Welcome!

This is my place to share my creative bits and pieces. My art has no rules, no limits and absolutely no order. My projects change with my moods but for the last few years, my main focus has been paper art. Cards, collage, mixed media and as many techniques as I can get to. My inspiration comes from everywhere.

I hope you enjoy your visit.



Thursday, December 12, 2013

CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR

Hi Everyone! This card came from my scrap pile! I was tidying my work space yesterday and any bits and pieces, I tossed to the side. Once done, I realized that a lot of the pieces looked good together, so I added the sentiment and put it all together. The faux mosaic tile strip was something I'd done weeks ago and never really liked with anything I chose for it. So, it got pushed aside. Now, I love how it works with the vibrant red. I think I should work from a scrap pile more often.

This tag design from Quietfire Design, is a lot of fun. I've kept the 'decorating' very simple on them, especially the two on the left with the cut out text.
 
I hope all your plans and projects are going well.
Thanks for stopping by!
 

Monday, December 9, 2013

HONOUR CHRISTMAS

Hi Everyone!
I have a quick card to share today. Circles and strips, a little bling and a beautiful sentiment from Quietfire Design, complete this simple card.
The design was inspired by the challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch! and the circle/strip technique is from Technique Junkies.
 
If you'd like even more inspiration, check out Quietfire Creations , where you'll find beautiful Christmas ideas.
 
Thanks for looking!
 
 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

NOEL CARD -NO STAMPING

Hi Everyone!
No stamping at all on this card but the papers have been cut four different ways. I only realized that after I photographed it. The red foil paper was cut with my paper trimmer to form the background and narrow strip. The red foil paper is recycled from Christmas crackers we had at our table one year. It is subtly embossed- it came that way. I embossed a piece more heavily with a folder and it broke the foil, leaving white cracks everywhere. Not so pretty.
The 'chain' strips were cut using a die and my Big Shot machine. That's two!
 

The green accent flowers were punched using two sizes of six-petal flower punches, stacked and beads added. My favourite element is the word NOEL, cut with my Silhouette Cameo machine. The beautiful cut file is from Quietfire and for sale on Silhouette's site HERE.
 
There you have it- four ways of cutting paper and a little recycling added in.
I plan to share this at Cards in Envy for their "punch it" challenge.
 
I encourage you to check out the links and get inspired!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderfully creative day.
 

Monday, November 18, 2013

ONE SHEET WONDER 16 CARD STASH BUILDER

Hi everyone!
Does making 16 cards in a couple of evenings, or one good afternoon session, sound good to you?
Then, go on over to Quietfire Creations right now, and you can find out how.
I hope you enjoy the tutorial.
Thanks for looking!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

BROOKINGS, OREGON - BEAR ART

Recently, DH and I went on a two week road trip and it was wonderful!
November 2nd, found us looking for breakfast but what we found were bears.
Pharoah Bear was just one of many they have along the main street.
My friend Julia loves all things Egyptian, so we had to stop and get some pics for her, and us of course. :)
 
 
 
 
Isn't he a beauty? This is Brookings, Oregon, our last stop before going into California.
The Oregon Coast was amazing- absolutely beautiful.
Our youngest son advised us to go, so we did and he was right.
 
Remember, you can click on the photos to have them show larger.
 
Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!
 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

FUNKY LIGHTS

We went to Pike Place Market in Seattle yesterday. After walking around a  bit (and buying some yummy garlic jelly) we ducked out a back door that we had seen some other people coming in through. We glimpsed a small landing with a pretty flower pot and wanted to have a look.
This light was in the courtyard.

Then, we noticed a second one to the right of it.
Here, you can see them both. Fun huh?
 
You never know what you may find when you get a little nosey  :)
We are heading for Newport, Oregon today so stay tuned. I hope to have some great beachy photos for you. It's cloudy, but clouds make great photos too.
 
Thanks for looking and I'll share more soon!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

ALMOST FULL- TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL


This is the view from my back door tonight.
I believe the full moon is tomorrow but it is no less beautiful now.
 
This is the ending to the gorgeous sunny day we had here today.
 
I hope you have a clear night sky tomorrow and can enjoy a beautiful fall full moon.

Friday, October 11, 2013

FILLED TO BURSTING!

This summer, DH and I moved to Salmon Arm. We went from 2400 square feet to 1140. Can you say downsizing? Three yard sales, give aways, and lots of dump runs later, there is still way too much stuff for our new place. No surprise that the overflow is mostly from my art room.
 
This room is my new art room BEFORE we moved in. Our realtor Barb is in the photo.

This is it today. It was organized until last Monday when we went and got the last bits from the house. You know, the bits and boxes left after the main move, that  you think really isn't much- until you get it. So, I have my work cut out for me and a few artsy deadlines to make.
I have missed blogging and wanted to share what's stopping me lately.
I'll be back soon!
 
Have a WONDERFUL day!

Friday, September 27, 2013

HARVEST SILHOUETTE CARD

Hi Everyone! Fall is here and I've used a beautiful harvest style stamp from Quietfire Design. It's new and you can find it HERE and on sale!
I used the COLOUR Q challenge-
Black, white and Cajun Craze.
 

I used these stamps from the set, on the inside of the card.
The card layout comes from Mojo Monday 
 
Again, I managed to use two challenges on one card. I know, there are artists that use WAY more challenges at one time. Baby steps :)
 
Have a ridiculously and incredibly amazing day!
 
Thank you for stopping by.
 
 
 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

QUIETFIRE & DREAMWEAVER BLOG HOP- FINALE


 
Hi Everyone!
I hope you've been enjoying this fun-filled and sample-packed blog hop this week. There has been so much to feast our eyes on, and fall colours are just the best.
This card dazzles with the hits of gold, a vibrantly coloured background and beautiful calligraphy by Suzanne of Quietfire Design.

 
I began by sponging different coloured inks through the Fall Borders stencil, using the oak leaves side. Then I masked off the stencil leaving two leaves open, and spread paste through them at random spots over the sponged leaves. I followed this using the Molten technique. The description for that is further down in this post.
Once cool, I sponged orange and yellow inks over the entire background to unify all the colours.
 
 
I spread Metallic Gold Embossing Paste through the Leaf Icons stencil, then poured Queen's Gold embossing powder onto the paste and tapped off the excess. I heated this thoroughly with my heat tool, to melt the powder and bubble up the paste. It's the Molten Technique and it truly looks molten. I cut around the leaf, inked dark brown ink all around the edge and set it aside.
 
I stamped The True Harvest of My Daily Life onto kraft cardstock using sepia Ranger archival ink and die cut two sides of the card using Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles
The same sepia ink was then sponged around all the card pieces and the card was assembled.
 
 
 
I hope you try this and create some fall goodness for yourself.
Thank you for coming by and following along on this Quietfire & Dreamweaver blog hop.

PS- if you get caught up in your creating and forget to put your stencil and other paste tools in water right away, Magic Erasers are wonderful things. I had a dollar store variety and it worked great in a tub of water.
 
Be sure to go and see:
FROM QUIETFIRE DESIGN
 
and the DREAMWEAVER Team
and the
and
 
Remember to leave your comments as you go.
Prizes will be announced on Thursday! You have till midnight this Sunday (Sept. 22) to leave your comments.
Thanks Everyone!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

QUIETFIRE AND DREAMWEAVER---AWESOME IN AUTUMN---DAY 1

 
Get ready for an amazing week of Awesome in Autumn! This week we are partnering with the Dreamweaver Design Team and are so excited to play with their innovative stencils, pastes and glitters!  Follow along with us and leave your comments on each blog for an opportunity to win one of two wonderful prize packages.
 

 
Here's what I've created for today's post:   

We are having such a beautiful fall this year and I  had no trouble at all giving it some shine on this card. The quote stamp from Quietfire Design  is perfect here.
I began by spreading Metallic Gold Embossing Paste from Stencil with Style onto a scrap of cardstock, using an old gift card. I kept the layer fairly thin, then stamped into it.
I washed the stamp immediately. Once the paste was dry, I smudged Metallic F/X onto it, using my finger and really pushing the powder into the crevices left by the stamp. The Pink Poppy and Ivy Garden colours really blend well with the gold paste. On the back, I traced out a maple leaf from the Leaf Icons stencil, then cut it out with scissors. I traced the same leaf onto green cardstock, and cut it out.
 
I made shimmer spray by mixing hairspray (from a pump style bottle), a few drops of rubbing alcohol and about a 1/4 teaspoon of Metallic F/X Pink Poppy, into a small spray bottle. I did the same again with Ivy Garden Metallic F/X, both from Stencil with Style and then I spritzed them randomly onto white cardstock, with the grid stencil taped to it. I removed the stencil, then used the leaf stencil and sprays in a few random areas, and let the cardstock dry thoroughly.
Once dry, I stamped the quote and tore all around the edges of the cardstock, then curled the corners.
This was layered onto green cardstock with distressed edges, then wrapped with hemp cord. This was attached to the dark brown card base, then the main leaf was placed over the knot on the cord. The green leaf was crumpled a bit, spritzed, then cut apart and attached behind the focal leaf.
 
 
Happy Fall Everyone!
Remember to leave a comment on each blog you visit, and I'm sure that will be all of them.
There are awesome prizes to be won!
You can find stamps, stencils and accessories for your fall cards at Quietfire Design.
 
Check out this week's awesomeness which includes...
Tuesday, September 17th:
 
Quietfire Design Members...
Holly Eastabrook-you are here!
and
Dream Team members...
 
and the
and
 
Wednesday, September 18th:
Quietfire Design Members...
and
Dream Team members...
and the
and
 
Thursday, September 19th:
Quietfire Design Members...
and
Dream Team members...
and the
and
 
 

Friday, September 20th:
Quietfire Design Members...
and
Dream Team members...
and the
and

 
Saturday, September 21st:
Quietfire Design Members...
and
Dream Team members...

Thursday, September 12, 2013

CASE THIS SKETCH AND COLOUR Q CHALLENGE CARD

Hi! I took on two challenges today- I am getting so bold! 
This super simple card is basic stamping and matting onto the card base.
That's it.
Couldn't be easier.
The card uses a sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design and floral stamps from Stampin' Up!
 
I'm playing at Cas(e) This Sketch .....
 
...and Colour Q.

 
Hope you are enjoying this lovely extended summer we are having here in BC.
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

A CARD & A QUESTION........

I decided enough work had gone on and it was time for play. With a few tools and toothpicks and glue- yes, old school- I was able to create this thank you card. Some of my supplies are still at the house, so I worked with what I have here at the new house. :)
I recently bought a Silhouette Cameo and was able to take it out of its box a couple days ago. I received the cut file from Suzanne at Quietfire Design, and got busy. Isn't the Thank You beautiful?
 
Here is my question.....
Have you been following the 9 Days of Christmas at Quietfire Creations?
If not, you are missing out, not only on great inspiration but chances at prizes too. Click on the link and go feast your eyes!
 
Did you notice, there is no stamping on this card?
You won't see that too often, at least, not from me  :)
 
Thanks for looking!
 
 

Sunday, September 1, 2013

ALMOST HERE!

 
 I don't want you to miss out!
It's going to be a wonderful 9 days! You're going to love it!
Prizes! Inspiration! Eye candy!
 
Make sure you visit Quietfire Creations and leave a comment!
 
I'll stop 'exclaiming' now....just go there.  :)

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

GET CREATIVE CHALLENGE AND A DIY WITH QUIETFIRE DESIGN

Hi Everyone!
I hope you are having a wonderful summer.
We are having a very busy one, but it is wonderful too.
 
Recently, I discovered this great challenge blog, from Greece.
You can CLICK HERE to go check it out.
 
This month, they have the image below as the inspiration for the card.
 
It turns out, I needed to decorate a clock to use at our new home. We have a lovely covered deck, and would like a clock out there. So, I used the challenge image to complete the DIY clock revamp.
 
I used an assortment of beautiful Quietfire Design stamps for the sentiment and most of the design. Love those butterflies and bees! The stamped flowers are Stampin' Up! and the dots around the edge are a pencil eraser. I am very happy with the result and will get a photo of it in use.
 
Now, I have some news........my friend Jutta is posting as a Guest Designer tomorrow -August 7th-over on the QUIETFIRE CREATIONS blog. I know she'd love for you to go have a look, and please leave her a comment. I know I don't have to ask you to, you'll want to.  :)
 
One more piece of news.......I've been published!  I am so excited to tell you that Paper Creations has a card of mine within it's pages. Page 35 to be exact. Suzanne Cannon and Wanda Hentges are featured in the article as well. You could call this a bucket list item for me.  :)
 
I've missed blogging and I was so happy to have fun news to share today.
 
I hope to be back soon.
Thanks for looking!
 



Wednesday, July 17, 2013

NEW STAMP SET AND CHALLENGE CTS #36

Look at how pretty this stamp set is! You can see the entire set HERE. 
I thought I would try heat embossing on grosgrain ribbon and I love how it worked out. The Queen's Gold embossing powder is so bright! Love it.
The thank you stamped oval works perfectly with the Spellbinders Oval die set. The pretty rose stamp was cut out after colouring. Fussy cutting isn't so bad if you're only cutting out one, and if you cut a little outside the line.
 
I think it works for the CTS #36 challenge. Want to play? Go HERE. 
Even if you don't play, you'll want to see all the inspiring entries there.
 
ONE MORE THING:
I have a post today at Quietfire Creations.
I hope you'll like it, so go check it out okay?
It's right HERE. 
 
 
I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!
Thank so much for stopping by.
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, July 12, 2013

NEW QUIETFIRE STAMPS AND A STACKED TECHNIQUE

This baby card design is called Triple Stamping. I'll give you basic instructions here but if you want more details, you can find them here.
The stamp is only one of four in this set from Quietfire Design. They are currently on sale too, so scoot on over and get some!
Begin by layering three sizes of card stock, and stamping onto the three layers together.

Mat each layer.....

and stack, aligning the stamping. I added a little butterfly with pearls, and that's it.
 
Give it a try --- check out the link for the tutorial and the link for the new stamps.
 
On a personal note:
You may have noticed, I've been absent from my blog for awhile. DH and I have bought a new home, one hour from here, and we have so much to do! I will post when I can. I'm hoping to show you my DIY  home projects as I get them done.
Come September, I'll be back posting more steadily and hope to have a bit of a celebration here on this blog. Free stuff! So, thank you for hanging in with me this far and hope to see you here again when I return more regularly.
 
HAPPY SUMMER!


Sunday, June 23, 2013

COLOUR Q & CTS CHALLENGE

Colour Q has chosen a pretty palette for us to use.

Case This Sketch brings us this cute arrangement.
 
Here's my take on the two together.
It's hard to see the three flat backed pearls on the small panel,
but they are there.  :)
 
Click the links, HERE and HERE to see loads of other entries for these challenges.
Give one or both a try and have fun!
 
Thanks for looking!