Congratulations, Grad

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions blog and I have a couple of graduation cards to share with you using several Die-Versions dies. If you use the code lisa15 you'll receive 15% off your regular price Die-Versions order.

These cards are very different from my usual style, but I wanted them to be both unisex and flat enough that they would mail easily. I really struggle not using flowers and ribbons and bling!! I did add a touch of sparkle to the cap and diploma from the new Whispers Graduation Set. They were both popped up with foam for dimension. The square is a Whispers Stitched Nested Square, also popped up with foam. 2016 is from the Downhill Font set. Congratulations is from the Compliments Everyday set. The scalloped border is a Whispers Lacey Dots die (not currently in stock).

On a different note, I got a 150-600mm camera lens for Christmas and I've been practicing with it, capturing some of the springtime birds that have been visiting. The lens is super-heavy and it's hard to hold it steady to take shots. I really want to capture the hummingbirds but I haven't managed a great shot yet. It's been raining on and off for like a week, so most of these shots are taken through the glass.

This is the best I could get of the hummer. Unfortunately, you can see the reflection from the glass.

I had to add a shot of a Cardinal, the state bird of Indiana :) This is the male and...

the female. Sadly, I cut off her tail :(

Blue Jays are so beautiful but they are so noisy!! And they eat all of the food I leave for my outdoor cats.

The Eastern Bluebird is one of my favorite birds...not a great shot with the deck post in the way. I haven't been able to get another shot yet.

I'm guessing this is a female Gray Catbird since it looks like she's gathering materials to build her nest. Look at the size of that twig :)

This is a Northern Flicker...a medium sized woodpecker. His coloring is so beautiful!!

This is a Grosbeak....so pretty!! They stop by in the spring and don't stay long but I love when they visit. This is the male...

and the female. Not fair the male gets the pretty coloring!!

I was so excited when I saw the turkeys puffing and posturing!! Sadly, I couldn't get a decent shot through the window screens. I thought I'd try sneaking outside to get a better shot...

And while it is clearer, he (not sure what the correct term is) de-puffed and took off. One of my cats followed me and meow'ed the entire time so they heard us coming a mile away :) I hope to get some decent shots of the hummingbirds soon. There only a few right now and by the time I can heft the camera and spot them, they fly away :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great week :)

Decorate to Celebrate #76 - Graduation or Birthday

Happy Wednesday!! I hope you are having a wonderful last week in May :) It's time for another fun challenge at Decorate to Celebrate!! For Challenge #76, we want to see your Graduation projects!! Let's celebrate everything wonderful about caps and gowns and diplomas or birthdays with your table decorations, party banners, pennants, yard signs, cupcakes, party favors and more!! :)

For my Grad decorations, I created a rosette bouquet. The papers are all from Tim Holtz, and the rosettes were created with his Paper Rosette and Mini Paper Rosette dies. 2014 was cut from Tim's Block Talk die. Congratulations is from Die-Versions Everyday Compliments die. The hats and diplomas are stickers from my stash. The black edges are washi tape.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Decorate to Celebrate to see the amazing projects my talented design team sisters have created for today's challenge. Then link up your Graduation or Birthday project...I can't wait to see what you create :)

Little Scap Pieces Fun Friday - Congrats to the Grad

For the winner of the Craftin Desert Diva's Blogaversary Hop, click HERE

Happy Friday!! How can this be the last day of May already?? My gosh, this year is flying by!!

Friday means it's time for a Fun Friday Challenge at Little Scrap Pieces. The theme this week is Congratulations to the Graduate.

I created a money-holder card for the graduate, using paper from Fancy Pants' Country Boutique paper stack. The black base is from The Paper Studio.

Congratulations is I think a Fiskars stamp. Graduate is from Penny Black's Kate's Alphabet stamp set. The gems are from Recollections.

To create the inside money holder, a piece of 7 x 11 paper was scored on the long side at the 4" and 8" marks. Spellbinders Classic Postage Stamp Edgeabilities were used to cut the decorative edge. The label is a Spellbinders Grommet Tags die. The sentiment is from K Andrew Designs Positive Thoughts stamp set.

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Little Scrap Pieces to see the amazing projects my talented design team sisters have created for today's challenge. Then link up your Congrats to the Grad project...I can't wait to see what you create :)

Decorate to Celebrate #52 - Graduation

Happy Wednesday!! I hope you are having a fabulous week!! I'm trying to get all caught up from being gone for a few days. It's so hard to get back into the swing of things!! I've missed my craft room :)

It's time for a fun challenge at Decorate to Celebrate. For Challenge #52, we are asking you to create any project to be used as a party decoration or supply for a Graduation Party. Let's celebrate everything wonderful about diplomas, new opportunities and special achievements with your table decorations, party banners, pennants, yard signs, cupcakes, party favors and more. For my graduation project, I created a mortarboard gift box :)

The box and mortarboard were constructed with black cardstock from The Paper Studio. The top of the hat was cut with cardboard and a Spellbinders Grand Squares die. The tassel was attached with a black brad in the center.

The tag is a Spellbinders Labels 10, cut with paper from my stash. The edges were sanded. 2013 was cut from the Tim Holtz Wanted die with double sided tape. Gold beads were adhered over the tape.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. Craftin Desert Divas Craft It Up & Link It Up #7 - Ribbon or Twine
2. DL.Art Thankful Thursday- May Linky Party
3. Sunday Funday #9 - May Linky Party

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Decorate to Celebrate to see the amazing projects my talented design team sisters have created for today's challenge. Then link up your Graduation project...I can't wait to see what you create :)