Friday, June 20, 2014

Friday Smiles 74: welcome summer


Today, although on hiatus, I'm joining Annie at A Stitch in Time for Friday Smiles.

I'll start by showing a sneak peek 

of some of the things I've been working on.

I'm also welcoming summer in tomorrow
by making a spread in my latest altered book.

I hope you can see by the slight indentation, this is the template I used.  It's from an actual die cut, where mine were cut by hand (and scissors).

This is everything else I used to make

my Summer Soul-stice. 

I used a silver leafing pen to write the words, but the nib is pretty squished.

Although Bleubeard didn't do much except sleep under the AC in the bedroom and purr when I called his name, I thought he would appreciate the credit.  Unfortunately, when I tried to write our names using the silver leafing pen, it leaked lots and lots of beautiful silver all over everything, including my hands.

Now that I have a good camera, I see a need for a photo box.  The lighting sucks in this photo, even though I tried (in vain, I might add) to adjust the color in Photoshop.

This photo is much closer to the actual colors.  I glazed the face that reminded me of the sun with gold glazing liquid.

And don't think I never get my hands dirty, because this is what they looked like before I took a scrub brush to them.


Finally, the real reason you stopped by today:

this index card (IC) I made yesterday that has a bit of humor.  You'll be able to see all the ICADs I made for the third week after I make my last card of the week and post them tomorrow.

Don't forget to welcome the summer solstice and join Annie at A Stitch in Time for lots of Friday Smiles, many of which won't be nearly as wordy as mine was today!

26 thoughtful remarks:

Connie said...

What a bright and cheerful page . . . and thank you for reminding me that it is the first day of summer. The only thing that I don't like about summer arriving, is that now the days start getting shorter. I love long days and lots of sunlight :)
Have a lovely week.
Connie :)

Annie said...

Thanks for sharing your gorgeous page of creativity....fab colours. Love the nails too :-)
I giggled at the cartoon...will remember to keep two dollars ready just in case. :-)
Hugs,
Annie x

Janet said...

Very pretty! Hey, you wanted to know about the inspiration decks... I did a tutorial not too long ago: http://tatterednworn.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/inspiration-deck-tutorial/ If you're interested I could sign u up. I think there are only 7 slots left, so don't wait too long to decide!

fairy thoughts said...

I had forgotten it was the summer solstice today. That's a really bright happy page
Janet

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Glad to see someone has some MoJO...the weathers been severly stormy and gloomy and MoJo left. But thanks for sharing the fun. And the little cartoon, it seems that's how life is $$$$$$ Enjoy your weekend. Off to do some WOYWW visits.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I really love this bright and sunny spread! Those hand cut pieces are so interesting on the page!

Btw, I made my light box from foam board and clear packing tape. There are lots of tutorials on the web for more professional ones, but it suits me just fine.

Halle said...

Grr...blogger is acting up...
MY long comment gone...
Anyway...love the bright summer spread and the humor in the ICAD.

Nan G said...

Only $2 must be on sale! LOL Fab page with nice summery colors. Enjoy your hiatus. Hugs from the Girls.

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Elizabeth,

Yep, finally, the first day of summer is tomorrow! It was 62 degrees this morning and felt so nice.

I like your project, very cool. I especially like the sun.

I bet the comic gave the airlines an idea..... hmmm

Hugs,
Kay

Rita said...

Beautiful work and your ICAD is hilarious!

Krisha said...

Really a great journal LO! The colors of summer or is that SOC?.....grin

Those leafing pens are the "pits" to get to work right. My hands always look like yours when I'm messing about with them.

The cartoon was a great Friday smile!

Response to your comment on my blog: I have 3 die cut machines, that I have acquired over the YEARS of paper crafting., so I am the WRONG person to ask if you need one.......LOL

Dianne said...

oh my goodness...the stitched folders took my breath away! and I quite enjoyed the tale about the silver pen...I know all about that from experience! love the spread, and looking forward to seeing what you do with the colorful folders!

peggy gatto said...

You have all the colors of summer, delish!
Love the stitching too and love the card!
Your hands prove you had fun!!!!

mamapez5 said...

What a lovely bright mix of colours. I like the shot of your fingers. Nothing like a good messy session to make you feel you have achieved something!
Kate x

Caro said...

Gorgeous colourful page there...thanks for sharing the process and the creativity. The cartoon definitely made me smile. Thanks for the smiles. Caro x (#8)

Laura said...

Love this page!
The picture of your fingers made me smile - such a familiar sight :)
Laura

~*~Patty S said...

Fun comic ICAD to finish ... let's hope there is no truth in this jest!

Silvery goodness just didn't want to stop did it...those pens sure can have a mind of their own sometimes!
Bleubeard's color!
Your pages look great with that shining sun for your "soul stice"...
metallic paints are fun...

Hope you have a restful weekend E!
oxo

Hettie said...

Nice mucky fingers there. Hubby says he can tell how good my crafting day has been by the colour of my hands!!
I hardly use my leafing pens as they leak badly!
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
xx
PS Thanks for the $2 tip!
x

Jo Murray said...

Oooooer....love that stitching.

Monica said...

Does this mean it is going to be hotter!!!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Wonderful page, the stitching is awesome! and of course I love the index card, funny! : )
Thanks for your kind words for my SOC card, and thanks for stopping by to say HELLO! : )

Rita said...

Officially summer!
(That cartoon cracked me up!)

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth your summer solstice journl pages are just lovely! I really like the silver accents, whether they were fully intentional or not! The colours are great and again I admire your cutting skills. You ICAD is funny - having done a lot of travelling recently it seems like something the airlines might try to start!

And can I just say I'm envious of your nails!?

Denise said...

Your artwork is so varied,many lovely pieces.I do like Your trees.The one with all the cats,the top of that tree looks like a cat I noticed :)Thank You for dropping by with such a nice comment too Denise

Twiglet said...

He he - I am glad I am not the only one who gets their hands dirty! I can't do anything without making a mess - probably why I mostly work with fabric! x Jo

Eliza said...

Gosh I am really slack and trying to catch up. Like the bargain price for the oxygen. Really cool journal pages too.

Hugs Eliza