New Year New Energy!

It's been too long since I showed my blog a little love. I have been creating cards and other paper crafts again and it feels so good. Here are a few of my latest creations.

Thanks for looking!

Jutta

July International Card Chain Challenge

This card is on it's way over the pond to Jane in England. Each month at The Card Chain Challenge Gail, Deborah and Jo challenge us to create a card using the prompts they supply.
For July it was;

 Here is what I came up with.

SUPPLIES USED

Stamp: SU! Uncharted Territory

Ink: Distress -Fired Brick, Peacock Feathers, Pumice Stone and Staz On

Paper:  SU! Sahara Sand CS, 7 Gypsies Global (Matt), SN White

Embellishment: Misc. Brads and SU! Bakers Twine        

Happy May First

With the warmer weather I've been meaning to get back to my daily walks. Sadly there are too many excuses not to and I seem to know them all.
But hold on, that was until today when Rebekah, a MJF blogger I follow issued a May 31 DaysYou challenge. The idea is to carve a half hour out of your day for yourself and take a walk. Well my days are mostly my own so no problem there. She also mentioned to take a camera and snap a few shots along the way. So with out further ado I give you my May first walk in pictures.

The maples are in full bloom and the bees are rejoicing.

The last of the daffodils. I harvested some of
the dried ones for crafts.

These maple blossoms are gorgeous.

The lilacs are starting to bud out too.

I disturbed a pair of mallards when I took this. The water is very
high at the out flow and rising daily.

The beavers left their snack behind last winter.

Oregon grapes in bloom.

And home again, thanks for stopping by!

Jutta

Art Journal -Imagination

Happy Sunday, all though it is rainy out I can rejoice because it gives me some time to play in my Art Journal. I entered Imagination for week 17 -Letter I at Joggles 2018 Art Journal. Also entered in Emerald Creek April Dare. #ECAPRIL2018


And here a first dabble into magazine transfers using a Gelli Plate.
It came out fairly faint so I'll have to try again with other materials.
Stamps used: SU! and Darkroom Door.


Enjoy the day!
Jutta

Two Birds Art Journal Trio

Hello Monday!
I had a fun weekend, on Saturday I finally managed to get my bicycle fixed and road worthy once more.  Then on Sunday it was Scrapbook day, oh YAH! Spent the day hanging out with some awesome creative ladies. Never get much done but hey it's all about the visiting and food, isn't it?

I managed to complete a few Art Journal pages so this is my share for today. 

The half moon shapes were stamped with a piece of wood I found
in our kindling pile. I love using found objects!
Entering this one in to Joggle Art Journal Week#16 Prompt-Six

Thanks for the visit!
Jutta

Art Journal - Fly Free Forever

Today I have another Art Journal page to share.
I've entered it in the Joggles Art Journal 2018 for Week #15 -Birds.
 
Enjoy your day!
Jutta

Two Bird Art Journal - It's a mellow yellow kinda day!

Hello, as I mentioned in my last post I've started an Art Journal. I also joined up with a new
online group Art Place Group.
Combine the two with the prompt word yellow and a free morning and this is the results. First I hauled together every item in my art supplies that is yellow. Then after writing yellow I started laying on the colour with the goal of using as many different mediums available.

On a rainy day make your own sunshine!

Hello Yellow!

Inspired by  Elaine who's been posting beautiful beach photo's.

A bit about the journal. Several years ago my wonderful friend Holly gave me this beautiful little book full of blank pages. I had been reluctant to use it in case I dirty up the lovely covers she stitched.

Thanks for stopping by!
Jutta


To see my Recycled Calendar Art Journal in Flickr go here.

Spring has Sprung and A Trio of Cards

The sun is out and its warming up beautifully outside. The daffodils, irises and snow drops are popping up all over the yard. All but a few of the geese and ducks have now left the lake to head north to their summer homes.  Spring has definitely sprung here at the lake!

Yesterday I enjoyed a day of scrapbooking and card making. It is so nice to spend the day with like minded crafty people. I even managed to get a 2 page spread done along with the cards and started on an Art Journal but that's for another day.

Distress inks and stencil on whisper white card stock.
The sentiment is one of  Suzanne Cannon's new Quietfire Design stamps.
It's been entered into Love Handmade Cards... April Challenge

Stamped the bird direct to designer paper then used a
marker to extend the branch to the edge of card.
Added a bit of colour with markers.
Stamps from Stampin Up!

Coloured stamped tulip image with markers.  The robins are
punched out of designer paper brown marker was added
then clear embossed. Sentiment from Stampin Up!.
This card is on it's way to Croatia as part of the April Card Chain Challenge.
I have also entered this into the Die Cut Divas April challenge.

And a photo of Taag and Jada after they decided that the chair is big enough for the two of them. They had been fighting over it all winter. Peace at last! :)

Thanks for the visit!
Jutta

Spring happenings at the Lake

This week the Canada geese continue their stop over as they wait for the weather further North to warm and for the lakes to thaw. Otter lake turned to a giant slurpee over the course of last week. Then on the weekend with the help of some fairly stiff winds heading up and down the valley the ice was rounded up and pushed on down the creek.

The kids were up for the week before Easter so on Good Friday we had an early Easter egg hunt as they had to head home on Saturday. Here they are looking for chocolate Easter eggs. The Easter rabbit was very energetic and super sneaky hiding the chocolate eggs in the trees.

Push higher!

No chocolate eggs here.

Our beautiful family!

Until next time, keep it crafty!

Jutta

Bagettes and a Tote

Happy Spring!

Hello, these first few days of Spring have been a real mixed bag as far as our weather is concerned. Some sun, then some snow and then both! Well that was just fine by me as it gave me time to stay in and sew. Today I'm sharing two items.

The first share is the fun Bridgette's Bagettes that Mary taught us last Monday for Make and Take at Pleasant Valley Quilting.  The smaller bag in the photo is actually the largest of three that come in the pattern. I loved how the small one turned out so much I decided to double the size and make the larger one. I really like that the front is clear plastic making it easy to see what's inside. I'm so happy with how these turned out and loving that cheery fabric.













Then Friday it was back to the quilt shop where Bev of our Creative Fibre Play group lead us through the steps to make the quilted tote below. The sewing of all the layers in this tote turned out to be too much for my poor old sewing machine. After it had several tantrums resulting in thread everywhere I ended up sewing the handles on by hand. I'll be able to haul home the store in this sturdy tote with it's extra large pockets.



I have to admit that I have really been enjoying the sewing. For one thing it feels good to start and finish a project in a matter of hours.

I also have a couple WIPs. I'm almost done a striped crochet lapghan from a lovely Peruvian wool. Also working on a knitted Fair Isle sweater of Jaimeson and Smith wool that's a bit of a challenge and mostly sits in the bag neglected.

I'm super excited that my Daughter and the littles will be here tomorrow for a weeks visit. I hope to do some Easter crafts with them. Oh the fun we'll have! 😀

Staying crafty,
Jutta

Snow Dyeing Cotton

Hello,
I'm here today with a quick post about a fun and  new to me technique for dyeing cloth or yarn. It involves snow which is something that we have plenty of most years with this year being no exception.

Yesterday myself and seven members of the Creative Fibre Play group gathered at Marnie's place for an afternoon of snow dyeing. Cath a fibre artist shared freely of her dyeing knowledge, fabric and dyes. She also introduced us to some very fun types of silks, who knew that there is such variety.

After getting our projects done to the point of where the melting snow was left to work its magic we were served yummy cookies and muffins with tea or coffee. We were treated to a tour of Marnie's craft room. Then we discussed what other crafts we want to try next. Crafts and friends, my favorite way to spend an afternoon.
There are many You Tube video's on the subject of snow dyeing so I won't go into any of the how to details.

Here is a photo of my dye covered snow set up.

 The wet fabric pieces hung out to dry after they were rinsed and washed.

 And the same two pieces after they were dry and ironed.

 I see so many flower shapes when I look at them. They are a bit more vibrant in real life and 

I love them both. Now to come up with a project that will showcase them best. Stay tuned.

Have a crafty day!

Jutta