MY STORY, TOLD IN MY OWN WAY

And yet recently I feel I’ve been pulled into the games that platforms like Instagram and Facebook want you to play with entertaining reels, stories, lives. It annoys me (and I am a very laid back, people-pleaser that doesn’t easily get annoyed) that my content doesn’t get shown to the people who have requested to follow me unless I jump through those hoops. Don’t get me wrong, all of those platforms have a valid place but maybe not so much in my story. I want to keep up with technology but equally, I’m a bit past pointing to words on a screen to a pop soundtrack on TikTok!

I’ve always been one to want to take a moment to look at the world around me, wander the path, weaving my way through those beautiful moments and during this time where my health and the health of those around me takes priority I want to create in a way that nourishes my soul in doing so. I want my posts and newsletters to be a slow, gentle story of the gorgeous new products that I’ve been trying, written between friends. And not to feel stressed and frenzied with the social media channel puppeteers pulling my strings!

I won’t be leaving social media, but I will be trying to tell my story in my own way and at my own pace – the old adage quality over quantity. We say these things though because they have been tried and tested over time and proven to be true.

KEY INGREDIENTS

I’ve linked all supplies with compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.

• Simon Says Stamp XL Greetings 3 stamp and die set
• Simon Says Stamp A7 Thin Frames dies

A great way to keep up with me is via my newsletter where you can keep up with my latest posts and news. You can find a subscribe box on my blog sidebar right at the top. I intend to go back to my blog posts where I write more long-form, where you will find more written notes along with, hopefully, a video.

Interestingly, my daughter, who studies computer science, and I guess you would say is very much involved in the modern world of technology; she was saying how she likes to be entertained on social media but when it comes to learning or doing something she likes it in a written format. So the old ways aren’t dead yet!

Thank you for being here. The support of this community is amazing. I really have felt like a multitude of warm embraces has held me gently while I’ve recovered from this latest flare-up. I treasure your friendship.

As for this card, part of my therapy is to puddle with paints. In line with inspiration such as Emily Jeffords, one day I pulled out a few acrylic paints and just went with it on a piece of watercolour card pre-treated with gesso. I mixed Tim Holtz Speckled Egg Distress Paint with white for the sky and pulled in some deeper colours along with some peachy pink made with Dina Wakley Sedona, Buff and white.

I kept in mind the big skies over the mountains in Wales when we visit relatives. Those skies are anchored by the lush greens of the landscape which I represented with Tim Holtz Rustic Wildnerness Distress Paint, Dina Wakley Olive and Sedona. I got some deeper shades by mixing in Dina Wakley Night. 

Once my painting was dry, I die cut it with an A7 Thin Frames die and mounted it onto an Ivory mat again cut using the A7 Thin Frames die set. I then mounted onto a card base cut and scored from Neenah Desert Storm card in the 100lb weight for sturdiness. 

To finish off I stamped a greeting from the XL Greetings 3 set in clear embossing ink on vellum and white heat embossed before die cutting with the matching die.

The Creative Bundle 2021

While I am here, I thought I’d let you know about the Creative Bundle 2021. Many of you enjoyed the original Creative Bundle and so I thought you might like to know about the latest edition.

From arts and crafts to calligraphy to planning to weaving to resin and digital art there really is so much included. In fact, there are over 50 classes, courses and ebooks. Valued at over $2500 it is a steal at only $70. Of course, I’ll be heading straight for the watercolour content 😃 Take a look and see what I mean!

The Dried Flowers Watercolour Class and Sketch Journal Basics look just the ticket for me as we head into Autumn.

Welsh Hills

For now, I’ll leave you with a phone snap of Oaky and those Welsh hills and mountains I talked about. I’ll pop in next week as there’s a new release from Simon Says Stamp coming soon that I really want to share with you. See you then. 

SUPPLIES

You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or shop icon to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Items marked with an asterisk (*) provided by a store or the manufacturer. You can read my affiliate and product disclosure here. I genuinely appreciate your support.

Pin Me

Summary of the project which gives all the views of the card in one photo :D I’d love if you pinned and called by on Pinterest :D