Stampin! with Jaydee

I began by stamping this delightful image from Penny Black's "Sunny Days" onto Watercolor paper.  I then used my watercolor pens to color in the image and cut around the boat and the kitty.  For the background I used Stampin' Up!'s Sanded background stamp to create something that resembled water splashes using Night of Navy ink.  When I was happy with the background, I stuck down the focal image and stamped the sentiment.

That's when things got funky!  The sentiment wasn't quite right and, because this is a clean and simple card, it's really hard to hide things like that.... I had to stamp it again onto a spare piece of card stock and used some foam tape to place it over the original stamped sentiment.   I would have preferred it on the card base but the fact that it wasn't straight was driving me bananas!

Anyway, here's my finished card:

Doesn't that little kitty bring a smile to your face?  He does to mine!  I love his jaunty little hat and the smile on his face and I hope it brings a smile to the recipient, too.

On a personal note:

Where is this week going?  This is my first official week on the job and there is still so much to learn and do.  I'm really enjoying learning new products, but still being able to bring my experience into the new job.  Long days though.... and I'm finding it difficult to get to doing any crafting in the evening, but do get to spend time on the weekends, which is great.

Our garden is starting to show that autumn is just around the corner and I can tell you - with all honesty - I AM NOT READY FOR SUMMER TO END!!!!  Even though I dislike the humidity, I love seeing all the birds and insects and other critters that we don't see during the SIX MONTHS of cold weather there.   Lou was standing on the deck yesterday and watched a long-tailed weasel run around the garden.  Sadly, I missed him so couldn't get a photograph of him.  I think there are a lot of critters in the garden that were not so happy to see him and I bet they are hoping he has moved on to other pastures!

The butterflies are still hanging around - and I caught this hot of  red spotted - aka Limenitis arthemis.  He's beautiful!

Unlike many species of butterfly this guy doesn't feed on nectar and, in fact, he was the guy I saw feeding off the Orange in the Oriole feeder.  He will eat carrion, sap flows, dung and occasionally small white flowers.  Mother Nature really is amazing!

I couldn't resist sharing this shot either of two of our 6 Eastern Tiger Swallowtails feeding on the Wild Bergamot

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: 

• Cardstock:  Strathmore watercolor cold pressed.  Stampin' Up! Whisper White thick
• Inks:  StazOn black, watercolor pens
• Stamp:  Sunny Days - Penny Black