"Toad Lodge"

 Here's my card I made this morning. Inspiration from Eileen Godwin again. I used one of my LS stencils to begin with. I used  blue and pink Distress Oxide ink for the stenciling. Once I had that done, I left the stencil in place, and used a lightly damp (not wet) cloth and carefully 'wiped' over the inked stenciling. This removes some of the ink and gives a soft muted effect. I used my heat gun to dry the card before stamping on it. A tip I learned from Eileen. I always learn something from her! My challenge is to remember to use those tips when I create something! Ok, so I had Romeo-Valentino to the Vet this morning. It turns out he has some arthritis and obviously some pain. I did wonder if he was in some pain. He needs to have some blood tests as well, to check his kidneys, heart & lungs etc. We'll get that sorted out soon. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

Lavinia Stamps "Secrets."

Once again, I was inspired by a card Eileen Godwin had done. I remember the first time I watched her create something. It was a 'lightbulb' moment for me. I knew in an instant that this was the kind of art I wanted to do. I love Eileen's style of art, it's clean and elegant, and very calming. When I create  something like this, nothing else exists, the world and all it's sometimes ugly bits and everything else just melt away,  and it's only me and my art! To create this, I used a square shaped sticker stencil, and placed it in the center of a square white card. I used a circle mask and a stencil brush to add colour, (Distress Oxide ink pads) moving the mask to create half circles on the left side of the card. I then stamped the Thistle stamp on the right hand side, and stamped the sentiment half way up the card. The stamp I chose purposely fits 'around' the sentiment. The last thing I did was to add a tiny dot of Silver Stickles on the top of each spikey bit on the Thistles. I really enjoy creating this kind of art, it's very relaxing and un-complicated. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

A Gaggle Geese!

Please be kind...this is not my best effort! I stamped on one of LS Scene Scapes pre-printed cards. I had been wanting to use this stamp as I'd had it for a while. The Geese are supposed to be walking (waddling?) around a pond. You may need to use your imagination! It's a bit messy and as I said, not my best effort. I am a bit stressed because I have an appointment on Wednesday, for Romeo-Valentino. He's eating and drinking ok, but he just seems a bit lethargic. I'm hoping it's not serious. The last time I had one of my cats (Bella-Rosa) at the vets, it was not a good outcome. What made it worse, was, Auckland was in lockdown a the time, due to Covid, and I was not allowed in to be with her. It was beyond heart breaking. My cats are my world, and are so much more than just a cat. Ok, thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

 

"Mooch" and "Brodwin"

 

Here's another 7x7 inch card I did yesterday. I call them 'cards', but really they're pictures, little pieces of art! Ok, I used a Sticker stencil to create the Toadstool, and used a patterned stencil to get the shape. (All Lavinia products.) Then "Mooch" the cat was stamped on one side. I stamped "Brodwin" the Owl, to look as if he is about to land on the Toadstool, or was about to fly away. (It depends on your point of view!) The word "Wish" was stamped last. I used a pastel pencil in white under "Brodwin's" wings, and a little black pencil under "Mooch" to ground him. I also added a black edge around the card, then mounted it onto a larger piece of white card. I also drew a black edge around this card. ow, there's a bit of a story attached t this card! When I first used the stencil (patterned one) over top of the Sticker Stencil, (the Toadstool) the blue colour was really pale and didn't look right. So I had to add more colour. Luckily I had not cleaned the patterned stencil, and after a bit of fiddling around, I was able to place the stencil in the same place and add some extra colour. It was a bit of a challenge, but I was not about to bin the card! Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

"Hattie" and "Dana"

This is a 7x7 inch card. All Lavinia products. I was inspired to create this after seeing a card created by Eileen Godwin.  "Hattie" the Witch, and "Dana" the fairy. I love the clean lines and simplicity of this. Since being in hospital, briefly, New Years Day, I am still not well! I didn't get the correct treatment and was still dehydrated when I was discharged. Struggling to eat or drink, and still feeling very nauseous, and not able to get an appointment with my Doctor for 9 days due to him (and the entire Medical Center) being on holiday, it was a challenge. Even then he was so booked up all I could get was a phone consultation with him two days ago. So I haven't had much energy to do any art work, until I was inspired by Eileen's card! I am exhausted and just want to close the blinds, put a sign on the door that says, "Don't knock, don't call, just back away and leave me in peace!" Or something a little 'stronger' than that, lol! Luckily I still have my sense of humour!

Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

 

Happy New Year!

These first two cards were inspired by Jo Rice from Lavinia Stamps. I love the simplicity of these cads and ha fun creating them.

The card below is one I made for a friends Birthday. It measures 5x5 inches. I used a sheet of the new Scene Scapes papers from Lavinia. It has some sparkle on it, but I don't think you can see it. I used a clear Wink of Stella pen on the wings. The sentiment is one of Suzanne Canons beautiful creations. I love her Calligraphy!

The last card below, was inspired by Eileen Godwin. I used one of Lavinia's sticker stencil for the large Hare in the background. I hope you can see him, he is very pale. Then I used the stamp that matches that image. I finished the card by placing it on a black piece of cardstock, That was after I had taken this photo! I had fun creating these cards, but was 'interrupted' with some health issues. Long story short, I was unwell NYE and had the Ambulance here twice in one day, and ended up  in hospital for a few hours while they did some tests. I am VERY happy to be home and to get back to my artwork!  (The cats are also very happy to have home!) 

Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

 

 

Two Christmas Cards!

I found a quick video from Jo Rice (Lavinia Stamps) on making these cards. She used Kraft cardstock, I have used Soft Suede from Stampin' up! One of my all time fave colours from SU! They really were quick and easy to make. All Lavinia stamps.

Now I have a head start for next Christmas, and hopefully won't have the same stress I had this Christmas. I had a quiet Christmas day and it was really nice. I had absolutely no stress in making thee cards, I made them because I 'wanted' to, not because I 'had' to. I might make some more cards today, I'll see how it goes! I hope your Christmas was fun and full of all the good happy things! Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!