Stampin! with Jaydee

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday

I have a card for you tonight inspired by the views from our own deck.  When I purchased the Wetlands set last year, our wetland was pretty much a wetland in name only.  We had rarely seen even a touch of water in it.  Well, this year is very different.  In fact, the wetland is looking particularly beautiful right now because our prairie plantings are coming in.  I walked around the garden this morning and took some photographs.

Here's how our wetland looks today.

It is so pretty.  The prairie grasses are growing in in the foreground and we have NO idea what is coming up in the wetland itself.  When we seeded there last year, we weren't really expecting to have standing water!  So it is going to be really interesting to see what comes up.....

Well, as we have had so many water birds in our wetland this year, I've really been inspired to ink up my wetland set.  A couple of weeks ago we had 3 or 4 Solitary Sandpipers visit with us.  they were the inspiration for tonight's card.  I was also struck with how the sky is reflecting on the water and how it takes on a darker hue.

Here's my card:

I had great fun sponging my background onto some Very Vanilla Coaster Board.  I LOVE this stuff.  I know that most of you will not have probably taken much notice of it in the SU catty, but it is the perfect weight for creating tags and elements for cards.  It has enough weight that it stands up to a lot of things, but not that much bulk that it adds extra for the post.  I love the fact that I can be a little rough with it, and it still doesnt buckle or crease.  If you haven't checked it out in the catalog, I certainly would :-)   It works beautifully with the dies and the framelits.

I bet you are wondering what I used to create the tag?  Good question! :-)  It's the new banner die in the 2014/2015 catalog.  It has two different shapes of large banner and two shapes of a much smaller banner.  A great die for creating, well.... banners :-), but I also loved them for different shaped tags.

The embossed layer is the new ZigZag embossing folder and I love the pattern of it.  One of the other things I love about the Coaster board is that it really takes sponging very well.  Considering this was a Very Vanilla color originally, I really think it does a beautiful job of absorbing and blending the colors.

So.... on to some other photos.  This one is for Terri and Linda.  They keep asking to see some interior shots, so I thought I would share a photo of the corner of our sun room.  This room has one of the best views in the house and is VERY bright and sunny.  Lou painted it a gorgeous shade of blue and the only thing we had to change out were the standing lamps and the two accent chairs.  I LOVE these chairs.  They have a slightly formal feel, but the paisley pattern gives them an air of lightness and the color matches the walls and the couch beautifully.

Of course, I love the giraffe in the corner :-)  I promise I will take more photographs and share them when our friends have been.  I wanted to save the surprise of how things have changed for their arrival and then I will be happy to share some decor and interior shots with you.  Years ago, I did qualify in Interior Design and was lucky enough to be able to practice as a part time hobby.  I love creating.  I love playing with colors and textures and seeing how entire spaces can transform by moving a wall or a window, or even a piece of furniture.  As my first husband was an architect, I got the chance on multiple occasions to design spaces and interiors for his corporate and private customers.  Now, I just do it for me. :-)

Now, for those of you wanting to see something of the mammal variety.... how about this?  I was SO excited when I caught this shot.  I might add that it is the ONLY sighting I have had of these two.  She's keeping this little baby very well hidden.

Isn't that adorable?  What a cutie!

Well, the screened in porch is just about complete.  The screening is in.  The roofing is in.  All of the columns and supports are painted.  Lou is outside right now painting the floor.  Once that is dry, we will be able to move in furniture and decorate the space.  I CANNOT wait.  We have been waiting for this moment for well over a year and I can't believe that it is almost finished :-)

I'll be back on Thursday with another card and some more photographs.  In the meantime, I hope the changes to the commenting are making it much easier for you.  Linda, thank you for letting me know it was easier for you :-)   You all know how much I appreciate and enjoy your comments :-)    Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!

• Card stock:    Island Indigo.  Vanilla Coaster Board
• Stamps:  Wetland
• Inks:  Pear Pizzazz.  Sahara Sand.  Marina Mist.  Soft Sky.  StazOn Black
• Tools:  ZigZag embossing folder