Watercolour

Hello. Did you had a great weekend? I got my studio all cleaned, filed six month's worth of paid bills, receipts, and other mail, and even had time to create some cards. Went shopping, and my darling Donnie bought me the Cricut Designer Studio, so now I can use my computer to manipulate and create new images with my Cricut. He also bought me some new rubbah! I am going to do my best to ink up my rubber this week; I have such a habit of buying stamps and leaving them sitting unused for weeks, and even months. Do you have that same problem? I'd love to hear from you.


Image was water coloured with Lyra watercolour pencil crayons.

Stamp: Penny Black; Paper: Cool Caribbean, Taken With Teal, Real Red; Brads: source unknown



Thank you for stopping by.

Beth

Big Pieces

Good Sunday afternoon. How is your weekend going? Mine is great. Today I get to play in my studio for the whole day. There always seems to be a card that needs to be made, wouldn't you agree?

This, Big Pieces, set is one of my favourite. It allows me to experiment with a plethora of techniques.

Techniques used in this card include: embossing, rolling stone, and smooshing with colour wash. The gold flower was punched and attached to a punched circle with a brad.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Beth

Raku Pottery

Whew, it's the weekend. I've been so busy this past week with contest entries, sending off a tutorial to Pat for the Technique Junkie Newsletter, and working on a technique for my Tutorial Tuesday, there just isn't a single card to share with you.

For you weekend readers, I would like to share a raku face that I made in pottery class. I am in love with this piece, but do understand that it may not appeal to alot of you. I have this hanging up in my orange hallway. Yes, I have a beautiful orange hallway where I smooshed dark terricota over top. You know me, I love colour.




Have a great day. Let's see if I can get a card done for you today. In the meantime, I'm off to the USA. I'm a border city and often go over to mail parcels, and head over to Barnes & Noble. Stampington always has something cool on the shelves.

Double Take Thursday - Birthday

It's Double-Take Thursday. This week I challenged Kim to create a birthday card using the Cuttlebug. Kim's adorable card can be seen here. While you are visiting Kim's site, look at the Boho flower card below her double-take. I think you will agree that the Boho flower card is absolutely breath-taking.






This surprise pop up card was created with Bazzill pink, white and green. The birthday present image was stamped onto watercolour paper and watercoloured with Tombow markers. Lots of Stickles were added onto the ribbon and bow to give the card sparkle and shine.



This image comes from The Artful Stamper. I saw this image on their website, and asked Lasting Impressions to bring it in for me. Wowzers, I was surprised, and delighted, when I saw my stamps. They are huge. The birthday present that is pictured here is 3 1/4" x 2 1/2". The image with "happy birthday" and balloons is a whopping 3 1/4" x 3 1/2". Two smaller images are included in this set. As you know, it isn't easy to find large images like this. I'm heading back over to their website to see what other sets I would like to have. For those of you in my area, let Lasting Impressions know what set you would like, and they will order it in for you.

Winning Loot

Wowzers, look what came in the mail this afternoon! Recently I submitted a card to a contest on Sunshine Designs, and I won. The Stamp Barn, proud new owner Sunshine Designs, sponsored the contest.

These unmounted images are a delight to work with. They are already mounted on cling foam, and stamp out the most amazing fine-detailed lines.




This was my winning card. I stamped out the cup numerous times, and cut out all those hearts to use throughout my card.

Images were watercoloured with Tombow markers. Did you miss my tutorial? Here it is again.

This stamp can be purchased through The Stamp Barn.

Thank you for stopping by.

Tutorial Tuesday - Adirondack Dabbers

It's Tutorial Tuesday once again, and today I am introducing you to a technique using Adirondack's acrylic paint dabber. This is a messy technique, so wear an apron, and protect the area around you. Personally, I stood by the bathroom sink to be beside a good water supply. Wipes were on hand to wash my walls. Messy, but fun!

Hold your paint dabber under a running tap. Pounce your dabber on a test sheet of paper. Once your dabber releases paint, you are ready to pounce your dabber onto your "good" sheet of paper, with heavy force. After dabbing twice, place dabber under running water and repeat. Heavy force is needed to give you that splatter look.





Pictured are samples using Stream, Terra Cotta and Wild Plum










Once completely dry, you are ready to finish your card.

Thank You

Is your file folder of scraps as large as mine? Here is a great way to use them up.

Prepackaged 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 card. Squares are cut to 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 and run through the Cuttlebug.

Image is coloured with Prismacolour pencil crayons.

Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

Beth

It's Looking Like Spring

With Easter weekend upon us, we find ourselves spending lots of time with family. Enjoy your weekend, and I wish you all a happy and blessed Easter weekend.


Stamp: Magenta; Primsacolour pencil crayons and OMS; Paper: Pixie Pink, Perfect Plum, More Mustard; Ink colours: Adirondak cranberry, SU Perfect Plum

Hugs,
Beth

Look at my Loot

Am I a lucky lady or what? I was given a gift certificate to the local scrapbook and rubber stamp store, Lasting Impressions, and this is what I bought.

You know how much I love bright colours, and lucky for me, Ranger has a new "bright" line and just arrived to the store.

Displayed are stamp pads, Dimentionals, coloured UTEE, Dobbers, clear e.p.

Let's see what I can create for you.

Thank you for stopping by.

Stamping Hugs,
Beth

Double Take Thursday

Hello. Nice to have you visit again. Today is Double Take Thursday. Can you guess what Kim challenged me to do? What gave it away? The baby shoes? LOL.

Yes, Kim did indeed challenge me to make a baby card. Can you believe this is the first baby card I made? Mmm, at least I think it is. Let's peak at what cute card Kim came up with.

When I saw Lauren Meader's card and tutorial, I knew that I wanted to try it. I'm so in love with this pattern, that I'm going to make about 20 of them to have on hand for me and my sister.

What did I learn from this challenge? That's easy--I do not have any baby images. Guess I need to change that! Any excuse to buy rubber, eh? (yes, I'm Canadian and overuse the word "eh", but really, I don't know I'm even using it).

Stamp: Zoofari; Paper: Barely Banana, Cool Caribbean; Eyelits: source unknown; Embossing Powder: Baby Blue Pastel by Stamp n Stuff; VersaMark pen; black pen used to make stitch lines.

Thank you for stopping by,

Beth

Is There Really a Spring Out There?

Is there really a spring out there? Canada's east coast is being hit with a huge snow storm as I write this, and just the other day it was lightly snowing outside my own door. Now rumour has it we can expect snow this June. Tell me they're not serious!

With spring approaching, I created a spring-like card. Personally, I'm tired of the look of my cards and am trying so hard to have a different look. When I hear, "Beth, your cards look like you" I cringe. Am I that predictable? Yah, thought so.

These cuties were stamped and coloured when I got together with Michigan Shackies from the Stamp Shack. If you haven't checked us out, what are you waiting for? We love new members. Irishchristine was busy working on 32 first communion invitations, Kimmy was making miniature 3-D flowers, Jennifer was trying her first quilling, Kathy was stamping like a mad woman (thanks for the brownies), and I was busy colouring these images. We try to get together every four to six weeks. Lots of fun and laughter for sure!

Stamp: Magenta; Paper Cool Caribbean, Pixie Pink; Prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS.

Hugs,
Beth

Tutorial Tuesday - Dahlia Fold

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. While researching for tutorial ideas, I came upon the Dahlia fold (thanks Pat) which is new-to-me. When I was scrapbooking with my Stamp Shack friends, Christine said she just did these at her monthly card party, and Jennifer and Kimmy said they have been wanting to do these. I turned to my trusty Splitcoast Stampers for directions, and I discovered they just did these cards in one of their challenges just three weeks ago. I guess I'm the last one in on this well kept secret.! I hope this tutorial is helpful to those of you in the same boat as me. Enjoy!



Punch eight circles out. If you have double-sided paper, this would be a perfect way to use it. Fold each circle in half in the manner shown in the photo to the left.









Hand drawn lines will serve as a guide for your folds. You do not have to draw lines. My lines are drawn for tutorial purposes. Make your first fold along dash lines.









Here you can see the right side has been folded. You will do the same for the left side.










Your dahlia is well on it's way, and you're almost finished.









Flip your piece over. The lines that you see is where you are next going to fold. Fold right on the line.









When you fold along the line as above, your edge will meet the centre.








Fold your other side over in the same manner. Your petal is now complete. Punch a circle and place your petals in a circular fashion.









Your Dahlia is now finished. Embellishment ideas: Prima flowers, buttons, chipboard.





Finished card.

Spring is right around the corner so I thought I'd try to help it along a little quicker. As it snows outside today, I wonder what kind of spring we are actually going to have.

Stamp: Hero Arts, Paper: Cool Carribean and SU DP, Prima flowers.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Stamping Hugs,
Beth

Fabulous Flowers--again

If there is one stamp set that I found so versatile to use it's Fabulous Flowers. Look at those layers. It makes the flower so intriguing, don't you think?

The small flowers were stamped with Adirondak's Cranberry and SU Perfect Plum. The larger flower was stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with a dark plum. Each petal tip was inked with a VersaMark pen and embossed in gold. Jewels are from the dollar store, believe it or not.

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

I Have a Website

I am excited to share with you my new website. With many months of writing tutorials, and blogging, I decided it was time to kick it up a notch and start teaching in cities other than my own. There are long-term plans in the works, and provided all goes accordingly, I will have an announcement before summer.

To visit my blog click here.

Stamping hugs,
Beth

Tutorial Tuesday - Post-It Note Holder

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. You might wonder why I am posting a tutorial that has been around for ages. Well, I decided that it was time to dig out some popular older tutorials and dust the cobwebs off. With fresh new designs, designer papers, and new stampers, I thought it would benefit us all to revisit older tutorials. Believe it or not, this was my first ever attempt at making a post-it note holder. Can you believe that?!




Cut cardstock to size 7 1/2" x 3 1/2" and score at 3 1/2" and 4". It's that simple. You are now ready to decorate your cover. When you adhere your post-it notes into your holder, glue the pad in place.







There are many ways to decorate your holder. To double-mat, cut the bottom mat 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" and cut top mat 3" x 3". Top mat corners were cut with decorative scissors. Brads were placed into the bottom mat.

Why not add a sentiment? A colour choice, such as gold and brown, is perfect for that man in your life.

Have fun with your post-it note holder!

Faux Cloisonne

Today's challenge on Splitcoast Stampers is Faux Cloisonne. Doodle This works so well with this technique. All paper is Basic Grey.

Faux Cloisonne gallery.

Thanks for stopping by.

I've Been Tagged

Ethel suprised me with this award last week. I'm always delighted to leave kind words on Ethel's cards because she is so creative and inspiring. Thank you Ethel. I first knew Ethel when I was a regular visitor over at Two Peas in a Bucket, but when the Stamp Shack was established, I switched gears and became a regular visitor of the SS. If you love to rubber stamp, then the Stamp Shack is for you. There is an awesome gallery, and a friendly group of stampers who offer inspiration and support.

Bloggers who make my day are:

Kim, Running on Ink
Kim, Creative Diversions
Tami, Dapple Designs
Alex, California Stampin
Corie, Creations by Corie

These ladies are just a small number of ladies who continue to visit my blog and leave me comments, and when they do it makes my day. I wish I could list everyone, and feel sad that everyone isn't listed, but please know your kind words do not go unnoticed.

As my good friend, Alex says,

Stampn Hugs,
Beth

Spring Has Been Cancelled

As the wind and snow tore across the skies, in Sarnia this morning, crafters were in attendance at my spring tote class.







Why let a little snow get in the way of all this fun?







Pink purses were being put together with lots of fun and laughter.











Some are even talking about making more purses at home.













Cards were made for the inside of the tote. The background was created with watercolour crayons.











Some ladies were disappointed that their hair wasn't done for my photo shoot, so I warned everyone that their hair needs to be done for every class as I'll have my camera in hand--LOL.




This is what I came home to. Unfortunately I did a fully grocery order and hubby was out to his HAM radio class so I had to unload all those bags myself. You haven't experienced real grocery shopping until you push your grocery cart through the unplowed snow with your eyes closed. Just keep peeking through your eyes every ten seconds to make sure you're not running someone over or running into a car. The wind and snow in the face is so invigorating. So, my sister is busy coaching her son's soccer team out on the fields in Mississippi this weekend. She doesn't know what she's missing being here with me--LOL.






This is the parking lot for my condo. Do you suppose it was the snow that made my mom and sisters move to the southern States 27 years ago?









This is why I like living in a condo. No grass to cut and no snow to shovel. Even my sidewalk is shoveled right up to the front door.

Hippity Hoppity Easters on It's Way

Hippity Hoppity, Easters on It's Way, and all my cards have been mailed. Thank heavens I do not have to tell my mom my card is 150 days early, like I did with my Valentine card. It sounds a little better than, "sorry, my card is late--again." Aren't these colours so spring like?

All paper is by Magnolia, and each image was coloured with Prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS. White acrylic paint appears in areas as highlight. Double-sided tape was added to the bird image, and mini beads were adhered.

This sentiment stamp is from Rivet, and the bunnies and birds are from Inkadinkado. The bunny and birds are this month's Inkadinkado special. Backgrounds were embossed with my Cuttlebug.

Double-sided tape was added around this image as well, and mini beads were adhered. As you can see, these cards required extra postage. I went to Michigan to mail these cards to my family, who live in the US, and was pleased the cost was only 60 cents each to mail--and that is with extra postage. My Easter cards last year cost me $1.80 each to mail to my family from Ontario. Mail travels so fast in the United States. I can mail a letter from Michigan on Friday, and by Monday my family and friends have their card . Just to mail within Ontario can take 8 days with Canada post. I don't mind having to pay extra postage because the embellishments really add to the card.

Have a nice weekend.

Stamping Hugs,
Beth

Double Take Thursday

Good morning. Today's card was made because Kim P. challenged me to make a children's card. I haven't seen her card yet, but I'll bet it is one adorable card. Inspiration for this card came from a recent tutorial that Stamp Owl did. It is called a "checkerboard" card. This style is perfect for Zoofari, and perfect for one of my nephews.

Around each image I used watercolour pencil crayons, and prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS were used on the main images.



The inside is jazzed up a little with bright coloured ribbon and monkeys.

This was a fun challenge. Thanks for playing Kim.

Stamping Hugs,
Beth

Spring Tote

Since I have been sick the past week, and there is no tutorial for you today, I'll post my latest Cuttlebug Club project.

Spring is around the corner, and so is Easter and Mother's Day. This cute handbag can be yours if you attend my class at Lasting Impressions this Saturday.

Notice the quality of this delightful handbag, perfect for any lady in your life. She will be delighted that there is reinforced "stitching" around each edge. Notice the solid hardware on the handles and front pocket. The front pocket is perfect for keys or cell phone. The purse is large enough to hold all those lipsticks that we so love to have on hand, yet small enough to look elegant.


Each one is a unique one-of-a-kind, so you won't have to worry that you will run into someone with the same purse. You know how we love purses and get so disappointed if we see someone with the same purse. As an added bonus to each of our customers, we will extend our warranty when you fill out the warranty card and mail it within 30 days. The only thing we cannot guarantee is that once these totes are seen around town, there could be an influx of ladies looking for this same style. To prevent anyone from having your exact replica, be sure to make your stitching a little uneven, or add extra. Anything is possible with this tote.

Stamping hugs
Beth

I've Been Tagged

I have been quite sick this past week, and weekend, and didn't have a spare tutorial, so I don't have a tutorial for you today. I am soooooooo sorry. So often I shoot two tutorials in one day so I have spares, but this time I was blindsided with my cold/flu.

This morning I opened my mail and discovered I was tagged by Brenda of Another Loock Creations. Thanks Brenda.

What were you doing 10 years ago?
It seems so hard to believe, but I was living in Nova Scotia, Canada's east coast. I visited Lunenburg, where the Bluenose was built (it's on our dime), Mahone Bay (one of my favourites places), Peggy's Cove and Halifax.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Nothing exciting.

Name your five favorite snacks.
Popcorn, oreos, and that's about it.

Name five things you would do if you were a millionaire.

1. Make donations to charities
2. Give each of our children one million dollars
3. Buy a house in Merrickville (near Ottawa)
4. Make on line purchases from all those rubber stamp companies that I so want to order from
5. Book two cruises; one with my husband and one with girlfriends on a rubberstamp cruise

Name five things you like doing.

1. Spending time with my husband. We can talk over coffee for hours.
2. Being alone in the studio listening to my music and creating.
3. Blogging. Is there anything better than that?
4. Talking on-line with friends and family. I so look forward to receiving e-mails from them!
5. Getting together with girlfriends. Road trips are so much fun and I have a great group of
friends.

Name five things you will never wear again.

1. Big shoulder pads.
2. Size 12.
sorry, can't think of anything else

Name your five favorite toys.

1. Cuttlebug
2. Cricut
3. Crop-o-Dile
4. Melting pot
5. Heat gun

Verses, Verses, Verses

To quote my BFF, "holy smokes batman" you have to check out this site. I am always whining to Donnie about the lack of verses out there for us stampers. Lo and behold, look what I found today, Verses Rubber Stamps.

We Have A Winner

Congratulations Pesc your name was drawn and you won the prize. I will send you some of my handmade cards.

To visit Pesc's blog, click here.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might...

Good morning! Are you going to have much time to play in your studio this weekend? I'm under the weather with a cold and was in bed all day yesterday, but today I feel well enough to blog and work on some cards. I'll probably just colour images--something that I love to do in front of the TV.

This is my first attempt with combining prismacolour pencil crayons, odorless mineral spirits, and H2O's. The H2O watercolour paint adds a nice shimmer.





I read that by combining colours that are opposite on the colour wheel, your piece will pop. As an example, look at the red shirt. Opposite on the colour wheel is green, so I added spots of green in the red shirt. There are areas left white, and uncoloured, to add dimension--or highlight. Notice how colour surrounds the image. I chose yellow because it was a colour that wasn't used a lot in the main image. Surrounding your image with a bit of colour grounds your piece, which means your piece does not look like it is floating. My background is painting, and I find it very useful in creating my cards. The part I find most difficult about these coloured images, is creating the actual card. Let's see what I can colour for you this weekend.

Stamp: Penny Black, Old Olive, unknown dp, cricut cut tree (Christmas), prismacolour pencil crayons, odorless mineral spirits, Twinkling H2O's.

Stamping Hugs
Beth