A Few Cards to Share

I found a couple more cards that I made using the Pierced Blooms dies.

I love these colors - Magenta Madness, Basic Black and Just Jade!  That Magenta flower just pops off the page!

This card also uses the Pierced Blooms but is much more subtle than the magenta flower above.  I used the Stitched Rectangle dies to create the two "windows."  These colors are Petal Pink, Emerald Envy (retired) and Calypso Coral.

For this card, I copied a card made by one of the NC demos.  The folds are unique with the flower from Art Gallery popped up on dimensionals.  I put a little bit of Gilded Leafing in the center of the flower using Heat and Stick Powder.

This card highlights the Artistry Blooms DSP (which will be retiring soon.)  I colored the birds with Stampin' Blends and fussy cut them from Birds and Branches stamp set; stamped the tree limbs with Early Espresso and added a little but of Gilded Leafing.

I'm sorry I've been MIA lately.  I've been wrapped up in a health issue and trying hard to do my exercises daily!  I was dismissed from PT 2 weeks ago and yesterday got released from the ortho doc.  Next week, I am flying out to visit Ashley for a week!  I'm dreading sitting in the airport and plane with that danged mask on but it will be worth it!  Hope the weather will be good while I'm there.  I'm sure I'll be helping her in the yard!

I received my new SU catalog in the mail this week and have been looking it over!  I have to be honest, there are a lot of floral sets in the new catalog.  Truthfully, I have plenty of florals so that might save me some money.  There were a lot of stamps from the catalog and mini catalog that did not go away so that helps a lot too.  I love the cover of the catalog using Expressions In Ink DSP - that will probably be my first thing to order, along with the new In Color inks and refills.  If you are a customer of mine, you will receive a catalog in the mail in May.

More swapping plus a cute baby!

 Before we look at cards, I want to share with you this adorable baby!  Meet Abigail Webb, my great niece.  I haven't seen her in a couple of months and wow, how she has changed in those few months!  She is 4 months old and such a good baby.  I had the family over for dinner Saturday night and we all took turns holding her.  It's been a long time since I held a little one!

OK - now to more of my swaps that I will be mailing off this week.

This is my swap for Artistic Expression (pg. 108-132 in catalog)  The stamp set is on page 120, Birds & Branches.  I love the die (Birds and More) with the circular opening and the leaves and flowers.  I mixed together Frost White Shimmer Paint (pg 147) and a little Pear Pizzazz ink and painted the leaves.  I used the same technique on the bird and the little flowers.  The card is Soft Sea Foam. 

Obviously, this is my birthday swap card.  I used the Playing With Patterns designer paper (6"x6").  I love the colors in this paper - Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Night of Navy and Purple Posy.

There was not enough of one pattern to make all 15 cards so I varied the designer paper on each card.  The layout is the same on each.  I used the Happy Dies and stamped "birthday" with Well Said stamp set.

Birds and Branches

I understand we are still dealing with COVID-19, but I think we need to make as good of a summer as we can.  Most of us can get outside in some form - whether sitting on the porch, taking a walk, or participating in some form of an activity (golf, tennis, swim, etc.).  For those of you with children, my hat is off to you trying to make it a fun summer.  My point is - summer is moving quickly and fall will be here before we know it!  Think about doing some card making with your children.  It's a great activity when it is hot outside.  Maybe start on your Christmas cards.  Believe it or not, but on July 1st Stampin'Up! is releasing their Holiday Catalog to demonstrators!  This is a first on having it so early.  Happy Stampin'!

Believe it or not but it was actually cold (and rainy) here yesterday!  Even Sonny was cold and put on long sleeves.  We broke a record I think with temps just getting to 61 degrees and I don't think it is going to be much warmer today!  Why couldn't this have been last week when our A/C was not working!

I'm still fighting the pain in my back and have to take a lot of "sitting breaks" during the day.  I can tell when I've done too much.  Last week, I thought I was doing pretty good.  There were several days that I didn't even take any Tylenol, Alieve, etc.  But Friday did me in.  I went to water exercise in the morning and in the afternoon I went to a friend's house.  She lives on the lake and has been wanting me to come over and paddleboard or kayak with her.  I kayaked until my arms got sore and then switched with her and tried to use the paddleboard.  I didn't feel comfortable standing so just got on my knees and paddled until I couldn't anymore!  She ended up tying a rope to my board and towing me back to the house.  Aren't I a wimp??   I really felt like one especially when I leaned over to pick something up and felt a pop on my side!  Not sure what I did but I was in a lot of pain the rest of the day and Saturday.  I am better now but I am really taking it easy.

Here is one of the cards I made for the NC Quarterly swap (that was canceled!)  I love this Birds & Branches stamp set (catalog on page 120).  It was the first stamp set that I ordered from the new Annual Catalog.  The stamps - birds, branches, eggs and nest images - all coordinate with the Birds & More Dies to help you create beautiful cards!