Hello friends! I'm sharing four cards today that made me very happy as I was working on them. I was the 100th entry in the first Triple B (birds, butterflies, and blooms) challenge and was surprised with the most beautiful 6x6 designer paper pad for my efforts. Thank you, Diane and Darlene! There is not one sheet of paper in that pad that I'm not totally in love with.
The gorgeous paper is Dress My Craft Hydrangea Lawns. Have a look:
I've been saying over and over again how I need to get to work with some of my designer papers. Still, I dragged my feet. I don't know why something suddenly clicked when I saw a card set on Pinterest. I'll link you to the post here. I guess the timing was right. When you look at the inspiration I'm sure you can see the resemblance, but I diverged quite a lot in order to accommodate the pattern of my papers. I chose a few different bird dies from my collection, some of which have been around for a few years. I'm in the process of collecting new bird dies. All in good time.
The first in the line up features a Cottage Cutz die called Bird Trio. It's a simple die, all one piece. I layered 2 or 3 times (?) plus cut again and trimmed out the bird bodies, then colored and glued back in place. The years old Hero Arts sentiment was white embossed on SU Brilliant Blue cardstock. Not sure if they even still make that color. It coordinates nicely with the blues in the designer paper.
Next up is one of the oldest bird dies in the group -- Die-namites Birds on a Wire. I think they're out of business. I brushed the birds with purple and blue, then spritzed with water. The leafy branch was borrowed from another die set which is coming up in a moment. Another Hero Arts sentiment on this card.
The third card, below, seems rather sparse because the scripted background is so light, but I like it. More purple and blue on this one. The bird and foliage are Memory Box Finnegan Fronds from 2015. The stitched ring is nested Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers from the same year.
The last card features Memory Box Serene Bird and Branch. I adore this sweet bird. This photo has an unfortunate glare because the paper has a bit of gloss to it. It's all the more beautiful for it in real life. Quite a substantial weight, too.
I'm a designer paper-loving girl all the way. I know how much fun it is to make your own backgrounds, but I'm not good at resisting a beautiful set of papers, and since I have them I really should be using them. Raise your hand if you love designer papers, too.
Sending happy wishes your way!
27 comments:
I hear you and agree,I have just ordered two paper pads even though I have some that I look at then put back away-it's ridiculous lol.Fabulous selection of cards and love the beautiful papers and birds,congrats on your win too
Carol x
ALL the cards are downright gorgeous!! Love seeing your use of the beautiful papers and the creative way you have shown each one of them along with the birds!! That's one thing I love about Spring is all the birds returning I haven't seen around for several months!! Your designer paper creativeness is so VERY inspiring and BTW, I have my hand raised!!
Wow! These are all so gorgeous. I love, love, love that designer paper and the colors you used are so beautiful. My favorite color purple being used. I find it hard to make my own backgrounds. I have so much DP that I don't know that I can ever use it all up.
Beautiful as usual. Have a great day
I always love to come see what you have been into. Today you have touched my heart with those beautiful papers and those sweet little birds! I love the birds and have a buffet for them every day. There is a feeder just outside my craft room window and I try to keep it full all year round. The momma birds bring their babies to teach them where the food supply is and the babies sit fluttering their wings while momma gets a seed and feeds them. Nature is such a beautiful thing! Have a great weekend!
I'm not sure my comment came through or not. It was a bit long so I'm trying again. I dearly love your beautiful papers and those sweet little birds have touched my heart this morning!
My hand is raised too Leslie...I love DSP and tend to hoard it rather than use it! I need to quit doing that though and start using it, although I did make a good start a few posts back after watching a JM video! But anyway, all four of your cards are absolutely GORGEOUS and I could never even pick a favorite as I love, LOVE them all! I'm totally loving the blue and purple color combination too...sooooo pretty!! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)
Oh, yes, Leslie, I can see why these papers are a perfect match for you. I go in spurts of using paper versus making my own backgrounds, as well as doing simpler cards versus more complex ones. I've been in a slump but these gorgeous cards have so inspired me! Love all the different birds and how you've used elements that match their styles.
Have you seen my blog name? I love papers and hoard far too many. These are absolutely gorgeous. Love Love Love the designs you came up with using the bird dies. GORGEOUS.
Oohhh... so pretty! I'm with you; a designer paper girl for sure. I have so much but I hate to cut it up. silly, I know. But I need to use it. Brilliant Blue is no longer a current color at Stampin' Up! but it's sure pretty. At first I thought your cards were note pad holders. How pretty they would be too! Thanks for sharing. Hugs!
I DO love patterned papers. I have so so many to use! Your cards are all totally awesome and pretty. I thought I recognized the Hero Arts sentiments. I have a couple of them in the same font. :-) Congrats on your win.
You always use patterned paper beautifully, Leslie, and this gorgeous paper is no exception! I love ALL these birds that match the papers perfectly!
Waving my hands over here, I love pattern papers and you have done a gorgeous job with all your bird cards. I love all the ways you have colored your birds, and they go so perfectly with the papers. I especially like how you used the birds on a wire, I have a punch from Martha Stewart that is birds on a wire and you know I don't think I have ever used it because I couldn't think of how to use it, I so love your idea for them! Gorgeous set of cards!
I have been a paper lover and tend to hoard it instead of using it on a card. This is gorgeous paper and I applaud you for using it. Something that I would have a hard time with. This is so inspirational to me and I have to now take a look at the Pinterest post that you referenced.
Four Beautiful Bird cards featuring Gorgeous Designer Paper, Leslie:-) What is NOT to LOVE in all Four of your beauties, my friend. Thank you so much for sharing. BTW..our Pink ornamental cherry trees are now in FULL Bloom. Hopefully I can get photos soon! Can you believe our warm days? The last 3 days we had 75 degrees, 80 degrees and today 81 degrees..from Spring to Summer overnight..lol! I am thankful I have been able to continue weeding our flower beds by working from one shady area to another:-) Walking by 10 a.m. so not too hot. Great not having to be all bundled up:-) Love and Hugs and thank you again for sharing your beautiful birds, paper and card designs:-)
Congratulations on winning that paper pad. Wow I love all of these cards too. I can see why it made you very happy to make these cards as they really turned out beautiful.
I have both hands raised, Leslie! I love it but it doesn't get nearly as much attention as it deserves!
YOU have made these gorgeous Hydrangeas the best supporting characters to your darling birds - each one a treat! I especially love the birds on a wire.
You'll excuse me while I go back for second looks? x
=]
WOW! Your set of card are gorgeous, Leslie. LOVE all the sweet birds and those papers --- amazing. I can imagine how much fun you had creating these cards. You always inspire me. Thank you. Love, Loll
Lovely cards! I suffer from that same disease and am not sure I'll ever use all that I have! Thanks so much for sharing that link. Wonderful layouts and they may just help me use up some of those pretty papers I've accumulated.
I have been having a catch up day today and almost missed this one. I am glad I didn't as these bird cards are a wonderful showcase. I love them all and can't choose a favourite. It is wonderful to see how you use the paper. I love paper but never use it on my cards, so now I have stopped buying it, but I still have a supply of course. It is so lovely to see you showcase it like this and yet the little birds remain the stars of the show. Brilliant xx
Gosh, Leslie - I left one of those comments that then comes up with that weird google error message afterward, but usually the comment is left (I hope). But it sure wasn't on these beauties, and that makes me sad. Those papers are incredible! And who better than to showcase them at their loveliness that Miss Nature Lover herself! Gorgeous papers, darling die cuts, sweetly inked birdies, and thoughtful sentiments. Your recipients will feel cherished and ultra special! (Congrats on your win, BTW). I had my lumbar RFA 10 days ago - and get this - ZERO side effects from it (aside from activating all my other diseases). But what a wonderful outcome! Yesterday, I had my first RFA in the left leg. The procedure wasn't all that hard, but getting into position, and having to be on my back, was the hardest. So I'm back in a wheelchair. Sigh. I hate that I can go thru the procedures, but my body decides to whammy with the other stuff. But, still, I have HOPE that perhaps my quality of life will be improved. Blessings, right? Thanks for letting me share on your pretty cards. I figure this will be one of the last comments on your post, so it's safe to do so. LOL huggers, de
(OH! another thing about blogger - lately it has been hiccuping old, long-ago-approved comments, and placing them in your COMMENT SPAM folder without telling you. I've had over 150 the last month alone! Just FYI)
WOW your cards are so beautiful ...
Wow! amazing set of cards Leslie. Love each and every one, each card is executed to perfection. Love how you used the papers, the colours you used and the birds you chose for each card. You have a wonderful selection of birds I might add. The DP is stunning, I need to find this (lol), as I too am not good at resisting such beautiful papers. I applaud you for using these papers, as most times I hoard them rather than use them! Love these Leslie, all so beautiful! Thanks for sharing, and sorry for the late commenting. I'm falling behind once again.
Well, talk about paper! What a great gift! They are so soft and definitely look fantastic with all your feathered friends. I love your fourth card the best. Great cards!
Just beautiful!!! One of my all time fave flowers!
WOW Leslie! Four stunning, gorgeous cards! Glad you won the paper... you are amazing with paper!!!
Wow that paper is gorgeous and you've created some stunning cards using it. I really like the birds on a wire die card.
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