Thursday, May 14, 2026

Birds on a Flowering Branch

Hello and welcome!  I finally have a card to share.  Actually, I made this card maybe two weeks ago, but my big (old) computer where I edit photos simply would not start one day.  It wouldn't even start in the shop for the tech guru.  He was able to save my hard drive but not my programs (also old), so here I am, starting over, learning new software.  Even my monitor wouldn't start with the new computer, so off I went again...

Pictured below is a beautiful Penny Black stamp from last year.  I watercolored with Twinkling H2Os, then added an Easy Expressions from The Ton, and embellished with a few small gems.  I miss my old editing programs, but I'll get the hang of it.  During the cropping and straightening process things went a little wonky.



I'm playing along in the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge:  Anything goes or your favorite Penny Black Stamp.  I love all my PB stamps from cute to beautiful, but I'm drawn to anything with a bird, so today it's this stamp called Confidant.  Are they whispering secrets?
Triple B Challenge:  Birds, blooms, or butterflies.  I can't resist.  Look at all that pretty pink in their inspiration board!
NBUS Challenge #86:  Never before used schtuff.  Yes, this beautiful stamp has been sealed in its package since last spring.


 




That's all for now!  Life is busy, but I'll try to be back soon.  We have out of town visitors next week, so housework must be done.  Sophie has already been to the beauty parlor.  An adventure dog can start to look a little scruffy after a while.


Scruffy Sophie


Stay crafty, my friends!


Stamps:  Penny Black Confidant, The Ton Easy Expressions  Paper:  Strathmore 140 lb cold press watercolor, natural white card base, Neenah white sentiment  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can, Stampin' Up Brocade Blue & Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment  Coloring:  Watercolor with Twinkling H2Os  Other:  Clear gems, foam tape to pop up sentiment

20 comments:

Yogi said...

Lovely card. Cute pic of Sophie. Boy do I know how you feel about your laptop. I have 3 laptops on my desk. One is 10 yrs and the other is 15 yrs. My 3rd one is about 2yrs. I’d be lost without my 2 old ones. The 10yr old one isn’t connected to the internet. It’s strictly connected to my scanner and the old version of Adobe photo editing so it can’t get ruined. I’d be lost without it. I transfer stuff to my 15 yr old every day laptop via usb which is a really slow laptop these days. When it dies I’m done for… the newer laptop is for ZOOM meetings only. Have a great day. You’re in my thoughts.

Margaret said...

Your card is so beautiful. I love the bird coloring and the layout of the design. Sophie is also beautiful. Sorry about the computer and the rest of it. That always sucks. I know you'll get it figured out.

Lynette said...

Such a soft and beautiful card, Leslie - awesome! New computers are so fun and exciting to me, and then so frustrating, too!! Sorry about having to get a new one NOT by choice, though, and also losing your programs. What a bummer.

I Card Everyone said...

There were plenty of ohhhhs and ahhhha while reading this post, Leslie! You might know I do love Bluebirds by now - what a gorgeous card!
Looking at Sophie I'm now quite sure that blondes DO have more fun! Look at her smirk!
=]

crafty-stamper said...

Technology is fine while it actually works-when my desk top computer crashed I lost all my photos and since I have had my new laptop I cannot add watermarks for some reason, have tried a few different programmes so just gave up! Love the beautiful floral stamp with the cute little birds -beautiful photo of Sophie and I agree with comment above there is a little smirk lol.
Carol x

Barbara said...

Great card that makes me feel like spring. Packing up my supplies is will be moving back up north in a few days. Whether there will be much colder than here which I'm looking forward to because it's pretty hot here right now.

Lisa Elton said...

Sorry about your computer woos, but your card sure turned our beautifully! Love the pink blooms and pretty bluebirds! That Sophie sure looks like a sweetheart!

Loll said...

Love the bright colours of this beautifully watercoloured image, Leslie. Great work!! Sophie is beautiful, scruff and all. :) xx

aussie aNNie said...

This is a great card xx Beautiful Sophia xx

Marcia Hill said...

Computers can be a real pain, can't they?!! (I went through what you're going through last fall...grrrrrr!!) But anyway, I never would have known you had any problems as your card is absolutely BEAUTIFUL my friend! I can imagine the sparkle with the twinkling H2O's too! And Sophie of course is looking beautiful too!! Hugs. :0)

Diane said...

A gorgeous card full of Springtime goodness, Sophie is gorgeous too! Thanks also for joining our fun at Triple B!

Ida said...

Darling card. You did a wonderful job with the water coloring. - A sweet photo of Sophie. Ah new computers...so much to learn. Sorry I've been absent from commenting lately. Lots of things going on (all is good though) life is just busy.

Bonnie said...

I think Sophie looks beautiful even in a scruffy coat. I love that look on her face. Your birds are so pretty and the flowers and background is beautiful! I think your photo is perfect.

Conniecrafter said...

Sorry to hear of the computer problems, glad you were able to get it resolved and you can start sharing again.
your birds are just beautiful, great coloring and love the inking around the edges, pretty gems to top it off, I bet the sparkle is so pretty in person!
Enjoy your visitors!

Cindy Beach said...

I'm so glad to see this pretty stamp out of the package and brought to life with your beautiful coloring, Leslie! I love the dreamy look achieved with the soft colors in bright hues. I'm sorry for the computer woes, tech updates are always complicated. Sophie is looking good! Enjoy your visits.

Pam Sparks said...

Your card is beautiful and I still have those twinkling H20's too! Nothing worse than these computers quitting on us and having to change everything! I feel your pain!!!

Donna Ellis said...

Leslie, I always marvel at how clean and silky your fur children are. Your pretty card is delightful. So cute! hugs, de

Sue from Oregon said...

Love the bird scene! Sorry you are having computer issues! Always makes me wonder what goes wrong all of a sudden. I still use an old Picasa photo editor my son says is ancient LOL! Sort of like me! I have been trying to use Luminar but it not as friendly as good ole Picasa, so now I use a combo of old and new! He tells me he found a new friendlier program but have not seen it yet! Time will tell. Good luck my friend!

Cat Craig said...

The joys of technology. My WIFI card went out. Fortunately the local computer guy told me FOR FREE to just buy a usb plug in wifi card. He was out but said he thought walmart had them. I was back up and running in a couple of hours. YAY. NOw on to that beautiful card. I love the blue outlining the card with the lovely blooms interior. Fab coloring.

Shirley S. said...

Such a cute card. Thanks for sharing.