An Open Heart for Hand Stamped Sentiments

Hi Everyone.  Happy Friday.  Oh... I am so glad that it is Friday!

I saw this great sketch across at Hand Stamped Sentiments

 

It took me a little while to decide what I wanted to use for the circular element and then realized that the bird and branch from the Stampin' Up! An Open Heart set would work perfectly.

 

I began by die-cutting the circle and then stamping the branch.  I stamped the bird on a spare piece of cardstock and colored it with my copic markers.  I then stamped the image again over the branch - as I didn't want to fussy cut those legs!

 

I also wanted a little more color on the branch, so took my watercolor brush and very gently pulled the color from the outside of the stamped leaves into the middle.  As I used a very small amount of water, there was no pilling on the paper.   I then adhered the Copic colored bird to the branch with Stampin' Dimensionals.

 

All that was left was to add the sentiment... I remembered I had bought some balsa wood sentiments on sale at my local JoAnns.  I colored it with my Copic marker and adhered it to the card base.

 

Here's my card:

 

I love the sketch and will certainly add it to my favorites to use again.   I hope you will pop along to Handstamped Sentiments and check out the fabulous design team and submissions cards.

 

On a personal note:

 

Well, "our" Red Headed Woodpecker still seems to be hanging around!  Lou has seen him at least once a day.

 

 

Our beautiful #20 Bailey loves being outside - especially knowing that he is safe behind the screen.  Here's why he needs to feel safe:

 

When we first got Bailey, in the old house, he saw a chipmunk running across the deck and decided to teach it a lesson.... I was on a conference call and I heard this very loud thump and rushed to the back door..... he had managed to run straight through the screen door!   There was a big hole in the screening and no sign of Bailey.   He was only a few month's old and he gave himself a terrible fright!   I decided to go out the front door to catch him around the side of the house.... poor Bailey, he had run around to the front door (smart cat!) but he got another huge fright when I threw open the door.  He rushed to the back of the house and hid under the deck!  It was December... and it took my about 20 minutes to get him out from under the deck!  By the time he came out, the two of us were freezing and poor Bailey has never been comfortable being outside again!

 

 

Isn't he beautiful?

 

The Oriole's are hanging around... we are so pleased about that.  We could never keep them in the garden in the old house.  They would spend a couple of days with us and then move on.  We've managed to keep them in the garden every year since we moved into the "new" house.  Considering we have been here for 3 years now.... it seems odd to call it the "new" house!  I can't believe it has been 3 years already!

 

 

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:

 

• Cardstock:  Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White.
• Ink:  Copic Makers.  Memento Black
• Stamp:  An Open Heart
• DSP - from stash

Comments

[Robbie]

Wow! Great coloring on the bird. This is a beautiful card. Thanks for joining us at HSS.

[Breelin Renwick]

What a beautiful take on our sketch! I love the bird! Thanks for playing along at HSS!

[Stampin' by Genny]

I love your take on the sketch! So clever in how you fussy cut the bird to create a beautiful card. Thank you for playing at Hand Stamped Sentiments,for including the pictures of the birds and your handsome kitty!

[ColleenB.]

Awesome looking card, and what a wonderful masculine card.
The Oriole's are such a pretty bird and nice to see that 'Woody' is still hanging around.
I'm amazed how everything has turned green in such a short period of time. Not long ago your wet lands was all brown.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful nature photos.
Wishing you and Lou a wonderful and hope you have an enjoyable weekend

[Anne Marie HIle]

What a beautiful card, Jaydee, I love the soft color palette you used. Poor Bailey! If I had the same experience, I would probably be pretty scared of anymore outdoor adventures, too. He is gorgeous!!

[LeAnne]

The card is fabulous...what a great sketch and use of that sweet little bird. BUT THE ORIOLE----GASP! I am so jealous! I have seen mine briefly here and there on our property but he will not come to my oranges at all. JEALOUS!