Twofer birds

Hi everyone! I'm back at long last! For the first few months of 2021 I have been struggling with my energy and mojo. On top of that, I got a frozen shoulder (in my dominant arm), which forced me to take a 3-week break from work as well. Being forced to do nothing did help me to destress and focus on me, which turned out to be beneficial in more than one way. About two months ago, I felt like I was slowly coming out of hibernation. My energy levels are better now and I finally started decluttering my craft room and house. That's why I decided to take part in a virtual retreat last month, hosted by Ingrid Blackburn, Justine Hovey and Laurel Beard. It was a great way to get creative again. I created several backgrounds and even completed a few cards that I hope to share soon.

Today, I had given up hope to take part in this month's Twofer challenge, but when I was doing an inventory of my DO inks, I needed a small stamp and one of the stamp sets I grabbed was the Birdie Banners set by Concord & 9th. And then it hit me: BIRDS! I started by creating my Christmas tree using the solid stamp and CP inks. The card was so much fun to make and fairly quick as well. I finished it off with some gold splatters and a gold-embossed banner sentiment (another oldie from SSS, Small folded banners holiday). I used a stitched die (SSS) to die cut my panel and mounted it onto my A2 card base using a tape runner.

For my birthday card, I used part of a panel that I had created this afternoon by dabbing up the left-over DOI after blending another background panel. This time, I used DOIs to stamp the balloon and bird bodies, for a more solid impression on the smooshed background. I added some splatters on this card as well (DOI) and used foam tape to mount my panel onto my A2 card base.

It feels so good to be creating again!

Hope to be back soon with more creations!

I'm linking up my cards at:

Twofer card challenge - #40 Birds

CCC Reveal February

Hi everyone. It's hard to believe it's already March. These past two months have wooshed by without me sharing (or creating) any cards. Except for this one card that I created for the Card Chain Challenge. This time, my card went to GerJanne in the Netherlands.

I followed the sketch for this month as well as the love/friendship theme.

For my background, I used one of the macramé builder dies that I just could not help ordering as soon as they were released by The Greetery last November. I'm hoping to create more cards using these fab dies soon if and when my mojo returns.

The hibiscus stamps and dies are by PTI, while the sentiment is CUTplorations die.

I'm also linking up my card at:

SSS Wednesday - Anything goes

NBUS #24

STAMPlorations - Anything goes with STAMPlorations products

Let's get merry

Wishing you all a happy and most of all healthy 2021! Hopefully, vaccination will go swiftly and safely, so that we can start meeting up and hugging each other in person once again. Until then, we'll have to make do with virtual hugs and online friends to keep sane.

I used this sweet House Mouse image that I received from my blogging friend Mia of Craftartista. I thought this image was very fitting to start off my new year's crafting. I decided to use my neglected set of Letraset Aquamarkers for my colouring. I used the brush nib to add colour to the stamp in my MISTI and either spritzed lightly with water or wet the pigment with a water brush before stamping. The colours of the Aquamarkers are very bold compared to my Tombow markers, so it was a challenge to get the look I was after. I also touched the pigment on my Tombow watercolour card with my water brush to spread the colour. It felt great to a) use a new stamp and b) to use my stash to try something new. 

I die cut my panel with my old and trusty stitched rectangle die by Simon Says Stamp and adhered it to a Neenah desert storm card base. To finish up, I added a previously stamped and die-cut sentiment (SSS) and added some sparkle to the Christmas light using my Spectrum Noir glitter brush.

I'm playing at:

House Mouse and Friends - #330 Anything goes
(optional: sparkle & shine)

Passion for Promarkers - #572 Add a sentiment
(Mega Christmas challenge)

Allsorts - #605 Anything goes

HLS Watercolour - Anything goes

SSS Wednesday - Sparkle and shine

NBUS #22

Jingle Belles - Something old, something new