Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A Lovely Day!

Hi!

I know it's a bit strange to see a blog post from me in the middle of the week, but I had such a lovely day today, I just had to share it with you! I have a couple of things to share, and a card too, so hang in there.

Last Christmas, I was given a hummingbird feeder and I was so excited because, in the 15 years we've lived in this house, we finally saw our first hummingbird at the end of last summer. So, a week ago, hubby got the feeder all set up, hanging over the deck, right in front of the kitchen window. I've been eying it now for a week but still no sightings.

It happened to be a gorgeous day today - near 80 degrees and sunny, so of course I was eating my lunch out on the deck. Then, while reading Paper Crafts Magazine, I heard a low pitched flutter and looked up. There it was!! An adorable, tiny hummingbird! And he let me just watch him drink the sweet nectar for quite awhile too! I went inside to grab the camera and of course he was gone when I got back. BUT. . .

I kept looking out the window all day, with the camera ready on the kitchen counter, and sure enough he came back and let me take a couple of shots. They're quite dark because I was inside shooting out the closed window, but here he is:




And then he took a drink.



Isn't he sweet!? I know some of you may be thinking that I'm a bit crazy getting so excited about a hummingbird, but that's just me I guess. It's the little things, right?

Before I show you my card, I wanted to also share a couple of photos of my peonies. They are blooming beautifully right now, and I JUST LOVE THEM!! So pretty, and that fragrance - yum! Here's one of the plants that I have.




And a close-up of one of the big blooms.




And here's a small, thin vase, filled with a big bouquet. My kitchen smells so good!



Okay, enough of nature - onto my card. I have not felt a whole lot of mojo in the past week and I swear it's happening more often lately - GRRRR! But I sat myself down and got inky today, which I love to do, and this was the result.


I used the True Friends background stamp from Hero Arts, embossed in white, then inked up the panel with Vintage Photo Distress Ink, along with one of the new ones called, Peacock Feathers. Love these two colors together. I'm thankful that a fabulous stamp and some beautiful ink colors can make it look like I have some mojo!

Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for indulging me so I could share my day! Hope you have a wonderful week! :)

37 comments:

Bethany Stellpflug said...

such a cute hummingbird Barb! I love it :) Your card is gorgeous...I love the color combo!

Cindy C. said...

Oh nice to the photos of the hummingbird and the peonies! And your card is really beautiful, those two colours go well together!

Betty said...

love the hummingbird story and your card is wonderful. i'm still waiting for my new spring distress inks. my peonies bloomed about a month ago because we've had such a warm spring here (lincoln, ne) - usually we are only about 2 weeks ahead of you in the blooming dept.

Lisa said...

This color combo is just gorgeous! Love how you popped the "true friends" at the top :)
I cannot believe you were able to capture the hummingbird being still! What a fabulous shot! Thx for sharing :)

Suzanne C said...

First of all your hummingbird is so sweet and love that you have him visiting you! The peonies are gorgeous. LOVE your card! the colors are perfect together!

Nancy K said...

I'm so happy that you've had some hummingbird visitors, I just love them. I know you will enjoy watching them all summer! Your card is quite lovely, isn't that new Peacock Feathers a great color? I just love it paired with the Vintage Photo.
So glad to see this post, your photos made my day!

joy said...

Hi, Barb! No other flower smells quite as nice as the peony; even though lilacs and lily of the valley run a close second for me! Thanks for the fab photos - I've always wanted a hummingbird feeder, too.

Love, love, love the colors of your card and it just reminded me that I have yet to make a card with that background stamp! Gotta' find more time to play:)

Robin K. said...

I don't think you're crazy at all Barb! It's SO exciting to see glimpses of nature like your hummingbird and beautiful blooming peonies :) The colors of your card are gorgeous together! I don't know about you but this amazing weather we've been having makes it hard to sit still in my craft room :)

Lynn said...

Barb, the hummingbird pictures are amazing...what a peaceful scene! I love your card...the deep colors highlight all the fabulous sentiments.

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Barb
You are rewarded for your patience....You could probably stand there all day in the kitchen watching this little bird.
Your card with it's complimentary colours looks beautiful, this is a great way to use a stamp for a quick card which is very impressive.
Smiles:)
Sue

Donna B. said...

Beautiful card Barb! Love the colors you used on the background!! Glad you got to see the Hummingbird long enough to take a picture :)

GrammySue's Creations said...

Hi Barb, your card is beautiful and the colors are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures of the hummingbird and the flowers. I enjoyed reading your blog today.

Mitt said...

You are crazy!! But I agree "yum" to the smell of your peonies! Guess I'm crazy too! Great colors on your card. Something new to try!

Trinh said...

Great shot of the hummingbird & your peonies are gorgeous! We could never grow anything like that in the blistering TX heat so thank you for sharing your blooms with us. And your card is beautiful! I love those colors together & how you accentuated the 'true friends' at the top.

Virginia L. said...

I would be just as excited as you are if I am seeing hummingbird (perhaps even more excited!!!). What an awesome shot of the sweet bird! thanks for sharing the blooming peonies. Mine are just about to burst , but not quite yet! Love the inking, Barb! I do not use the new Peacock Feathers Distress Ink often enough. You have inspired me! Love the twine and button details!

Joy said...

I adore this post from you Barb, so so nice to see your little hummingbird, we don't have those birds down here and I always love seeing your garden, just wished I was sitting on the deck with you, one day, just one day...keep the dream alive..

Now the card well where do I start AMAZING!!! I don't know, but I think you mojo is still around..WOW!! hugs!!

Kara Lynne said...

It's a treat to hear someone's joy in the beauty of nature! I agree with you, that color combination is wonderful, and so is the card.

Karen B. said...

Beautiful flowers, beautiful bird, and wow, BEAUTIFUL card!!

sheila said...

Oh how lucky you are to have a hummingbird....I think they are sosweet and special. And peonies huh? Minn is def ahead of Wisconsin.... Mine are barely budding! Your card is gorgeous....love the colors together.

alexandra s.m. said...

Knowing that your day was so sweet with that special visit warms my heart Barb!

My peonies look like they might open up tomorrow!
(the white ones opened on Monday)

Love your card, you did such a cool job with the ink and various colors ;-)

TFS~

Greta said...

I'm so jealous you have a hummingbird! Loved them where we used to live & once in awhile one flies by here. Love the pink peonies--gorgeous! Rain made a mess of my newly blooming roses--ugh! Lovely card--one of my favorite techniques & the colors are fantastic!

Anita Rex said...

Hello Barb! Love your post today! My MIL has a feeder like that at the cabin, and i LOVE watching th humming birds!!! I love your card today! You did so well with the blending!

Brenda said...

Hi Barb! I love birds too so I am really thrilled that you shared these gorgeous pictures! And I love your flowers too. YOur card is beautiful and you are right, those two colours really go well together! I always love the emboss resist technique! Maybe it's the upcoming summer that is making a lot of people, including me, feel so "mojoless"! Hugs to you!

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

I would get excited about a hummingbird too! A real gift of nature in this modern day world.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful photos Barb! Love that you managed to capture that hummingbird :) Your card is beautiful too!

Dawn T said...

how exciting to see you little hummingbird. Love your flowers too. They look amazing. As does your card. Sometimes you just need to take a break from having to make cards and just do nothing for awhile... I'm sure you'll get back into it soon. Take care

Unknown said...

Oh you can always share nature with me! I love hummingbirds and when I lived in AZ had quite a few frequent my backyard due to the flowering plants! I never hesitate to grab my camera and take photos of such things. Your peonies look absolutely stunning!! And your card is even more stunning, Barb. Beautiful yard, glorious day and an amazing card (can't believe that was created with no mojo!)
Happy Wednesday

walchowDesign said...

Great candid of the hummingbird, Barb! Yeah! It's the little things that keep us happy everyday, right! I am sure they will be back again! Wow! Your peonies are so pretty! TFS!

Elizabeth Allan said...

You are a quick shot to catch this hummingbird! Marvelous little creatures!

Spectacular card Barb! Lovely colors blended so expertly!

stamplover2011 said...

Such a cute little humming bird!! How lucky he is to find your feeder!! Beautiful card! Love those colors together too!!

Annette Allen said...

oh i love hummingbirds...we have them all around our house...they are just so beautiful...just like your amazing card...

Tina said...

Such a beautiful post, Barb! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos and your gorgeous card.

Maureen Morton said...

So glad that I didn't miss this while I was traveling! So sweet! Your yard, with the birdies and amazing flowers is like Mother Nature's Disneyland - ha! Love this card - great tones and design. Thanks for sharing so much!

CinnamonSally said...

Fabulous photos of the hummingbird Barb, lucky you to have them visiting your garden. Gorgeous card too.

donna mikasa said...

How awesome to see a REAL hummingbird and get such great shots! The flowers are gorgeous, too! And you haven't lost your mojo at all, Barb! Love your card with lots of inky goodness!

Karin Åkesdotter said...

WONDERFUL pictures and great card Barb!
Have a great week-end, hugs, Karin

Martha said...

OH, Barb, I don't get to see hummingbirds very often, so thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. I would have been glued to the window.

Your card is gorgeous! I love the colors! The emboss resist is one of my favorite techniques. The twine with tag are the perfect finishing touches!

HUGS!
-Martha