Arianna Blooms for the Bathroom Decorations

I was futzing around this weekend, attempting to decorate my extra bath.  I had purchased a wall hanging and the space just seemed to call out for something extra.  I decided to make up these flowers to decorate.  I used black Archival Ink and white pigment ink to stamp using my Heartfelt Creations Arianna Blooms stamp and then cut out using the coordinating die.  I used a deep purple and a light lilac cardstock base for each.  Some of the centers are a ball of Art Institue black glitter which is ever so sparkly and some are black die cut centers from the coordinating die set.

I then cut these swirls out of black, sticky backed vinyl with my Cricut.  I used a bit of transfer paper to position them onto the painted wall.  We then hung them on the wall and the plaque with some re-positionable glue dots.  As usual, I made a bunch extra that I didn't use.  Now the question is whether I save them assuming that the humidity natural to the bathroom will make them age prenaturally or do I use up those extras knowing I can always make more if the need arises.  It is such a tough decision!  Guess I'll keep them for a short time, judge the replacement timing and then use those extras up.

What home projects have you been working on lately?  Any way to incorporate your crafting into the decorations?

Our Beautiful World - Blue

Our Beautiful World's word prompt this week is Blue.  I immediately thought of these photos of the Chihuly blown glass exhibit in the Desert Botanical Garden here in Phoenix.  These photos are nearly 2 years old now, but they still incite a sense of wonder to me.  The color changes as the sun sets and the exhibit is lit by flood lamps.

Of course, we have such beautiful blue skies that it is also fun to watch the color of the sky change as the day moves from morning to afternoon to dusk and ultimately to night in these photos.

Near the entrance is this mesmerizing sculpture in blue.  There is so much of interest to see in this sculpture that you could not stop watching for a long time.  Again,l the series of photos from morning to afternoon to dusk is represented here.

But I couldn't miss an opportunity to show the blue that makes my heart proud.  This past year, my son Timothy in his cap and gown graduating from Chandler High School, home of the Wolves, whose colors are blue and white.

This is my take on blue.  What does the word prompt inspire in you?  Come join the fun over at Our Beautiful World.

More Little Birdies to Brighten Your Day

Maybe it is the new year, maybe it is just how adorable the Heartfelt Creations Birds and Blooms stamp and die set is.  Either way, I decided to put that pile of colored and die cut pieces into a card set.   I also decided that some of the patterned paper from the stash needed to find it's way into cards.  So I went shopping in the Scrapbox.  Look what I found!

I really like how the coloring on the birds can make them look so very different from card to card.  The oval die cut was made using my Heartfelt Creations Eyelet Oval die.  The set comes with the pieces to cut an open frame like the blue cards or a solid frame like the green cards.  Fantastic!

With the new year, I'm hoping you are finding your crafty way.  I suggest "going shopping" in your supplies.  You will be pleased with what you find and the creations are no less spectacular if the paper is stored well.

Happy Birthday Tweety Bird!

 I had a need for a quick birthday card so I swooped in to grab some birds and this branch from a pile of pre-colored and cut pieces.  The paper in the background comes from a decades old paper pad that has been lingering in the stash.  I hate to say it, but this only consumed 1/2 of two different sheets - enough to make more cards!

Still, I'm so pleased with the color match on this card - it really turned out.  All the coloring was accomplished with some Pallette paper, Prima Oil Pastels and a watercolor brush.  I simply colored the crayons onto the pallette paper and used water to pick up and distribute the color.  Isn't it fantastic?

A short and sweet sentiment on the inside to finish this card off.  It was a ton of fun to make, even on short notice.  What's been hanging around too long in your craft room that needs to be converted to a beautiful card?

Art Impressions Windows to the World

This is just one set of cards so far made using my Windows to the World stamps and matching window die from Art Impressions.  I had originally shared with you in this post how enamored I was with these stamps.  I can tell you that the stamps did not disappoint.  Here's a few of the details:

• All images were stamped using black Archival Ink onto Canson watercolor paper.  
• I colored the images with Inktense pencils and a watercolor brush.  Nothing fancy here - I tended to scribble color onto the image and blend with a damp watercolor brush - pinching off the water to ensure that not too much made it's way to my card.  Look close - this is not a professional job
• I used Inktense to scribble some blue color onto the card base and large amounts of water to distribute the color to create a background for my image.  I raised the image with foam squares.
• The window was cut out of brown cardstock and adhered to the opening made with the matching die.  I simply trimmed the "window panes" from the card base so the view of the image was less obstructed.

 In the end I purchased five different images.  I'm sure there are more cards to come.  I just couldn't wait to share these with you now. 

I adore how these turned out.  This makes such a fantastic gift - I'm going to make a few and have them on hand for when I need them.  If you haven't checked out the Art Impressions stamps, I'd recommend you at least have a look.  They are wonderful.