Sunday, July 3, 2011

Less Is More: Shades of Blue

This week's Less Is More challenge is a color challenge...we are to use Shades of Blue.




I used some of the new Stampin' Up In Colors - Pool Party and Island Indigo, then added the sentiment in Not Quite Navy.  The stamps are done by inking them up in Pool Party and then "thumping" randomly on the stamp with the Island Indigo marker.  Everything is more toned down than the actual colors because as a last step, I dipped a sponge dauber into Frost White Shimmer Paint and coated the stamp before stamping.  (See my Shimmer Paint tutorial for more details.)

I wanted to get this Shades of Blue challenge done because I had to tell you about the BLUEjay that has adopted my cats!  I have assumed this was a truly evil bird as it sits in the tree outside our sun porch and squawks at the cats.


But then one day, my husband let our indoor cats outside to have a go at this bird.  After rolling happily in the dirt for awhile, they sat under the tree and looked at the bird.  The bird was just above them. Then they started swatting at the bird.  He jumped up one branch...just out of the way.  Then they started jumping.  He just kept moving slightly out of the way!

So my husband announced it was all a game for them.  I was quite skeptical until one day, the cats were in the windowsill in our upstairs bedroom.  That darn bluejay was sitting on the gutter and you could just see its head peeking over the edge, looking the in the window. 

Now I have realized that whatever room the cats are in, the bird is right outside the window.  Or...I have noticed the cats going from room to room looking for the bird.  It's definitely keeping them amused!!




I just wish bluejays weren't quite so loud.

FYI: I am heading up to the mountains this afternoon.  The little town of Frisco is the PERFECT place to celebrate the Fourth of July.  It starts with everybody walking down to the fire station for a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade in which the highlight are the kids riding their decorated bicycles.  The festivities continue all day ending with fireworks shot off over the big lake. We can actually sit on our sailboat and see them immediately over us. (Of course, we also have to deal with cleaning up the ash on the boat the next day!)   I will be back and hopefully cardmaking again this Friday.

This is my second post today so keep reading!!

  • Stamps: StampingScrapping Spellbinders Matching Stamps, Stampin' Up Bliss
  • Ink: Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy, Island Indigo, Pool Party
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Island Indigo, Pool Party
  • Accessories: Stampin' Up Frost White Shimmer Paint, gems colored with copics, Spellbinders Fancy Tags, misc ribbon

35 comments:

  1. Beautiful card and I love your cat and blue jay story! Happy 4th!

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  2. Gorgeous LiM card Kim. Love the shades of blue you`ve used. The Spellbinders tag is perfect.Love your cat and bird story. Enjoy your trip.
    Lynne xxx

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  3. What a gorgeous and classy card!

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  4. Fab card, the stamping method sounds interesting will pop by later to have another look.

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  5. This is very, very pretty! xx

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  6. I love this card, especially the use of the shimmer paint, I must give it a try. Happy 4th July!
    Cx

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  7. Beautiful card Kim. Love how you stepped it up another notch with the shimmer.
    TFS the cute story about your felines & their feathered friend.
    Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations! :)

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  8. Beautiful card Kim, shimmer paint adds that little touch.

    http://janetscraftycreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/shades-of-blue.html

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  9. Stunning design Kim and I love your cat story! Happy 4th July and enjoy your time in the mountains, it sounds idyllic! Zx

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  10. Gorgeous card, Kim, and perfectly balanced! Love how you wove the ribbon through the die cut.
    Awesome story about your cats and the bird. Funny how these supposed mortal enemies have these fascinating relationships. :)

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  11. I love that tag die....and I love the shades of blue that you've chosen...my favorite! My Card

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  12. Stunning card, love it xx Jan

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  13. Kim - this is absolutely beautiful and really elegant. I love the subtle bling!

    Your cats must keep you amused for hours :) Have a great 4th July!

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  14. Love, love, love the simplicity of this card. Just beautiful! Have a safe 4th of July! :)

    Arlene.

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  15. beautiful card Kim, love the ornate ribbon label. Great story about your cats and the blue jay :)
    Jenny x

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  16. A beautifully elegant card (and love your cat/birdie story) xx

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  17. Stunning card Kim. Beautiful.

    Those birds look like they were having fun, as was your kitty cat!
    Thanks so much
    Diva LIM
    "Less is More"

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  18. This is beautiful Kim, I love the shimmer and the lovely shades of blue! I must do a card for this weeks challenge, I love blue!

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  19. Very elegant card! I love the games your cat and the bird are playing. :)

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  20. Hello there, Beautiful card, love the stamping behind the label, works so elegantly:0) The cat and bird story is an old one and goes back long before we were around, I love your take on it, you made me smile. I wonder what they think LOL Gay xxx

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  21. Hi Kim, your card is STUNNING. I really love the stamp and the fancy tag. I live in Denver and the festivites in Frisco sound fabulous. Loved your story about the cat and the bird.

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  22. Hi Kim!
    I have been having withdrawals ... I miss seeing you each day, hunny! And ... I have missed your gorgeous creations. Hopefully life will begin to get back to normal again soon. Another stunner. Love the colours (am very jealous you have got hold of these ... and we have to wait until September!) Must pop by the LIM blog again. I had given up ... because I always seemed to be picked up for overdoing my LIM challenges. But ... I do love CAS cards. Hugs xxaxx

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  23. This is so lovely and elegant! Love the idea of adding shimmer to the stamp! Will check it out! :)

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  24. wow!!! so very elegant and stylish! Hugs Juls

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  25. Hi Kim

    What a sophisticated and elegant card love that fancy frame too.

    Take care

    Tina (entry 191)

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  26. Gorgeous, very elegant card!

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  27. Beautiful card, I love the shimmer you've added and the ribbon adds elegance. x

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  28. Dear Kim, what a beauty! Love this card.. You proved again that simple doesn't have to be boring. Love it!
    And I so enjoyed the photo's of your cat. She is the cutest thing. It's not easy being a cat inside the house I am sure.

    Inky hugs, Pauline

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  29. Wow, this card speaks "volumes". Very pretty and elegant.

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  30. Classy and elegant card, Kim! Plus, I loved the story about the cats and the bird! Too cute!

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