SILVERY IRISES

I know I've admitted it before, but since this COVID-19 stuff began back in March, I have been driven to do a lot of coloring. A LOT! It usually involves my Stampin' Blends (I LOVE those precious things!) I truly consider my coloring much needed Creative Therapy.

During Sale-A-Bration, one of the free goodies a purchaser could get was a pack of beautiful Designer Series Paper that was all white with metallic designs printed on it. Each and every sheet of this DSP is exquisite in its own way.

The DSP used as is was lovely, but when you take Stampin' Blends to it, it turns completely magical. That's what I decided to do with this particular sheet that I used in my card.

I cut a piece of the DSP to 4" x 5 1/4" and went to town with my Stampin' Blends, Light Mango Melody and Light and Dark Seaside Spray. I left the background as white.

For a few days, this pretty piece of paper laid on my work table. I couldn't decide how to use it to its best advantage. Finally I had it!

Since the design on the DSP was silver embossing, I opted to do my focal point with silver embossing also. I stamped the pretty solid iris pair from Inspiring Iris on page 118 in the Annual Catalog in Mango Melody and Granny Apple Green. I rubbed the stamped flowers with the Embossing Buddy.Then, taking the outline stamp, I stamped that in VersaMark ink. At the Heat Station, I covered the stamping with Silver Embossing powder, making sure that every single bit of excess powder was brushed away before using the Heat Tool to emboss the piece. 

The larger die from the Stitched So Sweetly set (page 179) fit around these irises so nicely. 

When taking photos of this card, I was never successful in getting the silvery look of the outlined irises and the DSP. The following photo is sort of an odd angle, but I finally succeeded in capturing the shine. Yay!

The card has only a modest amount of dimension, in that I added some long retired silver and white woven ribbon and a few Stampin' Dimensionals. Behind the die cut piece I mounted a narrow strip of silver metallic cardstock that seemed to work well to set the main focus apart from the busy background.

The colors are so soft and appealing, so restful. And irises . . . Ah.

The card base was coordinating Seaside Spray cardstock. 

Now that we are more than three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, how are you all holding up?

Until recently, I haven't been doing too badly. 

The last few weeks, however, I am starting to fall completely apart. I sleep for hours each afternoon, have no desire to do any cardmaking, although I do force myself to go down to my Creation Station at least a few times a week. 

I don't think I've missed any of my #dailycreating drawing sessions during this time though. Most times my drawings are less than satisfying, however. 

I haven't had any of my in home monthly workshops, but have resorted to sending out little card kits to my customers each month to let them know that I miss them and am thinking about them a lot. I haven't seen any of them face-to-face, with one exception: one of my girls was on her way into my driveway to pick up an order on my porch and I was just leaving my driveway for an appointment. We chatted through our open car windows for a few minutes. It was so wonderful to see her face in person!

The only times I leave my house are to go to needed medical appointments. 

I am so conflicted about the attitudes that people have about this virus and how weird folks can be about social distancing, wearing masks and trying to stay home as much as possible. What exactly do these expectations have to do with their freedoms? It's just smart practices. 

I apologize. I did not mean to get all serious about what we are all enduring -- all over the world. 

I just wanted to explain the fact that it is almost completely destroying my emotional being. And there seems to be no end in sight. I am struggling big time. And if a little coloring can help me for awhile, I am going to stick with it. At least, I'm not sleeping . . .

I would love for you to share any thoughts you might have on this tumultuous, history-making, time we all find ourselves in.

Please take care of you and yours. Love to you!

Colorful

Smiles.