Thursday, October 27, 2016

Funky Sunflowers

Hi!  It's sunflowers today.  Are sunflowers still blooming?  My garden is looking pretty soggy and I've cut back most everything.  My new stamp room window should be behind the card in this photo, but we haven't had a weekday dry enough for the guys to cut a big hole in the side of the house.  Still loving my clean, tidy room, though, with all the space I've reclaimed by clearing out the excess.  It does wonders for the joy of stamping!
 
This (once again) clean and simple card uses a Bugaboo digi called Funky Flower Blocks.  The printed image just happened to fit perfectly in an old Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles die.  I popped that up over a gingham border and added a die cut "hi".
 
 
 
This is my first time to use Nuvo Crystal Drops and I love them.  They dry hard, not tacky.  Achieving perfect little uniform drops is always a challenge for me with any of this type of product, but I'm probably too picky.  The color I used is called Neptune.
 
On a sad note, our local paper crafts store is closing.  I know!  I could just cry!  Big sales going on so I picked up a few products -- nothing that will overstock my stamp room, though.  A few dies of the type I'll use frequently, glitter, sequins, Bazzill cardstock, more Nuvo drops...  No stamps or designer paper.  Can you believe my self control?  I want to keep my room looking good.
 
One last thing...  Many of you know our Wally dog had knee surgery recently and we've been keeping busy with his recovery therapy.  Well, he finally gets to go swimming again!  That's a big deal to Wally and LuLu.  He's going 2-3 times a week now, increasing the length and time of his swims a little bit each trip.  We're also still doing the three leash walks each day, so you can imagine how time consuming it all is.  Plus, it's raining.  One has to keep priorities straight, and Wally and LuLu are definitely priorities.  Here's our happy wet Wally:
 
 
And another with LuLu bringing up the rear:
 
 
Wally is doing amazingly well.  Better than he's been in years, with no signs of discomfort or stiffness after exercise.  We'll continue with patience and dedication...  Have a happy day!
 
Stamps:  Bugaboo Funky Flower Blocks digi  Paper:  Neenah Classic White, Soft Sky, Graphic 45 Precious Memories designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Nuvo Crystal Drops - Neptune, Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles, Paper Smooches Hello Words, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

20 comments:

Glenda said...

Such a lovely card and I love the sunflowers! I'm so happy Wally has continued to improve and I'm always happy to see photos of both babies!

Pauline said...

Leslie, it always amazes me how you can take such a simple image and turn it into something so pretty. Love your card, the sunflowers are such a happy flower, good for so many occasions. Now I would of looked at this image and thought what would I do with that? Sorry, to hear about your local stamp store closing, I would be lost if ours closed. The next one around is just over an hour drive, I know that's not too far, but when you can just zip down to your local store in 5 min it makes a difference. And kudos to you for restraining yourself fromm paper and stamps - one of my downfalls! On a happier note - love that Wally is doing so much better, you can tell how happy he is being able to swim again. Such great news! Have a wonderful day.

bensarmom said...

Leslie, So happy to see Wally is doing so well. Love seeing pictures of both of your 'kids'. You're lucky you've had a brick and mortar stamp place as long as you have. We don't have anything nearby. Almost everything is ordered on-line for me. You are amazing with your restraint! Congrats to you on your shopping. Your sunflower is so cool. I love sunflowers! Have a Blessed Day.

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

One of my favorite flowers! I like them peeking out from behind the frames. The cold weather here has taken its toll on most of the flowers here as well. I haven't tried those drops yet - sounds interesting. I'm so glad to see Wally doing so well. He looks like he and Lulu are having fun! The only store we have left here is Hobby Lobby. All the little quaint craft stores have gone out of business. So sad!

Sherri said...

LOVE sunflowers and yours are gorgeous! Love the design of your card with all that happy gingham too! Just perked me up this morning! And hearing that Wally is doing so well made me REALLY happy! Give him a hug & kiss from me!

Yogi said...

cute card. It's depressing with all the craft stores that are closing up. Too many of them in Alberta. such wonderful control... BIG GRIN
Glad Wally's doing good. Have a great day

nancy littrell said...

Beautiful clean and crisp sunflower images and design. All our sunflowers fell over during our recent winds, but we enjoyed them all during the late summer, early fall weeks and...so did the birdies. TFS your sunflowers Leslie.
Loved seeing Wally and Lulu having fun in the water. Hugs, Nancy

pam said...

Beautiful card design Leslie, amazing colouring again on these gorgeous sunflower images, beautiful layout.
Happy Wally is doing well, wish our dog could have joint replacements, he`s only 7..black Labrador, all the joints in his front legs are affected with arthritis, so just short walks and tablets for pain.
Shame your craft shop is closing, I do not have one near, I tend to by most stuff online or craft shows.
Hugs Pam xx

Evelyn S. said...

Such a NEAT colorful card! The coloring is terrific, as usual.

Lynette said...

I love those sunflowers, Leslie! And how wonderfully they fit that die! Love the gingham, too, and the accent drops. Great news about Wally!!!

Sunny Strawbaler said...

I love seeing your beautiful cards - but those photos of Wally and Lulu - how incredibly gorgeous and wonderful!!

Ros Crawford said...

I'm so happy to hear Wally is doing well and I love the photos!! I could do with some swimming to! Love your beautiful card ... Your colouring is wonderful.. We have some rain today but not that much lately ... My DH asked an old chap he knows from the Golf club to come and tidy the borders in the garden and he ended up cutting down 2 of my trees ... One was a winter flowering verbena - I was distraught!

Conniecrafter said...

Beautiful sunflowers, that is a cute digi and I just love the shading you did on it, and the drops sure do give it nice details, love how you used them also! Isn't it wonderful when our dies fit perfectly with an image, like they were made for them!

Conniecrafter said...

I got all excited about your card I forgot to say that I am glad Wally is doing so well that he is able to enjoy some of his fun activities in life! You two are good parents :)

Stacy Morgan said...

So happy he is able to swim and doing good. What fun and I bet lulu is just as thrilled. hee hee Sorry about the craft store, but you restrained yourself. I am proud of you. ;-) These sunflowers are fun. I like the crisp and clean feeling of this card!

Unknown said...

Such a pretty card. So glad that Wally is doing so well. They are both so beautiful.

Donna Ellis said...

I NEEEEEEED this image! LOL it's wonderfully colored with all the green details in the striped stem, and such happy bright colors, Leslie! Thanks for sharing this fun creation. Now... what to say about Mr. Wally! How delighted my heart is to see him romping and playing, and I'm sure Miss Lulu is happy to have her companion back! So glad he is doing better, and that the surgery was a success! Our critters depend on us to make decisions for them, and their trust in us is humbling...

Hoping you enjoy a fantastic week, L!
xo

KimCreate said...

I hope you will be feeling better soon! Love your sunflower card. I've tried the Nuevo drops too and like them. Too bad about your store closing. My local scrapbook store closed 2 years ago and I miss it!

Diane said...

Beautiful Leslie, of course I love gingham and I love flowers so you had me from the get go!! So glad you like those drops, I use them all the time and once in awhile I get them all the same size, not often though..lol!! I am so happy to see Wally and Lulu playing and having a good time....makes my heart happy! Today Joann's online has the Nuvo Crystal Drops at half off...just sayin'..oh and a $3 shipping with coupon code! Now I am wondering if your window is in yet...hope so!!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Leslie, what a sweet stamp and beautiful card! I just recently purchased two bottles of Novu drops and am so glad to hear you like them. I like that they are hard when dry. Well, I know the sadness of having a local stamp store close...so sorry! It's awful. But it's nice you were able to pick up some items before it closed. And wow, look at Wally! Yes, it's been long and hard road for recovery...both for him and you/Rich. But he surely looks like he is feeling great and enjoying his swims with Lulu! Oh, how fun! Hugs, sweet friend! (I am way behind due to a serious cut on my pinky. Yes, a big ouch!)