WCMD Challenge #4 Australia

My great grandmother, on my mom's side, was born in Australia in 1859. Although she did not live there for many years of her life, I have always been intrigued with the country of her birth.

For the past three years my preschool has taken a trip around the world during the summer and every year we visit Australia! It has been so great learning about the different animals and live there. The children really love it.

The base of this card reminds me of the dirt in the outback ~ a rich burnt orange. I cut the birds out from a patterned paper I had and added the outline in white paint. The edges of all the elements are inked with Time Holtz Tea stain (LOVE IT!), adding another color from the outback. In addition, I randomly inked the base of the card with the Tea stain.

Enjoy!

WCMD Challenge #2 Mexico

I was inspired by the "Celebrations" of Mexico. Mexico loves holidays and celebrates them all in a big way.

One of my closest friends boy is having a birthday this week and I thought what a great opportunity to make a birthday card.

I used 3-d foam dots to add some dimension to the "cake", balloons and to the ends of a couple of the pennants.

I used glitter to add another dimension to the balloons.

WCMD Challenge #1 Japan

My inspiration for this card is two fold ~ a Tree and a beloved Aunt.

My parents had this beautiful flowering cherry tree in their backyard when they lived in Washington State. For eight years I had the joy of watching this tree bud and blossom every spring with its abundance of delicate pink flowers. I loved that tree!

Some of my earliest memories are of spending time at my Uncle Richard and Aunt Toshi's house with my sisters. What a cultural experience! My aunt was from Japan and there was always some sort of interesting food to be had at their house. I loved her little Japanese garden with its Kio pond in the backyard. There was always adventure to be had inside. Aunt Toshi had the largest collection of fabric I have ever seen. My sisters and I would play and sort and resort these fabrics while visiting.



The branch is a depiction of the buds on that beautiful tree my parents had. I used my Cricut cut the branch out and added gems to represent the buds. The dotted lines I inked down this paper are very reminiscent of a weeping cherry tree. Inside the scalloped frame is a charm with a "Lucky" Kio fish, which reminded me of my Aunts pond. All of the edges are inked with Tim Holtz Tea Stain.

WCMD Challenge #3: India

I have taken some time to get back on track! With so many irons in the fire, my creative juices were almost drained.

My sister Michelle gave me a much needed creative boost this week. Thanks Sister! My creative juices are now running full force (YEAH!)

This is my interpretation of the WCMD Challenge #3: India. When I think of India I think of sari's in bold prints prints, beautiful henna tattoo's and jewels.

I used my Cricut to cut an intricate boarder around a flower stamp mimiking a henna tattoo. I then pulled the blue color from the floral background paper by marking in the flower. The strip on the left side of the card is a flower stamp with a flourish, repeated and jazzed up with some jewels.

My goal for this design was to embody the beauty of sari, henna tattoos, and the jewel the women of India are know for. In my mind that is a goal completed!

Enjoy!