ROOSTERS

I shared a rooster card in green some time back.  Here are two new cards using the rooster image, one in red and one in blue.  A blue rooster??  Yes, in my world there is-I like them all colors!!

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This card was made for Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge 239.  I used the rooster from an old Stampin' Up set, Provencal. Stamped with ColorBox Ruby ink on Very vanilla cardstock and then clear heat embossed. I used a 1 34" square punch to punch out the roosters and then matted them using Ruby Red cardstock. I also embossed the sentiment which was stamped in Ruby ink on dp then matted with Ruby Red cardstock. I used scissors to distress the edges and added a red raffia ribbon.

I used the same rooster image on this card.  Stamped in SU Bliss Blue ink on White Georgia Pacific cardstock from Wal-Mart and cut out with Marvy round scalloped punches.  The blue base card is embossed using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, one of my favorites. 

POTPOURRI

                                   Big and Little

I had some volunteer cantaloupes come up in the tomato bed and I left some of the plants to grow.  I was picking tomatoes last evening and smelled this cute, little guy.  I reached down to get him and he just fell off the vine.  The bigger melon I had bought at Wal-Mart yesterday. I want to cut him open and see if he tastes good but want to wait until the girls come by so they can see him.

                               Later

Just because you are cute doesn't mean you are sweet!  The melon had a pretty color but needed to be sweeter.  He was edible if you added a little salt.  The plants had a lot of water in the beginning but then turned off hot and dry-don't know if that has an affect on taste or not.

OLD FAITHFULS

We have a large maple tree just off our back patio which has Lancifolia Hosta, Virginia Bluebells, Orange Oriental Poppies and Orange Tiger Lilies planted around it. They come back year after year no matter what the weather and are a welcome sight.  They have to compete with the maple tree roots and have thrived amid the roots and shade. The bluebells and hosta are first, followed by the poppies and then the lilies which are blooming now.  Going through my files I found photos of all except the poppies.  I have started a list of plants to get photos of next year that I have somehow missed. 

Lancifolia Hosta and Virginia Bluebells in the Spring

Orange Tiger Lilies

I took the lily pictures today. There were less poppies this year and more lilies so I need to make sure next year to not let so many lilies come back or move some to a new location to keep from crowding out the poppies.

Tiger Lilies closup

THANKFUL ON A THURSDAY

Today I am thankful for the nice rain we just received.  We are so dry here and the rain was really needed-not enough but it is a start-just glad to know it can still rain!  Maybe this rain dance photo my daughter posted on her Blog  helped.

I am also thankful to have my computer back up and running after being taken over by a virus-my fault for clicking on a box I should have thought twice about.

Will be back later with more photos.  Have a doctors appointment in Springfield Friday and a funeral to go to Saturday morning for a school friend's husband.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July weekend.  We will be celebrating with a BBQ tomorrow evening with family. 

The Ways To Use It Challenge this week was to make a patriotic card EXCEPT you couldn't use any hue of red or blue on your card.  How un-patriotic!  (Grin)  I used More Mustard cardstock as my base card and layered with some music designer paper from Provo Craft.  Stamped the small stars with Chocolate Chip ink on More Mustard then cut them out and popped them up with pop up dots.  I used a star punch for the large star and layered with a smaller star.  I printed off the words to America the Beautiful, distressed the edges and used Old Paper distress ink to sponge for an older look. I liked the untraditional colors.  Here is the finished card.

I first started stamping in early 1997.  Here are a few Patriotic themed items I have made through the years.

I think this card was made for Jan at the beginning of the school year-probably when she went to teach in middle school.

 

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A easy, simple card.  The mat and star are made from a blue and silver gift bag.

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Stamped the star from Love It on Georgia Pacific white using Cranberry and Not Quite Navy ink. Stamped and cut out enough stars to double layer, slightly off center, using Scotch Pop Dots. Added some designer paper  from Hobby Lobby on one side and used a piece of yarn for accent.

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I have had this unpainted wooden box for a long time. I collect Americana items so decided to paint it with that theme.

I painted using a light coat of DecoArt Colonial Blue so the woodgrain would show through. Painted the star with DecoArt Burgundy and antiqued both with FolkArt Antiquing medium. Antiqued the second star and added a red and gold dotted grosgrain ribbon around the lid.

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The pouch was made using a business size envelope. Stamped some stars on the envelope and then cut out on each side for the handle. Put some blue tissue paper inside and added some red yarn and a tag. I did have some small flags added.

Sure do wish it would rain but the chances don't sound too good right now.  Went to Cabool yesterday evening to see The Wall That Heals-The Traveling VietNam Veterans Memorial and Museum. Had seen it a few years ago in another town-still impressive the second time.  My youngest brother was killed in Vietnam and we saw his name on the wall. Congrats to Cabool for a fine display over the holiday weekend.