My Other Pages

To make it easier to read about our trip to Ireland, I have made a page that is just for that. There is a tab above for Ireland Trip 2014 or click on the Home tab to read my other posts. I have also created a new page for My Weight Loss Journey if you are interested in that, click on the tab above.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Embossed cards

Hi Everyone!
Today I have a few cards to show you.
I made these cards using an embossing folder.
I inked the one side of the inside of an embossing folder,
put card stock into the folder and ran it through
my Cuttlebug.
By inking one side of the folder, when it is run
through the Cuttlebug, it presses the ink into the 
embossed area, coloring it.
This image was inked and embossed with 
creating a nice crisp image.
After doing the first image, I did a second
generation print for this card.
I ran the folder through the Cuttlebug
again with a piece of card stock,
but did not reink the folder,
giving a much softer look.
This card was done with the same 
technique using an 
second generation  printing.
The embossing folder I used was

Thanks for spending time with me today.
I hope you have learned something and/or been
inspired in some way.
See you next time, until then;
Get inky!




Note the links are only to give a reference so you can
see what the products are.
I didn't necessarily purchase from these sites,
except where specified,
and you may find better prices elsewhere,
I am in no way promoting any particular site.





Monday, May 25, 2020

Nature cards

Hello crafty friends!
The prompt for May for the
has been Nature.
Here is a card I made for that challenge.
The background is a piece of hand made paper
that I had in my stash.
The colored layer is a piece of deli paper
that I colored with alcohol inks.
The leaf image is an eco-print that I made
this past fall.
It is all adhered to a white card base.
I do love how it turned out, 
and I hope you do too.
Thanks for stopping by today,
hope you'll stop in again soon.
Until then:
See beauty in the little thing!



Thursday, May 21, 2020

Jump Start Your Mojo

Welcome to Kristie Kreates!
Today I have a couple coloring pages to show
you.  During the COVID lockdown, there have
been plenty of days that I just haven't
been motivated to be creative.
One of the things that helped jump start my
mojo was to just pick up a coloring book and
colored pencils and do a little coloring.
Here are 2 pages that I colored, just for something
to do to try to get my mojo back.
I'm not sure what I'll do with them,
but they are in my background stash now.
Maybe an envelope, maybe a background, 
maybe the front of a card or an element 
for a card or project.

Thanks for stopping in today,
hope to see you again soon.
Until then;
try something simple to jump start your
creativity.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

No line coloring vs. stamped coloring

Hello, I hope you are having a good day!
I've been having quite a time being in the
house on lockdown for so long.
It's been weeks since I have been out and 
seen any friends or my family.
The only time I was out was one day
when I was pretty much force to go out,
as our refrigerator died on us, so we
needed to go buy a new one.  Luckily
everyone we saw at the appliance store was
wearing a mask and keeping their distance.
My creative motivation is down, but when
I do sit down to be creative, it helps a lot
and I do enjoy it.
Today I'm showing you a couple pieces I 
did, similar, but different techniques and
supplies.
I've always loved "no line coloring"
I'm not great at it, but practice makes perfect,
so I decided to give it a go with my watercolors.
I used a very light color, I believe Antique Linen, Distress
ink to stamp the images onto watercolor paper.
I then set about painting the images.
I think they turned out nice, but with practice
I should be able to do better.  
The point of this technique is to not have the 
stamped lines show as such.  All the ink is
blended into the painting and any outlining is
done with the painting.
This one was stamped with 
then colored with colored pencils.
This look is much smoother and cleaner.
It's much easier to control the color with this
technique.
I like both pieces, but the perfectionist in me
likes the second one better.
Have you ever tried no line coloring?
If you want to see how it's done check out
Kristina Werner's video here.
Kristina is one of my favorite artist/bloggers
and does beautiful no line coloring.
Thanks for stopping by today,
see you again soon.
Until then;
Try something new.




Note the links are only to give a reference so you can
see what the products are.
I didn't necessarily purchase from these sites,
except where specified,
and you may find better prices elsewhere,
I am in no way promoting any particular site.


Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Flower paintings

Welcome to Kristie Kreates!
I've been playing around with watercolors
lately and combining it with doodling.
Here are a couple pieces I've done.
Not great art, but I had fun doing them
and I'm slowly getting better, I think.
Water colors and fine liner pens
Again water colors and fine liner
pens.  Not exactly what I wanted 
this to look like, but it's coming along.
I just need to practice and play more.

Thanks for stopping by today,
I appreciate you're spending time with me.
I hope you are finding time to do something
creative during this stressful time.
Until next time;
Do something relaxing!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Card from background stash

Hello!
I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.
Today I'm showing you  a card I made with
a piece I found in my background stash.
I believe the background was made with 
acrylic paints and my gelli plate.
I then use a stencil and black paint to add
the flower image to the piece.
The edges didn't turn out perfect, but that's okay,
it's part of it's charm and look of being hand made.
This card was sent to a friend to let them know
I was thinking about them.

Thanks for stopping in to see what I'm up to.
I hope you'll come again soon.
Until next time:
Stay safe, stay healthy and do something
creative.



Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Poppies in watercolors

Hello and welcome to my blog.
I hope you are doing well today.
Today I'm showing you a painting of 
poppies that I did.
This is the first time I've painted something
that I actually designed and drew myself.
I sketched the poppies lightly with pencil
then painted them with Arteza watercolors.
I'm pleased with the way it turned out, 
don't think it's too bad for a first attempt at
something like this.
I definitely need more practice, but I'm sure
I'll get better as time goes on.

Thanks for coming by today.
Come again soon, until then:
Challenge your creativity!

Friday, May 1, 2020

Water color and doodling practice

Good day everyone!
Hope y'all are keeping healthy.
Today I'm showing you a couple pieces that I 
did to practice my watercolors and doodling.
If you are interested in this kind of artwork,
I suggest watching some of the videos of one of my
favorites watercolor artists
creationsceecee on YouTube.
I love her work and she shows some fabulous 
ways to relax and enjoy creating with 
watercolors and doodling both.
This was my first exercise of this kind,
It was okay, but I'm not thrilled with it.
Much happier with this one and 
every time I sit down to do more, I get
more confident and pleased with the 
results.

Thanks for coming by today,
I hope you are taking some time to relax and
do something crafty.
Take care and stay safe.
Until next time:
watch a fun video and learn something new.