Followers

1/12/2016

Birthday Flowers

Good afternoon, and I bet you thought I'd gotten lost on the trip back from Florida! Nope, just been busy with stuff.  Before anything else, let me give a belated welcome to Lillian of The Leaf Studio.  Since most of the posts done recently were scheduled posts, I've been remiss in giving a Thank You shout out with a link to Lillian's fantastic blog. Please do take a few moments to hop over, browse around & say Hello to Lillian.

Saw the numbers bump back up on the 'face list', but I can't determine if there's really a new follower, or Blogger is playing tricks and returning some of the followers who disappeared! So if you're a new follower that I've not given a welcome, please do let me know, so I can fix that little thing!!! Also seeing information that Blogger is changing things, so you might want to be sure you have a Google account...I'm not sure I understand all I know about that either!!

Now, to update on the truck problem and the dog problem. Truck needed a catalytic converter replaced (evidently this one has a left & right one..I didn't know that!)...and thankfully it was under warranty. Technician told Mr. we made a good decision to not drive it all the way home. Now for the greyhound update: Camera made its appearance the day after we got home, so at least won't require surgical removal. It had stopped in the stomach area (xrays showed it), so don't know why it didn't continue through the intestines. Also the battery dies after 72 hrs, so no telling what the results up to that time will show. Haven't heard any more news, so guess that means nothing dreadful as yet. And Dallas was eating at least, and sort of resuming her normal behavior.

Since we've been home, it's been busy and then Mr. developed a migraine. So that was a lot of tiptoe around trying to keep the noise down, catch the phone on the first ring, unpacking, trip & normal laundry, and getting the file system for 2016 receipts in place. Our weather was sunny & pretty, but it's been cold. Today it's been awfully windy, but at least sunny.

Now here's a card that was started before leaving for Christmas, and just had not been able to get it finished. (and it will arrive late for the recipient's birthday...alas!)


- Versamark applied with a finger dauber through the openings of a Dreamweaver brass stencil.  (Inspiration came from this pretty card by Our Darnell). Then pulled out some pan pastels, swabbed some chalks around. Easy - except for trying to shade. But I think it turned out fairly well. Had fun, and will try this again with some of the many brass stencils collected over the years.

- Diecut with a Sizzix oval (you can't emboss with these Sizzix dies like with the S/Binder ones). Used the matching Sizzix oval (not quite large enough either) - hand traced the outside of that die, fussy cut.

- some lace, green ribbon as a border over the C/B Swiss Dots embossed background.

- HLS Fun Birthday Sentiments for the SU punched sentiment...added a few rhinestones, and finally got 'er done.

Speaking of which: The HLS January Christmas Challenge (theme is Jingle ) is still going along, so hope you can find time to get a head start on 2016 Christmas card stash, and play along with us!

That's it for me. Thanks for not forgetting me, and I hope I can get caught up enough to finish up a more cards. Been putting together the IKEA Alex cabinets bought some while ago. Five in all....now got to start with the organizing. That will keep me VERY busy!

Stay cozy if it's not such nice weather where you are. Big hugs.

38 comments:

  1. Gorgeous card Mary, love these pretty flowers.
    Pjew what a story, hope everything will come together and fixed up.
    Hugs, Veerle x

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  2. Fairly well? I think it's stunning! Such a beautiful, delicate effect.

    I had some random people drop off my followers' list too. Google are apparently "streamlining" things, which is probably going to be the excuse for all sorts of oddness. x

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  3. This is so gorgeous, Mary!! The flowers look amazing!! Wow!! I love the colors!! Absolutely beautiful card!! I'm glad you made it home okay but I hope hubby's migraine is gone. Have a great evening!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  4. So happy for your car and for Dallas, hope he could leave happy in peace without invasive surgical operations!! :)
    Love so much your delicate card, very spring-like with these flowers and beautiful colours! The embossed background looks so well and the white lace is a perfect detail, very sweet and lovely!

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  5. This is very pretty Mary and a lovely stencil image with gorgeous colours and finished beautifully with the ribbon and lace. Glad you got things sorted and that Dallas seems to be ok. Hope Mr's migraine didn't last too long either. x

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  6. Hi Mary, Good luck with the organizing a big job. Mine has come to a stand still until the grands come around to give me a hand to move desks etc.
    i have chalked through a stencil but never thought to sponge silly me. Looks very effective and I have masses of stencils too. Now where on earth are they?????
    We have a total fire ban day today so no watering the garden. At 11am it is already 26 forecast 36 am inside with the coolers on but have to go and see DH this afternoon at least it will be cooler in there.
    Hugs
    Margaret

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  7. Gorgeous design and sunshiny bright! Beautifully done, Miss Mary! Hope your hubby is soon feeling better. I used to have migraines, too. Now the happen only occasionally. I'm very grateful for that. Hope Camera is up to snuff, too. Hugs, de

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  8. What a lovely card Mary - love the stenciled flowers, they are gorgeous. Glad to hear the truck is o.k. and the dog is improving ... Sorry to hear about Mr's migraine - I can empathize!! They haunt me too.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  9. What a beautiful stem of yellow flowers! I love the oval frame and gorgeous coloring of the blooms! Glad you got the truck fixed - we had to bury ours (sniff sniff) As for the dog, no news is good news - at least that's what they always say :) Have a good week ahead, and have fun organizing! I've learned that organizing frustrates me, because I can never find anything after I'm organized?!?! LOL

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  10. OOh what a beauty and I am stunned to read yu used a stencil. I had thought it was coloring with stamps!

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  11. Oh I love this stencil and I think I have it! I will be looking at my stash and trying it out. I hope your hubby feels better. Your doggie ate a battery? I hope the battery doesn't break down or that she passes it. I shall send my prayers for your fur baby

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  12. What a beautiful card! Glad things worked out! Sorry to hear about Mr's migraine... I know how he feels, when it comes it's very difficult to get better... I hope he feels better soon! Xoxo Olga

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  13. Loving the card Mary.

    So glad your vehicle got fixed and under warranty.

    Hope your hubby'#s migraine soon eased. I get them, so totally sympathise.

    Glad it looks like good news for Dallas.

    Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

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  14. What a great effect you have achieved through the stencil with the finger dauber....I shall have to try that! Such a lovely card Mary it is a keeper.....no getting organised here in bed nursing a horrid cold,but lovely BH is being a fabulous nurse...so far.....xxxxx

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  15. Hello Mary, so pleased to hear that you pet is getting back to normal.
    I hope the Festive season was good for you too.
    Lovely floral card, the image and colours are sp pretty, I'm sure the recipient will love it, Kate x

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  16. Beautiful cards I love the flowers. Happy New Year, I hope you are doing well. Cheers, Shirleyxx

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  17. That is such a touch of spring and we all appreciate that right now .Lis

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  18. Mary so glad you got home ok, not so good about your truck. But at least you made the right decision. Love your card it's very pretty. Hazel X

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  19. Glad you are home safe and sound Mary. That beautiful sunny card has brightened up my day, we did have sun (for all of five minutes) only to get more rain, but it has turned decidedly chilly...brrrr!! xx

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  20. Glad things are getting better now that you're home. Love your card. The flowers are gorgeous and I think you did a wonderful job of shading. Will have to try this technique. xx

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  21. I missed you, Mary! I'm so glad to hear that the car and dog are doing lots better. It was very wise of you to go back to your daughter's and not take any chances driving home! Your card is beautiful and makes us all ready for springtime! (It can wait as far as I'm concerned; I do not want this year to whoosh by as fast as last year did!!)

    Have fun with the reorg when you finish the cabinets. Wish I were there to help since I love doing that!! I hope Joe is over the migraine and that it's not the start of a cluster! Hugs, Darnell

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  22. Beautifully stenciled flowers, I really like the blended colors and shading, so pretty...

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  23. Beautiful card Mary love, love that wonderful image it brings a little sunshine which is always welcome.
    hugs
    lorraine x

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  24. I hope hubby's migraine is gone! I've had a weird sinus headache for the last few days...not fun! Glad truck was under warranty! Boy you sure got artsy fartsy with this card and its gorgeous!! Hugs!

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  25. Hi Mary, gorgeous image on this card from a stencil, love these beautiful colours colours, just looks like spring!!!
    Hope Hubby improves soon. have fun building those cabinets.
    Pam x

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  26. What a gorgeous card Mary. It sounds as if you've had a busy time since returning. I'm so glad to hear that Dallas isn't going to need surgery. Hope the Mister is feeling better now too. Migraines are miserable things. Barbxx

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  27. Love these gorgeous, bright yellow flowers, Mary! A perfect birthday card to perk up a cold winter day! Glad Dallas is recovering. Hope there aren't any latent problems hiding in there. Sunny but cold here today. Thankful for a good heating system!

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  28. 1This is so pretty...will have to remember that idea of using the brass stencils this way.
    You have had a hellish time lately with the truck...my goodness. Hope all stays well with it now!

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  29. Great to see you back, Mary ... and to hear the news is good on the truck and the dog. Lovely card ... soft and delicate and so beautifully feminine! Hope your Mr is over the migraine ... yuk! Hugs, Anita :)

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  30. How very beautiful and sunny, Mary! What a lovely card!

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  31. What a beautiful, summery feeling card Momma Mary! I love the flowers and how you sponged them. The lacy and ribbon goes so perfect on this card. Yep, this is a beautiful, beautiful card! Glad the truck was under warranty and that the Mr made the right decision about not driving it! I'm not sure I understand about the camera and the dog, did the dog eat a camera?!!! Yikes! I think you said that the camera came out maybe??? I hope so anyway! How fun to have all those IKEA Alex cabinets to organize, I'm a little jealous. lol Just a little because you deserve them very much! Hugs, Brenda

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  32. Beautiful shading and like the addition of the lace!

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  33. Love this image and your choice of colours, great design too, nice to have you back.

    Kath x

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  34. Wow what a saga Mary! Hope things are all better now. Don't know how I missed this post? You're one busy lady! This card is gorgeous - love the idea of coloring like you did through the stencil. Brilliant! It really is a great effect. Love the colors and shading.

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  35. You have been having some adventures lately! I love your cheery card, the yellow flowers make me think of warmer days to come! I am sure the recipient will understand the lateness and it is a card worth waiting for. Take care. x

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  36. Beautiful card...love all those fabulous flowers. But that lace is simply amazing!!!

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  37. SO glad all your adventures and "pains" are now over. The card is beautiful and I'm sure the recipient won't mind at all it's late, the card will make up for lateness!

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  38. This is very soft and pretty. I remember the sponging through a stencil trick. I saw it at a convention, ran home to try it and realized I didn't have any large open spaces in my stencil (all the line style). Ah well.... I remember the bit with the truck, but dog? Ate a camera? Um... yeah. Ooops.

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