Saturday 19 February 2011

Nature inspired


Good morning peeps, back with my growing pool of secretaries and some more DT work. First up it's time for a new challenge at Allsorts where Fleur would would like us to be "Inspired by Nature".


I could have made a dozen cards for this theme which is right up my street, but I will share this simple little four seasons set I made recently for Stampalot samples demonstrating sponging techniques.

Each card was made in the same way by masking the top and bottom leaving a strip across the middle which I sponges with TH distress inks, stormy sky for the shy in each, then for the bottom sections, peeled paint for spring, Victorian velvet for summer, dried marigold for autumn and broken china for winter.

After removing the makes I stamped each repeatedly with Art Impression H895 and one of the smaller trees from Creative Expression Trees set. I added an Art Impression sentiment to each one and some black gems. They are actually a really quick and simple set to make, but I think quite effective. This is for the following challenge:

Creative Inspirations - Plain and simple


Next my DT work for this weeks Stamptacular Sunday where the theme is "S.O.S" to create a card or project for someone special.

This is a tag book I made for someone rather special to me, the pages were cut on the Big Shot Professional......I don't actually own one, I just have the express and much as I would like the big fellow sitting in my craft room, I think it's more geared to clubs and classrooms, so thank you Janice at Stampalot for the borrow.

All pages were stamped randomly with stamps from Magenta CS043 Botanical and Hero Arts F5042 Leaf Flourish using versafine sepia and embossing with detail clear, then distressing with TH tumbled glass, tea dye and marigold.


The sentiment stamp on the second page is old favourite Penny Black 2695J Dance. I made flowers from punches to go on the side tabs, spritzing with Glimmer Mist Pearl and added Stickes to highlight some areas and finally tied the three pages together with ribbons. This is for the following challenge:

Southern Girls - Blue and Chocolate
Creative Cottage - Fabulous florals

48 comments:

Claire said...

Wow beautiful work Brena! I love the 4 seasons idea, amazing how the change of one colour gives such a feel of the seasons,so clever :-)
Your tag book is gorgeous, beautiful stamping
I hope you are taking it easy and will soon be feeling better
love and hugs
Claire xx

Lisa said...

Hi Brenda, Beautiful work as always :-) Sorry I haven't commented the last few days but have been busy with the children helping them with school projects. Hope you feel better soon.

Lisa xx

Нинель said...

Cards with trees very beautiful! Beauty! Fine!

Julie said...

Such lovely cards,I especially like the way you've sponged just the middle panel for the tree background,I've got out of the habit of masking but this has so inspired me. I'm hoping you received a card from me this week. Have a great weekend,Julie.x

Hlora said...

wow! So beautiful cards! The tree-stamp is wonderful) I wish I had the same at me..

may-chu said...

beautiful works! the season set is so cute, and the other card is just soooo pretty!

Annie said...

Just fabulous Brenda - I love the four seasons. I really want to give that a go. Hope you will soon be fighting fit again - your secretaries are doing a brilliant job.
Ann xxx

Mummylade said...

this is absolutely stunning!

Sarah said...

Wow, what beautiful makes. I love the 4 seasons cards, stunning xxx

Lynda said...

Totally stunning work Brenda - I've been having a play with the inks and stamping over in black and I'm quite surprising myself! Will take some of your inspiration and have a go at something for Allsorts today! Take care.

Love Lynda xxx

Lisa Jane said...

HI Brenda - lovely to see you .. hope you are feeling a little better.. i love the little set of cards depicting the seasons .. beatiful
Lisa ;)

Nikbee said...

Gorgeous makes Brenda. I love the sponging on the thank you cards and the tag book is wonderful.

Nikki x

Helen said...

Love the four seasons cards- such an effective idea. the second project is also fabulous. Hope you are pulling through!!

Shazza said...

wonderful creations, those cards are stunning and I love the tag book x

Karin said...

Your cards are absolutely gorgeous Brenda!

Karin x

Hazeyj said...

Brenda, how lovely the four seasons card are! Splendid idea for a matching quartet! The tag book is just out of this world amazing - your sense of composition and colour is inspiring. Glad your secretaries can bring your creations to us! Hazel x

Kay Carley said...

Such fabulous samples Brenda!! Particulary like your four seasons set - so simple but absolutely stunning!! xx

Sadilla said...

Wow Brenda!!! As always when I comw visit your blog I am fascinated from the beauty of your projects!! =)
hugs
sadia

Beryl said...

Who couldn't be inspired by your 'four season's card? Each one is lovely and really gives a feel of it's own season. Beautiful work.
The tag book is lovely too - I'm sure whoever it was for will treasure it forever.
Hope things are getting better for you by the day.
Beryl xx

Anonymous said...

Too Cool!

Love all your inky goodness, hope your doing well!

Barb Craft said...

Both of your projects are gorgeous but your cards are stunning!! I love how you created the faded background and then stamped with the black tree images! Thanks for taking on our no PP challenge at Frosted Designs this week!
barb :)

SannaS said...

gorgeous creations!! so elegant and beautiful!! =)
Hugs, SannaS

Fleur said...

Stunning creations B. Hope you are looking after yourself.
Hugz fleur xXx

Tracy said...

Hi Brenda,
I have missed some gorgeous makes, you have done some lovely work. I love them all. I don't seem to have enough hours in a day at the moment, lots of children things going on. But I'm trying to catch up.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Julie said...

Hi Brenda,back again! I always love your beautiful creations! Thankyou for sharing this with the Southern Girls,have a great weekend,Julie.x

Kat said...

Hi Brenda, I love the 4 seasons cards, they are just stunning! So simple but effective and elegant. Love the tag book too. That PB sentiment is a really nice one.

I feel a bit disorientated now, just been attacked by 23kg of black Labrador with a big sloppy tongue!

Take care,

Kat xx

sue said...

Such a beautiful project! Thanks for sharing with us at Southern Girls :)

Anonymous said...

Brenda these are fantastic, I love the clean lines on the first set, that's such a great idea and would have been perfect for some of the cards I made for Mom recently...

And your tag book is stunning, who ever gets that will have something special to treasure...

Lovely to see you here
x
Vicky

Mona Evy said...

Lovely card! Thanks for joining us this week at Wednesday’s Creative Inspirations Challenge!

Angela said...

this is so elegant! love the two colours and the black trees are so striking! thanks for joining in at Frosted Designs this week! xx

Merry said...

Beautiful creations. That sponging is so effective on the first cards. Must give that a try. Love all the colours and image on your second card.

Auntie Em said...

Hope you are starting to feel better. Your cards are gorgeous and love your book.
Thanks for sharing! :o)

Aunty Sue said...

Lovely set of cards, thanks for joining Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge.

Nannieflash said...

Hi Brenda I do love your cards different colouring just gives a stunning result, the second card is gorgeous, love the flower. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Both of your cards are fantastic.

Sue said...

Hi ya
wow what a gorgeous selection of cards, i luv the trees, stunning card, thank you for joining us at The Creative Cottage this week, hope to see you next time, sue,x

NGCARDS said...

This is a lovely card hun! Thanks for joining in this week with our Plain & Simple theme over at Creative Inspirations Wednesday’s Challenge Blog! xxx

Nicola said...

Truly amazing cards. Loving the nature cards they are so versatile. Nicola xx

lisa said...

I'm so glad you've got your secretaries organised so that we can share your beautiful work, Brenda.
Those tree cards are stunning. I love the shaded colours.
Your book is amazing too. The recepient of this little treasure is very lucky indeed.
Hope you are doing OK.
Take Care
Hugs Lisax

Only By His Grace said...

Hi Brenda!
These are awesome cards. Love the four seasons.
The card with the butterfly is wonderful. I love the colors you used.
Hugs Maz

Sharon said...

OMG Just love this...the colours,all the details.
Such a lucky friend to receive this card.

Sharon

Julie said...

Really like what you've done with your set of cards - grea stuff!

coldwaters2 said...

Absolutely beautiful selection of creations Brenda the trees look awesome I love them. I feel awful not visiting before and I should have sent you well wishes long before now but I have been thinking of you and hope that your arm improves soon.
Big hugs
Lorraine x

Unknown said...

Gorgeous work! Thanks for sharing your talent at Southern Girls for our Blue and Chocolate challenge.
Alicia xx

Patricia Mae said...

Very cute, Thanks for joining us in our color challenge at Southern Girls I hope to see you again.
~Patricia

Cherry said...

Hope things continue to improve B and that you are not over doing it. Just love the tree seasons set - simply stunning. The tag book is so beautiful too - love the colours. Much love Cherry XXx

Sue B said...

Hi Brenda!

Beautiful creations! I love the tag book - it's gorgeous!

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Smiles :-))
Sue xxx

Mel said...

Yummy, Yum Melxxx