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7/06/2015

Sparkle N Sprinkle Anniversary

Happy afternoon and hope that all had a good weekend. Ours was quiet, but very pleasant. Had a few little rain storms. Today's card will be for Mr. and our anniversary which is coming up soon. (52 if you're interested! And they said it would NEVER last!) It's a lovely stamp purchased from Sparkle N Sprinkle while we were in South Florida at Christmas. I must say that every stamp purchased from SnS has always stamped out just splendidly for me - and I'm not the greatest stamper on the planet. The rubber is etched quite deeply and gives a sharp crisp image. (and no, I'm not paid to say this LOL)

But first let me give a warm welcome to 2 lovely new followers. I hope you'll take time to pop over for a little visit and let these ladies know I sent you over to say Hey.

Carol of Inky Fingers

Here goes for today's card:


 
- SnS Just a Note Tulips (also available in digi format). Recently received the Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolor markers - thanks to some great enabling by Friend Lynn. Was waffling about whether to yet buy another product, when Lynn told me how pleased she was with these markers. Had them in a cart at Amazon, and yikes, the price had gone up slightly from when I was first considering. After hearing from Lynn how easy these were to use, placed the order. Took a few weeks to arrive as these shipped from Japan. Now I'm not very good with watercolors, but I keep trying. These markers were the easiest of any water color product I've tried to use so far.
 
Image was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black on Strathmore 140# watercolor paper, and then clear EP to heat emboss so the ink didn't smear. No fancy shading was done. Wet each tulip first, then put down a bit of marker color at the base of each bloom. Used a regular dampened brush (not the aqua brushes) - to draw the color upwards. Touched the marker again at the base to add some deeper shading, pulled upwards. My next effort will be better (!), but I'm pretty happy with this one.
 
- S/B Divine Eloquence cut the panel and a 2nd layer was cut for the card backing using a top hinge method. While the image was in the die, used Memento Danube Blue & a finger dauber to add some highlights around the edges. Tiny pearls were colored with a dark blue copic marker to complement the inking.
 
- SU sentiment stamped with Danube Blue, die cut with an MFT Xstitch rectangle, and that's it. I would enter this in the SnS Monthly challenge, but didn't add any glitter or sparkle so the card is not eligible {sigh}. Oh well, maybe next time.
 
Had shared earlier that we were doing some 'fixits' round the house. So here's a couple pictures of what Mr. did on the front of the house (the front door and shutters were previously a pretty deep forest green & now I'm wondering why I didn't pick the current colors in the beginning!). Also a few pictures of what it looked like around here last evening when we were sitting in the swing, enjoying some nice breezes.
 
Thanks for joining me this afternoon, and hope you enjoy the pictures. I always love to see those shared by all the other bloggers that I visit. Blessings & Hugs.
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Lighted flag hanging on an old house mailbox that we found at a New England flea market
 

Lighted garden flag that is on the inside of the front window by the door. Has batteries in it, so we didn't want to hang it where it would get in the rain.

 
Easter Lily that survived being left on the back deck, over the winter. Was meant to be dumped, and in the spring, we noticed the sticks had buds. It has the most wonderful fragrance, but the yellow stamens can certainly stain clothing.
 
 


46 comments:

  1. What a lovely post Mary, great photos you are sharing today and a glorious card. Your tulips look so beautifully virbant and the blue shading and the pretty die cut frame set them off a treat.

    Congratulations on the upcoming anniversary, 52 years is certainly something to celebrate. My parents reached their 60th, in fact 62 years back in 2008, quite something when you consider they didn't marry until their mid 20's - seems so old from one who was a child bride of just 17 ! Now I look at my grandchildren and think how scary that actually was.

    Enjoy the rest of your day.

    B x

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  2. What a beautiful card Mary and Mr. is sure to love it. Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures too. I am such a nosey devil (get it from my Mum!!) and these have certainly satisfied the nosy gene for today!! xx

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  3. Hello Mary
    Love the new color, that's how our front door is and it is supposed to be very good feng-shui ;)
    Love your vibrant card great coloring!
    Don't you love Lilies, they always manage to come back to life!!
    Thank You~

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  4. I'm LOVING that front door!!! It looks great and I'm thinking hubs did a great job with the painting too! Wonderful photos Mary! Love the "find" at the flea market too.
    And of course, I love this beautiful card. It always is so nice to get stamps that stamp out good. Your coloring on the tulips is so pretty and really like that framework!
    Lynn

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  5. Loving the colour on the door. What a lovely view you had from the swing seat on the porch.

    What a lovely Lily. Don't throw it away when it has finished flowering this year.

    You take care. Sue

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  6. Lovely card and great decorating too! Your lily looks amazing, it's a good job it did get forgotten!

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  7. A wonderful card Mary, a really lovely design for your up an coming anniversary, congratulations, I do hope you'll both enjoy the day!
    Love your photo's, you have a lovely home
    hugs Jacee
    Simply Paper Card Design

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  8. This is a beautiful image Mary and I love the fabulous design.
    The photos are fabulous -such a lovely view from the porch.
    Have a lovely week.
    Hugs Sharon. X

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  9. Gorgeous card, love those two lips, fantastic colouring and they fit that gorgeous die beautifully.
    Fab photos' too.

    Kath x

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  10. I love your beautiful tulip card Mary, the colours are gorgeous, and so is the lovely die cut frame. Congratulations for you anniversary, hope you have a lovely day. I'm sure your husband will love his card.
    Thank you for sharing your photos, the newly painted door looks great and you have a beautiful view from your porch. I love the pretty lily as well, what a lovely colour.
    Jean x

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  11. Gorgeous tulip image -my hubbys fave flowers and congrat on you upcoming anniversary wow 52 yrs that is some commitment lol ours will be 46 yrs in Dec
    Carol x

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  12. .....And oops!!!! Thanks so much for the shout out! I do love the Zig markers and from the looks of the coloring on this card, you do too now! They're pretty fantastic!
    Lynn

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  13. I love these tulips Mary and the Kuretake Watercolour Brush Markers have worked beautifully, and you have done some wonderful shading. The SB Divine Eloquence die cut with the blue inking round the central panel make a really pretty frame for the flowers too. I'm sure the Mr will love this card, and my DH and I have got a long way to go to catch you up! x

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  14. Beautiful Anniversary card for your DH Mary, congratulations for upcoming event 52 years..
    Love your door colour and pictures,, looks a gorgeous place where you live..
    Hugs Pam x

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  15. Fabulous card, Mary, with beautiful colouring. I'm sure your DH will be thrilled to receive it. Congratulations to you both on upcoming anniversary. 52 years of wedded bliss is quite an achievement!

    I loved seeing all your photos too. xx

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  16. Love your beautiful card Momma Mary! Those tulips are amazing and I love the coloring you did. Yes, those Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolor markers sure look amazing, such vibrant colors! I love your lacy panel too Momma Mary, just so elegant and stunning. Ok you and Lynn are both enabling me! lol I am going to have to see about putting in an order too. Love, love, love! Love the pictures of the door, love that red door, they say that a red door and a black door are the most popular and those colors of doors sell a house. Who knew?! It does make a statement and looks so nice with the white trim. Everything looks so beautiful on your house! The views are very pretty too, love that sky! And love your lighted flags. You have such a beautiful place Momma Mary, one you can be so proud of! Love the lily too, such a beautiful color, I'm glad it never got thrown out. Hugs, Brenda

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  17. What a beautiful card Mary - I hear a lot about those pens and am wondering about a purchase too..... love your photos, and that lily is beautiful!
    My hellebores are going to flower this winter - I got them as wee clumps from my DIL from a rental they were in - they had been in very poor soil, so have taken a bit to get established.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  18. Stunning card Mary, the colours you have managed to create are wonderful.
    Happy Anniversary when it comes.
    I just LOVE all the beautiful pictures of your house, they are wonderful.
    Your lily is amazing just like Nature itself
    Have a great day
    Patricia x

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  19. Lovely card Mary and full of delightful colour...beautiful image too along with your gorgeous photos.xx.xx
    {aNNie My Personal Blog}

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  20. Beautiful tulips Mary, and great colouring! You ought to post it in the HLS CAS challenge for 'stamping'. Thank you for sharing the photos of your lovely home . . . what a fabulous view you have to look at . . . living in a city, all we see from our front porch (nothing like the size of your beautiful verandah) is traffic!! Have a lovely day! Hazel xx

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  21. Beautiful card!! Happy Anniversary!!

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  22. Of course I love this card!! One of my favorite SNS stamps. Just add a little transparent glitter on the tips of the petals and enter it over at the challenge, Mary. You'll be a featured artist! The coloring with your new markers came out so well and the die you used is gorgeous. Love the photos, thanks for sharing your neighborhood with us!

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  23. What a gorgeous card, Mary!! The flowers are so beautiful!! I love the embossing and the design!! It looks amazing!! Congratulations on 52 years!! That's so awesome!! I hope you and your hubby have a fabulous celebration!! And what gorgeous pictures!! Your house and and the surrounding area are so beautiful!! Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  24. Congratulations on 52 years! That's an amazing accomplishment. We recently celebrated 38 years. Your DH will love this card. Beautifully colored and I love that die cut. Nice pictures of your house too. Hope you had a Happy 4th of July weekend!

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  25. What a lovely post, Mary ... such gorgeous watercoloured tulips ... and a fabulous home ... so welcoming! The lily is beautiful ... I'm told a spritz of hairspray over the stamens will stop the pollen coming off ... haven't tried it though!! Congratulations on your upcoming 52 year anniversary ... have a wonderful day! Anita :)

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  26. You've got a really great view and a nice porch from which you can enjoy it. Houses in Norway are built differently, I haven't seen one with a front porch, which I think looks so cozy somehow. 52 years, congrats! Lovely card, the tulips look so pretty colored up in different colors and the card base makes such a beautiful frame for it.

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  27. Hi Mary,
    oh I love this fab stamped image, and your superb colouring of it.
    Wonderful design as always.
    My dear daughter loves tulips they are her fave flower.
    Congrats on you forth comming anniversary.
    Love the pics of your house and it's new wonderful colour.
    My what a spectacular view from it.
    Puts my garden to shame as I haven't done much again this year because of my back and my hips.
    Bending is a real no, no for me these days.
    Superb Lily and a beautiful photo of it.
    Love and biggest hugs from my house to your.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  28. oooooooh what a gorgeous card Mary, beautiful tulip image and wonderfully coloured, just love it.
    Lovely photos, hugs Kate x

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  29. Oh Mary, your tulips came out so beautiful. What a great job you did with the Zig markers. I love your red door but I couldn't enlarge it because Pinterest kept coming up. I do think it is a stunning color and really stands out. Your views are so peaceful. I would love to have a porch like that. Tell Joe he did a wonderful job with the door.

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  30. Hi Mary I have really enjoyed reading your wonderful post Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby 52 years is an awesome amount of time to be together, congratulations to you both. Mary I can see why you chose this stamp for your card it is beautiful the colours you have used are so lovely a super make. Thank you for sharing photos of your home it looks amazing, I really love the American Flag all lit up.
    hugs
    lorraine x

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  31. Beautiful water coloring on the tulips Mary. Great pictures too.

    We are heading into 53 years of marriage that "everyone" except my mother said would never last. Wishful thinking on their part I think.LOL.

    Love, Hugs and blessings
    Jim

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  32. Wow, Mary that is one of the loveliest cards ...w ell done on the markers have heard they are very good and you certainly excelled for your gif rest go, well done, dear sweet sis...
    And thanks so much for popping over too, ... Have that SB die but wouldn't have thought of using it that way thanks for the tip, might try pining it to my board on that die. So I remember :)

    Love your other pickies too well done on anniversary. God is very good is He not? Blessing on those more to come.
    Re the stamens I always get a tissue and remove them all when they first come out as they only drop brown into d'être of flowers and spoil them, but must be careful with clothes as you say.
    Shaz in Oz,x
    PS Am going to post WOYWW soon, in hour or so ...have some water colouring ideas there too. ;)

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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  33. Beautiful anniversary card for Mr., Mary. Congrats on your upcoming celebration of 52 years --- Wow!! You must have been just a young teenager when you got married. :)

    LOVE the red front door! And your lite flags shine brightly in the night ... so pretty. xx

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  34. Love your pretty Tulip card Mary-congratulations on your Wedding Anniversary-we have just celebrated 29 years,We have a way to go to catch you guys up!
    Have a good week,Nessa xxx

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  35. Such a beautiful card, Mary, and happy anniversary to the both of you! You've convinced me that I need those Zig markers. It doesn't look to me like you need any more practice! Loved my cyber visit to your home. It looks so pretty! Can't wait until we can make a real visit. It's hot again here. Hope you still have the breezes.

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  36. Hi there Mary, such a beautiful card. Gorgeous vibrant colours, so cheerful. I love everything about it. Lovely to see your photos and I just love that lily ! Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Big hugs Jennifer xx.

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  37. Fabulous card design, love the house improvements and fun pictures. My star gazer lilies are just starting to bloom.

    Hugs Diane

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  38. Hi, Mary. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos of your home and flowers. Your card is oh-so-pretty! Magnificent color choices and shading! Congratulations on your upcoming 52nd anniversary - you're both so special!. xo

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  39. Hi Mary, This Tulip Card made me smile it's just so pretty. And you home and area are lovely. TFS with Us.....

    Hugs
    Chris B

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  40. Fabulous colouring, Mary, the card is simply gorgeous. I like the photos too, your porch looks so well kept. Many wishing of a Happy Anniversary in advance!

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  41. Mary...love all your sweet photos. It is always fun to see where our blogging friends live! And your card is amazing. Tulips are my favorite flowers and your really rocked them! I love the sweet colors and would love to have a vase filled with some on my kitchen table. You are amazing!

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  42. What a full and fun post, my friend! Love that the beautiful Easter lily survived the winter and came back to life like that! And the sky photos and the new door and shutter colors! Way to go, Joe!! Happy 52nd Anniversary to you both!! You don't look like you are old enough to be married that long!! And I love the card you made for him, Mary!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo

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  43. Thanks for your sweet comment! Love this beuatiful Flower card you made. And Love the Easter Lilly, what a pretty plant that is.

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  44. Love the new red paint and the black shutters. Very nice! You havebeen busy working on these as I know it must be hot there.

    Pretty card, MAry! As always!
    Just having a wee catch up as I always seen to be behind with visiting lately...

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  45. WOW, the tulips on your card are as beautiful as your lily, Mary!!! Love the photo's of your lovely house and the wonderful area you live in!!!! Big congrats on the 52!!!
    Hugz

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  46. Okay, I want to try coloring like this. I just got my markers and am still waiting for 6 that were missing from the order due to them being 'back ordered'. I love the tulips and the 'painting' is awesome. Gotta try this...soon, very soon!

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