Thanks, Stef, for the great inspiration. I morphed two of the art pieces for my inspiration. The first one is Rosemarie and the second is Shine. When I saw the birds on the swings, I couldn't help laughing. It brought back such a funny childhood memory. I was wondering how this lady peeked into my childhood.
When my sis, my bro and I were all little (we're very close together in age, w/ The Brother being the youngest), after gathering for dinner, we would take turns each night to say Grace (the blessing). My sis & I being slightly older always thought it was a great honor to be the one to say Grace. One night, The Brother decided he was old enough and knew all the words. Sis and I were not convinced, but Mom & Pop (The Parents), decided he could try.
So, everything is going well until The Brother gets to the part "and thank you for the birds that sing". Apparently, he thought we always said something else, cause it came out " Thank you for the birds that swing". Sis and I couldn't help it. We about fell out of our chairs laughing. Even The Parents couldn't keep a straight face. The Brother just sits there like "What?" I cannot hear that blessing w/o getting a picture in my head of the birds in the swings.
Anyway, I used a torn piece of paper to sponge the ground and a self made template (thanks to Mothermark for directions for this a long time ago) for the clouds. I stamped the tree and leaves (PO) and drew the shrubs and berries along the ground. It's probably not visible here, but there is a foreground of sponged hills along the very bottom edge. It is slightly elevated from the bg.
The birds (HA & SG) were stamped and cut out. The swing was bugged and cut out. The sentiment was computer generated, cut out and layered onto a nestie oval.
This is matted on red and then on a similarly sponged bg. Both top and bottom layers were edged w/ a black marker. TFL
and there are extreme close ups (so you can see the die cuts) on my blog: The Write Stuff
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2009 GMT Views: 1432
Favorited:4
Registered: January 9, 2005 Location: Oh, Canada! Posts: 986
Sat, Feb 21, 2009 @ 4:19 PM
". . . and thank-you God for EVERYTHING!" Great story! It took me back. I like the layers and textures throughout your card. Your clouds are fabulous. If they are just masked you have the technique down to perfection! If they are a stamp . . . I want, (need) one! ;-)
------------------------------ Shirley
I'm not a complete idiot ~ some of my parts are missing!
Registered: June 5, 2006 Location: Beautiful Michigan Posts: 2622
Sat, Feb 21, 2009 @ 4:32 PM
Oh, I loved your story. I can just picture it - two little girls laughing uncontrollably and the brother with that look. Such a sweet memory you have shared. Your card with the bird on the swing is perfect. I love your clouds too!
Registered: August 6, 2007 Location: Warm, sunny and beautiful GA!!! Posts: 21370
Sat, Feb 21, 2009 @ 4:44 PM
AWWW - Julie - what a sweet story!!! Stories like this a always so dear to us - I love it!!! Your take on both inspiration pieces is fantastic - love the sponging, the raised images and all the other wonderful details!!!
Registered: October 15, 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 38718
Sat, Feb 21, 2009 @ 4:56 PM
What a delightful card, Julie! I love the wonderful scene you created! Great coloring, images and dimension! Loved your story - thanks for sharing the fun memory!
Registered: April 22, 2006 Location: SCS in NC Posts: 20914
Sat, Feb 21, 2009 @ 5:31 PM
LOL that is so sweet. I love that story. I think you should send this to him with that memory inside. LOVE this scene Julie. Such a great piece of art.. Hugs.
------------------------------ Dawn B. Anything is possible when you open your heart.... My BLOG
Registered: March 5, 2007 Location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania Posts: 44920
Sat, Feb 21, 2009 @ 6:22 PM
I love your story!!!! I love your card!!!! Fantastic sky and lovely hills! Great work!!!!
------------------------------ Lesley Proud Fan Club and RAK Member He is the GOD of the Impossible!!!! Kookzi the Rookzie Punchkateer It is by the grace of God that we take our next breath.