Sunflower Card and Mini-Art Journal

Hello my friends!  I hope you're in the mood for lots of photos because I had a busy World Cardmaking Day, plus I wanted to try out my new iPhone 18 Pro Max.  Would you believe my old phone was an iPhone 6?  That's quite a jump!  The idea was to have it for when I'm out and about and not have to carry an extra camera (especially for the dogs).  Not sure I'm ready to switch for card photos, but I think it did a pretty good job.

Enough about that... let's see a card.  I have two first time uses here --- SSS Sunflower Blooms die set, and 3 Quarter Designs Sunflower Elixir designer paper.  I believe I got the designer paper on Amazon, along with a few other ultra-gorgeous paper pads which I hope to use soonish.  The sunflower and sentiment are ink blended with brushes, and I sponged the edges of the designer paper and the card base as well.  Three layers of petals, three layers of sentiment.

It's very simple, actually, but in a rather stately and mature kind of way.  A little bit vintage maybe.

My efforts Saturday mostly focused on my new interest, art journaling.  Let's be frank and call it an obsession.  Many evenings while Rich is playing solitaire on the computer I've immersed myself in art journaling videos (YouTube on the TV).  I've made two books and purchased one.  The book I'm sharing today is made from envelopes with the workable page space measuring approximately 3 1/2" x 5 1/4".  It ties closed with ribbon.

The video I learned from is here.  I used 5 x 7 kraft envelopes which someone found at a yard sale and gave to me.  It's a cute little book and the small pages are good for a beginner.

However, anyone who makes cards cannot be called a beginner.  Art journaling is simply a way to do more of what you love without hurrying, and the only one you're trying to please is YOU.  The following is art journaling done my way.

There's die cutting, stamping, painting splattering, and more of that gorgeous Sunflower Elixir paper.  It's probably retired.  This 6x6 pad has 12 single sided pages.  Heavyweight and semi-gloss.  You know I had to use the Golden Retriever first thing.  I stamped paw prints along the edges in Ranger Archival Watering Can in order to bring the dog and flowers more together.

The frame is a Taylored Expressions oldie.  I painted it with acrylic Distress Paint in Iced Spruce, and then brushed over it randomly with white acrylic paint.

The small flowers and foliage are from the SSS Country Basket Bouquet set.  I love how the added paw prints suggest the dog has been politely walking along the edge of the flower garden.  To finish, Distress Vintage Photo ink was sponged around the edges, and white acrylic paint splatters added over all.

Sharing at Darnell's NBUS Challenge #91 with my SSS Sunflower Blooms die set and 3 Quarter Designs Sunflower Elixir designer paper as my never before used schtuff.

That's all for today.  I think I'll just wrap this up and get busy with my day.  Much as I'd like to stay there's lots to be done outside my craft room.  I enjoyed catching up with your crafty creations this weekend, and I'm happy you stopped by to see me today.

Have a beautiful day!