Hey Everybody! Hope your weekend's off to a good start?

I had my first techniques class for the year yesterday and we kicked it off with a fun collage technique. Whilst I adore simple, elegant, uncluttered cards, I did come into Stampin' Up! several years ago having worked on lots of altered books and collagey, "arty" projects, and I love getting a little messy and trying different things.

On top of that, I had recently visited the blog of an amazing mixed media artist, Donna Downey who's work just gives me goosebumps! It's so fresh and bright and free spirited. I wanted to try to recreate some of that into fun cards.

Our first card was simple shapes that easily became houses, and really all it consisted off was very simple rectangles and triangles cut from patterned Designer Series Paper, stamped on, daubered around the edges, attached to a background, and some texture added with faux stitching.

I've used the Tea For Two Designer Series Paper, Everything Eleanor and Elements of Style stamp sets for the floral images, Loving Thoughts stamp set for the couple of words, Stampin' Write Markers & White Gel Pen for a bit of doodling and Island Indigo card stock for the base card and punched window.

I this would make a fun housewarming card with a small tweak to include the words NEW HOME, or CONGRATULATIONS.

I felt this kind of technique would lend itself very well to a punch of flowers, also stamped on patterened paper, torn around and arranged on a card front.  The card for this one didn't come out in what I would describe as an actual "collaged" project, however it is still fun and cheerful and has given me lots of ideas for the next one!

I do love simple and elegant, but I have to confess to being a sucker for lots of texture too! This card really provides that!

Well, I can't wait to get back into my craft space and make more mess, so I better sign off here, finish some chores, and hopefully I can find some creative time later!

See you again soon!

Kathryn