Creating and Connecting

We have lived on our acreage for over 11 years and last week when I was having an extremely rough day chickadees came and ate from our hands. God seems to send me birds in the rough times.  The nasty birds always scare these beautiful birds away.  This is the first time chickadees have stayed since we moved here.  Not only did these wild birds eat from our hands, while I was taking pictures of them at the bird feeder we quickly filled, they landed on my arms and head.  They have such a light delicate touch.  It was amazing!  They brought me courage beyond what I can express. I know that so many people have rough times in this world.  I hope that you find things that bring you courage!   I love that he looked in the window of the bird feeder that we had just refilled, and he cocked his head to the side as if to say "what's that, look at it all!" And then he kept eating.  

Today I am excited to share how I make and use reusable masks with Essentials by Ellen Art Magnetic Masking Material  and the  Essentials by Ellen Craft Assistant . No more taping stencils or masks down! The magnetic system holds masks and stencils really well, is easy to use and is really inexpensive.  And you can make masks out of dies you already own!  I love it! I hope you enjoy the short video I made to explain all of this in a bit more detail. Tips: 1.  Choose the dies of the shapes you mask most often with and die cut them out of the Essentials by Ellen Art Magnetic Masking Material . 2. Die cut one size of that shape die or multiple sizes on the same mask if you would like.  See the video for details on this. 3. You need a metal base such as the Essentials by Ellen Craft Assistant  to use these magnetic masks with. 4. I hold the magnetic mask very lightly.  They hold very well if you make your magnetic masks with a 3/4 to ...

Watercolor galaxy backgrounds have never been so fun, and pairing them with the Space Out by Brandi Kinkaid Essentials by Ellen  stamp set is the best! I know, I will probably be saying this quite often for a while, but thank you Ellen for this fun set!  When she came to visit she brought me so many things to play with. Thank you! Here is a video of how I made this card. Tips: 1.  Use whatever watercolor powder you have. I have Brusho, but I have seen Color Burst with Ken Oliver and if I had them I am sure I would have a lot of fun with them as well. Shimmerz is also on my wish list to try using this technique. 2. I find that the key to the outcome is using a fine mist spray bottle that doesn't put out too much water at once.  I use the Stampin' Spritzer.   I have found I douse my page with too much water using my Ranger Distress Sprayer. 3. Tape your watercolor paper to a firm surface on all sides because it will be bulging, because you...

Watercoloring the Essentials by Ellen Mondo Gerbera Daisy  did not go as planned, but what goes as planned in life!  Ellen brought me this stamp set when she came to visit a few weeks ago.  She brought me many gifts you will see me use in upcoming posts:) Thank you Ellen!  I just had to use it before fall was over and where better to use it than the Inkspirational Challenge !   I started out with no line watercoloring, but when I finished it still needed a little somethin', so I added the black stamp outline and a little splatter and it turned out just right.     Today I am joining the Inkspirational Challenge   with my fall themed card inspired by this photo:      I hope you can go make a card and have some fun! Betty Supplies: Essentials by Ellen Mondo Gerbera Daisy Black Ink Pad Canson Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper Daniel Smith Payne's Gray Daniel Smith Quinacridone Deep G...

What a joy it was to travel through Banff and Jasper National Parks this summer. There are so many more stops I wish we could have made.  Here are a few photos from our trip.  Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada           Two Jack Lake, Alberta, Canada   Moraine Lake, Alberta, Canada              Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada Columbia Icefields, Alberta, Canada               Columbia Icefields Skywalk, Alberta, Canada   Black bear that had 2 babies, but they are not seen here.  Male elk     Athabasca Falls, Alberta, Canada   Maligne Lake, Alberta, Canada             DJ was a little cold!  He was a good sport, and...