Back to School

This week the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge is to create a Clean And Simple Back to School project.

Back to School - Paper Smooches

 

Labor Day weekend has always signaled “Back to School” for me, even though there were years I had already started back to school, and my sons had started back, before Labor Day. Just one of those things fixed in my head!

I had my sons in mind while I created this card. I wanted something math and science-oriented, as well as “boy friendly.” This teacher may have caught the paper airplane from one of his students, or maybe he’s made it himself. At any rate, he’s passionate about the subject he teaches and isn’t ruffled by a little paper airplane building. He encourages his students to stretch themselves in the classroom.

Supplies:

Go Boldly!

This week’s challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays – to create a Clean And Simple project featuring banners or flags – has been a particularly fun one. I created one card right away, but my mind wouldn’t stop thinking of possibilities.

The death of astronaut Neil Armstrong inspired me to create a card related to the landing on the moon. The late sixties and early seventies were such an exciting time in our country. My brother and I were obsessed with the space program. In fact, he went on to major in aerospace engineering. We ate space food sticks, in school we read Weekly Reader articles about the space program, and we were glued to the television any time something related to the space program aired.

My card for the challenge uses a banner for the sentiment and a US flag.

Go Boldly! Paper Smooches

Supplies:

Lawnscaping Challenge #40

This week’s Lawnscaping Challenge is to make your own patterned paper with stamps.

I combined this challenge with the Deconstructed Sketch Challenge #66.

DS66

It took me several tries to combine colors and stamped images. I don’t think I’ve ever used yellow and red together on a card before. I tend to associate the color combination with sports teams. The kraft, black, and white helped to neutralize the two strong colors.

Lawnscaping Challenge #40

Supplies:

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Today, Will and I had the opportunity to visit the newly-opened Chihuly Garden and Glass, the largest display of Chihuly glass in the world, at the Seattle Center. We’ve been meaning to go all summer. The forecast called for sun and mild temperatures, so off we went! I’ve used Will’s photos, taken with a wider angle lens than mine, for this post.

I’m not exactly sure what I expected, but the exhibition exceeded our expectations and is a wonderful addition to the Seattle Center. It replaces the former Fun Forest amusement park.

The interior galleries, which visitors walk through first, illuminate major facets of Chihuly’s career. One of our favorites features glass forms of varied shapes and vibrant colors spilling over the edges of two large wooden boats.

ChihulyInterior

 

A glass conservatory aka Glasshouse visually connects the nearby Pacific Science Center and Space Needle.

ChihulyGlasshouse2

 

The Garden is anchored by four monumental sculptures. The largest, named Sun, sits atop a bed of black mondo grass. Somehow Will managed to get all of the people standing in front of this to vanish for a moment!

 

ChihulyGlasshouse1

 

Unfortunately, I can’t find any information about the names of the other three major sculptures in the garden. This green tower looks almost tropical.

ChihulyGarden

 

The garden, designed by Chihuly along with landscape designer Richard Hartlage, features Chihuly pieces sprouting in color groupings (orange, purple, black and blue) amid well-paired plantings.

ChihulyGarden2

 

We’ll definitely be returning for an evening tour of the gardens sometime this fall.

CAS-ual Fridays – Banners & Flags

This week’s CAS-ual Fridays challenge is to create a Clean And Simple project that features banners or flags.

I’ve had a multitude of ideas swirling in my head ever since the challenge was announced last night. I’ve even been looking at nautical signal flags to see if I could piece together some on a card!

This card took on its own life and I kept it super-simple. I’m in love with the cottage in the Neat & Tangled “Sweet Home” stamp set. I wanted to create a scene of a summer home, someplace on a beach, late in the summer when it has become chilly enough to light a fire. The family living there is getting ready to head back to the city for the fall, but for one last week, they’ll hold onto summer!

CAS-ual Fridays - Banners & Flags

Supplies: Neat & Tangled “Sweet Home” stamp set; Simple Stories patterned paper; Stampin’ Up + Neenah cardstock; Hero Arts dye ink; Sizzix embossing folder