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Monday 18 February 2019

The Lovebirds

Hi there everyone.  I made a Valentine's Card for my hubby using a set of stamps by Sheena Douglass called The Lovebirds.   I bought this and two other sets of bird stamps recently.  We were going to some gardens in the area to see the snowdrops but the weather changed on the way and as it was pouring down we ended up at a craft centre instead and I found this and two other sets of Sheena's bird stamps at a knock down price.  There are so many craft shops closing now, and it is nice to go to a shop and buy as well as getting things on line, but there is so much competition now, the lady there said that they can't afford to stock dies especially but that they would try to keep essential cardmaking supplies and perhaps some stamps, so I will have to see what happens next time I go there.


Anyway, here is the card.  As well as the Lovebirds, I also used a freebie embossing folder which I got quite a while ago, and I made a Brusho background background on glossy card.

I started with the Brusho background using a snippet of white glossy card.  I used Bright Red, Scarlet and Orange.  I have never tried using glossy card with them before but it worked well, and actually the colours moved easier I think.  I did spritz the card before sprinkling the colours and then spritzed again.  I kept adding colour until I was happy with the result.  I cut this layer to fit my square white card.

I then stamped the birds on to a snippet of white card using Versfine Smokey Gray ink and then heat embossed with WOW Clear Gloss Embossing Powder.  I then coloured with my Distress Inks using Mowed Lawn, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Brushed Corduroy, Hickory Smoke and Candied Apple.  I then fussy cut them.


I embossed the hearts freebie folder on to a snippet of white card about 5" square and die cut the heart from the centre using a Sweet Dixie die.  I then laid this over the background to see where to place the sentiment, and stamped it with the Smokey Gray ink using my Misti so that I could stamp it more than once.  I did put some talc over the background before stamping and it still slipped a little, but I decided that it looked OK after stamping it twice.  I finished by layering it up and added the birds over the heart aperture.   

I thought my hubby might think this a bit bright, but he was quite complimentary and when asked gave it 7 out of 10, and said it reminded him of parrots we've seen in Australia, so I think he liked it..lol.  Thanks for looking at my blog today and I hope to see you again soon.






I am entering the following challenge:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop - No. 346 where we use up our snippets of card and paper etc.
Stamping Sensations February Challenge - All Things Bright and Beautiful.
Penny Black and More February Challenge - Anything Goes.
The Artistic Stamper February Challenge - Heart It.
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes/Use a Critter.


14 comments:

Viv said...

A lovely card Pat - your Brusho background is a perfect backdrop for these colorful parrots!

cuilliesocks said...

Absolutely gorgeous Pat, it's a lovely image and beautifully coloured. Brilliant Brusho background,the colours and design are fabulous, pleased your Husband's liked it Kate x x

Mac Mable said...

Such a vibrant and romantic card. The lovebirds are so adorable and love the brusho background. Wonderful card Pat, which DH loved too ....win win x.

Di said...

Gorgeous card Pat - so vibrant! I love reading how you make your cards, the tip about talc on the glossy card before stamping the sentiment is a handy one for example - as well as using glossy card for Brushos. I'll be trying that, once I'm up and about again.

I remember when Len and I spent a few days in Singapore we went out to Changi village one evening and flocks of vibrant parrots flew in before dusk to roost for the night - amazing sight and the noise was incredible! So the fact that this reminded your lovely hubby of Australia was a hit for sure!

Today I sat in bed surrounded by craft magazines, tearing out articles to keep with ideas to try out. It helped to pass the afternoon - now I just need to actually try and remember to refer to the ring binder where they'll be filed :)

Thank you for coming to play!

Hugs

Di xx

Lynne K said...

That's gorgeous, Pat! Love the colourful background. It's definitely bright and beautiful! Thank you for sharing it with us at Stamping Sensations.

Lynne

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful card Pat, I love the vibrant colours of your Parrots.

It's so sad to see all the craft stores closing, unfortunately the online shopping is becoming the end for most retail stores :)

Mrs A. said...

Love your bright and colourful card. I think all shops are finding it hard going. If you walk down the high street there is not the amount of people shopping like they used to do. I try and shop locally as much as I can and don't buy on internet.Hugs Mrs A.

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

lovely card ! Thank you so much for sharing your work with us at The Artistic Stamper
WIshing you good luck to win beautiful stamps !

Linby said...

This is so sweet and beautifully put together. The colours are wonderful.
Thanks for sharing with us at PB & More.
Lynn x
DT

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Such a beautiful card Pat. The birds are adorable and you've framed them beautifully with the heart aperture. I also really like Brusho background and the vibrancy of this stunning card x

Liz said...

Gorgeous card, Pat. The birds are really lovely set on the beautiful inky heart.
It's such a shame so many craft shops are closing, but unless they also have a successful online trade too, I can understand why they find it difficult to keep going. I'd much rather browse in a craft shop than browse online, but there are not many local craft shops left. xx

brenda said...

Rather belatedly (I've had internet problems) my thanks for sharing your lovely creation with us at Penny Black and More and Stamping Sensation challenges this month. Love the intensity of colours and the white frame really works so well breaking the colour between the birdies and the background and drawing the eye the them as the focal element.

B x

Loll said...

It a beautiful Valentine's Day card Pat. So bright and colourful. Love the brushos background, and those sweet lovebirds. It's sad to see all the shops closing ... there are here in Canada as well. xx

Sheila H said...

Wow - that Brusho background really pops! Love the birds, too, and the texture. It's great to see you at 613 Avenue Create.