Followers

9/08/2013

All Occasion

Happy Sunday Morning, and Welcome.

First, let me apologize for not getting around to visit all who have left such lovely comments on the latest cards. We have been working like crazy, trying to get things cleaned before Fall sets in. It's been 2 years since I was able to do anything like porch & window cleaning, so things around here were pretty much in a grime-y mess. DH is not one to self-start on such tasks...so needs must get prodded. To be fair, I wouldn't feel comfortable having him do such things while I lazed around inside. To date we've gotten the back deck and a large shed pressure cleaned [He]. Then cleaned our back porch (which is small), then the front porch (which is pretty large)-[Me]. We didn't use a pressure cleaner on the porches, as the water flow pressure is just too strong on the vinyl that we have to clean. (When it's an He task, my duties consist of going to get missing required whatever, bringing cold drinks, dry shirt, etc. ). When we built this house, we tried to think of how to make it as maintenance free as possible - so no outside painting, etc. However, occasionally, one does have to clean grime. Yesterday I took liquid car wax, and wiped down the cleaned bannisters, railings and spindles on the front porch, hoping the waxy finish will help deter bird dropping stains, a bit of grime, etc. However, when we finish a task each day, I'm pooped, and all I want to do - is clean up me, (he's responsible for himself!), then launder the wet stuff & flop in the recliner. I will get back around - I promise. Many thanks for not giving up on me! :-)

After my late afternoon nap - which usually lasts from about 5pm to about 9pm, I grab a snack, and head to the basement to try to get a card ready to post. Some of the ones posted lately, were pretty well done, and I just had to add finishing touches, so easy to do. Then I fall into another doze, until I wake up to stumble up the stairs to go to bed. Winter will be a quiet time - I hope - as no outside chores to have to do.

OK..enough of my excuses. Here's the card I finished last night.
- Image is Stampabilities, Puddle Fun, stamped on Xpress paper, colored with copics and spica pens. Raindrops & puddle have glossy accents for some shine, plus I added some Gelly Roll Clear Star in places for sparkle. Airbrushed the image background with BG0000.

- S/binder Label 23 die cut, and same for the faux mat on lavender Bazzill. Smudged some DI Milled Lavendar on the Bazzill mat edges.

- Card base cover was created with Dylusions sprays. Started with Canson 90# w/color paper. Diluted Funky Fushia with water; a 2nd bottle diluted with water, added white linen.(the ones with white linen must be shaken well to mix prior to using). Sprayed these through a recently purchased water droplets stencil. Once this dried, I stamped the lovely Ryn raindrops stamp that was a recent win from Pixie's Playground - which I have been wanting to ink. It's a bit hard to see here, but I liked the look of the stamp with the image. I want to use this stamp on a main focal piece as soon as I get the chance. Then I embossed the piece with Sizzix Flourishes #3 EF, which I got on sale last week at the local AC Moore. Smudged edges & corners of the cover piece with DI Concord Grape & Stormy Sky before adhering to card base.

Purple is not a color I reach for often, but I like the way this one turned out. DH likes the frog.

I'm off this afternoon to visit a stamp buddy who's having a rough patch. We're going to just sit & visit, maybe we'll take her Silhouette Cameo for a cruise, maybe share some stamps - or maybe not. Just depends on what she feels like doing. Looking forward to it.

Ya'll have a nice afternoon, and remember, we  have a nice clean front porch on which to sit, swing or rock, maybe have a glass of something 'cool'. Thanks for visiting, and come again when you can. Hugs.

15 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about the outside work. Today is the first day DH has been well enogh to get out to finish off the outisde. He has had a nasty cold!

    I hope to get windows washed outisde (using my quickie method! Then it is on to the porch work too. I have a bench out there that I would like to paint black...it is currently green. If I wait too long it will not be warm enough to paint outside so best get cracking on with the cleaning so I can move on to the painting! lol

    Your card is fabulous. What a geart image. love your colouring and I donèt usually like purple!

    The inking and airbrushing looks wonderful as always...you are the airbrush queen!

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  2. Lovely mouse and frog card, and I have to say I love different shades of purple.
    It seems to be that time of year again to catch up on outside chores before the nights get darker. As for sleeping in the recliner I can too know what you mean.
    Hugs from across the pond JoanP

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  3. Whew Mary, I feel tired just listening to how much you did! I always think it is very cathartic to get jobs like that done and out of the way. Love your card today, the image is just so cute and I love the purple too. Hugs, Anne x

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  4. Hi Mary,

    Whew, I'm tired just reading your post! Having as little maintenance sounds perfect to me. There will always be the cleaning duties, I'm afraid! Right now my house looks nice and neat due to having company recently and then getting a call (out of the blue) asking if I'm still interested in selling. The person liked it but I don't think anything will come of it --- except me thinking about all that ALL OVER AGAIN!

    Your card is adorable -- love the frog!

    I hope you had a nice time with your friend.

    Peace,
    Kay

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  5. Gorgeous card Mary, such a sweet image. I love the frog too! Cathy x

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  6. Gorgeous card Mary, I like the adorable image the colours and the embossing,
    Kevin xx

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  7. My goodness, you have been working very hard! Congratulations to you and your DH for getting things done!!

    Your card is gorgeous, what a cute image! I love the pretty purple background, too!

    love Mags B x

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  8. Oh, so cute...love the raindrops you won and the bg looks great. Oh, I'm tired from read about all you've done to get ready for Fall. Gosh, do you really nap that long? I don't even sleep at night....4 hrs. many times. I'm like my Mom and think I have insomnia. It's pretty miserable.

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  9. Dang, your making me tired just reading about it all, can't wait for the clean up to be finished, just so I can relax! lol CUTE card!! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥

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  10. Mary I know how busy the fall can be "winterizing" everything. As sad as I am to see summer go, I am ready to be done with mowing and such and ready for the nice "calm" of winter. I just hope you aren't doing to much!! Now this card is just the cutest!! Like Joe, I love that cute little frog!! I love the bunny too, but frogs are just my thing. lol Love them! I also love the purples, it's not a color I reach for a lot either, but love how it looks and let's face it there are times when we need some purple! lol Love that SB too! I really need to get me some of these labels ones. I love the rain drops too Mary, I would have thought they were part of the stamp!! You are so clever!! Hugs, Brenda

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  11. Oh that is so cute, love your card, it fits perfect to our weather. Tonight it was here stormy and heavy rainfall. .
    Bug hugs Anja
    You comment my dancer card and wrote: "Haven't tried copics over the Dylusions as yet"
    Nor am I. I've colored the dancer before I glued she over the Dylusions, ok?

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  12. What do you suppose the bunny is saying to the frog? The embossed swirls are a perfect background!

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  13. Hi Mary. Sweet image!!! ... love the colors you've used and perfect with your background papers. The embossing really adds lots of texture and dimension. Loll xx

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  14. Cute, cute, card - please come clean my house!! I will help ...
    Sandy

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  15. We have been in our present house 29yrs (this week) from new and are now trying to make everything as maintenance free as possible!!! Just had all the wooden cladding replaced with new PVC wood look alike (which incredibly it does) and about to dismantle an old collection of sheds which either have to have extensive renovations done to them or removed. We have gone for the easier option and dismantling to make way for a sun lounger area with lots of plants in pots in situ. Yes. Lazy days are just around the corner!!!! hugs Mrs A.

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