Good morning coupled with apologies for being a tardy blogger this week, this post was started last weekend but before I finished it my iMac which was on borrowed time did a final nose dive. Whilst I have a tablet and phone my dodgy eyes and dexterity can do little on either when it comes to typing.
It's been a nightmare week! Apple stopped making the 27" desktop, so ordered a new Cube and 27" monitor, but setting up the peripherals has been another matter, the magic keyboard and mouse are much too small for me so always use Logitech and they just wouldn't pair. So a trip yesterday to the Genius Bar in Cambridge and sorted or so I thought, I can use it OK now, but the Mac mail system which is identical to old machine just doesn't want to play ball as yet.
Explanations made I'll move onto craft and my projects for Hearts Quests Fantasy challenge where I was thrilled to be invited by Becca to be their Guest Designer for February and the Snippets Playground.
Lavinia stamps were my obvious choice and above a triptych card with the Fairies and Bunnies enjoying some early Spring weather. On the left Everlee sitting on the Secret Garden Sign and on the right Pris on her Swing, in the middle Pipin and one the the Wild Hares. The scene around the focal images was built up with Rosemary for the grass along with Bluebells and Fairy Bells and as I used a stencil for the sun and hills hope that's sufficient for Stencil Fun. All About Papercraft is focusing on stamps, lots used on this one.
I'm continuing to try and stretch myself with dies and the aim of this one was to see if stamping and dies would combined into a scene. Starting place was a watercolour background, literally just 'sloshed' water and colour across first adding a sun mask, next stamped some grass and flowers, then the Hummingbird coloured in, all stamps Lavinia and finally arranged the die cut flowers and leaves. Below my snippets. As You Like It asks for fav dies, this flower one appeals with the layers giving dimension and at Craft Rocket they would like to see Flowers and of course it's Flowers at Beautiful Blossoms.
We only have a very small The Works in our area and they don't sell any craft products, mainly books, a few paints and chipboard pieces including Fairy Doors which Hubby picked up certain I would want them, so to appease bought two.
I gave one a couple of coats of white acrylic pain, stamped some little flowers and leaves, then decorated with TRR flowers and Ivy, some 'grass' across the bottom and a Lavinia Bunny, Fairy signpost and Butterfly. Would like to enter this at Creative Artiste
Inside we find Zemira releasing a kaleidoscope of Flutterbies in her sunny garden.
The Fantasy challenge is open right through to the 28th so we hope you will join in with your Fantasy creations.
34 comments:
Oh good grief! Not only have you coped with all that technology, but then you share the most delightful stunning projects with us! The triptych is adorable, the die cuts on the stamped background utterly awesome (I don’t use that word often, only for very special people 😉), and the fairy gate is fantastic. I am just in awe of your stamina and creativity! Xxx
Wholeheartedly concur with everything Lesley G said above! Love each project shown, but your fairy door tops the lot IMHO. It’s a stunner.
The floral meadow scene you created with floral dies and skipped along to the Snippets Playground with is absolutely beautiful. See you in the Treehouse for hot chocolate with an extra sprinkling of mini marshmallows for all the hassle you’ve had with computing this week. See me round the back of the bike sheds for something a little stronger! LOL! xxx
I'm afraid I'm not very proficient at setting up a new laptop and leave it to one or other of my sons, so I can understand your frustration.
A beautiful range of projects as always,love the Lavinia triptych,each section a stand alone scene combining to make a perfect picture.Have seen the fairy doors in the Works, seeing yours makes me tempted to buy one.
wow what gorgeous cards and design Brenda, love it..........gr karin
Oh, wow. I am looking at some gorgeous cards.....!! Amazing work Brenda!
Lia xx
WOW Brenda, your works are incredibly beautiful and so wonderfully spring-like!
Hugs
Anke
WOW, what can I say which hasn't been said above. Stunning projects, Brenda!
Liz xx
What a magical collection of projects. The triptych feels like stepping into three connected moments of early spring, each panel with its own rhythm yet flowing together so naturally. The soft watercolor base on your second piece gives the whole scene a luminous quality, and the way the die cuts settle into the stamped elements shows how well the two approaches can enhance one another. The fairy door is especially charming, with all those tiny details inviting a closer look. A beautiful showcase of imagination and technique.
As you well know Brenda I'm not good with technology (understatement!!!) so I feel your pain, well done on getting it up and running and sorting the keyboard/mouse problems!
Not much I can say to add to the comments about your beautiful cards and fairy door, totally agree with everything already said. Thank you for always providing such great inspiration. Hope you have a much better week!
xx
Technology is all well and good-while it is working! I had to leave it to my daughter to set up my laptop when computer crashed and she sorts phones for me. Love the triptych card and Lavinia stamps, absolutely beautiful colourful Hummingbird and die-cut flowers-BUT the Fairy door with all the Ivy and scene inside is stunning!!! The Works have a good craft selection online too.
Carol x
You have outdone yourself Brenda on all 3 cards. The first is stunning with your stenciling and design, the 2nd is lovely with your watercolor, stamping and dies added, and the third creation is absolutely amazing!! I can't image setting up my own computer, husband or son would need to help me.
ALL your creations are absolutely gorgeous!!
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Good to know you're getting the computer issue solved!
Creations are wonderful!
Your cards are beautiful, but that fairy door is what caught my eye. That is so clever and stunning too. Thanks for the kind words you left over at my blog, and blessings!
OMG Brenda, these are all so beautiful and magical! The mix of stamps and dies turned out so beautifully and I love the watercolor wash for the background. Gorgeous magical Lavinia scenes too on the first card but the last project may have been my favorite from these. So many wonderful details and a gorgeous fairy revealed when opening the fairy door. I love it!
And congrats on your guest DT spot at the Hearts Quest Fantasy blog. Happy to hear you got your computer situation fixed too. It's always such a hassle when they quit working!!
My imac is getting old now too. I dread the day it gives up, but for now I just have to have patience with it as it can be slow loading up. Glad you have mostly sorted your issues, they are so frustrating. All three makes are great today, but I particularly like the scene you have created with stamps and ides. It works really well xx
Wow, what a fairytale scene !!! I absolutely love the fairy's colorful wings, and all the stamped flowers are simply gorgeous !!! Thank you for joining in the theme "All About Stamps." Sandra from the All About Design Team
Brenda, your triptych fantasy card is simply stunning. The scene that unfolds and the style of die-cut you used are magic together! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at All About Papercraft challenges. Kerry, DT
Technology is great until it's not, and it sounds like you were and a little bit are in the not phase right now. I hope you get it squared away. You have some great art today. I thought your triptych was lovely and then I saw the garden and then I saw the hinged door. They just kept getting better. You have made some fantastic art. Have a super rest of your weekend. hugs-Erika
Wonderful stamped scenes making your magical world come to life on your triptych, Brenda! Thanks for joining in the All About Papercraft Stamps Challenge. 💗
Gorgeous cards Brenda and I love all the cute scenes that you have created:) Thanks so much for joining us at All About Papercraft Xx
A very beautiful triptych card the colours are so pretty. Your attempt with dies is fantastic and creative. The fairy door is just magical (although kudos to Hubby for buying it lol).
Wow Brenda this is one truly magical post! You were born for Lavinia stamps, seriously these projects are absolutely stunning! Hope the technology stuff gets sorted once and for all....is that ever possible lol.
Wow so much inspiration! Great to see the different combinations with Lavinia stamps! Hope you will be more used to the new laptop, so there is more time to create... Hugs, Gerrina
Oh I don't envy you your technical issues Brenda, been there more times than I care to mention, it's a nightmare - I hope you get things sorted for you soon.
A fabulous array of pretty projects, I particularly love the decorated fairy door.
Lorraine
Wow, your cards are gorgeous! If I had to pick a favorite, I wouldn't be able to. Thanks for joining us at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge!
Donna xx
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OMG.. Brenda.. love all of your fantastic work - they are amazing!
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wow, these are absolutely stunning! and beside all these tech problems, uf ...
crafty hugs xx
Oh wow--you outdid yourself, Brenda! Love combining stamping and diecuts--yours is wonderful! The Fairy Door creation is jaw dropping! Hope all the tech issues get worked out. I always dread them, but did manage to get a new cable box and computer monitor working without pulling out all my hair!
Well after the horrors of a 'puter breakdown and paring or trying to, I'm amazed you got anything done, these cards are AWESOME, the triptych card is so beautifully put together. The humming bird is absolutely stunning. The secret garden is gorgeous. I love everything about them. x
WOW Brenda - stunning work! Love all of them so much, you never cease to amaze me with your energy despite so many issues. Your snippets card is 100% my favourite - loving the colours, design - and the fact that perhaps - with a week to spare I could attempt a very inferior similar!
Hugs
Di xx
Perfect scenes for the triptych, Brenda! And wow how well the die-cuts work with the stamps on your second card! Love the colourful hummingbird amongst the flowers, beautifully designed. The Fairy doors are fabulous, you've trained your hubby well... x
Fabulous substrate Brenda and so delicately decorated with the stamped and die cut flowers. Beautiful attention to detail, always loved the idea of a fairy door. Many thanks for sharing @ Creative Artiste. Creative wishes Tracey (DT)
Waouh ! C'est magnifique. J'adore !
MaryannG
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