Rainbow Weaves

FAQ

2012-01-21T15:32:00.000-05:00

I had planned on having a few days off to enjoy finishing works in progress and a friend got ill and I went into town a few days to keep the store fires burning, do inventory, help customers. Meanwhile, this is what happens to a desk when you have more ideas than time to spend with them.
So you know good stuff is coming, it just might be awhile.
Reminder-the Quietfire Queen of Hearts Challenge is Feb 14-so get your hearts on now and be sure to post to win prizes and look at all the posts for inspiration.
I got a few questions about the box :
Why do you need to make the cuts?
You don't. The box can be folded with the corners as a reverse inverse fold. I find making the cuts makes it easier to fold,and if you are going to put a box inside a box they fit nicer.
What kind of paper do you use?
The weight I like best is calendar pages-about a 45-50 lb paper. Experiment.
How do the butterflies hang from the box?
I die cut the butterflies and strung them on gold thread with beads as spacers- take your string back through the bead to hold it in place. I tucked the string underneath the triangles where the sides of the box meet and held it in place with a piece of double stick tape and folded the sides on top and they stuck to the tape as well.

The main question on the lumenaria is when will I post the video!
All I can say to that is soon, so stop by often to see what is up here.

Please also visit me on FB at Nice Threads and to read what is on my heart at Still Waters Refuge.
I truly value and appreciate each one of your comments and hope I answered all your question.
Thanks for journey my creative journey and inviting me along on yours!

And the Winners ARE...

2012-01-21T10:10:00.000-05:00

The winner of a $50 grab bag of Quietfire Rubber is
CraftyJo said...Fabulous projects - I love them both and will certainly try making a box or two, thanks.

Be sure to send your contact info to Suzanne here(Her email address is in the sidebar of the Quietfire Style blog) Quietfire Style

The winner of the Butterfly box is

cindy b. said...
Absolutely love the projects! cindy b

Please send me your mailing contact info by Jan 23 or I will have to pick another winner . My email is on my Blogger profile or you can leave it as a comment.

Thanks all for the kind words and I will be back later today with answers to many of your questions.

Welcome to the Quietfire Design Butterfly Blog Flutter!

2012-01-17T00:01:00.010-05:00

Quietfire Design would like to introduce you to the new Butterfly Circles stamp set!

Welcome to Day 3 of the Flutter!

Each Design Team member will be randomly choosing a winner from their list of comments, so make sure you’ve commented on each blog.{I am also choosing an additional winner- be sure to read to the end of the post}

All winners will be posted on the Quietfire Style blog on Saturday January 21^st. If you are one of our lucky winners, please contact Suzanne privately with your snail mail address within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. (Her email address is in the sidebar of the Quietfire Style blog)

Here is our schedule:

Sunday, January 15th: Yogi

Monday, January 16th: Suzanne

Tuesday, January 17th: Robyn (YOU ARE HERE!)

Wednesday, January 18th: Monica

Thursday, January 19th: Wanda

Just comment below and you will be eligible to win a grab bag of Quietfire Design rubber stamps valued at $50! We will be giving away five grab bags in total and all the names will be drawn on Friday, January 20^th at midnight PST, one name from each blog, so you have lots of time to enter! Tell your friends!

The Butterfly Circles rubber stamps will remain on special at 20% off throughout the Blog Flutter!

Happy Fluttering and good luck!!

Here is my first project using the new Butterfly Circles.

If you did your homework, you will have made your own paper ready to create this easy kiragami box.
Keeping to my NYR use it or lose it, this box is constructed of beautiful vintage wrapping paper from my stash, with butterflies on it. I did add the flourished stamp. I made a separate square for the top and heat embossed the Quote and made the butterfly from the Butterfly/Dragonfly plate.

The box opens to reveal this refrigerator magnet, a pile of butterflies ..................

and some flutter in flight

This butterflies were die cut from an old Spellbinder die called Bugs.

My first box looked like this:

and below is one done with

my background from the last post

this

to

Here is a video to show you how to fold-forgive me in advance. It's my first instructional video and my camera file won't fit into my editing software. Where is Santa when you need him? Shout out to Leslie at Nice Threads-camera woman.

I forgot, when you cut out the triangles, you also make 2 cuts on opposit sides from the end into the center square-the dotted lines on this photo.

Leave a comment if you need more info- and to win prizes!

My second project is another cut and fold, luminary.

Below is how they look with a tea light inside

The punch is an EK Sucess.
You start with an 18" square,and then cut and fold. You can decorate your paper before you fold, or fold and unfold to place images in cetain positions.

Video is for another day. I'm open to suggestions for cameras. Leave a comment.

Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered in the Quietfire prize drawing and also I will be giving away the first project- the box, to one commenter on this blog.

Thanks for looking and I hope you will post your creations made with Quietfire rubber!

The Quietfire Design Butterfly Blog Flutter*** January 15-19

2012-01-13T13:57:00.000-05:00

Quietfire Design would like to introduce you to our new Butterfly Circles stamp set! Each day one of our designers will be posting brand new artwork they have created using this set.

Visit their blog on the day of their featured project,

{HERE--Tues January 17}

post a comment on their Blog Flutter project post and you will be eligible to win a grab bag of Quietfire Design rubber stamps valued at $50! We will be giving away five grab bags in total and all the names will be drawn on Friday, January 20^th at midnight PST, one name from each blog, so you have lots of time to enter! Tell your friends!

The Butterfly Circles rubber stamps will remain on special at 20% off throughout the Blog Flutter!

Each Design Team member will be randomly choosing a winner from their list of comments, so make sure you’ve commented on each blog.

Here is our schedule:

Sunday, January 15th: Yogi http://yogiemp.blogspot.com/

Monday, January 16th: Suzanne http://quietfirestyle.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, January 17th: Robyn http://rainbowweaves.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 18th: Monica http://blackcatscolortrails.blogspot.com/

Thursday, January 19th: Wanda http://artbywanda.blogspot.com/

Happy Fluttering and good luck!!

If there was no change...

2012-01-09T17:32:00.001-05:00

There would be no butterflies.
We'll transform the energy we save by resting the weekly Challenge to amaze you with Hops and special themed Challenges.
I'm all about butterflies this week and the new Quietfire Butterfly Rubber. I also used the Butterfly/Dragonfly
This post is a bit of a tease and it has homework.
Soon we will announce the Blog Flutter(lol) showcasing the new rubber.
To make my creations, you will need background papers.
Make a lot- their fun and additive one you get started.

Start with a big sheet, so you get the edges covered and you can cut out the parts you like.

This one I sprayed on glimmer mists and wiggled it around a bit.You can also put ink on your craft mat, spray with water and mist and move the paper around in it.
Play- experiment -make a mess- make a lot of papers!

this one on the right is painted with water colors

Let everything dry really well and then get our your stamps. Stamp the largest ones first and then move on to fill in the spaces with the smaller ones and flourishes. They can be bold

or subtle

Below left, is one I stamped after I folded it- take note-
For my blog hop creations you will need 2 sheets 81/2 square and one sheet 18" square.
And a bunch of papers that you don't like for your first tries at the fold.
When ever I learn a new fold I use whatever I have around and fold once an hour the first day. Second day at least 3 times, then once a day, one a week and once a month till I have it.
So be prepared- order your stamps, get your backgrounds ready and stay tuned for Blog Flutter dates!

Thanks for your comments and Create without Limits!

Quietfire Design 3rd Annual Queen of Hearts Challenge

2012-01-05T18:54:00.001-05:00

Two years ago byhandartist Judy Lawton suggested we should have a Valentine's challenge with a Queen of Hearts theme. Now it's become an annual tradition!

Here is what you do:

Create a piece of artwork using the theme Queen of Hearts (just make sure it's got a heart somewhere!). It can be a card or an atc or a tip in for your altered book or a journal page or a canvas or whatever you are working on these days. You do not have to use Quietfire products to play (although we'd love to see your artwork using them!).
Post your creation on your blog.
Then come to the Quietfire Style blog on February 14. There will be a special blog post just for it.
Add a link to your blog post displaying your Queen of Hearts artwork to the special Queen of Hearts blog post here! Easy peasy! Addition of links will be cut off at midnight (PST) on the 14th, so make sure you add it in so you can be eligible for the draw prizes.
Prizes, you say Suzanne? Yes! We'll have draws for bags of rubber stamps! Three randomly drawn lucky people will receive $50 worth of rubber stamps each! Spread the word to your friends! The more the merrier!

Don't have a blog? Come join us at Quietfire Creations, create a page and add your photo there! (but don't forget to add your link back to your artwork.)

Create without Limits!

In With The New

2012-01-02T19:00:00.005-05:00

Change is good.
Breathing is good.
Remembering to breathe during change is very good.
We are going to a take a breather on the Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge.
I will continue to post as often as I can to keep you updated on what is new at Quietfire, so follow me, and Like me and Quietfire on FB and subscribe to the Quietfire Newsletter to stay current.

We could love to see you post all your creations with Quietfire rubber to Facebook and Quietfire Creations forums.

Don't leave till it's time to go-this weeks theme is "In With the New/Layered Die Cuts'.
The Quote is thermal embossed Versa fine Deep Lagoon, and the dies are all Spellbinders Nestabilities Star. I shaded with Distress Tumbled Glass and added rub on metallic and stickles and Stardust pens.
Leave a comment if you want more details.

Here's to breathing early and often in 2012.
Thanks for looking, comments and creating without limits!

Blog Hop announcement for the new Butterfly rubber coming soon!

And In the End....

2011-12-26T19:00:00.003-05:00

...the Love you take is equal to the Love you make.
Lennon and McCartney
This weeks Created Byhand Challenge theme is "Out With the Old"/Flower dies.
I am tearing apart the studio and getting rid of everything that I can't remember when or why I got it.
The background is tissue box card.
The die is Spellbinders Dahlia. ( check out Yogi's card on the challenge post- she used the same die)
the Quote words to live by,and flourished heart
(use this one A LOT) thermal embossed.
Overstamped with ,Love is Patient Love is Kind ,background stamp that gets a lot of use.
Paprika Stickles around the edge- first time for that color I think-now i get to keep it.
What do you need to get rid of?
Leave a comment.

To read what is on my heart please visit Still Waters Refuge.

Thanks for reading, comments and posting your own entries.

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 12

2011-12-25T13:50:00.000-05:00

Jane-the tag and wrapping were enough...and still to come was....

This lovely pin.....so festive

Thanks Jane.
A wonder filled 12 days by all! Bless us every one!

Cyberscribes Holiday Exchange 2011

2011-12-24T11:09:00.001-05:00

Fun to be a part of this years exchange

Envies

and enclosures

all are in the mail and I await my returns! Stay tuned!
Rubber Calligraphy by Suzanne Cannon of Quietfire Design.

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 11

2011-12-24T10:17:00.000-05:00

Linda cleverly wrapped this giftie to reveal...

This edgey ornament. I love the wax collage .

Thanks Linda!

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 10

2011-12-23T15:51:00.000-05:00

Hey that's me!

I enjoyed making these charms.At first I thought they would be ornaments, then I found some pin backs with bails and realized they could be worn as pins , necklaces and hung as ornaments.
I covered some heavy chip board in foil, layered some embossed foil cut with Spellbinders Lacey Square.
The center is Spellbinders Postage Die stamped and embossed with Quietfire flourished star and added some vintage lace. I coated it with Diamond glaze for dimension a reaise look.
The gems are little Stickles dots.
I'm enjoying this exchange this year more than ever.
I don't want it to end!

To read what is on my heart about gifts please visit Still Waters Refuge
Thanks to all Byhand Artists, Suzanne group Mom and God(ess) Bless us every one!

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 8

2011-12-21T09:05:00.001-05:00

Sue beautifully wrapped her gift in handmade paper, glitter yarn and a hand lettered tag.

Inside this beautiful and useful BIA book

Thanks Sue!

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 7

2011-12-20T09:15:00.000-05:00

This beautiful bag from Beth mysteriously contained....

This fab fiber gift...

Thank you Beth!

Dona Nobis Pacem

2011-12-19T19:00:00.004-05:00

This scan shows all the goofs and none of the glitz.
Embrace imperfection!
The theme at Created Byhand is Christmas/Red and Green.
I love poinsettia and holly.

Dona Nobis Pacem thank you Suzanne for this elegant lettering. Maybe stamping it often will help bring it.

The embossing, cutting and stenciling is all Spellbinders Poinsettia Frameability .

Leave me a comment if you want more details and please pray for Peace.
Thanks for looking , comments and posting your own entry in the Challenge

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 6

2011-12-19T11:54:00.000-05:00

Jean send this deceptively simple package

that opened to a Jacob's Ladder ....

Fun! Thanks Jean!

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 5

2011-12-18T20:18:00.000-05:00

Ruth coordinated her tag and wrapping

beautifully hiding.....

this lovely canvas collage.
Thanks Ruth!

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 4

2011-12-17T08:29:00.000-05:00

Irene's wrapping metamorphs into

Butterflies!!!!!

Thanks Irene!

12 Days of Christmas 2011-Day 3

2011-12-16T19:56:00.000-05:00

Day 3 giftie beautifully wrapped by Judy

Opened to Reveal......

Thanks Judy for the fun felted necklace!

12 days of Christmas 2011-Day 2

2011-12-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

Day 2 from Carmen arrived in this. Note the Quietfire 12 Days rubber

Opened reveled this lovely accordion book

with tags

Thanks Carmen!
Check back tomorrow for Day 3!

Byhand Artists 12 Days of Christmas Gift Exchange

2011-12-14T10:06:00.000-05:00

This gift exchange is a yearly tradition at the Byhand Artists Yahoo group sponsored by Suzanne Cannon of Quietfire Design.
A hostess and 12 participants each make 12 gifts that will fit into an envelope(keeping postage down), each participant picking one day. You mail your gifts off to each person, the hostess gift is opened on your day, so for twelve days you enjoy opening a beautiful creative handmade gift.

Here are mine wrapped and ready to be mailed.

Here is my basket filled with gifts! Ah the joy of Advent- Expectant waiting!

Day one from Marg....

Opened to reveal

and this...

Thanks Marg!
Be sure to stop by each day as I get to open and enjoy sharing my gifts with y'all!

Following a Star

2011-12-12T19:00:00.001-05:00

I think up these themes. Most of the time I am trying to find themes that will highlight the newest Quietfire rubber and get everyone's creativity flowing.
This weeks theme is Light/Star Die Cuts. I finished the card and t here was not a star in sight, or much light.
So I added the stars.
The background is a party napkin I adhered to the cardstock by ironing a piece of plastic wrap between them. Best way I know to glue tissue.

This first photo I like the shadow effect and you can't see the glitter.

Second photo, more glitter, less shadow.

The rubber quote and the holly on the stars is thermal embossed and inked over with the winter seasonal distress.
For dimension I cut out pieces of thin foam and use them as dimensional adhesive (with the glue of choice) . I mostly use white glue. I"m going to get a bumper sticker that says, "honk if you like wet glue" or maybe "Stick together if you like wet glue".
Lots of stardust pens and the flower centers are Liquid Pearls buttercup.

Some times you follow a star and
sometimes you follow the rules.
Thanks for comments and posting your own entries.

Christmas Miracle- T!ms 12 Tags Day 2!

2011-12-06T13:21:00.000-05:00

This is the first time I felt good about using my stains.
I don't even like to say the word s**w and I couldn't resist how well if fits on this spellbinders ribbon tag.
rubber here
anything else you want to know leave me a comment!

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like.....

2011-12-05T19:00:00.001-05:00

This weeks Created Byhand Challenge is Dear Santa/ Ornament Die cuts.
I LOVE the New Rubber and who can't use a little humor this time of year?
Short and Sweet-if you need more details, leave me a comment.
I'm a very busy elf this week!

T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas

2011-12-04T11:39:00.000-05:00

Finally got day 1 done on Dec 4. Do the math. See me in Feb for all 12 days!
I used what I had and this is my take on T!m's techniques. Fun.
Rubber by Quietfire.
Leave me a comment if you need more details.

You Gotta Have Heart

2011-11-28T19:00:00.003-05:00

Hearts and trees are the first things I remember drawing ; the first things I remember my children asking me to draw for them.
I just saw my children all together for the first time in 5 years. I never could have dreamed how big my heart could grow, just watching them grow.
This weeks theme at Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge is Family/Heart die cuts.
This Quote -Versafine sepia- themal embossed on the Spellbinders Heart die cut, reminds me that Christmas is everyday in my heart.
The pattern paper is wrapping paper and the border is Rubber Stamp Tapestry . I swear I am never going to buy another mounted stamp till I see them at my LSS.
The red and green are the new Winter Seasonal Distress Colors. Bravo Ranger! They live on my desk.
I also used the holly from the new Christmas Rubber. (Everyone write to Suzanne- when you order rubber- and tell her we want more design elements!)
Added a bit of Stardust pens for zings- hard to see in this scan. Get some- they are on sale now at Quietfire.
This season I hope you will take time to develop your heart-creativity helps-and lets see some of your creations here in the Challenge- don't be shy.
Free Rubber each week in December for one poster!

Thanks for looking, comments and posting your own entry.
To read what is on my heart, please visit Still Waters Refuge

Clean and Simple

2011-11-21T19:00:00.002-05:00

http://www.quietfiredesign.ca/home.php?cat=159

A digital friend on a message board recently asked the meaning of CAS-clean and simple.
This weeks theme for the Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge is Thanks/Square Die Cuts.
This card came together in just a few minutes as soon as I had my hand on the stamp-take a look at it ,it's one of a set of four-one of them will fit everywhere you need it to, and the Spellbinders Lacey Square Die.
The background color- not showing up well here is Iced Spruce from the Winter Seasonal Distress Inks-a new love- take good care of these pads- no re-inkers!
It was so quick and easy I made a dozen- they are ATC size so could be traded, used as a TY tag on a gift or as a design element on a bigger card.
The stamp is thermal embossed black and the gold floral images are stamps I found on a recent cleaning spree. They were in the give away pile-So it goes!
Clean and Simple!

Thanks for your comments and posting your own entry.
To read what is on my heart , Please visit Still Waters Refuge

Christmas Tag Mingle

2011-11-20T16:59:00.000-05:00

My LSS A Stamp Artist Place had a Christmas Tag exchange and here is my entry. We were to use all products available in the shop and keep to a certain size that we all ignored.
I used last years Spellbinders ornament die to cut the shape and this years layered poinsettia die for the flower. Noel is a Quietfire stamp that comes vertical and horizontal!
Lots of gold, embossing and Twinkling H2O's.
Leave a comment of you need more info and have any Christmas cheer to share!

sorry out of focus!

Leaf Well Enough Alone

2011-11-16T18:17:00.000-05:00

It's only Wednesday and here is my entry in this weeks Created Byhand Challenge and the theme is Leaves/Leaf Die Cuts.
Life can come to a halt when you get New Rubber from Quietfire in the mail. then again it may not.
Everything on this card was on my desk-the leaf die cuts, the fall Ranger inks and this seasonal sentiment from the new Rubber. There is something for everyone in this new Christmas Plate that is specially priced for a few more days. If you are local to me I can order it for you. Leave me a comment.
This tag may and may not be done, and here it is and Bloggers, I ask you to do the same.
I might add some white shading, and I have a few more leaves I can add to a ribbon to make a festive tag-maybe-if I make time...
I want to see more of your art play in the Challenge- no excuses- it doesn't have to be your best work and what you are selling on Etsy. Just share with us.
Leave a comment if you have questions about the techniques and anything else you might like to comment on. Thanks.
Watch this space- some free rubber contests coming in December.

Gee, It's good to be Back Home Again

2011-11-07T19:04:00.000-05:00

I've been on the road, in the air and living out of a suitcase. Yes, I drew everyday and had some knitting and embroidery... and... there is nothing like getting inky in your own studio, even if you haven't unpacked yet from the fiber fest in October!
Shout out to Yogi for filling in with my Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge duties.
This weeks theme is Postal/ Faux Stamps.
I went all out and bought new dies, and I used the Spellbinders Postage Stamps to shape this card. I'm sorry to say I've been a bit disappointed in my newest Spellbinders dies. This looks more to me like a cog than a stamp. The quote a Quietfire oldey and goody-and the faux postmark is Kaspareks. I love her fiber themed stamps and I wish they came unmounted.
Lots of Distress -did you get the new holiday colors yet?
If you need more info leave me a comment.
I sent lots of postcards while I was gone, and got some to send now that I am back.
Thanks for your comments, posting in the Challenge and all who take the time to send me letters and cards.

Home might just be where the card is!
To read what is on my heart, please visit Still Waters Refuge

Mixed Mania

2011-10-17T09:19:00.002-04:00

This week I could be three places at one time-SAFF, Southern Highland Guild Craft Fair and Nice Threads, with a bit of sleep and eating thrown in when there is time. And I got invited to hang out with Matthew Fox a long time mentor, so there goes prep time.

This weeks Created Byhand Theme is "Witches/Circle die cuts".
I eat candy for the wrappers(if you believe that one I have a nice bridge I can sell you). Hence the moon cut with SpellbindersClassic circle Nesties. The stars are your basic stickers.
Three Witches continues in the Wicked series and I love this Stitch Witch from Kaspareks and if you are in Black Mountain at Nice Threads. We have a great selection of Julie's fiber themed rubber. Please come check them out and I can special order for you-as well as Quietfire rubber.

This week two lucky Created By Hand Challenge participants will each receive one of the stamps from the new Quietfire Wicked set. Names will be randomly chosen and posted with the Sampler! Happy creating!

The background, bats and trees are cutouts from napkins I saved from a cocktail party. I go to parties for the napkins. Right!
Shout out to Kayla for the swivel craft knife.
I may be MIA for a week or so here, as I am traveling to spend time with my family.
Many Moons ago I overheard a conversation with my daughter and her Dad.
'You better be good', he said, 'Or Mom will turn you into a frog.'
'Mom can't do that,' she said, 'all she can do is help people'.
I can't wait to see her and her brothers and everyone else I am too far away from.
Thanks for looking, your comments, the candy wrappers you send and for posting your own entries isn the challenge.

Amanda's Tallit

2011-10-16T13:00:00.000-04:00

Infold me oh God
In Your holy robe of Light
Woven through Your Grace and Power
Shelter me from fear and night.
That others may come
See and touch Your robe of Light
You who danced with Miriam.
You who leap in Mary's womb.
Come, come and be healed.

Peace, love and blessings in every thread in every stitch.
Shalom to you Amanda.

Thanks Marissa for modeling!

Love Isn't Love till You Give it Away

2011-10-10T19:00:00.002-04:00

This weeks Created Byhand Challenge theme is, Candy/Pennant dies. What does that have to do with Love?
This card took about 3 hours, including, phone calls, staring at the mountains, ripping and swearing, connecting a friends Mac to the internet.
Some might say, "Who would spend 3 hours on a card 2 1/2"x 3 1/2" ? Not only would I, and I can't do anything else.
This past week I spent time looking at some great painting by Rembrandt, Chagall, Van Gogh and the participants in my Arts and Sabbath Retreat.
Looking at each art work, everyone asks, "How long does it take you?"
"On a good day", I reply," just the right amount of time". On a bad day it takes a little longer".

When something wants to come out, time is beside the point. I love to create, take things and make something new out of them, and make things that speak to me and in the universal language of art, speak to others. Maybe inspire them to create and think in a new way.

The stamps are all from the Wicked collection. I stamped with my new favorite VersaFine ink color, Smokey Grey and thermal embossed clear. Colored the card with the new fall Distress Inks and stamped the background words with the 12 Days of Halloween.
The die is the smallest of the Spellbinders pennant . I attached them with a brad-they move so you can fit them into the ATC sleeve and put a candy kiss on top with Liquid Accents.

Art is made to be given away, and what you give away ends up being more.

Thanks for your comments and posting your own entries.

Anatomy of an ATC

2011-10-03T19:00:00.004-04:00

Lots of cards start with an idea or a theme-this one from the Masks theme at Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge. I'm enjoying spotlighting the new Wicked Rubber from Quietfire, and wanted to use this mask quote.As you can see below- it took many tries before I got to this finished piece. When ever I learn a new technique, or want to try out a new idea I often will make several 'dummies' before I even get to a finished design idea. I hope this will inspire y'all to create and to enter the challenge. Just do it and keep on messing about till you get something you like- even if you don't like it- someone will-trade it- or put it away and take it out a year later- you might be surprised. Leave me a comment if you need more sspecific instructions for this card. I'm leading an arts and sabbath retreat this week and pressed for time( my sabbath comes next week!)

Thanks for your comments.

Credit where Credit is Due

2011-10-01T20:21:00.000-04:00

Suzanne Cannon, the artist and entrepreneur behind Quietfire design is in the spotlight in a feature article in the latest issue of Scrapbooking.Com.
Read all about it here
and see the Video here
Kudo's to Suzanne for a great article , Judy for writing it and for all of us for going directly to Quietfire to get the latest and greatest in hand lettered stamps.

Costumes,Candy and Cards

2011-09-26T19:00:00.003-04:00

Some people think I am in costume everyday. That's one reason I love living in here. In downtown Asheville I look conservative!

This weeks Created Byhand Challenge Theme is Mango Sunsets/Orange+Blue. We have them- just have to go up to The Parkway to see them! Photo by Mark Robinson.

I was one of the lucky ones to get a pack of the Ranger T!m Holtz Seasonal Distress Inks, first run. I used all three-Persimmon, Seedless Preserves and Gathered Twigs to make the background. Fab colors. The quote from the Wicked Collection stamped in black, thermal embossed.
I inked up the Cuttlebug spiderweb embossing folder(might as well leave this one out on my desk till November) as a stamp and masked the quote with a sticky note.

The die cuts-I want to rave about the Alterations Autumn Gathering die. All these pieces came from one pass of the die in my Wizard- tow layers of various papers-that is 20 leaves, twigs and acorns just the right size for most of what I do.
I would recommend coloring your paper before cutting as the small size makes them harder to color individually, tho I did mess about with them on this card. I used soem Stickles cinnamon and copper for dimensional glitter and Stardust pens to outline and highlight. I stuck the twigs on with the Glue pen -a quicky and a goody.
I have Suzanne at Quietfire to thank for making this my most enjoyable Halloween in a long time.
The candy-It's in the eye of the beholder.
Thanks for looking, your comments and posting your own entry.

Be Who You Are

2011-09-19T19:00:00.001-04:00

Too Many deadlines. I can say no more.
Keep it simple and still enjoy the process.
A bear trashed my bird feeder and now the computer is giving me signs of illness.

The flourished bat is my favorite new stamp,and I also like this sentiment about Grandmothers. Both are from the new Wicked collection.
The theme this week in the Created Byhand Challenge is Only Angles/ Squares and Rectangles.
The themes are just guidelines to get your creative inks flowing.
This scan doesn't show the squarish stamping in the background-remember shadow stamps? I stamped the quote and bats in black and thermal embossed in black. I tore out the rectangle and outlined with Distress black soot. I colored the heart in with a glaze pen.
I sprayed the whole thing with Perfect Pearls Mist-just pearl, no color- kind of spooky.
Nothing spooky about my Grandmothers hearts. they helped me to be whoever I wanted to be everyday of the year.
Thanks for your comments- any questions, leave one, and all thoughts of Grandmothers are welcomed.

One Thing

2011-09-12T19:00:00.003-04:00

When I was a young mother with three small children, I took my Mother's advice and did one thing for myself each day. Most days it was take a hot bath. When ever anyone doesn't feel well-mentally or physically- my first suggestions is -take a hot bath. I f you sit in it so long the water gets cold- be wasteful-let some out and fill it up again with more hot till you turn into a prune. Bubbles optional.
My BFF Chris sent me a huge birthday package full of vintage Inkadoo stamps from the early 80's.
More than words can say Chris- this card is for you. Thanks.
This weeks theme for Created Byhand Challenge is Sapphire/shades of blue/Lace.
I created the background bubbles with an oldy and goody Fiscars plate.Touched up the high points with Distress broken china and sprayed with PPearls Blue Smoke.
I bought Spellbinders Lacey Circles and Lacey Squares also for my birthday- Shout out to Betty and Dick Ernst for their generous gift certificate-the croc in the tub is an old Inkadoo stamp-thermal embossed with Versafine sepia and clear powder.
The quote by Quitefire is from Sylvia Plath. Love the poetry- maybe she could have taken more baths! The stamp comes with her name- I cut them off-FYI. The die is Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio -thermal embossed. I colored with Distress broken china while the card is still in the die and added some gold, stardust pens and glaze pens. I love to color.
Now I draw every day too- kids grown I can do two things for myself!
Leave me a comment on what you do for yourself.
Thanks for looking, your comments and posting your entry in the challenge

Eating Words

2011-09-05T19:00:00.002-04:00

If you have to eat your words it should be at Halloween.
This week's theme at Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge is Hurricane!Swirls. I thought that up before Irene was even a breeze.
Then the New Halloween Rubber came. ***The Wicked Collection***. Right now you can order the whole plate- and even if you don't do Halloween... these are a must have in your collection.
I store the stamps I use the most in plastic 3-ring binder sleeves and the Flourished Bat is going on page 1- stamps I use the most.
I stamped this Tim Holtz background ATC swirl stamp, then got thinking about hurricanes and tornadoes and then the Wizard of Oz and ended up making a broom out of a twig, long needle pine and a bead.
The stamps just fit on these tags in the Spellbinders Pennant set.
I stamped first in black then thermal embossed and added Distress Ink and Stardust pens.
If you need more details, leave a comment.
HUGE shout out to my new friend Eric for making me the quick release pad for my tripod-you are a treasure!
thanks for looking, your comments and please post in the Challenge.

Green Eyes

2011-08-29T19:00:00.001-04:00

I bought myself a bunch of new stuff for my birthday.
This is one of the new silicon stamps by LaBlanche. I swore I would not buy another mounted stamp and when it is a Robin, I cave.
The two leggeds have typical dark beady avian eyes, and I create in my own image and give them sparkly green ones. It's a sign of the tribe of medicine and fey people. Green eyes.
I got a Fiscars stamp press- so far I love it. Line up your stamps and pick them up with the removable clear plates, then put that on the press and position it before you stamp down. If you are making mulitples, you can get stamp over and over, and remove the plate and put another one on for additional stamping. fun!
I put the quote stamp on the card and lined it up where I wanted it, picked it up with the press, inked it up and thermal embossed clear.
I lined up the silicon stamp and over stamped Versafine Sepia wiping off some of the text that would obscure the quote ( I sampled this first on scrap). then I had fun painting and shading with Distress inks.
The outer card has a layer of embossing, and the blue layer is Distress broken china- water spritz- and when dry, the new Ranger Perfect Pearl Mist- heirloom gold. These are resin- not water so the ink doesn't react. And they are pure pearl- no pigment so you just get the glitter and your color shows through.

This weeks challenge theme is Birthday/Balloons. I punched and stamped some balloons and they didn't find their way onto this card.
Another in the simplicity series. Even with the layering, this card took less than an hour- including chasing the squirrel off the bird feeder.

My answer to the question is some days 30, some days 60.
Leave a comment with your own age or wannabe, and any questions you might have about this card, the challenge, and anything else on your creative mind and spirit!

I don't do Halloween and...

2011-08-26T14:40:00.000-04:00

.... can't wait to get my ink on these stamps!
Check out Quietfire for pre-order info! and watch this space for creative inspiration soon.

Love the flourished bat!

Mixing

2011-08-22T19:00:00.004-04:00

There is a book on color mixing called ' Blue and Yellow don't make green.'
Well, they do and they don't. At a certain point anything you mix turns to mud. In more things than paint!
Once again I,m keeping it simple here inspite of a learning curve.
I used acrylic inks for the first time, and learned that they act as a resist once they are dry. More play time is needed to learn how to use their properties to my advantage. I'm more of a water color girl, still I'm teachable!
This weeks theme at Created Byhand Challenge is Red +Blue= Purple. Red brought me to the flourished hearts , stamped in red and thermal embossed clear.
The quote was stamped in versafine deep lagoon- a new color to me-I love it!-a good mixing color, thermal embossed clear.
the background is a wash of acrylic inks-that dry really fast so no thinking!
The little hearts are a small punch with a dot each of stickles and liquid pearls.
This would make a good thank you card with a gift, and possibly a sympathy card if you're not sure what to say.
Mix it up. if you can't make a mess you can't make anything!
Thanks for reading, your comments and your color!
To read what is on my heart please visit Still Waters Refuge

What's the Point?

2011-08-15T19:00:00.001-04:00

I often say:
I am allergic to black.
Draw 15 minutes everyday
People are dying to be heard.
What's the point?

Laziness(?) has me turning to zentangles for my 15 minute creativity drawing session when I think I am too tired to do anything and that has lead to thinking in black and white.
This weeks Created Byhand Challenge is, What's the Point/ Triangles. If you have listeed or watched any news in the past year, you may be wondering What's the point<>.
I cut a shaped card with the largest Spellbinders Pennant -position the die off the fold so it doesn't cut through- and stamped with the harlequin background. Went down a size for the quote- altered a bit to fit ,stamped black and thermal embossed clear.
I shaded ever so lightly with some silver ink and outlined with Distress Black Soot- use a light hand with the blending tool.
Embellished adding some Liquid Pearls and Stardust pens .

This card is dedicated to all my friends who have graced me with their listening- even when they had a lot to say. I love you and thank you for your friendship.

Thanks for visiting, your comments and posting your own entries in the challenge.

STH continued...

2011-08-14T19:05:00.000-04:00

The finished sock knit from Eileen Hallman's easy dye cotton- dyed by Lesie at Nice Threads.
Lovely fit and easier than pie.

Teaser-the padded heel is on the needles- curvy and cushy.
Come on in and learn how to make a pair for yourself- you know you want to.
The pattern is here.

May the soft peace that
rises through knitting wash over you again
and again, until it is the fabric of your life.
Cat Bordhi

Sweet Tomato Heel

2011-08-10T11:58:00.000-04:00

Locally grown!
I hope you can see from these photo's what a beauty these heels are.
and EASY!
Yes you do have to purl and knit a short row, and I can teach a confident knitter to make this heel in about 15 minutes.
Cat Bordhi is the creator of this heel and the Insouciant sock.
I have run out of superlatives to describe her knitting designs.
Start with amazing and brilliant and go up from there.
Please go here to buy her books, and then come see me if you want a hand to sit by you.
I promise this will be a knitting and grinning experience.

Rainbow and Wings

2011-08-08T19:00:00.002-04:00

I'm in a rainbow, wings, birthday mood.
I love the feeling of awe and wonder looking at rainbows, birds and insects in flight and beautifully wrapped presents (hint hint).
This weeks Created Byhand Challenge is Rainbows/ Multi-colors, Wings.
I love this flourished birdhouse stamp- and I put a bird on it! I swore i would never buy another wood mounted stamp and if it's a Robin I can't resist;and shout out to my LSS, A Stamp Artist Place
for continuing to tempt me and supply me with the best supplies at great prices and fun classes and stamping community.
The bird and the Happy Birthday I thermal embossed to make them stand out.
The wings are the small dragonfly stamp. {after thought-the wings look like finger wave peace signs}
I used the ink blending tool to shade with Distress Antiqued linen.
Here and there some stardust pens.

Every rainbow is a reminder of the Covenant- Make an art Covenant with yourself- be creative everyday- and share it with us by posting your entry each week in the Challenge-we only give put ups-no put downs!
Thanks for your comment and for being colorful.

Change

2011-08-01T19:00:00.001-04:00

The only thing constant in this world is change. and hopefully new art supplies.
I had to take my new to me car in to the dealer for a recall- a 1/2 hour repair and you have to leave it there for the day- and Michaels was in walking distance and I had two coupons! so I got this new EK double edge butterfly punch.
Pretty fun. It's a bit big for ATC's and the off color of this scan makes the bottom edge look even bigger. In real life it is a light peridot green with patina Stickles. I also got some more Liquid Pearls( on the tag) and some clear gesso. I remember reading on someones blog or one of the lists a great way to use clear gesso, and now I can't remember!. Leave me a comment if you have any ideas. It adds a lot of texture- I can tell you that.
This weeks Created Byhand Challenge theme is Peridot/Shades of Green.
I stamped the quote Versafine black and thermal embossed clear.
I painted the card with Twinkling H2O's and stamped the butterflies with Bundled Sage Distress.
Added some Liquid pearls, Stardust pens, and the punched butterflies-made sitting in the Dealer Service Lounge-their glossy auto adds punch nicely.
Change it up! thanks for your comments and for reading and for entering your fabulous creations in the Challenge

Waking at Night

2011-07-25T19:00:00.001-04:00

I have one child on Mission in Chile, one a Hotshot Wildfire Fighter out west, somewhere, and one Professional Tennis Player, who calls and says he is thinking about running a tennis program in Dubai.
So when Gina K sent our a message saying she didn't make a video last week cause she was sending off her first to a trip to India( organized and supervised). I made this one for her.

When I wake in the night knowing I have no idea where my children are or what they are doing , I remember that I have given them their inner landscape, no matter what appears in the outer, and that I am not the one who protects them now.
It's also a good time to color- quiet and no one calls.

The Created Byhand Challenge this week is "Only Ovals".
I used the Spellbinders deckled ovals to cut out the shapes and used the thermal emboss,emboss technique for the background.( see previous post.
The Quote is thermal embossed in Versafine Sepia- my goto ink. The back round and papers are colored with Distress Antique Linen and tattered rose, and the flourish is stamped in silver.
If I don't feel like coloring I read poetry.
Thanks for looking and your comments- what poetry inspires you?

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

— Wendell Berry

One is Silver

2011-07-18T18:30:00.001-04:00

Make new friends
and keep the old,
One is silver
and the other's gold.
This weeks Created Byhand Challenge is Ribbon/Silver.
I went all out silver on this one. I wasn't thinking of this round we sang as Girl Scouts, and I'm please with the simple elegance of this card.
Shout out to Gina K for the background. I covered the card with Perfect Medium and thermal embossed silver, let cool and embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.Video here.I sanded it just a bit to cut the shine.
The quote I stamped in silver just to be safe and thermal embossed silver- no sanding.
I colorized the tag with Distress spun sugar and tattered rose using the blending tool.
Added the silver ribbon(I knew there was a reason to buy those mini-mini- glue dots) and some Stickles cotton candy pearls;make up a bunch on your craft sheet- let them dry and keep in a tin and you don't have to wait for them to dry on your card.

Much as I love my art supplies, friends will get you through times of no art supplies better than art supplies will get you through time of no friends! I hope you have plenty of both.
HUGE shout out to all my friends who got me through the car crisis. You know who you are.

Thanks for reading and your comments.
To read what is on my heart please visit Still Waters Refuge.

Just a Note

2011-07-11T19:00:00.010-04:00

...is about all you are going to get from me today.
The theme of Created Byhand Challenge is 'only 2 colors'.
I used Distress old paper and antique linen and thinking it was all in the family fudged a bit using Versafine sepia for the quote and heart tags. the background is from the Crows set.
Hard to see, I sanded the color off of the brads and colorized them with sepia and thermal embossed. The colors are very close and blend with the card a lot more in person.
The flower is rolled ribbon with a glue dot and a hint of vintage linen and a liquid pearls center.
It was hard not to cheat and add more colors- especially to the heart. Use your imagination.
If you ever get the chance visit the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford ,PA and check out the pencil drawings done by Andrew Wyeth with only a #2 pencil. When I look at them I see colors.
any questions- leave me a comment.
I'm thinking this will make a nice gift tag.

Thanks for your comments and please post your own entry.
To read what is on my heart please visit Still waters refuge

Giveaway winner

2011-07-11T13:46:00.000-04:00

Random. org picked # 1
Dragonfly paperarts who said,
"Robyn, this card is beautiful and the quote seems to really fit. I really love seeing what you do with the Quietfire stamps, and it's making me think maybe I shall have to order some for myself. Thanks for the beautiful art you make. :)"
I've emailed you and look forward to hearing from you with your mailing address, choice of card, and I will send you your card and crafty goodies!
I love the sharing and inspiration that takes place here and you and all who read are what makes the magic happen.
We are all winners!

Fireworks and a Giveaway

2011-07-04T19:00:00.008-04:00

Freedom I love-fireworks not so much. My oldest son is a Hotshot wildfire fighter- just out of Wallow fire in Arizona. I'm a tad touchy on anything that can lead to unwanted fire.
I enjoy the visual of fireworks if i can be somewhere where I can see them and not hear them.
My new home town of Montreat goes all out for the 4th of July. My tiny mountain top lane went from -Population- 5 to 100+ in two days.
Yesterday I gave out about 100+ popsicles in the best playground in the world( at least in the top 10) as we listened to our own Tarnished Brass play patriotic anthems and hymns.
Today we have a parade, with pipers, horses, floats and a day of general merriment, overeating and family fun.
This weeks theme in the Created Byhand Challenge is Fireworks/Metallics. I got this stamp at a yard sale and it was my first chance to use it.
The Quote continuing the New rubber at Quietfire is stamped with Versafine Sepia and Thermal embossed Clear. The image is stamped in Distress Barn Door and Brilliance Gold. I glazed the card with Japanese metallic watercolors for the blue sky.
It's more metallic than it looks in this photo.
Be Free-Be Freedom-and prayers from the heart for all .
****Giveaway****
Thanks for reading to the end of the post.
I have passed 10,000 page views, so leave me a comment saying what you like about my blog, or why you read my blog, or anything else, and I will randomly choose a winner who can pick any card featured on the blog-that I still have in my possession, and I'll throw in some other stuff- a Quietfire stamp, ribbon and some scrap. Be sure to give me some contact info if it is not in your profile.

Lavender Wands

2011-07-03T19:51:00.000-04:00

The flowers are just beginning to open, it's been dry and warm for several days-time to make lavender wands. I colorized the ribbon with alcohol inks and had fun experimenting with different weave structures.
The ones I liked best are a 2 over 2 under basket weave and a 2 over 3 under twill that makes a spiral effect.

Aromatherapy while you weave.

Presents!

2011-06-27T18:00:00.004-04:00

Lets get one thing perfectly clear.
On my birthday BRING PRESENTS!
I'm easy. Art supplies, plants, flowers, anything you make yourself, cake-food in general and if all else fails you check my Amazon wish list.
I never had a bridal registry-so humor me.
This weeks Created Byhand Challenge is Buttons/Orange.
Friday night was Ladies Night Out at my LSS
A Stamp Artist Place. Love the ladies, love the food, love the creative energy and sharing. We made gift boxes. I forget what Spellbinders die this is on the top. I mixed orange peel and paprika stickles to get the color I wanted. I got these button stick ons at a yard sale and they fit perfectly with the challenge and this box. All folds created by Scor-pal.

Lift the lid to reveal the butterfly popup and Happy Birthday tags. I used Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio two and one of the elements from the Nested Pennants. Lots more stickles, Stardust pens and distress ink. The sentiment one of the new 10 tiny tag sentiments- was heat embossed using Versafine sepia and clear powder and Versamark and Ranger embossing tinsel powder.
Plenty of room inside for an additional presents-chocolate, small inkpads-I'm sure you'll think of something!

Thanks for leaving a comment-maybe you know what set the die on the top comes from- and please post your own entry!
To read what is on my heart please visit Still Waters Refuge

Storms

2011-06-20T19:00:00.003-04:00

As I am typing, a huge storm is doing it's thing here in the mountains. It is truly awesome to watch. Full trees in motion.
Each time the electricity goes out, I wonder,"Is this it? Was that my last post?"
This weeks theme at Created Byhand is Sun and Moons/Yellow, in honor of the Solstice. My daughter in Chile reminded me that there, it is the shortest day. Must think Globally.
The background is mustard seed distress ink, put on the craft sheet, spritzed with water and lay the card into int, dry and repeat till you like it.
The quote is stamped in Versafine sepia and thermal embossed clear.
Lots of stamping to round off the theme, I colored with stardust pens and glaze pens and some watercolor just for fun.
I hope you take some time to listen to the trees.
thanks for leaving your comments and please post your own entry for the challenge.

10 Hours is Nothing

2011-06-17T16:21:00.000-04:00

No offense intended. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee just wrote about driving 10 hours there and back to see her daughter- lots of knitting time.
My daughter is in Chile working for VE Global being her amazing self-her blog here- and it will be three weeks before she can wear this sock.
I knit as much love as I can into each stitch.
This is Cat Bordhi's Personal Footprint sock, with some hand dyed yarn I've had around for a long time.
You can knit this sock with any size yarn, no turning, picking up stitches or kitchner stitch. you don't even have to purl if you don't want to.
And- it fits perfectly!
I can help you through it with a class at Nice Threads starting with spinning the yarn, plying, dying, designing and knitting.
All fun- no stress.
The things we do for love!

Soft Cover Journals and Filling Them

2011-06-17T13:21:00.000-04:00

I taught 11 imaginative and creative woman-including 2 intergeneration mom-daughter,grandmom-grandaughter teams yesterday.

In three hours, we made a simple 3 hole pamphlet stitch woven journal, a pocket pod folder out of a single sheet and a cover for it, and a box case for a multi-fold text block and journaled to fill them.
The NC Arboretum provided a comfortable room to work and play.
Great job all!
Everyone left feeling productive, positive and supported.
We began by leaving our judgment at the door and forming a kindness community for our work/play.
Everything improves with practice and that includes being kind to each other.
Thanks for admiring the journals, please leave a comment and get in touch if you would like to take a class.

Just for You

2011-06-13T19:00:00.003-04:00

When Suzanne was working on the newest rubber plate, she asked what sentiments we were wanting and I'm thrilled to have this set of 10 tiny sentiments, including this one.
This card started as an ATC and morphed into a gift tag, gift and recipient TBD.
I've never been a big fan of tags, and when Wanda sent me her post, for this weeks Created Byhand Challenge-Circles and Dots, I was converted, and I shamelessly copied.
I Just got the new distress stains and am still working on using them. I pounced some spun suger on to the tag, dried it and added wild honey, dried it and added antique linen. I used the top of the cover of the stain bottle as a stamp in distress ink( I forget what color-sorry) to stamp the circles. I spattered water over the background to get some dots.
The tag is Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 2, with more spun sugar and wild honey applied with the ink blending tool, while the paper is still in the die.
Thermal embossed the sentiment, clear, stamped with Versafine sepia. the pearls are drops of Liquid pearls.
Also new to me are the Faber-Castell Gelatos. I mixed them on my craft sheet with a bit of water and spread them around the tag for some glimmer. A nice medium and I like the way they are packaged-a lot less messy than my watercolor sticks. Shout Out to AJ Scrapbook Essentials for their generous prize certificate. Watch this space for more on gelatos.
I put some dots on the ribbon with Stardust pens- they have been feeling neglected.
Thanks for your comments and questions and please post your own entry in the challenge.
To read what is on my heart, please visit Still Waters Refuge

Knowing When to Stop...

2011-06-06T11:27:00.000-04:00

is Art.
I will be featuring the new rubber from Quietfire in all of the next challenges. This Quote is one of my favorites and I probably will say that about each one.
I stamped and thermal embossed and lit the Light with Mustard seed Distress ink that I put on with my spouncer from Plaid. I hope they still make them as this one is loosing it's spounce.
The rose stamp I got at the yard sale at my LSS. This weeks theme is Flowers/flock so it was a natural. Stamped in Verafine sepia and watercolored. I put a mask cut out of a post- it over the quote when I stamped.
I used the Quickie glue pen to put some flock on the stems and everything screamed STOP!
Added a bit of Distress antique linen and Brilliance Gold and stopped.
Sometimes the best technique is restraint. I will take suggestions (I'm still feeling the corners are a bit bare- maybe more texture in the background?) in the comments.
Please take a moment to post your own entry.
******Later***** found the first day lily blooming in the garden and I brought in some pollen and rubbed it on the center Light section of the card. Natural Flock!

Breathe/White

2011-05-30T19:00:00.004-04:00

I had a completely different stamp in mind when I chose this theme. Wanda has that covered on the Challenge blog post.
Friday I got the new plate of rubber from Quietfire.
My mind is full of at least 100 ideas for the 20 plus stamps on this plate. Yes they are good for cards and I also think the quotes stand on their own. any quote with a bit of you added will make a work of art.
Create Without Limits! made easy.
I layered-white with Perfect pearls mist on the background card, a pearlized watercolor on the next layer and added pieces of a doily, and pleated silk ribbon with doubled sided tape.
The 'pearls' are drops of the new Ranger Liquid Pearls. tear-like?
Spellbinders deckled ovals are the layered label for the quote . I stamped in black and thermal embossed with a pearlized powder to soften the lettering.
Thankfully I don't have anyone to send this card to right now.
Here is a close up of the quote.
Please leave a comment and post your own entry in this weeks Challenge.

New Rubber from Quietfire

2011-05-29T19:41:00.004-04:00

Confession-I made most of my cards to order-and when I need to send or give a card.
This new rubber(shameless ad) forces you to make something with it.
Shout out to SJJ for the loan of the tripod-what a difference it makes-and the only baby I can think of I know about getting ready to be born is her sister's daughter.
This would make a great gift tag for the shower gift and I think the quote stands on it's own.
Come back tomorrow to see the stunning card with more new rubber in the Challenge.
A Stamp Artist Place, my LSS had a yard sale with lots of great stuff raising money for the March of Dimes/Children's March.
The 'pearls in the center of the ribbons are drops of the new liquid pearls from Ranger. I like it. Jury is still out on the new stains.
Leave a comment if you have one about the new stains- or anything else. Comments are legal tender in the blogosphere.
Here is a close up of the quote.

Layouts-Not

2011-05-23T19:00:00.002-04:00

A suggestion was made that I offer layouts as part of the themes in the Created Byhand Challenge.
One of the DT members reacted very negatively to this, an she spoke my mind.
Still it put a bug in my bonnet and i tried to make a card using this weeks theme- Queens/Purple-and a card layout from Gina K. I enjoyed using her scoring background, and then I lost it. I don't think I was cut out to be a follower.
I went with the purple.
I scored the background and inked up the debossed side with pumice stone Distress ink-right from the pad. the ribbon is more purple than the scan shows- stash-stop by if you need any ribbon!
I tried my best to layer and line everything up- embrace imperfection!.
The rose I stamped by coloring on the stamp with distress inks and the cut and dry nibs.
The quote was stamped black and thermal embossed clear.
I used the ink blending tool to add a little milled lavender to the image.
Stamp club at ASAP, my LSS is this weeks so I can use this for our card exchange. I always get inspired at stamp club. This month we are going to bringing our fav images and cardstock and swap stamping images. Fun!
Please leave a comment.
To read what is on my heart please visit Still Waters Refuge.
I think it's a good one. lol.

Just Do It

2011-05-16T16:13:00.002-04:00

Another quicky. Honestly this ATC took less than half an hour, not counting stressing about getting it done.
This weeks theme at Created Byhand Challenge is Emerald/Glitter.
I stamped the background with Distress shabby shutters and stamped the quote with perfect medium and thermal embossed with Ranger green embossing glitter. the glitter is a bit big for the detail of this line art and I think it looks ok here.
The Goddess and wings were an after thought and i doodled a bit with Stardust pens.
I hope I gave my children both.
Sometimes I feel a failure for not creating a perfect world for them to move into; at least a kind world.
My daughter has said I allowed them to create the inner landscape. I see the fruits of each of their own unique creativity and that helps to get me through the scary times.
Demonstrations in Chile, wildfire season, uncertain job security and all this crazy world throws at them.
Blessings to all our children. The best we can do for them is to be kind to ourselves.
Create without Limits!
Post your own entry and please leave a comment.
Thanks

Tooth Brushing

2011-05-09T14:02:00.003-04:00

I was going to take this week off from entering the Created Byhand Challenge.
An international conference WARP- Weave a Real Peace, Mother's Day, Deadline for a garment in the Southern Highland Guild annual fashion show on Fiber Days.
and then I got a new punch-the sheep- and the ink took over and here it is.
Pure whimsey.
I'm not going to take the time to link to everything so if you have a question leave a comment.
I lined the paper with markers, stamped some flourishes, harlequins and Art, punched and embellished.
In my Spirituality and Art retreats I often say you wouldn't go to bed without brushing your teeth. The same with art and prayer. 15 minutes a day of art and prayer- at the least.
Try it you'll like it.
thanks for looking- take the time off if you need it( after brushing your creative teeth, of course) and post an entry and leave a comment.
To read what is on my heart, please visit Still Waters Refuge

Thanks Mom

2011-05-02T19:00:00.001-04:00

Mom loved daisies. Mom always had a craft project going-usually more than one. She love string art, beaded flowers, knitting, she did lovely pen and inks of most of her pets,and everything as seen on TV.She dressed simply-we buried her in her favorite jeans and tee shirt. I got my sense of color , design and balance from her, as well as willingness to make a mess and see what happens.
If you can't make a mess you can't make anything at all.
And love- lots of it-unconditionally-slow to judge and quick to hug.
Thanks Mom. this one's for you.
I stamped the daisies with antique linen distress ink, and put mustard see, wild honey and tumbled glass on the craft sheet, misted with water and used them to water color the card.
Let it dry really well before you stamp over it.
Stamped the quote in versafine vintage sepia and clear thermal embossed.
That's it- another in the simplicity series.
Please post your own entry in the Created Byhand Challenge- the theme is 'Mothers/Pearls'. I have the pearls on my drawing table, I just couldn't seem to work them into the card.
Please leave a comment;I appreciate each one.

Byhand Artist Envelope Book Swap

2011-04-29T19:41:00.003-04:00

Christmas in April.
When I joined this swap I thought it would be fun to make envelope pages with the theme Anything Postal and swap them and bind them into a book. Good opp to use my BIA which has been MIA.
Then I remembered how little I like making 15 of anything.
And- it was worth it.
15 Artists put their creativity in to each envie page and filled the envie with amazing goodies any paper geek would love...ATC's, spiral paper clips, buttons, ribbon,stamps and more.
And-each page is full of technique inspiration and inky idea jumpstarts. You have to see it to believe it.
Thanks to all participants and especially our hostess with the mostess- Joanne - who has given new meaning to create with out limits as life goes on and on and on.
Below is my page

Ribbon

2011-04-25T19:30:00.001-04:00

I have a love/ hate relationship with ribbon. Growing up I was the only girl and i had to wear pink and lots of ribbons and stockings and uncomfortable shoes and my brothers got to wear a navy blue blazer and no added fru fru. As a natural born lefty who was switched, I had a hard time learning to tie my shoes- no Velcro in those days.
For a long time as an artist I was proud to be a minimalist and bow deficient. Time has mellowed me and now I can enjoy embellishment and can tie any kind of bow I can think up-shameless ad-if you want to learn to make the bows of your dreams come see me at Nice Threads and we'll make you a bow queen.
This weeks Created Byhand Challenge theme is Ribbons.
I'm hanging with my simplicity theme and wanted to show you how much depth and interest you can get with one die, one stamp and one ribbon.
The Die is Spellbinders label 8- i used the three biggest to cut the first layer- some corrugated board from a candy box-inked with some Brilliance gold, gold paper embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss dots folder, and white card stock. I still use my purple Wizard. I'm waiting to see if they come out with Grand Calibur II or I get on a design team that will give me one:)
-the Quietfire Quote thermal embossed and inked with Distress Antique Linen.
The silk organza ribbon was pleated with some tape behind the dotted layer.
simple and fun.
I'm taking this card to the monthly stamp club at LSS A Stamp Artist Place, for our swap. I'm always inspirited by everyone's creativity and blessed by the sharing. Everyone has ordered Quietfire rubber and I can't wait to see the results.
Please play along with us- post your own entry and leave a comment.
to see what is on my heart, please visit Still Waters Refuge
I'm teaching a Journaling workshop at the NC Arboretum outside of Asheville if you want some hand and hearts on- June 16-here

What Goes Around Comes Around

2011-04-18T11:36:00.004-04:00

Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without.
Lessons from Great Grandmothers.
That being said, I just got a huge pile of new rubber from Quietfire.
And the cutest tool on earth- the tiny Tissue Paper Tape Dispenser. Had to have it.Here is a link to T!m's blog showing how to use it. He has one for each roll of tape!
The theme of the Created Byhand Challenge this month is 'Circles'.
The background paper is the board from the tape dispenser container. I punched the scalloped circle out of an old advert for an art exhibit and embossed my new( to me) Ginkgo stamp in gold.
Also new are the flourished hearts-mirror imaged.
LOVE THESE. Thanks Suzanne. I want every stamp in mirror image- leave me a comment if you know of a good technique to get a mirror image of your stamps.
The quote was stamped in black and the hearts red and embossed clear. I like to use clear when I can as stray bits of embossing powder don't show as much.
The card is very glossy so everything needs to be thermal embossed.
The good news about heavy gloss is if you don't like your stamped image you can wipe it off.
The tiny circles are punched out of the lining of an envelope from a card from Diana*BSIL*. Stardust pens doodled too.
Please read Still Waters Refuge for what's going on in my heart.
Thanks for visiting and please leave a comment.

Even Simpler

2011-04-17T13:11:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post.
I was making samples to show off the new Quietfire stamps I will be offering at Nice Threads.
I want to show you that you don't need to do a lot to make a beautiful elegant card.
All I did here-and the scan is not flattering to this vintage paper-is use good cardstock with an embossed border and simply stamp the quote in Versafine vintage sepia and thermal emboss in clear.
I would love to receive this card and it took less than 5 minutes to create.
Come by and see me any Thursday 1-4 open studio time and learn how- or anytime to talk paper, fiber and color.

Keep It Simple?

2011-04-10T13:48:00.005-04:00

My favorite part of a blog hop is the inspiration and new ideas i get from looking at all the blogs. Being one of the blogs visited brings more than the usual comments and I was thrilled during the Quietfire/Spellbinders Spring Hop, to have many comments that said they liked and admired that I keep my cards on the simple side. Especially for the Created Byhand Challenge, I pick a Quietfire stamp and try to enhance and highlight the quote with the background and other elements.
I love the multi-layered, beribboned and jeweled cards my sisters-in-ink create, and it's just not me.
I feel honored that my own style is also enjoyed by blog hoppers and viewers and that the feelings of inspiration are mutual.
For 25 years I lived in community with an arts and crafts studio open 24/7 and now I live alone on top of a mountain- and you, my digital friends, are my creative support.
Thanks, and on with the show.

I got this stamp as a gift years ago and have been waiting to use it, so selfishly I themed this weeks challenge, Dancing shoes/vintage.
Starting with white cardstock I inked it up with antique linen and old paper distress ink. I stamped the shoe with Versafine vintage sepia and thermal embossed clear. Inked up the shoe area with
spun sugar distress ink. I use the foam ink blending tool and cut and dry nibs to put on the ink. I always work on the craft sheet, unless I am cutting.
then -shout out to Yogi-I used the hammer method to emboss the background with the small dots cuttlebug folder. I put the card inside the folder and hit it with the hammer exactly where i wanted the embossing. I colored some old lace edging with old paper distress ink, glued it on and highlighted the embossing and messed about with my trusty stardust pens.
The tag is an old spellbinders die, I assume retired(vintage?) inked it up and thermal embossed the quote. I used a cut and dry nip to stamp just the word i wanted from the stamp and used my positioner to get it right.
Since I had the hammer out,I added a copper eyelet to the tag. Pretty fancy for me!
I hope you put on your dancing shoes and dance into creativity this Spring .
Please leave a comment-and keep it simple!LOL!

Thanks and The Winner is............

2011-04-07T08:50:00.018-04:00

Thanks Y'all ! for all the kind words and comments. I replies to everyone that had a reply contact and send my deepest thanks through our hearts to all others.
Almost 150 comments is gratifying and humbling.
It's exciting to share the art and products that I love and to interweave all of the people that make it possible.

I look forward to seeing your creations using Quietfire and Spellbinders products.
Please come back here and visit often and enter weekly in the Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge
[Featured products:Thanks , Flourished Heart, Flourishes
Labels 8 , Impressabilities ]

We have our winner and she said,

Thanks Robyn! I can hardly believe I actually won! I will be checking the mailbox everyday!!

I am always amazed at how you ladies come up with these designs! I've come up with a few designs of my own. But nothing like yours.

Keep on showing us what we can do if we try!! And thanks to Suzanne for her beautiful calligraphy!

stamper, Pam

Now hop over to the Lovely Suzanne's blog to finish our Spring hop and see what inspiration she has in store for you today.

Thanks again and Blessings to all- Create Without Limits- and pass it on.

Quietfire Design /Spellbinders Spring Blog Hop

2011-04-06T00:01:00.005-04:00

Welcome to the Quietfire Design Spring Blog Hop!

Quietfire Design is celebrating the honor of being chosen as a Preferred Stamp Partner with Spellbinders™ Paper Arts!

Here’s How to Win:
Each day a different Quietfire Designer will post their amazing creations combining Quietfire rubber stamps and Spellbinders products in a blog entry (days and links to each blog below). Simply comment on their Quietfire Blog Hop post by midnight EST and you will be eligible to be chosen in a daily random draw.

Prizes:
Every day a lucky participant will win one of the Quietfire Rubber stamps used that day plus Suzanne’s choice of Spellbinders™ die! The prizes will be sent out directly from Quietfire Design.

Deadlines:
The deadline for commenting on this prize is Midnight EST on Wednesday, April 6th. The winner for this prize will be announced here on my blog on Thursday, April 7th.

Once your name is announced in the follow-up blog post, please claim your prize by emailing me with your postal info within 48 hours or we will draw again!

Here is our list of blogs and their special Quietfire Blog Hop days

Saturday, April 2: Wanda Hentges

Sunday, April 3: Becca Feeken

Monday, April 4: Monica Black

Tuesday, April 5: Yogi Grunwald

Wednesday, April 6: Robyn Josephs-You are Here!

Thursday, April 7: Suzanne Cannon

Thanks for playing! Happy Hopping and good luck!

Here is the card I created featuring Quietfire stamps and Spellbinders dies.

All of the paper is white cardstock.

For the background I inked up an Impressibilities stencil, embossed the paper by running through the Wizard and highlighted with Brilliance and Distress inks.Colors used throughout: antique linen, dried marigold, wild honey, spun sugar,peeled paint,pine needle and tea die.

If you are new to Quitefire stamps, I am excited to introduce you to them. Hand Lettered by Suzanne Cannon and deeply etched, unmounted rubber, Quietfire Designs has a quote or sentiment for every occasion. Any card from Quietfire is an occasion by itself! Unmounted rubber is easy to use and versatile for all surfaces and I promise you this rubber will enable you to Create Without Limits!

The quote is from the Garden Quote Marks. (You can see how these stamps create fab bookmarks here) The little book is Spellbinders Labels 7. I colored the die cut with inks, and stamped some script on, stamped the quote in versfine vintage sepia, then thermal embossed clear; distressed the edges,sewed a 'binding' and mounted it on a die cut piece of fun foam for dimension.

The bottom border is a section of the Rose Border Grand, that I cut, embossed and used the die as a stencil to color it with distress inks. Colors used: antique linen, dried marigold, wild honey, spun sugar and tea die.

Shout out to my sister in ink Becca for the silk ribbon rose, I inked the ribbon with wild honey and spun sugar Distress Ink using the foam ink blending tool after I applied the tape and it was still wrapped on the cardboard strip.

Inside I stamped the flourishes and dragonflies in Versamark and colored with Pan Pastels.

I used a larger Label 7 to highlight the writing area.

Somewhere on this card i doodled with Stardust pens-can't finish a project without them!

Please remember to LEAVE A COMMENT to be entered to win and stop back tomorrow to find out if you are the lucky winner........and...........

Hop over to the fabulous Suzanne's Blog tomorrow to see what inspiration she has for you and to complete our Spring Hop.

I hope you will come back often and try some the wonderful products we are featuring.

Quietfire rubber-A Book is Like, Flourishes1, Butterflies and Dragonflies

Spellbinders dies-Labels 7, Rose Boarder Grand

Thanks for stopping by.

Spring Fever

2011-04-04T19:00:00.001-04:00

We have it!
Here in Montreat and in the Quietfire Creation community.
After you read and admire :) this ATC, be sure to hop over to the Quietfire/Spellbinders Spring Blog Hop celebrating our new colab. You can read all about it here.
This card is a bit of a sneak peak. This weeks Challenge theme is Spring Fever/Pastels.
I used watercolor to create a background and then stamped the trees.
The little book is Spellbinders Label 7, and the quote
is stamped and thermal embossed.
More stamping on the inside of the book, and some stardust pen here and there.
Leave a comment if you need more details and to make my day.

*******REMEMBER*****Wednesday April6- Right Here-Spring Blog Hop-PRIZES********

Quietfire Design and Spellbinders-No Fooling!

2011-04-01T12:27:00.005-04:00

*******I am excited to announce*******

Quietfire Design is now a Preferred Product Partner with Spellbinders

To Celebrate

Quietfire Design is having a blog hop with prizes!

This blog hop will start Saturday, April 2nd

Here is the hop schedule

Saturday, April 2: Wanda Hentges

Sunday, April 3: Becca Feeken

Monday, April 4: Monica Black

Tuesday, April 5: Yogi Grunwald

Wednesday, April 6: Robyn Josephs

Thursday, April 7: Suzanne Cannon

So be sure to visit Design Team Member Wanda on Saturday to see what inspiration she has in store for you. All details will be explained on each blog.

And mark your calendar to come back and see me on Wenesday April 6- You won't be disappointed- No fooling!

Glitter and a teaser

2011-03-28T12:34:00.003-04:00

March has been a month of Lions and Lambs!.
Several days I have felt weedish.
(I have no idea what that triangle shadow is in the scan-a sign? Leave a comment if you have an interpretation)

I've had this image in my scrap pile and with the addition of this Quote, stamped in black and thermal embossed clear and flourish , thermal embossed with a mix I made of green, glitter, black and gold, it fit the theme of Out like a Lamb/glitter, for this weeks Challenge.
Check back here soon for a very exciting announcement about my favorite stamp company and my favorite die company.
Yes there will be prizes.

Please leave a comment and post your own entry.

Fantasia Wheel SOLD

2011-03-25T16:57:00.008-04:00

This wheel is SOLD Nice Threads in Black Mountain, NC.

wheel diameter - 18"; double treadle • orifice height - 28"; size - 3/8" • 3 bobbins; will fit all other Kromski wheels • single drive with Scotch tension with interchangeable whorls; flyer has sliding hooks • also includes threading hook, attached Lazy Kate and needlenose bottle of spinning wheel oil; uses an elastic drive band • Ratios: 5 and 8 to 1. • weight - 12.5 lbs.

It is a lightly used demo wheel and spins beautifully. Custom finished with a natural leaf motif. Several hours of finishing went into this wheel and assembly.

Call or email or stop by for more info.

828 581 4664

Under Water?

2011-03-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

With everything going on in the world today I'm glad my head is above water. Dry thoughts to Suzanne who had a flood in the Quietfire studio.
Ironically this weeks Challenge theme is Water/Silver.
The background is a piece of postcard- shout out to Diane-BFF-from I think the Outer Banks of NC. Added some silver flourishes and the Quote. Everything had to be thermal embossed and set as the card is very glossy. I think it added to the watery look.
Hop over to Still Waters Refuge for the prayer.
Maybe out of context and still, here is the poem by Mary Oliver that is with me this week.

When I Am Among the Trees

by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine.”

How deep is your stash?

2011-03-14T18:30:00.001-04:00

Pretty deep here.
Another random scrap collage with stuff out of the bin.
Just added some gluestick, stardust pen and stickles to what was laying around.
Flourish and dragonfly stamps were already and waiting in the bits of this and that pile.
spring cleaning?
This weeks theme at Created Byhand is Green/#4.
Only somewhat random, as it is greening here by leaps and bounds and St Patty's day is right around the corner.
Celebrate by getting outside, posting an entry and leaving a comment.
In your spare time come visit Nice Threads- here or in person if you are lucky enough to be in the Mountains of Western North Carolina.

International Womens Day

2011-03-07T18:30:00.001-05:00

March 8th is the 100th anniversary of a day honoring women.
This the the first card I have photoshopped and my guess is PSE8 was not designed by women.
The background started with Distress spun sugar-this weeks challenge theme is Woman/Pink-then thermal embossed the goddess and quote in a shade of pink and clear embossing powder. I like the clear as it covers mistakes better than a color.
The beautiful woman's faces are stamps by Leaf and Lizard. I stamped them in versa mark and a pearl-ex sepia stamp pad and used pan pastels and some new iridescent chalks sent to me by my BFF Chris. If you haven't tried the pan pastels yet- get yourself an IWD gift and get lots of the applicators. They are a softer different type of sponge than cosmetic applicators and they really make a difference in the end product.
These women look to me like wide eyed dreamers.
Join us.
Please leave a comment and post your own entry.
and please hop over to Stillwaters Refuge and read my latest post there.
I don't do art in a vacuum, tho I try to keep Rainbow Weaves rant free and inclusive.
Thanks.

Fiber Gift cards

2011-03-05T16:18:00.004-05:00

I'm in love with these fiber themed stamps from artist Julie
Mencher. I'm excited to be carrying all of my favorites at Nice Threads.
Being in knitting withdrawal, i mostly ordered spinning and weaving designs, tho I couldn't resist the sock monkey knitting a sock- not pictured- you'll have to come in and see.
I stamped and embossed a few gift cards so folks could see how fine these are- again you really have to come in and see-
you won't be disappointed, unless the one you want is gone!
We'll reorder soon, and if you must have the knitting ones, we'll get them for you.

The Dressing Room Project

2011-03-01T09:54:00.002-05:00

I found one of these cards on the ground at my local playground.
Please check out their website here.
the Dressing Room project asks girls to print and post these cards on mirrors in dressings rooms, locker rooms, dance studio's anywhere that girls judge their bodies and may form negative attitudes about their beautiful selves.
The Dressing Room Project is an initiative of Emerging Women Projects
a non profit organization for teen girls’ empowerment.
Please check it out, print and post these beautiful girl created cards.
You are beautiful!

In Like a Lion

2011-02-28T18:30:00.003-05:00

Spring fever- I have it. The weather here is 70 and sunny and everything is beginning to green.
the Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge is, In like a Lion/texture.
I love it when I have an idea AND it comes together with no major hassles.
The background was in my stash- I think done with wax paper crumple resist and some kind of pearl-ex spray.
The stamp was also from stash from a stamp club meeting at A Stamp Artist Place-painted with Twinkling H2O's, let dry, spritz and stamp. Thanks Debbie!
To add some texture I used a little fluffy stuff on the stems. that stuff lasts forever and i can't seem to find much use for it.
I thermal embossed the quote .
Record time I'm created and back out side for some hammock time!
Join me and please leave a comment.

Lucky 8

2011-02-26T22:05:00.004-05:00

This is a swap for the Regina, SK, ATC group's 8th anniversary.
the theme is Lucky 8, and the year of the rabbit- also lucky.
So, what did the 0 say to the 8?

Nice Belt!
Belt by Quietfire

A true radical today is anyone who is truly happy.
Save the world- tell a joke.
Please leave a comment(hopefully funny!)

I Copy

2011-02-21T18:30:00.001-05:00

"Some people copy. Some people don't. I copy. I find it teaches me things and most of all it gives me consolation"
Vincent Van Gogh
My LSS had a big sale, and I fell off the ,I'm not going to buy any more wood mounted stamps, wagon big time.
Bears are my closest neighbors, so i had to have this woodland set from Stamping Tapestry.
I copied this layout right from the package. It was still challenging and lots of fun.
Van Gogh didn't invent or create the sunflower. He copied. So I think it's ok for me.
I embossed the background card with a cuttlebug folder and inked it up with about 4 colors of Distress ink. I stamped and heat embossed the bears and stamped the trees on a Spellbinders deckled oval. I pounced the ink on the background of the bears with a sponge.
Then I tore paper and layered it to make the mountains and rivers and inked them up. I used about 10 different colors all distress ink.
Taped and pasted everything together- added more ink and some glossy accents to give the bears a fat tummy. Thermal embossed the Nature stamp. A Quietfire quote is the finishing and often focal touch to almost every card I make. Thanks Suzanne for providing us with so much art and inspiration to copy.
Even as we copy, our inner creative spirt makes what comes through our hands, our own.
Thanks you everyone, and Spirit and Mother Nature for making and sharing with out limits.
Please leave a comment and post your own entry in the Created Byhand Challenge.
I forgot to mention the theme is Winter Landscapes/shades of blue.

Against all Odds

2011-02-14T18:30:00.001-05:00

I chose the theme, quilts thinking it would be a warm seasonal thought-and we are in a warming trend(not complaining) and stitching, thinking I would use my Sew Easy(not happening) and not thinking at all about the opening of Nice Threads Fiber Gallery/Studio.
Please take a moment to visit the site, blog, and Like us on
Facebook.
We are looking for consignment artwork, materials and tools,workshop proposals, and call to entry for our first two juried Exhibits Wilde House and Making Closure.
Leave me a comment if you have any questions, comments and kind words.
I could have done a lot more with this card, and against all odds, I got it done. that was my theme this week.
I love these background shadow stamps and used them to get a quilt pieced effect with distress inks. i thermal embossed the quote in black soot, with clear embossing powder. The stitching was done on my trusty Singer 500 slant. I lust after a new sewing machine and can't justify it while this old workhorse stitches away and never gives me any trouble.
Sorry about the lack of product links. hop on over to Quietfire and enjoy an hour browsing all of the fab products.
If you are in Western NC come see us at Nice Threads
Please leave a comment, post an entry and stay warm.

Quiet fire Style Queen Of Hearts Challenge

2011-02-13T21:44:00.004-05:00

So busy- wasn't gonna do it-
Here it is- must do something creative and inky everyday.
It's like toothbrushing. wouldn't go to bed with out brushing teeth.
Don't go to bed without getting ink on your fingers.
Love, flourished hearts,crown, Quietfire of course.
Please hop over and look at all the wonderful rubber and art supplies.
Any questions leave me a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
The center heart is mine!

We can postpone anything but Love.

Queen of Hearts

2011-02-07T18:30:00.001-05:00

I'm not into valentine's day this year.
The Queen of My Heart at this moment is the mountain cove I live in.
At the end of the day, no matter what, she is there. Day in, day out she listens to me, quietly, patiently, without judgment. she accepts me just as I am.
This is most of what I am looking for in a relationship and most of what I have to give.
Shout out to Debbie at A Stamp Artist Place for getting me back to painting with Twinkling H2O's. The heart flowers are painted with the h2o's, let it dry a bit, spritz and stamp. The quote stamped in barn door distress ink and thermal embossed clear. The butterfly and dragonfly
I stamped first in gold, then painted the stamp with the h20's and stamped again using the stamp positioner.
I watercolored the background when everything was dry, and mounted onto a piece of red cardstock that I thermal embossed the edge in silver.
Maybe I'll go out and hang this on a tree!
Tell someone you love them today and really mean it.
Please leave a comment and post your own entry.

and be sure to enter the Queen of Hearts Challenge for a chance to win $50 of Quietfire rubber

Spring Color Forecast

2011-02-07T17:10:00.003-05:00

Artists are starting to submit their work to Nice Threads for exhibit and consignment .
As a gallery striving to showcase the best in fiber art, I'm suggesting to our artists that they come to us prepared to show their line as a collection, including an artist statement, seasonal colorways and designs, as well as the individual creative pieces.
It's always helpful to look at what Pantone and others are projecting and as fiber artists we want to be the ones making the projections.
Pantone is calling for honeysuckle, coral rose, peapod, beeswax, silver peony, russet, regatta, blue curacao, lavendar and silver cloud. Can you guess which is which? If not- get yourself a set of Pantone color cards. I also have a set from the Royal Horticultural Society.

I find less is more, and I work usually with 5 or less main hues. Pastels are nice for spring and sometimes nice is not enough.
I'm ready for Hot.
How about you.
Leave a comment with your color projections for spring 2011.

Queen of Hearts Challenge

2011-02-06T19:58:00.000-05:00

The winner is...

2011-01-31T18:00:00.001-05:00

Maggie said...

I love both of your cards Robyn. They are beautiful. I like the one with the flourishes best because it seems to pull it all together.

please pick any ATC from the past year on this blog as your prize and send me your contact info.

thanks for commenting

I have a dream

2011-01-31T16:50:00.003-05:00

Embrace imperfection is more like this weeks theme.
No one can be afraid to post after my fearless posting of this messed up- and I still like it- ATC. when in doubt add glitter.
For more on my dreams check out my Still Waters Refuge blog.
In short- I want to have a place where all can come who seek refuge- a safe, sheltering place- with a large welcoming art and craft studio- to be both still and actively listening to the voice within and the Spirit.
Art, creativity is a universal language we all share and understand, with out words and judgment.
Safety , rest and silence are often keys to finding our creative selves and difficult to find in this hectic world.
I pray each step I take brings me closer to a physical reality of Still Waters Refuge. Leave me a comment if you are seeking short term refuge.
The card-Stamped the message and thermal embossed with Ranger pearl interference embossing powder- you can't see that in the scan. Stamped the flourished stars- love, love them with Ranger acrylic paint daubbers- to get more resist, and then smooshed distress inks around to get the background.
Mistake! on left- tried to fix it and kept making it worse, so covered it in this shredded glitter I got at the thrift store. it's holographic and again looks better in person. Hey- it was fun and it's colorful and it fits the theme!
What's your dream?
Please post and leave a comment.
thanks

It's my Party and...1st Rainbow Weaves Contest

2011-01-24T18:30:00.001-05:00

Where does the time go?
It's been a year, give or take, since I began posting the Created Byhand Tuesday Challenge, so this weeks theme is First Anniversary-which you all know has paper as the gift-and use paper piecing as a secondary theme. I actually wanted it to be paper piercing, wanting to use my new toy the Sew Easy, and i can't make anything yet that I like with it, so stay tuned.
Two versions of this card. Which one do you like better and why?
*****CONTEST*******
leave a comment and I will randomly pick one and send you any card of your choosing- that i still have- some have been traded- featured on this blog in the past year.
Be sure to leave email contact info.
Next Monday Jan 31, I will pick and announce the winner and give you 48 hours to respond be fore I pick another name.
You have to play to win.

This card-thermal embossed the quote .
Smooshed about with distress inks for the background.
Stamped the butterfly and present with Brilliance black and then stamped again on the foil{Shout out to Diana BSI- and foil Queen} for the wings, and purple card for the box and cut out the pieces and pasted them on the card. I cut and tied the ribbon for the package and put it on with tape and glue dots.
then i decided to stamp on the flourish .
I like it both ways and it's my party( no crying)
thanks for coming along on the creative journey and hope to see more posting in 2011
and hope to meet and great many of you at Nice Threads.
please leave a comment- REMEMBER-it's your contest entry- and post your own entry over at Created Byhand. Thanks

Introducing....Nice Threads

2011-01-21T18:02:00.002-05:00

I just opened the Facebook page and the Studio/Gallery website is live.
Please hop over to Facebook and like us.
Watch our FB page for opening and class announcements.
And please hold me and leslie and the weather in the Light these next few weeks.
Thanks in advance.

Invention

2011-01-17T18:00:00.001-05:00

This weeks theme in the Created Byhand Challenge is Invention/stencils. It's Ben Franklin's birthday and I'm grateful and inspired by a man who"invented himself".
I'm very busy in my interim gainfully unemployed week and was going to just post my cut out card from a few posts back, and then I got to thinking about the brass stencils I have never used and these mini design element stamps that I love and have never used and invented this ATC.
I didn't have any stencil paste , so i mixed some heavy gel medium with a Brilliance Gold reinker and spread that into the stencil. When that dried, I stamped and thermal embossed the dream stamp and applied distress ink to color the background.
The head, wings and crown (the mini design images) and flourishes stamped with inventive abandon!

Go for it! Honor Ben, yourself and all these wonderful art supplies and invent something!
Please post your entry and leave a comment.
fyi-coming soon the Nice Threads weekly fiberart challenge. Stayed tuned for details and be sure to get on the mailing list.

Snow/Glitter

2011-01-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

I was not hoping to manifest this theme when i chose it for this weeks Created Byhand Challenge.
I did feature this card a few posts back, and I got a nice comment from T!m Holtz on it. He is very kind and supportive of all of us who use his products and benefit from his inspiration.
I love Tim"s new texture fades. They emboss so deeply it is easy to work on the raised area without messing up the background. and they print beautifully with all kinds of ink.
This background is the paper that came with the embossing folder. The snow quote was stamped in black and heat embossed clear.
I colored the trees with distress inks applied with cut and dry nibs- I love them too- so useful. the snow is versa magic cloud white applied really thick with a nib.
If it is snowing where you are I hope you are enjoying it and are safe, warm and dry. It can be beautiful if you have no where to go, nothing to do and no one to be.
I think I'll meditate on that for awhile
Please leave a comment and post your own entry.

I wasn't going to post this-and i just decided if i ever need to plead -not guilty by reason of insanity- this will help. and it has glitter-stickles- on it(snow/glitter theme). I felt like I had won a prize when T!m sent me the kind words, so i made them into a tag to hang on my studio wall
My credentials.
It also shows how well these folders print- the trees on the right were printed by inking the folder and placing the card inside and brayering. You don't even need a die cut machine.
The flakes on the top were embossed by careful placement of the folder and the tan mat( I use a wizard).
I hope this inspires you to create and share and not worry too much what others thing about you.
You are beautiful to me. thanks for looking.Please leave a comment.

On the wings of eagles

2011-01-05T21:20:00.011-05:00

To bad it looks more like a seagull!
My friend Kayla gifted me with a swivel, ergonomic craft knife- I love it and I spent 2 hours playing with it and avoiding all the other stuff I had to do. Thanks Kayla.
Friendship- a quote mark- stay tuned for a bookmark class coming up at Nice Threads and Heart -from the mini images collection- a must have!

My son ray asked for a ty card for being a house guest and it led to a ny's resolution to get a photo set up and learn to take better pictures.( note to self-update amazon wish list)
this is really a very elegant card. Thanks for asking Ray. Mom's like to be appreciated.

In with the New/Gold

2011-01-03T18:30:00.003-05:00

This weeks Created Byhand Challenge.
Another year older and a new one just begun.
I enjoyed using some of the wrapping paper from the 12 days of christmas mingle.
The corner punch holds the spellbinders label 8 with the quote, so you can make other labels and switch them out if you wish. I heat embossed the corners in goddess gold powder, and used a sharpie metallic marker i found in the bottom of the drawer, on the label.The dots were an afterthought with stardust pens.
When in doubt, add gold.
More than 100 people looked at my last post and 3 have commented. I wish everyone would make a new years resolution to leave a comment, even if it is just 'nice'(big grin to Yogi) when you visit .
In this new year may everyone's hearts and homes be filled with life.

Out with the Old/ Bubbles

2010-12-27T18:30:00.001-05:00

Byhand Artists, a group sponsored by Suzanne Cannon who is also our challenge mom just finished the 12 days of Christmas mingle. There were 3 groups of up to 13 artists, who each made 12 gifts to send to twelve other artists, so everyone had a present to open for 12 days starting Dec 13. The hostess- shout out and Thank you M-B, makes the gift you open on your own day. The only rule is that it should be able to fit in a first class envelope to keep postage low- most people ignored that rule!
So i started the 12 days each morning opening up-the wrapping as creative as the gift-a hand made present-made just for me- from someone i have never met.
this gives me hope for the world.
i need the 12 days of January! and maybe February too!
Lots of heart, maybe not so much art in this card. Heat embossed the quote, used the foam applicator to make the rainbow background, sstamped the inside flourished heart in silver-and stardust pen, and used some gold acrylic paint for the stars.
Send out those smiles-check out the byhand Artist RAK list-
Oops-forgot the bubbles!
Please leave a comment.

Ho Ho Ho

2010-12-20T18:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to the Prince of Peace.
I heat embossed this beautiful flourished holly and the Peace word. the background is distress fired brick and pine needles, smoosched around with a foam applicator.
I over stamped with gold with the flourished star and another flourish stamp. You can rub excess ink off of the heat embossed places.
I wanted to put on stickle berries and my inner glitter said enough! so i gently brushed on some iridescent pastel to bring it all together.
Please post an entry- i know y'all are busy making your cards, so why not share one with us here.
If you need help posting leave me a comment or send me an email and we'll bring you into the created byhand digital community-a tribe of friendly welcoming folks.
I'm actually not sure which is the top of the ATC and I kind of like that. anyway you look at it it says peace.
May you be happy, peaceful, safe , well and free.

Oh come, Desire of nations bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
And be for us our King of peace.

Om, Shanti, Shalom, Pax, Maluhi, Paix, Paz

Challenged

2010-12-18T18:21:00.006-05:00

Layering and the more the better seems to be the current fashion in cards.
It's not the real me. I like simple. If I have a quote I want to share I want that to be what you see.
Suzanne's calligraphy quotes are enough to stand alone on a card with a beautiful background to enhance their meaning.
Take a look at the slide show on the Quietfire Creations site, to see the wonders created by the DT.(i'm just the shepherdess of the challenge) .
i thought I can do that.
Well, here is my challenge to myself. I did a few more that went straight into the circular file, and I have a nice pile of nestie diecuts to use for something else.
Blessed is the season just fits into the second largest of the spellbinders ornament die, and you can layer up one size. Shout out to my BSIL Diana for the foil. the corners are an older photo corners die, that I think is retired. I heat embossed the outer edges of a card with gold, then layered with a cuttlebug embossed red layer that I highlighted with silver.

Then i did some cards i like. i got these Tim Holtz Texture Fade embossing folders and I love them. The embossing is deep and crisp and i love the way there is room on the page to enter your text and other stuff.

The backgrounds are the insert paper from the texture fades. I embossed, then heat embossed the quotes, then colored with the cut and dry nibs- I love them for coloring with distress inks.

The here and there card I layered to the best of my ability with 2 deckled mats.
I really like the open space in this card.

The risk card was hard to leave alone. the edges are done with just the branches of a tree punch.
what are your personal art challenges?
leave me a comment.