tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55051430862003792712024-02-02T11:39:35.070-06:00I Love This Crazy LifeOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-59097380199798830182024-01-05T00:41:00.003-06:002024-01-05T00:42:31.826-06:00Layered Die Shaker Card- Themed Friday #23<p> My card today is for the Themed Friday card hop on Instagram. The theme for our card today is a New to You Technique.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4lsR3HhgqYBSMXeTJkxvpAxRcJyFTXdIMSuWKiXaBILS-x8gXXKH9neJFIV58gPFCQa0lfE5N9AWUD7th5d2BmCyG_IOpHQYXCsjg6tOtd4311CTWXUnI4PztZ6thMqtKmwj_EDF00mWtD-tpxrsVQSpcOEvkdFbir7cUdS6B0nRJzZssaA8GbfvYmfy/s1080/474BE549-2028-45B5-BEE0-3FEA17581B98.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4lsR3HhgqYBSMXeTJkxvpAxRcJyFTXdIMSuWKiXaBILS-x8gXXKH9neJFIV58gPFCQa0lfE5N9AWUD7th5d2BmCyG_IOpHQYXCsjg6tOtd4311CTWXUnI4PztZ6thMqtKmwj_EDF00mWtD-tpxrsVQSpcOEvkdFbir7cUdS6B0nRJzZssaA8GbfvYmfy/s320/474BE549-2028-45B5-BEE0-3FEA17581B98.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have made a number of shaker cards in the past, but I don’t believe I have made one using a word die and shadow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RaEI-c1GyLs" width="320" youtube-src-id="RaEI-c1GyLs"></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used Antique Linen, Aged Mahogany, & Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks to ink blend and ink smoosh the background before die cutting. I also used Gold Perfect Pearls to add shimmer. The layered die set I chose to use is the Love die set from Simon Says Stamp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After die cutting the Love shadow three times, I stamped and embossed sentiments from the coordinating Love stamp set from Simon. I then added acetate to the back of the card panel and used foam tape to build three individual wells around each die cut shadow. I then poured in sequins to each well and attached a cream colored background. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I matted the card panel on a black cardstock mat & then attached it to my card base. I added the die cut words to the shadows. I used the Tim Holtz Heart stencil, texture paste, & Mica Stains to add texture to the card front before I added additional sequins and crystals to finish the card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3xNZ1X6fTVgLvjVXrlsTdSO_VtxVAFX5JoZ1Q1rto9ffGATepBkGZtZGLnKemmZsVmHhuiSGrajv93xAURWsYQjaNdnSDeLFGFQW6-fmLALlY9t7lr3QMNv2pDbSUJc4qaOttB9_i6m5Aas2oJn_dQu3y1ABcglk9Ml59hR_P-JzHU71OjSOTt0tdqDg/s3817/1CECFF64-FFA5-4691-841A-110E85ABB2A8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3817" data-original-width="2958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3xNZ1X6fTVgLvjVXrlsTdSO_VtxVAFX5JoZ1Q1rto9ffGATepBkGZtZGLnKemmZsVmHhuiSGrajv93xAURWsYQjaNdnSDeLFGFQW6-fmLALlY9t7lr3QMNv2pDbSUJc4qaOttB9_i6m5Aas2oJn_dQu3y1ABcglk9Ml59hR_P-JzHU71OjSOTt0tdqDg/w496-h640/1CECFF64-FFA5-4691-841A-110E85ABB2A8.jpeg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-20971223501023253552024-01-02T09:53:00.000-06:002024-01-02T09:53:45.079-06:00Stash Busters 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcK23E9uiGCz3aQJ6rofFvY5f8XKbHxIGz1h9M83VQqeYcbB95vGrIoJfwUGJHFARaNojEhb2c5_WzBRDfuD4Zv2iEWFSoRuytEWl4JpKwwzSisJUmoloL40vmzIIcBnt5oqxsTqDntriGYErAVfgwsavw9iMI7aEJJx1yXpUV9rKLZuk3I1SYPf9dlrC/s1004/1D5DABD5-6084-4B48-A2BC-5221951348CC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="947" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcK23E9uiGCz3aQJ6rofFvY5f8XKbHxIGz1h9M83VQqeYcbB95vGrIoJfwUGJHFARaNojEhb2c5_WzBRDfuD4Zv2iEWFSoRuytEWl4JpKwwzSisJUmoloL40vmzIIcBnt5oqxsTqDntriGYErAVfgwsavw9iMI7aEJJx1yXpUV9rKLZuk3I1SYPf9dlrC/s320/1D5DABD5-6084-4B48-A2BC-5221951348CC.jpeg" width="302" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Welcome to Stash Busters 2024. This is a bi-weekly hop on Instagram where members share 3-6 cards &/or projects created using supplies already in their stash. This week’s theme is: “If I were a card, what would I look like?”</div><br /><p></p><p>All the card stock, vellum, and watercolor cardstock for my cards today came from pieces that had already been cut down. I even had a few stamped images that I had not used on other projects that I was able to use on these cards. The “Birthday Wishes” sticker is an older one from my stash & I also pulled out a die cut piece from my stash and added a sentiment to it. </p><p>I created three different cards that are very much my style.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR4VGUtki9D9u-RL6Yt_Np8venHkmuUuaE4IA02Kg186rbhohvQkWv8hrhoaYMqtwg8UwXe3CWUx4vHVXXR7Bq-zPutVKUWelcJ8wqCw3o-RN8Ugf98HjaBJ6aNK0zObM5kYQk38AGiEWGUbjyvNzIRJKalalL_2i6zILI_r9rybNPB2VPYRQLKlpUH6t/s2817/6C74900F-CD9A-4974-9C85-C90FAE1C762F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2776" data-original-width="2817" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR4VGUtki9D9u-RL6Yt_Np8venHkmuUuaE4IA02Kg186rbhohvQkWv8hrhoaYMqtwg8UwXe3CWUx4vHVXXR7Bq-zPutVKUWelcJ8wqCw3o-RN8Ugf98HjaBJ6aNK0zObM5kYQk38AGiEWGUbjyvNzIRJKalalL_2i6zILI_r9rybNPB2VPYRQLKlpUH6t/w640-h630/6C74900F-CD9A-4974-9C85-C90FAE1C762F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots of greens and blues, Distress Inks, big, scripty greetings, natural (plant) images, splatters & sparkles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zx5Q9cRlMwdRVMs58lZavwnJ44C046h2INmCDg1ZryvpbOuQo6M9Ut9Jrf93c0IawpmmYprQKHeHvzkIefmivkeFfsZu4Ghr4-IY33xcHxvz-A8jj9VwzV0V50sT6BHPZzyyagOPCKSXesacw3G9_9jwTsQRULGyfXZ75tnKkF6YQOn0QUqvpZCB-UQo/s3105/DB8BE995-DB30-4C5D-92C9-563981E6B690.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3105" data-original-width="2540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zx5Q9cRlMwdRVMs58lZavwnJ44C046h2INmCDg1ZryvpbOuQo6M9Ut9Jrf93c0IawpmmYprQKHeHvzkIefmivkeFfsZu4Ghr4-IY33xcHxvz-A8jj9VwzV0V50sT6BHPZzyyagOPCKSXesacw3G9_9jwTsQRULGyfXZ75tnKkF6YQOn0QUqvpZCB-UQo/w524-h640/DB8BE995-DB30-4C5D-92C9-563981E6B690.jpeg" width="524" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For this A2 card, I watercolored the two previously embossed, stamped branches from the “Be Kind” stamp set from Simon Says Stamp using Crushed Olive and Shabby Shutters. Before setting it aside to dry, I took dry Perfect Pearls in Perfect Gold and dropped it onto the wet pieces. Perfect Pearls is water reactive, so I was interested to see what would happen when I just haphazardly dropped it into the watercolor. I set it aside to dry & when I came back I was excited to see that the gold color gave a nice touch to the pieces. Similar to a splatter, but a little different. I plan to try this technique again sometime soon. I then took Peeled Paint Distress Ink and ink blended it onto the the leaves closest to the stem. I fussy cut both pieces and added foam tape to the back of the leaves before attaching it to my white card base. I used an olive green piece of cardstock between the card base and the design. I used that same green as a mat for my sentiment sticker. I added sequins to finish the card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN7Yb91rUbagbnb-JKmJkXXpZPfNwax4G4ecfnzLLXUn3lUakm9HChMHFXoHCMnlRc1aEkvo4YPAo-FZ5O4cym12Ziq4D0Ce_iq1eaMGN7LAaHmu6HXmJWd6HgCq8r1ak3NNS1nMeVrmggXCMA-agPThMTTo6xmnKhsFD7c3a4M1UGOln5D8MSYteeCfx/s3681/0E086057-BEDB-4DF3-9D61-2CF68D5DAA2A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3681" data-original-width="2761" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN7Yb91rUbagbnb-JKmJkXXpZPfNwax4G4ecfnzLLXUn3lUakm9HChMHFXoHCMnlRc1aEkvo4YPAo-FZ5O4cym12Ziq4D0Ce_iq1eaMGN7LAaHmu6HXmJWd6HgCq8r1ak3NNS1nMeVrmggXCMA-agPThMTTo6xmnKhsFD7c3a4M1UGOln5D8MSYteeCfx/w480-h640/0E086057-BEDB-4DF3-9D61-2CF68D5DAA2A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I created this slimline card using smaller green pieces of patterned paper & cardstock from my scraps bin. I die cut the small pieces using the Tim Holtz Mini Holiday Greens, a favorite greenery die set that I use throughout the year. I added Distress Ink and Perfect Pearl Perfect Gold splatters to each of the die cut pieces and set them aside to dry. I found the cream colored die cut piece in my stash and heat embossed the gold “Sending Big Hugs” sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp “Big Scripty Greetings” stamp set onto it. The navy shimmer cardstock was given to me and I wish I had more of it. I used the die cut piece to trace the area for my greens, added adhesive to that area and them began to put down the greenery. Once satisfied with the arrangement, I popped the sentiment up on top with foam tape. I was just going to add Gold Stickles to the berries, but I didn’t like the result when I tried it. As I was wiping it away it smeared onto the Navy cardstock. I liked the look, so I continued smearing it around the design. I then added pearls & crystals to the berries. I like the elegance of the finished card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C0kWwvk2PPbAST6qTszqOuvGaw0bUB2fL-0wxLp2wxfgfBavslbaKEGiy1AZKRYXCAhwzwV_CJBXmyXT3JGvztN6rowdmzH3LtdLBtMzmYjs5k-iv-dTyeclwSdzmRdvyDj9TRqjNPXLLV7prI1djJR1Qn4Ve93xdp53joLwk1ex6Ml19u3ZqYH5LEgs/s3768/B3DB7C28-4A62-4CE1-9199-AE34421E60CC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3768" data-original-width="2826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C0kWwvk2PPbAST6qTszqOuvGaw0bUB2fL-0wxLp2wxfgfBavslbaKEGiy1AZKRYXCAhwzwV_CJBXmyXT3JGvztN6rowdmzH3LtdLBtMzmYjs5k-iv-dTyeclwSdzmRdvyDj9TRqjNPXLLV7prI1djJR1Qn4Ve93xdp53joLwk1ex6Ml19u3ZqYH5LEgs/w480-h640/B3DB7C28-4A62-4CE1-9199-AE34421E60CC.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved creating this one! I took a piece of Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock from my stash & die cut hearts from the entire piece. I then used Crushed Olive, Evergreen Bough, & Faded Jeans Distress Ink to ink smoosh color onto the hearts. I added depth, by smooshing, then drying. I repeated that technique until I was happy with the results on each heart. Midway through each heart I added a coordinating Mica Spray to add a little shimmer to each. Once dry, I popped each heart up onto a piece of white cardstock & added a lot of sequins, crystals, and pearls. The sentiment, from the “Sending Happy Thoughts” stamp set from Simon Says Stamp, was stamped in black & embossed with clear embossing ink on a piece of die cut vellum & then I added a few more sequins, crystals, and pearls. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>These cards are very much my style & I am so pleased with how they turned out. Take time to dig through your stash and find hidden treasures that you can create with. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-67495096035537095812023-05-08T13:12:00.000-05:002023-05-08T13:12:35.599-05:00Week in the Life- Tuesday, April 25th<p> Today, I wanted to capture a little bit about our routines. Our weekly morning routines are pretty much, well routine. Evenings are often dictated by whether the boys have any activities going on. This time of year Jude is playing Cal Ripkin baseball and Ethan & Jess are umpiring in the same league on the coach pitch field. </p><p>The first minutes of my morning are pretty much controlled by the furry children. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DxAn7UWtsKCdJMtkbkX0Sood60i4LBqWvOy9Hq2BNyvUQE-zkIWpwoSgSjqlEIG6JMly4CBLgHO2cYO9ZqBi04Pyo5GKDi6cTPOc9I1UBzE5-pdWtj1oHDDxtfYtvDxF5YNF-fCBuutLDo30SjUjv7LvBJQv1IQWFjX3PKdTXgZhWDt0Od_h2rXtLw/s4032/IMG-0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DxAn7UWtsKCdJMtkbkX0Sood60i4LBqWvOy9Hq2BNyvUQE-zkIWpwoSgSjqlEIG6JMly4CBLgHO2cYO9ZqBi04Pyo5GKDi6cTPOc9I1UBzE5-pdWtj1oHDDxtfYtvDxF5YNF-fCBuutLDo30SjUjv7LvBJQv1IQWFjX3PKdTXgZhWDt0Od_h2rXtLw/s320/IMG-0930.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFyKqdv4_4ieqUQt5VQSRj8rb5IbXrB1X3WnVid1m_2h0br8W58bbEDxOuBvzF7LC2UzHn0p-po9p1NnkNVzuL8SnENPPO-VYbQRcqIRyAVjGLuHoFXgcMNJOLpEevF6z4N8CC5EYmOgvHCDD76saraduMOqcCzHY8aLeIlGB6SENgCq7ArXYMB9X1w/s4032/IMG-0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFyKqdv4_4ieqUQt5VQSRj8rb5IbXrB1X3WnVid1m_2h0br8W58bbEDxOuBvzF7LC2UzHn0p-po9p1NnkNVzuL8SnENPPO-VYbQRcqIRyAVjGLuHoFXgcMNJOLpEevF6z4N8CC5EYmOgvHCDD76saraduMOqcCzHY8aLeIlGB6SENgCq7ArXYMB9X1w/s320/IMG-0932.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgundvsffBGHSEsCSxHg76O9KvNmdf8MPS_6E-meXLB2Oys7KcTIuICT7y6qqzZdVmyYpgZ9KpFxI77z31A3k5t5n-HAKDgoTrKB0OK52gUNjuJWr9sWKDba6iufMGvMf2s2zZgMQ3T_uZZWK7Ffy18_uYer_wl4f9N06NyEdgBoUbFN6mfQSuRX2dklw/s4032/IMG-0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgundvsffBGHSEsCSxHg76O9KvNmdf8MPS_6E-meXLB2Oys7KcTIuICT7y6qqzZdVmyYpgZ9KpFxI77z31A3k5t5n-HAKDgoTrKB0OK52gUNjuJWr9sWKDba6iufMGvMf2s2zZgMQ3T_uZZWK7Ffy18_uYer_wl4f9N06NyEdgBoUbFN6mfQSuRX2dklw/s320/IMG-0934.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dax often wakes me up even before the alarm goes off and after he stretches he lets me know it's time to eat & then he is ready to go out for the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGTIe5H83IZNXn1gIl3ahJuwZw60ZAbZtIM0CmFimWbaekjD-u5BYyvJ4lnqPto7wnrs8pO5RxhaZNuf6fvuxLQ1ZaOuRz1u221OSvVJ4XnRN3iw7-qgSCD5lqpO1yM9-JxwLs0n0r2sjW28YotWnOvHvwyhXLYUroSN0rC1uRvpQ-MhlrvoNDc-vWg/s4032/IMG-0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGTIe5H83IZNXn1gIl3ahJuwZw60ZAbZtIM0CmFimWbaekjD-u5BYyvJ4lnqPto7wnrs8pO5RxhaZNuf6fvuxLQ1ZaOuRz1u221OSvVJ4XnRN3iw7-qgSCD5lqpO1yM9-JxwLs0n0r2sjW28YotWnOvHvwyhXLYUroSN0rC1uRvpQ-MhlrvoNDc-vWg/s320/IMG-0936.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVC6c0JMoKpt6JYrnWfd-w8mxsoDstHvAmCJNwCCdkPceYxlubGZERc-8Qd4e81vzCT1wB5G2GvhiLc7Cl3hMTm9Yn2ju1mAF2Rcz8U3kcBnSiMLPpJTWe2_VG8uMRZEJhOXPxSGwArypcb4PJkA3S3Q228luOFgG-K63l8XqyjHpsoAba8EAPQ1yGw/s4032/IMG-0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVC6c0JMoKpt6JYrnWfd-w8mxsoDstHvAmCJNwCCdkPceYxlubGZERc-8Qd4e81vzCT1wB5G2GvhiLc7Cl3hMTm9Yn2ju1mAF2Rcz8U3kcBnSiMLPpJTWe2_VG8uMRZEJhOXPxSGwArypcb4PJkA3S3Q228luOFgG-K63l8XqyjHpsoAba8EAPQ1yGw/s320/IMG-0938.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSD1R31tVnEzzT3l53PmS4yk-jWZwfklvMnjWAmtTE4OMofrlHNCP6hshwi2cB-mYOKRHVs-CR1PL1xB1WyeT_-xtnf0ObSDgyj9sfJ-MDUG0KFY4StPJD3uc9EhluNmBMqHTp3-90yzi88CWM5H7sQlsaNBavPDTFn6-FytzXj95VqkAwaFPqtReug/s4032/IMG-0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSD1R31tVnEzzT3l53PmS4yk-jWZwfklvMnjWAmtTE4OMofrlHNCP6hshwi2cB-mYOKRHVs-CR1PL1xB1WyeT_-xtnf0ObSDgyj9sfJ-MDUG0KFY4StPJD3uc9EhluNmBMqHTp3-90yzi88CWM5H7sQlsaNBavPDTFn6-FytzXj95VqkAwaFPqtReug/s320/IMG-0943.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once Dax is out I let the girls upstairs and feed them. Here lately we have been leaving them upstairs during the day while we are at work and school. They seem to like being upstairs and having more light and a bigger area to run around in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWmta9t5BMWP4aVx6u8-G0BC3DlHIg7voEHdedvFNoHnyI_G3ez2TvFxbCiPIosa3UQpSMKtcWWdOduodLX92GkoNbm9sgIAgdvE2nP8i6OBzaotJx2boaHN9JmLfk0T7Xue2loFFzKgI8W5KxH8mCdx6NVNUyASUtoJc6uvPjw_QlV0glX7tM8q-3Q/s4032/IMG-0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWmta9t5BMWP4aVx6u8-G0BC3DlHIg7voEHdedvFNoHnyI_G3ez2TvFxbCiPIosa3UQpSMKtcWWdOduodLX92GkoNbm9sgIAgdvE2nP8i6OBzaotJx2boaHN9JmLfk0T7Xue2loFFzKgI8W5KxH8mCdx6NVNUyASUtoJc6uvPjw_QlV0glX7tM8q-3Q/s320/IMG-0940.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning Smokey was still inside. Most mornings he likes to wake Ethan or me before dawn to go outside. He immediately wanted out, only to come in less than an hour later to hang out inside while we were gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4ouCKAmWFaDWjPBMDECvWkJaNyvwpLAX7f3N1cbAvYvlNTOB7BDS47_C0UY_hEGcX5HwG6sTJJi4Oh5Zcp4hdBk37BP225oaJUJdQCpLuQ0L_kwBkhQYqT0EkAQExufCDCpVmj1sMYDFoh5LHeCp4GjjVamJiYpJztzWLAzyWMnHtzNOB_wOryZ7eg/s4032/IMG-0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4ouCKAmWFaDWjPBMDECvWkJaNyvwpLAX7f3N1cbAvYvlNTOB7BDS47_C0UY_hEGcX5HwG6sTJJi4Oh5Zcp4hdBk37BP225oaJUJdQCpLuQ0L_kwBkhQYqT0EkAQExufCDCpVmj1sMYDFoh5LHeCp4GjjVamJiYpJztzWLAzyWMnHtzNOB_wOryZ7eg/s320/IMG-0949.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ethan drops Jude at elementary most days and it's Jude's responsibility to close the garage door after Ethan pulls his car out. Really need to invest in a garage door opener. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia64hdzH-FtDO2CqkXnG70mMOJdU7RqGMw8iHgs9M2DwAjgD2vG81XpQnZ4LUROtLD0-DMAYU_Q8RSwkKGouwbQEY7hBCf1MNev2nQCI5igqkSJsZWZSdZUk0DD92Jl1eMcxkyybkTSf7QBbtQrVloSvhnzg4taB0TeRHQIVGDul4izgkNnXwQrq-3PA/s4032/IMG-0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia64hdzH-FtDO2CqkXnG70mMOJdU7RqGMw8iHgs9M2DwAjgD2vG81XpQnZ4LUROtLD0-DMAYU_Q8RSwkKGouwbQEY7hBCf1MNev2nQCI5igqkSJsZWZSdZUk0DD92Jl1eMcxkyybkTSf7QBbtQrVloSvhnzg4taB0TeRHQIVGDul4izgkNnXwQrq-3PA/s320/IMG-0961.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86esLXx0xwyPx0mO99Q2QYzR_3QTA98DLnDxWT-AnoIa19Zp0ZrwW_bvUxwy-s7PSu7gK-qq3Xr4K7IjYTRmLQMTrd-rnaOGlgk2ya9NTA8U5wzsL2kSlsEMXTwl97fQ_tptOUSJrYxUHLJ4dO0Rf1FNdf2SImWjr-Zzykn9E9RMJRwSBPnHL0Tjv_w/s4032/IMG-0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86esLXx0xwyPx0mO99Q2QYzR_3QTA98DLnDxWT-AnoIa19Zp0ZrwW_bvUxwy-s7PSu7gK-qq3Xr4K7IjYTRmLQMTrd-rnaOGlgk2ya9NTA8U5wzsL2kSlsEMXTwl97fQ_tptOUSJrYxUHLJ4dO0Rf1FNdf2SImWjr-Zzykn9E9RMJRwSBPnHL0Tjv_w/s320/IMG-0962.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for me, I really thrive on routine. I walk almost everyday before I eat lunch. I used to walk outside, but I prefer walking the halls these days because I don't get sweaty. After lunch today I began working on reading lists for the upcoming year. There are a lot of choices and I try to pick a wide variety of books that meet my students needs & interests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsVytbHSKBbI1lDlTu_GRlr7BE_hJZ0ehPRBhC3lwUnNR-_Gv3WPwNZJnhLngkWLZPqBzrCtONQHJGoyRD58SpidtTYSA7KGShbxGSveGEDQ387NdE5FnQFiYCJeJWLIOVEDJHnhMsb0-mEy1iST8Y6qHn4ci4zwqcimU4uPyByn9yJB_8MiHxKdg7Q/s4032/IMG-0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsVytbHSKBbI1lDlTu_GRlr7BE_hJZ0ehPRBhC3lwUnNR-_Gv3WPwNZJnhLngkWLZPqBzrCtONQHJGoyRD58SpidtTYSA7KGShbxGSveGEDQ387NdE5FnQFiYCJeJWLIOVEDJHnhMsb0-mEy1iST8Y6qHn4ci4zwqcimU4uPyByn9yJB_8MiHxKdg7Q/s320/IMG-0964.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxvOtLPtmL-xBUjCxJs5657GgMsGziJyylF412b24CVzBTdaq7fwOiDr2mxPlG_1KuDMUr7J3bjoMIl6FOul3rrherEXsJXusbV1PefAWZnGVNDtaxqoE7cIhteZk5kSk8ywxJliyij95p2yXj7wRuQthnLwAmwiGyejZ4-juyP_9yo7lAEdfYpROFA/s4032/IMG-0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxvOtLPtmL-xBUjCxJs5657GgMsGziJyylF412b24CVzBTdaq7fwOiDr2mxPlG_1KuDMUr7J3bjoMIl6FOul3rrherEXsJXusbV1PefAWZnGVNDtaxqoE7cIhteZk5kSk8ywxJliyij95p2yXj7wRuQthnLwAmwiGyejZ4-juyP_9yo7lAEdfYpROFA/s320/IMG-0966.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_Rr986HYULVr6omjuQJxQNnvJoEfbx59nXlI4kWbJVDAC8RJMHW1v5ABbtR3B9pTQ8-wK3Ny0Cm3BvUfIeymPO-Eo1n_fLkf0OA7IB5GIB_FVUOWAB3OAWgREn5fz666z8tA5_mOCN9Q4s9Yz5pV9oTyKFRoTpRSpF1B_ncqLO2x168H8IS20CJTrg/s4032/IMG-0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_Rr986HYULVr6omjuQJxQNnvJoEfbx59nXlI4kWbJVDAC8RJMHW1v5ABbtR3B9pTQ8-wK3Ny0Cm3BvUfIeymPO-Eo1n_fLkf0OA7IB5GIB_FVUOWAB3OAWgREn5fz666z8tA5_mOCN9Q4s9Yz5pV9oTyKFRoTpRSpF1B_ncqLO2x168H8IS20CJTrg/s320/IMG-0970.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were no after school or evening activities today, so we got home pretty early and so there was time for Ethan to relax and once it was dinner time for Dax we let him in to eat. After a little bit of scratches & love he was happy to lay down in the living room. I got leftover supper and breakfast dishes done and started on super nachos for supper which was a request from the boys. Jess is still in DeQueen with his Dad, who remains in the hospital with pneumonia. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB6qSGfhcpl-IsjUPoBlxf15fxZ33K5osbPIYB1uQGAW8bZejrkpa6vK_lv9d6vnIjKnzvZofJL1xXECmZSW6jHcSVzHJumTGSFrtzRAafRzlcPBmpRQ2i93B5hLNWLGO-d5K6TnQ4cJS0_MRzdPoD9Vgt5D311Rah8JB_uVtfU-gu2KXVp3pEyfGrg/s4032/IMG-0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB6qSGfhcpl-IsjUPoBlxf15fxZ33K5osbPIYB1uQGAW8bZejrkpa6vK_lv9d6vnIjKnzvZofJL1xXECmZSW6jHcSVzHJumTGSFrtzRAafRzlcPBmpRQ2i93B5hLNWLGO-d5K6TnQ4cJS0_MRzdPoD9Vgt5D311Rah8JB_uVtfU-gu2KXVp3pEyfGrg/s320/IMG-0971.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAzc_diweAHClDzJv1c70KVGxPiNl-_dRcozfcmMfy3CaLsOc-LldeWShTPpq2RSXnLFhs2U4LlPCNurSr8h8Z57rpg1JPOyayMymlVvHXaHb8YZzGTAAObB7-TDJHbBjqqR_gQi_shTQlHBmlDBpAUnXIqpnQmNair4A1NHCfYIft-_B7HUx3LE6Gg/s4032/IMG-0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAzc_diweAHClDzJv1c70KVGxPiNl-_dRcozfcmMfy3CaLsOc-LldeWShTPpq2RSXnLFhs2U4LlPCNurSr8h8Z57rpg1JPOyayMymlVvHXaHb8YZzGTAAObB7-TDJHbBjqqR_gQi_shTQlHBmlDBpAUnXIqpnQmNair4A1NHCfYIft-_B7HUx3LE6Gg/s320/IMG-0981.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carter made a quick trip home for supper and to have me iron his clothes for the end of year athletic awards ceremony at school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RUJNbhTp7f9IJUP9nMT_nafkIeCoI6Dlbiy-LVQ5bfTgyJ4qdqwGBq3QMcgOsuAanT9XU_dzEYyVyz4LyRmMZekGxzx91nx-TTZpBu7CFgD70EGteapSpdr8w3VV_RDiQjC87gJ5DdS5XMk1y6O76_Of8UpZinjy_xrNLm-EdpR7wCvZzgPMXFwfUg/s4032/IMG-0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RUJNbhTp7f9IJUP9nMT_nafkIeCoI6Dlbiy-LVQ5bfTgyJ4qdqwGBq3QMcgOsuAanT9XU_dzEYyVyz4LyRmMZekGxzx91nx-TTZpBu7CFgD70EGteapSpdr8w3VV_RDiQjC87gJ5DdS5XMk1y6O76_Of8UpZinjy_xrNLm-EdpR7wCvZzgPMXFwfUg/s320/IMG-0974.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWS4c0TK8xX8lAl7wxE8QGGKwE_NLvkIpeTj9RR8XrJNkaVpTncex4MhpReDR-OgSdsqw-4_MxG2gAwUA1Synof97oQv1BCS12q_vnK-8-hUV7N6SBJPt3QqJNEimYRNCwWq2ixQOY0ZKI7M47-SeFp0FIeGJcLaKV4wrybHGkKPr_6Qn11hNEjNavQ/s4032/IMG-0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWS4c0TK8xX8lAl7wxE8QGGKwE_NLvkIpeTj9RR8XrJNkaVpTncex4MhpReDR-OgSdsqw-4_MxG2gAwUA1Synof97oQv1BCS12q_vnK-8-hUV7N6SBJPt3QqJNEimYRNCwWq2ixQOY0ZKI7M47-SeFp0FIeGJcLaKV4wrybHGkKPr_6Qn11hNEjNavQ/s320/IMG-0976.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carter stayed long enough to eat & play a little Nintendo with the boys. Carter and Ethan told Jude all about playing the same game when they were closer to his age and laughed about the teams that Carter built that are still on the game today. The player's names are horribly misspelled, thanks to Carter. He swears he spent a tremendous amount of time building those teams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwNhDBYP1h_x4lz9vbr72rdK73s0Sao4aBJjeIttgwa16KP5zu3WutLYrV6BwXGFGwR6FwON4Zns_UBfS8ltaMepZ3NYkbjX2XXPC_eNgff-9e74VkLo-19jGPJM10KP92jW2wbanUryEN5WegjfzHPoPXQnNTh0Ogj8Ytv-lKtylAtUWT-RHnZTmJQ/s4032/IMG-0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwNhDBYP1h_x4lz9vbr72rdK73s0Sao4aBJjeIttgwa16KP5zu3WutLYrV6BwXGFGwR6FwON4Zns_UBfS8ltaMepZ3NYkbjX2XXPC_eNgff-9e74VkLo-19jGPJM10KP92jW2wbanUryEN5WegjfzHPoPXQnNTh0Ogj8Ytv-lKtylAtUWT-RHnZTmJQ/s320/IMG-0985.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34_PmjByTZXnCHvTmEOps9516efw1Fc0bIiS2IaNNA4mp0stlsjlsxgXKLJidk_m2Sly4q4wT7Wm_ka9pibfLCtROqKBsRk6_bmVYxSbHgWwHfgW6dAuZg_3yehj4L0jbNJBctbd5a2J0QrESIBy00t6jQjvSiyUInFKOK6_JDrluxY4aay6duy9gg/s4032/IMG-0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34_PmjByTZXnCHvTmEOps9516efw1Fc0bIiS2IaNNA4mp0stlsjlsxgXKLJidk_m2Sly4q4wT7Wm_ka9pibfLCtROqKBsRk6_bmVYxSbHgWwHfgW6dAuZg_3yehj4L0jbNJBctbd5a2J0QrESIBy00t6jQjvSiyUInFKOK6_JDrluxY4aay6duy9gg/s320/IMG-0986.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Favorite pictures of the day: As Carter left out, he made sure to hug both of his brothers & tell them he loved them. I am incredibly proud & thankful for the relationship that the three of them have. I never take a moment when I have all three of them under the same roof for granted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9wmT2MRzIvTn0DPxJL5FBO-PA98aRKBmmVqODioiS_3JNn4CUWyRugkfKeSBFFIBE0IF5CEQ_YxrPelVBVfImAeXBfqFkUvdckiSeH_Lg9DMG9muNk5sg7g8EBOFXthoAKjH6HErp6he2X-UAA9KCJtDKNNpD-TmI_R27EFFHdsvf2BMpmzyNZyG4g/s4032/IMG-0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9wmT2MRzIvTn0DPxJL5FBO-PA98aRKBmmVqODioiS_3JNn4CUWyRugkfKeSBFFIBE0IF5CEQ_YxrPelVBVfImAeXBfqFkUvdckiSeH_Lg9DMG9muNk5sg7g8EBOFXthoAKjH6HErp6he2X-UAA9KCJtDKNNpD-TmI_R27EFFHdsvf2BMpmzyNZyG4g/s320/IMG-0988.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ0gwgxxEhnGEznNiDs86-CFrT-OFmM764tbdldA1sgj4c2vUMBBw3SDC6L7xYmx6H9p4yOShlAs-b0pT6A9hzZbA19LdfExOovOcO9syWIvAsRMLGzx8Fa1KGsMPGF7mud6BePtBO3WmCyew9ME9Pigm2OzctoP_7xx-bJZjxzPT4AtRpJJZJzxuGg/s4032/IMG-0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ0gwgxxEhnGEznNiDs86-CFrT-OFmM764tbdldA1sgj4c2vUMBBw3SDC6L7xYmx6H9p4yOShlAs-b0pT6A9hzZbA19LdfExOovOcO9syWIvAsRMLGzx8Fa1KGsMPGF7mud6BePtBO3WmCyew9ME9Pigm2OzctoP_7xx-bJZjxzPT4AtRpJJZJzxuGg/s320/IMG-0989.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems only right to end today's photos with more of the animals. Smokey has a pillow on Ethan's bed right next to Ethan. He is quite a spoiled kitty boy. Tonight Dax came in to Ethan's room to give Smokey a little love before he went to our room to lay down on the floor on my side of the bed. They do take a little more care & they drive me crazy a lot of mornings, but our home would be quite empty without our sweet pets.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-34210866327218080402023-04-28T12:08:00.005-05:002023-04-28T12:13:12.206-05:00Week in the Life- Monday, April 24th<p> Ohhh, Monday.... back to work/school. Another week of wandering aimlessly around the library while a small group of students take our state-mandated standardized test. Nineteen days to go till summer break. Sooo ready for a slowdown and a shift in our schedule.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmADtQJ6VLtHWP_58OnzbYYXIUrcfZ1kNgOnqxe2BfPLNjCmAhJHC9itzgCtZ_ndY75LzQH2VhdgiSzBNL2SO2-p54yJKEY5XKN6AUEvJZNvO6S4lx8bsyxYWg4OQveFeOmIK-DRv3E4bVAyluLlV98snmFiGlgwahTs9iJSvO3CBooqz49zFb-npNA/s4032/IMG-0891.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmADtQJ6VLtHWP_58OnzbYYXIUrcfZ1kNgOnqxe2BfPLNjCmAhJHC9itzgCtZ_ndY75LzQH2VhdgiSzBNL2SO2-p54yJKEY5XKN6AUEvJZNvO6S4lx8bsyxYWg4OQveFeOmIK-DRv3E4bVAyluLlV98snmFiGlgwahTs9iJSvO3CBooqz49zFb-npNA/w480-h640/IMG-0891.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I walked out of the bathroom to find these two on our bed semi-touching. Quite the odd occurrence considering that usually, Smokey wants nothing to do with Tines. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUSoAaHHymG0pxjQVZZ9uYCXblo6uMz0ySdRfivNyHzJBYSZFNeJPXDsYxtg_aqQP71kFRbo33km1idpHpRE8Y2iRrbyEul7zOltWFc2qvvfk2i07LSDyH1JgB1OtxQwMT05PbXIqzVoN8VF45ahNnyUT1_thOm-s2w8j3h1IiZUtJL_5JNKQLLgrRQ/s4032/IMG-0897.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUSoAaHHymG0pxjQVZZ9uYCXblo6uMz0ySdRfivNyHzJBYSZFNeJPXDsYxtg_aqQP71kFRbo33km1idpHpRE8Y2iRrbyEul7zOltWFc2qvvfk2i07LSDyH1JgB1OtxQwMT05PbXIqzVoN8VF45ahNnyUT1_thOm-s2w8j3h1IiZUtJL_5JNKQLLgrRQ/w480-h640/IMG-0897.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Called Mom on the way to school, just to check in and see how her weekend went. Phone calls while driving are kind of my go-to right now because it easier than taking time once I get home to make or take phone calls. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS2LMVyL8NBVgGze333AoVrgVUntvCx3fn8RowDDVfvSDfKYpkKaM-glVaQCD5AG7ejVJxtk7SiSrqxD6glC-M22EMQMYvvbzaE3dmUVMEw_fL9mQ0pcdtOjl1HrVpH2DATgMZr5iIn-U49yZPhqZ9ClXOJKLQOtMJAQt9kw5o7rI20vOcLHa-uga4A/s4032/IMG-0898.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS2LMVyL8NBVgGze333AoVrgVUntvCx3fn8RowDDVfvSDfKYpkKaM-glVaQCD5AG7ejVJxtk7SiSrqxD6glC-M22EMQMYvvbzaE3dmUVMEw_fL9mQ0pcdtOjl1HrVpH2DATgMZr5iIn-U49yZPhqZ9ClXOJKLQOtMJAQt9kw5o7rI20vOcLHa-uga4A/w480-h640/IMG-0898.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots of things on my list of work to-dos this week. The first couple of hours when I usually have students is now being used for standardized testing, which means that my afternoon schedule is full of students instead of quiet come as needed library time. Stack on top of our irregular, wonky schedule: the yearbook due tomorrow & still needing to read the first half of the book club book for our meeting Wednesday and I am feeling slightly overwhelmed. Instead of actually working on anything that is due, I'm procrastinating and working on book lists for next year and planning the remainder of my day. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGvpPikkkGKNmNKXYpzFI-wrvT8YScNV33jzVtr1T4kJotyvvWL8PfqR1FhuZmZQxdyoER6hekEUTYSdXa6ntO-RloiWA0lA2i5FAug3Do9XrbG3SMtNH6V1ZN-ind5gyakLlYfqOQ5zGvO42iWJ_0RA-nhRlArDWYuSfL5qCY4DVZqjK4raYhPy6BA/s4032/IMG-0902.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGvpPikkkGKNmNKXYpzFI-wrvT8YScNV33jzVtr1T4kJotyvvWL8PfqR1FhuZmZQxdyoER6hekEUTYSdXa6ntO-RloiWA0lA2i5FAug3Do9XrbG3SMtNH6V1ZN-ind5gyakLlYfqOQ5zGvO42iWJ_0RA-nhRlArDWYuSfL5qCY4DVZqjK4raYhPy6BA/w480-h640/IMG-0902.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Maybe it is a Southern thing, maybe just a weird people thing or maybe we just have some interesting ability to see the weird and wacky, but Jude and I encounter things we consider weird and wacky nearly everyday. Today it was a guy driving down the road with a load of re-bar not tied down and precariously bouncing along and sticking out of the back of his truck. Jude was extremely weirded out by this and kept talking about how dangerous it is to be driving around like that.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEho9Ng6U43kCOl7LBjZ-M8A1_1X1lMAeH7fdNk_0tPkR7qwX_rYtvT9e9SblypTM8GEX0wwTE9Op2OOahcawtKMqQdHdLxo6ZoGZRQZlQ7cW5zTjPD_64bz8K_rp0SvYhAxAZuEx8_ee3wilk7WQjQUWV7xQkh20xIdc7y1k0rj81b1V4S-_iticHw/s4032/IMG-0904.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEho9Ng6U43kCOl7LBjZ-M8A1_1X1lMAeH7fdNk_0tPkR7qwX_rYtvT9e9SblypTM8GEX0wwTE9Op2OOahcawtKMqQdHdLxo6ZoGZRQZlQ7cW5zTjPD_64bz8K_rp0SvYhAxAZuEx8_ee3wilk7WQjQUWV7xQkh20xIdc7y1k0rj81b1V4S-_iticHw/w480-h640/IMG-0904.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Quick stop at Walmart to pick a few essentials that we didn't get into our pick-up order Friday. Besides the sourdough bread, avocados, and big, red strawberries, none of which were on my list, I also picked up toilet paper, dog food, and detergent.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyvkIT0D8xBr-MCnYcNeb86VR1H3CWL7jwX1O8DExzXBLdGRiYctmHxuTLhajyaDwhln0EI4dT_mCuBes4OhXcTfiy6tlnO7DL8NgOjbB4OACknqV9lRQ4D132Ce6HgCaONszYJ9GCs639QNmhPQNKLHVkeCBXkA070F2sZWkP6xHnlDtY9eCBA4RpQ/s3088/IMG-0909.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyvkIT0D8xBr-MCnYcNeb86VR1H3CWL7jwX1O8DExzXBLdGRiYctmHxuTLhajyaDwhln0EI4dT_mCuBes4OhXcTfiy6tlnO7DL8NgOjbB4OACknqV9lRQ4D132Ce6HgCaONszYJ9GCs639QNmhPQNKLHVkeCBXkA070F2sZWkP6xHnlDtY9eCBA4RpQ/w480-h640/IMG-0909.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Quick trip home to drop off groceries and relax for a few minutes, then back in the car to head to the fields for Jude's 5:30 baseball game. Jude decided that the best use of his time was to play at home till we had to leave and then dress in the car on the way to the game. As he was getting dressed I heard him mutter, "I definitely did not just put my shirt on backwards!" He puts on &/or wears something</div>backwards at least once a week. Somedays we catch it, somedays he catches it, and somedays he makes it to school and someone else has to tell him. Good Grief!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h_RDZhEXSVlFksYsxtqMWVUzt5eDvp8g_tZ3zzby4Bbh-N4kRKWsk9BFs2lY4cdybGiBTdcFp4m9mr_GD7UhnA-mehK0Y1uTcUtd_ml9gpVfif-dwTRSMUCCesmmdkjElxi_yohew7LZOUXb5zjGrQ8wEZCb7I0Q_ON-iy8-CrSwO82W3gp4FUa8HA/s4032/IMG-0914.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h_RDZhEXSVlFksYsxtqMWVUzt5eDvp8g_tZ3zzby4Bbh-N4kRKWsk9BFs2lY4cdybGiBTdcFp4m9mr_GD7UhnA-mehK0Y1uTcUtd_ml9gpVfif-dwTRSMUCCesmmdkjElxi_yohew7LZOUXb5zjGrQ8wEZCb7I0Q_ON-iy8-CrSwO82W3gp4FUa8HA/w480-h640/IMG-0914.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pulled up at the ball field and parked by this guy, who had evidently made a pit stop at Sonic before coming to the field to umpire. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfZOWd4W3G_WgEbeN74TzkK6gTAWKJqjY8sXmLt5naqBdPFSBiQYZvvvC1i26Hn12jfxfztnUhPBbaJUgB2y2BvCfOnSaFpY73OCXcjLIwBQWMrQG49wz1JjAcB0LAqcitCLh4UIRsE6XkONy27oIu_QhgD7FcviDwnSpHlKEAwEyf_FYYvMnFEdLYA/s4032/IMG-0922.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfZOWd4W3G_WgEbeN74TzkK6gTAWKJqjY8sXmLt5naqBdPFSBiQYZvvvC1i26Hn12jfxfztnUhPBbaJUgB2y2BvCfOnSaFpY73OCXcjLIwBQWMrQG49wz1JjAcB0LAqcitCLh4UIRsE6XkONy27oIu_QhgD7FcviDwnSpHlKEAwEyf_FYYvMnFEdLYA/w480-h640/IMG-0922.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Favorite picture of the day: Jude had a solid hit to left field and it turned into a in the park homerun. So proud of him! He was due a good hit! He was very proud of himself and the run put us ahead 4-3.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFJ_vazsvmhiEhe_o4_WXnaH7xY5jHVHvJMbf0C2mqKwgEPosN1Rs_8MLq7Owtb5lu0erYkYBhq-LkPXNpstT7Bh8Jsmx4c8qX9sueXFLMwSuWektMYUhlJfv8jDUpXCvU3Ep0jTbRUK32-puoAhpZ0DHhpAN-NOUwG47QwVWYPvMlJN6KoB1nUCkyA/s4032/IMG-0925.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFJ_vazsvmhiEhe_o4_WXnaH7xY5jHVHvJMbf0C2mqKwgEPosN1Rs_8MLq7Owtb5lu0erYkYBhq-LkPXNpstT7Bh8Jsmx4c8qX9sueXFLMwSuWektMYUhlJfv8jDUpXCvU3Ep0jTbRUK32-puoAhpZ0DHhpAN-NOUwG47QwVWYPvMlJN6KoB1nUCkyA/s320/IMG-0925.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEini9SUTtjfRXpKVy6cu_xXhi0Z9cOQM0vYO0wyLxzbHLePFnB3pXs9lt7q-W5crgLlMrFscm36d8xxrB7yCngDTZ9ziQ43l7fGI2oiG74XiItQFoAQbI0LMrRvlacmiy_8dru9XJrDTn4426mo6alwwkFmhlUGQikLJ_gVUTVA4OyK80cHYpl4dhQarg/s4032/IMG-0926.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEini9SUTtjfRXpKVy6cu_xXhi0Z9cOQM0vYO0wyLxzbHLePFnB3pXs9lt7q-W5crgLlMrFscm36d8xxrB7yCngDTZ9ziQ43l7fGI2oiG74XiItQFoAQbI0LMrRvlacmiy_8dru9XJrDTn4426mo6alwwkFmhlUGQikLJ_gVUTVA4OyK80cHYpl4dhQarg/s320/IMG-0926.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jess and Ethan hard at work umpiring on the coach pitch field. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPnW5ZkedwE5GyTyc9nn_8lk0_i7eiqVGryNMgkqOvhvxE5plVlsm5XraqFEuSwMpO9erUpiuAcEHgeOAlGz6aEZKPLtHIdp2YyXJokkfoM6zq_pex8mVLPcH2txNvcBx9IvkjsCYz-aOjU4VVcraIEdaXRnpo_isTURXiSkQv5CuG7cbVWJZhdXN_w/s4032/IMG-0928.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPnW5ZkedwE5GyTyc9nn_8lk0_i7eiqVGryNMgkqOvhvxE5plVlsm5XraqFEuSwMpO9erUpiuAcEHgeOAlGz6aEZKPLtHIdp2YyXJokkfoM6zq_pex8mVLPcH2txNvcBx9IvkjsCYz-aOjU4VVcraIEdaXRnpo_isTURXiSkQv5CuG7cbVWJZhdXN_w/w480-h640/IMG-0928.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Quick spaghetti supper, a shower, and a little Wii play before bed.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got a call from Rhonda about Randall. He had been admitted into the hospital in DeQueen because of a severe case of pneumonia. Jess talked her and packed up and headed to the hospital to be with him. </div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-37655722817627702522023-04-26T20:22:00.000-05:002023-04-26T20:22:04.348-05:00Week in the Life 2023- Sunday, April 23rd<p> This week, I am documenting a week in our daily lives. I have done this project a number of times throughout the years & I'm looking forward to another opportunity to record a week of our ordinary days. I wonder what stories this week will tell.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM8BpK5i6QTZ3LxyqLvnyrNBjb_cADgxApTOTly_2b8MbK5942MwLgIScPAEEc_cQ3T6lNUbsXIzqyYxEDUpTLn87XpRvYtLsfVBFngdB6Zf9SzD8qzDTd21dLK50Wr2ENkTdmdKLahMhuymGb2AkAOvhxthWKQRNhO3KZ9cNnk9UziulI8PaOVJhvw/s4032/IMG-0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM8BpK5i6QTZ3LxyqLvnyrNBjb_cADgxApTOTly_2b8MbK5942MwLgIScPAEEc_cQ3T6lNUbsXIzqyYxEDUpTLn87XpRvYtLsfVBFngdB6Zf9SzD8qzDTd21dLK50Wr2ENkTdmdKLahMhuymGb2AkAOvhxthWKQRNhO3KZ9cNnk9UziulI8PaOVJhvw/w480-h640/IMG-0842.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Early morning snuggles with Tiny. I didn't sleep well last night, so I was hoping to catch a little more rest on the couch before getting the day started. Tiny wanted to help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSj_Cp1FZJUIHznhD9F-Zy3vYu8lFTl-SxqLtlN0tAQun3cbsoYaDTJHzA3SS54CGrxEN0ZlRu9PgdXbES5_X409Jcw8h4ZvEDzFbLd_OIlqldu36JP7isHe3NfHqGvCbcduHniAMp5WWveyYey4w-bB97KR10tuHLBt62V0M5F8KjcmXmV3C9ziJaA/s4032/IMG-0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSj_Cp1FZJUIHznhD9F-Zy3vYu8lFTl-SxqLtlN0tAQun3cbsoYaDTJHzA3SS54CGrxEN0ZlRu9PgdXbES5_X409Jcw8h4ZvEDzFbLd_OIlqldu36JP7isHe3NfHqGvCbcduHniAMp5WWveyYey4w-bB97KR10tuHLBt62V0M5F8KjcmXmV3C9ziJaA/w480-h640/IMG-0843.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last load of laundry for the weekend. All the cleaning this weekend allowed Ethan & me to get completely caught up on all the laundry. A rarity for sure, especially considering that Ethan doesn't often do his laundry unless I remind him or he runs out of underwear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGcYsaF2ModvpktsDPNhTD0DoqPFDGWeKlucRHefdD8_oaSkCcy37u9MckBdr7TCFp0dGQOUM3LJGOTejE_tIO1clHGelqpEDRhUZXsQDxWVlLhgTRjDvB8LPR3H68vc_IDksVBzNiAes0DUSPD921q7Im7hnZYIS0RaV5u_2lK1pOUGntyz78BJ3XQ/s4032/IMG-0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGcYsaF2ModvpktsDPNhTD0DoqPFDGWeKlucRHefdD8_oaSkCcy37u9MckBdr7TCFp0dGQOUM3LJGOTejE_tIO1clHGelqpEDRhUZXsQDxWVlLhgTRjDvB8LPR3H68vc_IDksVBzNiAes0DUSPD921q7Im7hnZYIS0RaV5u_2lK1pOUGntyz78BJ3XQ/w480-h640/IMG-0847.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jude was up earlier than I expected & all he wanted for breakfast was a bowl of dry cereal. He was happily playing Fortnite with friends when I headed downstairs for a little creative time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1gTrlDHbLlDsG1k_dAi-33w-ngTr4gtsYQSQpWqKiXLB-RWKDp5O9W472EhK41QPoJpR7TJ9MxazLi2GGZarKUqGg2PVLnAhTX-yEh4EanQ91dMDo6OKCZSUaliRo6QqjiBIlMM8-R0k6-Q_Otk_yRJCf3Bonqs6Ay37hcuRCEqpSqw_yXEyc1L-lw/s4032/IMG-0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1gTrlDHbLlDsG1k_dAi-33w-ngTr4gtsYQSQpWqKiXLB-RWKDp5O9W472EhK41QPoJpR7TJ9MxazLi2GGZarKUqGg2PVLnAhTX-yEh4EanQ91dMDo6OKCZSUaliRo6QqjiBIlMM8-R0k6-Q_Otk_yRJCf3Bonqs6Ay37hcuRCEqpSqw_yXEyc1L-lw/w480-h640/IMG-0849.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back upstairs for a hot chai latte refill & heard Smokey wanting back inside. It was chilly outside, so he wanted in quicker than normal. He usually likes to lounge on the front porch or in the yard. Occasionally he ventures off into neighboring yards or even across the street, but he is happiest just hanging out in our yard and soaking up the sun. The sun was hard to find today and the spring wind was fierce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYWlUNaOm9vbKMMTpz8YRgXFg5vBnwftgQZ0dGgr0DizY6fdCZY_WEwEOjTeu6eT05AN5ghgiMCMVgZ2-_scZ5eKVTHfnMCC8zCOBGWTYVKvzjhVbADdozwtmENeRfZGrsaWiiWczhoya7Xkqy1SHGi2bUTwtx3CrXh3OZ9ralgeIeb-lCKaaHZ6wVw/s4032/IMG-0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYWlUNaOm9vbKMMTpz8YRgXFg5vBnwftgQZ0dGgr0DizY6fdCZY_WEwEOjTeu6eT05AN5ghgiMCMVgZ2-_scZ5eKVTHfnMCC8zCOBGWTYVKvzjhVbADdozwtmENeRfZGrsaWiiWczhoya7Xkqy1SHGi2bUTwtx3CrXh3OZ9ralgeIeb-lCKaaHZ6wVw/w480-h640/IMG-0856.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik8UwNChhFLN1t58O4FRk3lRryK__iJ3Nq64HwN8-SXBHWEzBldoS3GTWpP8g63h2DL7num5uqAzSNSlIMVmf8dAySFXdtfZ9nMV4NNSUj7LLKKMnA5m9puVg32x6ppU_8ZFOQVFaxy-6O7y61o3RgIKTXvFnoIPiQ5oz5W6talutIfGc09MIL2HwGQ/s4032/IMG-0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik8UwNChhFLN1t58O4FRk3lRryK__iJ3Nq64HwN8-SXBHWEzBldoS3GTWpP8g63h2DL7num5uqAzSNSlIMVmf8dAySFXdtfZ9nMV4NNSUj7LLKKMnA5m9puVg32x6ppU_8ZFOQVFaxy-6O7y61o3RgIKTXvFnoIPiQ5oz5W6talutIfGc09MIL2HwGQ/w480-h640/IMG-0857.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ethan pulled Jude away from his screen for a little while to run pass plays in the front yard. I stepped outside briefly (it was still cool) to watch, snap a few pictures, and check out the hostas beginning to emerge in the front flower bed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kJIX_Eczyrs-gy1o2546eYO-bT79oxdK9Dyz9CnwR5b0zjQFdp4mw6qIr272464JMZXPg-0VV-usw5bsWiaJeLOCgiSZiFc0Q0fUFgOGZ7KUIwp01avUQ5TDJTJLpAnEpjFR8z3uzc3Lx5qfr8LZ9ce3C9Cr25yrADXnM1-SLw3Egd8GMq3KVy4_Hw/s4032/IMG-0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kJIX_Eczyrs-gy1o2546eYO-bT79oxdK9Dyz9CnwR5b0zjQFdp4mw6qIr272464JMZXPg-0VV-usw5bsWiaJeLOCgiSZiFc0Q0fUFgOGZ7KUIwp01avUQ5TDJTJLpAnEpjFR8z3uzc3Lx5qfr8LZ9ce3C9Cr25yrADXnM1-SLw3Egd8GMq3KVy4_Hw/w480-h640/IMG-0861.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After completely cleaning our bedroom Friday night and all day Saturday, including shampooing the carpet and wiping down all the woodwork, Sunday was all about finishing up the laundry & picking up loose clothing from our room, and putting it away.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmjLT9q721etIMnnJoz_Q_uLMsKrUhIiMEe5-P9ldiw6sN9tLoVVR9t9GjGYFcrRIAWSuo1iPtywKLTb-k-ATjYCGgPzSUMZwMPG9Z6ttDQhGaJKFV3lgpG1crZoVVqimRIbrDwYg-s5oPqarNp8642srpAOCJDSEVRbPFRTNMND_Hkqx4cDKTLiGFA/s4032/IMG-0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmjLT9q721etIMnnJoz_Q_uLMsKrUhIiMEe5-P9ldiw6sN9tLoVVR9t9GjGYFcrRIAWSuo1iPtywKLTb-k-ATjYCGgPzSUMZwMPG9Z6ttDQhGaJKFV3lgpG1crZoVVqimRIbrDwYg-s5oPqarNp8642srpAOCJDSEVRbPFRTNMND_Hkqx4cDKTLiGFA/w480-h640/IMG-0864.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jude turned off his Switch and picked up the iPad to watch Star Wars. He is a serious Star Wars aficionado. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcimH8UiGK41k02WJTYK3Rzpdyowf1DglgsxvCEC323RtNGZ5180bbQqr9eTO7MwDhskWJ1RJcDOIQU0GA-QcmbhMIeCoxySNNxWB6vrO3EiBJxxO_FrSI1YFAUPrcyk8jxJid4wyGj9J_vUkqIM4k-bGo_e4r3tXNV3_K2D9TE5zV_ZcLkvOGDz86Ig/s4032/IMG-0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcimH8UiGK41k02WJTYK3Rzpdyowf1DglgsxvCEC323RtNGZ5180bbQqr9eTO7MwDhskWJ1RJcDOIQU0GA-QcmbhMIeCoxySNNxWB6vrO3EiBJxxO_FrSI1YFAUPrcyk8jxJid4wyGj9J_vUkqIM4k-bGo_e4r3tXNV3_K2D9TE5zV_ZcLkvOGDz86Ig/w480-h640/IMG-0867.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ethan spent his afternoon cleaning and vacuuming his room and closet. He even organized his hanging clothes and his shoe collection. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdt8TvbYgbABOW9dcQyvQ_1SHQsTzWY2Pz3dzPgKPRqInp8etYW0D6kgJjzQPwQaEmK2ZBymKK4B0yk7cyoxgEGsXUajHb_uUv3EiU9muq7NsSsp-9gSzVyLMrcGZevG5DuMrd7qEjf5CcxzqV9PMt7fzPfghZ_nIU8TsZgkUeDANSl2cTx_aItvWb2g/s4032/IMG-0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdt8TvbYgbABOW9dcQyvQ_1SHQsTzWY2Pz3dzPgKPRqInp8etYW0D6kgJjzQPwQaEmK2ZBymKK4B0yk7cyoxgEGsXUajHb_uUv3EiU9muq7NsSsp-9gSzVyLMrcGZevG5DuMrd7qEjf5CcxzqV9PMt7fzPfghZ_nIU8TsZgkUeDANSl2cTx_aItvWb2g/w480-h640/IMG-0869.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went in search of Georgie, who hides 90% of the time, and Ethan pointed her out to me lounging in his window behind the curtain. A much more scenic view than that of the living room chair which she usually hides under.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4EwKeQkXjhQq7cpLXVxIudKPaoicERAt49N_3YkAT5sgkjPa1dc8UtaN7GrULJUuAY5PAQZU-QVi2H3vSFBTDx2JTMYuHWqI_0M1M0Mqo-Vs1_wQjmvIziURHOuZF2OBpkesrKJ9GeKAcb2A55OtVUI7zT_0vceoYWY3PFhQGFJwGjLMXUVR9Fvsuw/s4032/IMG-0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4EwKeQkXjhQq7cpLXVxIudKPaoicERAt49N_3YkAT5sgkjPa1dc8UtaN7GrULJUuAY5PAQZU-QVi2H3vSFBTDx2JTMYuHWqI_0M1M0Mqo-Vs1_wQjmvIziURHOuZF2OBpkesrKJ9GeKAcb2A55OtVUI7zT_0vceoYWY3PFhQGFJwGjLMXUVR9Fvsuw/w480-h640/IMG-0879.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carter at college (check), Dad umpiring (check), only three people who love breakfast, specifically waffles with bacon and sausage, for supper at home. Waffles it is. Ethan, Jude, & I love breakfast for supper,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEjVJilOEjSs2E-c7zNADfYdYPVHDAKR_gGMg3fkbXC8-xCn_nkrPuS3a8CByS2MWcvMxmCjD2cLI7M9dezbP0T3Yt8Bv7FNTC2AUPVtaiBwgVY0FPDndpGEak63_Xm4J8sK6In4xqdeCRpKuhoqcstOxxYYZ7PoAgMjG4F887D-xbws-C-OgbsHfmw/s4032/IMG-0888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEjVJilOEjSs2E-c7zNADfYdYPVHDAKR_gGMg3fkbXC8-xCn_nkrPuS3a8CByS2MWcvMxmCjD2cLI7M9dezbP0T3Yt8Bv7FNTC2AUPVtaiBwgVY0FPDndpGEak63_Xm4J8sK6In4xqdeCRpKuhoqcstOxxYYZ7PoAgMjG4F887D-xbws-C-OgbsHfmw/w480-h640/IMG-0888.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Favorite shot of the day: Ethan and Jude playing on our old Nintendo Wii. Jude and I went to see the movie Friday night & really enjoyed it. Ethan brought the Wii upstairs tonight and it was a huge hit! So much fun to all sit and play a little bit and reminisce about playing it together when the big boys were Jude's age. Glad he brought it up. I see many nights of family play ahead. </div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-7855303978623644822023-04-24T12:06:00.007-05:002023-04-24T18:30:48.944-05:00Spring Time Friendship Card<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I'm sharing a Spring card. I love Limelight Hydrangeas and so I wanted to create something similar on this card. I die-cut a design into the card panel and added a Distress Ink background to create a shaker element. I added little sprigs of yellow for interest and to break up some of the green. I love the color scheme from this week's <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2023/04/color-throwdown-challenge-739.html" target="_blank">Color Throwdown</a>. It is always fun to play along and create fun cards based on their weekly challenges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yM6dL1m4Jc2u8Upq8iwJLyw9CTeD0MgaDfzCv5GSFzAXV3YdvalfkP-D4UNWi7FocmQ6N5eodC8TepNNgNm7dca0BRPI3VbL9CWN0cGmftkJqH2nWeEZMpl4CXNRw_lla_YElPlS5vP_bGriZEyaYTvx5VhVVw3GAyVUoqVaHUrtHUXGx5Vh1wsIQQ/s2375/IMG-0845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="1976" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yM6dL1m4Jc2u8Upq8iwJLyw9CTeD0MgaDfzCv5GSFzAXV3YdvalfkP-D4UNWi7FocmQ6N5eodC8TepNNgNm7dca0BRPI3VbL9CWN0cGmftkJqH2nWeEZMpl4CXNRw_lla_YElPlS5vP_bGriZEyaYTvx5VhVVw3GAyVUoqVaHUrtHUXGx5Vh1wsIQQ/w532-h640/IMG-0845.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-74693520278537062582023-04-17T13:20:00.000-05:002023-04-17T13:20:41.476-05:00Coloring Tips<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0nUAaPk0E86JWPJ8Yv3I4OVhUiem_VjRcXqjHoyRZ0w6dV5tgNVEz2umRFFwn_TEY8i5bbVAuXWQL-S3sJd--niiwpqBUWY6eSKeGgOTkbJg5_1mZv6VayiI-_JN4rIwjFeLKF25ajY2_QoDWiMknV5wbMnghEBjvnX5LGAkdjj_QitLgZqsuESJUg/s3034/IMG-0668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3034" data-original-width="2585" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0nUAaPk0E86JWPJ8Yv3I4OVhUiem_VjRcXqjHoyRZ0w6dV5tgNVEz2umRFFwn_TEY8i5bbVAuXWQL-S3sJd--niiwpqBUWY6eSKeGgOTkbJg5_1mZv6VayiI-_JN4rIwjFeLKF25ajY2_QoDWiMknV5wbMnghEBjvnX5LGAkdjj_QitLgZqsuESJUg/w546-h640/IMG-0668.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><br /><p> This week as I began working on my card for <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2023/04/color-throwdown-challenge-738.html" target="_blank">Color Throwdown #738</a>, I considered just using the colors given without any highlights. I started watercoloring the flower petals on the background with Mustard Seed Distress Ink. As I got the flowers done, they felt flat. Even though they are more whimsical instead of realistic, I just did not like the flat feel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHXhH9sTZKGVdhnPfPg8beB9eDnA8-AFS_oS-dgYmLhel29YhNI32rRsswyBlfUF7oFCnwlwbb03KgPRHlHcpmm8qqC4dX7Z5tkaBoZEp92n30PZKPFVQ4n2loTbqjhZI85uesDlcj26lr_UpHfTy5wvOtZela_G12CxmMI6DZmmtZmw1r7a95KMQQQ/s4032/IMG-0657%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHXhH9sTZKGVdhnPfPg8beB9eDnA8-AFS_oS-dgYmLhel29YhNI32rRsswyBlfUF7oFCnwlwbb03KgPRHlHcpmm8qqC4dX7Z5tkaBoZEp92n30PZKPFVQ4n2loTbqjhZI85uesDlcj26lr_UpHfTy5wvOtZela_G12CxmMI6DZmmtZmw1r7a95KMQQQ/w300-h400/IMG-0657%20(1).JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>I went back with Fossilized Amber Distress Ink and added shading on the petals and then finished the card background with Shabby Shutters and Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink. Even though they were not lifelike flowers the additional shading brought depth to the images. </p><p>The Sentiment and the flowers were all stamped with Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide and clear embossed. I added shading to the fussy cut sentiment with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink. I finished the card with sequins and pearls from Lucy's Cards. </p><p>Next time you feel like your card is feeling flat, go back and add shading and highlights. This is possible with watercoloring, using colored pencils, and even by adding a darker color beneath die-cuts. Just a little bit of extra shading & depth adds so much to your card and keeps it from falling flat.</p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-40161291879139942152023-04-10T16:26:00.003-05:002023-04-10T16:26:50.840-05:00Working for the Weekend<p> As we begin to wind down the school year I get more and more excited about weekends and the possibility of summer. The card I created today celebrates two of my favorite weekend (and summer) activities: reading and plants.</p><p>I used this week's <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2023/04/color-throwdown-challenge-737.html" target="_blank">Color Throwdown</a> color inspiration for my card. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N4O9p6Wrly4v35fWIjVXr8ikABxnAcGu5YDAzKOS3dlnxvomdkOA4hSgyjO3ZgpkYugHEyQPtFEeAqZM3ToMwXKqhBBeinHK5unh52W08h18qVUGcrFzQPtXBuA-hJLb7LrQPu8ndHE65r4eKJbkKrCS0loK5T1oQYjlTjc-udRRmNOlUw3Jcpyp2w/s3813/IMG-0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3813" data-original-width="2860" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N4O9p6Wrly4v35fWIjVXr8ikABxnAcGu5YDAzKOS3dlnxvomdkOA4hSgyjO3ZgpkYugHEyQPtFEeAqZM3ToMwXKqhBBeinHK5unh52W08h18qVUGcrFzQPtXBuA-hJLb7LrQPu8ndHE65r4eKJbkKrCS0loK5T1oQYjlTjc-udRRmNOlUw3Jcpyp2w/w480-h640/IMG-0279.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's card features stamps from Cocoa Daisy and Heidi Swapp which were watercolored with </div>Distress Inks. I figured out that Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey used together made the best terra cotta color to watercolor my pots. Everything got fussy cut and popped up for emphasis & then placed on an ink-smooshed background of Tattered Rose Distress Ink. <div><br /></div><div>This one was fun and I may have a hard time parting with it!<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-37756018355058637772023-03-29T08:50:00.000-05:002023-03-29T08:50:03.037-05:00Color Throwdown Guest Stamper<p></p><br /> I am honored to be the Guest Stamper for the <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2023/03/color-throwdown-challenge-736.html">Color Throwdown #736</a>. For this challenge I created a birthday card using yellow, gray, and sage. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO0XiJz1aHb17js7INDSvfHXMtjkwPPJg_J04aa5zcRA2nokNue50otaN9EQ-schpjrVc4H_gWahRqWlQzWubG2f8CAMMpKO0YtQjZT5vM4tiOuxvAOePtI1wVARJsXDdv3GhIsc9tHP74qm3IUzoi7wCdiwgwiPC-K0wFkJRDE2rC8xAxJtn6bGn8w/s3433/673F1E22-B2A4-4B3F-AA1D-4514B9BF0A2C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="2806" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO0XiJz1aHb17js7INDSvfHXMtjkwPPJg_J04aa5zcRA2nokNue50otaN9EQ-schpjrVc4H_gWahRqWlQzWubG2f8CAMMpKO0YtQjZT5vM4tiOuxvAOePtI1wVARJsXDdv3GhIsc9tHP74qm3IUzoi7wCdiwgwiPC-K0wFkJRDE2rC8xAxJtn6bGn8w/w524-h640/673F1E22-B2A4-4B3F-AA1D-4514B9BF0A2C.jpeg" width="524" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDqHpWcOj6lYZBSom6lXfUfz6hEs5AHJalSLCCmaZN5axyxGTwj9NZ2j_4wtUKyKt08ADDwvxDPyIDMcJQqrtgUSTmat9GVVdrXksPiuuRMDsjUQlz2UfYW6ErXQXYCkkp8oqdL1FnNiGnic29QRwVmEx75MbDxlsKLyduf8Mdt_uTJMI-JiEc6eWMDQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDqHpWcOj6lYZBSom6lXfUfz6hEs5AHJalSLCCmaZN5axyxGTwj9NZ2j_4wtUKyKt08ADDwvxDPyIDMcJQqrtgUSTmat9GVVdrXksPiuuRMDsjUQlz2UfYW6ErXQXYCkkp8oqdL1FnNiGnic29QRwVmEx75MbDxlsKLyduf8Mdt_uTJMI-JiEc6eWMDQ=w235-h320" width="235" /></a></div></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The background uses the Simon Says Stamp Solar Burst Stencil (SSS121424) which I inked blended over with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-PUMICE-STONE-Ranger-TIM27140-21314?currency=USD">Pumice Stone Distress Ink</a>. I also mixed <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-PERFECT-PEARL-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP17714-24400" target="_blank">Perfect Pearls</a> with water and splattered the stenciled image before adding the flower pieces and sentiment. </p><p>The floral pieces were created using a number of different stamp sets and embossed with white or gold embossing powder. The big floral image is an older one from Hero Arts called Stencil Flower (CG194 circa 2010). I watercolored it after embossing with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-APRIL-Ranger-TIM43225-TIM43225?currency=USD" target="_blank">Fossilized Amber</a> and <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-SCATTERED-STRAW-Ranger-TIM21483-9027?currency=USD" target="_blank">Scattered Straw Distress Ink</a> & added <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Stickles-STAR-DUST-Stardust-Glitter-Glue-SGG20622-8369" target="_blank">Star Dust Stickles</a> to the center of the flower. The leaf images are from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-BE-KIND-sss202099-Hey-Bestie-sss202099" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Be Kind stamp set (SSS202099)</a> and watercolored with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-BUNDLED-SAGE-Ranger-TIM27102-21307?currency=USD" target="_blank">Bundled Sage Distress Ink.</a> The final floral images are the small gold embossed pieces that are from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-THANKS-AND-LEAVES-SSS101894-sss101894" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Thanks and Leaves stamp set (SSS101894)</a>. Before adhering the stamped floral images I splattered them with Perfect Pearls. </p><p>To finish the card I stamped the sentiment, from the Simon Says Stamp Sending & Wishing stamp set (SSS101475) in black ink and then added a mix of sequins from my stash.</p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-30636075748071821252023-03-25T12:32:00.000-05:002023-03-25T12:32:33.913-05:00Masculine card<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SnfqJUW13fZYhugaIR-CLKmQ7SIRk-eCuxjK55rJMIqLUq-1Yb57HeHVMIeEVMbTwCjDVNzYVrOfmYbuolQUf1goDEVMVN5f_E_349TqGF9ndk3OmaOAKNEN9GszMTuEiwlY6Umev4quszx-kPBQ7w4kugT81A1MMZnKQQoRdwZVmWtmbRoUam8aOA/s4032/IMG-9946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SnfqJUW13fZYhugaIR-CLKmQ7SIRk-eCuxjK55rJMIqLUq-1Yb57HeHVMIeEVMbTwCjDVNzYVrOfmYbuolQUf1goDEVMVN5f_E_349TqGF9ndk3OmaOAKNEN9GszMTuEiwlY6Umev4quszx-kPBQ7w4kugT81A1MMZnKQQoRdwZVmWtmbRoUam8aOA/w480-h640/IMG-9946.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> I don't make a lot of masculine cards, even though I live in a household with all guys. Today's card uses blue, rust, and brown and is inspired by this week's <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2023/03/color-throwdown-challenge-735.html" target="_blank">Color Throwdown #735</a>.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1azvhZ5qHICtywJksk01i8ncZIkGT2w8AKdIkbk6kqcv9f4qeCbI_FOQeFwFbdCl5QIQ92XVZpSbdrUcpJU7zN0fsHY8ISRQXHmaJ8PH37UMfAZ9uE-j0PaxIV9RHr3mkrLq3UFf1Q_SacEjA6WUddG6Bs8SQrmYP9ENaJYtLUYwXhgM6jyOuqbJ2g/s400/735%20blue,%20brown,%20rust%200322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1azvhZ5qHICtywJksk01i8ncZIkGT2w8AKdIkbk6kqcv9f4qeCbI_FOQeFwFbdCl5QIQ92XVZpSbdrUcpJU7zN0fsHY8ISRQXHmaJ8PH37UMfAZ9uE-j0PaxIV9RHr3mkrLq3UFf1Q_SacEjA6WUddG6Bs8SQrmYP9ENaJYtLUYwXhgM6jyOuqbJ2g/s320/735%20blue,%20brown,%20rust%200322.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For this card, I stamped Hero Arts Alphabet Background (ST501) stamp onto a piece of cold press watercolor cardstock using <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Oxide-Ink-Pad-CHIPPED-SAPPHIRE-Ranger-tdo55884-tdo55884?currency=USD" target="_blank">Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide Ink</a>. Since cold press watercolor cardstock has a slightly bumpy texture I repeatedly stamped the stamp using my<a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/MINI-MISTI-PRECISION-STAMPER-Stamping-Tool-Kit-mistimini-mistiminiM?currency=USD" target="_blank"> Misti stamp press</a> until I was happy with the result. I then ink blended <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-STORMY-SKY-Ranger-TIM27171-21311?currency=USD" target="_blank">Stormy Sky Distress Ink</a> over the entire background. To add rust and brown to this card, I smooshed <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-RUSTY-HINGE-Ranger-TIM27157-21305?currency=USD" target="_blank">Rusty Hinge</a> and <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-WALNUT-STAIN-Ranger-TIM19534-9132?currency=USD" target="_blank">Walnut Stain Distress Ink </a>onto my craft mat and then used water and a small paintbrush to add color to the background. When I added the Distress watercolor it moved and picked up the blue, leaving behind the brown and rust. I love how it turned out and I want to try it with other background stamps and color schemes. I matted the blue background onto a piece of brown cardstock & then I added brown brads, both are from my stash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my sentiment, I used <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Oxide-Ink-Pad-GROUND-ESPRESSO-Ranger-tdo56010-tdo56010?currency=USD" target="_blank">Ground Espresso Oxide Ink</a> to stamp the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-YOU-sss101211-51670" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp You (SSS101211)</a> sentiment & then I used <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-WALNUT-STAIN-Ranger-TIM19534-9132?currency=USD" target="_blank">Walnut Stain</a> and <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-ANTIQUE-LINEN-Ranger-TIM19497-10112?currency=USD" target="_blank">Antique Linen Distress Ink</a> to blend over the sentiment. The die-cut sentiment was splattered with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-HEIRLOOM-GOLD-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP21865-24397" target="_blank">Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls</a> and added to the card using foam adhesive. I also added cream colored thread, sandwiching it between the background piece and sentiment piece so I didn't need any more adhesive. I finished the card with a few iridescent sequin stars from <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/little-things-from-lucys-cards-ocean-adventure-sparkly-shaker-selection-lb498-lb498" target="_blank">Lucy's Cards Ocean Adventure Sparkly Shaker</a> mix.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Excited to put this card in one of my boys' hands soon. I tell them all the time how proud I am of them and how much I love them, but sometimes having something tangible in your hands makes you feel even more special. Thanks for stopping by!</div><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-336049733458983812023-03-24T10:06:00.005-05:002023-03-24T10:06:33.911-05:00Favorite Color Distress Ink and Watercolored Card<p> Today, I am part of an Instagram card hop with a few of my crafty friends. The theme for our hop today is our favorite color.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQAHN0WacnBGlf_CsroszIpOUyfNyi368gaSKEgLgGoYe-L5SQyA1u67MmvmAYh6I_mGs8Vrrqc65zNHvSMOUoKKGq5RJrIIc0wxy3rXEWIx_gsbnu67VOUNTfYqw04KJNA_EpqgIL952BUsSyNPOBV7uL07RdwVUg7wamNVdk2MhD5AH9jSjDg0E1w/s3450/IMG-9938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3450" data-original-width="2604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQAHN0WacnBGlf_CsroszIpOUyfNyi368gaSKEgLgGoYe-L5SQyA1u67MmvmAYh6I_mGs8Vrrqc65zNHvSMOUoKKGq5RJrIIc0wxy3rXEWIx_gsbnu67VOUNTfYqw04KJNA_EpqgIL952BUsSyNPOBV7uL07RdwVUg7wamNVdk2MhD5AH9jSjDg0E1w/w485-h640/IMG-9938.jpg" width="485" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Green happens to be my favorite color, especially lime-y, peridot shades of green. For the background of this card, I chose two yellow-green Distress Inks to ink blend over a gold embossed image. At the top is <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-MAY-Ranger-TIM43294-TIM43294RI?currency=USD" target="_blank">Twisted Citron Distress Ink</a>, which is blended into <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-CRUSHED-OLIVE-Ranger-TIM27126-21308?currency=USD" target="_blank">Crushed Olive Distress Ink</a> on the bottom. The gold embossed image is an older background cling from Hero Arts called Leaf & Floral Background (CG405 circa 2012). The gold embossing powder is <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Embossing-Powder-PRINCESS-GOLD-EPJ37477-64866" target="_blank">Princess Gold from Ranger Ink</a>. Before adding my florals and sentiment, I flicked water onto the background and then added a few splatters of old pearlized paint mixed with water that I have in my stash.</div><p style="text-align: left;">I originally considered making a fully green card but then decided to add florals for interest, so I added my next favorite color, which happens to be shades of aqua & blue-greens. Using a floral image from <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Altenew-BEAUTIFUL-DAY-Clear-Stamp-Set-AN212-AN212?currency=USD" target="_blank">Altnew's Beautiful Day Stamp and Die set</a> and additional flower and leaves images from <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-DELICATE-FLOWERS-sss201900-sss201900" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Delicate Flowers (SSS201900)</a> I gold embossed and Distress ink watercolored the images. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The flowers were first washed with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-2021-New-APRIL-COLOR-Ranger-tim72737-tim72737?currency=USD" target="_blank">Salvaged Patina Distress Ink</a> and while still wet I brushed darker <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-MARCH-TIM43256-TIM43256RI?currency=USD" target="_blank">Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink</a> into the crevices where a natural flower would be darker. Using my paintbrush and a paper towel I was able to delicately move and manipulate color to where I wanted it. I used the same technique with the leaves using Twisted Citron and Crushed Olive ink. I left more ink on the leaves because I wanted them to blend in more so that the flowers would stand out. The floral images & leaves were then splattered with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-PERFECT-GOLD-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP17721-24398" target="_blank">Perfect Pearls Perfect Gold powder</a> that I mixed with water. I fussy cut or die-cut the images after coloring and popped them up on the card base using foam adhesive squares. </p><p style="text-align: left;">To complete the card I added a die cut You from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Stamp-YOU-ARE-MY-SUNSHINE-Wafer-Dies-sssd111834-Sending-Sunshine-sssd111834" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp You Are My Sunshine Die (SSSD111834)</a> and a gold embossed sentiment from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-YOU-sss101211-51670" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp You stamp set (SSS101211)</a>. The pearls and sequins are from Lucy's Cards and are from her <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/little-things-from-lucys-cards-ocean-adventure-sparkly-shaker-selection-lb498-lb498?currency=USD" target="_blank">Ocean Adventure</a> and Fresh Grass Sparkly Shaker Selections. </p><p style="text-align: left;"> Anything that is still available for purchase I linked in the description above. If you have any questions about techniques or products, please leave a comment and I will get back to you. Thanks so much for stopping by! </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-38397556862641026292023-03-20T13:54:00.003-05:002023-03-20T13:54:50.252-05:00Nature Inspired Cards<p> Today's cards started with <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2023/03/color-throwdown-challenge-734.html">The Color Throwdown #734</a> color inspiration.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjRM0ne8fiYBuKP8Zek-mSqeTTCfSR_E8JhfHpMAVJE2-_oI20a01Kwg7-kwLSEWXq6vkCIp-350fqc0dxeGNmMziIn5sGhXN9sCuksdxPN3Jf1FApi6x_4gq2U1LoaMw492KPkll9DSn278N7bq6JghaJShom1IFlJ0UZ2S_NuLco680dDh77aQRC2g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjRM0ne8fiYBuKP8Zek-mSqeTTCfSR_E8JhfHpMAVJE2-_oI20a01Kwg7-kwLSEWXq6vkCIp-350fqc0dxeGNmMziIn5sGhXN9sCuksdxPN3Jf1FApi6x_4gq2U1LoaMw492KPkll9DSn278N7bq6JghaJShom1IFlJ0UZ2S_NuLco680dDh77aQRC2g=w235-h320" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shades of green, brown, and cream are some of my favorites in nature and also in my creative life. I went looking for an older Hero Arts woodblock stamp as my jumping-off point for my cards this week and in the process of digging through my woodblock stamp drawer, I found a number of other woodblock stamps I love and had forgotten about. I love when I find "new" things in my stash!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrypVD6d9NWf7bJWbRzipP90UhfYd5UlSet96ejpfpIvnMFxXfHk6d8iBSfv2Nr2kc7txBjhv792bu0JQEk3J0w9G9n0ppMXiegrHKezMva1wQDjBreT4Ve1O69Cl0FkIqdDZfvHTib0fbqHyOx_yFMpQrQETs1hFDBfj2szLFHBaAZeF0ETLs7ziVkw/s2855/IMG-9893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2855" data-original-width="2478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrypVD6d9NWf7bJWbRzipP90UhfYd5UlSet96ejpfpIvnMFxXfHk6d8iBSfv2Nr2kc7txBjhv792bu0JQEk3J0w9G9n0ppMXiegrHKezMva1wQDjBreT4Ve1O69Cl0FkIqdDZfvHTib0fbqHyOx_yFMpQrQETs1hFDBfj2szLFHBaAZeF0ETLs7ziVkw/s320/IMG-9893.jpg" width="278" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_OSd031Y3QRwAX2_zKWV6_oAPDLqBwrsFSoU7Kn3jxaRT5zpiRmXkGRgpi1GFlmy4f1mao2ww60DuJZK7CMz5x1z_2xMo6ZojNm1S712q2ntmixu_t_hyajGBRc8ylf0NuYWYqjtXpC4tyTCXb6EtmGAg1_DGMDXYYCV6MM_yjqq8ZA0kz0YwbILmw/s3904/IMG-9887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3904" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_OSd031Y3QRwAX2_zKWV6_oAPDLqBwrsFSoU7Kn3jxaRT5zpiRmXkGRgpi1GFlmy4f1mao2ww60DuJZK7CMz5x1z_2xMo6ZojNm1S712q2ntmixu_t_hyajGBRc8ylf0NuYWYqjtXpC4tyTCXb6EtmGAg1_DGMDXYYCV6MM_yjqq8ZA0kz0YwbILmw/s320/IMG-9887.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my first card, I used the Hero Arts Heart Winged Butterfly woodblock stamp (F5158 circa 2009) stamped in<a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Oxide-Ink-Pad-GROUND-ESPRESSO-Ranger-tdo56010-tdo56010?currency=USD"> Distress Oxide Ground Espresso Oxide</a> and heated embossed with clear embossing powder. The inside of the butterfly was watercolored with LuminArte Twinkling H2O's in Lemongrass and Fern. The butterfly's body is a little green metal piece that I used <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-UTEE-CLEAR-6-OZ-Ultra-Thick-Embossing-Powder-SUZ09283-40087">Ultra Thick embossing powder</a> on to give it a glossy raised finish. The brads I used are the same color. Both came from an old Making Memories metal attachment collection. The background of this card was from a box of scrap pieces and I believe it is actually the back of a wedding invitation that I saved because I liked the subtle cream leaf design. The sentiment is stamped in Ground Espresso Distress Oxide. I matted the card on khaki-colored cardstock and added a few <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Stickles-CRYSTAL-Glitter-Glue-SGG01782-8354">Crystal Stickle</a> drops to finish it. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfz8oDFlis5wGrK8w25IpxYnEVwKxF4RMPGGG56ziJ2BYKSx_3Z4tcPkgWZsotcTv3ugdYJntEk2uhYtXQiu61mtgB-hNwUWb1pIVn_jxqAfOFVCSffa1Q1N90D5fppi3azsvipw6QtMvlXQO6SwXy6Cb335tQRebwF4jyUevLfzm_EZGW5PBfq_9sYA/s3467/IMG-9883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3467" data-original-width="2733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfz8oDFlis5wGrK8w25IpxYnEVwKxF4RMPGGG56ziJ2BYKSx_3Z4tcPkgWZsotcTv3ugdYJntEk2uhYtXQiu61mtgB-hNwUWb1pIVn_jxqAfOFVCSffa1Q1N90D5fppi3azsvipw6QtMvlXQO6SwXy6Cb335tQRebwF4jyUevLfzm_EZGW5PBfq_9sYA/s320/IMG-9883.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This get-well card was created on a ledger background from Scenic Route papers. The gold mulberry paper was die-cut into a frame for the fern and the sentiment. The fern stamp is also an older one from Hero Arts called Silhouette Fern (K5314 circa 2010). It is stamped in Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide ink. The sentiment is stamped in Versamark clear embossing ink and then heat embossed with<a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Embossing-Powder-PRINCESS-GOLD-EPJ37477-64866"> Ranger Ink's Princess Gold embossing powder</a>. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZqgP9yQQnH8bDrcNCSv78ZORGFHLud4_Xdy62tap6GtDpLaa9q2vxWE5bJZESKz5X3rgn52ToG8hLjB50GsdRxEa-UevParxCYnwFWjPM4ZroBrlGEm8Mg-Iogz567KIUpk4XgNEpI-Fl3wYj_kJldcpCkZ182GIR8RImz0MPsWXD_BbtM4DrnRe9A/s2886/IMG-9885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="2886" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZqgP9yQQnH8bDrcNCSv78ZORGFHLud4_Xdy62tap6GtDpLaa9q2vxWE5bJZESKz5X3rgn52ToG8hLjB50GsdRxEa-UevParxCYnwFWjPM4ZroBrlGEm8Mg-Iogz567KIUpk4XgNEpI-Fl3wYj_kJldcpCkZ182GIR8RImz0MPsWXD_BbtM4DrnRe9A/s320/IMG-9885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My final card uses two older Hero Arts woodblock stamps- Three Ferns (S5154 circa 2009) and Old Letter Writing (S4878 circa 2007). I started with a scrap of watercolor cardstock & a wash/splatter of <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Oxide-Ink-Pad-ANTIQUE-LINEN-Ranger-TDO55792-TDO55792?currency=USD">Antique Linen Distress Oxide</a> all over it. I then stamped the Old Letter Writing in Versamark ink randomly over the background and added Princess Gold embossing powder. Before embossing I brushed away sections of the embossing powder to give the background a more weathered/antique look. The fern stamp was stamped in <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Oxide-Ink-Pad-2020-New-NOVEMBER-Ranger-tdo72829-tdo72829?currency=USD">Rustic Wilderness</a> and <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Oxide-Ink-Pad-PEELED-PAINT-Ranger-TDO56119-TDO56119?currency=USD">Peeled Paint Distress Oxide</a> then sprayed with water before stamping onto watercolor cardstock, then dried with a heat gun and fussy cut. I splattered the background and the fern-stamped pieces with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-PERFECT-GOLD-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP17721-24398?currency=USD" target="_blank">Gold Perfect Pearls</a> & water. The sentiment was embossed and edged with Princess Gold embossing powder. Both the fern piece and the sentiment were popped up with foam squares. I finished the card with sequins and clear pearls from<a href="https://www.lucys-shop.com/"> </a><a href="https://www.lucys-shop.com/" target="_blank">Lucy's Cards</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLqZsd8q_DO1e0rSsF6aZiDJAhn9knPnP1QKFo53j2nSfcc9Z8eHxMzslyxsEcV0G6lpsKNgTE5WZg3ukllUZWdrL4oBpvXT0kbcvIaBA_TjJ_sKSJYG1zSIgc0JGlTw7MozZYFlOGsj2IULUg-KVrc0shs0e4ZYp6jfJI-X3GE-m9v_1QfW2BjUWEA/s3541/IMG-9886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3541" data-original-width="2860" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLqZsd8q_DO1e0rSsF6aZiDJAhn9knPnP1QKFo53j2nSfcc9Z8eHxMzslyxsEcV0G6lpsKNgTE5WZg3ukllUZWdrL4oBpvXT0kbcvIaBA_TjJ_sKSJYG1zSIgc0JGlTw7MozZYFlOGsj2IULUg-KVrc0shs0e4ZYp6jfJI-X3GE-m9v_1QfW2BjUWEA/s320/IMG-9886.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All three cards use sentiments from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-HANDLETTERED-ENCOURAGEMENT-SSS101705-New-Beginnings-SSS101705">Simon Says Stamp Handlettered Encouragement stamp set (SSS101705)</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the color scheme and the natural feel of all three of these cards and I especially like that I was able to dig into my stash and use things I already had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for stopping by!</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-1325574225923729252022-03-27T20:08:00.000-05:002022-03-27T20:08:31.019-05:00Spring Leaves Card<p> Using this week's <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2022/03/color-throwdown-685.html">Color Throwdown #685</a> color scheme, I created an A2-sized card. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoG93F1w8uBwkYTnSEh-ogrqJ5FI43vdBmbnu756OlNYfchtOMPzQz9gdoyQj154BiOYDNYxO8pPY0izVPOz0pAFB6PcePQOX-iP5ASUwiAESgS0bvJnRlqtdSL5ZZXTyfv2-dLY7D8euiWD6ACLJxaB2s4ANYoPj9RN_zhQRQCpNc5WBkPpxN-zBnag" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="400" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoG93F1w8uBwkYTnSEh-ogrqJ5FI43vdBmbnu756OlNYfchtOMPzQz9gdoyQj154BiOYDNYxO8pPY0izVPOz0pAFB6PcePQOX-iP5ASUwiAESgS0bvJnRlqtdSL5ZZXTyfv2-dLY7D8euiWD6ACLJxaB2s4ANYoPj9RN_zhQRQCpNc5WBkPpxN-zBnag=w400-h296" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHD_CIfj_1ZHMIl4KCbdFKeTEWkExnkLwbTmXtCxP_2w8hymVALJtCbh_J6K4dD_DYZCjI1mqtPP3-ECMuO2qsJAJxdSivfWkO78gcrqFCbfRU3m2daSdS1mu2G_R5UCqdGT2S91naJzowqzY_iNkccvFP4sXe6AbN42Cc76RVIYzTAKD2_iL5pqDoQ/s4032/Color%20Throwdown%20685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHD_CIfj_1ZHMIl4KCbdFKeTEWkExnkLwbTmXtCxP_2w8hymVALJtCbh_J6K4dD_DYZCjI1mqtPP3-ECMuO2qsJAJxdSivfWkO78gcrqFCbfRU3m2daSdS1mu2G_R5UCqdGT2S91naJzowqzY_iNkccvFP4sXe6AbN42Cc76RVIYzTAKD2_iL5pqDoQ/w480-h640/Color%20Throwdown%20685.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a piece of leftover <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Neenah-Environment-80-LB-SMOOTH-DESERT-STORM--Paper-Pack-25-Sheets-41415">Neenah Desert Storm cardstock</a> that I had cut down using <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Stamp-STITCHED-RECTANGLES-Wafer-Dies-sssd111455-In-Stitches-sssd111455">Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle Dies</a>. The piece also had a piece of fun foam that was cut to the same size that I used to pop it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the leaf sprig, I stamped and embossed a leaf image from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-BE-KIND-sss202099-Hey-Bestie-sss202099?currency=USD">Simon Says Stamp Be Kind stamp set</a>. I dropped water into each of the leaves using a small paintbrush. I then smooshed Distress Ink in <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-2020-New-NOVEMBER-Ranger-tim72805-tim72805?currency=USD">Rustic Wilderness</a> & <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-CRUSHED-OLIVE-Ranger-TIM27126-21308?currency=USD">Crushed Olive</a> onto my craft mat and misted them with water. Using the same small paintbrush I dropped Distress Ink onto the already wet leaves and let the colors move and dry completely. I then went back and added a little darker and lighter colors to the leaves with the Rustic Wilderness and Crushed Olive Inks. I also used the remaining ink left on my craft mat to splatter onto the leaves and also added splatters of <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-SUNFLOWER-SPARKLE-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP17868-26715?currency=USD">Perfect Pearls in Sunflower Sparkle</a> to the leaves and Desert Storm cardstock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all the pieces were completely dry, I fussy cut the leaf sprig and attached it to the Desert Storm piece. I stretched a piece of orange ribbon from my stash to the center of the card, attaching it to the other side. I mounted the Desert Storm piece onto a matching orange piece of cardstock & attached that piece on top of the card base. I also used the same color orange cardstock to cover the interior side of the card to cover where the pieces of the ribbon were attached. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sentiment is from an older Ideology/Tim Holtz sticker set. I popped it up on foam tape and then added sequins & crystals from <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/search?currency=USD&q=lucy%27s+cards">Lucy's Cards</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for stopping by! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-3634871731011251612022-03-21T14:36:00.001-05:002022-03-21T14:36:25.370-05:00Fussy Cut Flowers<p> Today I played along with <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2022/03/color-throwdown-684.html">The Color Throwdown #684</a>. This challenge had an interesting color combination of yellow, tan, grey, and black. I wasn't sure what I could create with these colors that spoke to my creativity, but I decided to push myself a little & just see what I could come up with. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKqTDxDuBXiMyV5gMY5GOqkeB4sxmsbez_TrX1kh88-MjiGw1mNSxh9o8a4yRXjh6f7rK8RCHyE5_04VQqMYmR760rPZlRaXJRmP0JoqevoykkhU9rMgdO5zMaNJ6mEbyOIjC5ZGi5x3mUwsgD3YJRTscr6JmJbsxDcYmJLpZIlLj07dFe_B9p77vTbw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKqTDxDuBXiMyV5gMY5GOqkeB4sxmsbez_TrX1kh88-MjiGw1mNSxh9o8a4yRXjh6f7rK8RCHyE5_04VQqMYmR760rPZlRaXJRmP0JoqevoykkhU9rMgdO5zMaNJ6mEbyOIjC5ZGi5x3mUwsgD3YJRTscr6JmJbsxDcYmJLpZIlLj07dFe_B9p77vTbw=w294-h400" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"When skies are grey" kept popping up into my brain as I looked at the color scheme and I knew I had an older stamp from <a href="https://www.cocoadaisy.com/cocoa-daisy-store/?gclid=CjwKCAjwxOCRBhA8EiwA0X8hi1USPzubUEaHR5FIAG1m4S1rv20Yhzhn1Uy7mYglXJ88cDBxXsR4FBoC7xIQAvD_BwE">Cocoa Daisy</a> that said "You make me happy when skies are grey", so that phrase became my jumping-off point for this card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiStfsyF7s3EJfJmGiCLaZiX4jNYX9Enh8NXbJJ6CeskzCbtr_pRhJpm44GXHInAR6kIReeVFe3Y5Z1VHZIrKY795YNEsuGqoo__lrejZpO4gyZHvZTw7W41Z27HDAVisM73nEGofg8T4BQ07A_k_6b_i069DF9nRhM9OIhUlgpeEsydMdeUM1IjKHIA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiStfsyF7s3EJfJmGiCLaZiX4jNYX9Enh8NXbJJ6CeskzCbtr_pRhJpm44GXHInAR6kIReeVFe3Y5Z1VHZIrKY795YNEsuGqoo__lrejZpO4gyZHvZTw7W41Z27HDAVisM73nEGofg8T4BQ07A_k_6b_i069DF9nRhM9OIhUlgpeEsydMdeUM1IjKHIA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">The background was created using Distress Ink blending in <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-JUNE-Ranger-TIM43232-TIM43232RI?currency=USD">Hickory Smoke</a> and <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-COLOR-Ranger-tim72522-tim72522?currency=USD">Speckled Egg</a> using an extremely old cloud stencil from my stash. I stamped the sentiment in black and then splattered the entire background with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-PERFECT-PEARL-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP17714-24400?currency=USD">Perfect Pearls</a> & matted it on black cardstock & mounted that piece onto a <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Neenah-Environment-100-LB-SMOOTH-DESERT-STORM--Paper-Pack-25-Sheets-66940?currency=USD">Neenah Desert Storm</a> A2 card base. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The flowers are from a small Tim Holtz stamp set I picked up at Michaels years ago. This is a similar <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/RESERVE-Tim-Holtz-Cling-Rubber-Stamps-2015-FLOWER-GARDEN-cms215-cms215?currency=USD">Tim Holtz stamp set</a> with the same images I used. I stamped the images in black and embossed them with clear embossing powder. The flowers were watercolored with Distress Inks in <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-APRIL-Ranger-TIM43225-TIM43225?currency=USD">Fossilized Amber</a> and the flower centers were watercolored with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/RESERVE-Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-GROUND-ESPRESSO-Ranger-TIM43270-TIM43270RI?currency=USD">Ground Espresso</a> and <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-TEA-DYE-Ranger-TIM19510-9131?currency=USD">Tea Dye</a> Distress Inks. The stems were watercolored with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-WALNUT-STAIN-Ranger-TIM19534-9132?currency=USD">Walnut Stain</a> and a little <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Distress-Ink-Pad-PEELED-PAINT-Ranger-TIM20233-8448?currency=USD">Peeled Paint</a> distress inks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I then carefully fussy cut all the images, adhered the stems to the background and popped up the flower heads with foam tape. Even though fussy cutting is tedious, most of the time I prefer it to die-cutting because it does not leave a white edge around the image. My biggest tip for successfully fussy cutting images is first to be patient and go slow & most importantly to hold the scissors still and move the image. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I finished the card with clear sequins from my stash.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you enjoy my card and that you will give fussy cutting a chance. I am always pleased with how it looks on a completed project. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-60040071653359244102021-10-18T15:08:00.001-05:002021-10-18T19:18:26.224-05:00Day in the Life- The Photos & A Few Words<p>This past Friday, October 15th was the second documenting day of 2021 for <a href="https://www.aliedwards.com/2021/03/day-in-the-life-2021-words-photos" target="_blank">Ali Edwards Day in the Life Project</a>. Today I am sharing my favorite photos and just a few words about Friday. I will be back later in the week to share my completed project.</p><p>6:48 am // All three boys headed out for Friday breakfast and devotional time at Pop Pops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMMg3DH6PoUaOl1JuLX_WHzoRNegm5gVtghUFfg1lYJw3FOt4HhBxXE4sH9XOc3JlMFpZpog1a2-Z31PZ5S3_VOdGlv9F7jGISb-sLIg2fCqoJk0VMNCeBTIbZhrwSgWe6nyezRs3CpnL/s2048/IMG-9952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1921" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMMg3DH6PoUaOl1JuLX_WHzoRNegm5gVtghUFfg1lYJw3FOt4HhBxXE4sH9XOc3JlMFpZpog1a2-Z31PZ5S3_VOdGlv9F7jGISb-sLIg2fCqoJk0VMNCeBTIbZhrwSgWe6nyezRs3CpnL/s320/IMG-9952.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10:31 am // My workspace in my office. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4AYPWV5fTyRgheVrUJ8GNm-mj7RQsVO8Ale7iFTq7LaNl52NH8XVU3CqLg4G4NJZnU7rLLcShuFeRw_lb7GRXxN5mioFazxprNPBZKptHr9sbZxE_XYFh8WINQSMa7HFxkMpZrzGwB9_/s2048/IMG-9957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1909" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4AYPWV5fTyRgheVrUJ8GNm-mj7RQsVO8Ale7iFTq7LaNl52NH8XVU3CqLg4G4NJZnU7rLLcShuFeRw_lb7GRXxN5mioFazxprNPBZKptHr9sbZxE_XYFh8WINQSMa7HFxkMpZrzGwB9_/s320/IMG-9957.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">12:11pm // A little Friday fun. Had to evacuate the building because dust on a heat sensor in the kitchen triggered the fire alarm. It was good for all of us to have a "real world" drill. Now everyone knows exactly what the real fire alarm sounds like.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lIyAMcRYO8qDqRq35RiVAQLgzg6iu6oIjrJ0MkFRNfzog2Jrw-kXaQEakyLoJHeUTyKrX-6-3APewHET5OGyRoeUtSD5WLqPVtEWKKByJ2nkotCQ6Ct_BnKflkmtxldV-zBf3lEcuJid/s2048/IMG-9962.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="2048" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lIyAMcRYO8qDqRq35RiVAQLgzg6iu6oIjrJ0MkFRNfzog2Jrw-kXaQEakyLoJHeUTyKrX-6-3APewHET5OGyRoeUtSD5WLqPVtEWKKByJ2nkotCQ6Ct_BnKflkmtxldV-zBf3lEcuJid/s320/IMG-9962.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5:03pm // Somedays with little boys are tough. Hard headedness & a willingness to argue with the Mama are family traits shared by all three brothers. Today's issues had to do with a Jude who was unhappy with a grade on a paper, but who was unwilling to see how/why he made the mistakes he made. Which made the teacher/Mama very frustrated. He also did not see the need to change into pants or carry a jacket to the game, even though I told him that it was going to cool off. Sometimes we have to learn by making a mistake. He learned. Also, had to tell him not to slam my car door when he got in. He told me he didn't. I then had to explain that I would not have told him not to slam it, if he hadn't slammed it. Good grief. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhbqgd2GT4QmvlYrVv2YgxSquMwFRO6sMbJhlTYm7YST3DLCnPfByojHR-MWBxrGU5-g97kL4qO-8dfr-Y4OHONk4bFm0R_9OBHhm_LnUsn8wRrffqJL4eGB_9D4t3evHyyM8gy-h_L0v/s2048/IMG-9969.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhbqgd2GT4QmvlYrVv2YgxSquMwFRO6sMbJhlTYm7YST3DLCnPfByojHR-MWBxrGU5-g97kL4qO-8dfr-Y4OHONk4bFm0R_9OBHhm_LnUsn8wRrffqJL4eGB_9D4t3evHyyM8gy-h_L0v/s320/IMG-9969.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p> 5:50 pm // Pre-game warmup. Love sitting the empty stands watching my boys get ready to play. Love that Jude has the maturity, patience, and interest to take it all in as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFRDTBo_RF4KoLKeeCziOu3ObuGUd_gdLuaXNqCf3C0OIMAF4FoibU37Jfv8__QojkMsgFCgeww3sLzhnjEOl6KWRoDwiy104KzTZOUW8IEaWAtgBD7aMFx2r_cdaf-2K3p_jqxFDpeQL/s2048/IMG-9973.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFRDTBo_RF4KoLKeeCziOu3ObuGUd_gdLuaXNqCf3C0OIMAF4FoibU37Jfv8__QojkMsgFCgeww3sLzhnjEOl6KWRoDwiy104KzTZOUW8IEaWAtgBD7aMFx2r_cdaf-2K3p_jqxFDpeQL/s320/IMG-9973.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wSENjaJ6eoBj6B1mYVVlujR9UzHZ8NnEmMT6z3owdtTTAHafP6CyEf-8SdzlOVVU4Wp7C6DIMMyLTcCdDlqnZo_UMIelk9MCOCn-lpcPmTKoh2_EoJdoDdHFBeYCzpmIfNwwYSF47DFn/s2048/IMG-9974.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wSENjaJ6eoBj6B1mYVVlujR9UzHZ8NnEmMT6z3owdtTTAHafP6CyEf-8SdzlOVVU4Wp7C6DIMMyLTcCdDlqnZo_UMIelk9MCOCn-lpcPmTKoh2_EoJdoDdHFBeYCzpmIfNwwYSF47DFn/s320/IMG-9974.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVL5v0n1Q4PDRaIilYdQLDPNmrscKzLlXGJTMzqCN0q2F8pVh-cVr-j-8Eb9FHzGKZlcjCsORDEkEI0_vV1GmfLvqP8RqW39OOzWhwUy1sDQxLaagnGBJEEVoFynRwT-4b2iURVUDzLa9/s2048/IMG-9976.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVL5v0n1Q4PDRaIilYdQLDPNmrscKzLlXGJTMzqCN0q2F8pVh-cVr-j-8Eb9FHzGKZlcjCsORDEkEI0_vV1GmfLvqP8RqW39OOzWhwUy1sDQxLaagnGBJEEVoFynRwT-4b2iURVUDzLa9/s320/IMG-9976.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6:41 // Carter was a captain for tonight's game. Learning to accept this Senior business and not let it hurt my heart every time I think of it being the "last time" for this or that is HARD. Just trying to take each day of this Senior year, live it fully, and to record the memories on my heart.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5L8UcMX9dZquJY61S5shMDHXWoUeQFMXX7Ca3TF7MRmlugMqtK9fBduEBlIn4CoJgVf8tdc3BVLdAaEYGRwoXiLZBd0pFN1g8jliMKZFZfZtcB1DISOT-HKZ-P37pgMfzLl4jL8t8WNO/s2048/IMG-9983.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5L8UcMX9dZquJY61S5shMDHXWoUeQFMXX7Ca3TF7MRmlugMqtK9fBduEBlIn4CoJgVf8tdc3BVLdAaEYGRwoXiLZBd0pFN1g8jliMKZFZfZtcB1DISOT-HKZ-P37pgMfzLl4jL8t8WNO/s320/IMG-9983.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6:57 pm // Got to watch all three boys run out of the helmet because the elementary players were announced and ran out before the big boys. Watched Jude smile the entire time he was running. Such a big and fun opportunity for him. Also, he lacks full control of his legs as he runs. He looked a little like me when I run. We won't tell him that though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6HKv3JE1QuNxw71usDXeRvnBLh_ltl3t9MoP8svlnCaTRumQq_hOaMNUOVyiCiH_2vsRaTpenOZEqX0Bm7CoFGh3pDop8s_js2kodhi15bJ5GSEsXeHFDCTzaIQi9lKGFJMBdFGxkDSS/s2048/IMG-9988.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6HKv3JE1QuNxw71usDXeRvnBLh_ltl3t9MoP8svlnCaTRumQq_hOaMNUOVyiCiH_2vsRaTpenOZEqX0Bm7CoFGh3pDop8s_js2kodhi15bJ5GSEsXeHFDCTzaIQi9lKGFJMBdFGxkDSS/s320/IMG-9988.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>7:00 pm // A rare selfie of the two of us. We don't normally think to take photos of us together, so capturing this today for this project was nice. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjtAeEzK5bQ5PujlTYlN4VfL8G9uYUOP0n7Iax9UBYUXdnyLMtdOq6Jd2T0B9-OxHH7pfvzr9Ub718qVZ8NiR4Sbo2WCkfAOt_yIoV4caAY338Nul28OurWbxcMoFiWXFfv24Pm5QxLj8/s2048/IMG-9996.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjtAeEzK5bQ5PujlTYlN4VfL8G9uYUOP0n7Iax9UBYUXdnyLMtdOq6Jd2T0B9-OxHH7pfvzr9Ub718qVZ8NiR4Sbo2WCkfAOt_yIoV4caAY338Nul28OurWbxcMoFiWXFfv24Pm5QxLj8/s320/IMG-9996.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:10 pm // These were actually taken Saturday morning off our schools replay of the game, because I did not have my big camera at the game and I was too busy enjoying the game to snap a lot of photos. Not sure how I will put these together in the album and I fully expect them to be blurry, but I wanted to make sure and capture this memory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a Sophomore Ethan doesn't get in often. He got in towards the end of fourth quarter, got a pass thrown to him, and gained a few yards. On the next play the ball was thrown to Carter, who is our main wide receiver, and he scored his first touchdown of this season. Because Ethan was still on the field, they met up in the end zone to celebrate. It was a moment that was so much fun to watch and will make for an amazing memory for both of them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YPeFel9eb86rB-Syo4pV7RfsC1L8M6r4VTRAZUyl_Pg-d9br-ATOomr2eVZh0I6ys6PXocxylPT3JKDBtX2EKgllvCBN1eMAc_68WdTGoPpDo0ZiFtJTdnMzCAGfhF7jl9y0IDmaHx5G/s1792/IMG-0002.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YPeFel9eb86rB-Syo4pV7RfsC1L8M6r4VTRAZUyl_Pg-d9br-ATOomr2eVZh0I6ys6PXocxylPT3JKDBtX2EKgllvCBN1eMAc_68WdTGoPpDo0ZiFtJTdnMzCAGfhF7jl9y0IDmaHx5G/s320/IMG-0002.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u4IfOa4WEriC3yaFDbgol13P68SWGBtIyn5NMa8Qa5uI6oUOUTZ6_-plaoFNEJmYGCbJSAL6pfwq4KLCrXLFYKPScrmmpE8mH0riBVaW5F87UgFRKIOyLAMNm8BV25c6Zs4EfO-oatlx/s1792/IMG-0004.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u4IfOa4WEriC3yaFDbgol13P68SWGBtIyn5NMa8Qa5uI6oUOUTZ6_-plaoFNEJmYGCbJSAL6pfwq4KLCrXLFYKPScrmmpE8mH0riBVaW5F87UgFRKIOyLAMNm8BV25c6Zs4EfO-oatlx/s320/IMG-0004.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_7JAibB8IGhq37kj2sbWNGEaQXHDqXL9n9XdTYXbRPDkHy_T_31VqPUlIMNLmSMfb8tqW30pkvvPxSHP1Bly0CsLsen1EmPpNRt2eDQDXzZmpdShUmdQi4-Akxun2JRdTDD2MX2Md9-r/s1792/IMG-0005.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_7JAibB8IGhq37kj2sbWNGEaQXHDqXL9n9XdTYXbRPDkHy_T_31VqPUlIMNLmSMfb8tqW30pkvvPxSHP1Bly0CsLsen1EmPpNRt2eDQDXzZmpdShUmdQi4-Akxun2JRdTDD2MX2Md9-r/s320/IMG-0005.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not sure how I will complete my album or if all the photos (and some I didn't share) will make the final cut, but I wanted to share a few favorites and start getting my brain in a space to create.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for stopping by!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-30352440607418184882021-10-18T11:08:00.003-05:002021-10-18T11:08:58.876-05:00Another Non-Traditional Christmas Card Color Scheme<p> I used the current <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2021/10/color-throwdown-664.html" target="_blank">Color Throwdown #664</a> color scheme to create another Christmas card. Love pushing myself to create without adhering to a traditional Christmas color scheme.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfsUtxhOtDodBUgeX_1gBEKhfqR6vicgshYh4UDsd4cNfwVgZYDmN_1W0DceKL7ZhHNnGL9U892fFxVSwP8OPER8GXDuU-Wha61UYKVSxryAzVDc7SvxYyDchIDA1O5dzQxdni-JTfid6/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="400" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfsUtxhOtDodBUgeX_1gBEKhfqR6vicgshYh4UDsd4cNfwVgZYDmN_1W0DceKL7ZhHNnGL9U892fFxVSwP8OPER8GXDuU-Wha61UYKVSxryAzVDc7SvxYyDchIDA1O5dzQxdni-JTfid6/w400-h296/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxUx0fDsM8eopIbubmr8SQy0k6SheEMNJxiGgVN5yUozLMsRVBV2cmlcgIo1Qj004RvNwdLiTZOsUzKI89MKQOGzXWVYLIhyphenhyphen9IHjXOayGcV6F_9QzwHqAuYfjUqJq-j6kp5nbuPtwWN7n/s2048/IMG-0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxUx0fDsM8eopIbubmr8SQy0k6SheEMNJxiGgVN5yUozLMsRVBV2cmlcgIo1Qj004RvNwdLiTZOsUzKI89MKQOGzXWVYLIhyphenhyphen9IHjXOayGcV6F_9QzwHqAuYfjUqJq-j6kp5nbuPtwWN7n/w480-h640/IMG-0020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got frustrated while making this one & I still see mistakes that kind of bug me, but after putting it down and walking away, I was able to come back to it and finish. Sometimes walking away for 24 hours helps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had never created a card with a floating element before and I actually like how that turned out. The woodgrain background stamp is an older one that I always gravitate to when I need a woodgrain. The eucalyptus leaves & the snowflake are dies from Simon Says Stamp & the sentiment is from there as well. I do love adding sequins to most of my cards, this time it was actually a necessity to cover some splatters that actually ended up on the white background. I also added a few small pearls to help disguise some of the splatters that had run amok. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRtFODGma1vBuBGFDwTxei3ixZNj84blNypFfCXPVvz8trxOMEKmtqh_si5Riivd9TLoMpGSeRXSd30_s8H5hnWK8UBIWDz5ubarR3GaTdemaL0H2HoSUaEbFek3eZm8ZPs7kw6Lo6qFB/s2048/IMG-0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1690" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRtFODGma1vBuBGFDwTxei3ixZNj84blNypFfCXPVvz8trxOMEKmtqh_si5Riivd9TLoMpGSeRXSd30_s8H5hnWK8UBIWDz5ubarR3GaTdemaL0H2HoSUaEbFek3eZm8ZPs7kw6Lo6qFB/w528-h640/IMG-0021.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy with how this one turned out and I learned a lot in the process. Definitely things I would do a little differently design-wise and time-wise, but I'm proud of myself for powering through and not scrapping the whole thing. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-5639754486650216362021-10-03T20:36:00.000-05:002021-10-03T20:36:41.580-05:00Fall Card<p> Made a card today that is larger than my normal A2 size. This one is 5x7 and is landscape. Years ago I bought a large Memory Box wood-mounted pumpkin stamp and matching die. I have used it for all kinds of projects. Today I used it along with The Color Throwdown #662 color scheme of purple, orange, green, and kraft to create a fall card.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_b0_z5lCOW_SNp9pNhf9IurZteYGQTmFA29MhqWEilh79T_gEMNbtFUi9pVK3dWqaIvflykh5WoHUI8W7X4e0tEYL9HNZF6qEXjb2S79CYrM-cpqVCclTLiC6uGZZBaSfr1Y-usPU2bdb/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="400" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_b0_z5lCOW_SNp9pNhf9IurZteYGQTmFA29MhqWEilh79T_gEMNbtFUi9pVK3dWqaIvflykh5WoHUI8W7X4e0tEYL9HNZF6qEXjb2S79CYrM-cpqVCclTLiC6uGZZBaSfr1Y-usPU2bdb/w400-h296/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used Carved Pumpkin, Tea Dye, Crushed Olive, Dusty Concord, Victorian Velvet, Seedless Preserves, Peeled Paint, & Rustic Wilderness Distress Inks to blend and watercolor my stamped images. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8e8PE-GIVv3NU8sKdXbAd9SfT4YlY7z_u7b44i1jwKhOEzXjgWx_LR4ZSpvO6Er6Rv0W4EGy5oqpRNA22DdnXJgGl8UeaZVZpqbsoGIXX3FOKfJvCxceBUfnupH_DNr3IoHrBdJqe8GE/s2048/IMG-9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8e8PE-GIVv3NU8sKdXbAd9SfT4YlY7z_u7b44i1jwKhOEzXjgWx_LR4ZSpvO6Er6Rv0W4EGy5oqpRNA22DdnXJgGl8UeaZVZpqbsoGIXX3FOKfJvCxceBUfnupH_DNr3IoHrBdJqe8GE/w640-h480/IMG-9876.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I covered a piece of scrap cardstock with pieces of old dictionary paper, inked over it, and then die cut it using the matching die. After stamping, watercoloring, and fussy cutting the images from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-DELICATE-FLOWERS-sss201900-sss201900?currency=USD" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Delicate Flowers </a>stamp set, I adhered them & popped them up on top of the pumpkin. I finished the card with a sentiment from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-THANKS-AND-LEAVES-SSS101894-sss101894" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Thanks and Leaves</a> stamp set, some splatters of Perfect Pearls Mist in Heirloom Gold, and a few iridescent sequins.</div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-41114581953071981302021-10-03T19:33:00.000-05:002021-10-03T19:33:28.774-05:00Christmas Cards 2021<p><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">I handmake around 50 Christmas cards each year with our boy's pictures on them to send out to friends and family. Besides those cards, I always end up needing additional Christmas cards to send, so I am trying to get a head start on those. Today I used </span></span><a href="https://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2021/09/freshly-made-sketches-505-sketch-by.html"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Freshly Made Sketches #505</span></span></a><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"> sketch to create my first Christmas card of the 2021 holiday season.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilF1TGxURTv7FLA_7PmGUeOWXPHr9zcEGVPTHFG-UIyNVUPAoLzFL6wWLCwa__JtD9ZgWABkonSspLnGi14R5_TeFZF1Ky6MoSCY_2nH89VfosZ0YC7zZERtnogUrEA9lAO-t_PU12aIz8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="286" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilF1TGxURTv7FLA_7PmGUeOWXPHr9zcEGVPTHFG-UIyNVUPAoLzFL6wWLCwa__JtD9ZgWABkonSspLnGi14R5_TeFZF1Ky6MoSCY_2nH89VfosZ0YC7zZERtnogUrEA9lAO-t_PU12aIz8/w286-h400/image.png" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my card, I wanted to go with a less traditional color scheme and ended up with Distress Inks in Evergreen Bough, Speckled Egg, and Iced Spruce. I used water on a large flat paintbrush to wet the entire piece of watercolor cardstock, then I brushed and dabbed each Distress Ink on using a round paintbrush. I made sure to blend the colors where they met. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2R_B1jqqqlaYait8GzQkFv3PhsiA9ccIuTeLtiR09VvzC5caFMy3-AktvwbQnqxZLrbFaF2AYUcxXVtr5Yvq5eOfgrsa7Jb05bYjJwhHlN3juUnNUaW4PkwvvV5ntB5G8xGKUysPr-Fq/s2048/IMG-9877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2R_B1jqqqlaYait8GzQkFv3PhsiA9ccIuTeLtiR09VvzC5caFMy3-AktvwbQnqxZLrbFaF2AYUcxXVtr5Yvq5eOfgrsa7Jb05bYjJwhHlN3juUnNUaW4PkwvvV5ntB5G8xGKUysPr-Fq/w480-h640/IMG-9877.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once dry, I edged the watercolor piece with the same Distress Inks & then mounted it on a dark grey sparkly cardstock. The greeting is from a set I picked up at Michael's a few years ago. The <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Stamp-RYLYNN-SNOWFLAKE-Craft-Die-sssd111386-Stamptember-sssd111386?currency=USD" target="_blank">large snowflakes </a>were die cut from white cardstock and vellum. There are additional smaller snowflakes that were die cut from vellum as well. It felt a little flat and I wanted to add a little bit of color, so I added a little more texture with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Sizzix-HOLIDAY-GREENS-MINI-Thinlits-Die-661597-661597THS?currency=USD" target="_blank">Tim Holtz Greens Mini</a> pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I finished the card with some Perfect Pearls mist, Stickles, and a few sequins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because I tend to reach for the more traditional reds, greens, and golds when it comes to Christmas cards, it was a lot of fun to step out of that mindset and try something different. I'm going to challenge myself to find other non-traditional color schemes and make cards with those as well.</div><br /><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-52764272923678035622021-09-20T10:52:00.000-05:002021-09-20T10:52:21.674-05:00Simon Says Stamp September Kit on the Month<p> I made a few more cards using the SSS September card kit of the month. My goal is to use up most of the consumable products and then move the remains into my card-making/stamp stash.</p><p>For this card, I am playing along with <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2021/09/color-throwdown-660.html" target="_blank">The Color Throwdown #660 color challenge</a>. I love the dark, rich colors on the inspiration piece. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WD0d5DSUIeMmBj92pFbw6UpnU6XIlWkti7IVphzn3FezeIEK2s649FwzL73zxheI931vL39VdFQ4lWNELqAX3kP43sBk1kDurcxttPft1vE6xYOIIIHSzt6kTNA4ngjLez9LQPEFIpoa/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WD0d5DSUIeMmBj92pFbw6UpnU6XIlWkti7IVphzn3FezeIEK2s649FwzL73zxheI931vL39VdFQ4lWNELqAX3kP43sBk1kDurcxttPft1vE6xYOIIIHSzt6kTNA4ngjLez9LQPEFIpoa/w293-h400/image.png" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blues of the background really drew me in, so I decided to stay with a blue & used an old piece of patterned paper in my stash for the background. I stamped and embossed the jar of flowers from the SSS <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/simon-says-stamps-and-dies-sunshine-flowers-set439sf-set439sf" target="_blank">Sunshine Flowers </a>stamp set. Using a wide variety of Distress inks in blues, greens, and oranges, I watercolored the image and then stamped the "Thank You" sentiment from the stamp set. Since I did not get the matching dies in the kit, I fussy cut the image and popped it up onto the navy patterned paper, and adhered it to a gold piece of paper from my stash, then I adhered the whole card front to the green card base. I finished the card with a scattering of small sequins. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT9BW98nyg31EooufC82A0ENY7FYjK5tkJz4fVO87Py6-dCjKsdyCH5JajhsIy-WlERNkI8e7RY7xYnmJ9hJSlrvgl4bdxyiUX7oMPvZ2x8EsUPE_G_fr5vZLUIY1yfKiDmoqu0NcRx_M/s2048/IMG-9559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1566" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT9BW98nyg31EooufC82A0ENY7FYjK5tkJz4fVO87Py6-dCjKsdyCH5JajhsIy-WlERNkI8e7RY7xYnmJ9hJSlrvgl4bdxyiUX7oMPvZ2x8EsUPE_G_fr5vZLUIY1yfKiDmoqu0NcRx_M/w490-h640/IMG-9559.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-15747441679536028182021-09-19T22:48:00.002-05:002021-09-19T22:48:49.781-05:00Simon Says Stamp September Kit of the Month <p> I have a deep love of sunflowers, so this Sunshine Flowers Simon Says Stamp card kit of the month was perfect. I spent this weekend using the card kit to create some much-needed thank you cards.</p><p><br /></p><p>For this first card, I used the <a href="https://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2021/09/freshly-made-sketches-503-sketch-by.html" target="_blank">Freshly Made Sketches #503</a> sketch.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3QgB9EJn3cZADg4kuFtlg1opwywHuq9olCCou5eQ0p0eblsfCA3f1HjSsmHr9SAB0XnkMegS9wOELdjd1aHkbHMLFSipOt8GXabVXx4VZufQ_KJfCcGarwU3EOhpsuvjWFhcR7B_hOwj/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="286" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3QgB9EJn3cZADg4kuFtlg1opwywHuq9olCCou5eQ0p0eblsfCA3f1HjSsmHr9SAB0XnkMegS9wOELdjd1aHkbHMLFSipOt8GXabVXx4VZufQ_KJfCcGarwU3EOhpsuvjWFhcR7B_hOwj/w287-h400/image.png" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using an older square punch I punched out three small squares out of Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock. I used Distress inks and water to loosely watercolor the background and then I spritzed the wet watercolor with Perfect Pearls water. Once dry each square was machine stitched with white thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdymcNbM4erqPgSJrsOoMWuSEFrTpj_LD0Vipyye8FD6j_IAxXwrI0TxIrxZxvVBo4rhkWXkjTfni1S1F25h-ZL1c7zh0pFxBITfdBL8LO87sr6c4Yi4XtdQqUQh9Bk8Lt-ppYbB0ftfvT/s2048/IMG-9552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1822" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdymcNbM4erqPgSJrsOoMWuSEFrTpj_LD0Vipyye8FD6j_IAxXwrI0TxIrxZxvVBo4rhkWXkjTfni1S1F25h-ZL1c7zh0pFxBITfdBL8LO87sr6c4Yi4XtdQqUQh9Bk8Lt-ppYbB0ftfvT/w570-h640/IMG-9552.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then stamped the single sunflower image from the SSS Sunshine Flowers stamp set in black ink. Once embossed in clear embossing powder, I then watercolored the image using Distress Inks. The center of the flower was then coated with Walnut Stain Distress Stickles which are sadly a discontinued product from Ranger and Tim Holtz. After fussy-cutting the image, I popped it up on the watercolored squares & added the Tim Holtz Ideology "Thank You" label sticker, and finished the card with a scattering of sequins.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-17118666453746710572020-11-01T20:01:00.000-06:002020-11-01T20:01:18.801-06:00Christmas Card<p> Today, I played along with the <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2020/10/color-throwdown-617.html" target="_blank"> Color Throwdown #617</a>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fEbjPIljCrCCxbNsdeOWEDJTLhgQbiyWspP7hQwewwc8SsOFF5RxpPDaw-C6t1a4tY_RGbjW4TIfQ0CU6Rbi0C-bjhOj_IpuGLaqx-qogyxcB5NWqspcPB_jaxssvW-cHtbAwvWo3XwK/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="294" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fEbjPIljCrCCxbNsdeOWEDJTLhgQbiyWspP7hQwewwc8SsOFF5RxpPDaw-C6t1a4tY_RGbjW4TIfQ0CU6Rbi0C-bjhOj_IpuGLaqx-qogyxcB5NWqspcPB_jaxssvW-cHtbAwvWo3XwK/" width="176" /></a></div><br />This color scheme felt Christmas-y, so that is what I went with, especially since I am still in need of a couple of Christmas cards. This card was a little bit of a test run for our family Christmas card minus the family photo. Still, a few things to figure out, but I'm definitely closer to my final design.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMIRenfI0XXf-t03i8y1pxfVTgKLq6XnThVwVnqMgQdz7uJu_ziAzi9IUpzFMvc_o_liY9ls3NG4A2C2KiTLai9u2mOP3d9chMf5hl0aOYMBm43irGC35XIpqcpmb5qrsIzLFlPCZ6TYk/s2048/IMG-4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1437" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMIRenfI0XXf-t03i8y1pxfVTgKLq6XnThVwVnqMgQdz7uJu_ziAzi9IUpzFMvc_o_liY9ls3NG4A2C2KiTLai9u2mOP3d9chMf5hl0aOYMBm43irGC35XIpqcpmb5qrsIzLFlPCZ6TYk/w450-h640/IMG-4382.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kraft piece is embossed with a swiss dot design and the edges are embossed with gold embossing powder. I also sprinkled a little embossing powder on the piece and heated it. I like the rough gold edges and the sprinkles of gold on the base. I adhered the kraft piece flat onto a deep red card base. The green piece was created on Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock and Distress Ink blending with Twisted Citron, Shabby Shutters, and Pine Needles inks. The sentiment is from <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-INSIDE-CHRISTMAS-GREETINGS-sss202028-STAMPtember-2019-sss202028" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamps Inside Christmas Greetings</a> stamp set. I splattered it with Perfect Pearls and added embossing powder like I did on the kraft piece. Then, the piece was die cut and adhered with foam tape. The <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Stamp-EUCALYPTUS-LEAVES-Wafer-Die-s661-STAMPtember-2019-s661" target="_blank">Eucalyptus dies</a> were created much like the sentiment piece, except that more Pine Needles Distress Ink was used and I added Tim Holtz dry glitter with Multi-Matte Medium. I finished the card with some bakers twine from my stash.</div><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-62428392947434326632020-10-25T21:50:00.000-05:002020-10-25T21:50:20.016-05:00Crackling Campfire<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today, I wanted to play with Tim Holtz's newest Distress Ink color- Crackling Campfire. I had seen it ink blended and I knew there was a yellow undertone. I decided to use it as an ombre gradient watercolor. I like how the color deepens as it moves from left to right across the watercolor cardstock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used <a href="https://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2020/10/freshly-made-sketches-458-sketch-by-kim.html" target="_blank">Freshly Made Sketches #458</a> as a guide as I created. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5kwTf_GzzWMSZe2S2r1VDtcjuyOfM7NkoKEffps12z9r-BZ9ca2yKn3-83wfSpBvGJEUTeG1sW1LcDxOqXdJGsavIUozTI858JtmVjHrC9TQkdEng2IFxB0ECPllRole6fURz-IDKmG-/s400/FMS+Final+458-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="400" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5kwTf_GzzWMSZe2S2r1VDtcjuyOfM7NkoKEffps12z9r-BZ9ca2yKn3-83wfSpBvGJEUTeG1sW1LcDxOqXdJGsavIUozTI858JtmVjHrC9TQkdEng2IFxB0ECPllRole6fURz-IDKmG-/w320-h229/FMS+Final+458-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I added the Crackling Campfire ink, I heat embossed the feather images in gold embossing powder. Both feather stamps are from an older <a href="www.cocoadaisy.com" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy</a> stamp set. Once I completed the embossing and watercoloring, I added a few water splatters and some Perfect Pearl splatters in Heirloom Gold to the piece. After drying the piece completely I used my fingernail to rough up and distress the edges. Using an ink blending tool, I went around the whole piece with Crackling Campfire ink. I adhered the panel to the kraft card base and added sequins and gold Stickles. The "thankful" sentiment is from an older Technique Tuesday/Ali Edwards stamp set. There is also a crosshatched background peeking out from behind the raised panel. It was created using an older Cocoa Daisy stamp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg4C0vVIDMMGWpaaz_QQfW6EBOFLuUqHE6CGzSaVBlE3uyIbYJCldhJYDt28_4kL7sKNUJWMcN-KlvICbVBFfui5sh5To5XXBm1lkJ3FdDqGGrwQhzT70mou2RNn04TKKK9uhXvARMggP/s2048/IMG-4277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg4C0vVIDMMGWpaaz_QQfW6EBOFLuUqHE6CGzSaVBlE3uyIbYJCldhJYDt28_4kL7sKNUJWMcN-KlvICbVBFfui5sh5To5XXBm1lkJ3FdDqGGrwQhzT70mou2RNn04TKKK9uhXvARMggP/w480-h640/IMG-4277.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am already making a list of more techniques to try with this beautiful color. </div><br /> <p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-23187684197110655812020-10-25T21:20:00.001-05:002020-10-25T21:20:16.102-05:00More Embossed Watercoloring <p> I decided to play along with <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2020/10/color-throwdown-616.html" target="_blank">The Color Throwdown</a> this week. The color scheme was a good one and could definitely be a fall or Christmas scheme and I decided to go with Christmas because I need a few cards outside our annual family Christmas card. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0_WB7Xw7KjNRfS9q10njxlfGpx6MU-EzxOKAuOOB7h6B5ww3uoLq1RWhl_E5ERvrtB7AEIkd-sHSiCVYMsDsYqZrb9dMkOHauxyDTRPTjMANSWkcM81QEdOdpaD0qH06Nv6ibMN_Ev1p/s400/swatch616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="400" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0_WB7Xw7KjNRfS9q10njxlfGpx6MU-EzxOKAuOOB7h6B5ww3uoLq1RWhl_E5ERvrtB7AEIkd-sHSiCVYMsDsYqZrb9dMkOHauxyDTRPTjMANSWkcM81QEdOdpaD0qH06Nv6ibMN_Ev1p/w400-h296/swatch616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my card, I used <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Neenah-Environment-80-LB-SMOOTH-DESERT-STORM--Paper-Pack-25-Sheets-41415?currency=USD" target="_blank">Neenah Desert Storm cardstock </a>as my card base & I die cut the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Tim-Holtz-Sizzix-HOLIDAY-GREENS-MINI-Thinlits-Die-661597-661597THS?currency=USD" target="_blank">Tim Holtz Holiday Green Thinlit Die</a> with it as well. I used a scrap piece of cranberry cardstock as the mat for my watercolor cardstock. It wasn't quite big enough, so I used gold striped washi tape to finish the mat and add interest. I love the look of gold embossing and kraft together, which is why all of my embossing is done in gold embossing powder. The doily background stamp is from an old <a href="www.cocoadaisy.com" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy</a> kit. The cranberry watercolored images were created using Victorian Velvet and Aged Mahogany Distress Inks and the stamp I used is from the Simon Says Stamp <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-DELICATE-FLOWERS-sss201900-sss201900" target="_blank">Delicate Flowers</a> stamp set. The pointy leaves are also from the Delicate Flowers set and were stamped and embossed onto vellum. I used a little Antique Linen Distress Ink to add a little khaki color to them. The card was finished with a greeting from a Christmas stamp set I picked up at Michaels, then I added Perfect Pearl Splatters in Heirloom Gold and sequins and gems from my stash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevZhBBnOOtUD0D0nfdgzBg-UA0G730tFMy6u8U8TxMthd9i9OBtGwe6qxYDsEjrv2RsMODrnlCXanUK3M1A74V7vMZ7XwoD5LZyHEFQ6YJQI1HHdDWN6VUSX9pN3HLQAaP0gNCmqYcf2T/s2048/IMG-4281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevZhBBnOOtUD0D0nfdgzBg-UA0G730tFMy6u8U8TxMthd9i9OBtGwe6qxYDsEjrv2RsMODrnlCXanUK3M1A74V7vMZ7XwoD5LZyHEFQ6YJQI1HHdDWN6VUSX9pN3HLQAaP0gNCmqYcf2T/w480-h640/IMG-4281.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love how this one turned out! I'd like to try this color scheme again with a Poinsettia stamp, so I guess I need to find a good one and get it ordered quickly!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-53065802333515464142020-08-02T22:19:00.000-05:002020-08-02T22:19:16.745-05:00Watercoloring & Embossing on VellumIn my last post, I mentioned playing with older supplies. I enjoyed playing with my Twinkling H2O's so much that I wanted to continue using them. I am amazed at how much I have used them through the years and how much of them are still left. I'm not sure they are still be made, so I'm glad they don't get used up quickly.<br />
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I was excited this week to see <a href="https://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2020/07/freshly-made-sketches-446-sketch-by.html" target="_blank">Freshly Made Sketches #446</a>. I have been intrigued by slimline cards here lately as I have begun to see more and more of them being made and shared on social media. I thought this was the perfect week to try one.<br />
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I pulled my inspiration from a decorative piece I made a few years ago that hangs on one of my inspiration boards. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPccxZYcz2Zm6yBbmvNuS20iNM3Fw0kgmiPv542EClD-ZTHvRroIaQ8rQ6opmOF9rrCZQHJ-EeaQYyGjqewJIwdSZfq42VG9QzLtQT-mbtlQPiqOcIfEOunmHlh9oYp2WIDPDaoropGo9T/s1600/IMG_3220.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPccxZYcz2Zm6yBbmvNuS20iNM3Fw0kgmiPv542EClD-ZTHvRroIaQ8rQ6opmOF9rrCZQHJ-EeaQYyGjqewJIwdSZfq42VG9QzLtQT-mbtlQPiqOcIfEOunmHlh9oYp2WIDPDaoropGo9T/s640/IMG_3220.jpeg" width="476" /></a></div>
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Using the same color scheme and vellum I created a slimline card with a similar feel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda7lmD-3KJgX5PipkAU5HwnWqMWjPKzty-HQqfn1I_A4rsuACgHQadnCp8HfTk0uZyvcauKcn0_jvYp8qI7TDoDHpv3MEW4slyENK12wzPJ-Dog81ydpC5Nvz-hCj-dGFhRFX2BzussEy/s1600/IMG_3221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda7lmD-3KJgX5PipkAU5HwnWqMWjPKzty-HQqfn1I_A4rsuACgHQadnCp8HfTk0uZyvcauKcn0_jvYp8qI7TDoDHpv3MEW4slyENK12wzPJ-Dog81ydpC5Nvz-hCj-dGFhRFX2BzussEy/s640/IMG_3221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Heat embossing on vellum can be really tricky. The best advice I can give is to go slow and hold the embossing gun as far back as possible from the vellum while you are embossing. That way it will reduce the warping or burning of the vellum. </div>
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The stamped leaves came from an older <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy</a> stamp set and are no longer available. They are stamped with <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Versamark-WATERMARK-Rubber-Stamp-Emboss-Chalk-Resist-INK-PAD-VM-001-10213?currency=USD" target="_blank">Versamark ink</a> & embossed with white embossing powder. My favorite white embossing powder is <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Hero-Arts-WHITE-EMBOSSING-POWDER-PW110-Emboss-24948?currency=USD" target="_blank">Hero Arts White Embossing Powder</a> because it is a crisp, clean white. The leaves are watercolored with Twinkling H2O watercolors. Once dry, I buffed the images to remove any watercolor that bled onto the white embossing. </div>
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The sentiment is from the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Simon-Says-Clear-Stamps-THANKS-AND-LEAVES-SSS101894-sss101894?currency=USD" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Thanks and Leaves stamp set</a> and is also embossed in white embossing powder.</div>
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I used foam tape behind all the bigger leaves to adhere the vellum piece to the white card base. I finished the card with a sprinkling of sequins from my stash. </div>
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This card made me question why I don't play with the vellum in my stash more often. It was a fun card to make and makes me yearn for the cooler temperatures of fall. </div>
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Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505143086200379271.post-70811874206891140222020-08-02T21:45:00.000-05:002020-08-02T21:45:54.836-05:00Embossed WatercoloringThis week I began digging around through some of my older supplies, simply looking for something to create with & ended up pulling out some things I haven't used in a long time:<br />
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-An older embossing folder from Sizzix ( I think it came in a two-pack from Hobby Lobby)<br />
-<a href="https://moomoo.io/?server=39:49:0" target="_blank">Twinkling H2O's Shimmering watercolor paints</a> (I bought these many years ago from a local shop)<br />
-Two of my favorite pumpkin woodblock stamps from Hero Arts (old, old.....really old)<br />
- A small scripty sentiment stamp from Ali Edwards (way back when she was making stamp set with Technique Tuesday)<br />
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I decided to try watercoloring the recessed portion of my embossed image with Twinkling H2O's in the color Copper Penny. It was definitely redder than I wanted since I was playing along with <a href="https://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2020/07/color-throwdown-604.html" target="_blank">The Color Throwdown #604</a> color palette, but I decided it could be considered terra cotta, so I went with it. Here is the inspiration piece and my card is underneath.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BFvWS2OvYW69f1pcXm6R0es25TvhNPeKaDLxN8BCl9R79uqs3ZF9o9lgRQcDUJ6F7yG8Om59VOUPkng4-eq_E0e6ypqUUPzhnc5CedoLpsMsqeZlV8gyPNHjCmi5kvQgJO2H6wRn4xjo/s1600/IMG_3222.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BFvWS2OvYW69f1pcXm6R0es25TvhNPeKaDLxN8BCl9R79uqs3ZF9o9lgRQcDUJ6F7yG8Om59VOUPkng4-eq_E0e6ypqUUPzhnc5CedoLpsMsqeZlV8gyPNHjCmi5kvQgJO2H6wRn4xjo/s640/IMG_3222.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I figured out that watercoloring the recessed part took much longer than expected and required a steady hand. I love white pumpkins in the fall, so I decided to make my pumpkins white, but I didn't want them to be stark white and blend into the white in the background. So I adhered some pages from an old dictionary to some white cardstock and then stamped and fussy cut the images. Because they now had a mixed media kind of feel, I splattered them in Perfect Pearl Mists in <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-SUNFLOWER-SPARKLE-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP17868-26715?currency=USD" target="_blank">Sunflower Sparkle</a> (brighter gold) & <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Ranger-Perfect-Pearls-HEIRLOOM-GOLD-Individual-Pigment-Powder-PPP21865-24397?currency=USD" target="_blank">Heirloom Gold</a> (vintage, darker gold). I still have both of these as mists, but Ranger has discontinued making the mists. Once I run out I plan to buy the powders and mix them with water to replenish my mists (Probably using the same mist containers and mixing a full jar of powder and water to fill the jar). </div>
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Once I layered the embossed piece on top of the black cardstock it felt unfinished and that it was lacking something. I decided to add gold embossing powder along the edges of the embossed piece to give it more definition. I love the way it turned out. </div>
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<br />The stamped pieces are sitting on a scrap of black cardstock with the gold embossed Ali Edwards sentiment. I wound some black thread around my fingers and then sandwiched it messily between the embossed piece and the pumpkins. Sequins are from an older Simon Says Stamp release. </div>
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I had not played with some of those materials in years and I love that I was able to dust them off and make something that doesn't feel dated.</div>
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Love how this turned out and how it pushed me creatively.</div>
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<br />Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17340578940876585281noreply@blogger.com1