The front of a Journal

 My friend, Quadira, showed a group of Toastmasters how to make a lovely journal on Monday night, so I thought I'd share the front of my journal.  This is the type of journal which is made with a regular card and matching envelope size.  Pages are inserted and the holes punched out and tied with string.  I had never made this style of journal and it was fun to see how it all went together.  I wanted to cover up the front of my card, so I embossed this flower and found a stamp & die package I had on my desk with some delightful bird die cuts from a 3D embossing folder.   I had already water colored this bird and it was perfect.

We covered the envelope with patterned paper and created our individual and unique journals.   Thank you to Quadira.

I'm sharing some links to Quadira's websites below.

Quadira's links

My Art Studio

My Art Channel

Shop My Art Boutique

Pinterest

Instagram

Supplies for my journal:
Card base - old store bought card or A2 size card base

Altenew Mini Delight Tropical Greeting Stamp & Die set (may have been free)

Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades embossing folder

Distress inks Shabby Shutters & Abandoned Coral
String in stash

Vagabond die cut machine

December Card Chain Challenge SIgn Ups

 If you want to receive and send something special and hand made, join the International gang at the Card Chain Challenge.  I copied the information below directly from their challenge page, so have some fun and join us.  I joined the challenge already and I know what I want to make already!

3D Embossing - First Time

 I wanted to try out the 3D embossing folders, so I ordered a Sizzix Texture Embossing folder to test it out and I am quite impressed with the depth of the embossing.  I assume most brand named embossing folders would do the same.

Because I wanted to quickly do a card and see how this would work with distress inks, I sponged Shabby Shutters over most of the card, defining the vining and leaves more and  applied the Abandoned Coral distress ink to the blossoms.  It worked out fairly well, much better than in the photo, in fact.

Supplies:
Sizzix 3D Texture Fades Embossing Folder
Shabby Shutters and Abandoned Coral distress inks
Vagabond die cutting machine
I can't remember where the sentiment came from.

I'm entering the following challenges:
Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" # 47
Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" # 46 
Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes" # 24   
Creatalicious  "Anything Goes" # 247 Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge "Anything Goes" #534

 

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge for November

 World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

You MUST be a DT on any Design Team in the World to be eligible to enter this Challenge ~ New exception rule, this challenge is now open to any of Julia Spiri Facebook Members, and you are not required to be on a DT.

The challenge runs from November 15th through December 12th, 

2:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight

This image is so very cute and I could have made the mushroom darker or a different color, but I was in the mood for light and airy, if a mushroom can be airy. I used a marker for the grass, but Distress Oxide for the sky.  Yes, it was a bit hairy sponging the sky in by the mushroom, but I think it came out fairly well.  I drew in some more grass and used only one color Copic marker which I applied lightly in some places creating spots of light and dark on the lawn.

 

Close up below.

Supplies:
Julia Spiri The Mushroom House

Poppy Stamps Winter Porch Pop Up Easel Set craft die ( I did not use the porch)
Elizabeth Craft Designs (both Thanks die cuts)
Distress Oxide Inks Broken China
Copic markers for the mushroom house and grass.
Vagabond die cut machine

I am entering the following challenges:

The Paper Funday - "Anything Goes" #47 (optional twist - colors of Fall) 

Love To Scrap Challenge "Anything Goes" #157

NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff) # 44 (digital image - brand new)

FOUR SEASONS CHALLENGE BLOG!  Anything Goes Fall

Ally's Angels  "Anything Goes"  #63

October Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 

I just couldn't make up my mind for about a week about what challenge theme, product, technic or sketch option I wanted to do.  Finally, Voila!  I went for "Use a Brush".  I was so thankful to one of my team mates at Die Cut Divas for stamping, embossing & die cutting some flowers on Water Color paper for me.

Supplies:
Altenew Craft Your Life project kit - Hello Beautiful (thank you, Dawn for the die cut.

Altenew Layered Plaid Cover Die Bundle (2 dies)

Yellow note card (base for all the dies)
Water color set (old set)

Vagabond die cut machine

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes”

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes 11-2022

Crafts Galore Encore - "Anything goes"

 

Inspiration for Die Cut Divas "Anything Goes" challenge

 

It's wonderful to be working with Birch Press Design products.  Their  dies are so intricate and lovely.  Birch Press Design is sponsoring the Die Cut Divas' challenge blog.  

The Theme: Anything Goes Challenge  Prize: winner gets $20 gift card to the store.

I know everyone will want to go shopping at  Birch Press Design.

I couldn't resist the Adornment Peony and distress oxides.  It was only obvious that I had to use the die cut "WOW" with this flower.  It's all about the "WOW" person in your life.

Supplies:

Birch Press Adornment Peony

Birch Press String Art Frame

Birch Press Big Lingo Type Word WOW

Yellow card panels

Distress Oxide inks - pre-made so I'm not sure of the inks I used

Vagabond die cut machine

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" wk 43

Crafty Catz "Anything Goes #612

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” #71

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” #62 w opt twist DL. ART "Anything Goes 
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes 11-2022 Crafts Galore Encore - "Anything goes" 
NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff) #44

Stamping Sensations Challenge  All Things Autumn

 

Inspiration for November Morgan's Artworld

  The November Challenge for Morgan's Artworld is "Anything Goes" November 1st to November 27th.

You can use any image or project you have posted in November. For purchasing Morgan's ArtWorld Images, please visit the website at Creative Art Design Studio.  

Join Morgan's ArtWorld Facebook Group HERE!

My inspiration card for November is an image I've had for years, but never colored.  Shame on me.  She is lovely.  Remember, you can color her anyway you want.  

Image of Fantasy Fae 26 below

Supplies:

Morgan's Artworld Fantasy Fae 26
Spellbinders Nestabilities Arched Windows 1
Kat Scrappiness Boxed Sentiment Strips Dies 
Hero Arts Everyday Sayings (Thinking of You)
Copic markers
Vagabond die cut machine

I am entering the following challenges:
Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist DL. ART "Anything Goes 
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes Crafts Galore Encore - "Anything goes" 

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" wk 43

Crafty Catz "Anything Goes #612

NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff)

The End of The Month With Die Cut Divas

 

Last day to enter the Die Cut Divas' challenge of Watercoloring.

The prize is Altenew's Artists' Watercolor 24 Pan Set ($49.99 value is the prize ). Altenew will issue a 100% discount code to the winner.

I am not a water colorist at heart, but I really got into the fun of mixing water and color. This may not be up there in the top rankings of water colors, but I really like this, especially with the cover panels behind it. Just a wash of yellow on the watercolor back panel as I wanted a cheerful sky. I spent my time having fun working on the snowman scene. I wanted to separate the snowman from the background so gave the snowman a a light lavender splash of color. A bit of pen work dotting the background finished my card as well as some Wink of Stella on the snowman.

Supplies:
Altenew Cozy Winter Vibes stamp and die Bundle 
& die setAltenew Layered Plaid Cover Die Bundle (2 dies)

Hero Arts Everyday Sayings
Hero Arts Sunset Hero Hues Enamel Dots
Water color set (old set)
Versafine (black) ink
Wink of Stella (clear) on snowman
Uni-Ball Signo Gold pen
Vagabond die cut machine

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" 

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" 

Allsorts challenge  "Anything Goes"

We Love 2 Create   Anything mixed media

Ally's Angels  #61  "Anything Goes"  

SheepSki Designs #64 "Anything Goes

FOUR SEASONS CHALLENGE BLOG!  

Happy Birthday, My Red-Headed Friend

I have a friend in my Toastmasters group and I copied this card from a birthday card I made for my friend (her card here), but this one is hopefully a bit more manly.  He owns a limo service and I thought this might be his limo tootling down the highway.  I think he will enjoy this card.

Supplies:

My Favorite Things Car
My Favorite Things BB Adorable Elephants - butterflies, balloon & sentiment
My Favorite Things BB Our Story - Kid driving
My Favorite Things Cloud stencil
Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles
Whimsy Revealers 3 die set - the road line & tire lines
Whimsy Slimline Meadow die set - flowers along the road
Uni-ball white pen - white line up the "road"
Distress Oxide Broken China & a green Oxide, but I don't remember the color
Scrap paper
Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering:
The Paper Funday - "Anything Goes" (no twist on this) #46
Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" #44 
Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" 
Colour Crazy - "Anything Goes" #43 Allsorts challenge "Celebrate - Any Occasion #700

Some More Altenew Water Coloring

 Still working on water coloring this month. It's a good thing we have these challenges because it challenges me to do something different. I am having a great time with Altenew.

With Die Cut Divas, you need to use a die or embossing folder plus the theme of the month, which is WATERCOLORING.

The prize is Altenew's Artists' Watercolor 24 Pan Set ($49.99 value is the prize ) Altenew will issue a 100% discount code to the winner.

A Big Thank You to my team mate, Dawn, for the die cut flowers. I certainly had fun coloring these wonderful flowers, although I am not happy with my coloring on these two cards, but that's ok too.

Second Card

Supplies:

1st Card:

Altenew Layered Plaid Cover Die Bundle (2 dies)

Altenew Fairy Tale Florals

Hero Arts Everyday Sayings

Water color set (old set)

2nd Card:

Altenew Layered Plaid Cover Die Bundle (2 dies)

Altenew Holiday Flower

Altenew Cozy Winter Vibes stamp and die Bundle  (sentiment)

Water color set (old set)

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" 

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" #43

Allsorts challenge  "Any Special Occasion"

Ally's Angels  "Anything Goes"  #63

Christmas Kickstart Challenge  Poinsettias and posies

A Birthday Card With A Bit of Humor

I had a terrible time deciding on what I wanted to create for my friend's birthday.  I had so many different ideas that I was a bit overwhelmed.  However, when I picked up a new Car die I had just purchased, I found my muse, so to speak.  I really had a lot of fun putting this card together and she said she loved it (I hope she did).  I found it to be cute as anything.

Supplies:
My Favorite Things Car
My Favorite Things BB Adorable Elephants
My Favorite Things Cloud stencil
Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles
Whimsy Revealers 3 die set - the road line & tire lines
Whimsy Slimline Meadow die set - flowers along the road
Copic markers
Uni-ball white pen - white line up the "road"
Distress Oxide Broken China & not sure what color for the grass
Scrap paper
Vagabond die cut machine

I am entering the following challenge:

The Paper Funday - "Anything Goes" (no twist on this) 

 

A World Wide Open Design Team Card For You

  World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

You MUST be a DT on any Design Team in the World to be eligible to enter this Challenge ~ New exception rule, this challenge is now open to any of Julia Spiri Facebook Members, and you are not required to be on a DT.

The challenge runs from October 15th through November 12th, 

2:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight

What a charming image.  I picked this image to color and was so glad when I saw her.  You can just image her out for a weekend walk on a beautiful Spring day.  Remember when women wore hats all the time and that hair style?  

I colored some white flowers yellow with some light gray (Y04 & C0 in Copics) and dotted the middle with a Nuvo yellow& Copper. I really like the way she turned out.  I had some trouble coming up with colors that I thought suited her.  Funny that you have these thoughts when you color. 

Supplies:

Julia Spiri "Madeline" (light grayscale image)
Copic markers

Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles dies

Crystal Drops Gloss - Dandelion Yellow

Crystal Drops - Copper Penny

Vagabond die cut machine

I am entering the following challenges:

The Paper Funday - "Anything Goes" (no twist on this) 

Love To Scrap Challenge "Anything Goes" #157

NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff) # 43 (digital image - brand new)

September Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Surprise:  Cabins in the Woods

As you can see from the different challenge options, I chose the color palette of Ginger, Buttercup and Sage as well as friendship.  I haven't done a color challenge in ages, but I do like the results,. It definitely says Autumn to me.

I hope you can tell that the trees are birch trees - some birth trees actually have brown bark pieces instead of black on their trunks.  I know stars on a yellow background isn't exactly accurate, but to my surprise, it worked out fine.  

Supplies:

Kat Scrappiness Forest for the Trees Slimline dies  (trees)

Poppy Stamps Cabin Snowglobe Pop Up Easel craft set (houses)

Sizzix Thinlits Friend

Copic markers G85, G94, G99, Y04 & YR14
Kat Scrappiness Starlights Bright Slimline Patterned Paper pad

Vagabond die cut machine

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes”

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist

DL. ART "Anything Goes 

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - "Anything goes"

Color It! Create It! Show It Off!  "Anything Goes" 

October Inspiration with Morgan's Artworld

 The October Challenge for Morgan's Artworld is "Anything Goes" from October 1st to October 27th.

You can use any image or project you have posted in October. For purchasing Morgan's ArtWorld Images, please visit the website at Creative Art Design Studio.  

Join Morgan's ArtWorld Facebook Group HERE!

My inspiration card for October is made stunning image from Morgan's Artworld, Morgan Le Fay.  She is gorgeous and I can see so many skin tones, hair and clothes colors used for her.  WOW, she is beautiful even before coloring.  The frame is part of the image.

Supplies:
Morgan's Artworld (Creative Design Studio) Morgan Le Fay
QuicKutz Nesting Rectangles
Copic markers
Vagabond die cut machine

I am entering the following challenges:
Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist DL. ART "Anything Goes 
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes Crafts Galore Encore - "Anything goes" 

Inspiration with Altenew

Time to begin a new month and I am trying my hand at watercoloring, not the usual technique for me, by a long shot. I'm always using my Copics, but I do have watercolors, so I'm ready to give it a shot this month with Altenew!

With Die Cut Divas, you need to use a die or embossing folder plus the theme of the month, which is WATERCOLORING.

The prize is Altenew's Artists' Watercolor 24 Pan Set ($49.99 value is the prize ) Altenew will issue a 100% discount code to the winner.

I took some bright colors and a wet brush to cover splotches of color on cold water press cardstock. I thought it didn't look too bad at all, for splotches. hehehe. I then took two dies (never used before, sadly) and glued them together after checking if I wanted to change the colors at all, but I found I quite liked the white. I then ventured into actually water coloring an image. I thought kids playing in the snow would be perfect and colored those with colors I'd used in the background. I die cut and added the sentiment and to my GREAT surprise, it turned out much better than I thought they might.

Supplies:
Altenew Cozy Winter Vibes stamp & die set
Altenew Layered Plaid Cover Die Bundle (2 dies)
Water color set (old set)
Versafine (black) ink
Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:
Mix It Up Challenge Anything Goes + opt smooshing - no smooshing here (LOL) Merry Little Christmas Challenge (always Anything Christmas Goes)

Inspiration For Die Cut Divas' September 2022 Challenge

 This is the last day you can enter the challenge at Die Cut Divas and I'd like to share my last project with you today.  Entries close at 9:00 p.m. Pacific time.    

I'm so glad to support a California-based company such as STAMPlorations™ which is owned and managed by husband-and-wife team, David & Shery Russ. Check out all the products at STAMPlorations. They hope to encourage crafters of all ages and experience levels to "Stamp with all your ART!".

The Theme for the month of September is 
"Anything Goes with optional Autumn"

STAMPlorations has a fabulous selection of digital images.  

 STAMPlorations is donating a prize of a $20 code on digital images for the winner.  Color me envious!

Here is my first card, very simple, but I like it.

My second card is an easel card.

Supplies:

Card 1:

STAMPlorations Autumn Pumpkin Mug

STAMPlorations Subway Art Builders (sentiment)

Kat Scrappiness A2 Quilted Backdrop Die

Elizabeth Craft Designs Postage Stamp Squares dies

Copic markers

Vagabond die cut machine

Card 2:

STAMPlorations Autumn Pumpkin Mug

STAMPlorations Subway Art Builders (sentiment)
STAMPlorations Coffee Donut Row (very small to-go cups in window)

STAMPlorations Rustic Window

Poppy StampsWinter Porch Pop Up Easel Set (easel & background die)

QuicKutz Nesting Rectangle dies (Sentiment used as a back stop for easel)

Copic markers

Vagabond die cut machine

I'd like to enter the following challenges: 

Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes"                         
Creatalicious  "Anything Goes" Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge "Anything Goes" Through The Craft Room Door “Anything Goes”