Direct to card stamping - Oriental Kraft

Hello,

I've been making up a few card designs to sell.  (Still haven't got round to opening an Etsy shop yet!).

I think when designing cards to sell it is always best to keep it simple so that many can be made in a short space of time.  It took me just an hour to make 7 of these oriental themes cards.

I am loving Kraft card at the moment and stamping images in black Archival Ink with a highlight of colour is really effective.

The main stamp here is The Calligraphy Robe from Stampington. The tree branch and sitting bird are from Inkylicious and the flying bird - Crafty Individuals CI-234.

The White flowers we drawn using a Uni Posca Round tip/ultra fine white paint pen.

 Already sold 5 - better make some more........

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

The Perfect Pen - at last.....

Hello,

REJOICE! I have at last found the perfect pen for me (BIG SMILE) for doodling in my sketchbook!!!

It makes a very, very, very fine line...

...it's a Sakura Pigma Micron 005 Archival Ink Pen which is acid-free, waterproof and fade resistant and it has the tiniest 0.2mm nib...BLISS...

...and I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Happy Sunday

Lesley x

Paint Party Friday - week 46 check in...

Hello,

Friday here again already............it's been a busy week and as usual, on a Friday morning, it has been my time to clean the house but now that is finished and don't have to think about it for another week so can have an arty play for a few blissful of hours............

And as it is Friday it is time to join the Paint Party...

A couple of pages from my sketch book here - coloured with thinned acrylics and Whispers ink pens...

I didn't manage to get around to visiting as many participants as I'd have like last week so hope to fit a few more in this week :)  A big thank you to everyone who visited me though....always a pleasure and such an encouragement.

There are LOADs of wonderful artists who take part in PPF so if you have a cuppa tea and a spare half hour why not go and browse their lovely artwork.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Love....a card....

Hello,

A simple thing - but 2 engagements to celebrate for friends recently so I wanted a speedy, no fuss card to send to each and used Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Clear stamps and scarlet ink on hammered cream card...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Sketchbook Pages...

Hello,

I have decided that I must try to remember to show more of my sketchbook pages...so with that in mind here are 2...

This first was sketched whilst we were away for a few days at Christmas....I just took my pencils and sketchbook with me in case I felt the urge to draw....it's not very good but I'm still practising sketching faces...

...and this I did this morning whilst listening to The Archers omnibus, inspired by the wonderful calligraphy artwork of Martha Lever.  Not calligraphy for me but just some doodling...

Any other Archers fans out there?

Happy Sunday.
Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Paint Party Friday...A New Art Journal...

Hello,

A brand new A4 Moleskin! I get that same feeling as when at school I started a new exercise book,, or indeed now when a new pretty notebook is fresh and clean and I have my pen poised over the first pristine page....

A small pleasure...

So...what theme this Art Journal?  I have been thinking for some time to make one for my children, about me, about all the things they know about me and lots of things they don't know about me and it will be something for them to keep and read and look at when I am no longer here...

Today is a dark and dreary January day and my need for warm, summer sunlight is enormous...a yearning for long, light summer days filled with sunshine so I thought my first page would be about my need for sunlight and warmth...

This is totally done using KaiserCraft Acrylic paints as they have a gorgeous, creamy, quick drying, translucent quality so that building layers is fun ...

...some steps along the way...

I am linking to Paint Party Friday. If your want to see lots of great art why not pop over there and look at what talented artists are creating this week.
Also to Inspire me Fridays where Anything Goes this week.
And Artists in Blogland.
And Just Journals Link Party.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

A walk by the river...

Hello,

A walk by the river Exe, which flows through our lovely city of Exeter, is always a treat and only 5 minutes from the city centre. The area has been regenerated in recent years with lots of cafes, artisan shops, water sports and we can now cycle by the river, all the way to the sea at Exmouth, 10 miles away...

I used to live within walking distance of Exeter Quay, where all the cafes and shops are, but now live on the other side of the city and miss evening strolls and early morning hikes - it's not the same when I have to drive for 20 minutes first...

But I still love to walk along the river...down one side and across the suspension bridge, then back up the other side to sit and drink Italian hot chocolate and watch the world go by...

an oasis in the middle of the city...

Where do you like to walk?

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Flutterby Butterfly.....

Hello,

I am really enjoying getting back to the basics of papercrafting.  Whilst enjoying creating lots of mixed media items and learning new techniques last year I forgot the pleasure I get from designing a card for a family member or dear friend.  I have lots of birthdays coming up so decided to simply play...

This card came together using the wonderful Bonjour Collection from Kaisercraft - nothing else except stitching and a simple greeting stamp...

so expect more cards....

I'm entering this for the current challenges:
 PaperPlay Challenge 'Stitches'
Inspire Me Fridays 'Anything Goes'
Bloggers Challenge 'Wings and Things'

Happy Sunday
Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Less is More - Week 50 Birds

Hello,

A cold a frosty night followed by a sparkling sunny day...winter loveliness at last instead of all the unseasonable mild weather we've been having!

The challenge at Less is More this week is to make a one layer card with the theme of BIRDS...

This is a cream card with the bird and word from Paperartsy HP1105 stamped in Archival Ink - Grape...

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

By the light of the silvery moon...

Hello,

I've been writing my Christmas thank you notes...

I used a Stampin Up set but can't remember the name...

I am entering this design at The Craft-Room Challenge who ask for 'Clean and Simple'

Did anyone see the really bright moon last night.  I noticed it as I was going to bed and took a couple of photos from the upstairs window...

It was really strange...there were some thin clouds which caused the moon to have a colourful aura...the photos don't do it justice....

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x