Saturday, October 29, 2011

I Love Saturdays!

I know all of you do too. It's a day when I can stay in my jammies all day if I want, talk on the phone to far away friends, (you know who you are) get as inky as I can, loving every minute of it! Now, before you think I'm still in my pj's, I'm not - but I could be if I wanted to - that's what I love! :)

It was actually a beautiful, fall day here. Brilliant blue sky, no wind and the air was crisp and clear. I headed outside to mow the lawn, probably for the last time this season - (makes me sad) and I couldn't help but notice my amazing, Autumn Blaze Maple, looking beautiful against the blue sky. So, I had to snap a couple of pics to share with you.


Look at that color! And I swear I did not enhance it or change it at all. This REALLY is the true color of my tree - Love! Here's another one.

The word, Brilliant comes to mind. And to think that just a few weeks ago it was totally green! Isn't nature amazing?

After mowing, I still needed to yank the rest of the flowers in my garden - this too makes me sad, because some of them are actually looking pretty good still, even though we've had temps in the low 40's at night. So here's a pic of the last of the flowers.

Not great, but not bad for the cold weather we've had. I noticed, while pulling them, the Nemesia still smells wonderful, so I took a few last whiffs, to hold me through our long winter!

Okay, enough of nature and onto my card for today. I was playing with the Hero Arts, Decorate Your Holidays set earlier today, and made a card using red and white. I love the ornaments in this set and wanted to make another card with them. I was looking around my craft room, trying to get inspired and my eyes focused on my bag of Tim Holtz fragments. Did you ever notice that the look very much like little ornaments? Bingo! And two of them are actually the same shape as the ornaments in the set! :) If you've never seen them, here's a pic. They're clear, small and so fun to play with!


The other things in the photo are to show you that I used an edge embossing folder and some silver ribbon too.

I took out my Alcohol Inks and added them to the fragments. Then I stamped two ornaments and a snowflake from the Hero stamp set, with VersaMark, and embossed with silver embossing powder. I really love the way they turned out!


Here's a side view to see the dimension.


And here's the full card.


As you can see, I did not use the entire width of the silver ribbon. I cut the edge off and it worked perfectly. I embossed the white panel three times, and silver embossed the sentiment too. I'm entering it into three challenges. The Moxie Fab Textured to Perfection challenge, the Lily Pad challenge, which is all about texture too, and the Simon Says Stamp challenge, which is Anything Goes.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Sorry for the long post. I just wanted to share my awesome day with you! Hope you all had a wonderful day too! I love Saturdays! :)

38 comments:

susanne said...

Your card is so beautiful Barb! Love your photos too! Sending warm birthday wishes to you :), Susanne

Joy said...

Your tree is amazing in colour Barb, thank you for sharing something a little different on the blog, I love it when people do this and I need to do this more...as for your card WOW!! stunning or what, I really need to get those little fragments out and have a play myself...enjoy your Saturday...hugs!

Donna B. said...

Love your pic Barb!! Hope you had a great birthday!!

I just got those fragments and I'm definitely going to try out this technique!! Your ornaments are STUNNING!! They look so beautiful!! Super card!!

Brenda said...

Is it your birthday Barb? I just read Suzanne's comment? If it is, I hope you had/are having a wonderful day! Oh that tree in those colors!!! I wish we had those colors in Houston! And I adore with you did with those fragments! So beautiful in blue and silver!

Lin said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Barb, like little stained glass pieces, and my favorite colors, too! Talked to my Mom and Dad just now and they had snow in Pittsburgh when they woke up this morning! Our maples out front are still green, so I really enjoyed your tree pictures today.

Judy1223 said...

Aw, Barb, the tree is GORGEOUS! I LOVe days like that in the fall, super blue sky and glorious leaves against it. Thanks for sharing the pics! I love your flowers, too...I always hate to pull out the flowers in the fall, it is hard to admit the summer is over.

Now for your card...Wow, Wow, WOW! How amazing! I adore this...the colors, the textures, the cool techniques...just amazing. Good luck with the challenges!

Michelle said...

Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures! We are dealing with some early snow accumulations in NY...yuk!!! Happy Birthday wishes to you, Barb! AMAZING job adding texture to your card! I love the ornaments!!! Stunning!!!

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Barb
Well if it is your Birthday, Many Happies to you, you share it with my Precious.
The Autumn colours are warm and speak of rich abundance, it is a beautiful tree Barb.
Your card is engaging,choosing the warmest and most playful of the blues, as it carries an undertone of purple what a gorgeous colour Turquoise; it is so pleasing to the eye.
Smiles:)

Dawn T said...

wonderful card Barb and love seeing your garden. what stunning colours you tree is.

Michelle said...

Oh Barb! This is so gorgeous! I love the way you used the fragments here.. Thank you for also posting how you did it.. I love this!!!

Lynn said...

Holy moly...all kinds of gorgeousness going on in your post today. The fall photos are stunning - don't you just adore this time of year? Collin is my little one that notices the beauty of the season. He keeps pointing out the "beautiful trees". So sweet.

And your card..Wow...love the technique you used. Gorgeous Barb.

Deirdre said...

STUNNERS... happy Birthday too, hope you are having a wonderful Birthday Weekend.

Virginia L. said...

Oh my gosh!! How GORGEOUS are your ornaments, Barb!! Isn't it FUN when you have a little "discovery" right in your own stash!!? I love it when that happens! You must make MORE of the ornaments! Your yard and trees are beautiful! I always love to see what's happening in ?Good old Minnesota! Love ya ;)

MarcyK924 said...

Just gorgeous Barb! Those fragments look like pieces of jewelry! You photos make me long for last Saturday when it looked just like your yard. We are buried in snow now! Ah, the joys of New England! Enjoy your day!

Rachel said...

Barb those ornaments are sooooooo gorgeous!!!! I love the embossing you did, it looks like really glass. So pretty! And that tree of yours... our fall was pretty pathetic this year for leaves, your picture is amazing

-rachel w k
rwkrafts.blogspot.com

cheiron said...

This is just a fabulous idea Barb. Can't wait to try it. Your card is gorgeous! And the leaves are beautiful on your trees.

Arlene said...

And WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Gorgeous card, those fragments are beautiful - such depth of color.

Tiffany Ervin said...

Love the brilliance and shine on your card, Barb! WOW!! So cool that you used the fragments for your ornaments! The colors on the trees are truly amazing! I don't think I ever see that where I live! Not as beautiful as that! Thanks for sharing your lovely day!

Nancy K said...

Incredibly gorgeous....your whole blog post, it's all incredibly gorgeous! Oh to have a tree that is that grand and glorious as it prepares for winter; my California Sycamore is such a slacker by comparison.
Can I just say how amazing your card is? Those inked and embossed fragments are so perfect. Love 'em!

Maureen Morton said...

Oh my - this is so stunning and so creative. I have had a pack of those fragments for years and never touched them. This has such a huge WOW factor, Barb! Loved your Saturday story and the pix, too. Hugs!

Trinh said...

Your ornaments are gorgeous, Barb! I love the shimmer & mix of colors. And those tree photos just make me happy! I love autumn foliage and we get very little of it here so I will live vicariously through your photos. I hope you had a fabulous birthday celebration! I heard about the snow and hope you and your family are all safe & warm. Sending big hugs to you!

Jacqueline said...

My second try at commenting! I really love the ornaments on your card, so original and I love the Maple that color!
The vineyards are showing signs of this color now too - just gorgeous.

GrammySue's Creations said...

Hi Barb, Wow!! your card is gorgeous--love the blue and silver together. You did an awesome job with this card. Your tree and flowers are beautiful. Glad that you had a wonderful Saturday. You take care and God bless. Hugs to you.

Karen said...

Love Love Love your beautiful tree!! And the top picture on your blog too. I'm really missing a colorful fall since we moved ;-(
I know I shouldn't be complaining about 80 degree weather in late October but.... I will just have to live vicariously through your fall. As for that card, stunning!! Love the colors, the texture, and the fragments as ornaments. Your silver embossing is perfect! Hugs!!!

Elizabeth Allan said...

Barb is card is phenomenal! Gorgeous glass effect and amazing colors.

Tina said...

Oh, my! I didn`t noticed on Flicker how the ornaments were made. Prefect, Barb.

walchowDesign said...

How I envy that you have such colour in your garden, Barb! I just love the colours and the clean vibrant red of the tree! Gosh!

Love how you stamped your ornaments especially embossed in the silver - very Christmassy card!

donna mikasa said...

(Gasp!) Such a gorgeous card, Barb! The fragments DO look like little ornaments and you showcased them beautifully! Love the colors, the embossing--wow!

Those trees are breathtaking! Nothing like that here in Hawaii! You're so lucky to soak in all the beauty!

And congrats on winning the sketch challenge at Penny Black! So happy for you!

Kathy (krolski) said...

Your tree is magnificent Barb! And oh my, your card is just gorgeous! I love what you've done to create the ornaments. The embossing looks amazing with the alcohol inks!

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Hey Barb! Thanks again for linking up to the Textured to Perfection challenge in the Moxie Fab World! :)

Karen B. said...

Umm, wow. I'm kind of speechless. These ornaments are amazing. And your card is amazing. What an amazing transformation. Yes, that's it. Just amazing!

ania said...

Hi Barb! how are U girl?
I was a long time ago here but it's important I'm back :) Before delivery I made some cards that I'm presenting on my blog now.
If you want to see my child boy Chris you know where you can do this :) - handmadebyania.blogspot.com

alexandra s.m. said...

Great post Barb!!
and this card is simply magical!!

TFS~

sheila said...

Great photos of the Minn colors Barb. Really beautiful. And your idea for ornaments is amazing! Wow! Ihave the fragments and it would have taken me a hundred years to come up with that clever idea. Beautiful card!

Dawn T said...

missed this while I was away in the Weekend Barb. Great post. Love the trees and the garden and your card is totally stunning.

Suzanne C said...

Stunning card. Love your fall leaves! Beautiful!~

Kathy said...

Wowowo Barb these are absolutely stunning!!!!!! love the blue with the silver. I hope all is well with you. Big hugs,Kathy

CanadianScraps43 said...

Wow totally stunning.