Saturday, June 13, 2020

A Beautiful Saturday and Cards for Some Challenges

Happy Saturday everyone!!

It is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS today in good old CT. Sunny, in the 70's with very little humidity-a perfect day in my eyes!

Today I am popping in with some cards for some challenges. This post has a lot of photos in it so please forgive me!!


I created these cards for June's Twofer Card Challenge #28.


I decided to use circle stencils on my cards. I die cut the stencils myself using different sized circle dies and incorporated them into my card design.


The first card I created was a retirement card. I stenciled the circles in a rainbow of Distress Inks.  (Candied AppleCarved PumpkinSqueezed LemonadeTwisted CitronMermaid Lagoon and Wilted Violet)


I then used the Confetti Backgrounds Stencil from Honey Bee Stamps with some white Gina K. Glitz Glitter Gel to create a little more interest on my card.


The sentiment is from Waffle Flower's Happy Retirement set that I heat embossed in white on black cardstock.


This card was really fun and easy to create. I have to send this out this week to a male and I thought the color scheme was PERFECT.

My second card was inspired by two other challenges as well as the Twofer Challenge.


This weeks Freshly Made Sketch #439 was what inspired me for the layout of my card and The Card Concept #137 is what inspired me for the color scheme. I was actually drawn to the golden and brown blanket in the photo, as well as the rustic appearance of the camping stuff.


I started off by using making my flower using a heart stamp from CAS-ual Fridays Hearty Horse stamp set. I stamped these flowers using Simon Says Stamps Duckling Ink and Vintage Photo Distress Ink.


I stenciled the middles using the same circle stencils as my first card, Walnut Stain Distress Ink, and a retired stencil from Memory Box. I then distressed the entire panel using Vintage Photo Distress Ink.


The Stamplorations sentiment (retired) was heat embossed with Walnut Stain Distress Embossing Glaze onto kraft colored cardstock. I have never used this glaze before but will be buying it in other colors as I like that it was an exact match to the ink!!


The twine, the sequins and the CAS-Fridays chipboard heart were the last elements added to my card. I don't think I have had as fun creating a card like this in a long time!!

Before I go, I wanted to post some photos of my front gardens. I am NOT a gardener by any means but I love my front to have flowers blooming throughout the summer. Today was the BEST day to be out deadheading flowers and attaching my plants to different trellises I have in my yard to try to get my flowers to grow the way I would like.


I also have a small veggie garden in the back. I planted pickling cucumbers, tomatoes, one eggplant and a pepper plant that was labeled as a tomato plant. The cucumbers are my favorite but every year I get cucumber beetles so they rarely grow but I am trying once again. I hope the effort is not futile!!!

On one more note, my friend made Charlotte some cloth masks for work!! these go around her head and neck rather than her ears. Her poor little ears are so RAW!!


I know some people don't believe in them BUT it is a state mandate here right now and if this helps keep people healthy I am willing to do my part.

Have you had enough of me today? This is the end of my long post. I thank all of you for taking the time to stop by.

Have a GREAT night!!


22 comments:

Barb Ghig said...

Hi Nora,
My apologies for the length of time since I last stopped by! Such a treat to see your beautiful stenciled cards! I love all the fun, bright colors you chose for the retirement card and your take on the sketch and color palette is so striking! You've done an amazing job combining all of these challenges :)
Thanks for sharing the photos of your lovely gardens! Your flowers are so pretty, and your veggie garden is fabulous!
I also want to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments...I appreciate it very much! Stay safe and well ~ Barb xx

Lisa Elton said...

I like the way you used the circles Nora, especially on those pretty sunflowers! Your summer blooms look wonderful. I have a big potted geranium on my front porch that's gorgeous. I've never had one with blooms that are lasting as long as this one. I have no problem wearing a mask when I got out. I wish others would follow suit!

Diane said...

Wow Nora, great colors and super fun designs. Love all the yard pictures.

Hugs Diane

Witchcrafted Life said...

Fabulous pair of cards, dear Nora. It's been ages since I last made a retirement card. It seems most folks in my life have either retired quite a while ago or aren't near that point in their own lives yet. It's a great event to craft for, and I'm thinking I might need to whip up a retirement card or two to keep on hand for the next time the occasion for one arises.

Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

Inkyfingers said...

Nora, both tour cards are lovely but the sunflower card is just awesome! I truly am in awe that you made those amazing sunflowers with those tiny stamps and the colours you chose are just fabulous. I love that both cards have some sheen too. Your plants look so pretty and they certainly are responding to your care.
Hope you are keeping well.
Hugs
Carol x

Jacquie Southas said...

Love these cards, Nora! The flower background you created is beautiful. Thanks for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches! Your flowers are gorgeous!

Marcia Hill said...

Two FABULOUS cards Nora and so completely different! Your retirement card is so fun and celebratory...loving the bright colors and ALL the sparkle too! And your sunflower card using the same stenciled circles is AMAZING! LOVE every little detail on that card! Thanks so much for sharing both these beauties with us at The Twofer Challenge!! (And your garden photos are absolutely lovely too!!) :0)

My Paper Epiphany said...

Fabulous Twofer! The retirement card is so bold, bright and sparkly and the floral card is so creative and sensational!

Nancy said...

Your cards really caught my attention over at Twofer! So creative and fun! Well done and lovely garden of flowers too! Sure to brighten your day in these troubling times! Well, that and crafting. LOL

Cat Craig said...

Nora, your circles on the retirement card are wonderfully festive and reminiscent of balloons. Using the circles to create your fabulous sunflowers is a brilliant idea! Thanks so much for joining in at Twofer Card Challenge #28.

Nancy Penir said...

Hi Nora! I'm in awe with your sunflower card! Checking it closely and loving the results! What a sweet saying too. So glad you joined us at the Card Concept. PS, your neighbors must love strolling by your home and enjoying those gorgeous blooms!

Linda Callahan said...

I love your bright bold cards! Beautifully done! Glad you joined us at FMS!

Jen Brum said...

These are such pretty cards! I just love that background sunflower paper! That gratitude sentiment is beautiful as well! Thanks for joining us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

Happy Dance said...

Great Twofer, Nora! I was drawn right away, to your retirement card; all those bright colors, and I wondered how you got all that confetti on it - did a piece of dp come like that, and if so, how did the ink not stain the sparkle, did you use a tiny stamp and do it, and so on... Then I read your post and voila! You clever girl, you! It's wonderful and I'm sure your friend will like it as much as I do. And a heart stamp for petals on those sunflowers????!!!!! Brilliant idea, and again, wonderful colors. Fabulous card! Love that glaze too. Thank you so much for joining us at The Twofer Challenge! Great cards! Bev

Kara Lynne said...

I love your twofer cards, Nora! Those bright circles and sprinkles make such a festive retirement card! Your sunflowers are gorgeous! I love the shading in your petals. Your flowers are beautiful, and the weather sounds perfect! Thanks for joining in the fun with us at the Twofer Card Challenge!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Wonderful Twofer, Nora - just love how you used the circle stencil on both! Especially love the retirement card though - that's a party for sure!!

Esther Asbury said...

I love the beautiful sunflower card that you linked up to The Card Concept! Thanks for playing along!!

Lesley said...

Beautiful cards! I can see how you were inspired by the blanket! Thanks for joining us at The Card Concept!

Anita in France said...

What a great twofer, Nora! That first one is so celebratory with the bright colours and all that shimmer ... balloons and confetti ... a party on a card! Your sunflowers are lovely ... fabulous detailing ... and great use of the heart for the petals! Your garden looks wonderful ... so colourful and vibrant! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Twofer! Hugs, Anita :)

Marcie Sharp said...

Love those rustic sunflowers. Great take on the inspiration photo! Love your gardens. :) Thanks for playing along with us at The Card Concept.

Betty Wright said...

Both cards are wonderful! I love the richness of the sunflower card! Just gorgeous! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Card Concept challenge!

Trina P. said...

These twofers are amazing, Nora! And congratulations on a well-deserved HM at Twofer. 👏🎉🎉🎉
Your front garden is beautiful... 💚👍🏽 (best I could do for a green thumb since emojis don’t have a green thumb option 😂)