Scottish Highlands

Taken with Microsoft Lumia 950.

Tried and Tested Tip Number 32 [Autumnal Doodle Leaves]

I love the countryside. I may not be such a big fan of insects and creepy crawlies, but I really enjoy collecting leaves, branches, shells, and other goodies! I have been really admiring some of the artwork I have seen on the internet over recent years that take these natural creations and work with them to create pieces of art - even if sometimes they are temporary.

I recently found this beautiful autumnal leaf lying on the grass. It had turned brown, but was still fresh enough to not crumble under my touch. Since I had my favourite white (Gelly Roll) and black (Pilot Hi-Tecpoint) pens with me I decided to draw on it right then and there! I treated the leaf just like a page in my sketchbook, but worked with the shape of the leaf to make a complimentary pattern. At the end of the day, if you're drawing on a leaf and you don't like how it turns out, you can just pick up another leaf! I love that you can see the veins and markings still, but with another design laid over the top.

I think this is a really good practise for people to learn to experiment with different mediums and test their boundaries, but also very feasible to do with children. What else can you find to draw on?! There are no consequences if it goes wrong, so you can have fun and experiment whilst enjoying nature. And if you love what you create, they can be turned into a mobile, a garland, or other decorations.

Bunacaimb Beach, Scotland (II)

"She is too Fond of Books..."

"She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain" is a quote from the author Louisa M. Alcott. I saw it and couldn't help but think of one of my friends (as a compliment, of course!) I looked around online but couldn't find any versions of the quote as a postcard or print that I really liked, so I decided to make my own! This is just a piece of A6 watercolour card, and I stamped the quote using a range of different alphabet stamps I have. I wanted a little imagery too, and found this cute little bookworm at the bottom of my box of stamps... I don't think I've ever found a use for him before, so it was quite nice how well he fitted here! I coloured him in using a Whispers Strokes pen in pale green, as it allowed me to add some shading. I've just treated myself to a set of these (not that easy since they've been discontinued!) and I am really enjoying having them on my art desk! What water-based brush pens do you use for papercrafts?

Bunacaimb Beach, Scotland (I)

Elegant 30th Birthday Card

When it comes to friendship groups, I have a tendency to be the youngest. Maybe it comes from being the youngest sibling, but I have always gravitated to those older than me. To this extent, over the last few years, I have watched those closest to me turn 30, whilst I'm still a baby at 26! It's interesting how quickly we as humans change from being so excited as youngsters to be a year older (my nephew's biggest complaint on his 3rd birthday was that he wasn't 4!) to fearing that extra candle on the cake. Anyway, I wanted a beautiful, classy card for a dear friend who recently hit that milestone (30, not 4), and this is what materialised on my desk.

I used an oval template to draw the zero, and designed the "3" myself - I had a vision in my head! I cut the numbers out from a pearl card, and mounted them on the beautiful floral paper using 3D sticky pads. I wish I could tell you where this paper came from, but I received it from someone else's stash - it's beautiful! I mounted this on white corrugated card (I really need to find somewhere to buy more of this) before affixing to the card. I thought the card needed some sparkle, so I attached mini gold gems to finish. I used a product called "micro glue dots" to attach the gems, and my mind is blown away by how much easier it was than using glue, and also how firmly they stuck!

Birthday Wishes and Sheepy Kisses (& using up scraps!)

Whenever I'm stamping, and I have my inkpads, embossing powders and heat gun out, I always try and do a few extra images. Not only does this mean that I have extras if something goes wrong (!) but also that I have a stash of leftovers which I can grab from when I want to make a quick card - such as this! The turquoise card was also a scrap leftover from another project, mounted on some beautiful sparkly grey corrugated card. I did get a stamp out to add "Birthday Wishes", but this was still a quick but lovely card to make :) I love how happy this sheep is!