Life can be tough

I had a lovely weekend, with lots of time to craft, which is good as I have a very busy few weeks ahead. We also managed to get out and "smell the roses" or in this case the blossom and daffs and enjoyed the increasing daylight and signs of spring...it's the first day of Spring today...how wonderful that feels.

Today is a day of rather mixed emotions. It's my darling daughter's birthday and she is taking the day off work with her Hb and together with Daisy they are off to celebrate her special day. Happy birthday to my sweetest girl. I look forward to seeing her on Friday.

However today is also the day of one of our friend's funeral. M died very suddenly a couple of weeks ago and to say we were shocked was an understatement. He is only a few years older than us and the news really did stop us in our tracks.

It is also Monday so it is my turn to share some inspiration over on Facebook for Visible Image.
Do remember you are welcome to come over to join our group, we're a very kind and friendly bunch.
          This is the link here

 I am very much a glass half full kind of girl and I wanted to make something appropriate for today, without being too morose. I decided to use one of the new sentiments that Visible Image brought out in their latest release.

It's just perfect isn't it?

It is available here on their website.
I also used the little flower accent stamps from the Create It set  below available here

I also had a play with the amazing new Oxide inks....they are such fun.
Here are a few process photos;

 I also added Cracked Pistachio into the process.
Once I had a foundation of ink on my card I added some stenciling...

and built up layers of ink, adding water into the process too.









I wanted to keep my sentiment really simple so I added drew a  border around the edge using a Micron Pen. It's been ages since I have had time to draw one of these borders....very much my dear friend Joanne Fink's inspiration.

 I also added some script from the fab Scripted streets set using some archival ink

It added just enough pattern to my card to pull everything together.
You can see one of my stamped flowers peeping out too...I coloured it with gel pens and added some white highlights.







Here is my finished card.

I added some shine to the border with a gel pen.
You can see in the background that I also stamped my flowers using the Oxide inks. Together with the script stamp it gives a very layered textured background.

Here is one more shot

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

A Vintage Journey all aboard
More mixed media anything goes
Sweet Stampin 1/3 special lady/mother's day
Creative Inspirations 3/3 favourite stamp brand and why mine is of course Visible Image. Their designs and words are so unique and they stamp perfectly every single time!
Creative Artiste 3/3 anything goes mixed media
We love to Create 1/2anything mixed media


Thanks so much for stopping by today.  We should all try to live life for the moment. Remember to tell those you hold close how much you love them, every single day.

Life can be tough......but my darling so are you x

RIP MW March '17

Happy first day of spring, we all have so much to look forward to.
Seize the day!

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x