I’ve been…

I know I’ve been very absent from here for a while - its all because I’ve been blessed to be invited to host all my creativeness at a new shop on main street in town (in beautiful Osoyoos, BC)  The home to all my crafting projects.  The shop has just been open for a few weeks - here are some pics!

This photo was taken just a few days after opening so there are more items you might not see here. EVERYTHING is hand made or hand crafted!  This is the loving labours of talented artists.

The shop is hosted in a quirky building with several lovely rooms.  Each room is a special treasure trove in itself.  There is something to catch your interest in every area.

This room features beautiful quilted items, almost makes me long for a grandbaby *wink*

Isn’t this lamp fabulous?  I could bask in it’s lavender glow for an entire rainy day while reading a vintage book - wonder if I could pose as a store mannequin in the cozy bed in this room?

Or perhaps on a hot day I’d sit in front of this fan and tune in a classic movie on this vintage tv?  Check out the old lunch pail atop the nook!  I wonder if my Mr would like this for all the baking I’ve been blessing him with lately.

Loads of terrific sewn items - nothing beats handmade!

Get that cool cowboy boot/bird house?  Too fun! 

One front window features oh-so-interesting items you can feast your eyes on even when the shop is closed.

I’m sooooo proud to feature my designing-ness at The Crows Nest.  I know, you’re wondering what I HAVE in the store?  Well… that will be my very next post… and then the next and the next!  Stay tuned! 

In the meantime you can always visit The Crows Nest via their Facebook Page.

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Family Challenge #5 Card

Well well well.  I am taking a breath to post our latest ‘family’ challenge card.  (Family being my sister Nina and my sister in law Judy.  I’ve SO MUCH to share here on my blog yet, must pick a day to do that.  In the meantime I rose to the chance to try out a new technique. 

Here is the video which outlines the technique:

Pretty cool, I say!

Here is my take:

Ok, so since I don’t have any specialty stores around I went with what I had on hand.  The woodgrain is actually a Designer Paper from Kristin Cronin Barrow’s BOHO CHIQ paper pad.  I cut a window in the card face. 

I wanted this card to look like a real kitchen “window” complete with lace curtains and flowers.  I hemmed and hawed as to what to use for flowers…

And I came across these children’s Peel and Stick blossoms which I wasn’t sure what to use for before.  I wound up painting them with glue and shizzling them in some Reflections Glitters.  I inked up the leaves with some VersaMagic in Spanish Olive. 

I cut the lace to fit and voila! 

The backing for the sentiment is cut from the same DP as the card face and then I told my Silhouette Cameo to sketch and cut for the greeting.  This card is a special order for a dear friend. 

How fun!  Be sure to visit Nina and Judy to see their take on our family challenge.

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Mmmmm Mushrooms!

One thing I love about spring is the delight of discovering mushrooms emerging.  My Father loved them and he taught me to identify a few types.  One of these is Morels.  As a child I disliked all mushrooms, and in particular these Morels appeared to me as little brown brains.  Now that I’m all grown up, I can’t get enough of them.

I feel so fortunate to have discovered some this year.  They are not easy to spot at all sometimes.  They hide in amongst the foliage - and they emerge at different times.  I was blessed with an abundance so I chose to dry some. They can be reconstituted in whatever liquid you choose, making them very versatile. 

I have created a Snapguide with instructions on one method of drying these delicious fungi.  Click on the picture to be taken to it!

I also just “happened” upon a fascinating BBC podcast all about mushrooms in general - why not tune in and learn all about the astonishing world of fungi - and even find out how one man, Phil Ross,  is “growing” furniture out of fungi! Just click on the photo above to be taken to the listening page.

And lastly, if you’d like to learn about Morels in general, you will want to visit The Great Morel website, click on the image above to go there too!  One must be VERY careful identifying mushrooms so be sure to check out all the info there.

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Family Challenge #4 - Jacob’s Coat Technique

Once again Nina has put the challenge out to step out of our comfort zones and try something NEW!   I’m all for new - its the perfect little treat for me to try in between the layers of life’s busyness. 

Nina encouraged us to try the following technique which is demonstrated here by www.stamptv.com

It took me two tries to get the right sort of glossy cardstock to work on, but in the end I’m happy with the result! 

I chose the underground colors to be three from VersaMagic in the shades of Spanish Olive, Gingerbread and Eggplant.  I then stamped my embossed pattern using (I think an Inkadinkado) clear stamp and using VersaMark watermark pad.  After it was embossed I inked the top layer up with Stampin’ Up Basic Black dye ink. 

I wish you could feel this card, its very tactile.  I finished it all off with a bit of carpet wool and added a gem to this sweet pin-style embellishment. 

This card is going to be homed in the heart of a lovely dear friend who I’m missing right now - it’s filled with loads of ♥ love ♥ inside. 

I bet you’re like me and are DYING to see what my sister Nina and sister in law Judy have created - so hop on over! 

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