Followers

8/27/2015

August Rudolph Day - Stampendous Cling Cardinal

Hiya, and thanks for joining me this afternoon. Been quite a busy day, as our concrete team arrived this morning. It had been scheduled for Monday, but the owner of the business called us Sunday night to ask if he could start Thursday. We were appreciative that he called, and didn't just leave us waiting for someone to show up. Unfortunately, that happens a lot in today's world. So bright & early this morning, a cast of thousands (just a slight exaggeration!) arrived at the house. Here's a few pictures:

It was fascinating to see how large chunks of concrete were broken & lifted and then placed in a huge dumpster, that was filled and hauled away. This debris will be recycled into other projects, so glad it's not going into the landfill. Picture 1 shows the first section nearly removed. The section next to this one, and 2 sections nearest the house were removed. The concrete had pitted badly, was all crumbly. Not a good first impression for any future buyers of this place, so better to get it fixed now, while we have someone whose work has been highly regarded by our neighbors.

This is what the area just outside the garage doors looks like at the moment. And if it starts to rain, would be one big, red muddy mess! Where the guys are digging in the grass, will an enlarged pullout - Mr. has been parking his trailer in the area closest to the house. That bothers me when I back out my car, as I can't swing out into that area, but have to just back straight to the street. Yes, I can do it, but I don't like it!!!
 
Thank goodness this morning was fresh & cool for the guys doing this dirty work. After taking some pictures, I had my coffee on the porch swing, read my kindle and watched the neighbors go by, peering in to see what's going on. The crew should be back early tomorrow to form up the area where the addition to the pullout will be & then pour concrete. We're hoping no sneaky rain shows up to mess up the surface.

Now here's August's Rudy Day card:


- image is Stampendous Cling Cardinal Elements. Stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa; die cut with S/B Marvelous Squares; airbrushed the background with Copics E41, E42 to create an aged look. Colored the cardinal with copics and still debating on whether to add some glossy accents to the wing poinsettia. Used a metallic gel pin to accent the leaves the cardinal perches upon. Used a colorless blender to remove some color and highlight that area. This started with touching up a tiny red berry smear...thought the effect looked nice, so did the entire motif. Looks quite nice IRL.

- design papers from various 6x6 Christmas packs. S/B Victorian Medallion Three cut the mat just behind the cardinal. This die only cuts the design, so had to trim out to fit the red layer underneath. Because this medallion is quite large, this became a 5.5x5.5 square card.

- Gold mirror card covers the white card base.

- sentiment is from the new release of HLS Mixed Christmas Sentiments, which is going to be a quite versatile set for me. I loved the calligraphy font used on this card, but there's many styles in the set. Here's a link explaining shipping charges, etc. and Kylie ships internationally. These stamps are very high quality and the image was crisp and clear. Used a Memento Luxe Love Letter to ink, embossed with Ranger clear detail EP. Die cut with a S/B tag and edged along the die with Copic E41, 42, to tie in the colors of the background.

Now, I'm off to join in with August Rudolph Day. Why don't you join in the fun? There's a great Memory Box die as this month's prize! c'mon! Thanks for popping in & big hugs. Let's have coffee on the swing, ok????

56 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous card, Mary!! I love the pretty cardinal!! The musical background is awesome!! Stunning Christmas card my friend!! I hope it doesn't rain so you don't have a red muddy mess!! Have a great evening :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mary this card is exploding with charm it is beautiful.....Lis

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a pretty cardinal, Mary! And that square die is so pretty to cut music score! Love the shading! A WOW, card! Your new driveway will be so nice! Hope it doesn't rain until it's finished!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful Christmas card for Rudolph Day, Mary! I love the music background - that's a beautiful stamp! I think cardinals are your specialty! Love the shiny gold cardstock - I love anything shiny or sparkly - it's so festive! Gorgeous card!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for sharing the photos of your construction project in your driveway! I bet you will be happy when it's finished and I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It looks like a fun time at your house with all the construction and excavating going on! It will be nice when it's finished I'm sure!
    I love the gold accents on your card with the music theme and beautiful cardinal! The dsp wing really dresses him up in high fashion too! Very pretty card!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Mary,
    Oh! Wow! that's some work being done there.
    It will all be worth it in the end. Well that what I keep telling myself we we do "things"
    Love your beautiful card. Of course the "Cardinal" with the music background just makes it!!!
    Have a good day
    Patricia x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brilliant card and awesome image of this wonderful cardinal and beautiful colours used.xx
    {The Journey Is The Start aNNie my personal blog}

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Mary this is a fabulous card = love your image and the fabulous way you have accented the elements in it.
    Hope your drive works go to plan and there is no rain.
    Blessings
    Maxine

    ReplyDelete
  10. I't in contrast to what happens here in the UK Mary, in my experience workmen are always later than scheduled and invariably the job takes longer than they anticipate when they quote and clamber to get your business.

    At least you have the benefit of good weather which is always a bonus with these things.

    I do like you paper pieced Cardinal, I think they are a close reflection of our Robins and he looks great against the music score nd in the traditional colours.

    B x

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a stunner of a card Mary, I love how you did the wing, it is so, so beautiful and the music paper is just the perfect backdrop.

    I hope it doesn't rain so that the workmen can get the job done for you!

    To answer your question, I do love the birds stamps and dies but I doubt that I will buy the dies for the accessory stamps, they will be quite tiny and I am a bit clumsy! To be honest, it doesn't take much time to cut out the little bits and pieces anyway. Hope you have a great weekend! Hugs, Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. hello mary - your card is gorgeous - i love it - and the work you're having done looks quite extensive - my place is being rewired whilst I'm away in Cornwall - just hope that I don't have too much mess to return home to tomorrow! Hugs rachel x

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a beautiful card. That Cardinal is stunning. I hope building work continues smoothly with no rain. Barbxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hope the concrete can be layed and is dry before any rain arrives.

    Loving the Cardinal with it's colourful wings.

    Hope you have a fab Friday. Sue

    ReplyDelete
  15. A gorgeous card as usual Mary. Oh boy that's some work,going on, but will look good and safe you that trouble of backing on yo the road. X

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well a fascinating post Mary, very interesting cement removal, pray all goes well with it...

    And wow that stmapendous stamp is wondrously beautifu,l isn't it?? Love it on the squares like that with subtle background, packed so much into your Rudolph say card.
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's one pretty card Mary! Love the poinsettia wing! The "shading" around the leaves at the base turned out great! Good luck with the paving.

    ReplyDelete
  18. A really pretty Christmas card Mary and love the poinsettia wing the Cardinal has and the pretty vintage look to the music background, and that SB Victorian Medallion die looks beautiful cut in the gold with the red patterned paper behind too. x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, I think this stamp is so pretty, love the traditional choice of a cardinal and its somewhat folkloric design. Very pretty cut out paper effect and I like the golden frame. My cards lately tend to have lots of gold and/or silver...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh! Mary what a mess you are in, at least it won't be for long and then you can tell everyone - that's my house LOL.

    A beautiful card, love the bird with the poinsettia on the wing, makes a great statement. Love the dies too, it sings Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's a beauty my friend! Love that image and of course it's colored to perfection too. The background music theme is wonderful for this. Your entire card is gorgeous!
    Yikes on all the construction but just keep in mind how pretty it's going to look when all is said and done.
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow!! This is just wonderful!! This cardinal is really a beauty! Such a great card for Christmas, so different and happy! Love how you have hightlight the leaves and the wing of the bird. And love the distressed aged look of the musical paper! The background layer it's great with the negative diecut on the red patterned paper!! I'm in love with this card! You are very talented! I pinned your amazing card
    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534802524479201396/
    Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my niece's card, she will appreciate it so much! And thank for follow me. Now I also follow you by bloglovin.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gosh, that's some serious construction going on at your end Mary, it's horrible having these things done (I hate having workmen about) but I'm sure it will be well worth the upheaval in the end.
    Your card is lovely, the bird is beautiful with his floral wings and the music background is just perfect, I love it!
    hugs Jacee
    Simply Paper Card Design

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is such a beautiful "Mary" card ... you need to send it to yourself! :) Love the red cardinal (I know you do too!) ... and the pretty design on it's wing. Beautiful design with the music in the background.

    It's exciting to see the guys working on your yard. Soon you'll have this beautiful smooth new concrete surface. Hope the weather is a bit cooler for you. xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Well It is pouring here Mary and it looks as if there is a lot more to come. I suspect one day we will have to redo our drive.
    Your card is delightful - very pretty Cardinal - wonder what species it is!!!!!
    Sandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. what a lovely card you have made here Mary. I love the stamp you used and you lovely colouring and layers.
    I hope the weather stays fine for you to get your driveway finished, it looks like a big job.
    Jean x

    ReplyDelete
  27. A gorgeous card Mary using one of your favourite types of images too. Love the gold and red together they work so well.
    Looks like you are having fun at home, hope the weather stays kind fro finishing the work.
    Lorraine

    ReplyDelete
  28. I mostly drink tea Mary but I am partial to a Latte.
    Love the card, fabulous Cardinal and a wonderful colour scheme.
    Hope they aren't making too much dust taking up the old drive, keep doors and windows firmly shut.

    Kath x

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a fabulous Rudolph day card Mary. The cardinal is so wonderful and looks great against the background xx

    ReplyDelete
  30. Absolutely gorgeous card, Mary! I'm only just beginning to think about Christmas, so it will be a while before anything is done. Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comment.

    Hugs,
    Em x

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Mary, looks like you are having a lot of work done there, will be fantastic when its done.
    Love your gorgeous Christmas card, Beautiful colouring on this Cardinal and great background too.
    Hugs Pam x

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your card is absolutely gorgeous, Mary! I love the cardinal and the music background. Hope the work men carried on doing a great job and all is good now. The red earth reminded me of my visit to Rwanda - that is what most of the roads look like - makes for a great fake tan when it sticks to your suncream!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is stunning! I love the cardinal, so beautiful on that musical background!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Glad your driveway is being repaired! Mary, your cardinal is WONDERFUL! Love the wing!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I adore your card, Mary! Always think of my grandparents when I see cardinals, so they're special to me. I know you'll be happy when all the new work is done. We just had a small concrete project done after the first guy we hired didn't show up & didn't call for a week! Needless to say, we told him no thanks when he finally called, but that meant we had to wait weeks to get it done because of our schedule & theirs. Now if they'd just come smooth out the back of the wall--shouldn't have paid them!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Mary
    I love that card - we don't have those birds here in England and I always think it's a pity because they are so colourful and Christmassy!

    I popped over to reply to your comment on my "Penny Farthing" post - I've edited in an explanation of the term but since you probably won't come back to see if I've replied I thought I'd reply here too. Here's what I said:

    I've edited this in to explain the term "Penny Farthing" in response to a comment from MaryH below. I had no idea that the bicycle in the picture wasn't called a Penny Farthing all over the world, and it's only this comment that has made me realise that it isn't! But now I stop and think of it, why WOULD it be called that in countries where pennies and farthings weren't part of the currency? Even a British person less than 50 years old might not understand it.

    In Victorian times, the British pound was made up of 240 pennies, not 100 as it is now. Each penny was a very large copper coin. The farthing was worth a quarter of a penny, and was a very small copper coin. So when this bicycle was invented, people thought it looked like a penny and a farthing side by side - hence the name Penny Farthing. I don't know whether it has an official name, or what it is called in other countries - if you know, I'd love to see a comment letting me in on it!

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  37. So very pretty, Mary ... the cardinal is just lovely against the softly coloured background music panel! Hope the work continues well ... photo's when finished? Hugs, Anita :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. LOVELY cardinal bird card Mary.

    How exciting getting your outside works done. It'll look lovely when it's finished.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your cardinal and card are gorgeous ! Interesting to see concrete being hauled away. We had a concrete driveway and patio at our last place, it was still in good shape after 14 Canadian winters, but the patio was 8 inches thick (difficult to break up and haul away, but I'm sure it's possible). I hope you are doing well, Shirleyxx

    ReplyDelete
  40. Gorgeous card - love the traditional colours you've used!
    Thanks for joining in the Rudolph Day fun!
    Helen x
    (Guest Designer)

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a lovely Christmas card! Cardinals are my favorite. We get a lot of them around our bird feeder. They are so pretty against the snow. Love the way you have decorated his wing. Beautiful card!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wonderful card! I really love the Cardinal - it's such a glorious stamp and you have coloured it beautifully! It looks fab on the music background too! Thank you for visiting me! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  43. Wow so much detail in your card! Lovely bird. I hope the building work is going well - or finished by now! X

    ReplyDelete
  44. This is gorgeous Mary. So bold and beautiful.
    What a lot of work you are having done. I am sure it will be worth it in the end.
    Hugs
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a gorgeous Rudolph Day card Mary, love your beautiful cardinal. Hope the rain has stayed away for your work being done. Carol x

    ReplyDelete
  46. Beautiful image and script background
    Carol x

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your card is gorgeous. Thanks for the great tutorial. Lots of excitement in your world. My us and would be standing in the road watching as would all our retired neighbors.

    ReplyDelete
  48. That stamp is beautiful- love the poinsettia wing, and you have created such a wonderful card! Love the Copic work to make it look aged- perfect touch! That driveway work looks like quite an undertaking- will be so nice when completed. Hope and pray for you that no rain find its way to you!

    ReplyDelete
  49. A gorgeous card Mary, such a beautiful Cardinal.
    I hope the weather was kind to you.
    Pauline
    x

    ReplyDelete
  50. It will be so nice when your new space is finished and you can back into that. Hope you didn't have any rain so they could finish it. I love this card, Mary. That shiny gold is so pretty and his wing is so cute. Very clever of you. How I wish I could join you for coffee on the swing. I know I'm going to be sorry I didn't make any Christmas cards this year all along and hope to remedy that next year. I don't have room to keep my Christmas stuff out all year. Maybe if I take the loveseat out of my craft room!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Wow! This is just stunning Mary. I love how you used the flower paper for the cardinal wing. Aren't they just the most royal looking birds. Good luck with your concrete work. Hope it all goes well for you. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I really need to make more of an effort to visit some of my friends too.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi Mary,
    what a superb card.
    I love everything you have done on this ace of a design.
    I seem to be at a loss for words to describe how lovely it is.
    I love what you have done to create that fab bird.
    Lovely photos of your work being done.
    Love and biggest hugs from my house to yours.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Gorgeous card Mary, this is such a sweet image. Hope your concreting work all goes smoothly,(no pun intended lol) Cathy x

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a lovely cardinal, Mary - the wing really looks great!!! Love the music paper and the pretty red and gold frame!!! So beautiful!!!
    Have a great weekend!!!
    Hugz

    ReplyDelete
  55. Wow--all that concrete work looks like a mess and half. It will be nice and pretty once it is done though. All that green grass made me lose track of that this is a Rudolph post! That is a gorgeous cardinal. I like the colorful designs on his wings, very fancy!

    ReplyDelete
  56. such an elegant card! So nicely done!

    ReplyDelete