Lotus Flowers

Cardmaking....... totally a travel inspired blog post today!

Recently, my husband and I traveled to South Korea. While there, I saw so many things that awed and inspired me. The stunning lush mountain ranges, the silence in so many spots that calmed my mind amidst the busy cities , the vibrant colours that called to me every where we went, the delicious food on every corner, the wicked coffee, the welcoming and loving folks I met all over the country, the juxtaposition of modern and ancient side by side, the heat.....oh the intense summer heat, not really sure what it did for me, other than exhaust me!  To say the least, the trip stirred many a thing in me, that will stay with me for a long time to come. My creative soul has had an incredible awakening since taking it all in.

So what is that I am blogging about....the lotus, of course and how it has inspired 2 dozen cards since I have been home!  I have always loved the lotus flower, and being Canadian, they are not a very common flower around here, so when I was in Korea, and saw them everywhere, I came home a little obsessed!!  The lotus flower was in its peak growing season while we were there, so they were easy to spy and some were as tall as 5 feet, so you could not miss them. Some of the temples had whole sections that were lotus, as far as your eyes could see, it could see a sea of blooms. Yes, as my husband said, I had my 'giddy on' taking it all in.

Me standing in a lotus patch and trying to take a selfie with a giant Nikon.....not easy! Honestly, I was happy, despite the scowl on my face!


So literally the night I got home and could not sleep due to time change, I set out to find a lotus stamp set. My first thought was Altenew, and of course they came through! Not only was it exactly what I was looking for, but as I read their description of the stamp set, it stated the design had been inspired by their recent travels to Seoul, South Korea. Well, well...this was meant to be! In my shopping cart it went, and I waited impatiently until the mail man delivered it.

I started creating right away while the bright colours were still so clear in my mind.

I used an assortment of mediums to add colour to each flower. I ended up making over 2 dozen cards, each different to the next. So here is a small assortment of some of them.

Copic coloured flowers and Distress Oxide inks in the background

Prisma pencils used for colouring on this one, and Zigs for the background

Zig brushes for the flowers and background

This set of darker cards was created as a masculine Thank You design, so I intentionally kept them simpler and not as detailed as the others. I simply stamped them, and then blurred the image slightly by spritzing with water and a few drops of bleach. It gives it a very ethereal effect I love to use. The paper in the background is handmade Korean paper called, hanji. I absolutely loved all the paper stores I visited there and brought a ridiculous amount home. It is such an art to watch them make it.

Hanji, Korean handmade paper. It is sold in giant sheets, nothing like you would see here

Anyways,  I was very excited to share some of these cards with you, and hope that something inspires you to create like the lotus did for me. No, it does not have to be half way around the world like this experience was for me, as it can be right outside your door. Just open your eyes, look around and take things in differently.

I have a great love for South Korea, for a few different reasons, and I look forward to returning for many reasons. I can honestly say, I look forward to the next lotus festival, as it has captured me and taken me in, and given me one more reason so love this country!

Quick Zig Color Pen cards

Good Morning Card makers!

After a much need break from work and life, that included an amazing trip to Korea, I am back in the game and full of inspiration  from all my travel.

Upon arrival home, I was in need of 6 cards almost right away, so to maximize my time, I used one of my favourite stamp sets "Hello Lovely" from Concord & 9th for all of them, but just changed them up a bit as I went.

I stamped each one with Versamark onto watercolour paper, then heat set with clear embossing powder. Then the fun began.....colouring!! While in Korea, I picked up more Zig Clean Color pens as they were so inexpensive there.....as in 80 cents each inexpensive!!  I coloured each one differently, yet brightly. I know some may find my choice of bright flowers on a sympathy card odd, but I have never been a believer that everything to do with funerals and death need to be black, calm or sedate, and that was only reaffirmed in Korea when we saw a funeral procession and all the flowers where white or vivid pink or yellow. They celebrate the happy that once was, not the darkness you already feel with their passing. Anyhow, you can see bright ruled here, no mater what the sentiment it was reflecting.

As for sentiments, they are both from Gina K designs. The 'Thank You' is from the Bold & Blooming Set and the 'Sympathy from the Sentimental Calla Lily set. Both fairly new releases, that I absolutely adore and use often.

Once done all that, I felt they needed a little something more, so I mixed a touch of the grey and black Zigs together with more water and splashed it on with a paint brush, some cards richer in depth than others. Each finished off with complimentary nuvo drops.

Once they were dry, I mounted onto 6" x 6" card bases and personalized the insides and envelopes.

So far now, a few more cards are caught up personally, but several orders await my attention, but I will focus the next few days on getting sleep, hanging out with our son who we were away from, and the mountain of laundry that is piling up!

Remember...be creative, think of others and kindness always matters.

 Kim