Hi Everyone. Happy Monday.
Today is the last day of my vacation and I made the most of it by attending the first day of class at Summer Card Camp 2. I also played along with a couple of challenges. In the last few days I've managed to spend a little quality time each day in my craft room. It's been great and a fabulous way for me to relax and recuperate.
Moxie has a challenge which really takes me out of my comfort zone – a mixy-matchy challenge – use lots of different DSPs on a single card. I'd been thinking about the challenge for a couple of days when I had a trigger moment during the Summer Card Class today.
First day of class has both sketch challenges and a color challenge. I realized that the colors from the class were perfect for the This and That Epic Day DSP and that this was a great choice of papers for the Mixy-Matchy Challenge!
Here are the colors from the onlinecardclass Summer Card Camp:
One of the tips that Jennifer gave us in class today was to make a die cut word more substantial – by die-cutting the word several times and layering it. This was the last trigger that I needed for my card.
I began and ended the papers with the same DSP and tried to layer the others with a color that tied into the next strip. So the yellow of the second strip (from the left) picks up from the yellow hexagon in the first strip. The third strip picks up the orange, yellow, blue and the white from the second strip. The fourth strip picks up the blue and white – which leads us back to the beginning! I know it might look random, but I did spend a fair amount of time trying to get the right pieces cut and then in the right order 🙂
I picked up the brightest color – Calypso Coral – and made that the color for my sentiment. I layered 6 die cut "hellos" together and even though I didn't quite get them together right over the top of each other, I was OK with it, because it kind of looks like a shadow effect. All that was left was to add a couple of colored pearls.
So, even though I really don't match DSPs together very well, I was actually pleased how it came out and the layered hello really does look more substantial.
On a personal note:
More landscaping today. The last of the trees went in. I did take a couple of photos for you…..
Here's the view before the final tree went in. You can see the neighbors deck right between the two trees. The "Big John" Tree Transporer is getting ready to dig the hole for the tree. Those spades are huge! If you look right between them you can see the corner of the neighbor's deck.
Here's the hole that it dug! It's about 6 feet deep and you can see how sandy our soil is!
Here's the tree in place. The spade drops it into the whole with the entire root system in tact. This places very little stress on the tree and ensures a much stronger rate of survival for the transplanted trees. Look….. no neighbor's deck!
The birds get a fabulous copse of trees and plenty of places to roost in winter. In addition, we – and the neighbors – get some privacy. Win-win, I think! They also smell good! Now, the landscapers are here expanding the prairie grasses and plants around the trees.
I had to add a couple of photos of what has already taken in the prairie we planted last year… here is a little sedge grass
Aren't those seeds awesome! Then, here's some grass (can't remember it's name) – but it grows on the sides of the roads here in Minnesota and looks fabulous as the seed heads move in the wind. You can see all sorts of other grasses coming in, too
Here's the prairie flowers and grasses coming in and you can see where the trees were planted. The brown "stuff" in the top left hand corner is an excessive amount of thistle that was treated and has died. This will give the less invasive species space to take root and flourish. We are surprised that the grasses and flowers look as good as they do, especially as we had expected very little considering this is the first year. Next year should be awesome! Colleen, nothing like you would have seen growing up on the farm – but I think you get a little hint of it!
As always, thank you for stopping by my neck of the stamping blogosphere. Your visits and your comments are always much appreciated. Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.
Hugs
Jaydee
Card recipe – all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
- Card stock: Pool Party, Calypso Coral
- DSP: This and That Epic Day
- Tools: Big Shot. Hello Die (Papertrey Ink)
- Pearls: Hero Arts
12 Responses
hi jaydee, the card is pretty and it did blend well. can i ask what kind of tree you planted ?? are they cedars or an everygreen??? if cedars your deer will have a ball this winter eating them up as high as they can reach. you will loose your privacy to the neighbors. we put snow fence around the bottom of our to try and keep them away. but they sure look pretty in your photos which i enjoy seeing. have a good evening.
Love what you did with this card and all of the pretty patterned papers. Nice job of demonstrating the tip of making the sentiment substantial!
Ohhh what a wonderful mix of patterns and colors on your beautiful “hello” card, Jaydee.
PS: Big John is a serious tree hole digger, you will have to show us the beauty that is being planted there 🙂
Sounds like you are doing much better. Sorry to hear you have to go back to work so soon. But it has given you time to mend. As usual your card is wonderful. Love the DSP. It is one of my favorites. I’ve never seen a tree that big being planted. Do try to continue to take it easy. You were one sick lady.
Love what you had done to your card, right down to the ‘shadow’ effect on the hello; making it stand out more. Great job.
Oh, love the looks of your trees. It’s really going to look nice once it’s all filled in. Must show full picture once finished.
What type of evergreens are they?(curious mind wants to know :} Like the looks of them.
Have a great day, enjoy it and make the most of it.
ColleenB.
Layering the die-cut words…BRILLIANT! Now why didn’t I think of that?!? ;o) I think you did a marvelous job matching the DSPs and love how the card came together. Your bling-y touches are the best! :o)
I’m always fascinated by the big hole diggers–incredible how efficient they are. Not only are the trees beautiful now, but wait until they are snow covered this winter. Can you tell I’m about done with the heat and humidity? I too had to give it up yesterday and pull my hair back. It’s just so stinkin’ WET out there. :oS
It’s amazing how quickly plants will flourish if they’re native. It all looks wonderful, Jaydee! I’m glad you’re feeling better and wish you had just a few more days to recuperate.
hugs!
P.S. Hi Lou! Did you get that painting finished?
Very good way to use up those scraps of the precious DSP! I love the card and the layering of the word. Great idea!
Your tree planting process is fascinating to watch I am sure. Everything looks so nice!
I am glad you had some time for some rest and card-making.
Epic Day is one of my favorite DSPs. I really like the way you thought about putting multiple patterns together. Layering your die cut word is sensational! I will try that soon. I can’t believe how close your neighbors’ house is to your property. We have only six homes on our private drive but we have more privacy than you. Strategic planting does help. I hope they are nice neighbors and would like stamping! Take care of yourself. Tell us how Lou is doing with all of what’s going on. Nancy B
P. S. Hard to tell, but I think your trees are a type of conifer called Chamaecyparis. My husband, who specializes in growing conifers, says that deer will only eat them as a last resort if they are starving and nothing else is left for fodder. Hope this helps! Ask your supplier what they are…Nancy B
Hi Jaydee!!
Beautiful “Hello” . . . I can see you use the banners a lot . . . how do you cut the ends as to obtain them perfect?
I was amazed to see the machine for the trees . . . I work a lot in the garden . . . you should see my fingernails . . . cannot use gloves . . . I cannot feel the soil!!
Tomorrow starts the Moslem month of Ramdane . . . fasting all day from sunrise to sunset.
Much love! . . . and many, many thanks for your lovely cards.
Marina . . . from far Africa!
Hey, Jaydee, where are you in Minnesota? We’re moving to Blaine in a couple of weeks & I’m an SU demonstrator, too!
Hey Jaydee! Thanks for linking this up to the Mixy-Matchy Style Challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I’m so glad you joined in on all the fun! 🙂