Geese and Butterflies and Ducks….oh my!

Late yesterday afternoon we took the kayaks out to the lake. What a gorgeous time on the water, the Redbuds peeking out as the rest of the woods unfolds its greenery!

I tried a little fishing…. which is just what it was, fishing… NOT catching!! So I turned my energy toward taking some pictures!

Before I get to the pictures, let me share the ‘butterfly’ part of this post!

The sketch today on Splitcoast.

For some reason it was really hard to get a picture that showed the true pink color, this is about the best I could do!

I just love Fancy Fritillary, here colored with a Copic and Shell Pink ink. The verse from Belles Vignes is with the same ink as are the butterflies from Trois Jolies Papillons. The circles are from Matting Circles and Circle Ornaments dies.  

Ah, but what about the embossing folder you ask!

That, I made! I had this idea in the middle of the night…you know the times when your mind just won’t settle and let you fall asleep!!

I used some thin cardboard to start, like from a cereal box, gluing 2 of each together onto the base. I added another layer from thick cardstock. I think I need maybe one or two more layers as I needed to shim this as it went through for a deeper impression. But I love the end result!

Too fun, right?!

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Now, back to geese and ducks!

Thank you to the lone goose that swam by, just about the only wildlife I saw while out. There are swans on the lake but we were at the wrong area to see them, maybe next time!

The Redbuds are full and beautiful now, I love the purple hues with the greens just starting to fill in the landscape!

{remember, right clicking on a picture can bring it up larger in another window for easier viewing}

This next one I added a Dry Brush filter through PSE13.

Who knew I could paint!! Lol!

I also took a pic with my phone…just because I could! I did a little editing with an app and although not as clear, still kinda cool.

And, as we were getting out boat out of the water, these two came by.

Ahhh…. so relaxing to get out! The season is just starting and the adventures are limitless!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Dawn

Just Relax….a Variety Post!

A week of county fair, working a two day stamp show and now at mid-week I’m getting back into the old grind!

I thought for today I’d just post a medley rather than all separate posts. So… if you’re only into stamping, you’ll have to endure some fair pics and vice-versa!

Today’s technique spotlight on Splitcoast was a Quarter Fold Card. Here is what I did.

I used a variety from the Our Daily Bread designs August release… Flip Flop Fun, Ocean Treasures, Anchor the Soul, My Lifeguard, and Life is Better. All of them colored with Copics with a little white gel pen accents.

Then, it unfolds to this…

Fun!

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The day after we’re done at fair is always Stampaway, a 2 day show just north of Cincinnati. I love working that show! The pre-show on Friday night is always fun because it’s a silly theme. This year it was Crazy Hats!
Last minute throw together…. I used my visor, had a Wisteria garland, a bird and bird nest. Amber and Josh helped wrap my head and I was set! LOL!!

Since Amber makes lots of cupcakes, she made this adorable hat!

Rick’s glasses even had the flag on them!

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I caught this cute little Goldfinch out my dining room window the other day, feasting on a volunteer from the winter birdseed!

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Fair week! Always exhausting…but fun! We had great weather and a great show! The llamas and alpacas, as always, a hit with everyone!

Wednesday is “Kid’s Day”, fun activities and freebies. One vendor had sunglasses, so all the kids had to go get a pair. Of course there had to be some clowning around! And, then of course, I had to play around with the picture!

Leah with Argento (Little Man), the alpaca.

One of our obstacles was to stop and the kids were to wave a bubble wand while the animal had to stand still. Some of the kids had great bubbles, some none and some a few…..Leah, I think would have stood there ALL DAY making bubbles!! LOL!

Gabriel and Lady, 1st place Showmanship!

Trevor and Little Man, 1st place Obstacle!

The End!

Thanks for stopping by!

Dawn

Some Spring Pictures and Just a Peek at May….

A fun Technique Challenge on Splitcoast today, Pillow Top Background. I hadn’t really planned on stamping today, but it’s rainy and dreary so it just seemed the thing to do!

A little preview of what’s in store for the May release from ODBD! This is Glory, Holy Angels and Vintage Labels Die. I know you’re going to love this release!

I sponged the background with Scattered Straw then stamped and colored the Morning Glories with Copics.

Be sure to check back May 1 to see the full array of stamps and dies!

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Snapped this of our newest addition and thought it just needed a word balloon!

Then, just some Spring flowers…

Thanks for stopping by!

Dawn

I Love it When My Family and Friends Take Pictures!

When family or friends travel, I love seeing and playing with the pictures that recorded their adventure. Places I may have been but didn’t see all they got to see or places I may never get to… pictures let me experience a part of it without being there!

Recently my #3 son led a group on a campout to Cades Cove, Tennessee. Although he didn’t get a lot of pictures this trip, he did get a couple I could play with!
A beautiful place, we visited before Jared was born!

{right clicking on any picture will bring it up larger in another window for your viewing pleasure}

This simple country church, established in 1827…I wasn’t happy with the people in the doorway, (not part of his group) so I took them out! Made it look old and added some word art.

A great shot of Jared at Abrams Falls. Unsuspecting. Just….what……if?

Could be a tasty lunch! Ahh, Photoshop…too fun!

Another friend spent some time with family on the coast. She got some great shots of her kids.

Here I played with the original a bit, then totally changed it and added word art.

It’s pouring here today, hmmmm, might just be another good day to play with PSE and pictures!

Thanks for stopping!

Dawn

INCOMING! What a Rainy Day Produces!

Play time in PSE11 practicing some newly learned techniques. I know, I know… ABC stuff for some of you, but I was like…. “Hey! I can DO this!!”
Oh, and I have a card to share too!

So, the other day while helping #2 son get some brochures made, searching YouTube for just the right tutorial, I came across Jack. Jack has quite a few, easy to follow videos…and he speaks ‘easy to understand’ PS talk! I’ll give you a link in a bit…but first let me show you what I did.

Do you ever have a photo that you wish just had a little more this or that? I’m not talking actions, but like the sky just needs some clouds or something!

{remember, right clicking on a picture will bring
it up larger in another window for easier viewing}

These are some pictures #3 son took in Wyoming. Now, while they’re beautiful in their own way, I thought the mountain lake scene needed a better sky! I took the clouds from the lower inset picture and added them to the mountain lake! Ta Daaaa!

I also had a little fun with the ‘cloud’ photo. I was thinking…. “what if you’re standing there, taking in all God’s creation, snapping pics left and right…when all of a sudden…..INCOMING!”

QUACK!!!!

Remember my beloved barn? Sure changes the look, doesn’t it!

So, as promised, here is Jack’s YouTube link. From there you can go to his web site and Facebook page.

And, now… the card I made today!

I found a new challenge on Splitcoast, Mixability! Today’s challenge was to use tulips and at least 3 different mediums. I used Gesso, Re-inkers to water color, Acrylic Paint and ink!

While the Gesso dried on several pieces of white cardstock, I got my  die base of ODBD Custom Vintage Flourish Pattern cut and dry embossed the card base. I embossed the verse from Sentiment Collection 3 and aging used the VFP die. See all those piercings? The dies do that!! How COOL is that!

I stamped and embossed Tulip Corner on the gesso’d paper and water colored with re-inkers and a little white acrylic paint. After I was satisfied, I ironed them between copy paper. This melts the embossing and just gives it a cool look! It’s called Batik. {anyone do that in art class? I did and was it ever fun!}

Well, that’s it for today! It’s still dreary out. And oh my….  so much mud! I hate mud! It’s NO fun doing chores!! When and if the llamas come out of the barn I’m sure they’ll be looking for the Ark!

Until next time….

Thanks for stopping!

Dawn