I put away my papercrafting supplies for 2 days and made some different face masks to try for personal use (not for sale).
(click on any blog photo to enlarge in new tab window)
I mass produced the pleated style last spring and summer for family members. We all need some fresh masks – elastic is stretched, washing wear & tear. The clam shell one is white muslin – I had too many sizes to chose from, and I didn’t want to waste pretty fabric if I guessed wrong.
Supplies: Stamps – Essentials by Ellen, Reverse Confetti, paper – Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Stampin’ Up! Basic Black, Highland Heather, inks – Copic V04, Y35, YG25, YR68, VersaFine Onyx Black, VersaMark, dies – Reverse Confetti (tag, wreath), embossing folder – Provo Craft, embossing powder – Ranger Super Fine Detail white, Stampendous Detail clear.
My creative mojo has been mostly absent for the past year. Pandemic concerns. Elder care and assistance.
But crafting has been my art therapy, my happy place for 18 years.
Was I bored with my crafting?
Was I overwhelmed with the crafting industry “buy this now” monthly release push? That answer has been YES for a while. (Yes, I know my being overwhelmed is MY problem, not a problem with the industry!) Sensory overload for me.
Was it time to move on?
So, I have been struggling along, making the bare minimum of cards for family.
I finished making my New Years cards in mid January (because I bailed on making Christmas cards, but I had purchased holiday postage stamps – have to send something!), and here come Valentine’s Day cards…
But my mojo peeked out from under the couch next to my craft table and asked me…
I am enjoying crafting. I have ideas. I STILL LOVE COLOR.
Alas, I have discovered that my card basket is very picked over (thanks to Offspring3 and my cousins! Love you! ❤ ). Lots of categories that need to be refilled.
Paint chips were begging to be stamped upon. So, two cards to help refill the basket.
Supplies: Stamps – Clearly Besotted, Essentials by Ellen, My Favorite Things, paper – Behr paint chips (Home Depot), Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Stampin’ Up! Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, ink – VersaMark, dies – Essentials by Ellen (hello), Simon Says Stamp (sentiment strip), embossing powders – Gina K Designs Fine Detail Silver, Stampin’ Up! Classy Copper
I started this with the peonies being only blended Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink – but they just did not show up that well. I added Wild Honey Distress Ink, and WOW! They came to life!
Another card from the “mother-in-law requested birthday cards” collection.
Supplies: Stamp – Clearly Besotted, paper – Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Stampin’ Up! Crushed Curry, Strathmore Bristol, inks – Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Inks Shabby Shutters, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, VersaFine Onyx Black, stencil – Simon Says Stamp, embossing powder – Filigree Fine Art Powder clear, organdy ribbon – Offray.
I was inspired by THIS blog post by Jennifer McGuire to try inking an embossing folder before cranking it through my die cut machine.
My ink did not turn out as smooth as hers did – my brayer is old and not used much, maybe I need a new one. I was happy enough to make it into a card to be mailed off to a friend.
“Sparkly” is in the title because the blue paper is iridescent when you tilt it towards the light.
Supplies: Stamp – Papertrey Ink, paper – Curious Metallics Blueprint, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, inks – Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Oxide Blueprint Sketch, Wilted Violet, VersaMark, embossing folder – Darice, die – Lawn Fawn, embossing powder – Ranger Silver Pearl.