Happy Unofficial Start of Summer!

Good morning, Dear Readers, Well, another month is coming to a close. How fast time is flying by! I had promised you photos of the solar eclipse. Here is one that shows the sequence of events. I did NOT take this - I wish I were THAT talented! I thought this photo pretty much included it all. It was professionally taken.

We were in the perfect spot to see a symmetrical corona. Years ago, in Bucks County, PA, where I grew up, we had a solar eclipse that was VERY disconcerting. It was so dark, a weird color of dark, too, that the street lights automatically came on. It was like twilight, but with an odd shade of gray. The birds quieted down, and I remember my stomach feeling weird. This eclipse was not like that at all due to the ring of fire which still provided much light to the area. It was impressive in that I realized just how much light we get from that burning ball of gas in our sky 93,000,000 miles away!

Now, for today's cards. The Magnolia card (2nd card in today's posting) is at the bottom of this post. Here is the information on first of two cards:

Since it is approaching the official start of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere, I chose to make my card have a winter theme. Today's card is my example of a card using glitter! It is the current challenge at Hooked on Craft. The challenge is to use glitter on a card. Let me tell you, it is really difficult to photograph the glittered elements! LOL! This challenge runs from May 28 until June 30. You may create a card, layout, or craft that includes glittered elements. What are you trying for? How about this:

How about that? Pretty nice lot, huh?

Now, on to my card. I chose to use colors that were somewhat unlikely together - mint green, brown, red, and white. Here is the cover. I'm showing two photos just so you can see the glittery elements. One photo was taken in one type of light while the other was taken with simple room light. You pick the one you prefer, LOL!

I used kraft colored cardstock for the bird cage and then applied Perfect Pearls in Verdigris to the cardstock. It made it look a shiny shade of aged copper. Love the effect. The rhinestones were clear, but were colored with Copic Markers. The paper is so pretty. You cannot tell from the photos, but the red flowers are foil. That added even more shine! Keeping the rustic look was important so I added twine to the top of the birdcage. The accordion flower is trimmed in glitter as are the roses. The snowflakes are covered in sparkles. I heat embossed the middle-sized one to get the sparkles on the punched cut.The largest snowflake came covered in sparkles. The bird was cut from cream colored glitter cardstock. I used ink along the edge of the bird and some of the paper mats. There are also distressed edges and machine stitching. Here is the inside:

Again, I used machine stitching on the mats as well as distressed edges. I cut the corners using my Quickutz die, added rhinestones, a mat cut from my Nestie dies. I have a sentiment stamp coming, but it isn't here yet. Here are the materials I used and are available at Hooked on Craft:

Crystal Stamen - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/embellishments/crystal-leaf-stems/crystal-leaf-stem-embellishments-6-pack.html

Pink Rose - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/flowers/mulberry-paper-roses/mulberry-paper-25mm-roses/25mm-pink-mulberry-paper-roses-10-pack.html

Burgundy Rose - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/flowers/mulberry-paper-roses/mulberry-paper-35mm-roses/35mm-premium-open-roses-red/pink-mix-mulberry-paper-roses-10-pack.html

Small Red Rose - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/flowers/mulberry-paper-roses/mulberry-paper-14mm-roses/14mm-red-mulberry-paper-roses-20-pack.html

Small Carnations - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/flowers/mulberry-paper-carnations/small-fuschia/cream-mulberry-paper-carnation-buds-10-pack.html

Holly Leaves - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/mulberry-paper-leaves/green-leaves/small-green-holly-mulberry-paper-leaves-20-pack.html

Medium Green Leaves - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/mulberry-paper-leaves/green-leaves/medium-green-mulberry-paper-leaves-20-pack.html

Clear Rhinestones - http://www.hookedoncraft.com/embellishments/self-adhesive-rhinestones/self-adhesive-clear-rhinestones-pack-100.html

Well, that pretty much covers this card's components with related links. I hope you like what I created for this wonderful challenge and that you will join in with us. You've got a month, so why not?

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Stampin'Sisters in Christe Challenges - #141 - ends 6/2 - Do something you're afraid of - on my card, I did not include a stamped image! The sentiment stamp was ordered and is on its way, though. No image here!

Christmas Card Challenges - #26 - ends 6/2 - Use Bling

52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown - #5 - ends 5/31 - embossing

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #74 - ends 6/1 - Christmas foliage

Craftymess Challenge Blog #9 - ends 6/1 - non traditional Christmas colors

Just Some Lines - ends 5/31 - Show Us Those Birds

BROTHERLY LOVE

This card was made for a very special friend. I wanted to use masculine colors and embellies. Here it is:

I love texture as you can see with the addition of the burlap and feathers. I stacked the flowers and added some rosebuds and die cut leaves. I applied inking and machine stitching for more interest. I love the contrast of the rough looking burlap and the soft looking feathers. I wanted the colors to be warm. The papers were perfect for the gardening theme.

Here is the inside of the card:

I often thought I should have added more embellies to the inside, but I didn't want to make it too girly looking since it was for an adult male. I chose to keep it relatively simple. Again, I inked and stitched. I created a pocket for a personal note or giftcard. The feathers were repeated, and those gorgeous papers were perfect together.

Thank you, dear visitors for stopping by. I hope you will return soon. Thank you so much! I so appreciate the time you took to visit. I'd love a comment if you have time to do so!

XO, Chris

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Chocolate, Coffee, Cards#13 ends 5/31 - for the boys

Crafty Catz#134 ends 5/31 - For a man

Here Come the Boys Challenge Blog #28 ends 6/8 - Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays - #104 ends 6/2 - Pocket Full of Posies

The Squirrel and the Fox - #18 ends 5/29 - Best Friends

The Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge - #51 ends 5/28 - Fruity Pocket
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