Saturday, 12 March 2011

Spring Green

Hello everyone, hope you're having a good weekend. Spring actually felt like it was here this morning but the weather has now started to turn grey again.
Before I show you my creation I'd just like to say that my very best wishes go out to those suffering from the earthquake after effects in Japan as I've been so horrified with all the devastation caused by the tsunami. Those of you that know me will be aware that my elder daughter Claire is studying Japanese at Sheffield uni and returned a few months ago from spending a year over there at Tsukuba university. Whilst there, she made a number of Japanese friends and has been very upset by the disaster. As far as she can tell her friends are all OK as Tsukuba is quite a distance from the area hit by the tidal wave and only suffered a loss of power due to the power station shut down. I can only hope that the power station causing problems can be made safe.

After the doom and gloom, I have a piece of artwork that I finished today which was made with Spring in mind, inspired by the sunny weather of the last couple of days.


My wall hanging is made out of squares from my bits and pieces box and was inspired by the current and sadly last Compendium of Curiosities challenge - Design Details, on page 67 of Sir Tim's awesome book. I can't tell you the techniques as these are in the book and hopefully you have a copy. The pieces I decided to display use most of the techniques that I really enjoy doing to make my background papers and all except the diamond stamped paper (left over from a very long time ago) were made using Distress inks in various ways. They mostly involve my 2 favourite colours, Crushed Olive and Victorian Velvet which I also used to colour the stamped flowers and the butterfly which are all by Hobby Art.

I'm entering my creation in the following challenges:
Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities - Design Details
Sir Stampalot March Challenge - Spring Is In The Air
The Artistic Stamper March Challenge - Spring Has Sprung
Meljen's Designs - Green

I've also got a little reminder that there's still time to enter the current Lets Ink It Up challenge - Show Us Your Embossing which has another week left for you to make your creations. It's really easy as all you need to do is break out those embossing folders or embossing powder and combine them with some stamping - please remember that no digital images are allowed as the LIIU challenges are all about getting inky.

Thanks for looking,
Fliss xx

26 comments:

Hels Sheridan said...

Beautiful art Fliss.. thanks for joining us at the Artistic Stamper challenge... and hoping that Claire's friends are all safe and sound... tis a terrible thing isn't it xx

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely work Fliss. It is very sad what has happened in Japan, I feel very soory for the people who live there. Hugs, Valerie

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

A beautiful wall-hanging Fliss - love the colours and the mixture of patterns.
The disaster in Japan is dreadful, and it must be a relief for you and your daughter to know that her friends are safe.
Hugs, Sylvia xxx

Liz said...

Wow Fliss how wonderful is that!

So glad to hear your friends are safe too :)

Liz xx

Miria said...

Hi, Fliss. What a gorgeous creation, I love your artistic patchwork! Have a nice weekend despite bad news from Japan. Hugs, Miria

Netty said...

Such a great end piece for the CofC Fliss, loving your patchwork and enjoyed sharing the journey with you.
Words cannot express how I feel about the poor people in Japan, totally awful doesn't seem adequate. Annette x

Zue said...

Hi Fliss
Gorgeous!!!! Those colours are two of my favourites as a combination. Your papers are beautiful and I love the collage effect you get playing with squares.
I also feel very saddened by events in Japan; it is so sad to watch it all, happening on TV and feeling so helpless.
Thanks for your lovely comment.

Sue xxx

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous artwork Fliss! I love the pretty colours! Thanks for joining the Artistic Stamper Challenge xx

Saskia said...

Beautiful work in 'happy' colours!

Saskia :)

cheryl said...

oh glad to hear your friends are safe hun,as for this wow this is just brilliant the colurs and wonderful layout too hugs cheryl xxxxxxx

Linda Ledbetter said...

Fliss, I'm so glad to know that Claire's friends in Japan are okay. What a horrible tragedy this is, and like you, my heart goes out to everyone affected.

Your lovely artwork is a beautiful counterbalance to the darkness of the events, and it definitely invokes a feeling of spring and renewal, a message we all need right now! You incorporated the Design Details technique perfectly, and all the pretty patterns and gentle designs work together so well. It's really beautiful.

Thank you so much for being part of the CCC! I hope to see you again when the next chapter begins!

Francesca said...

Beautiful card

Thank you for joining us at Stampalot Challenge this month and good luck!

Hugs
Francesca

brenda said...

Hi Fliss

Your card is just devine, I adore the fusion of colours and littele elements of interest.

Non to bright here eithet this monring, in fact it looks distinctly like rain.

It's great to see you at Stampalot Challenge, thank you so much for joining in this month, good luck and look forward to seeing you again.

B x

Maggie said...

Fabulous colours and such a happy piece for the last challenge at CC, see you in the next chapter.

Such devistation in Japan so glad your friends are safe.

Ozstuff said...

Hi Fliss! I love your blog and I really love the artwork above, especially the scrumptious patchwork effect. I came here to leave a comment on your birdlife picture for Take a Word (my challenge) and I am very pleased to have done so because I can see all the delicious goodies on show.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh Fliss,
This is a gorgeous piece!!! And so happy too...It makes me look forward to spring even more!!!
XO

Tracy said...

Hi Fliss,
Gorgeous creation, and fab design. Thanks for joining Sir Stampalot’s challenge, good luck.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

pinky said...

Very spring like Fliss, love your beautiful artwork. Thanks for joining us at Sir Stampalot this month.
Pinky

Anonymous said...

Ohhh thats so gorgeous fliss. i love the spring feel of this piece. I totally echo your thoughts on Japan too ... what a terrible disaster. I think as far as the weather is concerned,you must have sent the sunshine up north, it was beautiful here today
hugs June xxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Fliss,
Wow! This is a beautiful artwork. I love the colours and the "patch-work" effect.
Alicia xx

Sally H said...

A wonderful spring creation, perfect in every way! I was in a similar situation to you not long ago as my niece has only been back from Christchurch New Zealand for a short time after studying there for 4 years. She was also a member of the volunteer fire Service too. Many of her friends were involved in rescuing people. Obviously Japan is on a much larger scale.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful creation with us at Sir Stampalot and good luck!

Isabelle Norris said...

Really lovely Fliss. Love the colours, texture, composition. very pretty
isa

Cheryl said...

Lovely card! Thank you for joining our “Green” challenge at Meljen’s Designs.

--Cheryl--

Jessica Fitzgerald (aka MommaJess) said...

what great detail this has. Thank you for joining us this week for the Meljens GREEN challenge.

Jess

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wonderful spring feeling.

Artyjen said...

Pretty Spring colours ;)
Thanks for playing along at The Artistic Stamper this month
xoxo Sioux