Monday, January 24, 2022

Twinkling Hello

Hi there!  The sun is shining as I write this and I'm heading outside, but first a few minutes to share a card.  I rummaged through one of my "not yet used" baskets looking to choose something cheery.  Yes, I now have two baskets of not yet used stamps and another one for dies.  It's sometimes so much easier to shop than to create, but I will say for sure that creating is much more fun.  I need to remember that!

Today's card is made with a Stampendous set called Pop Bouquet.  I wanted to color, but had no plans for a particular card design, so I stamped a whole lot of images with Versafine Onyx Black on watercolor paper and then clear embossed.  I set to it with my Twinkling H2O's and when finished I cut everything out by hand.



It's hard to show the shimmer of the paints.  It can be subtle, and some colors shimmer more than others.  Also, more water means less shimmer, but the colors are always scrumptious.  I love my old timey Twinks!  The die cut sentiment is Cottage Cutz -- three layers of black and then brushed with Wink of Stella.

The frame and lattice piece are from my card parts drawer.  The frame had been embossed with an Anna Griffin folder (Cuttlebug) and then ink applied with a blending brush.  It wasn't a great look as a whole, but it made a nice frame and I thought the colors coordinated so...  put it all together on a soft gray card base... I kinda like it.  It is going to a local friend/former coworker as a birthday card.



I need to rush off for now.  Rich is washing my car after I spent three afternoons detailing the inside.  I had planned to wash it myself, but he's being a nice guy and sometimes you just have to let a person be a nice guy, you know?

Hugs and happiness to all!


Stamps:  Stampendous Pop Bouquet  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, Neenah white, textured gray card base, black cardstock  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, misc SU inks brushed on embossed frame  Coloring:  Watercolor with Twinkling H2Os  Other:  Clear detail embossing powder, Wink of Stella, black pearl, Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Aviary embossing folder, Spellbinders Scored and Pierced Rectangles, Spellbinders Lattice Border, Cottage Cutz Hello Phrase

23 comments:

Hannelie said...

So cheerful and beautiful... I LOVE it Leslie!

Margaret said...

so gorgeous. You did a fabulous job with the coloring and the fussy cutting. Great that you had that frame just sitting there waiting for this card to need it. I know your friend will love to receive this. Yeah Rich!

Conniecrafter said...

Oh so pretty, love the whimsical feel to the flowers and butterfly, I had forgotten all about my H20's, I need to get them out and play again :) The framing with the embossing was such a terrific idea, I love that effect and it does go so perfectly with your flowers, your friend is going to LOVE this!! I hope you enjoy that sunshine!

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful cheeful card love the colourful flowers and beautiful embossed frame-been freezing and really dark day here today had lights on almost all day!
Carol x

Donna Ellis said...

It warms my heart that Rich wanted to do that special thing for you. I know it brings him great pleasure - as it does me, doing the smallest of little things for Jack. Small for me - normal nothings for normal people LOL - but maybe being not-normal isn't so bad LOL Your card is beautiful! And the fussy cutting is amazing. I can see myself trying that, with a spasm here and there, and the petals all cut off LOL I am in love with the VersaFine products and clear EP - always looks so pretty! The sparkly "hello" is rather like your happy voice. Today was VERY COLD HERE - 26 at 7AM with the sun shining on everything. Our yard resembles a tent village. Only the "precious" potted plants are being covered this year. The front pasture looks beautiful! It's solid white with the sun glistening down on a carpet of glitter. There is a single strand of spider web, all white from frost, and the barbed wire fence is studded with diamonds shining forth their brilliance! Another cold night tonight. So glad Jack invested in a heater for our large green house, which is mostly hydroponic. The heater ran 14 hours last night LOL (so glad it is a propane tank and not our electric heater). Good News - I am able to do more than the last time we spoke - it is giving me hope - I just need to keep my awareness strong. Sending you hugs! xx

Yogi said...

pretty and springy. Wish it was spring. Have a great day

Lynette said...

Such a pretty, cheery card, Leslie! I'm so glad you took some time for creating - it's great to "see" you here. So nice of Rich to wash your car, too! Way to use up some more card parts, too, and also unused items. Sometimes I do think it's more fun to organize than to create, and it's awesome to get some parts used up.

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a cheerful card. I love how the Twinkling H20's look and to think you fussy cut out all the goodies! I'm sure your friend will appreciate all your efforts. We are freezing here with snow. The sun is out today so I am hoping the ice will melt. Have a good week!

Darlene said...

Oh my sweet friend this is just lovely! What a fabulous overall design and love that sparkly hello sentiment! It's so nice to see you creating again and how wonderful for you to have sunshine! We got 12" of snow last Monday, 6" yesterday and it's snowing now ... expecting another 3". Needless to say, when I'm not on the computer or making cards, I'm snow blowing the driveway (along with a few of my neighbors driveways too ... I'm the oldest in the cul de sac but the one with the biggest snow blower lol).
How wonderful to hear Rich was up to washing your car ... that had to make him feel a bit better (and you too!). Hang in there my friend and enjoy that sunshine!

pam said...

Hello Lesley, what a beautiful spring looking card, love the colours and design,
So cold here in UK, wish it would warm up.
Hugs Pam x

Bonnie said...

I really like this, Leslie! The butterfly and flowers are so bright and pretty and that frame is gorgeous! I'm glad that Rich is doing so well and it's a real plus that he feels like washing your car! I wish I felt like washing my car.

Aimeslee Winans said...

Leslie, you've combined all your elements so artfully, what a bright and cheerful card. I love my Winks and my Twinks, too! How cute and encouraging about your hubby. We had sun this past weekend, it felt so good. xoxo

Christine Alexander said...

Wonderful summery card, just what I need after the last few dumps of snow :)

aussie aNNie said...

A most gorgeously designed card, beautiful colours and texture. x

Ros Crawford said...

Oh I do love your happy cards, I can forget it's so cold outside(and sometimes inside) and imagine it's spring... Beautifully done Leslie and what a good guy you have washing your car... Stay well

Diane said...

What a pretty and cheerful card, makes me think of Spring which I long for here, we are covered in several inches (feet) of snow and it's subzero temps too! I love that this card is a happy card with the Twinkling h2os, I have them too but they are much neglected, I think I have too much 'stuff;!! Have a fun crafty day, hope things are settling down for you!! Mack says hi!!

laurie said...

Love those pretty cheerful blooms!!! Fun to think about warmer weather and blooms instead of all this snow...lol!

Pam Sparks said...

So cherry and beautifully painted/colored Leslie! Delightful card!

Joan B said...

beautiful! the white lattice reminds me of a curtain valance.

Cat Craig said...

It’s a lovely card Leslie. Good to see you creating again.

Stacy Morgan said...

So fresh and cheerful with the springy colors and flowers. Just the perfect hello all around! The shimmer is always so much better in person on cards. I don't have a basket of stamps but I do of some paper pads I bought still needing to be used and will eventually get to. Glad you are enjoying some paper fun and yes very nice of Rich to wash your car for you. :-) Hugs to you all today!

Cindy Beach said...

First of all, hugs and happiness to you and Rich! My car is, unfortunately, neglected as far as cleaning goes. I loved hearing about this and your recent shopping!! I will try to remember that creating is more fun too. Sometimes it's a draw, lol! Now for the card - an amazing creation and I love how you combined your pretty embossed and colored frame and lattice with the beautiful flowers. They POP! the card and your post make me smile.

HilaryJane said...

I had convinced myself that I had already left you a comment on this one, but now I see I haven't! No idea what's going on with me. anyway this is such a happy card, love your use of colour and the interesting framing. I know exactly what you mean about it being easier to shop. I fall into that trap all the time. Well done for using up some things from your half done stash xx