Poetry Journal

I love poetry and exploring different techniques. So, what if I combined both things? That's exactly what I did by creating a daily poetry journal!
I use spare pieces of paper, old journaling cards and bits of everything to make it. Because I use a hole puncher and two rings, I can keep adding more pages. This way, I can use up my supplies and train my lettering at the same time. It's quite relaxing because, every day I get to choose a new poem that matches my mood and decompress by crafting. It's a work in progress.

Envelope art

I love decorating the envelopes I send. I think it brings a smile to the recipient of my snail mail. Also, it's a lot of fun!
I mostly use collages but sometimes I try different techniques, including watercolours and washi tape.

Older cards I've made - Showcase

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I enjoyed making this simple Christmas card a lot! I think the felt flower gives it a different touch. It is at the same time a traditional card but with original touches. In this case, I thought simpler was smarter. This card was sent to a collaborator of mine. 

                  

This one is a sweet birthday card, with watercolored embelishments. I liked the framing of the flower. Very soft and feminine, with a touch of vintage, I gave it to a friend of mine and she loved it.

This one I created for Halloween and All Saints Day last year. I loved the mixture of the colors and the details with the softer colored ribon and the flowers. I sent it to a friend of mine and she liked it a lot.

This one was also created for the exact same season and I have to admitt it isn't one of my favorites. I think it's important to be able to do some auto evaluation, even if it is about crafting. I think that the moving eyes were a bit too much and I should of used another washi tape. Oh well, at least it was a learning experience.

I had so much fun making this card. It was for Mother's Day and my mother loved it. Her favorite color is blue and I got to use a Portuguese stamp from @docerela. As you can imagine, finding stamps in Portuguese is rare - much easier to find them in English or even in Spanish. But @docerela's stamps are always so pretty and with such high quality that it is always a pleasure to use them. The hard thing was waiting for the stamping ink to dry. I used a variety from Tsukineko that has a slower drying time. When I bought these, I was dumb enough not to make sure it was fast drying. Accostumed as I was to the Memento ones, these were quite the shock. But I liked the end result so it was worth it.

Has anyone noticed that I have a thing for framed flowers in cards? Because it's quite obvious that I do. I loved making this card and like all the little touchs: the pink ribbon, the 3D butterfly and dove and the sentiment too. I sent it to another friend and she was also pleased with it.

Now, this one has an interesting story behind it. A friend of mine who lives in Canada voluntered herself to send me some tea (have I said that I adore tea? No? Well, I adore tea). She wanted nothing in exchange (she's that kind of friend) so I decided to send her a card of my own making. She is a dedicated Christian, she has always been, but a few years ago she had a problem during a surgery on one of her feet. It wasn't something major but the surgeon did something wrong and she went from running marathons for charities to a wheelchair. Now, that would stop me. But it didn't stop her. She turn to her faith and started swimming. She has already donated her hair to three times. Yup, she's that resilient. I am not particularly religious but I had received these stamped papers with Bible quotes. So, there you have it! A religious card for a good friend. She loved it.

Again, @docerela stamps in this Summer themed card. It was the perfect excuse to use that cute ice cream washi tape that I had. I like the mixture of colors and paterns. I sent it to a friend.

Cardmaking - A way to use your creativity

I love crafting. There is no secret there. I've tried all sort of crafts over the years - some continue to this day as hobbies. Others I left behind. There is a lot to do but so little time.

One of the things I like creating the most are cards. 

They are fun to make, adapt and personalize. Who doesn't like receiving a handmade card? And they can be used in any occasion: even if just to say hello to an old or new friend. Of course an email, a message or a social network comment is much quicker but, somehow, it's not as personal.

I believe that's why snail mail is making a sort of come back: from penpal websites to postcrossing. And I consider it a good thing.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine visited Canada and, as a sort of souvenir, she brought me a few washi tapes. As a crafter herself, she knows the importance of good and beautiful craft supplies. It was a foiled green washi tape. It immediately reminded me of mermaids and the ocean.

That thought followed me around for a few days, until I eventually sat down and made this mermaid themed card.

I must admit it turned out better than expected: I love the color pallete and I am a sucker for sparkling things. I have not given it a destiny yet: I might put it up for sale on my etsy shop or perhaps send it to a friend. Time will say. 

Have a creative day!