Life's a Beach - isn't it?!

Hi all! Been busy trying to build up my portfolio and seem to be racing from one art project to another!! My latest endeavour is another collage on canvas piece. Living so close to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, and the huge variety of shells that can be found here, I've been wanting for some time to try to capture that lazy, hazy days of summer feel...with a few local shells thrown into the mix! Here's the resulting work:

Set on a 12" x 12" canvas which has been covered in light brown acrylic paint, I've then used scrapbooking paper for the background, along with embellishments and shells to create a sense of depth and to complete the design. 

 It really does convey the sense of relaxation, and summery beach days!




This art piece is perfect just to place on the wall, or could be used to show your own photos of the beach - just mount them and display! 


That's all for now! Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy

Paper Flowers - make or buy? - an update!

WOW! It seems my paper flowers have been well received in the Etsy world!! The Iced Green ones, which were the ones in the first picture in the previous post, have just been selected for an Etsy treasury list! I feel humbled and honored!


Check out the treasury listing on Etsy.......it's cool, and the colors chosen are beautiful! Here's the link...


http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzkxNTc0NHw3NTQzMjIyMTg/serenity


Oh, check out the comments below the treasury listing too! There I was, deliberating whether to make or buy, use or sell, and it seems I made the right decision to make and sell! One posting says, and I quote...."those paper flowers are gorgeous and really amazing..how did she do that?"  


Thanks for stopping by! Off to brag some more! :)


Wendy

Paper Flowers - make or buy?

Hi everyone! I've been doing some research of late....notably in the area of how to make your own paper flowers! You know the ones I mean? Those spiralled, handrolled little paper flowers that look just darling on a multitude of projects. So, they stick out somewhat and make closing scrapbooks a little awkward and cards a little more than is big enough to successfully close the envelope....but they just look so darn cute!!! I seem to spend a fortune in Michaels, Jo-Ann's and even Wal-Mart(!) so thought it time to try this for myself. How hard can it be, I thought???!


So, armed with different types of paper, different sizes of paper and several types of different scissors, I set off to play....OK, so only in front of the TV (which I got tut-tutted about because the fancy scissors make a bit of a  noise when they cut!) but at least I got the chance to experiment!...and yes, make a mess!!


I found that cardstock works best. Paper is OK, but a bit flimsy and with no substantial "staying-up power"! Also found that double-sided cardstock is a must.....nothing worse than a pretty design on the inside but it looks just white from the outside!! Also, I seem to be liking the scalloped edge scissors at the moment, although should probably try the plain old round edge...but can't help thinking that's a bit boring!! Seem to have settled on a 4" square which results in a nice even flower about 11/4" round.


In short, it wasn't half as difficult as I thought and with a shot of glue to complete, they look pretty good! If I am so modest as to say so myself!


Take a look at how they come out! I was so impressed, I decided to list them on Etsy. Well, they're cheaper than the store bought ones and I can custom make them for you in any color or size you want. Michaels don't offer that flexibility!!! I even played around with some inks....thought the distressed look might look good and grungy and it does! My, those distress inks are so good for this sort of thing!!!


Here goes:

 Check out all my listings on Etsy. Not only paper flowers but also scrapbooks, cards, scarves...the list goes on. Here's the link to the paper flowers section:


http://www.etsy.com/shop/DistinctlyCrafted?section_id=10442200


Thanks for coming by! 'Till next time,
Wendy

Halloween....spooky, scary and things that go bump in the night!

Hi everybody! Have you missed me???! To say I've been offline for a while is a bit of an understatement! Internet problems sorted and I'm now back online...just trying to recreate the momentum I'd built up before I got lost in the wires and plug-ins of the cable world! All that downtime did give me plenty of time to dedicate to my crafting world though! I've been busy and have been working on building up my scrapbook portfolio. I've just added a whole bunch of mini scrapbooks to my Etsy site. Check them out at:


http://www.etsy.com/shop/DistinctlyCrafted?section_id=10153914
(or click on the Scrapbooks tab above!)


They are perfect memory holders, and so cheap and cheerful. They make perfect gifts for grandparents and are just divine to pop in your purse and bring them out when you feel the need to brag! In short, a mini super-de-douper brag book!! 


Here's a few pictures of what I've been up to! 


Ready for Halloween yet???

School's Back!!!!!.....and I've not let the occasion slip by! Pick a mini bragbook to showcase your precious ones most memorable moments of last year....whatever their grade, I've a book just for you! Kindergaren, 1st Gr, 2nd Gr, 3rd Gr, 4th Gr and 5th Grade....they are all there. Get to it......before they get forgotten and filed in that "job to do" list!!! Here's a 3rd Gr sample.....well, my girls are in 3rd Gr so it seemed appropriate!

Don't you just love the chalkboard effect on the cover?....reminiscing......or is it just age defining?!! :)

Off to play with some paper and inks!

SOOO glad to be back and looking forward to blogging more often!!

Thanks for stopping by...

Wendy