Happy New Year 2024!

A new year, a great time to branch out with new techniques to be more creative.  

Instead of using printed designer paper, I painted the background in shades of pale blues and greens metallic watercolors.  The shimmer of the paint doesn't show up in the photograph.  

I was able to stamp the calendar using inks of similar colors, Lost Lagoon and Blueberry Bushel (both from Stampin' Up!).

The snowflakes are from a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set.  I stamped them with Versamark and used white heat embossing powder.

Speaking of branching out, I'm no longer a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, so I'll be able to bring you the results of my playing with other companies' items.  While I love Stampin' Up! products, there have been so many others calling to me and I finally gave in.

Looking forward to a creative year!

Pine Boughs and Glowing Lights for December

December's calendar is inspired by childhood - the excitement of bringing in the Christmas tree, untangling the lights, and stepping back with unfocused eyes to appreciate the colors and the glow.

I die cut the pines from a green cardstock and added the brown for the branches and dabbed darker green on the needles to give some texture.

The background is blotches of inks applied with a blending blush to keep it soft - Polished Pink and Pear Pizzaz (both retired), Crushed Curry, and Balmy Blue.  

I hope you enjoy this final calendar of 2023.  Despite not blogging very often, I've been busy creating and I'll try to catch up in the new year.

Cheers!

November 2023 Calendar

November is all about hospitality and what's more hospitable than a bottle of red wine and a cheese to share with good friends. 

I get an Italian vibe from this stamp.  I think it's the grape leaves.  Then again, it could just be wanderlust.  

Either way, happy November!