Playing with friends...

...creates some major issues in the studio, because we have so much fun I inevitably forget to take photos.  That certainly happened this week when we had a morning gel plate party, and all I have is photos of some of the results.

The next two photos were a result of three layers of heart masks on a first print

and then on a ghost print.

And I love the results on the masks...they're just beautiful in their own right, so I didn't bother washing them clean.

I used a hand-crafted foam plate for this print,

and I love how the foam plate looks after it was used!  

The first print with this commercial stencil is lovely,

as is the ghost print.  Best of all I used Hansa Yellow Light and Manganese Blue hue so they will work well with the stack of blue/ green/yellow papers I made a month or so ago specifically for collage.

I used a piece of construction something or other to create this grid, and both prints intrigue me.

Then I imprinted the grid itself on a slightly-used piece from the annals of history, and really like this grid as well.

The morning was instigated because some of the friends wanted to do some leaf printing.  I forgot to take any photos of those results (of course), so had to quickly run out for a couple of leafs for this print.  I'm loving the colour and sketchiness of it, which happened because of some accidental water splotches on the plate.  Love those accidents, except that duplicating them is next to impossible.

I'm not sure how many layers there are on this print, but the colours and abstract feel just make me so happy.

We created many prints, and a messy drying floor to boot...all in all, it was a great playtime.

No gel print here, but I'm really liking the patterns at Good Company Coffee.

  May your week have been filled with creative fun and laughter!  

Playing with alcohol...

 ...(inks) outside is just the best.  The fumes are minimal, the patio setting is delightful, and even the crickets don't care what's happening.  I just love the intensity of alcohol ink colours, and once fixed with workable fixative, they can be easily used for backgrounds, collages, cards and so much more.  

I was down to my last half sheet of inky gloriousness, so I was delighted to play for a couple of hours and come up with these beauties.

With luck, I can get another session in before we head into winter, and I'll be set for the coming year.  Here's to alcohol, I say!! 🥂  Inks, I mean... 😉

Hope your summer is going well, and your creativity is exploding with all the beauty around you!

Another stunning week...

 ...in paradise (aka Creston, BC, Canada).  The weather has been outstanding, the time has stretched beautifully, and the valley is producing splendor in every direction.

We're celebrating a 60th wedding anniversary in our small condo complex this week, so last week I made a card for the celebrants.  I can't imagine 60 years of togetherness (given that John and I are only looking towards our 27th next March), hence the question mark.  There's no doubt, however, that this couple has created a marvellously coloured life together!

The photo below shows some of the chaos in the studio, including a collage sheet that had a bit of an accident involving a spilled bottle to black ink.

While the whole is pretty darn dark,

there are bits of it that will make gorgeous segments in a collage,

or two,

or three.

Thank goodness for accidents - I would never have done that on purpose.  Would I??!! 🤣

I thought I'd show you a bit of the abundance in the valley right now.  After attending the farmers' market on Saturday, we've been eating some amazing organic produce from Cartwheel Farms.  I can't begin to explain how this produce tastes, but you can certainly see how the colour sings!

Sending thoughts of Creston bounty your way, and wishing you a colourful and tasty summer week!

Collage addiction...

...is definitely a thing, and someone may have to send help.

I finished off the signature from last week,

and started another signature incorporating text.

These mini collages are so fun to do.  With images at about 2 1/8" x 3 1/2", they seem a good deal easier than a 16 x 20 painting or a stitched and bound book, and in the summer, that's just what's needed as I head outdoors so much.

May your creative week have been just as much fun, and your summer temperatures be perfect for you.  Happy week to you all.  Sending colour heaven your way!  

There it went again...

 ...and we're into July already!  How did that happen?

It's been a lovely week, starting with a lovely morning coffee on the deck at Good Company Coffee , an outstanding spot overlooking orchards and vineyards just down the road from us.  John says they have the best hot chocolate ever, and had two cups to prove it.

We enjoyed the Farmer's Market, and scored these lovely sweet peas.  Now the house smells like my grandfather's garden, and what could be happier than that?

An early morning sunrise was a great place to spot some birdsong through the window.  The sky was a truly lovely background, don't you think?

And of course there was time to play in the studio with more collages-in-progress in the mini travel journal.

As I did last week, I stuck to two or three different papers, and simple formats.  Goodness knows how they'll end up, though!  Or even when, come to think of it - the summer is so lovely it's constantly calling me outside to play.  

I hope your summer (or winter in that other half of the world) is progressing as it should, with sunshine, creativity, and pure, unadulterated joy.