Day Eight

Yesterday, I played and apparently didn't read the rules very well. I was attempting to follow the “3d119 Challenge - Facial Tissue Flowers!” on Paper Craft Planet. After I made mine I went back, reread the rules and oops -the only thing I truly followed was using a facial tissue. Of course, we all know challenges are only guidelines. Following that logic, I'm okay with what I did.

Since I was playing, I decided to use one chalk ink, The Angel Company Cactus Blossom and one dye ink pad, Palette Belle Rose. Very different affects as the chalk seemed to soften the tissue, almost like rinse in the wash cycle does to towels. The dye did not seem to affect the texture of the tissue and allowed me the opportunity to take an aqua pen and flood the circle with water for a more natural color variation before forming the flower. When I liked the color, I simply used the heat gun to quickly dry.

In the challenge, the flowers are tied off with floss, string, etc. I took the road less traveled, as I wasn’t sure how I would incorporate them and used floral tape to hold mine. I also had to add some stamens and leaves; after all, it wasn’t a clean and simple challenge. Must admit to quelling an urge to use glitter here, but I tend to like flowers to look a bit more natural and I do like the softer look the tissue gives. Can’t believe I have never made a tissue flower before this.

To keep some suspense going (okay, still haven’t decided on finished product), I thought I’d share as far as I’ve gotten. These were very easy to this point, maybe 10 minutes top, outside of playing with water and drying time.

Here’s hoping you enjoy the sampling as much as I did playing. Hang in here, they will be used. Just need to get a few others things accomplished first; isn’t life great! 

Did I mention that I peeled apart one set of circles to make buds with? Again, just something I like to do when making flowers - seems more natural to add buds.

 

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” 

 Henri Matisse

Day Seven

It's been said that it takes thirty days of doing something to make it a habit. Therefore, I have decided that I will continue to title my post by the number of days since I started this venture. After thirty days, if it has become  habit, I might make more effort to make the daily title name more creative.

Today, I thought I would play in my room and stumbled across a challenge I thought was easy and it involves my love of paper flowers. It's located on Paper Craft Planet: 3d119 Challenge - Facial Tissue Flowers! Have a look. Lyn Bernatovich posted this challenge and I enjoy giving her challenges a try. Better yet, this one calls for facial tissue; lots of those in my house between cold weather and allergies.

So I started...and already have gone astray. 

Should have ended up with one circle. I have three. Figures! Rather than panic, I found I liked my three smaller circles and started working with them. While I don't have a finished project yet, I thought I'd build a little suspense and share where I'm at right now.

 As you will notice - I just could not leave them white. 

On with my quest and stay tuned for my version of Lyn's paper flowers.

Meanwhile here's a thought to ponder while I play ...

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. 

Art is knowing which ones to keep.”

Scott Adams, American Cartoonist

 

Day Six

Day six and once again I skipped a day. Have decided it's okay as still managed to live my life and connect with family and friends. Isn't that what it's all about in the end?

Today is a big step for me - actually posting a card I made. So many things I make are done with a person or purpose in mind that it could lead to some dilemmas for me down the road if I ever set this blog for public viewing. I always think of the card belonging to the person I am making it for; I never think of them as mine. This outlook makes me feel slightly guilty in sharing before it is received by that person. One thing about me, I am good at guilt! Thanks Mom...

The image I used is one received in an image swap I participated in at Anything Goes on Paper Craft Planet.
Copics were used for coloring and glaze applied to the vase for a bit of depth. Sorry, I didn't keep track of the Copics used and honestly, the way I color, I don't know if I will ever be that organized to do so. I am spontaneous when coloring - a little of this and a little of that - I never plan in advance and can change on a whim the desired result. The ribbon is a small scrap from long ago and caused me much trauma in tying as was very small scrap. Sentiment stamps are from My Sentiments Exactly - one of my most favorite places for phrases.

The inks used for the sentiment are a Big & Juicy ink pad called "Herb Garden" and a Palette ink pad, Raw Sienna. (Oddly, I can recall the ink I used 95 percent of the time - need to work on marker recall more I guess.)  I simply applied the Herb Garden and then the Raw Sienna directly over it as a single color of ink was much to stark.

Looking at it now, seems silly that such a simple thing as ribbon or sentiment caused me so much turmoil, especially as I ended up using both. Something to be said for compromise!

With that said, I hope you enjoy looking, wish you a wonderful day, and will leave you with another thought to ponder...


“Compromise, if not the spice of life, is its solidity. It is what makes nations great and marriages happy.”

Day Four

Yes, I know I skipped day three. Somehow, even with it being the longest day of the year, it seems I accomplished less than the day before. Guess it would have to do with the choices I made. Shut the world out and possibly finish some things or let the world in and do that thing called living. I went with living and am glad I did. It meant I got to "talk" with my friends (you know who you are), fed the squirrels, saw a flock of ducks fly over, played with the cats, watched a really good thunderstorm go through... I could continue listing things that some, or possibly most, would consider mundane; to me these little events are the fabric of my life. I wouldn't change a thing except more time for crafting and talking with friends.

So today, I'm doing it all over again. Letting my to-do list grow longer, talking with my friends and enjoying the little things life has to offer. Hope you do the same and find "little" things to enjoy.

Yes, the card is still sitting here - having a ribbon versus sentiment quandary. I promise I will get something posted, hopefully before the week-end is over.

My thought for today:

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.
Aldous Huxley

 

Wishing you happiness, friends!

Day Two

Welcome to day two. Still haven't come up with anything witty or insightful to share. Guess that's probably not surprising as I don't really think of myself as witty or insightful. Sadly, I didn't even get a card completed for showing. Where did the week-end go? Still so much on my to-do list that I haven't crossed off. Well, today is another day, full of hope and good intentions! Since I intend to work on the list that appears to magically grow by the minute, I will leave you with one of my favorite Erma Bombeck quotes:

"When humor goes, there goes civilization. "

Just saying!

What am I doing???

Welcome to blog land. Now what do I do?
I really don't have a clue and have always said I am not blog worthy. I don't have an exciting social life, no children underfoot unless you count the four legged variety. So I am thinking it's probably best if I post an occasional card as card making is my passion,  outside of my family.
I'd be tickled pink if you would join me in my new venture. You never know where it will lead...