Hummingbird Invitations (Invitatii Colibri)

These hummingbird invitations are one of my dearest designs of 2015 which is why I am going to dedicate it 2 more future posts.

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 {RO}  Aceste invitatii cu tema colibri sunt unul din modelele mele  preferatele mele din 2015, de aceea voi mai vorbi despre ele in 2 articole viitoare.

 I made these beautiful for Isabelle Marie's christening.  (can anyone enlighten me with the correct term? My USA custommers call it 'Baptism' while those in UK call it 'Christening'.

Part of the merit for the design belongs to Alice, Isabelle's mother who is very creative herself (I will tell you more about it in a future post). She managed to explain what she wanted while giving be enough creative liberty so that I could do my best work possible.

The reason I love this invitation so much is that it allowed me to showcase my passion for watercolor. I started with the watercolor illustration of a hummingbird and fuchsia. This is all it's left of it now, but I did manage to clean it in Photoshop.

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 {RO} Am creat aceste frumoase invitatii pentru botezul lui Isabelle Marie. Un mare merit in realizarea lor il are mama ei. Pe langa faptul ca e la randul ei o persoana foarte creativa, Alice a stiut sa-mi indice ceea ce dorea, lasandu-mi totodata libertate creativa.

In plus, am avut ocazia sa-mi manifest pasune apentru acuarela ilustrand pasarea colibri. Doar asta a mai ramas acum din biata mea ilustratie. Din fericire am reusit sa o curat in Photoshop.

The custom hummingbird seal and the hand stamped envelope liner are details that make this invitation even more special.

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 {RO} Interiorul plicului stampilat manual precum si sigiliul  de ceara personalizat dau o nota distinctiva acestei inviatii si o fac sa fie cu atat mai speciala.

You can order these invitations through my Etsy shop or direct e-mail.

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 {RO} Puteti comanda invitatiile pein magazinul meu Etsy sau direct prin e-mail, in curand si prin invitatii-couture.com

Watercolor City at Dusk (Oras la apus - pictura in acuarela)

I was looking for something on my desktop when I found this painting I have framed digitally.
It is view of the Popa Nan street in Bucharest painted by yours truly from a photo by a dear high school mate Dan Berte.

The original watercolor painting is available for sale.

[RO] Tocmai am gasit poza acesta pe desktop in timp ce cautam ceva. E o pictura in acuarela pe care am realizat-o dupa o poza a lui Dan Berte, un drag coleg din liceu. Pictura reprezinta strada Popa Nan din Bucuresti si este de vanzare (neinramata - rama din poza e digitala)

My 2015 Sketchbook - Video Flip Through

One of my goals for 2016 is to share my watercolor journey and invitation making in video format. So here I am breaking the ice :)


This sketchbook has changed my life as an artist in such a beautiful way! I am hoping to talk more about it in the future and teach you how to make your own.

Please let me know what you think.

Finding your Voice in Watercolor

I love skies. I like to watch their ever changing splendor through my large living room windows. However, when it comes to painting them, I am terrible. In fact I am terrible at landscape painting altogether so I decided to take an online class.

I have to tell you it looks much easier than it actually is. I just can't seem to produce a proper looking sky using ultramarine blue and raw sienna so last night after another failure, I decided to take the reference photo and listen to my inner voice, use the colors that I like and see what happens. It couldn't be worse that the first trial. Even if it didn't look like the reference photo, it would at least be nice and vibrant so I went with the phtalo blue.

This is a paint in progress photo. The colors are altered by my ceiling light, but you can see my point.

And this is the final result. I'd like to hear your opinion. Which one do you prefer?

I haven't written this post to showcase my horrible landscapes. I wanted to share my experience and tell you to let go. Stop trying to be perfect, you will become better with practice. Instead, try finding your own voice. Experiment with the colors you like, don't think about not ruining it. We are not all meant to paint landscapes like Turner. By doing this you will set your mind free and you will find the joy of painting which will hopefully lead you into painting again tomorrow.

Another mistake I have been making is to paint too rarely not only from lack of time but also fro making things too complicated and expecting too much from my paintings. I am hoping to change this with my new mind set.

How about you? Please share your experience with your art, your frustrations and how you overcome them. Did you find your own voice or you are still on the look?

What does a pregnant woman do when she is too tired to stand?

This pregnant woman likes to take her new pocket size sketchbook and a pencil, sit somewhere comfortable and sketch.

I used to lay down and read during the first trimester, but laying on my back is not an option in month no. 9.
I still do a lot of work in the mornings, but I feel exhausted in the evenings. However, going to bed early will only mean insomnia and I don't want that, so thank God for drawing.


I sometimes also sit at my work table and add some watercolor to the pencil drawing. Love how this orchid came out. I am thinking to transform it into a digital image and use it on wedding invitations.

The Sketchbook Challenge - "Highly Prized"

I don't know how many of you have noticed that from the beginning of the year my blogroll has a new link in the "Challenges" section.
It's the Sketchbook Challenge blog. They have started a 1-year challenge to make sketches and share the process and I decided to join them.

For this purpose I made a new sketchbook with small pages and paper that can support wet media.
Small because I can't work fast and I tend to be intimidated by large canvases. Wet media, because I love watercolor and will probably use it on most sketches.



The theme for January is HIGHLY PRIZED".

For me greatly prized is the paper I work with (breaks my heart to throw away the tiniest bit and would love to recycle it all). That is why you will more often than not receive my invitations in reused packaging and my favorite way of making cards is by using scraps. Even this little book is made from cardstock that was left over from some of my invitation cards.

If there is anyone out there making paper by hand I would gladly send you paper scraps (free shipping).

I haven't drawn a stack of paper for the sketch challenge though. I have drawn a symbol of where paper comes from. A simple leaf. One of my favorite things on earth.

Christmas Teacup Watercolor

This is a picture uploaded directly from my camera. I am still on someone else's laptop, but I didn't want to miss Laura's Challenge Scrapper in Romania #8.


As soon as I saw the inspiration photo I knew I wanted to paint it and I I did about a week ago but my computer got toast and haven't been able to edit and post pictures to my blog.
Here is another view of my painting:

Poppies... to Remember

I love poppies! I live outside the city on a hill where lots of poppies bloom in summer time.
I didn't know until recently that they are the symbol of Remembrance Day.
I found out about this from The Craft Garden November Challenge.



Then I saw this beautiful image on Julia's Blog and felt a sudden urge to paint poppies. I wish I had time to do an oil painting but the watercolor should do for now.


It's so strange how (As L. guessed in my previous post) every year around this time I paint poppies.

Here is the one from last year:


And the one from the year before:

Of course, like every summer, this summer too I had to take a trip to my poppy field. I am not a very good photographer, but I thought I could bring you just a little feel of summer now that winter knocks at our doors.

Sunflower and Ladybug (SOLD :)

Despite all the invitations I posted lately, I have been actually been able to squeeze in a little time for painting.
I did this sunflower and ladybug watercolor to use as background for one of my invitations, but I then thought it just didn't match the wedding theme.




I have to thank Isidora for sending me the postcard that served as model for my painting.
I wish I could be that good to paint something like this from memory but it requires lots of practice which I don't have.

You know Christmas is close, right? Does anyone remember what is my favorite subject to paint around this time?

[Edit]
I forgot to say the dragonfly is a stamp. I might use it for the invitations instead of the painting.

Watercolor Anemones - Free Download (Anemone acuarele - download gratuit)

I'd like to thank everyone for participating in the blog hop we organized at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog this weekend. Thank you for all the lovely comments. I appreciate them very much. You all made me a happy girl.

As a thank you present I am offering this digital image pack for free (click on the image above to go to the download page). You can use it however you want except for selling it or pretending you painted them. I don't care if you make money from products using my images but I would love being given the credit for the original image and I would love to see what you create.

You can contact me by e-mail for custom image requests.

If you encounter any problems in downloading it, please contact me by email (my address is in the sidebar).

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Imaginile de mai sus sunt gratuite si pot fi utilizate inclusiv in scopuri comerciale.
Va rog doar sa nu pretindeti ca sunteti autorii lor sau sa le revindeti.

Daca publicati ceva creat cu imaginile mele va rog sa mentionati de unde aveti imaginile si m-as bucura sa-mi artati si mie ce ati creat.

Ma puteti contacta prin e-mail daca aveti probleme cu downloadul.

Cuttlebug Spa weekend: Relax, Rejuvenate, Be Inspired!

EDITED: YOU HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY NIGHT TO COLLECT ALL THE FLOWERS AND SEND THE LIST TO THE CUTTLEBUG EMAIL.

Thank you for hopping here.
If you have come directly to my blog and don't have a clue what it is about, then you should go to the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog first. It is where the blog hop starts.

Here is what you have to do to be eligible to win one of our many prizes:

-- Visit each blog in order, starting from cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com
-- "Follow" each blog or add it to your blog roll/TypePad
-- Leave a comment on each blog
-- Grab the name of the blogger's flower
-- Email CBC with the name of the bloggers and flowers at the end of the weekend


Here is what I am giving you:

This is my flower for today: it is called ANEMONE.

The image above is a watercolor painting I did for this special event the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog is hosting. It shows all that inspires and rejuvenates me in one image: NATURE & ART.

When I was a little girl I used to walk in the woods all day long and admire flowers.
I don't do that so often anymore and that shows in my new stressful life.
I wish I could at least have a garden to grow flowers.

I will transform this into a digital image set that will be given to all those who will leave a comment on this post.


To collect next flower, go to

Spike's Blog

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We Want to thank these fabulous ladies for joining us.

Libby, Eveline, and Beth

BLOGGERS:

Eva http://evafromca.blogspot.com/
Michelle http://creative-mayhem.blogspot.com
Meda (myself) http://handmadebymeda.blogspot.com/
Spike http://spikescreativeside.wordpress.com/
Lea http://leascupcakesandsunshine.blogspot.com/
Betty http://bettybrett.blogspot.com/
Karen http://reallifeinpictures.blogspot.com
Peggy http://cardcrazy.wordpress.com/
Ching http://www.notleftstanding.blogspot.com
Cassie http://www.fortheartofit.blogspot.com
Jenyfur http://torn-paper.blogspot.com/
Sally http://sallysangelworks.typepad.com
Roe http://creativeliberties.blogspot.com/
Tracy http://www.luv2cre8joy.blogspot.com
Jenn K. http://scrappinforlife.blogspot.com/
Alyson http://allisonscraftymoments.blogspot.com
Mrs. J http://www.mrsjscreations.blogspot.com/
Nathalia http://funkyphreshpapierkreations.blogspot.com/
Danni http://www.dannisdoodles.typepad.com
Beth http://beth714.blogspot.com
Eveline http://vanheijstditjesendatjes.blogspot.com
Amber http://thecountryscrapper.blogspot.com/
Maggie http://stamping.craftgossip.com/
Kim http://radiogirlcards.blogspot.com/
Heidi http://vanlaardesigns.blogspot.com/
Jenn M http://captainscrappyjm.blogspot.com/
Becky http://bouncyflouncyfunfunfun.blogspot.com/
Libby http://libbysscrapz.blogspot.com
Christine http://creativejourney.typepad.com/creative_journey/
Shannon http://shannonssentiments.blogspot.com

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Sponsors:


Blythe terrarium Etsy store

Monogrammed Robe By Tammy
Etsy store

Bella Bee designs
Etsy store

Ferris Wheels Wonderful gift set for PC comfort..
Etsy Store here

Delicious fun Handmill soap from SavonShoppe
Here's her Etsy Store

How about some Java to help us rejuvenate?
Kathreyn Etsy store

What's a party without Sweet?
Laura's Sweet store

How about a set of Handpainted coffee mugs?
Mary's Etsy store

How about a set of Blooming towel basket?
Christie Etsy Store

How about some indulgent bath soap? (Fragrance may varies)
Nicki Etsy Store

How about a set of Manicure and pedicure kit?
Visit Erzulie's Etsy store

Complete Spa basket with bath salt, eye pillow etc..
Tuttieloo Etsy store

How about Divine chocolate soaps?
SouthernVTsaop Etsy store

Spa Gift Basket
Connie's Etsy Store


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Design Team giving prizes:

Karen M....K&Co. Goodies
Amber...Ribbon & Martha Stewart Stamp Set
Maggie...UHU Glue
Ching...SEI Windsor
Christine...Spa Basket & Prima Crystals
Lea...Scenic Routs Sonoma Papers
Danni...Spa Basket
Nathalia...Vintage Ribbon/Trim/Lace
Jenyfur...Paisley Cuttlbug Embossing Folder
Spike...Arbonne, Glitter Ritz Glitter, & a set of Spellbinders Nesties
Mrs. J...Lush Bath Bomb & Candle
Cassie...Lavender Sachet & Pillow Mist
Peggy...Party Light Scented Candle
Cassie L....Sophia Lia Jewelry
Meda ....Watercolor digital image set

SheetLoad and Cuttlebug Intersite Challenge -Be Inspired #25

This is my card for Be Inspired #25 over the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog.

Our sponsor this week is Sheetload.. They gave each of the design team a pack of frosty and clear acetate cards to work with. I chose the frosty one.

This is something new we are doing an intersite challenge.. Meaning both sites have come together to bring you an excellent challenge.. please take a moment to visit them by clicking on the image below. Sheetload is owned by Alicia the creator of Shortcuts. If you have not seen sheetload I suggest you run there and download your free copy.




Sorry for the ugly photo. I have waited for the sun in vain.



I saw a stamp like this somewhere, but I don't have it so I took my pen and watercolors and tried to draw it. I'm quite happy with it.

Edited: Leslie Miller has just told me it was an image by Stamp Oasis and the samp can be bought at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.   Thank you Leslie.



This is the sketch we had to use. I had to simplify as usually, I did not want to cover the frosty acetate. I kind of like the contrast: FROST - FLOWERS.

Painting with a Twig (Pictura cu o grenguta)

This is a technique practice we did at art school today. We were only allowed to use a pen a twig and a kind of "ink" made from watercolor dissolved water.Doing this was quite fun and relaxing after a hard day at work.

O tehnica noua cu care am lucrat azi l scoala de arte: nu am avut voie sa folosim decat un pix, o crenguta si un fel de cerneala facuta din aciareal dizolvata in apa. A fost o seara placuta si relaxanta dupa o zi obositoare de munca.

Kissing Under the Cherry Thee - Watercolor Card (Sarut sub cires - felicitare in acuarela)

This is my card for Cuttlebug Be Inspired 21: Watercolor.
Aceasta este felicitarea mea pentru Cuttlebug Be Inspired 21: Watercolor.

Please check the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog to see all the design team cards and to submit your own card to the challenge.
Va rog vizitati Cuttlebug Challenge Blog pentru a vedea modelele celorlalti designeri si pentru a participa voi insiva la concurs.



As I was finishing this little tree painting I suddenly got sentimental and thought I needed 2 shilouettes under the blooming tree. I will keep this card to remind me of how happy I am in the arms of my husband.

In timp ce terminam acesta mica pictura in acuarela am devenit brusc sentimentala si am simtit nevoia sa schitez doua siluete sub pomul inflorit. Voi pastra aceasta felicitare ca sa-mi aminteasca mereu ca cel mai fericit loc pentru mine este in bratele sotului meu.

Watercolor: Autumn Sill Life (Acuarele:Natura statica de toamna)

This is a still life in watercolor I painted at art school this autumn (50x70 cm, 19.6x27.5 inch). It was quite challenging to do the Indian corn but I did learn a lot from painting it. As always, my watercolors don't look like watercolors. I wonder if that's good or bad, if I should keep trying or switch to oil painting.

Also I have a QUESTION for you all: should I keep posting my paintings here or I should have a special blog for my paintings? I was thinking that my blog might have gotten uninteresting for both paper crafters and painters because it does not have a dedicated content, then I think my blog is a place where I can be found with all that I am in just one place. Please give me your opinion about this so I can make a decision. Thank you!



Natura statica in acuarela pictata azi-toamna la scoala (50x70 cm). A fost o provocare sa pictez porumbul, dar pana la urma am invatat mult din asta.
Ca de obicei, lucrarea nu pare a fi pictata in acuarela si ma intreb daca asta e o problema sau nu, daca ar trebui sa mai insnt incercand sa-mi schimb stilul sau sa trec la pictura in ulei.

De asemenea am o INTREBARE: ar trebui sa-mi fac un blog dedicat picturii sau sa le postez in continuare pe acest blog intercalat cu felicitari invitatii si alte lucruri de genul acesta? Ma gandesc ca ar fi mai bine sa am cate un blog pentru fiecare din cele 2 domenii, insa, pe de alta parte intr-un singur blog se poate concentra mai bine tot ceea ce sunt. M-as bucura foarte mult daca mi-ati spune si parerile voastre. Multumesc!

An Apple a Day... ( Un mar pe zi...)

Well I wish I could paint an apple a day or anything for that matter, but I can't do card making and painting at the same time so I usually take turns. I wonder what this week will be about as I still have a lot of Christmas cards to make. These are 2 of my studies from about a month ago. My aim here was to learn to paint loosely and still achieve accurate shape and volume (the green apple). The red apples don't really look like apples, but I like the bright colors. Like all the beginners I tend to have muddy colors in my watercolor paintings, but I sure hope to improve.



Mi-ar place sa pot picta cate un mar pe zi sau ceva de genul asta, dar e imposibil sa si pictezi si sa faci si felicitari in acelasi timp asa ca le fac pe rand. Inca nu stiu ce voi faec saptamana acesta. Ma tenteaza pictura, dar se apropie Craciunul si mai am inca multe felicitari de facut. Vad ca ma cam intind cu scrisul, deci, pe scurt, merele sunt studii de acuarela, incercari de a reda volum fara sa amestec prea mult culorile pentru a pastra stralucirea si prospetimea specifice acestei tehnici.

Watercolor Pumpkin and Apples (Dovleac si mere in acuarela)

We had a little bit of sun this morning and I was home so I was able to photograph some of my watercolor sketches. This is one that I did from a painting I found on the internet (I can't remember where). I'm trying to learn by reproducing different paintings that I like or just parts of them. My main goal is to be able to paint fresh looking watercolor images and that really doesn't come natural to me.
(L'ouvre watercolors on Fabriano non watercolor paper.)

Azi dimineata am avut parte de putin soare si, fiind acasa, am reusit sa fotografiez cateva din schitele mele in acuarela. Aceasta a fost realizata dupa o pictura gasita pe internet (nu imi amintesc unde). In momentul de fata incerc sa invat tehnica picturii in acuarela imitandu-i pe altii, iar principalul meu scop este sa obtin picturi care sugreaza prospetime, lucru pe care nu reusesc sa il fac in mod natural. (Acuarele L'ouvre pe hartie Fabriano -nu e hartie de acuarela)

Watercolor, watercolor, watercolor... (Acuarele, acuarele...)

I have been painting a lot lately. Struggling with watercolor that is. Although I am a very creative person I am also very realistic and, no matter how much I try, I end up making paintings look too photographic. So I'll do watercolors until the battle is won an I will be able to make fresh looking paintings with this medium.
Here is a dahlia I made from a reference photo on a painting group I joined on how-to-draw-and-paint.com. I have more paintings to show you, but I need good light to photograph them.

In ultimul timp am pictat foarte mult, sau, mai bine zis, m-am luptat cu acuarelele. Desi sunt foarte creativa, mai am o latura realista care ma determina sa pictez intr-o maniera mult prea exacta, lucru care nu se prea potriveste cu tehnica de acuarela. De aceea intentionez sa pictez in acuarela pana voi invata sa redau realitatea intr-o maniera mai relaxata, mai proaspata.
Pictura din imagine e realizata pentru un grup de pictura online la care m-am inscris.

I Have a Cuttlebug (Am un Cuttlebug)

I don't have time for too many words tonight but I did have to make a card with my brand new Cuttlebug. It has travelled a LONG, LONG way from USA till here. Can you see the dry embossed background? That's my favorite Cuttlebug design.
Pumpkin is hand drawn and colored with watercolor pencils, leaves are drawn on velum then colored with acrylic paint and cut out.
Back to painting watercolor still lives now. I'll show you the final work later if I like it enough.

Nu am timp de prea multe vorbe in seara acesta, dar vroiam sa va arat noua mea achizitie. Se numeste Cuttlebug si a calatorit FOOOARTE mult din SUA pana aici.
Cuttlebug e o masinarie care, printre altele, stanteaza hartia cu ajutorul unor matrite obtinand modele ca cel din spatele dovleacului. Dovleacul l-am desenat intai in creion, iar apoi l-am colorat cu creioane acuarel. Frunzele le-am desenat pe hartie de calc, le-a pictat cu vopsea acrilica si apoi le-am decupat.
Ma intorc acum la pictat natura statica. Sper sa iasa ceva destul de bun incat sa va pot arata ce am lucrat.

Goodbye Summer - One Last Umbrella Card (Adio vara - O ultima umbrela pe plaja)

This is a card I made in September, soon after I got back from a vacation at the Black Sea.
I'm still waiting for those hot days to come back, although I know that long icy winter is coming next.
This card is 100% handmade, including the image which is hand drawn. As you probably noticed, I am trying to take my art skills to a next level which is good drawing and watercolors skills, so my latest cards all have hand drawn images (also because I don't have too many stamps). The umbrella is colored with Derwent watercolor pencils and the sky with watercolors that come in tubes (by Louvre).
Another thing I like about this card is that it uses scraps (except the card base). The background is made from little squares cut out from a phone company flier and some green patterned paper leftovers from some wedding invitations I made last year. The flowers are hand cut or punched from wrapping paper and other scraps from my stash.
The shiny stuff on the image is transparent embossing powder with glitter.


Aceasta e o felicitare pe care am facut-o in septembrie dupa o vacanta la Marea Neagra pentru un schimb de felicitari cu tema "umbrela". Inca mai am impresia ca ar trebui sa se intoarca acele zile calde de vara, desi stiu foarte bine ca urmeaza iarna. Felicitarea este 100% realizata manual, inclusiv imaginea pe care am desenat-o cu mana (nu am folosit o stampila). Poate ati observat ca incerc sa-mi duc abilitatile artistice la un nivel superior (desen in creion combinat cu acuarela), motiv pentru care ultimele felicitari se bazeaza exclusiv pe desene proprii. Umbrela este colorata cu creioane acuarel de la Derwen, iar cerul cu acuarele in tub de la Louvre. Un alt lucru care imi place la aceasta felicitare este ca am folosit doar resturi de materiale ramase de la alte proiecte (o harta de pe un pliant reclama, hartie verde cu flori ramasa de la niste invitatii de anul trecut din care am facut fundalul cu patratele, hartie de ambalat cadouri si alte resturi de hartie colorata pentru flori.) Ceea ce luceste peste imagine e un praf cu sclipici care o data topit se transforma intr-un fel de glazura.