I just love to quill!

I've been studying a bit lately, as mentioned before, on improving my business and I've hooked up with Paper Craft Planet for the card challenges and I've really learned a lot.  But what I think is most important is that I know now, even more than before, just how much I love to quill!  While I'm constantly looking for new ideas of what to quill, I know that if you try to use your imagination and skills you can come up with a way to quill just about anything.  To me that's an exciting idea.

Most anyone quilling can do a flower.  Daisy shapes are very easy to master.  The folded roses are a bit more challenging.  But have you tried making something different? Have you tried making something no one else has made?  Who makes the rules about how quilling has to look?  How wonderful is it that you can twirl, twist and manipulate a thin strip of paper into a shape and no one can say, hey that's not quilling!  I love that you can alter that thin strip into anything you can imagine.

So I've been playing around with some ideas.  I like the idea of adding to patterned paper.  I like the idea of using something more iconic than "picture perfect."  I also like the idea that I can take a traditional card format and turn it into a beautiful personalized quilled card.

The picture below shows the card style with an oval cut from the center.  I put a piece of patterned paper that I like behind it.  Then the flowers that I quilled are my interpretation of those flowers from the pattern. The colors match as closely as I could get them to.   I think the "s" swirled shapes are great, so I added them in a pale green.  The choice of brown card stock to base it on is because of one of the challenges, and I like the way it came out.

Notice that the leaves are a little different as well.  The entire front is utilized, yet it is still airy in appearance.  One of the other things I have definitely learned is that pictures are so very important and everyone can learn more about taking good pictures.  I know I fit into that category!

So I encourage all of you to start experimenting with your quilled shapes.  Try something you already know how to do, just a little differently than you normally do.  Who knows, you may fall in love with quilling again too!

Best wishes!

 

You're Never Too Old To Learn

 While I certainly don't want to call myself old, I think it's fair to describe myself as very mature!  I've definitely been out of school for many years now.  But recently I have been trying to do a lot of studying.  I've participated in an online class to help me build my business/business plan.  I've joined an online group of fellow card makers to challenge me and teach me new techniques.  I've learned a good bit.  I've certainly enjoyed learning some new techniques, getting new ideas and meeting a few very nice and talented people!  But one of the things I've learned is how much I enjoy making my quilled cards.

So I've begun getting ready for the holiday season.  I've made a few cards and tags.  I've put together a few ideas and purchased the items I need to create according to my plan.  So now I'm just getting busy.  Below I'm sharing my quilled gift tags and a friendship card.  I hope that you enjoy them.  Very clean and simple items that make their point on their own.  Enjoy!

                 
                                                                                                  

Blessings to all of you!

Shelly