Stampin! with Jaydee

Hi Everyone.  Happy Sunday.

Before I begin my post, I'd like to wish you all a very Blessed Easter!

It's my turn to host the Paper Players challenge this week and I have a technique challenge for you.. sort to :-)

This challenge has so many possibilities..... whether you choose a circle, a square, a rectangle, a star.... any die cut shape is appropriate!   I decided to use the feather dies that accompany the SU Fine Feathers stamp set and had some fun with the background.

I began but laying out the two dies onto a piece of Neenah Solar White card stock and die cutting out the feathers.  I then took a piece of watercolor paper and went to town with my inks, water, Perfect Pearls and used all of those to create my background.  I then added some drops of Dylusions Ink to add a little bit of depth.   Of course, I decided that wasn't quite enough!   Before I show you the whole card, let's look at the background:

You can see how I used the negative space to create shades of blue... but it wasn't enough when I added the white front panel so was compelled to stamp the two feathers onto the watercolor base with versa mark ink and then setting them with silver embossing powder.   I do wish you could see more of the background, because it is pretty cool, but I do think the addition of the silver embossed feathers was the right touch!   Now, let's take a look at the whole card:

I mounted the front panel onto the watercolor base with dimensional tape and then adhered the whole thing to an Island Indigo base.   The sentiment is from the Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings set and I stamped the sentiment with Island Indigo ink.

This card will be going to the Splitcoaststampers April Cards for a Cause.  I do try to support the Monthly causes and the one for April was very close to my heart.  Here's the description:

Hospice of Health First is committed to providing comfort and care to terminally ill patients at home, in nursing facilities, the hospital or at the Hospice house. They provide many other services such as respite care, caregiver training and support and bereavement services.
Bereavement services are offered as support groups or one on one meetings for 13 months or longer if needed. After a year many groups stay together on their own for support.

They are looking for: Sympathy, Thinking of You, Hi, Just a Note, Thank you, Birthday and any others that can be used to stay in touch with and give encouragement to those who have lost a loved ones.

I decided to make this card a sympathy card..... the type of card that I find so difficult to make but, instead of the normal "with sympathy" I lead with "I'm so sorry", which is a term that I find myself using when anyone tells me they have lost a loved one.

The design team took this challenge and absolutely rocked it.... from cards to 3D items... you really have to check out what they have done.  Then.... I really hope that you will play along with us this week.  I would love to see what YOU create with this challenge.

Ann Schach
Anne Marie Hile
Claire Broadwater 
Joanne James
Laurie Schmidt
LeAnne Pugliese
Nance Leedy
Sandy Mathis 
Debbie Mageed
Karren Johnson
Shannon Jaramillo

On a personal note:

Oh... spring is on her way.... and last night we decided to go outside on the porch and look at the - almost - full moon.   The temps were cool... but not freezing... and the skies put on the most amazing show.  The clouds were determined to block out the moon, but the moon was determined not to let go.  Sadly, my camera could not take a decent shot, but I can promise you it was AHMAZING.  If you look closely at the bottom of the shot you can see the tops (of the very tall) trees, as well as the corner of the house.  

Lou and I stood outside for at least 10 minutes watching the game of cat and mouse between the clouds and the moon.....  it was glorious.  We could have spent ages looking at the shapes created by the clouds... but they moved so fast :-)

I really do need a camera that takes much better shots in the evening!

Just to show you that there is NO green in the wetland.. you can almost NOT see the deer in this shot.

They have been visiting regularly to see if there is anything on offer.... occasionally there is an over-ripe apple or carrots that have lost their crispness - and they seem to love them when we offer them up.

Internally, things have been "cooling down".  The warm red curtains and cushions have given way to the cool colors of spring.  I do love the red curtains and cushions.... but am so happy when we are able to change them out to the cool sage greens.   The lampshades are changed out to a smaller - and much lighter colored - shade.... ah.... yes.... spring must be around the corner.

The thing that I love.... the lighter colors allow the eye to go straight past them and out to the amazing views outside of those windows.  I know the scale is really hard to see here.... but the couch is just short of 11 feet long and is 4 feet wide...  so that gives you an idea of how big those windows are.  Right now, the view is all brown... but will soon turn over to a gorgeous green.

I am in love with the Pottery Barn cushions.  We bought them last year and I was so happy to bring them out again this spring.  The dragonfly cushions remind me that the dragonflies will be out again soon, too!

Well.... I hope you have a wonderful Easter Sunday.  I'll be back with another card tomorrow.  In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:  

• Card stock:  Island Indigo.  Neenah Solar White
• Stamps:  Fine Feathers.  Sentiment:  Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)
• Dies:  Fine Feathers
• Inks:  Distress Inks (Ranger).  
• Accessories:  Enamel Dots - My Minds Eye