Embossing

Hello and welcome to the newest challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog, and our newest theme that says "Embossing"" Feel free to use the wet or the dry form of the technique, and show us the results. If you need some inspiration first, please do have a look at what the DT has created for you. I was quite busy in the past weeks, I'm feeling better and trying to catch up with so many things alongside with managing everyday's chores. In the end, I'm putting things aside again, but well, that's life I guess.

However, I managed to prepare some DT inspiration for you, and by doing so, I used some scraps I never thought would come handy. And I think at some point, every crafter has said something like that, righth? 

Since we'd like you to feature embossing on your projects, that's what I was looking for at first. I did find some pretty embossed backgrounds in my stash, but I couldn't come up with how to use them. And I kept coming back to this unusual shade of green, a green that looks like a light emerald. It came in a booklet of embossed papers, and while I love the floral pattern with bugs and insects, I could never, ever wrap myself around the colour itself. How on earth do you create a colour scheme around that one? 

In other news, I'm getting glasses. The signs of aging became obvious a year or two ago, when I was getting new sunglasses, and while doing so, I made an eye test because why not. With a couple of lens adjustments I could suddenly realize that the world around me is much clearer that I thought, but it wasn't a major difference, so I let it be. In the past months, however, I could find myself having trouble focusing on signs, especially when light conditions ween't ideal. Got another eye test, and yup, definitely glasses this time. I picked them out last week and will have another fitting next week. And all this time, my thoughts were circling around that one patterned paper... The one I got ages ago on a crafting workshop. We learned to create explosion boxes, but since I didn't find a chance to use mine, I cut it into pieces. What was left, were squares of glasses-themed papers: pink and green on one side, black and white on the other. And then, I figured: why not try THIS green with THAT green? 

Unfortunately, the green embossed paper was a bit too short to fit on a kraft card base, so I decided to extend it by using another paper scrap: a white embossed paper with swirls, which was already decorated with a punched border. Believe it or not, I only needed to cut it by 4 mm to make it fit. 

I then wanted to use a ribbon to mask the transition between white and green paper before placing the glasses on top of everything. To my disappointment, I couldn't find a ribbon that would fulfill my imagination. I switched to my paper stash again, and amongst the scraps that are too pretty to be thrown away I finally found the missing piece: a strip of paper with roses, which combines all the colours of my card. It comes from a box of napkins, and I kept it for years - literally (and yes, when IÄm looking for napkins for my running nose in winter, I'm definitely thinking about what I could do with the box later on). I'm glad those pretty roses found their place after all. 

Once everything was done, I used a piece of soft pink paper to frame the glasses, trying to create a centerpiece from what was meant to be a background paper. I thibk it doesn't look too bad in the end. I can't help feeling the card would need a bit of bling in form of pearls and/or gemstones, but on the other end, I keep telling myself that flat cards are easier to be shipped. Under the bottom line, I'm torn between whether my card is finished or not, so I will gladly accept your opinions and ideas on the piece.

challenges:

- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "May flowers"

- a place to start: ATG

- allsorts challengeblog: ATG with optional twist "birds, bees and blooms"

- classicdesignchallenge: ATG DT 

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG

- do-all kreatives: ATG

- inkspirational: leftovers (white embossed paper, rose paper, patterned paper with glasses)

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- nachteulen: ATG

- try it on tuesday: in the garden (rose paper, embossed papers with swirls, flowers and bugs)

- unicorn challengeblog: flowers

- vesela hiska: rose

- wortartwednesday: ATG

Circles

Hello, and welcome to the current challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog! The challenge has is in full swing already, but my traditional delay has a very untraditional reason this time: my great aunt has decided to spoil me with a getaway of my choice, and I spent some wonderful days in northern Spain. Yes, it was quite a challenge, but since it was an organized tour I didn't need to worry about anything. I did rest a lot in between our stops, as well as during the transits, but I could also fill my heart and soul with loads of positive memories... enjoy land- and seascapes... get to know lots of lovely cities and lots of yummi food, and even dip my toes into the ocean every now and then. 

For my DT inspiration, I will therefore present a project I have created a while ago in one of my therapy sessions. Even though it's full of autumn vibes, it was made in spring, but as it usually goes with my crafting, I get stuck on an image or two and the rest just happens somehow. 

This time, it was the image of a lady sitting by the lake that caught my eyes. I decided to cut the motif from a magazine and save it in my stash, and pair it up with something of similar colour/atmosphere. 

To be precise, I cut some more circles with autumn motifs, but I didn't really know how to put them into use. I guess I just wanted to get used to my (currently) favourite tool, a circular cutter. I still have to get used to it, and I do usually mess up my circles towards the end when the paper slips away, but that't just one more reason to practise cutting circles (and arranging them in a way those mistakes can't be seen, lol). 

Then, in one of my crafting sessions, I went through a bunch of new magazines, and I found exactly what I was looking for: many different vintage botanical prints, from which I could pick motifs to embellish my collage. 

At first, I connected the circles. Unlike originally planned, the lady by the lake ended up on the bottom part of the trio. Under her, I placed a log of wood, which I decorated with a couple of pine cones. It almost makes it look like the girl is hiding behind some bushes. 

Then, I took a piece of dark green patterned paper from my stash - it was a leftover from another project, but it turned out I could use it up here. I liked the idea of it, because those tiny leaves look so pretty and I think it would be a shame to throw them away. Somehow, it also turned out that the circle I once cut from said patterned paper created a wonderful negative that would now allign nicely with the circles I used this time. I wondered whether I should fill the white halo between the three circles and the pattern in the background, but I decided against it. Instead, I connected the floral paper with my collage by using other elements: a yellow butterfly on top, and a daisy on the bottom. 

To complete my project, I added more butterflies: one sits atop some oak leaves and comes from the same magazine as the majority of my elements, and the other one is a sticker from my stash. I deliberately placed it in a way that would make the butterfly stand out from my art journal, which means it can double as some sort of bookmark. 

Looking back now, I would probably change the arrangement of circles: the heavy wooden pattern to the bottom, the lady by the lake to the right, and the dry foliage on the top left. I think it would make more sense this way, but I'm not completely unhappy with how this looks either. 

challenges: 

- 613 avenue create: ATG

- a place to start: ATG with optional twist "ATG but a card"

- as you like it: favourite season (I love the transitions between seasons actually, especially late spring/early summer, but even more so, late summer/early fall. I just love those warm days with colourful leafs and wonderful reflections on the water! Even though the early mornings might be cold already, there will be plenty of sunshine during the day - but without the unbearable summer heat. It's those days that allow you to layer your clothes, which leads to many combinations you'll be unable to wear otherwise. I love the autumn colours and the magical light, both of which makes up for the fact that the days are getting shorter.)

- card free zone: ATG but a card

- classicdesignchallenge: ATG DT 

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG

- do-all kreatives: ATG

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- love to craft: ATG 

- moving along with the times: favourite stamp, die or tool (circular cutter)

- try it on tuesday: going round in circles

- wortartwednesday: ATG

In the air

Hello and welcome again to another challenge at the Alphabet challenge blog. As we've finished another A to Z, we'll go straight back to A for another spin on the Alphabet wheel. We'd like to see things that are in the air, meaning you'll have plenty of options to pick: from balloons to birds to wheather phenomena... just have a look at what the DT has created for you to get some inspiration! I spent some time narrowing down my ideas, looking through my digi stash for something suitable. 

However, as I had a bit of time between appointments, I opted for a project that would take more time than usual, so I started searching my stash for suitable pickpoint patterns (and it wasn't a time issue only - I REALLY wanted to do some paper embroidery after ages). I decided to stitch the pattern of a hot air balloon on white background, and I wanted to go for a monochrome design. But I had a twist in mind before I went to work...

I planned to create a purple balloon using different shades of purple, and I thought it would be great to embellish the balloon with a couple of flowers. At first, I imagined adding paper flowers on the corners/sides of the image itself, then I thought about adding florals onto the balloon itself. But while digging through my stash I found something way more interesting: a sheet of stickers featuring light purple bouquets. I must have bought it ages ago, and it inspired me to incorporate the bouquet into the stitched image itself. Namely, I decided to replace the hot air balloon basket with a bouquet, making it look like the balloon is carrying a huge flower arrangement.

I also wanted to use a pink/purple sheet of origami paper which led to the idea of creating a monochrome card in the first place. I decided to make it my background paper, and then used three different metallic purple yarns to stitch the balloon image.

I then placed the bouquet sticker onto the white cardboard. Once that was done, I enhanced said cardboard with a piece of light purple paper. I find myself doing this a lot, and I think it creates a nice transition between the main motif and the background. It also seems to frame the picture nicely. Then, I figured it would look even better if I raised the hot air balloon a bit - I did so using 3D adhesive pads. 

In the very end, I added a couple of purple gemstones for a bit more bling. I think they go well with the shimmering yarns as well as the bits of shimmer that can be found in the flower bouquet.

I'm not entirely sure about my stitching though - I decided to change the pattern a bit, resp. changing the way I stitched it. Instead of stopping with one colour where the next starts, I decided to follow the shape of the hot air balloon all the way from one side of the other. It makes the stitching a bit thicker (which I don't like that much), but I do like how the lines are overlapping. I don't have a version with the original stitching, but I do wonder  whether I should have just followed the pattern the way it was intended? If you were the author of the design, would you want people to follow it as planned, or would you let them create their own interpretation? Would you be offended if somebody altered your idea?  

challenges: 

- krafty chicks: ATG

- a place to start: ATG

- allsorts challengeblog: ATG

- as you like it: brights or pastels (I'll use bright colours from time to time, but I'll go with pastels mostly. I have more papers that go with pastels, and I feel like pastel colours are suitable for everything and everyone. I'm not an extrovert/loud/outgoing person, and I think it shows with my projects being more subtile when it comes to the colour choice.)

- classicdesignchallenge: ATG DT 

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG with optional twist "spring"

- creative inspirations: Easter/spring

- do-all kreatives: flowers as eye-catcher

- everybody art: birthday

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- little red wagon: New York state of mind (travel, skylines, urban scenes - I like to think that a hot ait balloon goes with the "travel" theme)

- lovethoseprettypapers: ATG patterned papers

- love to craft: ATG

- male room: vehicles/transport

- traumfabrik: Code 3 (at least 3 colours - purple, green, red)

- wortartwednesday: ATG

Anyone home?

I have misinterpreted our current "Zoology" theme over at the Alphabet challenge blog, meaning I'll just post a regular creation this time instead of a DT inspiration. If you feel inspired by it, even better - just make sure you feature an animal on your project to qualify!

Anyway, I've been seeing those decorated mandala stones recently, and while they look absolutely stunning, I don't have the patience to line those dots in geometrical patterns (and how do you make them so even, I wonder?). I wanted to create something similar, though, and while on rehabiliration, I found a rather large snail house during a walk in the forest. I cleaned it up and let it dry, and brought it to my next crafting session. It took quite a few layers of white acrylic paint to cover up the surface, and by the time I was done, the lesson was over.

This gave me the opportunity to think about what to do next: decoupage with some tiny motifs? Cover everything in random colours, or a particular colour scheme? In the end, I decided to go for contrast with a touch of geometry. I took black acrylic paint, and started adding a pattern on the narural line of the snail house. I opted for something like petals, making them bigger and bigger as I continued from the top of the snail house to the opening on the bottom.

I even managed to end the petal pattern in a way that runs into the snail hole!

And while it was quite tricky to paint those tiny bumps because I didn't have the proper size paintbrush...

... It was just as tricky to go bigger, as I realized I had to pay attention really hard to keep the petal pattern symetrical. 

In the end, I even decided to paint the interior of the snail house - at least the part I could reach with my paintbrush. I tried white in the beginning, figuring only the pattern should be black, but I realized it looked way better once I covered the white inside with black. It gives the impression of an endless hole, all while the black pattern from the outside runs directly into the opening. 

Once all dried up, and I thought I was done. However, I took my snail house to my next crafting session to seal the paint job with clear varnish. My idea was to just give the project a neat finish, but only after comparing the before and after pics I realized what a difference a transparent layer can do. From a dull surface to a shiny new house - who would have thought! 

Before I went home, I left the snail house at the exchange desk - I figured somebody might want to take it home for decoration, as a reminder of their own rehabilitation stay, or as a tiny thing that fits in your palm and absorbs all your unspoken thoughts into the black void?

challenges: 

- 613 avenue create: ATG

- a place to start: ATG

- allsorts challengeblog: ATG with optional twist "in the garden"

- C.R.A.F.T.: ATG

- card free zone: ATG but a card

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- morgans artworld: ATG

- wortartwednesday: ATG

Yellow flowers

Hello again, and happy Easter Monday to all of you. We've had a weather roller-coaster recently with really warm days and periods of winterly temperatures, but the Easter holidays couldn't have been more perfect: blue skies, sunshine, and pretty blooms everywhere. Matching the outdoors, we'd like to see "Yellow flowers" over at the Alphabet challenge blog.

For my DT inspiration, I decided to use napkin decoupage after ages. I found this *bottle of a popular beverage* amongst the crafting supplies at my rehabilitation, alongside with a pretty napkin featuring sunflowers. I got myself a bit of yellow acrylic paint, and applied it onto the bottle with a sponge. Not only is it way faster than using a brush, the coverage on smooth surfaces turns out to be way better.

I waited for everything to dry, and then placed the napkin onto the part where the label used to be. I glued the napkin on the glass using decoupage varnish, and let it dry for a bit. After that, I cut the napkin alongside the lines in the glass. To make the napkin stand out, I then took a string of gemstones - I didn't really plan this part, but the shimmering gemstone embellishment separated from my flipflops the other day, and I didn't want to throw it away. I figured it would make a nice touch to the glass bottle now vase, especially as it matches the colour scheme of my project.

Originally I planned to paint the upper part of the bottom blue, in an hommage to the people of Ukraine who are defending their (and our!) freedom for more than four years already (or even 12, considering the first Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory started way before the consequences of the latest full-scale war reached our comfortable asses). In that context, I specifically picked the motif of sunflowers to connect the blue and yellow Ukrainian colours. However, I couldn't find the matching shade of blue: one was way too dark, while the other was more of a smurf colour. I therefore decided to stay within the yellow colours only, with Ukrainian national flowers symbolizing resistance, peace and hope - as well as the fate of occupiers. 

In the end, bits of glue can be seen on the clear glass above the upper gemstone lining, but the string would only stay attatched after using a hot glue gun, and I'm not exactly familiar with using one. This is the best I could do, and not everything needs to be perfect. I think it gives vibrant soring vibes anyway, just as all the other yellow flowers out there.

challenges:

- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist

- a place to start: ATG

- allsorts challengeblog: ATG with optional twist "springtime"

- C.R.A.F.T.: seasons/weather/ATG

- card free zone: ATG but a card

- classicdesignchallenge: ATG DT 

- colourful options: yellow

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG

- creative inspirations: Easter/spring

- everybody art: favourite colour (yellow)

- fabnfunky: Easter/spring

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- morgans artworld: ATG
- moving along with the times: ATG spring

- nachteulen: spring/Easter

- pearlysparkles: something old, something new (new napkin, old gemstones)

- sparklesmonthlychallenges: springtime

- wortartwednesday: ATG

Spring to go

Just a quick little post today, an impulsive crafting project I made recently during my rehabilitation stay. We had a bit of a snowstorm shortly after I arrived, which left many trees in the area damaged. Some have fallen, others have lost branches. I decided to pick a small piece from a chestnut tree and place it into one of those paper coffee cups.

I didn't know what to expect, and in fact, nothing happened for a while, but suddenly, the bulbs became bigger. After a while, they opened up to show soft green foliage.

To make the sight more acceptable, I decided to upcycle the paper cup in one of my crafting sessions. 

I covered it in multiple layers of white acrylic paint, and once that was dry, I added different shades of brown using a sponge. I let that dry, too, only to realize the upper part had white patches when I was done. I covered that up using dark brown and a pencil, which makes for that difference in colour. I liked the contrast, however, and decided to leave it that way.

I then created a small tag saying "Spring to go". I didn't use my best handwriting, but I added two tiny hearts and a pink button. It was the best thing I could find among the crafting supplies, and I used its holes to position it onto the cup: taking a raffia-covered wire, I pierced through the paper cup and the tag, adding a button, and finishing everything with a bow. 

As for the papercup, I decided to leave it like this, just a plain paper cup covered in brown acrylic paint.

Once I was done, I placed the tiny branch back into the paper cup. I think it gives for a nice, even though modest, Easter/spring arrangement. The bulbs have opened up completely by now, and the leaves are growing from day to day. I wonder how much they'll continue growing? And what will I do with it once I'll be heading home? I guess I'll leave it on the exchange-counter for somebody else to enjoy and observe the development.  

challenges:

- krafty chicks: CAS

- 613 avenue create: ATG

- a place to start: ATG

- allsorts challengeblog: ATG

- card free zone: ATG but a card

- crafty calendar: spring

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG

- creative crafty uncles: spring/Easter

- do-all kreatives: ATG

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- little red wagon: signs of spring

- love to craft: ATG 

- make my monday: all tied up - string, ribbon, twine

- morgans artworld: ATG

- nachteulen: spring/Easter

- sparklesmonthlychallenges: springtime

- try it on tuesday: spring

- wortartwednesday: ATG

Wildflowers

Hello and welcome to yet another challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog. We've reached the letter W, and your task is to showcast "wildflowers" on your creations. With nature awakening, I'm sure you'll find plenty of ideas everywhere. And of course, the DT has been busy as well, preparing a variety of wildflower-inspired art for you. 

As for my DT project, it goes way back to my rehabilitation last year. I found a wooden bunny during crafting therapy, and I knew immediately that I'd like to bring it to life somehow. As I focused on other projects, however, I only managed to cover the silhouette in white acrylic paint. I then took it home, but never really found the time to finish what I had in mind. Partly, because I couldn't pick the right napkin for decoupage, partly because renovations & moving, and mostly due to health issues. 

When I packed for this years' rehabilitation, I decided to take the bunny with me. I also packed a couple of art supplies which I'd leave in the crafting room fto refill the stash. Amongst the things I wanted to keep for myself was a napkin with wildflowers - you see, I already had a faint idea on how to decorate that bunny, except I ran out of time before I left for rehabilitation.

Once I found myself in the art therapy room, I quickly picked my crafting supplies. I covered the bunny in another layer of white acrylic paint and proceeded to cut out a couple of wildflowers. Turns out the bunny silhouette was rather small in comparison to the blooms, but I tried to pick the ones that wouldn't look all too odd. I also decided to add a bee on each side.

When that was dome, I placed them onto the bunny, and added a bit of grass by using different shades of green acrylic paint. I then sealed everything with napkin glue. 

And then, I started looking for a location for the photoshoot. I figured it would be fitting to include some wildflowers which came out out during the past warm and pleasant spring days. I sneaked my bunny into the local rose garden, where patches of primroses grow along the paths. The bunny seems to blend in with its flowers, and doesn't the bee look like it's alive? 

Fun fact: this was only my second attempt to get decent pictures. In my first try along the road, I managed to incorporate some primroses as well, but the direct sunlight seemed to cast a strong contrast between the surfaces, which is why I figured the shady gardens would be more suitable.

However, as I was packing up, I noticed a movement in the grass... a tiny red button crawling onto the primrose blooms... 

I can't help but the sight of a ladybug is like an instant shot of happiness to me, and you can imagine my surprise when I discovered a whole ladybug family! Apparently, they spent the night under an old leaf and were only waking up when I barged in with my bunny. If only I could know what they were thinking?

challenges:

- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "things with wings"

- a place to start: ATG with optional twist "small critters"

- allsorts challengeblog: ATG

- C.R.A.F.T.: spring/Easter/ATG

- card free zone: ATG but a card

- classicdesignchallenge: ATG DT 

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG

- creative inspirations: cute critters

- critter crazy: ATG animals

- do-all kreatives: ATG

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- little red wagon: include an animal

- love to craft: ATG

- morgans artworld: ATG
- moving along with the times: birds and/or bees

- nachteulen: ATG

- traumfabrik: Sing - all kinds of animals

- vesela hiska: daisy

- wortartwednesday: ATG