Happy and Smile

Hi Everyone.

Happy Tuesday.   I hope you are all having a great start to your week.   Colleen, I hope the storms in Texas have bypassed you!!!

I have a few cards to share with you tonight.  One of the things I promised myself to do in 2015 was to actually create cards from the card kits that I receive.  I only receive two in a month, but generally find that I make one - maybe two cards - and then I move on.   It's a terrible waste of really good stamping supplies!  So, I made a pact with myself to use the contents and create at least 5-6 cards with every card kit before putting the remaining goodies in my craft cupboard.

I loved the SimonSaysStamp June 2015 card kit.   I mean... who wouldn't like a card kit that comes with words like "smile" and "happy"!

So, I am going to share some of the cards that I made from the card kit with you tonight.

The first card is a monochromatic card made using the "smile" die.   I die-cut the "smile" out of a spare piece of card stock and adhered it to my card base using temporary adhesive.   

To add dimension, I used Tim Holtz inks that I blended with my mini blender.    I loved the shadow effect that this gave :-)  I then took the die cut and adhered it to the card base.   Here's my first card:

Of course, I had to use my stitched rectangles :-)  I really like the way they frame the masked and shadowed "smile".  I was really pleased with the way this turned out.

Then, as there are so many great elements in the card kit.. .washi tape, card stock, DSP and stickers... it was time to make a few other cards using these elements.

Here's my second card:

I love the way these DSPs layer and the little yellow sun sticker is a great way to reinforce the sentiment!

Then, I decided to make a card using another sticker from the kit - as well as some of the fabulous Washi Tape:

The camera sticker was perfect with the card stock - and just really fits with the sentiment.

How about this one?  The glass sticker had me in stitches!  It fits the sun from the Smile and Hello stamp set perfectly!   Of course, I had to use the beach ball DSP, too!   I stamped the Smile sentiment and then added a little shimmer and shine with my Wink of Stella pen.

I have used this set to create a couple of other cards that I have already shared with you.   As a reminder you can find two other cards made using this kit on this link.

On a personal note:

Oh...... today... I really wished I had my camera when I went onto the deck.  Generally I do take my camera - just in case.  However, not always.  Generally, it's the times that I don't that I really wish I had :-)    

The first time I took a very quick break on the deck, I was standing quietly against the edge of the deck looking over the woodland.  I looked down and saw Georgina - the groundhog - standing on her bag legs, eating some of the wildflowers in the prairie that we are restoring.   Really!  I wish I had my camera!    It was really interesting watching her.... she didn't eat the whole plant, she just ate a couple of leaves from a single plant and then moved on to the next.  Now!  That's an animal that knows how to keep a food source available :-)

Then.... I was sitting on the chair and saw a Redheaded Woodpecker parent trying to feed one of its young.  Oh... it was adorable.   The adult was taking little pieces of orange from the Oriole feeder and jumping along the edge of the deck railing trying to feed it to the young.   The young bird was hopping backwards trying to get away!  All he/she wanted was jelly!!!

Sadly... it's rather like the story of the fisherman and his 20 foot long pike .. you know.. the one that got away before he could photograph it :-)  So, you will just have to trust me.    :-)  Both of these encounters brought a huge smile to my face!

So, how about a photo of what I captured at the feeder?    This one has the mourning doves and the female Redbreasted Grosbeak.  It's amazing how different she is to her mate!

For comparison.   Here's the male Redbreasted Grosbeak:

I'll finish out the post with a photo of these two.   They knew I was taking photographs, so they posed perfectly!

 I'll be back tomorrow with another project.  As always, warm hugs and prayers for those of you that need a lift tonight.   

Hugs

Jaydee

 

card recipe - all ingredients, except for the occasional card base - Simon Says Stamp June 2015 card kit.

Even though the card kit is no longer available, the individual items are available at Simon Says Stamp.

Comments

[ColleenB.]

Up date on the weather here.
We received the heavy rains early this morning and still raining hard. Looking out my kitchen window I can see our rain gauge and it is over flowing so I know we have gotten at least 5 inches of rain fall so far and no sign of letting up anytime soon.
They predict that we may receive up to 8 inches or more. We sure do have a lot of water standing in the yard. Hope it lets up soon or hubby will never be able to make it to work cause I'm sure by now they have the highway closed out this way.
I think they need to have rain gauges that go higher than 5 inches.

[Marina]

Your cards are so beautiful . . . . great kit!!

What can I say about the pictures? . . . . Just . . . great!!

Thanks Jaydee.

Marina . . . from far Africa

[Doris D.]

You certainly were productive with your kits. Love the bright and cheery cards. The second one is my favorite.
Your nature photos are magnificent. We have doves under our bird feeder all the time looking for dropped seeds. So sweet.
It has been in the high 90's this week but going to be 100 this weekend here in VA. I'm staying indoors and stamping!!

[Sandy M]

Wow, you were so productive last night Jaydee! I don't think I've ever made four cards in one sitting. Love them all, but I think the first one is my favorite. Love your stenciled background and use of negative space. So striking.

[Ann Ricks]

I have that kit, so thank you for the inspiration. Also, thank you for sharing your backyard nature adventures. I love hearing about (and seeing) the fun things going on. I love nature. Being in it restores my soul. I enjoy living in it through you! (Listening to mourning doves as we speak!)

[Kelly W.]

Jaydee, your cards are beautiful! Great goal to use up supplies and I love the outcome! The first two cards really are outstanding. Maybe it's all the yellow in the first and the rays of light in the second, but I adore them. Beautiful pics from your yard, especially the deer posing. We've had rain all week and today will be a washout completely. We needed it but now I'm done. We're at Cub Scout day camp all week, in the rain, with 9 year old boys stepping in all the mud, all the puddles! lol. It takes two washings to get our shirts clean, well, my son's shirt. I'd love to say we're seeing lots of wildlife, but not really, just Daddy Long Legs. We are learning about nature though, the boys don't complain about the rain, and we're having fun!

[ColleenB.]

Your cards are Great and so fitting with summer upon us. The card with the sunglasses...so cute Great job on all the cards.
Whatever the deer are eating, they sure are enjoying it.

We have had some light showers off and on here but nothing serious but shall see what the next 2 days bring. Most of the harder rains where further East and North of me.
Love your nature photos and thanks for sharing.
You and Lou take care