Thursday, May 20, 2010

Sunflower Card and a Walk Around My Yard

Morning! I have a card to share today before showing you the photos from my yard. It uses the Hero Arts Three Sunflowers stamp. I really don't like how it turned out. The colors seem so weird together, but what the heck. We learn from these kinds of cards. For the main image I used Hero Hues Chalk Ink in Latte and Hero Arts Shadow Ink in Soft Apricot, then clear embossed. I added more color to the flowers with Copics. The background paper is from Basic Grey's Kioshi Paper Pad and I double stamped one of the flowers from the same image, using the apricot color and also Soft Sand Shadow Ink and added the butterfly. On the inside it says, "on Father's Day" I was planning to give this card to one of my brothers. (May have to redo it first!) He is a wonderful father to his two kids, and he loves gardening and flowers, just like our father did!



Okay, on with the pics! When I got home from work the other day, the weather was so gorgeous, I just had to spend some time outside! It is still spring here in Minnesota....my favorite time of the year! We've had quite a bit of rain, so everything is very green! I love seeing all the colors against the beautiful blue sky! Here are just a few things in my yard and gardens that I'm getting excited about.

First is my pansies and violas! Love these so much! The purple one has a soft velvety look! Not sure what the little white spots are, but I do have a neighbor doing lots of sanding lately...hmmm?






Next up is an all time fave! My peonies!! They are getting ready to just burst open! Some of the blooms end up being huge every year! Can't wait to share THOSE photos with you!




This next photo is of my chives in the vegetable garden. I don't know why, but I love the little flowers that this plant produces! They look fabulous when cut and added to a bouquet! My hubby loves to cook and adds the chives to many dishes!


And now for the answer to what my son found, hanging on the side of the house. It was this big beauty! His wings really were shut at first. I wanted to see the beauty of them, so I touched him softly, and he opened them a bit. I'm not sure what kind of moth it is, but believe me, it was very large! Its wing span was about 5 or 6 inches across!


I noticed after taking the first picture, that there were some more amazing markings, peeking out, on his bottom wings, so I gave him a gentle nudge and he fluttered down to the sidewalk, with wings spread out, to show me the rest of his beauty! Isn't he neat?!


And Lin, I'm sooo glad it wasn't a bat!!

Slow down sometime today, and find something beautiful to enjoy! :)

20 comments:

Kelly Booth said...

Gorgeous Barb...LOVE the Card and your Flowers...Wow!!! Congrats on your HA win!! Hugs!

Joy said...

Wonderful card Barb, so nice and vibrant and as always love your colouing. Also congrats on your win, so very deserving, enjoy your smiling day.

Thanks for sharing the photos of your garden and the butterfly.

Lin said...

I like your card, Barb, and would leave it as is.....that little touch of blue around the edges really makes it special.
And I'm so glad you're posting your garden pictures! I'm a pansy lover too, and they are so sweet. Your peonies are looking good! I have 3 different colors, transplants from a neighbor, and they are about to open, too, especially if we get that promised warmer weather.
That moth is amazing! Look at his antennae! You got some great pictures! I'm so glad it wasn't a bat, too :)
Lastly, congratulations on your Fab Five win over at the Hero Blog! So, so, pleased for you!! Don't forget to get the blinkie and display it here!

Sarah J Moerman said...

Beautiful card, Barb... and a beautiful garden too!

Kathy (krolski) said...

I really like this card! I think it's pretty! Love your pansies, wow! So beautiful! And congrats on winning the HA challenge! Was so thrilled to see your name and card on the blog. You did an excellent job on the card! Also, thanks for the sweet comments you left on my blog. I so appreciate them Barb!

Kath Stewart said...

you card is beautiful just as it and I loved the walk around your yard....oh my what a huge moth....big hugs kath xxx....big congrats on your Fab 5 win and have great fun choosing your prize.

Becky said...

I think the card is very pretty too! I like the different layers of sunflowers.

Beautiful flowers - I can't wait to see the pictures of the peonies when they open! I googled for moths, and it looks like this one must be a Giant Silkmoth. Pretty cool, check out this link to look at it's caterpillar form - I thought it was pretty amazing :)
http://www.cirrusimage.com/polyphemus_moth.htm

I'll add to everyone else in congratulating you on your HA win. It was another beautiful card, as usual from you! :D

Dawn T said...

I like the colours together Barb. Your garden looks lovely and your visitor is stunning. It looks so pretty and you were lucky to get such great photos of it.
Congrats on your Fab 5 win. Stunning card.
a big thanks also for your lovely comments on my Flickr photos. Much appreciated

GrammySue's Creations said...

Barb, congratulations on your Hero Arts win. I am very happy for you. Your card is beautiful and so are your flowers in your garden. Looking forward to seeing more of your cards.

Nancy said...

Love this post Barb, I think your card is lovely but it is nice to know that someone else has second thoughts about their creations. Your garden is amazing, such beauty you have growing there. How wonderful too that you appreciate even the beauty of a moth's wings, I think that makes you pretty special...thanks for sharing the amazing photos.
Congrats on your Hero Arts win, your card was so deserving of the recognition!
bless you,
nancy

78thistles said...

beautiful card and i enjoyed the walk around your garden too!
i just added myself as a follower (thanks for doing the same for my blog). thank you for your lovely comments.

Rosemary said...

Your yard is just lovely Barb! Your cards isn't so bad, either!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card Barb! Thanks for the walk through your gorgeous garden! Love those flowers! That little moth was so cute :)

stampingandstitching said...

Gorgeous card Barb and I enjoyed the beautiful walk around your garden! I love pansies and peonies so much! Wow what an amazing moth - he'd make a great design for a stamp!

Heather Maria

Jenny said...

Gorgeous card and I love all your pics!! that is one big moth!! he looks like a butterfly! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) thanks for the sweet compliment on my blog! your too kind!!

Michelle said...

Love your garden!!! wow, those pansies are so pretty:-) and love the photography!

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous card and love the pictures of your beautiful backyard.

Jill said...

Love seeing your gorgeous gardening and your awesome sunflower card! The card is so soft and pretty- and it has my favorite flowers-- definitely a "show stopper" in my book! :)

Jacqueline said...

Thanks for visiting me this Sunday! I am a bit behind I see, have been really enjoying the glue book process :)
Beautiful flowers but the moth intrigues me - I would love to have seen it, just beautiful.

Sunghee said...

I love yellow and love this card! Love all the photos you showcase here!