Phoenix Inspirations

I have been trying to stretch myself recently - creatively. In a recent card swap I was sent a certain amount of materials which I had to use. They included die cuts, mesh, gems and cotton. I was stumped for a while but not one to give up I set out to find a style of card first. I thought about an easel card and then decided to go a bit further and do a twisted easel card. Great I thought - perfect. But then I thought what if ........... and then I made this Instead of a flat panel I made a box frame. Around my frame I added the mesh and inside it I stamped my panel with images from Stampin' Up's Papaya Collage. The die cuts were added along with the gems and the cotton twine. Now for the base. More mesh, more die cuts and gems and to prop up the easel a square panel stamped with Papaya Collage. I don't usually make cards with this much on it - I'm a clean and simple kind of crafter however, every once in a while I surprise myself!...

Isn't that what they say in the song? Well I'm ready to get off now please. In the last twelve months I became separated from my husband, lost my dad, got a job for the first time in twenty five years, became a divorcee and then my ex died. More downs than ups but I'm hoping that they are just around the corner. Meanwhile I have been doing a little crafting and one of my recent projects has been a Bendi Card. It doesn't look very bendy there but there are various flaps which open up showing different layers of the card. Looking at it from above will give a better view of the bends. I really enjoyed making this card. I used my wood grain stamp for the house and various punches for the clouds and flowers. It took quite a long time as I added liquid pearls to the centre of every flower! That's it for now, thanks for stopping by!