Consider this a subtle reminder with a not so subtle creation.
You are beautiful just the way you are 💕
Sometimes, life gets in the way. We get lost in who we are. Lost, in everyone else’s expectations of who we should be.
Find yourself because you are worth it
This was created for all those who may be lost.
When different media come together as one.
This card began as a card base covered with a strip of peach washi tape. The tape has the illusion of stray alcohol inks. The tape was sprayed with gorgeous copper mica.
Watercolor paper was then stamped with this gorgeous magnolias and embossed with matching copper powder.
I used my favorite Derwent graphitint watercolors to shade the flowers. Once dried, they were die cut and added to the card with 3D foam tape.
Timeless Beauty
The card was finished with a strip of burlap ribbon that I picked up at the dollar store, more mica spray and shades of Nuvo dream drops.
Topped with the most appropriate “Hello, you’re beautiful” sentiment.
⭐Drop me a comment to let me know you stopped by. ⭐
Remember, Be Still and Create something Beautiful. 💕
Sometimes life hits us so hard and so fast that we feel helpless.
I have created a gorgeous reminder that you are not alone. The physical and emotional struggles we all go through, make us a better person.
One Day At a Time Using the “Sun and Moon Mandala” stamp set
I decided to work with this gorgeous stamp because it’s actually a set. Nested inside the sun is both a Moon and a sentiment. I choose to only use the sun stamp for this.
Distress Inks by Tim Holtz are versatile for gorgeous backgrounds and highlights.
Once the cardstock was stamped and embossed with fine black powder, the blending began to create the wonderful background. My choice of colors are linked below but you can use any color you choose.
After the ink blended background was complete, an apperture was cut in the center. I used a shaped circle die from my stash. it’s great to have several sizes and shapes already in your stash for this reason
Sweet color combinations with a shaker feature in the center.
Once the front was cut the acetate sheet was added and back with foam tape. I piled shiny star sequins in the center of the base and adhered the card front to the base.
I then cut both the sentiment and the shadow with my mini blossom die machine and glued them together. “Hang in There” sentiment was perfect and popped up with foam tape.
Hang in there and enjoy the ride.
The card was topped off with smooth satin gold sequins and left to dry.
It’s ready to go out to someone that needs a smile today.
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Links at products used are posted below. If you use my links, I may receive a small commission but it makes it so much easier to find supplies.
When was the last time you took some time for yourself? You did something to feed your soul? Something that helped your grow as a person?
For me, being a first responder, that concept is considered selfish. As a firefighter, we go to work, save lives and go home to our families. Many times, we do not think about the stress we place on ourselves or our families. The sacrifices we make to save others are huge.
Since my diagnosis of work related PTSD was given to me, I have learned that I am important. Important enough to take time for me. I took time off to feed my soul and enjoy life again. Its been tough but so enriching.
This card is dedicated to those afraid to let go and enjoy life. Do what makes you happy.
Be Wild and Free
I intended this card to have calm and muted shades of yellow, greens and blues. I accomplished this by ink blending my card stock with tumbled glass and shabby shutters Distress Oxide ink. The paper was embossed with a technique using Altenew’s Geo Cover Die B. The paper was misted with water to prevent cracking because of the intricate pattern.
The muted flowers were cut from Altenew’s Wild and Free stamp set. I used my favorite shade of Blue Lagoon Crisp ink with Mango Smoothie and evergreen. The special 3D butterfly was a stamp cut from vellum and embossed with nuvo navy metallic powder. Dimension was created with foam tape.
Finally the sentiment from the same stamp set was embossed with the same navy powder to match and handwritten “be” was added with fineliner pen. Topped off with yellow and blue nuvo drops.
Feed your soul!
Its a simple reminder to take time for yourself. Wake up just a little earlier each day and enjoy the calm.
Thank you to everyone for all the comments and support.
Tell me what you think.
As always, Be still and create something beautiful. 💘
Its just 3 words. But, it has Proven difficult for some people to say.
I know because I grew up in a home like that. I never heard those words growing up.
I know, its just words. Sometimes you need to hear it, for a little reassurance that you are indeed, loved by someone.
My mothers last words before she passed away was, ‘I love you”. I had never heard them from her so, as you can imagine, it was a bit shocking.
As a result, I also find those words difficult to say. It is just something I never learned or practiced.
It was a major milestone, in recovery to learn to express myself better. I cant change the past. I can only move forward and shape my future.
Anderson/ Easy blending techniques
There it is, the inspiration for my next project. This is pretty much “Me”. Straight forward, not too mushy but flexible.
A simple reminder that we all need to tell our loved ones how we feel and express our true selves every damn day!
This project showcases the ink blending technique which is typically a background. I added a fun twist by blending ink onto a doily and using that as my focal point.
A Big Hello There!
This project started with card stock from my stash. Two layers were cut and the second one was covered in beautiful Altenew washi tape to create the background. A paper doily was then ink blended with oxide ink in hues of red. While that was drying, I fussy cut flower bouquets from the washi tape. It is time consuming but worth it.
I cut 3 layers of “hello” from the Altenew “Waterbrush Hello Die” from red card stock. I glued each one together to add dimension and stability to the “Hello” word phrase. The word was layered on top of the paper inked doily. The washi flowers that I carefully cut earlier were added around the center. The sentiment strip was added at the bottom from the “All the Hearts” Altenew stamp set to finish this project.
We all should say “I love you” a little more and remain silent a little less. Drop a comment and share this with someone who needs this today.
Remember, be still and create something beautiful. 💘
I had one of those “aha” moments while I was out with my girls celebrating their birthdays. Traditionally, me being a single parent, I take my 2 younger girls out to a dinner date the week of their birthday. They fall within a week of each other and it has just been more affordable to put them together. This has slowly evolved to one dinner with both of them and now a second dinner with each one of them.
I am just realizing that they are polar opposites and deserve to have separate evenings with Mom.
A new goal for this year will be to recognize my kids’ differences and individuality. Its time to stop looking at them as my kids and start looking at each one for their strengths and personality.
As parents, no matter how old your kids are, its important to allow them time and opportunity to establish their own path.
Spread Love. Layering 1 Altenew Academy.
This project was inspired by my girls.
Created with Altenew “Hawaiian Coral” stamp set, layered dyes, glitter paste and nuvo pearls.
As always, thanks so much for the support. I have had an overwhelming response to my blog.
I think most of us can say that we have recently lost someone very important to us.
Did you stop and take the time to grieve or did you just push it away to be dealt with when the time was right?
The time will never be right. Avoidance is something we all do whether we realize it or not.
I lost my Mom a few years ago and it was unexpected. I wasn’t ready for it at all. The thought never crossed my mind that someday I will only have memories.
Suddenly all the little things she used to do that bugged me disappeared. The opportunity for the mother daughter chats we had disappeared too. The person that I had become so fond of was taken from me way too soon. I was devastated, hurt and lonely. The visions of seeing her take her last breath and cry out my name began to haunt me.
Its been several years now and I have finally stopped beating myself up with guilt and blame with false hope that I could have saved her. I have finally began sorting through some of her belongings that are tucked away in my attic.
As the years go by, the grief that we tucked away in avoidance gets heavier and heavier. Soon enough, it pokes its head out and begins to overwhelm you.
Perhaps its time. Time to move on. Time to smile at her memory instead of cry. Time to finally put her to rest.
Altenew Academy – Layering 1 lesson 3 project.
Inspired by the memory of my Mom and all those recently lost. 💘
This gorgeous project was created by me and without a plan. It sort of evolved into this beautiful heart. Made in the typical rose pink fashion that was my Mother’s favorite.
Comprised of the “ornate foliage” stamp set and layered inks from Altenew. Finished off with floral washing tape, heart shapes, foil paper and glue dots..
I want to also thank my readers for stopping by.
I am truly humbled by the support you have given me.
Here we are, its finally 2021. It doesn’t feel like it yet. People around me are me are still suffering. Families are still grieving and people are still assholes.
Me, I am simply working hard in an attempt to remove myself from the effects of the past year. Who said 2021 will be better?
The reality is, the beatings will continue until you make your own changes. Prioritize your goals and write them down. Keep them in your face all day long. Stick them to your bathroom mirror, your dashboard, the wallpaper in your cell phone.
Statistically, the majority of us create goals and then by March, the motivation is gone. Perhaps those goals were not obtainable to start with.
Maybe instead if your goals of losing weight, it should have been lose 10 pounds because that is visual and therefore obtainable.
Now, revise those goals and create something obtainable. Hold your head high because you have the courage to even move forward after the assault that 2020 gave you.
Keep up the good fight, kick ass and keep moving forward.
“Courageous You”, inspired by two lovely ladies. Ka and Pauline keep up the good fight. 👊
As I begin to push 2020 out of the way, I am feeling some excitement. 🎉
Much like everyone else around me, I am so done with 2020 and can’t wait to ring in the New Year with so many things I want to experience. Some are new and some are renewed.
Every year, I begin by creating lists…. Lots of damn lists… 😔
My Planner Page
There are “to do” lists, workout program lists, meal plan lists, goal lists, book lists, budget lists. This is simply too much. Sometimes baby steps are needed. Quite often, small changes are more effective and lead to better habits without even thinking.
For example, one small change I made last year was substituting a scoop of protein powder instead of cream or sugar in my coffee. Guess what? It resulted in less of an afternoon crash and not feeling “hangry”. Why? because protein fills your fuel tank and makes you feel full. Sugar absorbs quickly and makes you want more. The wonderful result of a small change was more muscle.
Reflecting on this past year no matter how much it hurts, has to be done.
Growth needs to happen. If you never planted a seed last year, your going to fall on your face this year. 🌴 Bet me!
Your love gives me Hope. Welcome to 2021, its going to be grand!
And there it is….. This was my project for lesson 2 of Layering techniques 1 and my inspiration came from my readers. Enjoy! 💘
Anxious Crafter 