Card making

Don't you just love December birthdays...my mother-in-law, Mum, and Aunty all had a birthday one day after the other last weekend

On Sunday, I wanted to create some Christmas cards for workmates. I was uninspired until I looked back through my previous Christmas blog entries and found these from 2016. 

This idea led to my first batch of cards - they started with a background stencil and Moon Shadow Mist spray for a lovely shimmer, then stars with iridescent paint, and extra additions. 

This photo was taken in the light to try and show the shimmer - you'll just have to trust me!

Stitching on Sari Ribbon makes me so happy, and that washi tape was a great find. Looking forward to finishing work and making another batch of cards to send to friends.

Meri Kirihimete 🎄 Merry Christmas

Journal 52 : Week 49

Journal 52 is a weekly prompt from Effy Wild (Free HERE) that I'm creating on a deck of jumbo playing cards 3.5'' x 4.75'' (8.5 x 12 cm). Each card will include stitch, a found word, and be inspired by the project I've been working on that week or what's lying leftover on my work table. See the original post HERE. 

#49 : Universe When you look up at the stars, do you see yourself as being a part of all of that wonder?  

Using a piece of the alcohol ink gelli print above for my background and a new stencil with a repeating pattern. Stitching by machine with metallic thread to outline the star, beads added, glitter glue to finish with sparkle ✩

Find all my Journal 52 posts HERE. 3 weeks to go!

More FREE online offerings

I'm almost at the end of our school year. Our students finished yesterday so there are only a few teacher only days to go and then there'll be time for art. I have been feeling overwhelmed and exhausted but had a fabulous sleep last night and am looking forward to considering all the creative opportunities available and making decisions about what I'll be enjoying in 2021.

Happily, as soon as I finish work properly, there are these FREE online offerings to help me on the way : 

Susannah Conway has 2 lovely free 5-day email courses to help you Unravel Your Year

and Find Your Word for 2021

Andrea Schroeder has Journal prompts for 2021

They include looking back, looking forward, and access to her other free offerings.

You may remember that in the last school holidays I shared some lessons from a free Life Book 2021 Taster event. Tam at Willowing Arts has now made this available as a FREE 7-day taster HERE. 

And for January - Jeanne Oliver is offering a new free series called Rhythms + Rituals

My thoughts are also turning to hope that I can produce a few handmade Christmas cards for some special people. You might also be thinking of handmade gifts. I shared my most recent book mark making HERE. The Gelli Arts® Blog has shared some really fabulous projects that would make great gifts. In this post there are links to some of their favorites.

I have so many ideas starting to bubble to the surface now there is room in my head. Can't wait to share soon. Hope you are finding something that gives you Joy in December.