In a nature kind of mood...

On Saturday Kev and I were struck with the brilliant idea to head to the local home improvement store and get some stuff to beautify our house. Before I start this post, let me preface it by saying that we can't grow anything.. Nothing, I seriously have a black thumb. It all started a few years ago when we decided to plant some flowers at the old house to add some "curb appeal" before we sold it. Seriously, we planted them one day and they were dead the next. I don't have any clue what we could have done that was SO awful as to kill them so quickly.
Fast forward to this house. One of the people Kev used to work with was a master gardener. She wanted to give us snippings of her garden to start our own at the new house. I explained that while I was flattered that I wouldn't be able to keep it alive. She SWORE to me that they would be fine. Again, I planted and in 2 days they were dead.

This time I asked for bushes that would flower, I wouldn't have to fuss with AND that I couldn't kill. We are now the proud owners of 2 reddish bushes and 2 gardenia bushes. All of which are in the ground and hopefully still alive. I did learn that they come with a 1 year guarantee, so you bet I'm keeping the receipt!

In addition to the bushes, I also put in a hummingbird feeder. Right in view of the front window. So the kitties will be entertained while we're gone. Grin... Since I still had birds on the brain, I pulled out the owl from My Cute Stamps and paired it with this super cute designer paper I got at Archivers. I played along with the sketch challenge on Paper Craft Planet, and this is what I came up with.

I colored Ms Owl with Copic Markers to match the retro-tastic designer paper. I also added some more buttons AND flowers. Woo Hoo! I am really loving the olive, orange and turquoise combo. I have a feeling this won't be the last time it shows up!

Enjoy!
Lara

What is up with all of these birdies?

There's been a birdie-paloza around here. 'Round here meaning on the blog and in my card making, NOT here in the house. I'd never been a "fan" of birds. That's just me though. I prefer kitties and fish. And let me tell you that my kitties would NOT stand for a bird in the house. I've seen them with the odd cricket or lizard that happens to find its way into the house. I couldn't intentionally bring a bird in here. Now bird stamps are a complete other story. I can't stop with the bird stamps. They're everywhere lately and I just can't help myself!

So, why so much talk about birds? because I made another card using "My Cute Stamps" This time I rotated the branch and made it into a tree. I paper pieced the leaves and the birdie and popped them up on dimentionals. I once again used DP from Stampin'Up!, and all of the card stock is SU as well.

I would also like to draw attention to the number of embellishments used on this card. I am quite proud of myself for using buttons, flowers, ribbon, rhinestones AND baubles. These are also my very first Prima flowers.I honestly have not used Prima flowers before today. Not sure what took me so long, but I bet this won't be the last time!

Alrighty, I'm headed up to the craft room. I had a 30% off coupon to Archivers today. yea... Have a good night!

~Lara

So Cute! - What's your favorite?

A few weeks ago I was blog surfing at work. (shhh....) and I came across a post using the cutest stamps I've seen in a while. Coincidentally, the company is called "My Cute Stamps". So flippin' adorable. I like them so much I had to put their blinkie on my blog.

Well, my stamps were waiting for me when I got home. I FINALLY got a chance to ink them up! I used the "Little Forrest Friends" set which is right now my favorite from their current line. The animals are adorable and I had to use the owl and the tree. There is also a snail and a hedgehog and little flowers. Ack! adorable!!!

The designer paper is from a recent SU! order, don't you just LOVE those colors together??!!! Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip. Love, love, LOVE. It kinda reminds me of the appliances and carpet my parents had while I was growing up. Carpet was a golden yellow shag and the appliances were "Avocado" Retro-tastic...

I colored the owl and tree with my Copics and since I was on suck a polka dot kick between the 2 designer papers, I kept it going with the ribbon.

Lookie!!! Another button! Can you believe it??? Buttons and ribbon together woo hoo! Once you get started with buttons, I guess you can't stop. For a little added bling I used Taylor's Tiny Twinkles from Taylored Expressions. Do you see that? They are indeed tiny. I squirted a little Tombow adhesive on a baggie, picked up the twinkle with my tweezers, dip in glue, stick to card, repeat. I just love the effect, don't you?? I'm really happy with this one. I might have to keep it for myself!

Now, it just so happens that My Cute stamps is giving away some blog candy. Head on over here and tell them which of their sets you love the best! Good Luck!!

Lara