Memories Embossed Into My Heart

It’s a funny thing about flowers, they escort memories just at the sight of their little faces each season.



As if you have forgotten that special time in a chapter. Then you see that face of the flower and the memories come rushing back.



I walked through gardens of pansies in a very special chapter, and the sight of it’s reflection this morning got me finding music that I enjoyed Once upon a time...



Sigh. Well, let’s pour a cup of tea, listen to the sweet sound of music that holds memories dear and sweet, sit at the kitchen table and let’s take out the paintbox and paint these little faces.



An AquaBoard which has a lovely watercolor surface seemed perfect to capture the little folds in each pansy petal.



I painted pansies using watercolor paint and then embossed pieces and bits throughout the painting to add light and texture.




Embossing and watercolor...



hmmmmmmm I guess that means mixed-media.


Let’s take a print of another watercolor design



and pop it into the perfect frame capturing a vignette.



How about a charm? Let’s take a tiny print, hand-paint it with a bit of Perfect Pearls, pop it into a 2 x 2 charm with glass on both sides and add a bit of garden ribbon.



Pansies, a cup of tea, painting memories into my day, listening to enchanting music. Embossing my memories into each little pansy on the canvas board.



What do pansies remind you of, pour yourself a cup of tea and walk down the lanes that lead to sweet memories and the delightful face of the pansies from garden paths long ago...



The song for this post is One Day In Your Life.

Painting A Summer Breeze On A Rainy Day

A rainy Sunday kept me busy experimenting with some techniques that I learned at a Creativity Boot Camp class.



Listening to favorite music, and the sound of raindrops falling got me in the mood to get cozy with my paintbox and a cup of tea. One of the techniques during class, that really caught my eye was embossing using a thicker embossing powder. I couldn't wait to use this technique inside a watercolor painting. What can be more perfect than dreaming of rose gardens and a warm summer breeze on a brisk rainy day?





I painted an original watercolor painting on museum series panel gessobord. I have been wanted to try using watercolor and metallic paints on this surface. I was pleased with the results. Then I took thick silver embossing powder to create a silver gate. finally I framed the piece in an ornate silver frame with tiny flowers reflecting the same design as in the roses. The original painting board measures 5 x 7 inches. I call this painting The Silver Gate.



I have been looking for just the right surface that would enable me to frame without glass, and ship safely. This original painting is now in my Etsy shop.



I looked for a song reminiscent of Hong Kong, because rainy days always remind me of Once Upon A Time days. The song for this post is Summer Wind...something I am dreaming of while Mr. Robin introduces the warmer weather. Until then you'll find me dreaming of a summer breeze, rose gardens and sipping lemonade on the deck.

A Pink Saturday of the Secret Garden Kind

e all have that someone special in our life who makes us feel like we live in a Secret Garden of love. The richness that they breathe into our life reflects in our hearts. Painting our life with the beauty that only a secret garden can hold.




I thought it would be nice to create a card for that someone special in my life. Why not make it a Pink Saturday inspiration. Bev from How Sweet The Sound is hosing another lovely Pink Saturday. I hope everyone stops by Bev's place to see all the Pink Saturday Inspiration.



I took an image from a painted journal and digitally enhanced the image and created a twosome for printing a 5 x 7 card.




After printing it out I painted the roses and highlighted some roses in the image.



I used embossing powder to paint a bit of metallic embellishment.



Using a product called Perfect Pearls by Ranger.



I painted around the roses.



Then I found this new embossing product at the craft store called Glitter Pink by Ranger.



Using a clear Embossing Ink by Inkssentials by Ranger, I highlighted areas using a paint brush where I wanted the pink glitter to reside.



Then after brushing the embossing powder over the surface and removing the excess, I was ready for my heating tool. Using the tool until the glitter was shiny and adhered.



Have you ever noticed how artists never seem to care if they have a manicure because they get so caught in the zone that the only manicure is a glitter one!



Folding the card to show off the image on the front and the back, I thought it needed a bit of ribbon.



I had found these lovely gold robins in a Vintage shop. So,I thought why not use one for this card.



I tied the robin to the card and created a bow.



I then took one of the images and cut it into a nice bookmark size.



After hole punching the top, I added a bit of ribbon.



Now the outside and bookmark is finished,



I found a sweet envelope that would work nicely. I trimmed the card to fit into the slender pink envelope I got on sale at Paper Source.



I needed something for the greeting. So, I wrote a greeting to go with the theme of The Secret Garden.



So, I tucked the card and bookmark into the pink envelope to send to my someone special.



I have created the graphics and greeting for you to print out.



You can click on the image and it will carry you to flickr.



Just click on the image once you are there and the browser above the image will appear.



Click on ALL SIZES and a new window will open. You can download whatever size that you would like. All the images are in a set called Pink Saturday. You can download the original size or the large size for printing. These two 5 x 7 images fit nicely on an 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.



I hope that you try your hand at using some embossing by using a paint brush to paint with the ink pad. Then just sprinkle some embossing powder, glitter or plain.



Just a bit of heat from a heating tool and you can embellish to your heart's content.

I have added a set of a different version of The Secret Garden cards to my etsy shop. Five cards and white envelopes printed on fine art paper note cards. Each card holds the same greeting. Wrapped in an organza ribbon, ready to send, give as a gift or embellish.





Happy Pink Saturday! Now if you go through the garden gate you will enter the secret garden that awaits you, as you stroll through all the beautiful Pink Saturday posts at Bev's Place. Wishing you a garden of joy all weekend long. The song for this post is Story time.