Budding Beauties Winter for Paper Players #524

Happy Sunday.

It's the fabulous Claire's turn to host our Paper Players challenge this week and she has the perfect theme for us:

It's a perfect theme for me as we have lots of fresh snow on the ground and the world looks pretty much like the inspiration photo!

I used a snowflake stencil from The Greetery to create a softly blended background for my card.  I then stamped the elements from one of the stamps from the Budding Beauties Winter set - also from the Greetery.  However, the stem alone just didn't feel right so I pulled a die from the Stampin' Up! set Loyal Leaves and die-cut that in white.  I added that behind the focal element and added a small tag sentiment.

Here's my card:

I hope you will join us and play along with Claire's challenge.  If you are looking for some inspiration the design team have some for you:

• Ann
• Claire
• Jaydee
• Joanne
• Laurie
• LeAnne
• Anne Marie
• Amanda
• Debbie
• Nancy

On a personal note:

This weekend is a long weekend for us and as it is cold, I intend to spend some time in my craft room.  I've also recently started making bath bombs, bath salts, bath milk, room sprays, etc as I really wanted to spoil myself without paying what I consider to be exorbitant prices for mostly "stuff" that's isn't smelly enough or contains waaay too many chemicals and things.  So, I shall be experimenting with more of those, too!

I did promise you some wildlife shots.  First up is this guy - he's been hanging around annoying the birds!  He's an immature Sharp Shinned Hawk.  You can learn more about these guys here. 

In the photo below you can see him silhouetted among the trees - master of all he surveys looking over the wetland:

The next photo isn't exactly wildlife, but my handsome cat Charlie.  For those of you who have been around a long time, you might remember that Lou found Charlie abandoned about 20 miles outside of town in a corn field.  He was sitting on the corner of a quiet country road when Lou found him.  He was about 10-12 weeks old and we had absolutely no intention of keeping him and tried really hard to find him a home.  I am so pleased that we didn't and he has now been with us for 1o years.  He looks pretty good for a senior cat and he is my velcro baby.  He's never far from me anytime of the day.

Charlie obviously knows how to read.... cos he certainly looks relaxed here :-)

I have one last shot of the Christmas decorations for you.  I wanted to do something in the entrance area and found these wonderful die-cut snowflakes, so we hung those from some silver thread and they gently turn around with the movement of the air:

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

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe:

• Stamps:  Budding Beauties Winter - The Greetery
• Dies:  Budding Beauties Winter - The Greetery.  Loyal Leaves - Stampin' Up!
• Stencil: snowflake - The Greetery
• Card stock:  Neenah Solar White 110#

Comments

[Nancy]

This is also a really pretty card Jaydee! Love the soft stenciled background! Love your photos too! You are very talented behind the camera as well.

[Anne Marie Hile]

Before I get to your gorgeous card, let's talk about sweet Charlie! What a beautiful photo of him. I'm so happy he found his forever home with you and Lou. Everything happens for a reason, right? Your card is stunning and as usual, you wow me with your CAS design. So pretty!

[Jeanne H]

Thanks for showing Charlie and your hanging snowflakes. I love the looks of snow and your lovely card today.

[Laurie schmidt]

Love the stenciled background...and pretty sprig of holly...beautiful snowy card perfect for the challenge!

[LeAnne Pugliese]

Love your snowy card accented with that gorgeous spray of berries...and of course, I love seeing your home and your SNOW. No snow here so I'll enjoy yours vicariously!

[Joanne James]

I too love the stencilled background on your card today Jaydee - it frames your foliage bouquet beautifully. I love the mix of white and colour with the pop of red from the berries and the teeny-tiny sentiment tag is the perfect finishing touch! So much to love about this card Jaydee. Fab photos too - love the entrance hall deocrations!

[Amanda Mertz]

I am jealous of your snow Jaydee! We haven't had real snow here in Central Virginia in a long time and I am ready for it! Your card is so so pretty with the stenciling and multi-layered stamped image of the branch and berries! have a great week!

[Claire Broadwater]

Jaydee, this card is so gorgeous! I love the stenciled background and the beautiful sprig of holly! The pop of red on the white is fantastic! I adore that little stamped tag, too! Now, on to the photos---that hawk if very regal sitting in your yard and those snowflakes in your entry hall are fabulous!!!!!! You are so talented! Thank you for making my challenge shine! Have a fabulous week, My Friend!

[Ann Schach]

Beautiful, Jaydee! I LOVE the stenciled background you created. The Greetery stamps are awesome. This one is absolutely stunning against the white! And speaking of stunning, the suspended snowflakes in your entry are wonderful!