ATB - Artist Trading Block - Swap

Hiya folks! I recently participated in ATB (artist trading block) swap over at Craftster. The block had to be the same height and width as an ATC, with the added depth of 1.5". The Husband whipped out the power tools and made me a bunch, plus cut a hole right through this one!

Nurture. The wooden letters were colored with an olive Copic.

The eggs were made using paper clay. I painted them bone and the speckled with browns.

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,

Susan

Butterfly Tag

Hello hello! I hope your day is treating you well. Like most of the US, we're suffering through another cold snap. The high temperature forecast is 21F.

Ugh.
Whine.
Whimper.

Enough of that! Here's another tag made especially for a Very Nice Lady. Perhaps it will scoop you up out of the winter doldrums and gently place you in late spring, with flowers blooming and the first few butterflys flitting about.
 

The butterflies are layered for a 3D effect, and have homemade antennae

 

And the whole tag:

Oh how I love this one!

I'm currently finishing up an Artist Trading Block Swap over on Craftster. Once it's done I'll ship to Canada and post it here after my partner receives. I can't wait to show you!

Thanks for stopping in today!

Cheers,
Susan

Birdsong Tag, Take 2

Hiya folks! (Remember me? I'm baaaack!)

Almost 3 years ago I made the Birdsong Tag. It's all over Pinterest and (hopefully) has inspired loads of crafty peeps.

Recently I received a request to buy it. While it's not for sale, I was thrilled to make an updated version for a Very Nice Lady. *waves hi to VNL*

It's a good thing I'm a hoarder I recognize quality supplies and keep them at my fingertips as long as needed. *grin* I added a cage and freshened up the flowers a bit.

Thanks for stopping by! Tomorrow I'll show the second tag I made for the VNL. I love it so much it was hard to ship off. :)

Cheers,

Susan

Tilda's Ice Cream Cone

Hiya folks! We've had gorgeous weather here on the East Coast that's been leaning a bit toward crisp fall temperatures. I'm not quite ready for the cold so I'm going to imagine hot sunshine for an excuse to enjoy a yummy ice cream cone with Tilda!

These vibrant colors are found on Bo Bunny's "Vicky B" collection. I love the brightness of orange, pink and lime!

 

This sweet Magnolia Tilda was colored with Prismacolor pencils and layered up for that 3D effect. The crochet flower -a gift from a dear friend- adds a great touch of texture. You can imagine the butterfly and ladybug charms coming to life and flitting around this lovely little garden!

An extension of the "garden" is found inside along with an area for a sweet sentiment!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a gorgeous day!

Cheers,
Susan

Sweet Anniversary Music Card

Hi folks! Today is our 16th wedding anniversary and I'm still deeply in love with The Man. Awww....

Instead of loading up even more sappy stuffs, I'll share this sweet little Tilda with you.

 

 

The paper is My Mind's Eye "Indie Chic: Citron" with Bazzill solids. This MME collection has one of my favorite color combinations of teal and coral. The music notes are washi tape glued to card stock and then rounded here and there to show movement.

Tilda was colored with Prismacolor pencils and layered for a 3D effect - even the wings are layered! I used another Willow Folk crochet flower (as on yesterday's card) but the cards were actually made weeks apart. :-)

The inside coordinates with the front - I just love love love this swirly floral paper!

Tonight were off to a lovely dinner and a little sweet music of our own. *blush* I hope everyone has a fantastic loving weekend!

Cheers,
Susan

Peeking into a Fairy Meadow

Hi folks! I have a new card to share today, made with what's possibly the last of my Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime collection.

 

 This little girl was lucky enough to be welcomed into the fairy meadow to play, but a fairy elder is keeping a close eye on the fun and games!

I used a Jolee's resin frame that I've planned on painting for ages, but this as-purchased color worked perfectly. The crochet flower is from my friend Nicole at Willow Folk. She has a great selection of colors and sizes in her shop!

Inside there's plenty of room for fairy sweet wishes!

Thanks for stopping in today.

Cheers,
Susan

Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone With Finnabair

Hiya folks! Tuesday and Wednesday I took three workshops with Anna Dabrowska, aka Finnabair at The Queen's Ink in Savage, Maryland. It was an amazing experience and I learned great new skills.

I want to share all my projects, but it'll be out of order. The first day workshop journal still needs a little work on front for my satisfaction, so I'll save it for later.

So onto the Wednesday morning "Imagine" collage workshop, for which we needed to bring a photo to work around. I brought a recent photo of myself and made a personal collage!

I hope you can see the green, blue and gold shimmers

on the shadowy side. Here are a few of my favorite details:

I 

  
Under the watch swirly thing is a message to myself: Create, Live, Love

 

This little plaque says Live the life you've imagined.

 It's an extra special sentiment for me since I've recognized that 2013 has been spent

fantasizing more about finished products than actually finishing them.

Or in some cases, not even starting them. 

I learned SO MUCH in these workshops and really stepped out of my comfort zone. I've never liked getting messy and really hated the cleanup. Wow, after these two exhausting and exhiliarating days, my eyes have been opened and my mind freed to let it roll!

Thanks for visiting today. I'll share the other two workshops soon!

Cheers,
Susan