International Art and Soul Challenge 109

 The challenge for this fortnight has been chosen by my team mate, Debbie. She's chosen the theme Graduation.

I struggled with this challenge - I don't have any reason to make a card for a graduation. I don't know anyone due to graduate from university this summer, and even if I did, I wouldn't know for sure until next month when degree results are published. So, I had to get creative.

First, I created a graduated background in Photoshop Elements, moving smoothly from green to blue. Then, I added a rainbow, which is a graduation of all the colours present in white light. The dies I used there are mainly Creative Expressions, with the mat for the sentiment being cut with a Sizzix die.

I do hope you can join us this time.

International Art and Soul Challenge 108

 The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Hazel, and she wants to see our take on a nursery rhyme.

I was just a bit stumped at first, then I thought of a text stamp I bought recently, and from there, I jumped to 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star'

I started by masking off an area for the sky, and I dotted around it with a Versamark pen. I embossed the area using a holographic clear powder. Then, I started to apply ink. First, Distress ink in a range of blues, and then some black to darken the whole thing down. Next, I did the same with the ground, using a green, and again, darkening with black. After that, I stamped the sentiment, embossing with white, and then the trees, embossed with black. Finally, I added the rabbit, who I like to think is wondering about the stars he can see. Stamps are all Lavinia except the rabbit which comes from Card-io.

I do hope you can join us this time.

Paper Embroidery Cards

 I love some of the designs available on Stitching Cards, and have spent some time lately on a variety of their designs.

Two geometric patterns and a floral vine. The vine pattern is available free to try out if you're interested. 

And, I got started on my Christmas cards!

For most, I used Sulky varigated thread, but others, including first, the snowflakes and the grey on the robins, use some machine embroidery thread.