Art from the Attic

Queen Of Hearts Challenge

2011-02-11T21:01:00.000-08:00

I haven't have much time for art lately, but today I got inspired to enter the Queen of Hearts Challenge on Quietfire Style blog, check the link for all the details.

I did a journal page with some heart shaped playing cards from the dollar store. I used my Zyron to put adhesive on the back of one card and sprinkled sugar beads on. For the other card I used the face side and added the word "of" and a label cut and embossed with the Cuttlebug Build a Flower set. This was stamped with the Quietfire stamp "All that's important". The sugar bead heart is mounted with pop dots. The page is coloured with Fired Brick and Tea Dye Distress Ink. I used the flourish stamps from the Quietfire Design Queen of Hearts set. The flower is pulled from a silk flower stem. The date Feb 11 is from a West Coast Express train ticket and the 20 is computer generated.

This also is my entry for the Created Byhand Challenge

ATC Vancouver Swap January 2011

2011-01-08T12:24:00.001-08:00

ATC Vancouver Swap January 2011
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

One of the themes for this month's swap is purple and that's the theme I have chosen to do with sewn, singed and beaded layers.
This month the swap is taking place at the Richmond Art Gallery so that we can view the exhibit of ATCs before the final day and swap.

Christmas Tree

2011-01-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

I bought a little 2 foot tree to decorate and take to the hospital and decided all the ornaments should be non-breakable and handmade, everything but the string of beads met that criteria. All the ornaments I made are recycled paper and needle felt.

I played with some colour blending for these ornaments and used cookie cutters for the heart and star shapes. Most of the paper ornaments were cut with a Spellbinders die.

12 Days of Christmas

2011-01-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

I've been missing from blog posts for nearly a month, but even though the gift opening for the Byhand Artists 12 Days of Christmas is long past I want to show you some of the cuff bracelets that I made for my Day 9 gifts. I showed the wrapped packages is my last post and so now here are the gifts that were inside.This is a selection of some of the cuff bracelets that I stitched up from fabric samples, hand knit pieces and fabric binding. Some have beading and rubber stamped pieces stitched on.
This group shows some more of the cuff bracelets including one that has a needle felted heart and beads.Close-up of one of the bracelets with a fabric mesh and buttons added.
This one is a fabric sample with a knit lace edging and flower added to the front along with some fun beads.
And the rubber stamped back, all rubber stamps from Quietfire Design.

12 Day Of Christmas Swap

2010-12-10T21:05:00.001-08:00

12 Day Of Christmas Swap
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

I am in Group one of 3 of the Byhand Artists 12 Days Of Christmas gift swap and here are my wrapped day 9 gifts ready to be put in envelopes and mailed.

Nov. ATC Swap At The Grind

2010-12-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

Nov. 21 was the regular ATC Vancouver Swap and was also the 10th anniversary. We decided this year's special swap would be houses and they could be from matchbox size to ATC size. These are the 8 I managed to complete in time for the swap.

This is my Freedom House, made with printers cleanup paper and a bit of beads.

Corrugated Cottage is made from corrugated cardboard and the paper pealed from one surface is used for the roof. The walls are white washed with acrylic paint and the roof done with red and some white highlights.
One of my "Cozy House or House Cozy?" houses. I knit 3 houses and used embossed printers cleanup paper for the roof.
These little books with recycled pizza box covers were the little gift inside the house boxes.

The collection of houses I received in trade for my houses.

Christmas Countdown Images

2010-12-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

The Ten Two Studio Christmas Countdown for 2010 has started, so go visit and start collecting the free images.

Rubbings ATCs For Nov. Swap

2010-11-11T10:36:00.001-08:00

Rubbings ATCs For Nov. Swap
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Finally a bit of creativity came to me this morning thanks to a visit to Ruby Dog's Art House, a gift of a piece of textured vinyl and a demo of doing a rubbing by Leanne, I tried it out and came up with these ATCs. The backgrounds are printer's clean up paper.

ATC Oct 2010 Word Scraps

2010-10-16T20:39:00.001-07:00

ATC Oct 2010 Word Scraps
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Tomorrow is the monthly swap at The Grind and I managed to get some ATCs made so I can go trade. The themes are octagons, oracles and octopi, but since I didn't have much time for creating art and I have lots of scraps I decided to go off topic. I used some cereal box cardboard run through the Zyron and I dug through my bag of scrap papers, glued with the Zyron adhesive. I left room between the pieces and added gold embossing powder to some of the ATCs and micro beads to all of them. I have added assorted rubber stamp words and images to each of the ATCs. There is another set of six ATCs over on my Flickr photos if you would like to check them out.

Oct 9, 2010 Greeting Card

2010-10-16T20:34:00.001-07:00

Oct 9, 2010 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Because of continuing medical issues with a family member, I didn't make it to the card project today, but I did get there last Sat. and I have finally taken some time to post the card.
The greeting card at Cherish The Thought is rubber stamped and coloured with Tombow markers and the image is layered over a pink cardstock. The card base is yellow with a die cut "apron".

Greeting Card Sept 25

2010-09-26T08:55:00.001-07:00

Greeting Card Sept 25
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

I took a bit of a creative break yesterday, since I found a transit route that allowed me to stop in Port Moody, then carry on to the hospital. This is the Neat Nique for Sat Sept 25 at Cherish The Thought. We used a tree embossing folder on Core Color cardstock and sanded the high spots. There is glitter added to the light areas of the tree, but of course not very easy to see on screen. The core color piece is added to a light green card base and a Merry Christmas Peeloffs sticker is added as well as a lovely ribbon. It was nice to be creative for awhile.

ATC A Bit of Wool

2010-09-14T14:39:00.001-07:00

ATC A Bit of Wool
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This months ATC Vancouver swap at The Grind has themes of weather, windows and wool. I decided to do some wool theme. The top three are titled "A Bit of Wool Needle Felt". The background is a scan of some paper cloth I tried about a week ago.
The bottom two are the paper cloth with sock yarn wound on bobbins and one has a needle felted button while the other has a button.
I will also include at least one of these in the exhibit entry I'm sending to Vernon. Now to just choose which 6 I'll send.

Asian Theme ATCs

2010-09-13T12:28:00.001-07:00

Asian Theme ATCs
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

I have been working on some ATCs to submit to the Vernon Public Art Gallery ATC Exhibit and some of these along with some others will be going in the mail soon. I was playing with recycling and really liked the image on this Green Tea with ginger and honey tin. All of these ATCs are from one aluminum beverage tin. Four have a Dover Asian image and 3 of those have sugar beads added.On the top card the piece of aluminum was embossed with a Tim Holtz Sizzix folder and mounted on part of a Cuttlebug Cut and Emboss folder. The next 2 are full ATC size tin and the bottom two have a small strip down the left side.

Sept 4 Greeting Card

2010-09-06T10:43:00.001-07:00

Sept 4 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the Sat Sept 4th Neat Nique card at Cherish The Thought. The white background is stamped several time with Crafty Secrets music border stamp, layered on a slightly larger red cardstock and mounted on a green base. The peel-offs Merry Christmas is added just below. The acyclic card front is scored at .25 in. and attached to the back of the card with Soukwang tape. The peel-offs ornament is placed on the front of the acrylic and coloured with glaze pens.

Creative Escape Journal Page Aug 31

2010-09-01T00:16:00.001-07:00

Creative Escape Journal Page Aug 31
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This page in my Creative Escape Journal evolved this morning with inspiration from a link on the MmarioKknits Yahoo group. One of the members posted about this Erika Knight baby hat pattern which has a lovely edging on the bottom that the member is using for other projects. I saw the flower and edging and thought it just had to be done in my journal. This is done on one of the coffee dyed watercolour pages. I converted an old black and white photo to sepia and layered it over a kraft and dark brown cardstock. The lace flower and edging are knitted with 2.25 mm needles and a light brown cotton thread. I used some of the same thread to sew the edging to the edge of the page and to sew a button to the centre of the flower. The words are rubber stamped with a clear alphabet set and Versafine Vintage Sepia ink. I am very pleased with how it turned out.

Greetong Card Aug 28

2010-09-01T00:06:00.001-07:00

Greetong Card Aug 28
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the neat nique project from Aug 28 at Cherish The Thought. Yes I got there and am thrilled that I did. This is a wonderful technique that I am sure I will be doing again. The black and white photo printed on shiny cardstock is hand coloured on one of the roses with pencil crayon and blended with a paper stump. This is layered over 2 pieces of cardstock, then onto a pale grey embossed piece and finally on a lovely light green card blank.

21 Aug Greeting Card

2010-08-25T11:02:00.001-07:00

21 Aug Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the card project from the Sat. Aug 21 Neat Nique at Cherish The Thought.The Core d nations cardstock is embossed and then sanded to remove the colour off the high points. The bird from Crafty Secrets is stamped and embossed on shiny cardstock, colourde with a stencil brush and cut out. It is mounted with a foam dot.

My Finished Envelope Book

2010-08-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

I think I've said this before, Sunday was the big day, our regular ATC Vancouver monthly swap at The Grind and the delivery of my Envelope Book. I love Penelope's creative wrapping.

It's always such a pleasure to receive the collaborative projects back from Penelope.

This is the very interesting recycled wrapping Penelope used to present my envelope book to me last Sun. Isn't it fabulous, I have saved it to use in future projects.

My front cover, we were given the pre-punched covers along with the envelopes and each of us decorated the covers for our own book. You saw these as lonely covers waiting for pages in this precious post.

This is a view of all the pages, doesn't this just make you want to see more?

This is the back cover of my book made with sepia varnished scrapbook paper, distressed chipboard and a digital image of a vintage envelope with digital text added.
So I have another wonderful treasure to add to my collection, I know I am very lucky to be a part of this ATC group.

My Envelope Book Pages

2010-08-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

Now that everyone has their envelope book I can show you my envelope pages and the contents.

Here is all 17 of the envelopes that I decorated for the envelope book created by 17 members of the ATC Vancouver swap group. I used paper from brown gift bags with a vintage black image, vintage letter ribbon, lace and some of my faux postage stamps.

The front of a couple of envelope pages.

The back of a couple of my envelopes. These used up some of my stash of 6X6 scrapbook papers painted with sepia acrylic varnish.

This is one of my envelopes and the contents. Each envelope contained an ATC, all diferent and decorated on the back to look like a miniature postcard, the ATC background viewer, 2 pieces of lace and 2 hug tickets.This is an ATC background viewer that I included as a tool in my envelopes. It is cut from chipboard or cereal box cardboard and is the frame left when cutting an ATC with the Sizzix die. Ive had a and cut version that I've used for years to see what a background or stamped image would look like.

The Thank You Gift

2010-08-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday at the ATC Vancouver swap I delivered the mini journal in the previous post along with a small knit felted bag as a thank you gift to Penelope for hosting our collaborative Envelope Book. Penelope has finally started a blog and you can check out her posting here.

This is how I wrapped the gift. I used Ikea drawing paper randomly stamped with several different stamps, sandwiched between wax paper and stitched all around. This was then stitched into a pouch to hold the gift.

This is the front of the gift pouch with lace seam binding used as a ribbon to tie the package closed.

4 X 4 Mini Journal

2010-08-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

I've just completed another of my mini journals using My Minds Eye Life's Journey scrapbook paper and some of my own journal pages. The pages are punched with the Zutter Bind-it-all and bound with ribbons and coffee dyed fabric. This is a thank you gift for a friend.

Greeting Card Aug 14

2010-08-15T07:21:00.001-07:00

Greeting Card Aug 14
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the neat nique project for this Sat at Cherish The Thought. Embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folder and a template to keep the circle area flat. Wish Sizzix die cut out of sticky paper and cardstock. The sticky paper is glittered then mounted slightly of centred on the cardstock piece to create a shadow effect. This is mounted on the embossed piece, which is mounted on another piece of cardstock and then onto the card blank.

Greeting Card Aug 12 Byhand Challenge

2010-08-12T07:34:00.001-07:00

Greeting Card Aug 12 Byhand Challenge
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Yellow is one of the themes for the Byhand Challenge this week and I used a yellow scrapbook paper embossed with the butterflies background from the Cuttlebug Heritage embossing folder set. I sanded the high points to reveal the white core and then flattened it back out by running through the Cuttlebug a second time without the folder. Next I embossed with the gate folder, also from the Heritage set, and rubbed a Tuxedo Black Memento Dewdrop ink pad over the high points. The butterfly wings from a Crafty Secrets set are stamped and embossed with black, then coloured with gel pens. This is layered over a yellow and then white cardstock, attached to the gate background and a yellow gem sticker added to the goddess which is a Quietfire Design stamp. "Follow your dreams" quote is also from Quietfire Design and is stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink on white cardstock and attached to the gate with brads. This is then attached to a 5 X 6.5 white card blank

ATC Telephone For T Time

2010-08-12T05:07:00.001-07:00

ATC Telephone For T Time
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is another example of ATCs for the August swap at The Grind in the Telephone and Time theme. I used a collage stamp which had a telephone and script and one from a time set for the clock.. The words are computer generated and the "T" is from a Crafty Secrets stamp set. The stamped images were embossed with Pearl Lustre Hematite embossing powder and the colour was added with Distress Inks.

August 7 Greeting Card

2010-08-09T09:28:00.001-07:00

August 7 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

The neat nique for Aug 7 at Cherish The Thought is a head start on Christmas cards with a peel-offs ornament on white cardstock, coloured with gel pens then mounted on green cardstock. This is mounted on black handmade paper, then onto a paler green cardstock and finally onto the green card blank. The sentiment is embossed with a Crafts Too folder on the dark side of double-sided scrapbook paper and sanded. Just don't look too closely at my colouring mistake which has nothing to do with Jessie's teaching, but is all my own.

Greeting Card For July 31

2010-08-02T07:58:00.001-07:00

Greeting Card For July 31
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Here is the card I made at Cherish The Thought for the Sat Neat Nique. For this we used a fern stamp and stamped it with Versamark on shiny cardstock, the drew random circles with a clear glaze pen. Next step was to brayer ink from a Big and Juicy Waterfall ink pad onto the cardstock, then rubbed with a tissue to reveal the fern and circles. Now we used a different fern stamp and stamped it on another shiny cardstock. This was layered over coloured cardstock, then over the masked and brayered piece, over another cardstock and finally on a green card black
I think it's very pretty and this is the first time I did masking and brayering ink like this. Big fun and I need a Big and Juicy ink pad.

Is This Collage?

2010-07-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't done very much collage, I just have trouble figuring out what should go together. So here is my attempt which has enough green on it for the Created Byhand Challenge. This is an 8 X 10 artist canvas board that I glopped gesso on and made some texture marks with a plastic spoon. When that was dry I scribbled Reeves water soluble wax pastels on and blended with a wet brush. The next step was colouring on the still wet canvas with Portfolio water soluble oil pastels, rubbed around with my finger then blended with a dry brush. I let that dry, then rubber stamped a couple of large background stamps, one music and the other script.
While this was drying I tried a Cuttlebug paint technique I read about somewhere on the internet. I put blobs and drizzles of paint on a piece of watercolour paper, placed another piece of watercolour paper over this and ran it through the Cuttlebug. I got 2 quite nice papers, but next time I think I'll just use a roller instead of the Cuttlebug, I don't like the risk of getting paint in my machine. When the paper was dry, I used my new Cuttlebug embossing folder from the Heritage set that I just got from Cherish The Thought yesterday. I sponged Walnut Stain Distress ink on the embossed areas to bring out the texture. My quote from Quietfire Design is stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink on a digital background I had leftover from the Tea Time ATCs. This was cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Oval and layered over a brown cardstock cut with the largest die from the Scalloped Oval set. The chipboard rectangles are cut with the Sizzix ATC die, dipped in coffee and the edges rolled until I got a nice distress look. They are stamped with some Michael's 79 cent stamps with Rich Cocoa ink and edged with Walnut Stain Distress ink. The white flower thingy is the back part of a button from Ruby Dog's Art House with a circle punched from scraps from the embossed painted paper and a brown half pearl in the centre.

Tea Time Triptych 1

2010-07-28T19:21:00.001-07:00

Tea Time Triptych 1
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

The themes for the ATC Vancouver swap at The Grind are telephone, time or tea pots. I focused mostly on tea pot with a digital photo of one of my tea pots and a Quietfire Design quote stamp.

July 24 Greeting Card

2010-07-24T23:08:00.001-07:00

July 24 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Today's Neat Nique card at Cherish The Thought uses White Wash Core-Dinations cardstock and a new Cuttlebug embossing folder. This is lightly sanded to let the base colour show through. The stamp is from Local King rubber and is stamped with StazOn ink on cardstock cut with the Nestabilities scallop oval die cut. Jessie provided this beautiful striped ribbon which provides the perfect finishing touch.

Greeting Card Teapot

2010-07-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

Greeting Card Teapot
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

My all time favourite die cut project so far is a journal page I posted on July 1 and it would fit the Byhand Challenge for this week of Looking In, Looking Out or die cuts but I thought I should actually create a new project for the challenge. This card for the Created Byhand challenge uses the Cuttlebug Blooming Bouquet Embossing Plus folder for the main background and I rubber stamped the Quietfire quote with Versafine Vintage Sepia on white cardstock before running it though the Cuttlebug Embossing Plus folder. This is layered over brown cardstock then mounted on an ivory 5 X 6.5 in. card black. The teacup is stamped with Memento Rose Bud on a separate piece of white cardstock and cut with the Nestabillities classic scalloped oval and the edge rubbed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. This is mounted with foam dots and a brown sheer ribbon bow is glued near the top.

ATC Vancouver July Swap at The Grind

2010-07-19T23:17:00.001-07:00

ATC Vancouver July Swap at The Grind
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Now to the main reason for going to The Grind on Sunday, the regular monthly ATC swap. The themes for July were animals, architecture and Asian. I did all of mine on the Asian theme. I used stamps from 2 different Asian theme sets, the Chic Circle Embossing Plus Cuttlebug folder, my own flower photo and some silk flowers. Some of the photos were debossed and coloured with gel pens. These are a representation of some of my cards for this month.

Covers For Envelope Book

2010-07-19T22:59:00.001-07:00

Covers For Envelope Book
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

These are my covers for the envelope book collaborative project with artists from the ATC Vancouver Swap group. All my envelopes were delivered to our swap hostess Penelope on Sun at the regular ATC swap session. I'm not showing the envelopes I altered or the contents as I and some of the other participants would rather savour everything when we receive our finished books at the Aug. regular swap meeting. I feel it's fair game to show the covers though since everyone decorated their own and will get their own back anyways. I got through all the envelopes and contents which was not hard to plan, but did take some time. It seems to always take more time that I think it will. I really struggled for an idea to decorate the covers, then an idea came to me and it was done relatively quickly. I can't wait to see the finished book.

July 17 Greeting Card

2010-07-19T22:50:00.001-07:00

July 17 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

The neat nique for this Sat at Cherish The Thought used one of the Crafty Secrets clear bird theme stamp sets, Versafine ink, a Cuttlebug embossing folder and a Dreamweaver stencil. We used the stencil and Memento stamp pad to create the clouds, first time doing that for me and I like the result.

July Greeting Card 2

2010-07-14T08:34:00.001-07:00

July Greeting Card 2
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

I made this card using a 5 X 6.5 inch white card blank and Spice Market cardstock. The green layer is embossed and cut with the Cuttlebug Blooming Bouquet Embossing Plus folder and layered over the orange cardstock. The little orange petals are drop out pieces from a Cuttlebug flower die cut. I added some Spiced Marmalade Distress Stickles on some of the dots. The Quietfire Design quote is stamped on white cardstock with Memento Potter's Clay ink and cut with the Spellbinders Label 2.
This is the same Embossing Plus folder I used on this card at the last Sat. neat nique project at Cherish The Thought, but this one uses the whole folder instead of just part of it.

July 10 Greeting Card

2010-07-11T08:54:00.001-07:00

July 10 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Here is yesterday greating card from Cherish The Thought. We used another of the new Cuttlebug Embossing Plus folders, but I didn't buy this one so I'm not sure of the name. This one is quite large and we used only part of it to fit a standard size care. Happy Birthday on the lighter blue cardstock is stenciled with stamp pad ink and a brass sencil. The birds are a Sissix die cut with adhesive paper and glittered. This is mounted on a white card blank and the embossed layer is mounted with glue dots.

Pink Flower Journal Page

2010-07-06T11:09:00.001-07:00

Pink Flower Journal Page
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the journal page I designed earlier and can be seen here. I added a vellum ellement like the sample in an earlier post and a silk flower. Now I am looking for the perfect photo to use on the facing page.

Pink Flower ATC

2010-07-06T11:02:00.001-07:00

Pink Flower ATC
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

These are more samples of using the Cuttlebug Chic Circle Frame Embossing Plus folder and turning them into ATCs. Two of these samples use the debossed side and gel pens.

Cuttlebug Embossing Plus Chic Circle Sample

2010-07-06T10:56:00.001-07:00

Cuttlebug Embossing Plus Chic Circle Sample
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Some samples I worked on after getting the Cuttlebug Chic Circle Frame and making the journal page shown in the post here. The one on the left is Kraft cardstock using the debossed side and a white gel pen to highlight the debossed lines. The one on the right is using the folder on vellum layered on white metallic cardstock and the pink flower cutout inserted in the frame.

Journal Page Tomato 2

2010-07-05T09:10:00.001-07:00

Journal Page Tomato 2
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Judy, this is for you. I put this new set of journal pages together yesterday. I really like the structure of a cut tomato so this is a photo of a half tomato digitally layered over a scan of painted watercolour paper and a couple of special effects. This is printed on watercolour paper and is ready to be added to a future journal.There is a slight variation on my Flickr, but I like this one the best.

July 3 Card Project

2010-07-04T18:51:00.001-07:00

July 3 Card Project
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

So the previous journal page used one of the new Cuttlebug Embossing Plus folders that just arrived at Jessie's store and I was lucky to be there before she introduced them at the Sat. Neat Nique and therefore had the journal page to show to rave reviews on Sat. This card made yesterday at Cherish The Thought uses the Cuttlebug Blooming Bouquet Embossing Plus folder on shiny card stock. The edge is coloured with Memories re-inkers on an application tool and blending solution. This is layered on green cardstock and then onto a red card base, with green ribbon and gold cord for trim. The little dots on the design are coloured with gold leafing pen.

Journal Page

2010-07-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

This is one of the pages for a journal I am still working on and I am including some old family photos taken with an old box camera I had. Most of these are photos that no one else has, so I am making journals for gifts. I used a new cut and emboss folder that I just got yesterday from Cherish The Thought and made doors to show parts of the photo. I am very happy with the result.
This shows the photo with the doors open. The decoration above the door is part of Tim Holtz style label embossed with Tim Holtz Damask Texture Fades embossing folder. and sponged with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

Creative Escape Journal Pages

2010-06-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have done some journaling on a couple of the pages in my Creative Escapes Journal. Here is some rather bad poetry and equally bad lettering, but it is my poetry and lettering and my journal so it doesn't really matter to anyone else. At least I got brave enough to put gel pens to paper. I created the poem back in April when the lilacs were actually in bloom, but just got the words into my journal today.For the journaling on this page I covered an area lightly with white gesso then wrote my words with a gel pen on white tissue paper. I tore the tissue close to the lettering and then glued it to the page with matt medium.

Journal Page Background

2010-06-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get on the computer for very long yesterday, but I was on it just long enough to play with this photo.
And I turned it into this journal page just waiting.....

and this one too. These are journal pages without a home right now, but I'm sure they will make it into a journal soon.

Cherish All Your Moments Journal

2010-06-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Well I did it again, I made another journal with the Zutter Distrezz-it-All and the Zutter Bind-it-All. This one is made with Deja Views Global Treks scrapbook paper that I found in the clearance area at Michaels and Recollections Spice Market cardstock and is 4 inches by 6 inches. I've added pockets, journal cards and some rubber stamping. After taking the photos I added a few more things, but since this is a gift I will leave that a mystery to be discovered by the recipient. I just love the look of the distress pages and using ribbon to bind after punching holes with the Zutter.

Birthday Card

2010-06-22T12:55:00.001-07:00

After doing the card at Cherish The Thought I gave a try at my own version when I got back home. I used Bungalow Blue texture magic for my background and crumpled foil to add texture. The second image is the inside of the card and I used it as a birthday card for my son.

Greeting Card June 12

2010-06-19T18:46:00.001-07:00

Greeting Card June 12
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

On June 12 Andrew was in charge to the card project at Cherish The Thought and had us spread molding paste on glossy cardsock. We then spread crumpled foil over the paste and removed it to make texture. We used craft metal sheet pieces and a metal charm to embossed with the BigShot machine. This was mounted on black paper. We used a Spellbinders die to cut a portion of the texture piece and used the main piece and the smaller label piece on green card base. A strip of the black paper was glued on the larger background and the embossed metal was mounted on the label portion.

Greeting Card June 5 2010

2010-06-19T16:14:00.001-07:00

Greeting Card June 5 2010
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

The project on Sat June 5 at Cherish The Thought was using Dreamweaver stencils and molding paste. Jessie demonstrated using the molding paste, but since it takes awhile to dry, we used the stencils for embossing and then used inks to stencil the design. I was lucky to be there near the end of the day and was given 2 of the samples for using on projects. You can see those samples on my Flickr account.

ATC Book For The Swap at The Grind

2010-06-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

Edit: A happy event for me is that this also fits the Byhand Challenge for this week.
Still keeping with the string theme for the ATC swap at the Grind I had some fun with this little book. The front cover is recycled cardboard with a piece of gift bag paper glued on. A small piece of branch from my yard is stitched on with linen thread.

Inside cover and first page and next pages are from a coffee advertising flyer and Kraft cardstock. assorted rubber stamps are used with Memento Potter's Clay ink.

More of the same papers and parchment cardstock with computer generated info.

More of the same papers and the back cover showing the orange waxed fibre used for binding.

ATC String June

2010-06-10T16:07:00.001-07:00

ATC String June
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

The design challenges for the June swap of The Vancouver Artist Trading Card Group are Sun, Sand and String. I have chosen string for my cards. The background for these is from a tissue box and the words are stamped on several strips of cardstock, These are cut into one inch squares and glued to the background. The jute string is then tied around.

ATCs For June "All Stitched Up"

2010-06-01T15:26:00.001-07:00

ATCs For June "All Stitched Up"
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

One of the themes for the Byhand ATC monthly swap is stitched.These all have a layer of craft felt cut with the Sizzex ATC die and fabrics from sample books purchase at Ruby Dog's Art House back when they were still on Maine Street. Some have several pieces of fabric and all are finished with buttons.

Sympathy Greeting Card

2010-05-26T21:00:00.001-07:00

Sympathy Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

The Quietfire Design sentiment is stamped on cream cardstock and cut with the Spelbinders Label four die. I then sponged Vintage Photo Distress ink and dusted with bronze Perfect Pearls. The photo of my quilt is printed on watercolour paper and the edges are distressed with a Making Memories distressing tool and layered over a heavier cardstock distressed with the Distrez-it-all tool and both have Memento Rich Cocoa rubbed on the edges. This is layered on a green embossed cardstock then a dark brown and a cream card base. The words inside are "I hope your memories will soon comfort you like a warm blanket of love."

May 22 Greeting Card

2010-05-24T08:49:00.001-07:00

May 22 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the card project for Sat. May 22 at Cherish The Thought. The rubber stamped and embossed image on this card is coloured with Tombow markers, then the image is attached to black card with Sookwang tape. The red card front panel is embossed with the Tim Holtz Bingo embossing folder and attached to a black card base. The flower and a blue rhinestone adds a bit of bling. A bit of a challenge for me doing this card as I haven't done much with any markers before.

Blue Egg Blues

2010-05-20T18:07:00.001-07:00

Blue Egg Blues
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Some blue ATCs for a swap. A photo of a bird egg, some cut with a Nestabilities die, rubber stamp word and some embossed with a Tim Holtz Sissex embossing folder.

Satuday Product Launch Projects

2010-05-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Jessie from Cherish The Thought had lots of new products arrive last week so she had a launch party on Sat. and that meant we were in the classroom for Neat Nique and made not one project, but 4. We got to try out Tsukineko Shimmer Spritz, Tsukineko Walnut Inks, Staz-On Metallic Ink with Refills and used these with Tim Holtz Embossing Folders and Tim Holtz BigZ dies including the borders.
It was a very fun day and of course I got in some retail therapy afterwords. Now I need to collect up my ATC binder and geat ready for an afternoon of swapping with ATC Vancouver at The Grind.

Dream

2010-05-09T14:07:00.001-07:00

Dream
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Well I did it, I made my scrapbook layout from the Cherish The Thought project into a wall hanging. I painted a 12x12 inch canvas with sepia decoupage finish place a piece of scrapbook paper near the bottom right corner then mounted the page close to the top left corner,using brads to hold it in place. The word DREAM is wood letters painted with the same sepia decoupage finish.

May 8 Greeting Card

2010-05-08T23:57:00.001-07:00

May 8 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the Sat, May 8 project from Cherish The Thought. We had a choice of 4 different designs and I chose this one. The bird is a die cut with double sided tape on it cut to the various shapes for the different colours of glitter. A section of tape is removed and the colour of glitter added, then the next piece is removed and another colour of glitter is added until all of the bird is done. Next the blue background is embossed with a Tim Holtz embossing folder. The branch is cut with a Sizzex die. The tape on the card base is removed and I added black glitter to make the border. All this is added to the blue background which is then added to the base card.

Creative Escape Journal

2010-05-07T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well here it is, the 5.5 X 8.5 journal I mentioned I had all ready to distress. I have done the distressing with the Distrezz-it-All tool on both the page edges and the chipboard covers. I used a chipboard tag with brads to form part of the title and the word journal is rubber stamped on watercolour paper, cut with a Nestabilities label and embossed with clear embossing powder. The piece is coloured with Fired Brick Distress Ink. I used Memento Rich Cocoa ink to rubber stamp Hampton Art Passport/Woman Collage near the binding edge. The piece of branch from my yard is stitched on with jute cord. I glued a silk flower in the lower right corner and included one of my faux postage stamps. The binding edge is punched with the Zutter Bind-it-All and tied with torn fabric, lace and ribbons. The top fabric is dyed with beat water and the bottom one with coffee. The back cover has a chipboard Sizzix die cut flower covered withvarious papers. "This belongs to" is from Cornish Heritage Farms Ledger Me rubber stamp set and ny name is the signature line from "Follow your dreams" quote stamp from Quietfire Design. I love this journal even better than "Cherish Every Moment". I guess that will last until the next journal. For now it's time to start filling some of these pages.

Some Pages From Creative Escape Journal

2010-05-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

These are a few of the pages in the journal. The pink pages are watercolour paper coloured with beat cooking water and the brown coloured are tinted with coffee. Other pages are some of my photos printed on watercolour paper. I've added silk flowers to a few pages and the rest are awaiting journaling. Most of the pages are Kraft cardstock.

Scrapbook Layout

2010-05-06T17:42:00.001-07:00

Scrapbook Layout
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Well I've added some photos and rubber stamped on the scrapbook page I made at Cherish The Thought last Sat. The egg photo is one I took and the robin is from Images By Kim and can be obtained by joining the PDA group at that link.

The Folow your dreams quote is a rubber stamp from Quietfire Design and the words on the top right of the page is computer generated text.

I'm still not sure if I'll do a journal tip in or mount on canvas and hang, but I am leaning to the canvas idea.

Distressed Journal

2010-05-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about my new toy, umm art tool. Just about a week ago I saw the Zutter Distrezz- it All and thought it would be a great tool for me. I just got it yesterday from Cherish The Thought and I have a nice 5.5in X 8.5in journal all ready to work on, but figured I better try the tool out before using it on that journal. I cut Kraft cardstock into 4.25X5.5 in pages and took 5 pieces to try distressing by running the cardstock in the direction of the cutting wheel. I then tried 5 more pages going in the reverse direction of the wheel, this gives a bit more distressing. Last I took 5 pages and went back and forth to get another look. Now after doing all these pages I figured I better do something with them, so this little journal was born. I used the cardboard from the back of a watercolour pad for covers and distressed them. Next I made dividers for the three different styles of distressing. I punched all this with the Zutter Bind-it-All and used black wires. Now I have this very nice shabby chic but naked journal. Well I need to do something about that, so I rubber stamped a border just in front of the wires, found some silk flowers I could use. They needed a little bit more so I cut some cardstock with a Sizzex die and rubber stamped and curved the petals and edged them with sage green pigment ink. The final touch is the corrugated tag with a vintage image and Cherish rubber stamped on a scrap of cardstock. Every Moment is computer generated text on a piece of the same cardstock I used for the die cut flowers. I love the journal and will enjoy working in it. I love the Distezz-it-All too, it's a great tool and the first time I've gotten one so new on the market.
Note the link to Cherish The Thought is now directed to their new website.

Scrapbook Page

2010-05-02T16:37:00.001-07:00

Scrapbook Page
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Yesterday's project at Cherish The Thought was an 8.5X8.5 scrapbook layout. This is a first for me and once photos are added I'm still deciding if I'll use it as a tip in for a journal or mount it on a canvas to hang.

ATC Swap At The Grind

2010-04-30T08:18:00.001-07:00

ATC Swap At The Grind
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

One of the themes for the May swap at the Grind is noodle so I started with a bowl and chopsticks I bought at Chinatown and took photos of rice noodles on various lace centrepieces I made. The photos are cut a little smaller that ATC size and mounted on black cardstock. The words and image are from Inkadinkadoo Asian Life clear stamp set and attached with foam mounting tape.

Recycled Tag

2010-04-30T08:05:00.001-07:00

Recycled Tag
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

I used a piece of corrugated pizza box cut with the Sizzex die for the base of this tag and peeled the printed layer off the top. The image is printed on watercolour paper and the word "April" is from a Recollections Flourish Months stamp set. The eyelet boarder is a Fiskars punch rubbed with Vintage Photo Distress ink. The stitching border is a Cuttlebug Embossing folder.The ribbon comes from a grab bag of notions.

ATCs For A Special Swap

2010-04-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Some ATCs I've been working on for a special swap. The first one is on painted watercolour paper and the next 2 are on recycled corrugated pizza box. I peeled the printed paper off the surface, added a burgundy cardstock embossed with Cuttlebug folders. I hit the high points of the embossing with white pigment ink and the image of children the embossing was highlighted with Fired Brick Distress Ink. Both have buttons and bits of lace from my trims grab bag.

Bad Bird Day

2010-04-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Last Thur. April 22 was a bad day in the bird world around here, when I went out to take the garbage and green carts out for collection I saw what looked like someone had dropped an Easter egg candy on the driveway. When I reached to pick it up this is what I found, and it split apart. Most of the contents had drained out a hole in the bottom. How sad for the birds, I've been watching chickadees, stellar jays and robins building nests for awhile now, but I guess this one didn't make it. I don't know if it was victim to wind, another prey or some other disaster, but the results are a sad conclusion.
A little later in the day was much nicer although noisy, see the lilac photos I took.

Lovely Lilacs

2010-04-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well the lilacs sure bloomed early this year, the trouble is the weather isn't the best for sitting out by the tree to enjoy the flowers and scent. On Thur April 22 when I took the photos it was a lovely day, but not pleasant for sitting with the neighbours having a tree service working, between the chainsaws and chipper machine it was very noisy. I am glad I got the photos that day though. On Friday it was cloudy, but nice enough to sit, unfortunately by the time I did some errands, refreshed a bit and was ready to sit outside it was raining again. So here are some of the photos for you to enjoy with me. The last photo is a bit of digital editing I worked on to make an art image and to use as a journal page background.

April 15 and 16 Little Book

2010-04-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well I don't have a book to post for yesterday, this one I started yesterday and it took me until today to finish it. I am pleased with this one, it is based on instructions from Teesha Moore. Mine is 4X5 in. I made 3 signatures of 3 papers made of 140 lb. watercolour paper. I covered the bookboard with a computer printout of a music paper collage and the spine is cotton fabric and I glued black ribbon along the edges. I did a stitched layered paper and fabric embellishment and added a piece of hand knit lace. The flower on the top left corner is from a hair elastic.

Little Book For April 14

2010-04-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterdays little book is made with 3.125X5.5 in. brown envelopes, the sealed end trimmed and folded in half. The enveloped are alternated and the flaps glued together. The covers are cardboard covered with paper napkins and the spine is 2 fabric pieces joined with fusible web. Ribbons are added to tie the book shut and a Quietfire Design stamp is stamped on translucent paper and cut with Nestabilities Label Four. The envelopes can hold ATCs.

April 13 Little Book

2010-04-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

For yesterdays book I used name badge holders and binder rings. The covers are painted watercolour paper layered over cardstock and the corners were rounded. I added some ribbon on the rings and inserted a few ATCs. Since it was our anniversary I needed a quick book and this one was quick, but I like it anyways.

April 12 Little Book

2010-04-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

For April 12 I decided to do an accordion fold book for holding ATCs. I started with black cardstock and rubber stamped with bleach. I used stamp pad ink to colour in the bleached areas the rubber stamped with one side of the Stampendious Marble Texture Cube and embossed with Pirates Gold embossing powder. The twill tape tie is rubber stamped with an alphabet and numbers stamp.

April 11 Little Book

2010-04-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

For April 11 I again used double sided scrapbooking cardstock for the covers of this book and Kraft cardstock for the pages. These are bound with a two-fold fastener which I covered with a piece of cardboard covered with the other side of the cover paper and added half pearls from a Pearls and Crystals package. I added a 4 layer die cut flower which I curved the petals and again added another half pearl to the centre.

April 10 Little Book

2010-04-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

I've been keeping up with making my one little book a day, but have gotten behind with posting, my camera battery needed to be recharged, then I got busy. Well here finally is the book for April 10. It is a matchbook style book made with double sided scrapbook cardstock and assorted colours of cardstock for the pages which are bound with 2 large brads.

April 10, 2010 Greeting Card

2010-04-11T22:41:00.001-07:00

April 10, 2010 Greeting Card
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the card I made on Sat. at Cherish The Thought. It uses the Nestabilities Poinsettia die, Crafts Too Swiss Dots embossing folder and Fiscars Kimberly Polson "Words and Whimsy" clear stamps.

April 9 Little Book

2010-04-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

For today I made 3.75X4.25 inch book with a metal binder clip for the binding. The front and back cover are tissue box cardboard glued to cereal box cardboard and I made the hinge with cloth hockey tape. The pages are cardstock form the Value Pack Meadow cardstock package. I had to do a bit of tinkering to get the hinge to work right, but I'm sure happy with it now.

Little Book For April 8

2010-04-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

This time I used a double sided Amy Butler Designer scrapbooking cardstock from K&Company. I made a 3.5X4 inch book with 3 signature pamphlet stitch with a fold over flap and added satin ribbon to tie it closed.

Spring Quotes ATCs

2010-04-08T15:23:00.001-07:00

Spring Quotes ATCs
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

One of the themes for this month's swap at byhandartist's Yahoo group is Spring Quotes. For my cards I use a scan of the painted background I did a few days ago and added computer generated quotes I found online and added various embellishments.

Seventh Little Book

2010-04-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well I needed another quick book yesterday, since I am also working on ATCs for this month's swaps. I hadn't planned on doing one so similar to a previous one, but what can I do? My daughter saw the book made from tissue boxes for the covers and came out with some boxes that she really likes, shoved them in my hand with the request that I make her a book. I encouraged her to have different pages, but it had to be the same pocket pages. So here is the April 7 book.
I'll be posting the ATCs soon.

Little Book 6

2010-04-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

For my April 6 book I did something a little more complex, for me at least. I started by painting a piece of 11X24 inch HP Durable Scrim, which is a PVC banner material. I used MakingMemories Fresh Anthology acrylic paint set and used 3 of the colours for the background and 3 plus 2 other colours for foam stamps. I painted small areas of colour and used foam stamps to lift some of the colours. I did the stamping after the background paint was dry. While I just got the photo done, this book was done barely in time because of waiting for the drying time. I did a 3 signature pamphlet stitch with 2 envelopes and 1 printed cardstock based on the cover design. The yellow cord for the closure came from a grab bag of trims purchased from Dressew. and the button was from my most recent $1.99 button bag purchase. The closed book measures approx 3.5X4.5. I am pleased with how this turned out and look forward to adding ATCs, tags and journaling to this book, it's definitely staying in my own collection.

April 5 Little Book

2010-04-05T22:37:00.001-07:00

April 5 Little Book
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Another purse style book for ATCs made from paper from a gift bag. The trim on the bottom I knit from Red Heart Twinkle yarn and 5.00 mm needles. The pages are double-sided scrapbooking cardstock and there is a beaded handle and buttons and heavy thread for a closure on the bottom. The trim on the top is a labels 4 Nestabilities die folded over the top to the back. This one also holds ATC "hockey cards" and will probably go to my niece. I like the contrast of a girly purse book holding hockey photos.

Today's Book and ATC Backgrounds

2010-04-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

So today being a holiday, I needed a very quick project so I used cardboard cut from a tissue box for the covers and double-sided scrapbook cardstock. This is very similar to the first Zutter ATC book I made some time ago. One of the papers had a nice stripe on one side, but a very bright pink floral on the other side, so I sponged gesso on and wiped off to tone it down.
I just scanned the ATC backgrounds I made yesterday with alcohol inks and canned air. These are precut ATCs with the aqua stripe down the side and I have a huge box of these given to me at the March swap.

Three Days, Four Projects

2010-04-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

I showed you the first 2 books I made on April 1st and 2nd, so on April 3rd I got the inspiration from Charmane over on Tweedcurtain Pr oductio ns blog to alter a watch box I've had for awhile.
This little cardboard gift box had an insert glued inside and the manufactures name on the lid. I pulled the insert out and lined the bottom with peal and stick black felt and the sides with black and white scrapbook paper. On the outside of the lid I used Nestabilities Label 4 and cut one piece of the scrapbook paper and a smaller piece of white cardstock which is rubber stamped with stamps from the Altered Art mini set. It's the perfect size to hold ATCs.

So now for the third book and fourth project I've wanted to try alcohol inks and canned air for awhile and this seemed like a good time. The long piece of shiny cardstock is 3.5 inches wide and has a black stripe on one side and a reddish stripe on the other. I dropped the inks on the black stripe side and blue it around with the canned air. On the reverse I dropped ink on the applicator and dabbed it on the used alcohol to blend it. I cut 2 pieces a little over 4.5 in for the covers.
For pages I folded 4.25 X 6 inch envelopes in half and punched the folded edge with the Zutter
Bind-it-all The envelopes were in my stash from when Ruby Dog's Art House had a bulk section and made pocket pages that will hold ATCs or tags.

Little Books

2010-04-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

After spending the weekend at the hockey tournament in Richmond I came home and decided to start some little books. The first one I made is a small purse book made from a hotel brochure and holds ATC "hockey cards" of photos of my niece playing her hockey games. Her team had a good tournament and won or tied all their games and made it to the finales and won silver. It sure was great to see the games as this is the last year she plays in minor hockey. The pages are double-sided scrapbook cardstock and is pamphlet stitched with a beaded purse handle.
The next book is covers made of coasters that are covered with paper from a gift bag. I took the bag apart, misted it and crumpled the paper. I rubbed white pigment ink on the high points and edge. The inside of the covers is black cardstock rubber stamped with white pigment ink. The pages are brown and black cardstock rubber stamped with bleach and coloured with stamp pad inks. I added card sleeves with double-sided tape. This is bound with the Zutter Bind-it-all.

Sat. Project and ATC Swap

2010-04-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

Well I am late posting these items, but I will share them now. On Sat. March 20 I had my ATCs ready for the Grind Swap so I went to Cherish The Thought for the weekly project. That week we made a gift card holder with embossing and tried out the Sizzex die cut to make a 3-D flower. This is quite pretty, the die cuts a scalloped spiral which is wound into the flower glued together and onto the front of the card holder. I added a little bead in the centre of the flower.
Then on the 21 I went to the swap which was moved to Heaven Tree Studio for the wrap-up of the ATC Exhibit and our usual monthly swap. It was a lively swap with some new people wanting to know about our regular swap and information about joining us. After the swap we had goodies and coffee and then a draw for door prizes. The shops involved in the exhibit donated prizes and Penelope made several wonderful gifts. I was the lucky winner of one of her hand made map gift bags containing a button Penelope made with a new button maker she just acquired and a lovely little handmade book. Very cute and a real treasure package.

More March ATCs

2010-03-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Well I continued to finish up some more apple theme ATCs for this month's swap. This first group "Fractured Apple" I printed a black and white and a colour photo of my apples then cut them out with the Funky Squares Cuttlebug die. I mixed the 2 images together and mounted them on metallic cardstock embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folders.
This set uses apple stickers from Ruby Dog's Art House, some have an embossed felt background and some are on green cardstock. All the stickers are stitched on watercolour paper and layered with red and silver floral mesh with bits of lace, ribbon and buttons.

March ATCs For ATC Vancouver Swap

2010-03-18T23:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday Mar. 21 is the regular swap, so I've been creating as fast as I can to get enough ready. One of the themes this month is apples and I've used a couple of my apple photos, a Crafts Too Leafy Tree Embossing Folder. Some are coloured on the debossed side with Pitt artists pens. Some of the others are coloured with pigment inks on the embossed side. I used various Spellbinders dies to cut the apple image and a piece to layer under some of them. Three of the apple images are mounted with pop dots.

Some ATCs

2010-03-10T15:09:00.000-08:00

I've been working on some ATCs today. The first one has some of the torn phonebook paper from the magnet phonebooks and rubber stamps from Crafty Secrets Altered Arts small set and from Quietfire Design. I added some beads a button and a piece of lace edging

One of the themes for the Vancouver ATC group this month is Apples, so I started this one with an embossed felt, placed some floral mesh torn watercolour paper and the apple sticker over this and hand stitched it all down.

Yellow Rolodex Swap

2010-03-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

The Byhand Artists Group is having another of our Rolodex swaps and again Beth is our wonderful hostess. The theme this time is yellow and quotes. Well I came across these lovely lemon paper napkins right around the same time the swap was announced, so I just had to use them.

But wait, there's more. The forsythia was most co-operative and came into beautiful bloom, so I am sending these as well. The photo is cropped to fit and printed on watercolour paper. The quote on the front is printed on clear ink jet label and layered over torn vellum. The tag is torn watercolour paper, hand dyed mesh fabric and torn ink jet vellum stitched together. The ribbon on most is torn cotton fabric hand dyed in Making Memories craft acrylic Fresh Anthology Daffodil paint diluted in water. A few have lace edging for the ribbon. I hope all the swappers enjoy adding these to their Rolodex collection.

Embossing Folder Samples

2010-03-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

While I was doing the card project at Cherish The Thought on Sat I also perused all the Cuttlebug Folders Jessie had on the wall. I was so impressed with the sample cards that help to really get a look and feel of the texture and if the folder was sold out I could still see what it looked like, and order if I wanted it. I found 2 new ones I wanted in stock, so I came home happy for now. The idea is so great that I made my version with chipboard covers and embossed cardstock with all of the folders I have right now and can easily add more samples as I acquire more folders.

Butterfly Greeting Card

2010-03-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

This is the card project I did on Sat. March 6 at Cherish The Thought. The card blank is white, the next layer is black cardstock. The next layer of Coredinations Whitewash Collection in blue, is embossed with Flourished Frame Cuttlebug folder then sanded, I could have sanded a little more and revealed more of a darker blue colour. The top focal piece is white cardstock stamped with butterfly wings from Crafty Secrets Altered Art small set in black ink. The butterfly body is 3 sizes of blue rhinestones. This piece is added with pop dots for some dimension.

Spellbinders Open House

2010-03-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

On Feb 20th Jessie had a Spellbinders open house at Cherish The Thought and we made 4 cards using different Nestabilities and techniques. These are the cards I made.

Now this was a busy weekend because on Friday the 19th I went to Vancouver to check out the Olympic activities and on Sunday the 21st I went to the monthly ATC swap which is usually held at the Grind. Because of parking restrictions we met at Collage Collage and Sat night after being at the open house I got a message that Penellope had made an ATC book with pockets as a gift for the store owner, and could we contribute an ATC. So Sunday morning I made the geranium ATCs using my photo and the seed packet card technique, I really liked how the cards turned out and the ATCs turned out pretty good too.

My Entries For TheVancouver ATC Exhibition

2010-03-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

On Fri, Feb 26 I took my 9 ATCs for the Vancouver 2010 Exhibit in to Ruby Dog's Art House. There is a list of participants here. If you are in the lower mainland between now and Mar 21 please check out all the cards. The cards will be swapped at the regular Vancouver ATC Group swap on Mar 21.
The top left 2 cards have alcohol ink backgrounds on shiny cardstock and a photo of the cauldron taken from the viewing area. The third ATC is my photo of the torch when it came through my area. The photo is printed on vellum and stitched onto coffee stained watercolour paper with a piece of mesh fabric layered over. The words are computer generated torn cardstock edged with distress ink and fibres are added. The next 2 are playing cards with computer generated text and rubber stamped with "10". The next card in this row is the cauldron layered with pop dots over cardstock coloured with Fired Brick Distress Ink and both are cut with a Nestabilities die cut. The next 2 ATCs are alcohol ink on shiny cardstock rubber stamped with various stamps including a Quietfire Design flourish stamp. The last card is the cauldrom stiched onto mesh fabric on coffee stained watercolour paper.

Scrap ATCs

2010-03-02T10:05:00.000-08:00

Back when I made the Dreams ATCs from the magnetic phone books, I cut the label frames, and the pieces left over from doing this were just lying on my desk. These just looked too good to waste so here are some ATCs I made and called "From Scraps To Hearts". I used silver metallic cardstock embossed with a Cuttlebug folder for 3 of the backgrounds and a patterned scrapbook paper for the fourth card. The word stamps are from Quietfire Design. The embellishments include Fun Foam hearts, charms, ribbon and rhinestones.

Late For A Birthday Card

2010-03-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy over the last couple of weeks that I didn't get a birthday card in the mail at the appropriate time so I made this "Just Because" card. This is a tri-fold Climb The Hill card made from a two-sided scrapbook cardstock. After scoring the folds I rubber stamped various stamps and the Quietfire sentiment stamp and the Michalels Just Because stamp with Memories Cocoa ink and printed computer genterated words for the other phrases on vellum. The flower is cut with a Sizzixx Flower layers #3 die.

ATC Dream Accordion Fold Book

2010-02-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

This started as a magnetic telephone book purchased from Ruby Dog's Art House.

For the cover I used precious metals cardstock embossed with Diamonds in the Rough Cuttlebug embossing folder. Title is computer text on white cardstock and the frame is QuickKutz Squeeze die cut. This is mounted on the magnet cover and the back cover is mounted on a burgundy ATC.

I removed the accordion fold address pages and added my own accordion fold pages printed on a long piece of paper. The background is a scan of one of my painted backgrounds and my quote is computer generated text. The butterflies are stamped with Inkadinkado Patterned Bugs clear stamps set. Some of the butterflies are embossed with amethyst embossing powder.

ATC-Queen Of Heart

2010-02-05T21:21:00.001-08:00

ATC-Queen Of Heart
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

One of the themes for the Feb Byhandartists monthly ATC swaps is "Queen of Hearts" in keeping with the blog challenge. Various backgrounds and 2 different digital images of Queen of Hearts, rubber stamps from Quietfire Design and sheer ribbon with heart rhinestones. This can be considered part ot the Queen of Hearts Challenge as well

Edit: I forgot to mention that the top 2 have sugar beads on the Queen card.

Paper Art Doll 1

2010-02-05T13:30:00.001-08:00

Paper Art Doll 1
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

I used a template from TheEnchantedGallery and printed it on Wausau natural Astroparche cardstock. The doll was cut out and the face from Crafty Secrets "Altered Art" set was rubber stamped with Memento rich cocoa ink. The quote and flourish stamps from Quietfire Design were stamped with Ancient Page Cardinal or Memento rich cocoa inks. I then used a sponge to randomly colour in with Distress inks fired brick and weathered wood.

2010 Feb ATC The Coffee Ring

2010-01-31T18:49:00.001-08:00

2010 Feb ATC The Coffee Ring
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

The themes for the Feb ATC Vancouver swap at The Grind are raspberry, rings and rust. I decided to do ring. The little coffee pot stamp is from Crafty Secrets and the other stamps are from Cornish Heritage Farms "Journal Me" set.

Greeting Card-Baby

2010-01-31T10:06:00.001-08:00

Greeting Card-Baby
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Here is the Saturday card project from Cherish The Thought. I started with a Cuttlebug embossing folder to emboss the background layer then rubber stamped the edging, little bird and "Special Delivery" postal cancellation. The vintage carriage is stamped on cream cardstock cut with a scalloped circle Nestabilities Die. The background layer is edged with Memento Rich Cocoa ink. The lace and a ribbon is added with double sided tape and the cream piece is glued on with foam dots. Now came the frame for the carriage, this was done with 2 Nestabillities dies, the scalloped circle and the inverted scallop circle. We first placed the inverted scallop circle on a magnetic sheet, then lined up the points of the scallop circle with the points of the inverted scallop die. This was cut with the Big Shot and I got this cute little bubble frame which was edged with the Memento ink then glued to the cream circle.

Queen of Heart Journal Page

2010-01-25T16:18:00.001-08:00

Queen of Heart Journal Page
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Judy, one of the byhandartists members proposed a challenge to do a project on the theme of Queen of Hearts so I did a page in my journal. I used fired brick Distress Ink to colour the page, found a vintage Queen of Hearts playing card image on-line, and inked the edges with Memento rich cocoa ink. I ran the image through the Xyron and added Sugar Beads. The frame is the piece left from the Watercolour Card I did a couple of weeks ago. The words "Queen of" and "heart" are Quietfire Design stamps rubber stamped with Blazing Red StazOn ink on thick cardstock, cut and attached with double sided tape. The lace along the bottom of the page is a piece of edging I knit from red no. 10 cotton and 2.25mm needles.

Life Stores Mini Album

2010-01-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

Here are all the pages in a slide show for the Life Stories Mini Album I posted a few days ago.
Enjoy