Hi Everyone. Happy Monday.
I have a card to share with you tonight, and then some photographs.
One of the great things about making cards for the Enchanted Makeover card drive, was that I ended up using colors and stamps that I don't often use. Poppy Parade really isn't one of my go to colors – it's just too bright for me… however, once I started coloring the flower on this particular stamp, I knew that it had to be on a Poppy Parade base.
This stamp set is one that Lou bought me nearly two years ago in a little village in the UK. I fell in love with it and thought it would be perfect for making cards for OWH. It was, it was also perfect for cards for EM.
I had great fun coloring in these images :-) It really was very relaxing! Once I had colored the image, I realized that the base needed a little something. No problem, I brought out my woodgrain background stamp and some Crumb Cake ink – and stamped it onto the card base. I pulled out some very old DSP and used that as the horizontal layer. There's a fair amount going on on this card, but because it is all flat, it's easy for anyone to put into the post. The layout is also very versatile. The striped green DSP helped to anchor the focal image. A very easy card to put together and a fun one to make!
I promised to share some pics of the outside decorations with you. Well, we originally had the brightly colored tree on the front, but it really was competing with with everything and didn't look quite right. As you can see in the photograph below. Your eye automatically goes to the brightest colors
You can see that we were in the early stages of decorating here, because the hay bales are still there with a couple of little pumpkins on top!
So… the next step was to change out the tree. We put the brightly colored tree on the deck – where it looks great, I might add, and got a brand new tree for the front.
Now… that's looking much better. The white lights on the tree look much better with everything else. You can see, too, that we have added the nutcracker and his drums and Father Christmas with one of his little reindeer. However, the tree was lacking something during the day.
See what I mean…. it's nice… but it needed something. As did the door. The doors were looking just a little underdressed. That's also when I realized that the porch needed the Mason Jars, too!
So….. we went to Target and I found these fabulous metal Christmas decorations. Bells (that actually work!) Snowflakes with bells in the middle. Some fabulous folky wooden, woven hearts….. perfect!
Let's see how much better the tree looks now!
Oh, yes! Much better!
It even looks better at night and no, your eyes don't need focusing! It was me 🙂
So, put all of that together, add a couple of gorgeous wreaths on the front doors, the fabulous Mason Jars and it all looks almost finished! I'll share that with you later in the week, when my last couple of things are delivered via the wonderful man in brown.
Mmmmmm….. strange goings on when I looked at my photographs. I love my Father Christmas… but what on earth was in his hand?
Well, yes… he has a tree in his left hand…. but what's that, hiding, in the crook of his right arm?????? Ah. Ha! Sneaky little thing!
I remember that cheeky little face!
Which, can only mean one thing! We have to be on the alert for Buzbee sightings. I wonder what he will get up to this week! I must admit, I'm delighted to see him back visiting us! He does look very comfortable and warm hanging out with Santa!
As always, thank you for visiting my little area of the stamping blogosphere. Your visits, and your comments are greatly appreciated. Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.
Hugs
Jaydee
P.S. and this is for Lou…… Diddums, Darling. I'm so sorry that the Oz cricketers didn't win the test and that South Africa kicked their behinds…. NOT! 🙂
P.P.S. In case anyone is interested, my rowing machine is kicking my behind! I've discovered muscles that I had forgotten were even a part of my body!
6 Responses
That is a cute stamp you used and the Poppy Parade is ideal.
Welcoming front porch!
Now I’ll tell you how(old, behind-times, sheltered, or just oblivious to life around me), Last year I remembered seeing Buzbee and hearing about Rach’s onerey critter,But did not understand what he was about! I learned something this weekend!
The entrance to your home is gorgeous and so inviting. Really makes it feel like a person would be welcomed.
You’ve done a wonderful job in decorating.
ColleenB.
You could be a professional decorator along with all the other things you do! Gorgeous! I am a multi-color light girl but this white light theme is also beautiful. I am sure the old tree looks great on the deck! Happy Holidays! I am sure all of your critters will like it too.
Your decorating is fabulous! So inviting and warm-just like it should be!
I love your card and the colors work perfectly. So cute!!
Lovely decorated home. Your are so talented, Jaydee. Fun to read your blog – when you first started hinting who was in Santa’s hand, I thought of Buzbee. I was right! Yea. Happy and Merry Christmas to all – Jaydee, Lou and all you blog readers.
I did a drive-by earlier today and am only just now having a chance to come and comment. Whew it’s a busy time of year!
Poppy Parade IS intense, but, for some reason, I really do like it. :o) And, I adore that insanely cute little hedgehog. I’m such a sucker for hedgies and keep ogling the Penny Black hedgehogs thinking maybe someday…
Lou, you did a marvelous job on the trees and lights. You too, Jaydee. I agree, there’s nothing quite like a naked Christmas tree during the day. My HOUSE is looking naked. It needs something but we just can’t figure out *what*. And, with Brien’s limitations, it’s tough to figure out what we *can* do… At least I can come here and enjoy YOUR photos. :o)
Buzbee! I’ve missed you, buddy! How’ve you been? Good to see you, good to see you! :o) I can’t wait to see what you get up to, you rascally thing, you! :o)
Hugs!
P.S. Hi Lou! Sorry about your cricket team. :oS