House Twinchie and SALT book cover

I just found a challenge blog hosted by Nancy from the Netherlands, Small world of Inchies. Each week, she issues a theme which can be carried out in either an inchie (1 inch square) or a twinchie (2 inch square). I've never done either size, so I decided to try a twinchie, since it's bigger. This week's theme is "house." My text on the blue cardstock was computer generated. I cut the house out of yellow cardstock because the house I grew up in was a yellow Victorian. The image is from the ArtchixStudio "My dear Mother" collage sheet. The ribbon is from The Paper Studio. This is a fun size to work with. It came together pretty quickly. Could be an addicting size:)

I also made the cover for my SaltFaith Challenge chunky book. I used Mustard Green Twinkling H2O watercolor paint (you know I love my shimmery products) to paint Bazzill chipboard for the background. Then, using a gold Colorbox stamp pad, I stamped the flourish. I absolutely ADORE roses, especially red ones, so I couldn't resist ordering the Victorian Roses scrap paper from Artchix Studio. I probably should have ordered several sheets of it, though. For the labels, I painted cardstock with gold Pearl-X watercolor, then stamped the words. The label holders are by making memories.

My first fiber ATCs

Joanne from the crazy quilt email group I belong to is hosting a fiber ATC (artist trading card) swap. Although the group is for crazy quilting, the ATCs don't have to be crazy quilted, as long as they're fiber. The only other rule is that they must be "regulation" ATC size, 2.5" X 3.5". Participants can make up to 5 ATCs, and we'll each receive the same number back that we sent in. I've never made fiber ATCs before, but I think it will be fun to play. My plan right now is to make 5, but we'll see how busy I get over the summer. They will be due in Sept.

I think I'm going to do a series using this image from my Penscore pads. I first heard about Penscore pads and how to use them in an online class called "Tempting Techniques," taught by Carol Murphy through Joggles. (I have no affiliation with Joggles.) Anyway, I used the Penscore pad to make an impression of some woodwork on my daughter's antique headboard. Then I used some different colors of Lumiere paints to stamp onto muslin fabric. Each impression is 3" X 4", so I'll have to trim them down when I make the ATCs.

I made several different impressions, so I can pick my fave 5. The second one didn't turn out at all like I planned. I thought I had cleaned all the green paint off the Penscore pad before I put the gold on, but apparently some green was still on there. Actually, though, I like the effect. It looks kind of aged.
These two green ones were the first two I painted, and they may be the best prints.
I don't think Lumiere makes a RED paint, but this pearlescent magenta is pretty in its own right:)

I'm not really sure what I'll be doing for each ATC. This is probably the first time in my life when I've started a project without having a set plan in mind. I wouldn't want to work without any plan on a bigger project, but with such small end-products, I don't mind. I'm looking forward to doing some experimenting.

SaltFaith Challenge: Rejoice

I've been enjoying the SaltFaith Challenge blog for several months, and I'm excited to finally have an opportunity to participate, now that I've started my "creativity" blog. At Salt, every two weeks they issue a challenge to make some paper art using a particular prompt about God or Christianity. I'm planning on doing all my Salt challenges on 4X4 pages, so I can make a chunky book. I'll probably bind the book with metal rings, so I can easily add more pages.

For Rejoice, I wanted something glimmery and colorful to go with the verse I chose. I imagine that God's glory must be pretty sparkly! I painted my background with silver Pearl-X watercolor paint. I've been experimenting with Angelina (which I now love), so I put a small piece of that on top. The verse is handwritten, and I finished the page off with a strip of gold German scrap paper. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't do justice to the shimmery, sparkly look of the page.