Old Friends

These little guys have become regular and welcome visitors at my feeder...Mr. and Mrs. Downy and a red bellied woodpecker.  The photos are not the best quality because I've had to zoom in so far. I am just using my Canon A630. It takes wonderful closeups and I love it, but I hope to someday have an SLR with a good zoom lens. One can always dream...

My husband made this feeding log (which is currently being enjoyed by the red bellied woodpecker) for me. He just took a small log, drilled holes in it and added a hanger. I fill the holes with suet. 

Easy Peasy

 Sometimes it's just nice to do a quick and simple card. I love this bouquet of balloons. It's easy to color and cut out, and I think they look pretty festive on the Cuttlebugged birthday background. And as much as I wanted to do layers, I made myself keep it simple. Ah, self control. ;) 
As soon as I get back together with my friends, I'll update this entry with the name of the stamp (it's not mine).  The balloons are colored with Stampin'Up and Copic markers.

Just For You

It seems like I only get to stamp once a month anymore, when I get together with my special stamping friends. And even then, I often do more talking than stamping. But that's okay, too. I always have a wonderful time.

Recipe:   stamps- Le Jardin Botanique and Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU);  paper- wild wasabi and chocolate chip (SU), white, Stella Ruby (Basic Grey);  ink- black archival;  accessories- Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU markers, ribbon (American Crafts).

Vintage Vogue

Love this new set and wheel. I unmount all my wheels, lay the rubber out flat on my table, and take the paper to the rubber. I've never regretted doing this. I feel you have more control and a much better stamped image, plus easy storage. And I love that Stampin'Up is now selling unmounted stamps...cheaper and less storage room. 
As I often do, when I create a new card that I'm happy with, I do it in several colors. This time I used wild wasabi, rich razzelberry, buckaroo blue and close to cocoa. I did a second stamping of the section of the wheel that has the butterfly, cut it out, and adhered it to the stamped image for a little dimension.
For the friends card I stamped the main image twice, cutting out just the "F" and raising it on pop dots.

Recipe:  stamps-  Very Vintage Wheel, Vintage Vogue, Graceful Words (SU);  paper- wild wasabi, rich razzelberry, buckaroo blue, close to cocoa (SU), white, very vanilla;  ink-  wild wasabi, rich razzelberry, close to cocoa (SU) and denim (Adirondack); accessories- scallop trim border punch, pop dots.

Farmer's Market Fleas

A few fun and cheap finds on market day:  a simple $3 footed compote (great for adding levels when serving buffet style), a pretty glass candlestick (too pretty to pass up at $1), and a very cool little set of glass vials that once contained spices. I haven't decided yet what I'll use them for, but I love 'em and at $1 I'll think of something. 
And finally, a 'cheep' find at a gift shop I couldn't resist....

 "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!"