THE BEACH IT IS

We are now into the sweet sounds and smells of summer.. Each day reminds us of of the pleasures of summer, one of them being a chance to go to the beach. I personally cannot go but ,but my heart is there smelling the surf.

I have created all the following cards for this purpose. So now enjoy this first one which will be my son's birthday card in the near future.

This card uses BY THE TIDE for most of the card. We used CRYSTAL EFFECTS for the fish to make them look shiny,glasslike and realistic with MARININA MIST as the focus color......Inside and out the coral is our NEW SMOKEY SLATE GRAY which is so soft and great to use.

Still using the same stamp set , our next card says GOD BLESS YOU taken from TRUST GOD,such a nice stamp set with all sincere greetings. Look it up in the back of the big book.

We used the sea horse and shell  in BAKED BROWN SUGAR to stamp and then colored in with a sponge CRISPY CANTALOUPE. All this was done on a translucent sheet of vellum. If you use vellum , you must stamp in STAZON or CRAFT INK. Here we used white CRAFT INK  and the same coral stamp from BY THE TIDE...it is soooooooo gorgeous when you let it dry.

LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW card was done with the WOODGRAINED embossing folder, and a die for the oval which was FRAME OVAL SCALLOP,of which we discarded the frame. We stamped with BAKED BROWN SUGAR, POOL PARTY, BLUSHING BRIDE, AND PRETTY IN PINK.

BY sponging the layers together we created this outdoor scene, and MASKED in a moon as well.

This was the favorite card of both classes.

And finally the last card, which was the SECRET GIVEAWAY for the 2 classes. I gave away this particular set FLAMING LINGO in the back of the catty . It is Su's way of giving back. For every set you purchase SU gives 3$ to the RONALD MACDONALD HOUSE for kids.

Hooray CATIE won the FLAMING LINGO Set for herself . Our new FRINGE SCISSORS complete the grass at the bottom, and complements the BAKERS TWINE which is wrapped around .

Learn these new ideas and techniques and COME JOIN US AGAIN NEXT MONTH.

See you all soon and HAPPY STAMPING

Donna

Summer Garden Delights

It is definitely summer here at our house. So even so having downsized our gardening efforts,there is still a lot of color surrounding our ordinary lives. You know how much I love to share God's handiwork.

Our lives have been changing for months now but somehow our gardens are more timeless than our lives.

Let me share some of my most beautiful morning surprises which open up my soul to God. Each and everyone is HIS handiwork.

These are polyantha roses which are excellent for drying and craft work. They were a gift from one of my sons and his family a few years back. I suppose because of the bad winter we came thru, I am lucky to still have them, as many people have lost their roses from the extreme cold.

The next photo is I am not exactly sure, but believe to be some sort of campanula. They hang out of my lampost garden, and becon you to stop and lift their little heads to see their faces. They are freckled but not from the sun , as they are always droopy and cast a downward glance.

Ok so lets see what else you may like to know about the lovely ladies in my garden. The next one is a throw back to one I had seen at a wine festival. As hubby and I were walking around the grounds, I spied this beautiful dark purple foliage which drew me to explore more throughly.

After purusing in and around the new  spectacle, I went in search of information on it's heritage.The following  summer we were at a landscaping place and there it was , so being of sound mind and body, we added a new color to our pond area. She is finally full and rested and gave us her show this summer. Isn't she so flowing and pretty?

For today , I will let you rest in the beauty of nature , and the blessings that surround us. 

Hope you enjoyed this little tour as I enjoy sharing it with you!!!

Blessings

Donna, the happy gardener.

My Water Color Hands

Hey everyone, a few months ago I went on the Web and I joined a challenge in painting prompts. This particular challenge wanted you to challenge once a week for 52 weeks. Finally on week 18 ,I was able to sync my life, time and challenge together. The previous week I had taught myself to use my random pastel watercolors on 2  pages together. It was my very first attempt  but I was certainly impressed with the beautiful  colors they presented on the pages. They lay empty waiting for ME the artist in residence to put something on their pages for 2 weeks.

When the challenge came to me , it was to put a hand on your page and create beauty around that focal point. VOILA , my mind went into  immediate action. Remembering those muted soft pinks and aquas , I felt those prompts calling to me to be put on these exact pages. So next are the products of that evening.
The  first  hand are all the things in my life I love. Can you see the leaves.cottage doors, tiny birds on a wire, keys and so on? All of these items are special to me in some way.

I was so enthralled with my finished product , that the next one popped right into my head. This one was SOO beach inspired. I love the beach and get to go so seldom. I wanted to capture the salt air in the ART piece. Roses from the sea shore,sea shells, bird feathers ,fish, barnacles.and sandy fences make up this pastel art project.

Let me know if you like it!!!

As always

My creative juices are flowing.

Donna

Summer Garden Days

This was one of those days when I so wanted to share my garden with all you will take the time to read the blog. After hubby mowed they yard , the flowers seemed to be gloriously celebrating. I looked over and as they swayed in the soft wind I felt they were whispering to come take their picture.

There is a corner of our yard which continually has this wirey type grass that takes over everything. These lupines were prettier last year as the weeds are taking their nutrients from them, but they are still my second favorite flower in our yard. They are multi colored and sooooo gorgeous!!

Are't they so stately. But now for my very favorite FOXGLOVES, which are biennials. They got hit hard this winter so again are not as nice as usual. So glad they all did not expire.

 They do surround much of my back corner.

 And last blooming now are the peonies in shades of mauve and pink. The rains do knock them down though so they are slightly wimpy. Ha ha.

So it is the end of the day for me after cleaning windows , and moving beds so I will mosey on out to the patio and sit a spell. Enjoy your day tomorrow and remember to stop and smell the roses!!

See you all soon so stay happy and well.

Donna

Bird days for June

L

Hey everyone it is THYME for the birds. I no idea why I have fallen in love with these tiny creatures, but I seem to have done so.  Finding myself looking for pictures, making cards , decorating my home, they are everywhere.

So for the month of June, my inspiration has gone in the same direction. Many of my followers as well so the workshop was a great hit. We all made a delightful 3d birdhouse which could be used for decor, filled with treats or added to a card for presentation. So check out how fun and colorful they are.

Next we made a sympathy card-- very simple.

With the new CYCLE SALEBRATION set we created the SOOO sweet birthday card in pink pirouette.

LOST LAGOON was my choice for the bicylcle whichnis one of the NEW in COLORS. 

AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY  I used GORGEOUS GRUNGE for the HELLO honey road under the bike.

THIS WAS THE FAVORITE OF THE DAY--the most darling mini book contianing all nature and of course with BIRDS. I could not wait to share this tiny book with you all. The covers are embossed, gilded and decorated in a pastel tone. We used THOSE sprays you find in the stores so check out the colorings especially. Otherwise it was all at random stamps in miniature  I had collected. 

See if you love the. As well and leave me a comment after this post. I need to know if you are reading these posts and if it worth my time and time.

Enjoy this longer post today and if you need info just call me . The books are just precious and the girls love doing someting so different.

So see you soon!

Donna

TYME in my garden!!!

Finally as the days get longer and somewhat sunnier, I find myself looking over my garden vignetts

deciding  which ones need my PERSONAL attention. One of my favorites places are at the light at the end of the driveway. After pulling weeds to allow growth the uncovering begins.

My gorgeous NEWER hosta needed trimmed. A cousin gave me this a while back with such a vibrant yellow edge.

Next the coral bells rang out their song for me dress them and clean them up.

This year I wanted to spruce up the area with new color so I added an old birdhouse along with

The VERY NEW garden enamed spike. I am so into birds so you can see why this one is so appealing!

It brought l my colors together.

In the background I have polyantha roses in a pale pink , then greens around, the darker reddish coral bells and in the front planted pink bell flowers of which I have forgotten the name.

My Dalton gave me the red ones in the front. Arent they just the sweetest??

So after I planted all day and drew away winter gleanings, check out the next picture and think 

To yourself SERIOUSLY!!!! 

Enjoy my garden vignett today and I have only 13 more to go. Ugh!!!

Donna

AMAZING SPRING LINE UP CARDS

In this starting spring weather, one can find so many ideas for inspiration . At first I thought of the new butterflies we will be seeing shortly, so from this the first card imerged. I had never heard of a secret message card somit intrigued me. I chose an apple green from a previous year color and the card began to take shape. 

This is posted for your inspiration!! I made mine into a sympathy card!!

Next I remembered that graduation was next month so for a while I had wanted to use my owl punch

which made this a perfect time. Owl builder punch #118074 is used for the cutest little guy ever.

I used a piece of cloud paper from a package I had from SU. You may change the vest to the school

color of your choice. 

BUILD BUILDER punch 117191 was the leaf used  for under the letters. TYPESET ALPHABET BIGZ

was used for the letters which stand strongly. It is #127553 and is a little pricey. I happened to be lucky

enough to earn it once at half price. Wow, it makes impressive lettering.

Change up the back ground, the vest color to suit your personal needs along with a white , brown , or black owl. Is'nt it the cutest card ever????

Sorry the card went to the top but this app has a mind of it's own. But you get the jest! 

The next card is our 15 minute card truly. Seems like you always need an unexpected one, and this you could make in a wink of an eye.

HAPPY WATERCOLOR #133191 is the stamp set used . Such a versatile stamp set . We have already used all the sentiments and now all the floral components. Iceland Poppies come in all colors so we

combined the Coastal Cabana inkpad with our wonderful blender pens and thes poppies look so real!!

Simply tap the blender pen onto the wet ink pad and roll until the color goes on. Fill in your subject

And when shading add more color in edges or deep spots and the flower comes alive!!! I used Baked Brown Sugar for the strip along with twine to accent. Also added to the bottom edge was coastal cabana 3/8 ruffle stretch ribbon which will be discontinued from the new catty.

Now for the feminine touch ,I created this corset which was done in Blushing Bride. Going for the vintage feel, I chose a non SU stamp I  had forever that reflected the shape of the corset. What really made this card stand out was the unusual split in the card itself. I embossed the corset and added an edge of ribbon left over from last season. On the left edge I tucked in some tulle ribbon which has been in our clearance bin. I love it so I bought extra. 

Enjoy this months cards , try the great blender pens and above all "keep stamping"

Donna

The VERY FIRST SWAP created

Good morning everyone,

It is so exciting to be able to write to you to talk about the very first time doing  a swap here in my home. 

It was fun all month listening to the scuttlebutt about swapping. Ideas flitted and floated through the air. The girls that I thought would step right up surprised me, and the ones who wern't in the immediate picture came through. We had vintage with original ephemera glued on carefully and of course floral for a few.

Can you see the floral peeking through the back ground??? Also entered was a spring colored one and one done in watercolors she said??????? So ingenious!!!!!

They used ribbon, tags, pictures from magazines,tape,cutouts and vintage misc.

These girls were so ingenious in their design. A few are missing because they went home with the girls before I got to take the pictures. Thank you all for making IT happen !!!!!!!! We will do a different one in 2 months so stay tuned for new and exciting things to come. 

Only a month away is the unveiling of the NEW Catty so go through and make sure there is not something you can't live without. Also stock up on your favorite cardstock colors and don't forget your ink refills for those thirsty ink pads. They will be discontinuing some of the older colors and new TRENDYcolors will come in in JUNE.

If you need anything just call?

Thank you all for the EXTRA fun  this month.

Donna

The making of more altered art

Well hello again,

I so wanted to share with you all today some fun I have been having. Below is a page in my ART JOURNAL I have completed. Since I love the color orange I chose to do this page in it. The sweet child like figure is done in gelatos which I then wetted with water making them watercolor like. The look I was going for was childlike and innocent and was done on regular cardstock. Dylushion sprays were used on the back ground to create the soft effect. These sprays are all water soluable so if they get wet again they move and reactivate. This is the reason I cut the girl out and used matt medium to adhere her on the page. Next I drew the heart, and colored in many shades of crimson, burnt orange, orange and reds, being very careful not to lift the underspray. Then I used a pen to stitch all the pieces of my life together. Love it!!!!! Do you?

Well now onto the mess we create when we make altered mail. One must get out the washi tape, glue,envelopes, pages from a book, pictures, downloads,stickers and whateve else you can get your hands on. Below is how clutters it can get but fun.

This month we are doing swaps so I cant wait to show you those on the next post.

This last one was one I saw on the web but had to share for Easter. Look closely as it is hand painted 

and machine stitched around the outside. So precious!!!!  See you soon and Happy Easter!!

Black and white Occasion card

There is something so special about simple black and white creations , whether it be bedrooms or luggage, or a dress but it's simplicity is rewarding. So a month ago I wanted to address this combo.

I struggled with an idea totally SU and it just would't come to me. So this is the card we created using 

Su designer paper in the black and whites.

 The flower was created using the PUNCH BLOSSOM punch #605203 cutting 3 layers of different prints. Using a spray bottle to wet the cut petals,scrunch them in your hand and put a hole in the centers for the upcoming brad. Let them dry while  you put your card together. Leave the birdcage until last. This was a 5x7 card this time. I believe the picture will give you the combo easily combining dots and stripes along with prints, all coordinating easily. The inside birdcage was a simple stamp I had picked up some time ago which was appropriate.

Now the delightful glittered birdcage happens to be a TIM HOLTZ die ,one which has the little bird in it as well.

I then cut the birdcage from a black glitter cardstock. And the bird from plain black cardstock so the cage would be  the focal point. Last I cut a small white banner using WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL DAY so it would  be more general. Gently tucking it in the cage side made it more whimsical. So remember do not glue all of the spines down or you cannot slide it into place. 

So time for the flower now. I used a SU antique brad which comes in different shapes all in one round box, and inserted it through all the flower layers. I then used glue dots to adhere because of its small size. Then you are able to scrunch the petals  around until it suits you.

This card would be beautiful foe a wedding or get well or birthday. 

So enjoy this posting and let me know if you love it.

Have a wonderful day.

WATERCOLOR IS SO TRENDY RIGHT NOW.

Did you know WATERCOLOR is SOOOOOO in right now. You will find it in sheets, decor , clothes and art. Stampin Up is right on  track with Watercolor Wonder on page 23 in the mini. The pics don't do it  justice so here are closeups for you to see how gorgeous the DSP is. April workshop will showcase a card  using the beautiful prints.

They are light and airy working gleefully in our next spring cards. Here are a few more.

There is a matching stamp set on page 22 in the mini and is called HAPPY WATERCOLOR which is a perfect coordinate.

In April we will showcase the paper and the stamp set so if you love it put it on your WISH list.

A few sunny days finally has helped to think in terms of fresh color. Hope you can come on the 14th or the 16 th to be inspired.

Sunny days ahead

Donna