Gingerbread Man (Christmas) Cross Stitch

Well, it's only 292 days til Christmas! In reality, I finished this cross stitch last year, but helpfully didn't get it finally mounted until earlier this year... But, it's ready for next Christmas! The Gingerbread Man is made with a Christmas Characters cross stitch kit from DMC - a lovely little gift from my husband :) I mounted it in a wooden embroidery hoop that I painted gold, and added a little gold bell and a red hanging ribbon. I really love it when I walk by the tree, knock a branch, and hear a little jingle, so I couldn't resist that addition.

Congratulations Bear Card

Have I mentioned how much I love Lili of the Valley?! They just create such adorable characters. One of my recent competition winnings with them including James the Bear "peeping" as a simply print, and I thought it would make a lovely card to welcome a new baby to the world (yes, I have another nephew!)

I printed the image out on watercolour paper so that it looked more like a drawing, and lightly coloured it in with pencils. I mounted it on some crinkly gold paper and an offset cream card. Before mounting, I put the cream card in my Cricut to have the perfectly written "Congratulations" - I love that I can add words so easily!

Oriental Fan Card

I wouldn't say that this card fits my typical style aesthetic, but the recipient was really pleased with it! The background has a piece of tan coloured fine fibre paper (I'm sure there's a proper name for it?!) The fan is cut using the pattern "Japanese Fan" which is available in the Cricut design space, using card from my stash and some free printable floral paper. I added accents using raffia, golden beads, and golden Liquid Pearls! It is on a textured cream card stock rather than my usual smooth white, as I thought it worked better with this colour scheme.

Little Angel Cross Stitch Decoration

When I saw this free Little Angel cross stitch pattern online I knew I had to make it! I used clear plastic aida and various threads from my stash. I changed the hair and the bird so it was only one tone, changed the halo so that it would be easier to cut out, and outlined the wings in the same gold thread as the halo for added sparkle. I made the cord by twisting cream and gold thread together, and backed it with white felt. It was quite a quick and easy pattern to do, and there are so many colour options! The pattern comes in a few designs too, so it's worth having a look.

Red and Gold Chinese-styled Card

A bit different from my normal card making adventures, I do hope I've titled this one appropriately! This beautifully detailed stamp is another one I inherited last summer, and is inked on to a thin cream paper. This is mounted on red paper and another styled with Chinese lettering. I added gold highlights to the lady's dress and hair using metallic paint, and some extra hair highlights with gold Liquid Pearls. I love the rich red and gold against the black outlines, it makes me think of Chinese New Year!

"When the Wind is High..."

When I was a little girl, I'd sometimes venture into my Dad's study late at night. He'd put his record player on, and we'd dance... One song I vividly remember from these times is Kites, by Simon Dupree and The Big Sound. I wanted my Father's Day card this year to reflect these memories... a snow white kite, hints of gold, soaring high above... I made an origami kite, framed in gold. I added Liquid Pearls for highlights, and stamped on a few words from the song. I hope he recalls these memories like I do.

Wedding Anniversary Card

A simple card for my parents-in-law's wedding anniversary. A pearly gold paper, topped with hammered ivory paper. I added some gold liquid pearl dots for interest. The two hearts are cut using my own template from different shades and textures of red card. A corrugated maroon that I love, and a brighter red with a near-spongey texture. A card doesn't need to be fancy to convey beauty and meaning.

Floral Cards || Mother's Day

Included in the large stash I inherited last year were an array of stickers. Now, I don't normally like using stickers on cards as I think they look cheap, but these stickers are printed on fabric and I think they look absolutely beautiful.

I mounted this sticker on some cream card, cut around it and attached a small pink brad, so it almost looks like a hanging gift card, before mounting on some complementary green card too.

This sticker I mounted on some dark green card before cutting out. I also had this beautiful white and gold tissue paper in my stash which I glued to the main body of the card for some extra texture and interest. I like the combination of gold and green, and the lace and script. I wanted the flowers to pop slightly, so I added some detail with gold Liquid Pearls paint - another new addition to my stash which I think will be getting more use!

Stamped Christmas Cards

I like to keep my Christmas cards simple in design, allowing me to make them for as many people as possible! I like this classic colouring of cream, maroon and gold - it feels rich and warm.

Having inherited a large amount of stamps earlier this year, I went looking through the box for an appropriately Christmassy design! This isn't super festive, but the leaves could be perceived as holly, and I think embossed in gold it looks right for the season :)

Star Wars: Slave Leia

Part two of this mini Star Wars themed week! This is another new addition to Lucy Ravenscar's Star Wars crochet collection, Slave Leia. (I almost feel like I should be warning of partial amigurumi nudity here haha!)

Admittedly my Leia has a slightly funky face... The bikini was a bit fiddly, but I enjoyed the way the hair was made, and the finishing touch of the band on the plait.

Have you seen the rest of this series of Star Wars characters? Check them out here! :)

Art: Freedom

 The latest in my abstract painting series! 

I added some gold ink to this one, which gives it a beautiful shimmer :)

Again, prints are available on deviantArt, and this original is also up for sale, so contact me if you are interested :)

Lotus Flower Canvas

I have had so much fun working on this commission for a friend!

The inspiration was a lotus flower, India, bright reds, pinks and golds, and a bit of sparkle!

I know it's hard to see, but the petals have pearly highlights, and the background is scattered with gold and red glitter... A lovely sparkle in the sun :)

[Acrylics on canvas.]