18 October, 2024

Ocean animals

I'm back again after a short break, and I'm happy to announce that I've successfully buried myself in my crafting corner to avoid dealing with reality :) Jokes aside, while I'm busy with what I call being a full-time patient, I managed to get creative for a bit. The result of my little escape is my DT inspiration to the newest challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog, where we'd like to see "Ocean animals".
As you see, my card is rather simple, mostly because I couldn't figure which animal I should feature, so I figured I'd start by putting together a background. I went through my patterned papers to see if any of them had any ocean related living things - to no avail. I then looked through my digi collection, where I couldn't find anything but mermaids and turtles. Nothing against mermaids or turtles, but I didn't feel like working with them. Back to the papers, this time those pebbles caught my eyes. I picked a kraft card base to go with them, and to match the colour scheme, I found a vintage print of a jellyfish in my stash. I believe it must be from the wonderful collection put together by The Graphics Fairy, but I'm not 100% sure. 
Anyway, once I had my main motif, I had to figure out how to present it on the card. To avoid the usual square shapes, I decided to use my new circular cutter. I then took this sentiment from my stash, and "framed" it with a piece of dark brown paper. If I remember correctly, the quote comes from a piece of scrapbook paper, and I decided to keep it as it seemed like something that could come handy some day. I now placed it on the lower part of my picture to connect it to the main motif. In the end, I added a row of tiny white beads around the image. I like how they create some sort of frame, but still look subtle enough to blend with everything.
I like the sandy/brown shades that ended up looking good together. I'm not sure how to connect the image with the sentiment, but  like to think that jellyfish are somehow wonderful, floating around in the waters. Also, I can imagine that an encouraging quote like this may make the card suitable for many occassions.  

challenges: 
- krafty chicks: CAS
- critter crazy: ATG animals
- lovethoseprettypapers: ATG patterned papers
- make my monday: kid friendly card
- path of positivity: power of words (I like to think that the sentiment includes the expectation of something positive, which might be interpreted as growth and/or change for the better)
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
- scrapping4fun: ATG

If you need some more jellyfish inspiration, here are some shots from the major jellyfish invasion on the Slovenian coast in spring 2022. A quick one-day trip to the seaside to soak up the sun and catch a glimpse of the remains of the spectacle.
And while there were some creatures still swimming in the harbour...
... most were washed up at the shore, which allowed a closer inspection.
What is there not to love about the Big Blue?
Textures of the sea...
... and those lovely narrow streets...
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20 September, 2024

Masculine

Hello again, and welcome to the letter M of the Alphabet wheel. We're looking forward to seeing your "Masculine" projects over at the Alphabet challenge blog, so please show us anything that is suitable for a male.
As I'm currently on sick leave still, I had a little more time for my DT task than usual, and I decided to stitch a card for you to be inspired. To be perfectly honest, I've put the components together ages ago already in terms of picking the papers, the card base, and motif, but since paper embroidery takes quite some time, I never really managed to finish the centerpiece. 
Now, however, everything fell into place: I picked yarns in blue and red that would match my colour scheme, and worked on the swirly pattern. Once I was done, I placed the white cardboard onto a layer of dark blue embossed paper, which I then placed onto the card base. To match the blue part of the colour scheme, there are maritime motifs in the upper part of my background - a sheet of patterned paper which I've purchased years ago. I think it matches the stitched motif as the swirls seem to remind me of nautical knots. In the lower part of my card, you can find a red background paper that matches the red details in the stitching, as well as the maritime print above. It also has some golden stripes, which I used to align the nautical paper piece. While the nautical paper came from the crafting shop, the red one was part of an ad that I received per mail - as it was printed on high quality cardboard (& featuring this beautiful combination of red and gold), I decided to keep it in case it came handy one day. 
Given the nasty weather recently, with a significant drop of temperatures, loads of rain and even snow, the card seems to be completely out of place. However, let me reassure you that when I was working on it last week, we had perfect summer weather, and no idea that we'd go straight into winter mode so soon! 

A little contribution to the collection of hand-stitching at made with Blümchen.

challenges: 
- colourful options: bold colours
- little red wagon: stitching
- lovethoseprettypapers: ATG patterned papers
- love to craft: ATG 
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- pinspirational stitching
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06 September, 2024

Landscape

Hello and welcome to another challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog. Our inspiration for the upcoming two weeks will be nature, as we'd like to see "Landscape" for the letter L. As always, our DT members have prepared beautiful examples to set your fantasy free, but you can always surprise us with something unique if you'd like :)

Being on the verge of autumn, I thought I'd create some colourful landscape, but then I just couldn't find anything in my stash that would match the vibe. On second thought, I planned to show you a sympathy card with some serene landscape, but I really didn't feel like creating that kind of project. In the end, I got stuck on some paper scraps from a sheet of scrapbook paper that featured a snow-covered Christmas/winter landcsape. 
I decided to cut them into three equal squares that would be big enough to cover a simple white card base. I then matched them with another layer of patterned paper - this time one with tiny white swirls on blue background. They are barely visible, but I like to think that they're a nivce match to the original colour scheme.
Since I wanted to leave the spotlight for the original landscape motif, I opted for very little embellishments - no sentiment, no snowflakes, just a mix of white and blue pearls in different sizes. With the serene colours, I figure that the card could still be used as a sympathy card, especially during winter time - after all, there is no festive bling that would scream "joy" and "happiness".

In the end, I realized that my card reminds me very much of a set of photographs I've taken on a foggy autumn day a couple of years ago somewhere under the trees on Ljubljana castle hill. I like how the fog looks scary and mysterious on the one hand, and very comforting at the same time.

challenges: 
- as you like it: layered or flat (while I'm usually not over-doing it with layers upon layers, you will usually find a few layers of different papers on my projects. Main reasons being that I really like to enhance the main motif - be it stamped, stitched, or else - with a layer of matching coloured or patterned paper. I like to combine different patterns and colours, too, and as I have tons of paper scraps in my stash, therefore this kind of paper-matching is a my way ofusing up those leftovers.)
- C.R.A.F.T.: Christmas
- little red wagon: sympathy
- love to craft: ATG 
- morgans artworld: ATG
- my time to craft: add texture
- pearlysparkles: pink, pearls and/or sparkle
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
- 12 months of Christmas: ATG Christmas
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09 August, 2024

Juvenile

Just a quick stop from me today to invite you to the Alphabet challenge. We have a new task for you, and we'd like to see "Juvenile" projects this fortnight. So, without further ado, show us anything that fits the theme of kids and/or young people. 
I for myself prepared a stitched card to inspire you. For its main motif, I picked a cut-out of a little fawn from a Nina Štajner album. I decided to place it onto plain white paper in a way that would allow me to use this wonderfrul green swirl, which would make it look like the little deer is sleeping under some ferns or bushes. For the stitching, I used two different shades of green, but I'm afraid the difference in shades is not very obvious in the picture. Once the branches were done, I added a few more stitches for bit of grass in the lower part of the card, which should make a cozy bed for the little fella. I then placed the white cardboard onto a background with tiny swirls. For doing so, I used 3D adhesive pads, which make the image stand out from the background without any additional layer of colourful paper. I also went against my habbit of adding embellishments (not even tiny white pearls!). 
What do you think of my no-embellishment-CAS-card? Is it too plain for a child, or could it be suitable for some youngster who loves Bambi?

A little contribution to the collection of hand-stitching at made with Blümchen.

challenges: 
- as you like it: favourite bugs, feathers or fur (I'll go with fur usually as furry critters are well represented among my stash in form of digis, cut-outs, or patterned papers. Fur also is a very broad term when it comes to animals, meaning I can use anything from beloved pets like cats and dogs, to well-known farm animals, and "seasonal" ones like (rein)deer. That being said, fur-themed cards can be used for basically any occassion, if only you pick an animal that fits the theme and is liked by the recipient.)
- CAS on Friday: 2 colours (green, brown)
- critter crazy: ATG animals
- lovethoseprettypapers: ATG patterned papers
- love to craft: ATG 
- nachteulen: ATG
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
- scrapping4fun: ATG
- seizethebirthday: cute critters
- try it on tuesday: keep it simple
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27 July, 2024

Inspired by colour (mood board)

A bit late as always, but nevertheless: Welcome to the latest challenge of the Alphabet challenge blog, which is inspired by colour. We have a mood board to get you started, and we'd like those beautiful pastels on your projects. 
For my card, I decided to go with a baby project this time. I haven't created an occasion-specific project for quite some time, but those colours seemed to be perfect to welcome a new human being to this world. And with my sister being pregnant, I better create some baby cards in advance! We don't know the gender yet, but with the inspirational mood board, a girl's card seemed fitting (I'll be creating boy's cards, too, no worries). 
At first, I took two green polka-dot papers from my stash. I placed them onto a white card base, and then picked a wonderful digi from Sami stamps. The image was once a gift for one of my wins at the Path of Positivity, and I'm ashamed to admit that I've never used it until now. I coloured it with coloured pencils, adding a couple of white perals where the hair band of the mother used to be. 
I then placed the image onto a piece of grey cardboard. To make it a bit more interesting, I used an edge punch. I then added a few pink pearls to the lower part of the motif, as well as a tiny arrangement of paper flowers. I thought of adding my usual paper flowers there, but they seemed a bit bulky, and I Äm glad I found this flat floral sticker in my stash. I think it really makes the scenery complete, while it will also allow me to ship the card if necessary.

challenges:  
- krafty chicks: all occassions
- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "floral delight"
- a place to start: ATG
- cutie pie challengeblog: something with B (baby, blooms)
- everybody art: stamps
- love to craft: ATG 
- make my monday: celebrate
- nachteulen: ATG
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
- traumfabrik: A sense of celebration 
- vesela hiska: P (pike, perlice, pink, pastelne barve)
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13 July, 2024

Holidays

Can you believe it's the middle of July already? We're having a "Holiday" challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog, meaning you may show us anything that is inspired by summer fun, or anything related to the festive kind of holidays (aka Christmas in July). Our DT has as always prepared wonderful creations for you, and if you look at our page you'll see that both themes are represented beautifully, so there really is no excuse for not playing along :) 

For the holiday theme, I decided to go with the weather: the summer heat is almost unbearable at the moment (it could always be worse, I know), and I figured I'd create a little beach-inspired scenery, which is typical for this time of year.
Apart from that, the project is rather unusual for me, main reason being that I've started art-therapy a couple of months ago. I'm not quite sure about the "therapy" part as such, but I like the challenge of crafting away from home every now and then - having to use materials I wouldn't usually work with. That being said, I'd like to spend my time with more crafting and less talking, but there have been a couple of good impulses so far, which under the bottom line is still a plus for me. 

With the art therapy comes one's very own art journal, and even though I've always admired those on youtube, I never had the courage to start one on my own.  I can't even tell exactly why - I guess it could be that art journalling seems to use many different techniques and materials while my crafting supplies are basically coloured pencils and digi stamps. It could also be that a new journal looks almost too pretty to be used, so even if I'd get myself a booklet, it would remain in my stash untouched, because I wouldn't know what to do with those blank pages. 
Anyway, with my very own art book, I tried to be more daring in my crafting. I started using different materials and magazine cut-outs to make collage sceneries in an attempt to just create something without thinking too much. I still think that most those creations are rather un-personal as I'd mainly move things around and glue them together, not really creating something on my own in terms of doodling, colouring, shading... But I'm working on improvement :)

The maritime scenery I'm showing you today was actually created in a couple of sessions, as the time for crafting is limited, and I didn't know exactly what I was doing. It's also my first double-page, meaning I wanted to create an artwork that would spread over two pages of my journal. In the beginning, I took a piece of light blue paper, ripping one of the sides off a bit. I then placed it in my art book to work from there. Using a stencil and blue crayons, I created a piece of blue leopard-print. I then completed it by cutting a couple of flowers from an old lace. I like to think they represent foam from the ocean waves. In the end, I cut out a sentiment form a magazine saying "Mach mal blau", which would translate as "Skip work". 
On the other side of the scenery-in-making, I placded an aerial photo of an oceanfront. On top, I glued a blue floral face from an ad. This part was to represent a recent trip to the sea with my mom's aunt. 
I then moved on to other projects, as I couldn't figure a way to connect those two pieces. Until one day a new magazine showed up at the art therapy session. I immediately realized that it features quite a lot of interesting motifs, namely a very blue interpretation of Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa". I cut it out in order to arrange it over those two pages, creating a bridge between the two maritime motifs. I then added a huge sentiment on top of my double-page, which could be translated as "The elixir of life is blue" - a perfect fit for my blue project! 
To round things up, I now focused on the lower part of my journal page. 
First, I covered part of The Great Wave with a line saying "in guter Gesellschaft" - in good company. That way, I expanded the first sentiment by suggesting not only to skip work, but also how to do it best. I then added another message on the bottom of my work. This time, I opted for an uplifting wisdom that I cut into individual words, only to glue them onto the page separately: "There's a sense of peace, serenity, and happiness within me, but above all, a deep feeling of consolation". The words resonate with me in an unexpected manner, and I certainly wish we all could have more of this feeling in everyday's life.
In the end, there's still an empty space in the middle of my double-page project. I'm thorn between leaving it like that or filling it with some more art, but nothing really comes to mind right now.  

challenges:
- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "floral delight"
- a place to start: ATG with optional twist "ATG but a card"
- allsorts challengeblog: ATG with optional twist "circles" (lace pattern)
- as you like it: favourite non card project (I recently started some sort of art journal, and I like the challenge that comes with it - using materials and techniques I wouldn't usually work with. I'm still far from what other crafters are creating, but I like to think that I'm improving with every step along the way.)
- card free zone: ATG but a card
- cards4galz: seascape
- crafty calendar: add a sentiment
- fabnfunky: seaside
- little red wagon: something you love (ocean/sea)
- nachteulen: summer is coming
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
- vesela hiska: P (poletje, plaža, počitnice, plava barva)
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- pinspirational recycle/upcycle (old magazines, lace)
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29 June, 2024

Gentleman (masculine)

Hello and welcome to the Alphabet wheel! We're having a new challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog, and I'm your challenge host this fortnight. We'd like to see creations that are dedicated to men, which gives you a broad spectrum of opportunities. I can imagine that you have some Father's day leftovers you'd like to show us, or maybe some masculine birthday cards, or some Just because creations you've created for, well, just in case. I know that some crafters struggle with cards for men, but don't despair: Our DT members have prepared some wonderful projects to inspire you! Have a look at our page to get inspired, or take inspiration from my take on the challenge theme.

I opted for a birthday card this time. I didn't have any specific man in mind when I was creating this one, so it's just a generic male birthday card that doesn't include any person-specific details such as age, hobbies, favourite colours... 
I've picked white as the main colour of my creation, mainly because I really liked this swirly embossed paper and I wanted to make it shine. Even though the embossed pattern is not highlighted in any way, I think those swirls come across nicely without taking attention from the main motif. That being said, the centerpiede of my card is a leftover piece of paper from you have seen on my creations ages ago, namely here and here. The floral paper comes from a set of patterned papers, but rather than one of the actual papers I decided to use a bit of the album cover. As said piece was rather tiny, I enlarged it by placing it onto a turquoise piece of patterned paper. Not only it makes the floral scenery appear bigger, I think it also creates a nice connection towards the background of my card. To place the image onto the card base, I used 3D adhesive pads, which gives additional depth to my creation. Since I figured this would be a birthday card, I added a tiny silver sticker to deliver the birthday greetings. To spice up the white background, I then added a couple of shimmering gemstones. I like to think they, too, are enhancing the motif as I used a similar colour scheme for the embellishments, but I'm  a bit torn about the gemstones alltogether: I tried to not overdo it with the bling as I was creating a masculine card, but I'm not sure whether I've stopped on time. What do you think? Can male cards use a little sparkle every now and then? 

challenges: 
- krafty chicks: all occassions
- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "for the guys"
- a place to start: ATG
- allsorts challengeblog: ATG with optional twist "way to grow"
- C.R.A.F.T.: ATG
- cardz4guyz: ATG masculine
- CAS on Friday: nature
- crafty catz: ATG with optional twist "embellishments"
- kreativtanten: for men
- little red wagon: layer it up
- my time to craft: summer florals
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
- scrapping4fun: ATG
- seizethebirthday: add a star
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- pinspirational flowers
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