Summer Time and Flowers

It is so very nice to have an excuse to make lots and lots of flowers and since it has been a while, I found twice as much enjoyment as usual from making this gift box and card combination for a friend's birthday.

The box was just an empty chocolate box that was exactly the size I needed. I simply opened it up and copied the pattern. The papers are by Graphic 45. The colours from the paper set the colour palette for the rest of my embellishments. I coloured the light sand coloured cardstock doily, flowers and leaves with Memento Dye inks.
The leaves and flowers are a combination of punches and cutting files. There is also the odd 'petaloo' flower (I am not a fan btw) Links at the bottom of this post.

The card started off with an easel card base. I used an embossing folder for the texture on the background panel. It provided the perfect understated elegant detail I was looking for.

My Scrap Chick - Easel Cards
Flower Cut Files  and Leaf Cut Files - Sheri McCulley (affiliate link)
Cut Flower Vines only (affiliate link)
Cut Flower Scallops - flowers only (affiliate link)
Embossing folder - Anna Griffin's 'Pirouette'

It's a Pencil, It's a Box...It is FUN!

OK I must have been somewhere under a rock, as I was unaware of the existence of My Scrap Chick. What a fun store, full of fun designs!

But when I saw this project - I fell in love. Just like that. Pencil Box 3D

Well now really...who would not like such a fun box or decor item? I know I do. Yes please, just give me a shelf full!

Seriously.

Now as an artist and one who works mostly in coloured pencil, well the graphite pencil is really nice, but I decided to turn it into a coloured pencil. The original pattern makes a finished pencil of 12.25" tall

Actually...a few coloured pencils... ps all the pieces in the back are done with coloured pencils. The florals not by me, but all the rest of them are prints of my work. The originals having been sold, I'm 'reduced' to having prints of them on my walls. Ha! If you'd like to see more take a look at my art blog here : Reflections Fine Art Studio. (I working on a website)

A few process pictures for you :

The body of the pencil, scored on a score board, rather than with the Cameo.

The pencil 'lead' ready for a quick bit of inking before attaching it to the 'wood' cone

 The 'wood' cone with the 'sharpener' details attached

And the detail pieces glued onto the surface of the cone - now I can add the coloured nib.

Instead of adding the pink eraser and metal strip details that the original pattern has, I added this wooden base with the coloured core so it will look like a coloured pencil.

Now I am ready to draw...or maybe not, the colour doesn't work with this piece I'm currently working on...

But they might have worked with this colouring book page. Ha!

The page is from the 'Medieval Tapestries' colouring book published by Dover. I copied and enlarged it to make a decor item for my craft area. Maybe I should arrange the pencils around it on the wall...oh the possibilities with these fun pencils are ENDLESS!

I made these all as boxes so they may be used for decor, or they may become containers. They would make the BEST gift boxes. Imagine : a colouring book and a pencil box full of pencils! Great gift, don't you think?

Wellness Oasis

I'm making a photo book for a friend, hence the blurred faces... but I did want to show you this mini kit by Cathy Krenek - One Fine Day.

It is bright and cheery and just right for those fresh spring and summer LO's!

St Helen's Beach

As promised...it is July and I am back!

...just a LO for today. I am slowly getting back into the swing of things...

Some holiday pictures : St Helen's Beach

I used Cathy Krenek's new 'Seaworthy' Kit for my page

Cathy also has a bundle available featuring extra papers. Right now these are still part of the 'Gotta Grab It' products at Gotta Pixel at super duper discounts!

Summer Break...

It's been very quiet around here hasn't it?

And it will get more quiet before the posting/blogging 'noise' resumes. I'm taking a month off and will be back in July!

Enjoy your summer or winter!

Visiting Zimbabwe

Memories are made of pictures such as these...

I used Cathy Krenek`s `Denim and Lace`Kit for my page...Love the colours in this! So versatile!

GingerScraps Daily Download

Folks don't miss the Gingerscraps daily download this month (April 2016) You can find the download on the Gingerscraps Blog HERE. The downloads are up for 5 days (which is soooo nice!)

I won't spoil the fun by showing you a preview of the kit, but I will show you a LO made with it...

So head on over to the Gingerscraps blog and start downloading! (the template I used here also came from the kit btw...)