A few years ago I hosted an ICAD swap and we had great fun with it. This year I am just making some for fun!
The lovely Daisy Yellow has for the last 4 years hosted this challenge on her blog. This year's challenge started on June 1 and will run until the end of July. The challenge basically means that you create a little 3 x 5" card (or alter an index card of roughly that size) and just enjoy the creative process and then share your creations with others on your social media sites. You can read all about it here.
I have a lot going on right now and am very busy. Creating these little cards, which really don't take long, is just a great way to relax, spend a little creative time and have some fun. Like a mini art journal really. I am not sure whether I can do all of them, or even do it every day, but there is no pressure, that's what I like about it. I used 3 x 5 cards cut from a manila folder as my substrate, as I had no index cards to hand.
So here is a quick overview of my first 5 cards:
Distress inks and various stamps. Main stamp is from Visible Image.
Background Tissue Wrap, paint and a collage from scraps on my desk.
Mix of inks, paints, stamps and an embossing folder.
Paints, stencils and a scrap from a paper napkin
My favourite technique and colour combo at the moment, just playing with stencils, some background stamps and Distress Inks.
Well, that's it for now, onto the next batch which I will post in a few days. If you are looking for a fun creative project, check out the link, - there is even a special Facebook group you can join.
Thanks for visiting like always
and I hope you will have a week full of creativity!
Looks like you had fun creating these cards,they are very pretty. Sometimes I think making small art is harder than a large project .I always love to visit your blog you really do inspire,thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThese are just beautiful Astrid, such gorgeous little creations with lovely messages on them. Thinking of you. xxx
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and am going to pull out some of the spare index cards we have lying around. Love yours they are beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful set of cards, lovely colours and images as always.
ReplyDeleteYvonne xx
Lovely inspirational cards Astrid. I loved your Icad swap, I remember dithering about whether I dare join in and I was so glad I did,.
ReplyDeleteIs it really that long since the ICAD swap, time flies for sure! These are wonderfully inspiring cards Astrid, I love each and every one... Hugs, Anne xxx
ReplyDeleteAll so beautiful Astrid. My favourite is the centre one with butterflies. Always lovely to see your art and learn. Nicola x
ReplyDeleteHi Astrid...I am loving all the different techniques on these, and the messages are amazing! You can 'feel' the fun that you are having.
ReplyDeleteDot x
Beautiful little cards, Astrid. Love the various techniques on each.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! Love all the different techniques and what a lovely way to have a little fun!! xx
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Astrid. Gosh it does not seem like a year since you showed us how to get started with these little gems of art. Love each and every one of those, they look so colourful too. Hugs Rita xxx
ReplyDeleteLovely little cards, always good to try things out, too. Valerie
ReplyDeleteGreat small cards I really love them!!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Maria
Amazing little treasures here again Astrid, so sooo beautiful. I also still remember the swap and still have my beauties here too as a great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love all these, but must confess the one with the butterfly is a tiny bit ahead the rest, but I can´t help it, I have something about buterflies. But also the next one with the blue flowers are really gorgeous with all the flowers and the blue shades on it, but then again, they all are really gorgeous hun. Keep them comming.
Your ICADs are stunning Astrid and a great way to use those left overs that we keep......just in case!!!!
ReplyDeleteMight have to join in xx
Huge hugs Annie xx
Such playful Icads Astrid!
ReplyDeleteEach one is beautiful, I love the colours. I know what you mean about being busy, same here. It's that time of year where we want to be outside as much as possible. But it's raining today.... a good time for crafting :) Shirleyxx
ReplyDeleteLovely cards!! I really like the one with the little bee!
ReplyDeleteWell, Astrid - these are... hmmm-- I started to put "simply" AMAZING but they are more than simple - they are too lovely to just be simple! I had never heard of an ICAD and I just think yours are WONDERFUL. All of them. Soooo soooo creative. Wow. Thanks bunches for such great eye candy to start the week with. j.
ReplyDeleteThese are all beautiful index cards!!! Love the colors and texture!!
ReplyDeleteLovely index cards Astrid! I've only made 2, but I'm going at my own pace, because knowing me, it would become a chore!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, Astrid. And, it would be a good way to try out techniques and just keep them in a little box for reference or on a ring.
ReplyDeleteI love each and every one of those stunning cards, Astrid! Beautiful rich colours, fabulous textures and wonderful messages! Thank you so much for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBranka xxx
these index cards are great fun Astrid - all beautiful and I can certainly appreciate they must be a great way to experiment! Brilliant idea! Hugs rachel xx
ReplyDeleteWonderful little reminders as well as stress relievers!! Beautifully done Astrid- I might have to join you! ")
ReplyDeleteWhat fabulous little gems!! Love each of them - great colors, images, textures.... wow!! And thank you for the info re ICAD - have not heard of that before. Always love seeing your work, but especially inspiring here to see it on a small canvas - I am having a hard time with that concept in my own work, lol! xxx Lynn
ReplyDeleteSuch creative and wonderful little ICADs , dear Astrid.
ReplyDeleteEach and everyone, beautiful, colourful, and happy in your use of flowers and butterflyes.
Also a pieceful and not too demanding little project to maybe finding time for ,every day !
Hugs from me. Dorthe
A lot of pretty details on such a small background! Astrid, all five are little treasures and so gorgeous! I love all the layers of mediums and various embellishments. I can see that would be such a great way to have a little creative fun and destress! Love them! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAmazing collection Astrid! I'm so impressed how much detail you fit onto these small surfaces. I have a hard time finding enough room on my 5x7 cards, I think I might panic with such a small starting panel. haha! Love them all. hugs :)
ReplyDeletethese are gorgeous , beautiful little works of art and great messages...sending love n hugs x
ReplyDeleteWell, how fun are these, Astrid! Each little ICAD more lovely than the one before! Can't wait to see your next batch!! XOXO-Shari
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea and what lovely colorful designs on each card you have created! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteWonderful ICAD cards Astrid, I am blown away by how you mange to create all these lovely pieces of art! Thanks for sharing your first week, can't wait to see what the rest of June has in store!
ReplyDeleteperfection plus ... love the richness and all the little details adds to the beauty ... pure delight x
ReplyDeleteAstrid...these cards are so pretty...each so different but all with your look given to them. I love the idea behind them. As you said, like a mini art journal.
ReplyDeleteLove these all. especially the butterfly ones, there is always something beautiful in butterflies.
ReplyDeletehugs June x
Another lovely set of ICADs (yes, I know they're the first set but I'm going backwards as usual!) - I really like the freshness of the green and yellow ones - so summery.
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Each one is lovely! I keep wanting to do this ICAD project, and last week I went out and bought index cards. Love your cards, Astrid.... you have prompted me to start a new Pinterest boards with ICADs. I hope to get started on this myself in the coming weeks.
ReplyDeleteI have never made an ICAD, believe it or not. Feeling inspired! These are cute little things decorated beautifully. X
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