Saturday, May 14, 2011

The Open Sea ...

Hello friends!  It's wonderful to be back sharing with you again!  I won't be a bore with a list all the activities that have distracted me over the past couple weeks ... but it's all good (as they say).  On Mother's Day (after a weekend of volleyball on the other side of the state), I returned home to find my son with the GREAT BIG HEART did this ....


 ... he planted my old clay pots with beautiful flowers!  Utterly exhausted, I pulled into the driveway and saw these "gifts" from him - I was so touched and so very proud.  He also photographed some flowers in the garden that he thought were special  - I think they are special too.


Even though I've been "away", I've tried to visit all your blogs ... leaving notes here and there - you keep me inspired and wishing for more time in my craft room!  I'm sure you've seen the adorable beach scene over at The City Crafter Challenge Blog.  Kirsty and her team of fabulous designers have done it once again ... so much to see and sigh over ... be sure to pay them a visit!  Here's the inspiration -


Beginning with Very Vanilla Cardstock, I layered on prints from the new Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper collection.  It's gorgeous with shade of blues and neutrals.  It also has wonderful red prints and I really wish I would have used one as a splash of color on this card.  (Next time...)


The nautical images are from The Open Sea  and the sentiment from the retired "In A Word".  The buttons are from wherever I can collect them (you can never have too many buttons).  My seam binding is an old piece laying around that I dyed with reinkers ... shades of blue that I don't recall which I used.  The flower is handmade from cardstock with a pearl to embellish the center.


That's all for today but I'll be back again tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate your visit!

14 comments:

  1. GOR-GEOUS!!!!
    Lovely to see you back! I love the feel of this card! Masculine yet so soft.. you have the magic touch!
    What a wonderful son you have!

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  2. THud---did you hear my jaw hit the floor? This is gorgeous! I would never have thought to use this in making a vintagey floral card, but it works beautifully! Yummo!

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  3. Beautiful card, Joanne! Love the soft look of this card!

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  4. Uh .... sigh ... this is so beautiful ... I ADORE it ... just stunning ... thanks for playing along with us again this week at CCCB ... I LOVE seeing your creations

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  5. WOW... WOW... I had to say that one twice.. What an amazing card. I just love it.. I am in love with your soft style, who would have thought you could make a masculine card look so good.. WOW!!

    Hugs, Linda

    Oh ya.. I almost for got to tell you thanks so much for playing along with us this week over at CCCB..

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  6. Just beautiful! I love everything about it. :)
    Hugs~

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  7. WOW, love that shade of blue, a stunning card, love all the details!

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  8. Seus botões combinaram muito bem com seu belo cartão!

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  9. This is so GORGEOUS! LOVE everything about it!
    Thanks you so much for playing along at CCCB!

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  10. Very nice card, Joanne. I love all of your embellishments and the colors are wonderful. Love that they are not the traditional bold blue and red and white that is usually seen with nautical themes.

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  11. I am so glad to see another fabulous card made by you. Joanne; I always appreciate your visits and wonderful comments. It's always wonderful to read your sweet and lovely notes that you left behind on my blog.
    And I am so glad to be here again. And let me tell you this; this card is worth the waiting!! Blue is my favorite color and red is so NOT my color. I am happy that you didn't add a splsh of red. And besides that; this handmade jewel doesn't need it :)
    A perfect mix and match of papers and embellishments that I just love; WOW!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Hugs,
    Stella

    Oh my almost forgotten.... I love the pictures of the flowers in your garden too and what a lovely gift from your son!
    X

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  12. LIke Ros said above, I LOVE seeing your creations! This nautical one has such a softness about it, it is so beautiful.

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