Free as a Bird Thank You for Paper Players #462

Hi Everyone.  Happy Sunday.

It's the fabulous Joanne's turn to host our Paper Players challenge today and it's theme week:

 

I decided to keep this clean and simple and allow the Free As a Bird image to be the undisputed focal point of the card.  Mind you, I couldn't help using my new dies as a frame :-)  I colored the birds with my Caran D'Ache pencils and added the simple sentiment.

 

Here's my card:

 

As usual, the design team have some fabulous inspiration for you:

• Ann
• Claire
• Jaydee
• Joanne
• Laurie
• Anne Marie
• Su
• Wanda
• Windy

On a personal note:

In June we were lucky enough to have a pair of Robin's nest on one of the wreaths on the front door.  They drove the cats mad!  At first it was because they could see them through the glass in the door going backwards and forwards as they built their nest.  At night, they could see their shadows as they roosted in the nest.  Then, along came the chicks and they heard the chicks and then could see them raise their little heads everytime a parent came along with a nibble.   What was really interesting, is that it was very hard to see the nest hidden amongst the foliage of the wreath - take a look:

Can you see the nest?

How about now if I change the angle a little:

You can just see a little of it poking through the leaves.  What was surprising was just how big it was.  We didn't really notice that until we took it down.  It was so perfect inside:

Really amazing.   We are pleased to say that the Robin pair managed to successfully breed 3 babies and we were lucky enough to watch them all fly the coop.  The last one was very tentative and needed lots of encouragement from its parents as it sat on the grass.  I'm sorry I couldn't get a better shot of it:

Once the baby had flown into the bushes, both Mom and Dad came back to the nest for a last look around to make sure it really was empty and their job was done.  We had learned that some Robins do re-use a nest, so we left it up - just in case.  Sadly, they didn't raise another family in it.  We were lucky to also have a pair of barn swallows nesting on the front porch as well and they managed to raise two babies.  We are so blessed to have nature so close.

I'll be back later with another card.  In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe:

• Card stock:  Neenah Solar White 110#
• Stamps:  Free as a Bird - Stampin' Up!
• Ink:  Ink on 3
• Colored Pencils:  Caran D'Ache Luminance

 

 

Comments

[Anne Marie Hile]

Jaydee, I just love all of the beautiful detail you added to the coloring of your little birds. Such gorgeous shading! I can only imagine how that little nest tormented your kitties. But it's so wonderful to have such a close view right at your front door. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

[Windy Ellard]

So clean and simple but beautiful coloring on your birds!

[Ann Schach]

So soft and beautiful, Jaydee! The embossed frame is is gorgeous...and the perfect way to set off the image.

[Joanne James]

Jaydee your colouring of your row of birdies is perfect and I too love the new frame die! How awesome that your robins nested in your wreath (although I take Wanda's point about the droppings!) We had blue tit nest in one of our boxes fitted with a webcam this year and they successfully raised 7 babies, which is an incredible number - watching the process start to finish was utterly fascinating though! You are so fortunate to be surrounded by nature, big and small. Hope you're having a good week!

[Claire Broadwater]

Oh, this is the sweetest card. You little row of birdies makes me smile! Your coloring is fabulous and so is that die! CAS perfection! I absolutely love the Robin story! I had a huge nest built on a shelf on my porch, but, no babies were ever placed in it. I was sad. Isn't it amazing how they built their nests so perfectly out of so many objects. Have a wonderful rest of the week, My Friend! XX

[laurie]

Your row of birds is so sweet and I LOVE that embossed frame! SO pretty!

[Wanda Cullen]

This is such a beautiful CAS design and I love that embossed frame! I had two batches of baby birds in a nest that was built in a wreath on my front door! They really made a mess with their droppings on the door so after they "flew the coop" I went to a different door decoration! :-)

[Karen L]

Isn't it wonderful to be so close to a nest & watch them mature?? How did you handle the barn swallows? They usually are pretty messy with their droppings all over. They say that the barn swallows will continue to return to the same nesting spot year after year if they are not discouraged. Wonderful card & really love all the wildlife pics & stories. Beautiful photography.

[Hilda Burton]

Beautiful card and your coloring is stunning. Love the nature pictures, especially the perfectly formed nest. How much fun you must have had watching these bird families grow through the summer. Enjoy your day!