BIA Note Book and Tag

Someone beginning with 'j' has been ill in bed with flu - so I have made something for her to maybe cheer her up.


It is a little Bind it All notepad. I cut out a piece of card stuck on some white paper and painted a little scene.

(You'll need a bit of imagination for this). It is supposed to be a corner of my pond in spring. A bit green with algae before the oxygenating plants kick in. At the top left is the first plant of the year to flower in there - the marsh marigold. There are some stems in bud, amd tufts of water iris just appearing like grass.

The bead on the ribbon is one I made - faux ivory - it and the thread dangle on the book cover to soften the edge - but I moved it so that you could see the picture.

While I was in the mood I thought I would send a little gift tag too.


Finished off with a bit of thread, and a black bead I made edged with gold ink.

All threaded up and ready to go..........

I have joined in a bead swap on UK Stampers - we had to make 20 beads and will get the same amount - four lots of five.

I thought that if I threaded five on a little tag - it would make life easier for the lady who had the job of sorting them out!

Faux Ivory Paper Beads

I had another dabble this morning-trying to make beads that look like they are made out of painted ivory - instead of paper and UTEE



No matter how carefully you choose your paper...........


You never quite know how they are going to turn out

I like surprises!

Nana's Memories - 10,000 hits

Nana's Memories (Beth) is celebrating her 10,000 hits

Many congratulations - she also is giving away some blog candy to celebrate

Tag

Here is my tag - inspired by Jo's.

As usual, click on the photo to enlarge

The backing paper was a freebie, downloaded from the internet.


I distressed it with blue ink - I wanted to give it a feel of being cold.

I added colour to the blue tit - to make it more pronounced and then embossed it with clear embossing powder to make it stand out.



I put my own slant on the background - it was pale and didn't stand out, and I didn't really know what to do to it.

Then I had a brain wave. I used a white pen to turn it into a winter snow city scene. It completely transformed the look. By highlighting all the surfaces that snow would have settled, it has given it depth. Took me ages to do - but I was pleased with the end result. The bird is now perched on a snowy ledge, roofs, railings, window-sills, steps ground and foliage have all had a dusting of snow.

I finished off with a stamp in the corner - same as Jo's, and just for the photo shoot, I borrowed the ribbon, which is now returned to her or MY tag as it is now.



I didn't have any thick cardboard so had to mount mine on white card - this is the reverse.

You probably wouldn't have noticed - but a glaring mistake is that I have not drawn in any feelers on the butterfly - that will be rectified asap.


This is summer in the city - so I softly highlighted some bits. The butterfly was collaged on, but first I gave it a bit more colour and clear embossed again.

On the skyline and across the city I used some cosmic glimmer powder in a pale yellow/gold. Just to add the suggestion of warmth glimpse now and again in certain light, and at an angle


It's not 'in your face' as you can see in the photo above, it is very subtle

The Art stamp is from a Graphicus plate I bought recently in their sale.

Next week I want to try and find somewhere to buy lovely ribbons - like the organza one that Jo used.

Thank you very much Jo

I am now the very proud owner of a piece of artwork by Jo Capper Sandon


A truly beautiful tag. Things look so different 'in your hand' as you get to examine them up close.


This is the other side - isn't it gorgeous.

I get to see all the different elements and techniques - it is brilliant. It is made out of thick recycled card - which is 'right up my street' as I improvise and recycle.

I shouldn't be telling you this - but she also sent me some "bits and pieces" bless her - which really cheered me up.

So thank you Jo for your kindness of heart, support, and encouragement.

I am off to make a tag!

Paper Beads

Today I have had a go at making paper beads for a swap I am entering.

I couldn't get a photo in daylight - so these look slightly darker than they do in 'real life'




Because they are all made by hand - no two are exactly the same, which I think adds to their charm.

They are made with a strip of paper - these were 1" x 9" which I then cut diagonally.

Next I glued the reverse of the paper, and rolled each one up onto a cocktail stick, starting with the widest end first which gave them their shape

Then I rolled each one on a clear ink pad and then dipped it in a little pot of UTEE, used a heat gun to melt it, and repeated that at least four times, turning the bead as I went.



I had a play with glass beads and wire too. One bead (which I have set aside on the right) I made using a left over straight strip and it looks just like some Japanese beads I have. So I am going to experiment making some of those - as they cost a fortune to buy!