Thursday, July 4, 2019

Happy 4th of July

The city's parade is in full swing as I write this. There are floats, bands, cars, cheerleaders, and all the fun that accompanies parades. However, after years of working the parade and going to watch my grandchildren march in their various bands (all on drum line and they're soooo good), I've decided that I can sit parades out for a few years. We will have family and friends over later for a little cookout, and then walk to the bluff on the Lake for fireworks. It gets crazy around here with cars....hundreds if not thousands descend to take advantage of the view the bluff affords. Thankfully, my driveway will accommodate at least seven cars, so no one has to hunt for a spot! How did/do you celebrate our nation's birthday? One thing comes to mind for sure; blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream...Yum!

I've got a couple of cards to share with you today. The first one celebrates one of blogland's most famous and dearly loved bloggers; Darnell. She just celebrated a birthday, and the lovely Loll has thrown a party on her CAS Watercolor Challenge blog in Darnell's honor. Isn't that just the sweetest?! My second card is headed off to Time Out and Inkspirational.






Since I've blathered on, I'd best get right to the cards now. 


I did a light watercoloring on those pretty blossoms by Poppystamps, and just used plain cardstock. The hand die is from EH, and the Altenew frame was cut from a scrap of patterned paper. I added some nearly clear sequins, but they've shown up pink here. In real life, they're much more complimentary. 


My "three," according to the prompt at Inkspirational, are the three pink flowers in these floral swags. And those flowers fulfill the requirement over at Time Out, too. All the stamps used on this are from a WPlus9 set. I used the matching die, and put sections across the top and bottom. To give it a more CAS look, I added the sentiment close to the larger floral grouping, leaving tons of white space in the center. The flowers and leaves were all watercolored with Zigs. So that's it. Hoping to get a bit caught up on commenting today, so will wish you all a Happy 4th, and as always...


16 comments:

~amy~ said...

Bev, I was just thinking of you! Sound like you have a busy day ahead of you. We have family coming over and yes to the the red, white + blue dessert :)

Both of your cards are beautiful. I especially love your second one. Those blooms are gorgeous and love your color choices.

Have an awesome holiday weekend.

Claire said...

Two beautiful cards, the flowers look gorgeous positioned around the edge. Happy 4th of July to you and yours, I hope you all enjoy the celebrations x

Bonnie said...

I love how you're holding that pretty bouquet, Bev! Beautiful soft coloring! Love the bright spray of flowers too! Two very different but equally beautiful looks! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour!

Darnell said...

Thank you for my birthday bouquet, Bevie! It's really lovely with the soft coloring and awesome framing! And, my, your hand looks so soft and youthful; what lotion do you use? Thank you for taking part in my little surprise birthday tribute! And, wow, I also love the floral CAS card you created! Your coloring with your Ziggies is fantastic and I love the way you split the bouquet between the top and bottom borders!! Love you and miss you! Hope you had a great 4th and enjoy the weekend!! Hugs, Darnie

Susan said...

Such a great idea to have the hand holding the bouquet! And I love the frame of patterned paper. Thanks so much for making a card for the challenge I'm hosting at CAS Watercolour!

Loll said...

Happy 4th (a little late), Bev!!

Two fabulous cards. First, love the bouquet of flowers for Darnell. This image is so sweet and I love that you've used a very soft, delicate colour. Great idea to have the hand holding the bouquet! Thanks for shairng with us at CAS Watercolour!

Your second card is beautiful. Love the colouring ouf your beautiful blossoms using zigs. Great design! xx

sandie said...

These are adorable cards and I adore the card for Ink and Time Out-thanks for joining us! I love the off the edge design and that is the perfect placement of the sentiment-gorgeous colours too!

Marcia Hill said...

Awwwwww...I just love the simple bouquet of posies you made for Darnell! The soft color and that sweet, sweet hand holding it out make this card extra special Bev and I just know Darnell LOVED it!! I love your colorful 2nd card too and how you split it between the top and bottom...beautiful design my friend!! Hope you had a wonderful 4th!! We just had my mom and a couple of the girls over for dinner (and yes, there definitely was strawberry shortcake with fresh Michigan berries!) and had a nice but low key day. Hubby had to work the next day so we didn't go see fireworks but we sure heard them! Enjoy the rest of your weekend my friend. Hugs!! :0)

Bobby said...

It must be wonderful to be so close to where the fireworks are sent soaring into the sky to bloom into various colors and shapes, Bev. We were at the lake but our area has a ban on fireworks so we watched them across the lake. It was interesting because Mother Nature had her own light show going on at the same time.

Your little bouquet is so sweet and the coloring on the other flowers is soft and pretty. I'm so glad you found some crafting time.

TK said...

Your card is fabulous, and your floral arrangements are perfect! Sounds like you had a fabulous fourth! I can say that Hubbs and I actually went camping alone, first time ever! We had a great time relaxing and the dogs didn't get frightened because we were in the mountains, away from all fireworks!

Kara Lynne said...

I love your handful of posies in the soft pink color! Perfect feminine frame for it too. Your design on your second card is fantastic and that sentient nestles in perfectly! Glad you had a family-filled Fourth!

Anita in France said...

Your hand tied and hand held softly coloured blossom bouquet is simply lovely, Bev ... a delight for Darnell's birthday! Gorgeous pastel floral swags on your second card ... they make the perfect frame for that simple and oh so powerful sentiment! Delighted to have you playing along with us at Time Out, my friend ... hope your 4th was wonderful! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Brenda said...

Both cards are just beautiful Bev! I love how different and unique each are and of course just love the flowers on both. Yes, Darnell is certainly one of the most beloved people in blogland! She is amazing, but you are too my friend. Hope your 4th was a nice one with family and friends. Hugs, Brenda

maria f. said...

Hi dearie! Sounds like the 4th is a great time to be at your place. Hope you had fun. My aunt always makes a 9x13 cake, decorated with cream cheese frosting and strawberries and blueberries to make a flag :) Won't be heading to MI until Aug this year so no 4th celebrations for me. Must pop over to wish Darnell a happy one, thanks for the reminder. I really like your flowers, all that blue is lovely. I too just used the EH hand, but to hold a wine glass cheering DH on his 60th! Hugs.

Nonni said...

Two beautiful cards! The hand was a super idea, very creative and unique. And the flower stamps in your second card are absolutely beautiful and I love your soft coloring, the pastel colors look super pretty. Thanks for joining us at Inkspirational and Time Out!

Jill V said...

These are so pretty - I love the colour combo of the soft pink with the darker blue in the florals. Beautiful design, lovely card - thanks so much for playing along with us at Time Out! Jill