Believe - Quietfire Guest Designer

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I am so excited to present this project as a Guest Designer for Quietfire Creations!
I was honored to be invited, and trust me, I agonized over what to create!  Eventually,
I created two projects using the  Quietfire "Believe" Die

Project #1   An Upcyled Ping Pong Paddle
Project #2   A Journal Cover

I was inspired by a project from Asmah Abidin.  She had the fabulous idea of upcycling a ping pong paddle.  I thought this would be the perfect showcase for the Quietfire "Believe" Die!

I sent my hubby off to the Goodwill and he returned with 2 paddles, and a Racketball Racket, which he says he purchased in self defense just in case inspiration took a left turn somewhere.
(Translation no more sudden trips to the Goodwill. )

The elegance of this Quietfire "Believe Die"  really draws the eye into this design, I think!   

Quietfire offers a Believe Stamp Set that could be used to complement the die. 

Paper piecing has become a true port of refuge for me on the days my hands don't work well enough for me to color.  I drew the colors for my paddle from her jacket!.

 The dark wood stain, really brought out the earth colors.   To brighten the palette a little,  I added the orange-red flowers and a smathering of TH Abandoned Coral DI on the flourishes.
PROJECT #2 - JOURNAL

I resisted the temptation to make the spine and back more elaborate!  I decided to leave both black and add only random swipes of gold!  I covered the entire project with three coats of  Liquitex Professional Gloss Varnish...the effect is quiet lovely!