Season's Greetings (February)

 

It is the last day of February, and it's time to share my monthly holiday card. As I'm writing this, I can see snow through my window - big, lazy clumpy snowflakes that dance around as they're picked up by small gusts of wind. It is my favorite kind of snowfall, as it just makes everything look peaceful and magical.

I've been thinking about slowly introducing some small personal challenges again to help boost my creativity. Lately, I've been staring at a blank page (or in this case card base) and feeling overwhelmed. There's so much I'd like to do and so much to create that I don't know where to start...

Hopefully, a small challenge will give me a starting point. I'll let you know how it goes - but hopefully, I'll have a few cards that to share at the end of it.

Thank you for reading!
~Elle~

Christmas Deer

 

I had mentioned in a previous post that I wanted to make at least one Christmas card every month, in hopes it will help build up my stash through the year. In previous years, I've found it really difficult to make cards off-season. It felt odd to make a winter card when it's a hundred degrees outside. But if there's one thing I've learned in 2020 is that it's important to be flexible and to let go of getting it ALL done at once. 

My goal of one Christmas card per month is not big- after all, it will only give me 12 cards at the end of the year, but that's plenty to tide me over if I end up not crafting at all during this year's holiday season. Most of my efforts for the year will be to be more gentle with myself and to strike a balance between my ambitions of what I want done and what I realistically can do given my current state. 

I am training myself to think smaller - a small goal that's achieved and even surpassed is a lot more satisfying than an ambitious goal that has to be dropped because it's too stressful.

Penguin Greetings

Another wintry card, with a cute penguin and a snowy sky.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Dragon Hugs

As you may have noticed, things have been a little quiet around here lately. With the Covid-19 pandemic situation, there have been a lot of changes - both for me personally and for the society as a whole. For a while, I found myself too stressed out to even think about creativity. But I'm slowly finding a balance again and hoping to get crafty and share what I've created here and there again.

My postings might be consistent for a while as I'm working through a backlog of cards I've made recently, but they might also get spotty again after. There is still a lot of uncertainty and a lot of time spent finding the "new normal". Hopefully, I can build up some momentum and get back to doing what I enjoy.


Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Rainy Day

I'm not much of a fan of spring (the pollen makes me miserable every year), but I do like spring scenes on cards. There's something so fun and cheerful about bright colors that never fails to elevate my mood. So, I thought I'd make a fun little rainy scene with Hello Bluebird stamps and some inkblending over a stencil.

I especially enjoyed blending with Stormy Sky distress ink. Even though it's a more de-saturated color, I really love the tone and I'm definitely using it again soon.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Sunny Day

Today is not a sunny day, so a bright and sunny card is just what the doctor ordered. Once again, I played with some watercolor and the sweet girl from Rainy Day to make an abstract scene.

I used some yellow ink for my sentiment and I think it ties perfectly with the card base and the girl's coat.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Rainy Day

It is a bright and sunshine-y day here today, but I really wanted to play with the adorable Rainy Day stamp set from Hello Bluebird. I created a really simple little scene using some watercolors. I've been desperately needing watercolor practice, and this was a great card for that.

I practiced layering colors and mixing a few colors to get a more desaturated/darker look. I think it turned out pretty fantastic!

Thanks for reading.
~Elle~

Rainy Day

After a busy (but relaxing!) family vacation, I'm back to sharing some projects!

For today's card, I used the Rainy Day Stamp from Hello Bluebird. I've had my eye on Hello Bluebird stamps pretty much since they launched. But since I've been on a spending freeze, I never got a chance to get any.

Since March is my birthday month and I had received a generous gift card, I did treat myself to a small crafty order that included a few Hello Bluebird stamps. I was drawn to this lovely rainy day set both for the images and the sentiments - they're just so fun and sweet!.

I kept my card very simple by pairing copic-colored images with a striped patterned paper and some gray cardstock. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~