Sunday, October 02, 2016

Make a Wish

Hello and welcome to October !

I spent time this weekend in my craft room while it's raining out :)    I could have have been making Fall themed cards as I love this season but I'm still into Christmas designs.

I also spent two days going through all my stash and have piled up a large collection to give away.   I've been overwhelmed by too much 'stuff' around me and have trouble focusing.  I've heard others saying the same thing.  I'm keeping what I think I will use, it still seems like too much, but I feel better.   It was a stressful summer for many reasons so it seems I needed this time to clear my space and my mind.  

We sometimes buy things that we are excited about and think we will use, but it ends up sitting on a shelf or in a drawer never seeing the light of day.   While going through everything, I came across a dozen bottles of Liquitex Acrylic ink that I bought over a year ago.   I was able to 'play' with them while at a stamping event in the Netherlands and rushed out to buy them when I got home.   They have sat on my shelf as I tend to reach for Distress Inks or Dylusions sprays when creating backgrounds.

Today I pulled out the acrylic inks for a play.     I created several pieces of backgrounds, only one sheet went into the recycle bin.   I used one piece for the card below:


I dropped the the acrylic ink on glossy card stock and spritzed with water, which creates a lovely effect.  They can be added in layers after drying without blending since they are acrylic.

I over stamped using Designs by Ryn's Snowflake Set and Patio Stone  (also available in the unmounted Textures set).    The other circles are from IndigoBlu - Limor Circles.    I also used a stencil with white acrylic ink to create tiny circles.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week,
Shirley

26 comments:

Shirley said...

Beautiful Shirley full of pop and vibrancy.

Going to take a leaf out of your book and sort out the unused stash.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic card, those inks sound wonderful. Hugs, Valerie

Pat said...

Beautiful work as usual Shirley, you do make such fablous backgrounds and I especially love Ryn's Patio Stone and snowflake stamps. I love the way you have put the white snowflake on top of this stamp to form a bauble I know what you mean about excess crafting stuff making one feel overwhelmed. I have tried to get rid of things over the last few years as the paper based sets of topper etc I don't really use any more now I really just use stamps and dies, and I have some basic inks, paints, pencils and markers which I use all the time. I don't have much storage space so I think if I want to buy any more it is a case of waiting until the ones I've got dry up..lol. I hope that your stressful period is at an end. Have a good week. x

brenda said...

I am much the same Shirley, an excess of products not only plays on my mind but blocks creativity. Clearly your de-clutter worked wonders because today's card is a delight.

B x

Annette P.-L. said...

Wonderful christmas card! I do love these colours! Great design!

Amanda said...

How brave to do a sort out, I keep thinking about it but it's just too scary to think about so well done you. Fab Christmas card
Love
Amanda x

Donna Ellis said...

So beautiful! And how great you are still in the Christmas mode so that you can get your cards made! I've only barely begun! LOL Your acrylic card is beautifully put together with the loveliness that only your bring to color blending and stamping. I have an abundance, that is for sure. Do you think most older people go through this? They realize how little they truly need to be happy? LOL hugs, de

Margik said...

Wonderful combination of colors and design! Your background is fantastic as always.
Mar x

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Beautiful designed card with a marvellous background.
I wish you a good start in a wonderful week,
xox Anja

Shona said...

Oooohhh! I love this! The colours are gorgeous, and I really like that patio stone stamp. Funny because I never looked at it twice before, and now I think it's very nice. Sounds like you are making more progress than I am with getting rid of stuff. I just get too overwhelmed, and walk away, especially when I find products that I can't remember what they are for or how to use them. I think I need to just shove everything in boxes, and start adding things back in until I get to my saturation point, and then get rid of everything else. I was happy to win a Ryn stamp or stencil though because my Ryn stamps are not going into the boxes. They get to stay out!

Darnell said...

I feel the very same way about too much schtuff weighing me down, Shirley! I'm happy you had some time to do a clearing out of your space and your mind and you had a fun play with a product that had been overlooked. You certainly created a brilliant background and Christmas card with the inks!! Hugs, Darnell

Greta said...

Oh boy--so beautiful, Shirley! I need to use glossy paper more often--you've inspired me!

Felicie said...

A very beautiful card Shirley.I love the background and the colors.
Greetings
Felicie

cuilliesocks said...

Absolutely gorgeous Shirley, beautiful colours and design, I love contemporary colours for Christmas.
I know what you mean about having too much stash, and yet I still buy as I go to make something as I've been suddenly inspired and blow me down.......I don't have a stamp that will do or the right colours, or is that just an excuse lol,Kate x

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

You did an awesome job with your new products. I really like this card. The colours are awesome. Long gone are the red and green days, eh? Can you believe I bought the Crazy Birds a year ago and they haven't been inked up yet, nor the accessory set I bought six months ago. Bad. Bad. Glad you finally got to use your new product.

chrissie said...

Another amazing card Shirley.

I agree with you about clearing our space and giving the stuff we don't use away to someone who will use it. My daughter brought all her stuff for me to sort through them give away and it has gone to a lady who has started a craft group for special needs people. They are so happy to use all of the things Linda and I had no further us for.

Keep up the good work

Love Chrissie xx

Enny said...

What a beautiful card Shirley ! Yes I know the feeling, too much stuff, and you always use the same trusted things... It has been nice weather so far, but as soon as it's really getting wet, I'll try and do some clearing out too ! Wish you all the best and some time to relax ! Enny

froebelsternchen said...

A stunning design ..and amazing colors Shirley! Have a great new week!
oxo Susi

Janny's Cards Creations said...

Beautiful card with a great background. Greatings Janny

Gerrina said...

I just love the colours you used! And that patio stone gives an extra effect to the snowflake and makes your card look so dimensional! This weekend it rained here aswell, but just softly and just part of the days... Hope that you feel good in your craftroom again! Hugs, Gerrina

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Shirley what an amazing creation, I love this , great background !! and I love the cristal a lot , it really is beautifull on the coloured background!!

Have fun!
Maria
And you are always welcome to do some stamping here, perhaps next year!!??

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A fantastic card Shirley, I love the colours and the background that you've created. Glad you've had a good weekend playing and unwinding too.

Sue xx

Ryn Tanaka said...

Hey Shirley, beautiful layered background in this! I love how you made an ornament out of the Patio Stone design. Glad you got some time in your craft room and that it feels less cluttered to you now :) Many thanks for this!

Little Artbee said...

What a very dreamlike nice card dear Shirley. You have been so busy and made a lot of nice new cards.They are all lovely, but my favourite is definitely this one. I love the colors and kind of composition of it so much. Great!
Hope you are doing well.
Hugs and greetings
Sabine

~*~Patty S said...

Your color choices are scrumptious Shirley!
This card is another beauty.
The pop of white looks so lovely against those colors ♥
I agree with what you said on clearing and letting go.
I am finding it works for me in stages...lots of layers still waiting to be set free :-)
Hope you had a lovely weekend.
oxo

Win Dinn, Artist said...

Beautiful card and I love the look of the alcohol inks in the background.