Multiple, Mini Blossoms

Don't have any idea how so many tiny blossoms can fit on one stem but it's a lot in this case.  Again I don't know what we are seeing, but it's pretty amazing.  And it grew horizontally as shown.

Another Columbine

At first I thought this was the combine that is Colorado's state flower, but it's too purple rather than blue.  It seems more like royalty so perhaps it should have been the state flower.  Then again, maybe it doesn't grow widespread.  That said, common sighting apparently isn't a criteria since I've never seen a lark bunting.  I'm told they are found only on the eastern side of the state.  Could have designated an eagle or a raven or a magpie--they seem to be everywhere.

Teal

This card started with the big flower and a die cut that also puts in the crease lines.  I added two punched flowers for the center and a pearl for a bit more color.  The border is due cut also and I added little, white punched flowers.  A pretty fast design once the flower is put together, although gluing the border in place takes a bit of time.

Red and Black Washi

This design is quite similar to the one I posted yesterday.  Again I'm showing both the card front and inside.

The big part of the flower was individual petals die cut.  The layered flowers were punched, as was the butterfly.  I layered two butterflies and then put black thread around the bodies and tied it for the antennae.

Black and white with just a bit of color - one of my favorites.

Black and Yellow Washi

 I put washi tape from the front to the inside of the card.  The flowers are punched.

The photo to the left is the front of the card; below is the inside of the card.

Couldn't be more simple.

Most Unusual

We're back at the cactus garden.  I was amazed at the color of this columbine and don't recall ever seeing it before.  The color was dark and brilliant and contrasted so nicely with the other pale petals. As you can see, it was blooming profusely.  Wow.

Orange Plume

These weren't in their prime just yet but they still added a lot of color and were pretty.  I could use my imagination for seeing their full potential.

Cactus Clump

This clump of cactus was on the ground and closely nestled among two large rocks.  The little ones have an almost furry look but I was smart enough to know not to attempt even a slight touch.  They reminded me of the chickens and hens - but that's not what they are - at least I don't think so.

Folded Chevron

I came upon this idea online (stampladee.com) and gave it a try.  The corners are folded on five paper strips that are 2.5 x 1 inch  By using paper pritned on both sides you get additional color.  After I adhered the folded strips I added some perferations, thin satin ribbon and faux jewels.

I'm not so crazy about this design that I'll make any more, but it was something different.  I found it a little hard to embellish as things tended to distract rather than add anything.  But it's complete enough on its own.

White Plumes

There is a nice combination of ground level and towering plants in the garden.  These are certainly among those that tower into the air and were probably the tallest blossoms in the garden.  And I have no idea what they are.  But I am able to admire them anyway.

Bountiful Butterflies

This butterfly easel card was cut using my electronic cutter which I seem to depend upon more and more.  It does such a better job than my hands do.  I decided the addition of the smaller section on each butterfly added a nice dimension so that was my contribution to the design.  I ran those through an embossing folder and added some faux jewels for accent.  I also used an additional cut file for those great bodies and feelers.  The text is stamped and adhered with foam tape so the smaller butterfly had something to keep it up.  A double easel; ya gotta love that!

Overview

I thought I should show you at least one overview of the cactus garden from which I've been showing multiple photos.  It is maintained by local Master Gardeners and is a good testament to their knowledge and ability.  It is very nicely done and is quite extensive.  This is just a small part of all that is viewable.

Still Zipping Along

The black strip to the left is die cut as are the leaves.  The flowers and butterflies are punched.  The strip below the zipper is washi tape.  I added faux jewels for flower centers and after "day."

Bet you're wondering what's under the zipper. . . .

Something I didn't mention in previous posts is the importance of adhering well the area around the zipper as there's quite a bit of pressure on the paper when the zipper is pulled.  Mine haven't been tested yet so I hope they work well.

Zipper With A Flourish

This card shows the second orientation for the zipper die.  You just have to be careful that the text under the zipper lines up so it is centered when unzipped.  The flowers and flourish are also die cuts. The arrow is part of a stamp set that coordinates with the zipper.  Flower centers are dimensional paint.

Zippers Are Here

Maybe the die cut for zippers has been around for some time but I just recently discovered it and thought, "what fun!"  I hope recipients get a kick out of pulling the strip open to see the text that is revealed.  

I've been playing with different designs (there's both a vertical and horizontal version of the die) and this was my first one.  The dots are all washi tape.  I covered cardstock with the black dots and then punched out the flowers.  The smaller flowers are punched.  I black embossed the hello over the tape.  The card is flat and doesn't open as a standard card does.

The die and coordinating text stamps are available from Papertrey.

Wildfire & A Stitch In Time

The upper photo was taken from the train yesterday as we passed by the new wildfire that had started just a few hours earlier near Rifle (about 60 miles east of Grand Junction).  It seemed to grow as we traveled by it but our perspective changed so I can't actually say that it did.  We wondered if the darker smoke to the left was an indication that water was being put on the fire.  It's far from a great photo due to the power lines and window reflections but I thought I'd share what we saw.

This was the second card that I made for the stamp club "sewing" theme.  I electronically cut three sizes of ovals, two on patterned paper that I created by using a "tone on tone" method with rubber stamps.  I used my machine to stitch down the center of the carefully placed ovals and then cut the support piece into a circle.   I pulled up the top two layers of ovals but, of course, going through the mail they will get flattened again.  The flourishes are die cut and the flower is multi layers of punched flowers.  I added jewels for the flower center and as little embellishments near each flourish.  The card front was folder embossed.  My sewing machine got a good workout recently.

Orange Etc.

I have to wonder how so many colors could be in a single petal.  This little beauty seems to have  gone all out to be so colorful.  And to look at the bud that hadn't opened, one wouldn't suspect the orange to dominate.  Very interesting how many tricks Mother Nature has up her sleeve.  Ya just gotta say, "Wow!"

Stitched With Care

 The theme for this month's stamp club exchange was "sewing."  This is one of the cards I made and I started by electronically cutting the diamonds out of four different patterned papers.  I actually stitched those to a piece of cardstock after I taped the punched edge in place.  The ribbon is held in place with little glue dots and I added a needle with thread, two tiny straight pins, and a button.  The largest embellishment is a thread bobbin.  I cut that with my electronic cutter and added a length of embroidery thread.

I don't often use my sewing machine in cardmaking so this was a good opportunity to do so.

Fantastic Fuchsia . . .

. . . the color, not the flower.  I don't know what this one is but it was blooming it's heart out.  It was probably a couple of inches across and was very happy.  Which made me happy.  And I hope it makes you happy, too.

Another Columbine

In my experience it is rare to see such pale columbines.  These were really pretty and the addition of just a touch of pink at the ends and yellow in the centers really set them off.  I could live with some of these in my garden.

Pale Columbine

 Since I found so many other plants with the cactus, maybe I shouldn't refer to the recently-visited garden as the "cactus garden."  There were some unique columbines and this was one of them - almost white petals with yellow in the center.  Very nice.  The columbine is the state flower for Colorado, but the blue and white one. Good choice I think and I hope to get out later in the summer and see a mountain side filled with them.

In The Kitchen

I thought I'd change things up a bit and add this recipe.  You never know what you might find while shopping and there was this blackboard  at the Crate And Barrel in the Bridgeport Mall in Oregon.   I thought it was a very clever idea.  And I thought it was something I would actually make so that was an added bonus.  In case you have trouble reading it:

Cherry Tomato Jam for Cheese

2 cups cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
zest from one lemon
1/2 tsp fresh rosemary
Boil all together

Since it is recommended to go with cheese, it's right now my alley.  I even have some specialty cheese with which to try it.  Can't wait.

Yucca Revisited

I assume this is two types of yucca and the shorter one is more typical of what we commonly see growing in the wild.  I know that deer really enjoy eating those blossoms - but I've not tried them to see what all the shouting is about.  The Native Americans used the yucca for all kinds of things because the "leaves" have cords that appear when the plant dries up.  They wove the cords into ropes, sandals, etc.  I can attent that the points of those leaves are really very sharp.

Yellow Spikes

These colorful spikes were quite all and they were happy growing in a big clump.  Even the strong wind didn't seem to affect them other than to sway them to and fro.

Purple a Plenty

There was a very big section of these lovelies.  They were growing quite tall and swaying in the wind.  The color was amazing.

Roses

 The rose bushes were as beautiful as the cactus and the contrast was so striking since these petals are so soft and seemingly fragile.  The blossom invites a close look and even a sniff.  I imagine they feel right at home with the cactus since they also have thorns.

Fuzzy

Seems like I should know what this plant is but it doesn't come to me.  It is unique with all the fuzziness going on.  And it's little.  I'd say the blossom is less than an inch tall.  The pink lines running up each petal (?) add a nice bit of color and make it more distinctive.

Chickens With The Cactus

This plant I know because it's one of the plants I'm able to grow in my garden - chickens and hens.  It's a succulent and doesn't need a lot of attention.  This one is quite attractive because of the dark color at the tip of each petal (mine doesn't have that bonus) and it contrasts nicely with the hunk of wood next to it  that's a lighter color.  Wonder how much it will grow in the course of the summer?

Spines

This guy wants to be seen and not felt.  This part of the plant was standing proud and tall and I'm wondering how those twins on top creat a new plant - or if they do.  I think it's pretty safe from harm with those multiple thorns going every which direction.

Rich Color

This plant has really put it's all into creating rich color and those multiple petals.  Each flower is about 1.5 inches across and there are many of them.  Conditions certainly were favorable for this cactus.