Parchment Card

I can hardly believe that I've done absolutely no parchment work since last year which was when I had cataract operations on both eyes (at different times) and had real trouble seeing properly in the months between the two treatments and until my eyes had settled after the second one.  I abandoned all thoughts of doing that sort of close work and put the things away but  I've decided it was about time I got it all out again. I now realise that I'm almost back to square one and the learning curve has to tackled again - surprised just how much I'm out of the swing.  I persevered and have actually produced a card but lots more practice will be needed before it returns to it being a relaxing and mindful exercise.  Various Groovi plates were used to compose this image.

Thankfully the weather is a bit cooler now thanks mostly to the rain which we've had overnight and this morning.

Heatwave

I must say that this heatwave we are having isn't good for me, when I feel hot sitting still that is just too much and as for trying to sleep at night - enough said.  It has taken me a couple of days to make this card but pleased that it is finished at last.  The stamp set is an old one and long retired but it is a favourite of mine especially now that I have the Misti to help with positioning for the multi-layering involved.  I die cut a circle and then did the stamping, adding a sentiment and then layered this with a larger scalloped circle.  Found some toning background paper which was over-stamped using one of the flower outline stamps to give a bit of interest.  A scrap of toning ribbon, a couple of metal dragonflies and that's that -I'm off now for a sit down with a cool drink.

Flower Stamps - from Penned and Painted by Stampin' Up - retired

Circles - dies from Sizzix and Tattered Lace

Floral Card

I have another floral card today, again using some of a batch of stamped and die cut flowers which have been coloured using water colour pencils.  While I had these stamps out I stamped a whole lot of the flowers and seem to be gradually working my way through them making a variety of cards.  I started by stamping some textures onto a piece of white card using Distress Oxide inks in various colours before punching a decorative border down one edge.  Eventually I seem to have covered this with the flowers so it hardly shows - it happens!!  This piece was layered onto a background which was left from a previous project and then I arranged the flowers and leaves using thin foam pads, finally adding a computer generated birthday greeting.

Background - printed from Essence of Nature CD, Artylicious

Textured area - stamp by Clarity

Flowers and Leaves - from Christina Griffiths Spring/Summer set

Greeting - produced using Word

Colouring - using Inktense water soluble pencils