Thursday, February 10, 2022

Meerkat Valentine for My Sweetie

Hooray, I made my sweetie's Valentine, played in a challenge, and cracked the seal on my NBUS meerkat set all at the same time.  I love when that happens. 

The challenge is Double D's "Hearts".  You can scroll down to see the mood board, but I'll tell you it was the red gingham that inspired me.  The big letters are Memory Box Wooden Alpha.  I cut down the "I" to make the plus sign.  Unfortunately it looks like a cross to me, and once I saw it that way I couldn't get it out of my head.  Then for some reason the grass border looks like green fire, so now I have a cross set in green fire... it's distressing, but I'm sure it's all in my head.  Is it in yours now, too?



Gerda Steiner Meerkats on the Lookout...  Colored with Tombow markers.  I cut around their arms so they could hold the love sentiment.  Love is a reverse stamp (solid except for the letters) which I stamped in Versamark on black cardstock, then embossed with white EP and then iridescent EP.  The sparkle doesn't show in the photo on the sentiment, but that's what those speckles are.  The hearts were embossed with iridescent embossing powder which does show up somewhat in the photo.



Geez, so much to tell on a card like this...  it's a lot to read, too.  I'll wrap it up -- the red gingham is a lightweight cardstock which I have in several colors in a 12x12 pad.  As always, I cut the whole card with it (finished size is 3 1/2 x 6).  By the time the layers and elements are added you don't notice how lightweight the cardstock is.


Double D Challenge:  Hearts
NBUS Challenge #35 -- My Meerkats are fresh out of the package.


 


Well, that was fun!  I won't have time to send Valentines this year, but I might make some for next year.  It sounds like a good idea to me!  Sending love & hugs to all!


Stamps:  Gerda Steiner Meerkats on the Lookout, Memory Box Big and Little Reverse Words  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, black, red, green cardstock, Neenah 110 lb CS for dimension under the letters, lightweight red gingham cardstock, scrap wood grain designer paper  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark  Coloring:  Tombow markers, no blender  Dies:  Memory Box Wooden Alpha, MFT Die-namics Fresh Cut Grass, Paper Smooches Hearts, miscellaneous small rectangle  Other:  Detail clear embossing powder, white EP, Iridescent Peacock EP, Signo Uniball white gel pen, foam mounting tape

28 comments:

Margaret said...

It 's gorgeous Leslie, and I'm sure Rich will love it so much coming from you. I love the meerkats. A number of years ago there used to be a show on PBS showing the life of meerkats. They were so fun to watch. Hope you enjoy the weekend and your Valentine's Day.

Diane said...

A fabulously fun card and I have to admit I don't have any Meerkats or Sloths for that matter in my stash, what's wrong with me lol!! No I don't see the grass as fire or the plus sign as a cross but you sure cracked me up reading about it, it is an awesome card and one he will love! I too haven't sent out any Valentine cards and I have two boxes of them, pretty sad isn't it, maybe I can aim for Easter or Spring! Glad to see you back to working and remember anytime you might feel like DT-ing again your spots are always open!

Bobbi-spapertrail.blogspot.com said...

Such an adorable card! I love the meercats. You made me laugh about the "plus/cross" and the fire in the grass. Yep... I can see it, but only after you said it. HA! You could cut a small strip of black and angle it from the top left to the middle to make the scribble plus sign. And you can punch out a few small flowers to put on those tall blades of grass, to make it look like a meadow. As we card makers always say, there are NO mistakes in card making! There's always a way to "fix" it. Happy Valentine's Day to you and Rich, and Wally and Lulu. XO

Lynette said...

Oh, your meerkats are so cute!! Just don't tell Rich what you see on the card, and he won't have that in his head. LOL! It's an awesome card, for sure.

Yogi said...

so cute. Happy Valentines. Have a great day

Cat Craig said...

These are such cute meerkats, and a wonderful Valentine.

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Leslie, what an adorable Valentine for your sweetie, Rich is going to flip over it.
The look on the boy Meerkat is priceless, it's like it's thinking "I'm one lucky guy, just look at MY gal!!"
And the girl Meerkat, with her blushing cheeks it's saying "Yup, I'm all yours!!"
Now, the plus sign looks exactly like a plus sign, and the grass, my friend, there's no green grass on fire there!!!
It's all in your head, my dear!!!
Beautiful iridescent heart, and fabulous DSP.
Happy Valentine's Day, my friend.
Hugs to you and Rich.
Stay healthy and safe.
XO

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

Your card is so cute! I love it and I'm sure Rich will as well! I think it is pretty ingenious how you designed the card. I love gingham as well. I think it is a throwback to my childhood when that is all I remember wearing! Your Meerkats are so adorable holding their sign. I didn't do Christmas well this year but as least Valentine's Day was a plus! Enjoy your weekend and your heart day!

crafty-stamper said...

Great Valentine card and love the cute Meerkats -I didn't see the cross and green fire until you said lol
Carol x

laurie said...

Super cute valentine! I love gingham too.

I Card Everyone said...

All looks completely normal and adorable, too, Leslie! I used to watch the Meerkats on NatGeo with my granddaughter, so they will always have a special place in my heart!
What a darling Valentine for your sweetheart!
=]

Sue from Oregon said...

oh that's right...Valentines Day coming up. I forget up here when every day is the same LOL! Guess I better get busy...your card is the perfect inspiration! Hope you and Rich are doing ok my friend! ♥ Sue Kment

Bonnie said...

You had me at the gingham, Leslie! Then I saw the meercats and found even more to love!

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my goodness is it ever adorable, I love how you have them holding the sign, wow that was some delicate cutting there, great job.
I had to laugh because I got it as being a plus sign, not a cross, and the grass doesn't look on fire, it is all perfection :)

Prudence said...

Those meerkats are so adorable and your colouring is superb. Love all the details and features from the iridescent heart to the meerkats holding the sign.
Thank you for sharing with us at NBUS.

Prudence
NBUS February Guest Designer

Diane said...

Yeah Leslie, so happy you entered your super cute and fun card in our challenge at Double D!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}
{Double D}

Darlene said...

Oh my sweet friend ... this is just ADORABLE! He's going to LOVE IT! And yes, now I see green fire! THANKS!! lol LOVE those cute little meerkats ... how adorable and they are colored perfectly (no surprise there) Awesome card ...thanks for fabulous inspiration! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Hearts’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
P.S. Are you aware of the new color challenge called COLORFUL OPTIONS CHALLENGE and the February color is RED … I hope you’ll come share this beauty with us.

Christine Alexander said...

What a wonderful valentine card, Hubby's going to love it especially with those adorable Meercats :)

Mac Mable said...

Well one you making your sweetie a fabulous valentine's card, playing in a challenge and cracking the seal on the fun Meerkat set....way to go x.
Nope no fire or crosses here just a fabulous, fun, cute and adorable Valentine's card Leslie x. The faces on those Meerkats are super cute and she is never ever going to let go of her sweetie x.

Cindy Beach said...

You sent us love and hugs and send us smiles every time you post, Leslie! Love seeing you had a three-fer going, I love the result! You know the gingham is a favorite and red is sweet too! Yes, it's in your head, I see green grass and adorable meerkats and it all = terrific!

pam said...

Oh, your meerkats are so cute!! Leslie, love the colours and design.
Pam x

Aimeslee Winans said...

Good for you, I'm still working on my Honey's. Adorable card, xoxo

Ros Crawford said...

Hi Leslie... I have back tracked to see your posts... You've been on my mind. I am so happy to hear that you and those beautiful dogs are doing well. I am sorry about Rich and I know how hard things have been for you... I'm in the same turmoil myself right now.
Anyway I am smiling at these two guys and adore seeing your incredible creations. Stay well and know I am sending hugs your way.

Darnell said...

Hubby will love his red gingham Valentine with the sweet loving meerkats, Leslie! No need to be distressed ~ your plus sign looks completely like a plus sign to me, not a cross! It's a clever layered and fun design! Thank you for inspiring everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

Pauline said...

So, so adorable Leslie, Rich will love this. From your beautiful copic colouring meerkats to your finishing details, I love it all! I didn't see the 'cross'or 'green fire' until you mentioned it, it's all good Leslie! So happy to see you back doing a little more crafting, always appreciate it when you do! Take care, hugs.

Birgit said...

This is just as cute as can be! Thanks for linking up to the Double D Challenges. Best of luck to you!

Stacy Morgan said...

This is just absolutely adorable. What a fun little valentine!

Ida said...

Those little meerkats are just darling. I also like the little border of hearts on the card and the gingham.