Before and After

Every so often I like to take a look at some of the pieces I've created and re-do them.

Here is an example of a mixed media canvas that I "revamped" recently. It was an okay piece but I wasn't totally happy with it.

The original piece looked like this:

To start with, I removed the pink flower and metallic embellishment. I then began my redesign using a couple of Canvas Corp Brands products. 

I replaced the pink flower with Canvas Corp Brands Canvas Flower. I placed that in the upper left corner of my canvas.

Then, I cut out a square panel from the 7gypsies Gypsy Mixed Media Pad - Gypsy Moments and adhered that at the bottom corner of the canvas. The message I selected reads "passion changes everything" which totally resonates with my creative spirit!!

For the final touch, I lightly sprayed the entire canvas with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Vanilla Breeze. It gave the canvas a wonderful, aged look.

I'm really pleased with the way my "revamped" mixed media canvas turned out! I love the soft, rustic colors and textures. 

Be sure to visit Canvas Corp Brands to find an amazing assortment of goodies for your next creative project!!

Thanks for visiting today!

Mellow Time

The latest challenge at Canvas Corp Brands is "Lace and Lazy" ... and really could anything be more sublime. What a lovely way to start off this new year!

My entry is a 4x4 canvas that was truly a pleasure to create:

I started with the 4x4 Stretched Natural Canvas and painted it with a pale pink acrylic. When that was dry, I used an ivory acrylic paint with one of my decorative stencils. Since I knew I'd be working with lace, I wanted to keep the background light.

Once the paint was dry, I wrapped a piece of lace from the 7gypsies Trimmings Assorted Pack across the front of the canvas and stapled it in the back. I made a tag from the Canvas Corp Tan & Ivory French Script Paper, adorned it with two little buttons and a piece of pale pink seam binding. 

For the finishing touch I added the words "mellow time" which I cut out from the 7gypsies Gypsy Moments Express Yourself Paper. Below that I added a vintage-style button that matches the smaller buttons on the tag.

This challenge was truly enjoyable as I love the lace and vintage theme I was able to incorporate here. Be sure to visit the Canvas Corp Brand blog to see the amazing entries for this challenge here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mixed Media Butterfly Cards

Hello!

We've been hit with a very chilly and biting cold snap and I thought it would be a great time to think of things that remind me of spring. Flowers and butterflies came to mind and so today I am featuring a pair of mixed media butterfly cards.

These cards have lots of layers and textures, but the soft colors keep them feeling light. I started with a basic white cardstock and layered it with a panel of 7gypsies Gypsy Moments paper that is part of the 8x8 paper pack. I then added two panels to the center of the card -- the first a piece of Canvas Corp. Blue and Ivory Ribbon Stripe paper and layered that with a piece of the Tattered Angels Mixed Media Origins Wings paper.

Before I layered the paper panels to the card, I tied a piece of raffia to a vintage-style metallic embellishment to add a decorative touch. 

To the upper corner of the card, I stapled a square of Canvas Corp. Natural Burlap that I cut out from the 12x12 sheet. To that I adhered two butterflies that I punched out from the Tattered Angels Mixed Media Origins Mermaid paper, to which I had previously spray-misted with the Tattered Angels Abominable Snowman Glimmer Mist. 

If you are not familiar with Mixed Media Origins paper, it has a wonderful fabric-like texture that is perfect for spray-misting, painting or coloring. Canvas Corp Brands has a lovely assortment of these papers which you can find here. 

To finish off my cards, I added an inspirational word to the bottom corner. I cut them out from a sheet of 7gypsies Gypsy Moments 8x8 paper pack.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you are inspired by these butterfly cards!

Beth

Sending Smiles

I'm sending smiles because I am so pleased to continue on as a member of CCB Creative Crew!

Canvas Corp Brands has an amazing range of craft supplies -- from specialty paper, canvas fabric items, paints, and their newest 7gypsies collection - Architextures™-- all of which I plan to feature here in coming days.

Today I'm featuring a card I created from Canvas Corp Brands Kraft Greeting Cards.

The size of the card is 5" x 7" and I've layered it with a panel of 7gypsies – Gypsy Moments paper. Gorgeous!!!

For the flower, I used Canvas Corp Brands Black and Ivory Plaid paper. I punched out the flowers and leaves and cut out the stem. I added a pink gemstone embellishment to the center of the flower to give a bit of zing.

I stamped "sending smiles" onto ivory paper and layered it onto a small piece of 7gypsies – Gypsy Moments paper that is backed onto kraft paper. A piece of natural twine adorns the edge of the card, adding a wonderful dimension of texture.

This was such fun card to create -- and is perfect for the new year ahead!

Please be sure to stop by Canvas Corp Brands Shop.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Beth 

Canvas Corp. Brands - August Challenge

The August Challenge at Canvas Corp. Brands is titled, "Let's Visit the Cinema" and I've created three little journals to submit.

I love the romance of old Hollywood and that became the starting point for my creations.

The first mini journal features a "Classic Hollywood" image that worked perfectly with the 7gypsies - Odre Du Jour paper. I covered the front and back of the journal with paper from the 8x8 paper pad. I backed the Hollywood image onto a panel of  ivory cardstock and glued that to the front of the journal. I placed a strip of patterned paper from the Bo Bunny "Beautiful Dreamer" collection underneath the image. Over that I place a piece of  the 7gypsies new Architextures - Iron Fence embellishment. Love the old style look here! If you haven't seen or used Architextures, you're in for a real treat!

My next little book is pure classic Hollywood and features a movie poster image of the film, "Casablanca." The front features Canvas Corp. Brands Grey and Ivory Ribbon Stripe paper (no longer available) and a panel of paper from the 7gypsies - Gypsy Moments 8x8 paper pad. I backed the "Casablanca" with Canvas Corp. Brands - Black and Ivory Zig Zag Reverse paper and layered that onto the front of the journal. The top features the word "Passion" cut out from a piece of the Gypsy Moments paper. This film certainly embodies passion!!

The last little notebook features a movie poster image of the 1951 Cannes Film Festival. It follows with that old cinema romance I was looking for. I used Canvas Corp. Brands Pink and Ivory Ribbon Stripe paper to cover the front and back. Over that I layered a panel of Canvas Corp. Brands Black and Ivory - Paris paper, which coordinates so well with the Cannes theme. I adhered a strip of the Black and Ivory Zig Zag Reverse paper which really set off the film festival image.

I am really pleased with the way these three journals turned out. This challenge was great fun and the cinematic theme was a good way to incorporate something new into my work. 

I hope you take the time to check out the great papers and embellishments available from Canvas Corp. Brands.

Thanks for stopping today!

Beth

Father's Day Cards

It's hard to believe the month of June is nearly half over!! And, I realized that Father's Day is almost here, too. Here are a couple of cards I created for dad's special day:

This one features an adorable bulldog image. I've had the stamp for a while but never used it until now:

Here's another one with the same stamp:

This next card has a nautical theme and features Coral Claws and Shells on Ivory Paper from 7Gypsies:

For more of celebratory theme, here's a card with a bit of glitter and gold!

These cards are all available in my Etsy shop Pretty Byrd Designs.

I hope this inspires you to find the perfect card for that special man in your life!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Vintage Style Card Set

Hello everyone!

As you know, I was recently selected as a Crew Member for Canvas Corp Brands and today I
I'm featuring a card set I created using their 7Gypsies Conservatory line.

I started with four kraft note cards, also from 7Gypsies and layered each with a panel of patterned paper. The paper I selected for this set is entitled Magpie and features beautiful vintage script, birdcages and marbled eggs. 

I then added a green and gold gingham ribbon and navy seam binding which gives the cards lots of texture and dimension. The paper from Conservatory line is double-sided, so I added a paper strip featuring the other side of the Magpie sheet.

Once that was done, I stamped "hello" in navy ink on an ivory square and added that to the top of each card. As a finishing touch I added gemstones and a couple of pieces of ephemera that are part of the Conservatory Tags pack.

I really enjoy creating these cards and working with the lovely 7Gpysies line of paper. For these and other cards, please visit my etsy shop Pretty Byrd Designs. I'm running a spring special -- 20% off a $10 purchase. Use code SPRING20 at checkout.

Thanks for stopping by today and come back soon!

Beth 

Canvas Corp Brands Crew Member

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is a double celebration as I'm so thrilled to announce that I have been accepted as 2015 Crew Member for Canvas Corp Brands.  My specific role is under the category of Handmade Cards and Paper.

As a way of introducing the Creative Crew members, Canvas Corp Brands asked each of us to design and submit a 4x4 stretched canvas that represents our personal creative style. Here is mine:

It's part vintage, feminine, flowers and nature with a mix of old and new. My canvas features paper from 7Gypsies Trousseau  and Express Yourself Gypsy Moments collections. 

You can see what the rest of the crew created at The Creative Studio. And, you can even cast your vote for the one you like best!

So glad you stopped by today!

Beth

Valentine Card Challenge

Hi everyone!

Today I'm sharing a Valentine's Day card I created as part of the Canvas Corp Brands Valentine Challenge.

I started with a pink card as the base and then layered it with panels of 7Gypsies Trousseau paper. The pink and grey color palette is so soft and romantic!

I added a chipboard heart that I distress-painted pink and also a bit of white lace trim. "LOVE!" is hand stamped on an additional piece of Trousseau paper that's been placed on polka-dotted paper background!

Soft, romantic with a bit of whimsy!

Click on the link below to see more Valentine entries:

I'm excited to announce that I was invited to be a Canvas Corp Brands Crew Member for 2015 and will be posting more projects throughout the year.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Beth

Vintage Christmas Cards

Christmas is less than a month away and it's time to start on those holiday greetings! Today I'm featuring a card I created that has a vintage flair and a delightful Santa Claus.

Using 7Gypsies Santa's Journey paper, I began with a panel of the lovely green Victorian motif paper. I then cut out the image of Santa Claus, backed it with dark red paper and centered it onto the green panel. The top of the piece is adorned with a strip of ivory lace trim and then attached to an ivory card. I distressed two chipboard stars with dark green ink and glued to them to the card. Then I punched out a tag from 7Gypsies Lille paper, stamped "Christmas" with dark green ink, attached a gold brad and placed that in the bottom corner of the card.

I love the vintage feel of these cards and the Joyful Christmas message in the corner!

I hope you are inspired to create your own holiday greeting cards! Please stop by soon as I'll be featuring more Christmas goodies!

Thanks for visiting today!

Beth