Agapanthus orange birthday

06 Aug 2016 6 Comments

by Helen in Birthday, Cards, floral Tags:

I’ve been using my new favourite agapanthus stamps (Stampendous Agapanthus Thank You) to create a birthday card for a lovely aunt. I would love to have more floral stamps, and am looking for some good ones to add to my Need-to-have list…

I will add this card to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Fabulous florals

Just Add Ink #323; Add F (Flowers!)

That’s crafty Zesty Zing challenge I love these bright zesty colours!

May the bright sun warm
your aching bones, bring echoes
of youth and freedom.

 

Sorry you’re leaving

23 Jun 2016 Comments Off on Sorry you’re leaving

by Helen in Cards, CAS, Leaving, Masculine Tags: ,

I need a leaving card for a chap at work.  Tried one yesterday and you know how sometimes the muse just doesn’t come? I ended up with something that looked like a 5 year old had done it. In fact most five year olds could do a lot better. Just didn’t work!

So today I had another go and came up with three. Here’s my favourite.  Watercoloured with post-it masking and Heidi Swapp clock stamps.  I’ve been wanting to try the grey and yellow combination for a while.

Where you’re going to:
Not greener on the other side
but don’t be blue

Fire butterflies

19 Jun 2016 5 Comments

by Helen in Cards, Ladies Tags:

A second post in a day!

fire butterflies

Water-coloured medieval manuscript pattern paper cut out using two stencils and a punch. The background is clear embossed Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer swirls stamp.

This one is inspired by a few challenges which I am entering. Including CAS on Sunday: Butterflies

and Muse #170 from Anita Bowden with the butterflies and a fiery colour palette.

My words, blown out, sent
into the cold world, setting
fire to the debate.

Let’s just say I’ve been thinking about the EU debate and that I believe in people collaborating and working for change from the inside.

Agapanthus thank you

19 Jun 2016 3 Comments

by Helen in Cards, CAS, floral, Thank you Tags: , , ,

I have been trying to use up my stash rather than buy more, but needing more Herma I caved in and made an order, and of course more than just glue fell into my cart.  I have a new flower stamp, the Agapanthus Thank You from Stampendous, to play with.

Here is the first card with that stamp. The background is watercoloured – it’s an attempt to reproduce the Pantone Colour of the Year 2016, rose quartz and serenity (yes they picked two colours this year). I don’t think I got them right, especially the blue, but it’s a pretty combination anyway.

I’m entering this in

CAS-ual Fridays challenge: thanks with twine

and Penny Black and More: June challenge – Flower Power

One thing about not being a carer any more is that I get more time to craft. It’s a bitter-sweet opportunity.

Caring no longer
Time to play and make things, but
chance is bittersweet.

 

Sympathy – sketch and colour challenge

12 Jun 2016 3 Comments

by Helen in Cards

I started on challenges and got interrupted by losing someone dear to me. So I’ve made virtually nothing but funeral service cards for the past few weeks.

I realise now that all those sympathy cards actually help a lot, so now I will be sending a lot more.

Here is my first:

And the haiku that goes with it, in memoriam.

Teacher’s epitaph:
The lesson is ended but
the learning goes on

I’m entering this in TWO challenges (very daring!)

Freshly made Sketches #240

and Colour Q #345

Hearts mew

11 Jun 2016 Comments Off on Hearts mew

by Helen in Cards, Love, Masculine

I went to a communication workshop at work and they got us to pair up and then try to sell something – a skill or item of our own – to the other person. I sold my card making skills 🙂  I was so successful that my colleague actually did commission and pay for the card (the fee was donated to charity). A card for her cat loving husband: created with hand drawing and fussy cutting, black paint and chalk, and a few glitter stars.

Harvest moon rises
Creeps cat-like through quiet sky
I think you’re purr-fect

A challenge entry – CAS(E) this Sketch #171

08 May 2016 2 Comments

I’ve never tried a challenge card before, so here goes…

I’m CASEing this sketch

CAS(E) this sketch #171

CAS(E) this sketch #171

And here’s my card.

My favourite Caran D’Ache watercolours and a stamp that came free with a magazine ages ago…

Creativity…
sometimes it strikes like lightning…
or flows like treacle!

Image by Helen

Sheep!

17 Apr 2016 Comments Off on Sheep!

by Helen in Birthday, Cards Tags: ,

I’m sure someone else has come up with this before me, but it’s not based on any particular card, though I did google sheep drawings.

My doodled/handdrawn text leaves a lot to be desired. Practice may eventually make perfect. I’ve wasted enough time watching YouTube videos on calligraphy and hand-lettering. I have to try…

sheep

I wish I could sleep.
Counting sheep and stars makes me
sadder than ever.

Flaming feathers

10 Mar 2016 Comments Off on Flaming feathers

I love the poem from Emily Dickinson that starts

‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

Feather stamps – and the cards made from them – have been and are continuing to be popular. As usual, Stampin Up withdrew theirs before I made up my mind to buy it (it takes me some time). But there are lots of other similar sets available.  Mine is part of a seaside set from Crafty Individuals: Call of the Sea.

I love these colours. Kaleidacolor Desert Heat ink was used on this.

Flame Feathers

The feather floating
in the wind as you pretend –
but you are falling…

(Skydiver haiku 2)

Image by Helen

Zendoodle horse birthday card

20 Feb 2016 Comments Off on Zendoodle horse birthday card

I’ve really got into doodling recently, and thought I’d try some cards. This is for a horse-riding colleague (seem to have a few of those!). It’s tricky coming up with something new every year!

I really must get better at taking pictures…

Wind ruffling my hair
In a moment I’ll gallop
far from dreary work!

Save

Image by Helen

Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries