the Creative Belli Blog and have some fun!

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A Painting that Wasn’t to Be

Have you ever made a present for someone only to find out that they didn’t want it?  I did just that.  Well, sort of.

Because I wasn’t sure if this style of painting would fit into my daughter’s apartment, I sent her a link to Kelley Rae Roberts.  I purchased Kelley’s book to learn how to replicate her style.  Wasn’t I disappointed when Sarah said, “I like her stuff but it is too girly for my apartment and for Jon.”  As you can imagine, my heart sunk.  To this day Sarah doesn’t know I painted her this, nor will she ever because I threw it out.  Yes, you heard it right, I threw it out.

Why didn’t I keep it?  If you take a peak at her dress, I photocopied excerpts from a recent front-page newspaper article that was done about Sarah and her recent trips to China and Africa (she works in Toronto for Free the Children).  Looking back at the photo, I am sorry that I threw it out.

Am I afraid that Sarah could be reading this?  Nope.  She and Jon are backpacking in Costa Rica.

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Happy Birthday Sarah

My daughter just had her 25th birthday and to help her celebrate, I made her a polymer clay mirror  How long did it take me to make this mirror?  18 hours.  Because I like bright colours, I painted my tiles instead of just stamping on them.

My girlfriend Kim, likes to do mixed media in small spaces, and I like to paint in small spaces.

Inspiration for these tiles came from the talented Laura Mika, whose book I purchased and studied.  I had no idea that so much work went into Laura’s work until I tried it myself.

I am so anxious to start working with polymer clay again, so I can make a mirror for myself.

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Twisted Papers Triptych

Images from Creativity with a Twist were used to create a vintage triptych, to be given to a co-worker upon her retirement in June.  A list of employees that put money towards her retirement gift will be typed and placed onto the backside.

How to Create a Triptych

• Use a die to cut three shapes out of stiff cardboard.  My die is from Stampin’ Up, and my stiff cardboard is from scrap cardboard that comes in the label packages from work.
• Using the same template, cut designer paper six times.  Adhere DP to each side of the cardboard.
• Punch holes as follows:  Piece 1 – two holes on the right.  Piece 2 – four holes, two on the left and two on the right.  Piece 3 – two holes on the left.
• Place embellishments on your background.  I adhered lace on piece 1 and 3.
  
• Use downloadable images from Twisted Papers, or use stamped images to decorate your end pieces.  Place your images on DP and use pop dots to raise the DP.  Adding dimension is a lovely touch.
• Stamp out a sentiment and sponge on coloured ink.  Adhere to the center panel.
• Use ribbon to tie the triptych together.

Thank you for stopping by!

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Be My Valentine

No, I didn’t get the title wrong.  Indeed this is my Valentine card for Donnie this year.  No, this is not a picture of us, although I’ll admit I chose a lady on the heavier side, since it reflects who I am today.  The image is a download from Twisted Papers.  I wanted to give Donnie something unique that can sit on his bedside table as a little reminder of how much I love him.  He knows how much I love sunflowers so he’ll think of me every time he sees this card.

How to create this card

• With the SU die, cut two shapes out of heavy cardboard
• Cover back and front with decorative paper
• Using yellow cardstock, cut two sunflowers from Spellbinder’s Sunflower die
• Using green cardstock, cut one leaf
• Layer light yellow to dark brown.  My sunflower was done in this order:  SU Marigold, Adirondack Sunset Orange, SU Dusty Durango, Adirondack Cranberry, Adirondack Ginger
• Rub a dark shade of green over top of the leaf; darkest on top and lightest at the tip
• Glue Flower Soft onto the center of the flower
• Punch four holes and tie together.  I used my Crop-o-dile to punch holes.
• Place pop dots between the two layers of flowers and on the back of the flower and attach to the cardboard
• Image was downloaded from Twisted Papers, mounted onto brown cardstock and glued onto the cardboard
• With one of my Spellbinder flourishes, I cut out a yellow flourish and sponged with SU Dusty Durango

Sneak peak for tomorrow’s tutorial

See you tomorrow!

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Here Comes Peter Cottontail

This past week I have been visiting several sites for inspiration.   The Cuttlebug Challenge blog caught my eye when they had directions to make this little bunny.   The directions were very easy to follow, using a variety of punches.  I added arms to my bunny and used oval nestabilities.  I hope this inspired you as it did me.

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Cuttlebug Snowman Treat Box

Good morning.  Well, here we are at Thursday already, and the holiday season is getting closer.  So much to do in such little time.  I’m in the midst of making little treat bags for my 15 co-workers, and saw Mel’s tutorial for a snowman treat box.  I’m a little ashamed of my watercolouring, because I rushed it–another sign of the holiday season.  My watercolouring that I will post later this week will be so much better–I promise!

These adorable little elves are from Sunshine Design line at The Stamp Barn.  I must boast about the quality of the Stamp Barn rubber.  Images are always crisp and clean.  Enjoy the rest of your day–I’m off to work.

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