Unbirhday

Today is my official Unbirthday. Yay me! For years I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday, because all my childhood trauma weighed too much and it simply had become a day I felt sick and scared. So, a couple of years ago my best friend suggested I picked a new date to celebrate. A date that was free of any negative association. I chose 7-7 to be my new date and in the style of Alice in Wonderland, I called it my unbirthday. It totally suited my new position towards life in general and my survivorship in special.

You know what they say, a party without cupcakes is just a meeting. So I’m sharing this imaginary cupcake with you. And while I’m writing this blogpost, I’m thinking what’s the fun of celebrating when I’m the only one having cake. You sure want a taste of it too, right? So, I’ll put this post in draft and work out something for you to have. While I’m working on that, you may want to have a look at what I’ve been creating.

I started with adding some paints to the canvas using my fingers. I love the complete contact with the media I’m using and I also feel I have more controll. Next I added some texture using stencils, stamping, doodling…anything that comes to mind or my eyes spot on my working table. Ater that I traced a sketch from my sketchbook with tissuepaper and a waterproof pen (Pigma Micron), I heat set it to make sure it was completely dry before gluing it to the canvas with Matte Medium (any decoupage kind of glue’ll work).

Next I coloured the cupcake with paints (Amsterdam acrylics).

Finally I added some random background stamping to give it a more playful look. Also I splattered some thinned down white paint with a fan brush (make sure you’re area is free of stuff you don’t want covered in paint splatters).

Truth must be said. I didn’t make this recently. When the Craftorij shop in Ede, The Netherlands celbrated their sixth birhday, I made this as a present. It’s such a bummer shortly after that Lia decided that six years of tremendously hard work was enough. She wanted to spend more time with her family and who could blame her. I’m happy I had the chance to experience the fun of at least one live workshop (I’ll make a blogpost about that soon).

So, now my present for you, dear blogreader. I stayed in the theme of celebration. Of course it crossed my mind to do a giveaway, but that would mean only one of you would benefit. That’s no fun, right? Why not share something you can all enjoy? So, I decided to share my cupcake sketch with you, so you can make your own festive canvas or card. Since all the places I know from the past, require you to sign up, I’m just going to share it here directly through my blog. Just click the image to get the original size and then right click the image and choose “save image as”. You’re free to use my design for your own artsy projects, but please don’t make profit of something you got for free. Private use only. Of course you’re welcome to gift your project to someone, but no transactions involved. And please, if you want to share, link to my blog. It’ll stay here as long as this blog stays on air, which will be for at least another five years.

A comment always adds to the pleasure of blogging. And if you happen to use this cupcake image, I would love to see the result. You can send me an email (I’ll make sure to reply!) or share and tag me on Instagram. My IG name is @mebearc

Another thunderstorm is coming over and it’s pretty close, so I better shut the computer down before the lightnet gets hit and my computer says boom. Poor Teddy is so much afraid. He’s been hiding behind and under the furniture. Poor kitty.

Happy craftings!!!!

Valentine–Random Act of Kindness

Time goes so fast! I know, the perception of time depends on how you experience the things you’re doing while the clock ticks at it’s usual pace. When you’re bored senseless, time goes ever so slowly. If you’re waiting for a loved one to come home, time seems to hardly be moving at all. On the other hand, when you are having fun or have a lot on your plate, time goes so fast! Valentine’s Day is almost a week ago and I’m still working on some love themed projects. I have to admit, love is such an amazing feeling, I am happy to have found an excuse to put some love into my arts and crafts.

Like I mentioned in my previous blogpost, I don’t have a lover in my life. And even though I still wish and hope to find the right one, I decided the lack of a love life doesn’t have to stop me making Valentine’s Day into a great day. When I was doing the Christmas ornaments drop, it gave me so much joy. So I thought it would be a great idea to do another drop, but this time for Valentine’s Day. Because we all can use love in a world that seems to be dominated by hatred. Don’t be fooled by all the news of nothing but hate and violance and craziness. These things do happen. And they upset me too. But there’s also a lot of people in the world that share love and kindness. Surround yourself with likeminded people, so you can bundle your strength and encourage each other to never stop loving. If you are willing to look, you’ll find there is still a lot of love in the world.

I came up with my own plan of giving a bit of love to the people in my neighbourhood. Once again I made a batch of clay ornaments, hearts this time, and dropped them at different locations. Of course time went by too fast again and by the time I was ready to go outside, it was already getting dark. So, in stead of making packages and drop them at park benches and such, I decided  to hang the heart ornaments at well lit places. After a while, I figured out it would be even more fun to just hang them on bicycles when people were inside the gym or the grocery store, so they would find them when they came back to their bicycles to go home

  

Two of the hearts went to one of my nurses’ kids. They looked so happy when I gave them my gifts. The youngest had told his mum he wanted to get a Valentine’s gift from a girl, which I didn’t know. I know I’m a bit of an old girl for him, but he was happy nontheless. The next day, his mum told me he hung the heart above his bed. How cute’s that? The older boy overloaded me with gifts in return. He knows I love to play Pokémon Go and he’s been a collector of Pokémon gadgets for years. So he gave me a lot of fun stuff he had duplicates of. So he manged to turn it around, I got spoiled by a kid! It’s been the best Valentine in years.

Little Book Of Christmas

I know it’s still early and some of you don’t want to think about Christmas yet, but I had a good reason to dive into my Christmas stuff. There are people in this world who already are exited about that time of year coming. And last week I was making a surprise gift for one of them. Of course this idea came up in my mind close before I needed the present, so I had to think of something that didn’t take more than a day to make. This cute little Christmas album is quite easy to make and the time it takes, depends on how crazy you go with embellishing.

Because of the lack of time I didn’t think of filming the process, but a tutorial has already been requested, so I’m planning to do a how-to video on a similar album. Maybe even another Christmas themed one.

For this album I used up an old paper collection by My Minds Eye. I so wish I had more of this. I think I will buy “Mistletoe Kisses” by Simple Stories this year. I just love the non traditional colours. Better make up my mind fast, because these Christmas collections are always gone long before I get in the Christmas mood. Good thing I was challenged to dig into my Christmas stuff early this year.

Here’s a flip through video for you. Don’t forget to like and subscribe!

Deer Art

 

In stead of Christmas cards, I decided to make a small canvas board for the people who take care of me. I cut the deer head stencil with my Silhouette cutting machine. To keep things simple (and fast as I needed the first one the next day) I repeated the same pattern, but changed the colours. All together I’m pretty pleased with how it looks. Besides the stencil I cut myself, I used stencils by Dylusions (dots) and TCW (harlequin). The paints are Amsterdam. I also used a background stamp by Christy Tomlinson (Unity Stamps) with black Stazon ink. The canvas boards mesure 4x6 inch. (due to some software problems this post has been delayed. It was meant to be published a week ago)

In plaats van kerstkaarten, bedacht ik dat het leuk zou zijn om kleine canvas borden te maken voor de mensen die voor me zorgen. Ik heb een stencil van een hertenhoofd gesneden met mijn Silhouette snijmachine. Om het een beetje simple te houden (en snel, want ik had de eerste al de volgende dag nodig) heb ik hetzelfde patroon herhaald, maar de kleuren veranderd. Al met al ben ik best blij met hoe het eruit ziet. Naast het stencil dat ik zelf gesneden heb, heb ik gebruik gemaakt van stencils van Dylusions (stippen) en TCW (ruit). Verf is Amsterdam. Ook heb ik gebruik gemaakt van een achtergrondstempel van Christy Tomlinson (Unity Stamps) met zwarte Stazon inkt. Het canvas bord is 10x15 centimeter. (door wat software problemen is deze post wat verlaat. Het was de bedoeling dat deze post een week geleden werd gepubliceerd)

That was it for today. Please come back soon as I have more to share with you!
Dat was het weer voor vandaag. Kom snel terug, want ik heb nog meer dat ik met je wil delen!

Merry Christmas

Het is inmiddels een echte traditie geworden om elk jaar voor mijn favoriete verpleegkundige/coach een kerstcadeautje te maken. Best een uitdaging, want ik kan natuurlijk niet jaar na jaar met een zelfde soort cadeautje aankomen (vind ik). Het was weer een leuke, creatieve reis.

It has become a true tradition to make a christmaspresent for my favorite nurse/coach every year. Quite a challenge, because of course I can’t give the same kind of gift year after year (I think). It was another fun, creative journey.

 

Heb een heel fijne kerst.
Have a very merry christmas.

Golden Fawn

Het kan nog net. De herfst is bijna afgelopen, maar laten we ons nog even vasthouden aan het beeld van die prachtige herfstkleuren. Als de zon ondergaat, lijkt alles goud te kleuren. Een jong hertje geniet.

It’s barely in time. Fall is nearly finished, but let’s just hold on for a second to the image of those beautiful autumn colours. When the sun sets, everything seems to turn gold. A fawn enjoys himself.

media: * canvas board * Liquitex clear gesso * Dylusions ink sprays * homemade stencils * punchinella * acrylic paints * Derwent Inktense pencil in black * Christy Tomlinson’s background stamps * Stazon inkpad Jet Black *

Dear Santa

I weet het, dit lijkt belachelijk. Santa hoort toch echt in december thuis en het is duidelijk geen december meer. Buiten neemt de lente het over van de winter (hadden we een winter?). Lente bloemen overal. Dus waarom, in vredes naam, zou iemand juist nu een canvas willen maken met een kerst thema? Omdat het een verjaardagscadeau is voor iemand die dol is op kerst. Ik durf te wedden dat hij stiekem al aan het aftellen is. Raad eens? Hij vond hem geweldig! En geloof me, die tekst is hem op het lijf geschreven!

I know, this seems ridiculous. Santa really belongs to December and well, it isn’t December anymore. Outside spring is taking over from winter. Spring flowers everywhere. So why on earth would someone want to make a Christmas themed canvas at this time? Well, because it’s a birthday gift for someone who is crazy about Christmas. I bet in secret he’s already counting down. Guess what? He loved it! And believe me, the text suits him perfectly!

media used: clear gesso; Dylusions Calypso Teal & Vibrant Turquoise; acrylic paints (Paper Artsy Fresco Finish, Reeve’s, Aleen’s, Lefranc & Bourgeois, Galleria); stencils (The Crafter’s Workshop, Kaiserkraft); punchinella; white paint marker (Posca); black pens (Pitt – Faber Castell); white tissue paper; glitter glue (Gütterman); empty tape container

Mixed Media Post-It Holders

Afgelopen week namen twee stagiaires afscheid van de kliniek. Omdat ik het pas een dag van tevoren te horen kreeg, werd het nachtwerk. Ik heb geprobeerd te verbeelden van ik bij hun karakter vond passen. Daarbij dacht ik ook aan het weinige dat ik van hun kleding en accessoires gezien heb. De eerste die ik maakte, was voor Maaike. Een jonge, stoere, maar super lieve vrouw. Uiteindelijk zijn de kleuren iets donkerder geworden, dan ik bedoelde.

Last week two trainees said goodbye to the clinic. Because I only heared about it the day before, it became a nightjob. I’ve tried to imagine what I thought fitted their characters. With that I also thought of the little I had seen of their clothing and accessoiries. The first I made was for Maaike. A young, cool, but uber sweet woman. In the end the colours turned out a little darker than I intended to.

De andere was voor Ilse. Bij Ilse moet ik altijd aan een puppy denken. Lekker enthousiast en altijd vrolijk. In diepere kern evengoed ook iemand met diepgang, die haar werk heel serieus neemt. Ook Ilse is een super lief mens.

The other one was for Ilse. Ilse always reminds me of a puppy. Lovely enthousiastic and always cheerful. In deeper sense she as well is someone with profundity, who takes her job very seriously. Ilse to is a uber sweet human being.

media used: * two coasters and o-wire (Zutter) to create each holder * pages from an old book * home made podge * gesso * spray inks (Dylusions) * molding paste * acrylic paints * stencils (The Crafters Workshop and Dylusions) * distress stain (Tim Holtz, black sooth) * (background)stamps * inkpad (Stazon, black jet) * paint markers (Posca black and white) * chipboard letter * gem stones * scrapbookpaper (Sassafras Lass) * tissue tape * black pen (Tradio) * tacky glue (Aileen’s) * gelpen (Sakura gelliroll, white)

Budget tip!!!!

Zelfgemaakte decoupagelijm: meng houtlijm (of PVA lijm) met een gelijke hoeveelheid water. Goed roeren.

* Bij de Action kan je al voor 2 euro een flinke fles houtlijm kopen.
* Voorkom vorming van klontjes (die je werk kunnen verpesten) en maak een kleine hoeveelheid in een wegwerpbekertje. Als je helemaal klaar bent, kan je het bekertje gewoon in de vuilnisbak gooien.
*Knip een stukje van een goedkoop schuursponsje om de lijm mee aan te brengen (zachte kant gebruiken). Na afloop gewoon weggooien.

Homemade podge: mix woodglue (or PVA glue) with an equal part of water. Stir well.

*To prevent lumps (those can really mess up your work) make only a small amount in a disposable cup. When you’re finished, you can just throw the cup in the bin.
*Cut a piece of a cheap cleaning sponge to apply the glue (use the soft side). After usage just throw away.

Easter Egg

Gaan we morgen eieren zoeken in de zon of in de sneeuw?
Will we be searching for eggs tomorrow in sun or snow?

Tea Wallet

Gisteren vierden twee vriendinnen hun verjaardag. Ik heb een “thee-portemonnee” in hun lievelingskleuren als cadeautje gemaakt. Het patroon komt van Handmade Therapy.

Yesterday to friends celebrated their birthdays. I’ve made a “tea wallet” in their favorite colors as a present. The tutorial was found at Handmade Therapy.

A Stamp In A Box

Een tijdje terug had ik voor de verjaardag van Manon een stempel gemaakt met haar naam. Ik had deze nog niet hier laten zien, dus bij deze.

A while ago I made Manon a stamp with her name on it for a birthdaypresent. I didn’t show it here yet, so here it is.

Meteen ook maar een leuk doosje eromheen gescrapt.
Scrapped a nice box around it at the same time.

 

Dank voor het kijken. Als jullie me kwijt zijn, ik ben schelpen zoeken op het strand :D
Thanks for looking. If you’ve lost me, I’m looking for shells at the beach :D

Teabag Wallet

Ook ik moest natuurlijk meedoen aan de nieuwste rage van dit moment: theezakjes-mapjes. Ze zijn echt zó leuk om te maken. En zó leuk om weg te geven. Die verraste blik op het gezicht van de ontvanger is goud waard! Er zullen beslist meer mapjes van mijn hand volgen.

Me too had to follow the latest trend from this moment: teabag-wallets. They are só fun to make. And they are só fun to give away. That surprised look at the face of the receiver is worth gold! There will absolutely follow more of these wallets made by me.





Dank voor het kijken en een fijne dag verder!
Thanks for looking and have a nice day!

Spekkie, a Card and a Mystery Egg Box...

Layout:


details:




Card:



Now what's in the box?



Surprise!!!!!
Eggs and ducklings! So tweet...

A Bearry Sweet Bear & A Happy Hippo Journey

Deze lieverd kwam vandaag ineens aanwandelen...
This love came walking today out of nowhere...



En de Happy Hippo's reizen tegenwoordig ook al naar het buitenland!
And the Happy Hippo's even travel abroad these days!



Om te voorkomen dat ik m'n haakwerk steeds opnieuw moet uithalen, omdat ik de tel elke keer kwijt ben, heb ik deze stekenmarkeerder gemaakt.
In effort to prevend my crochetwork to be untied again and again, because I keep loosing my counting, I made this stitchmarker.


Dat was het weer even voor vandaag. Er ligt nog een lief heersbeestje te wachten op z'n stippen en wat er verder gecreëerd zal worden, is ook voor mij nog een verrassing. Fijne avond allemaal!
That's it so far for today. There's a lovely ladybug still waiting for her spots and all what's next to create is stil a surprise for me too. Have a good evening!

Taarttopper

Speciaal voor op de bruiloftstaart ...
Special made for topping a weddingcake...

... hoewel ze de taart niet speciaal nodig hebben om schattig gevonden te worden.

Je zou er spontaan verliefd op worden. Als je wilt, ze zijn nog beschikbaar ... Gewoon even een mailtje sturen.
Speciale wensen voor jouw persoonlijke taarttopper? Stuur me een mailtje voor meer informatie.

...though they don't need the special cake to be found cute.

You'd fall in love right away. If you'd like to, they're still available ... Just send me a mail.
Do you have special wishes for your own personal caketopper? Just send me a mail for more information.