Published in Take Ten Summer Issue

Today I'm sharing a card published in the Summer issue of Take Ten.  I designed this one for the "spray ink" challenge of this issue.  Lots of cheerful summery cards in this issue.  And I loved the Guest Artist this month, Miriam Napier.  She created some beautiful cards.

I hope you all are starting your summer off with some fun outdoor activities.  DH and I have been laying out in the sun.  We are trying to work our way up to going to the community pool.  It has really heated up here in Texas, we are hitting 100 already. 

Gotta share that today I was rolling up a piece of carpet I decided I didn't want to use in the diningroom and to my surprise found a dead baby snake!!  That's 2 snakes those cats have brought in the house so far!  The first one was alive, but a baby.  So I scooped him up and tossed him out the front door.  But luckily no birds yet!

We are still shopping for livingroom furnature.  You would think this would be an easy process.  We have spent 2 seperate days the last month going from store to store.  I can not wait to get this settled because I can't really make any other decisions, like curtains, until I get the furnature.  The biggest issue is pets!  We don't want a fabric couch since we have pets.  So we are searching for a comfortable leather couch and matching recliner.

Today I unpacked all my sea shells.  Many of the sand dollars and other shells were collected by my children and I when they were younger.  I created a sea shell wreath with shells we had collected together.  I'm using them in our bathroom.  We are slowly making progress.  Part of the problem is that I hate shopping.  I'd rather be home creating.  But we have got to get some of these rooms finished and decorated.  I might want to have some of you over someday!

I am very excited.  My daughter is comig for a visit in 1 week.  There will lots of crafting with her.  We are going to do the Christy Tomlison "She Art" class together.  I had already taken it, but I'm going to watch all the video's again with her and try to get some canvas's done.  It should be fun and messy with 2 of us in the studio!

I hope you are having  a wonderful holiday weekend!

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Project Details

Stamps : Layers of Color Butterfly Collector and

Happy Wishes art stamp sets.

Ink : Brilliance Pearlescent Rust and

VersaFine Onyx Black by Tsukineko

Glimmer Mist Spray - Robin’s Egg Blue by Tattered Angels

　

Spray card front with Glimmer Mist spray ink. Stamp sentiment and butterflies.

Corrugated Cardboard Flowers

Aren't those flowers so cute!  Well, I wish I could say I made them, cause you know I love corrugated cardboard art, but I didn't.  But it doesn't mean I can't, ha!  I think they are great inspiration for creating my own little corrugated shapes!   They are manuf by Jillibean Soup.  And I just LOVE these buttons by Dress it Up.  I have got to find more!!

I hope you are inspired to get crafty today!!

Melisa

You can view all of my Corrugated Cardboard art HERE. 

I have a Flicker Group as well HERE.

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Project Details

Stamp : Layers of Color - “Sent With Love” art stamp set

Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate - Tsukineko

Patterned Paper : October Afternoon Fly A Kite - Strawberry Jam

Corrugated Cardboard Flowers : Jillibean Soup

Buttons : Dress It Up from Hobby Lobby

Lace : Hobby Lobby

Embossing Folder : Cuttlebug

Published in CardMaker!

It is always fun to open up a magazine and see your name!  I was blessed to have 3 projects published in the May issue of CardMaker magazine and this is just one of them.

I used Layers of Color Botanical Swirls art stencil and Butterfly Collector art stamp set.

You can read all the details in the May issue of CardMaker!

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa

Father's Day Inspiration

Good Morning.  Father's Day is just a month away so I wanted to share a little inspiration with you.  I think the Warbler cling art stamp by Layers of Color makes a perfect Father's Day card.  One of the things I like about this stamp is the size!  This card is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" and the Warbler is still the center of attention.

I also want to take a moment to give you a head's up on an upcoming blog hop / challenge over at the Christian Paper Crafts Creative Blog HERE.  You can click on the banner on my side bar to check out all the rules for playing along.  Last month I won a free stamp set, so it's definitely worth checking out.  The theme this month is "For the man in your life".  So get busy creating and be prepared to link your project by midnight May 23rd.  Mr. Linky will be live on May 22nd on the Christian Paper Craft Blog.

I hope you will join us!

Melisa

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Project Details

Stamp : Layers of Color Warbler cling art stamp and

Happy Wishes art stamp set.

Ink : Tsuikineko VersaMagic Tea Leaves and

VersaFine Onyx Black

Patterned Paper : My Mind’s Eye Meadowlark

My Mind’s Meadowlark “cards” sheet

Spellbinders Labels Four Nestibilities

Deckled Scissors : Fiskars

Glitter Glue : Stickles Lime Green

Trim green cardstock 5 ¼” x 5 ¼” and adhere to front of card. Trim swirly patterned paper (My Minds Eye Meadowlark) 2 ¼” x 5”. Trim striped pattern paper (My Minds Eye Meadowlark) 3” x 5 ¼”. Distress the edges of both strips with black ink and adhere to front of card as shown. Adhere black lace across card. Trim one of the “cards” from the Meadowlark 12x12 “cards” paper, ink edges and adhere to green cardstock. Trim around edges with deckled scissors (Fiskars). Adhere to front of card. Stamp bird (Layers of Color Warbler cling art stamp) with green ink (Tsukineko VersaMagic Tea Leaves) on white cardstock and trim image. Adhere to front of card. Trim /emboss white cardstock with Nestibilities Labels Four (Spellbinders) using Grand Calibur(Spellbinders). Stamp sentiment (Layers of Color Happy Wishes) with black ink (VersaFine Onyx Black). Ink edges with green ink and adhere to front of card. Embellish bird with glitter glue (Stickles Lime Green).

I love the Warbler image

I LOVE this stamp!  I had a lot of fun creating this one.  I even used my sewing machine.  I still hate changing out the thread color though.  It usually takes me multiple attempts to get the thread up from the bottom.  I think I need a sewing class, Ha!

I hope your week is filled with blessings!

Melisa

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Project Details

Stamps : Layers of Color Warbler cling art stamp and Sent With Love art stamp set.  The little bird cage in the background is a $1 stamp from Michaels, SCORE! 

Ink : Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate

1920's music paper from Antique Store

Ribbon - May Arts

Border Punch - Fiskars

Cardboard frame - Making Memories (it's old)

Creative Cuts and More Gift Bag

I created this project using a Creative Cuts and More pre-cut, pre-scored gift bag.  All I had to do was fold and adhere!  Soooo easy!

I really like the red and aqua together.   What's your favorite color combo??

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa

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Project Details

Stamps : "Nature Walk" Layers of Color

Bag : Creative Cuts and More

old dictionary paper

Glimmer Mist - Garden Fairly and Robin's Egg Blue

Copics

lace and ribbon - local craft store

brads - The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)

Fold pre-cut bag along pre-scored lines. Adhere using Killer Red Tacky TApe. Tie handles with ribbon. Spray old dictionary paper with Glimmer Mist. Stamp flower and leaf images and cut(flower - 3 small and 1 large, leaves - 1 small, 1 large). Cut flowers into center so that each petal is seperate. Use Copics to add shadows on images. Shape petals/leaves by pinching to make 3D. Adhere lace across bottom of bag. Layer flowers and secure in center with brads. Adhere leaves and flowers as shown.
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You can view more of my Creative Cuts and More projects HERE.
You view more Gift Bags / Boxes HERE.

Clean and Simple

Good Morning Papercrafters.  Today I am trying to keep it clean and simple.  You could whip up these cards in no time at all using Layers of Colors art stencils and stamps.  They coordinate so beautifully.

Stamps : “Butterfly Collector“ and “Sent With Love” by Layers of Color

Stencil : “Botanical Swirls” by Layers of Color

Glitter : Stampendous 2-Way Glue pen by Zig

Create A2 card with kraft cardstock. Mask of 1/3 of card vertically.

Stencil vine pattern with green ink. Stamp butterfly’s on front of card

and on another piece of kraft paper. Trim butterflies (except antenna’s)

and adhere over butterflies on front popping up wings slightly.

Embellish butterfly bodies with glitter. Stamp sentiment on kraft paper

and cut with oval punch. Ink edges. Pop off front of card. Ink edges of

card with black ink. Add ribbon.

Stamps : “Backyard Birds“ and “Sent With Love” by Layers of Color

Stencil : “Natural Flourish” by Layers of Color
Ribbon : Double-sided - Offray

Create A2 card with kraft cardstock. Stencil on flourish with green

ink. Stamp sentiment. Stamp bird on front of card and again on another

piece of kraft. Trim just the birds body (not the branch) and adhere over

bird on front of card.  Add Ribbon.

Stamps : “Warbler“ and “Sent With Love” by Layers of Color

Patterned Paper : Canvas Corp

Ribbon : Double-sided - Offray

Create A2 card with kraft cardstock.  Adhere 2" x 4.25" polka dot paper across bottom.  Stamp bird/branch image and sentiment on front of card with black ink.  Stamp bird/branch image again with green ink. Trim just the bird body and adhere over bird on front of card, popping up

head slightly. Adhere black ribbon across card.

Stamps : Victorian Frame cling art stamp, Sent With Love and Backyard Birds art stamp sets by Layers of Color

Patterned Paper : Canvas Corp

Spellbinders Nestibilities Labels Fourteen

Ribbon : Double-sided - Offray

Create A2 card with kraft cardstock.  Stamp Victorian Frame and bird on kraft cardstock.  Trim frame using Spellbinders Nestibilities Labels Fourteen and Grand Calibur.  Stamp sentiment.  Trim bird.  Adhere 2 1/4" x 5/5" polka dot paper across bottom of card and add ribbon.  Adhere frame and bird.

 

 

Stamps : Nature Walk and Sent With Love art stamp sets
Patterned Paper : Basic Grey
Ribbon : Double-sided - Offray

Create A2 kraft card.  Draw a light pencil line across bottom of card at 3/4" from bottom of card.  Mask off below line with paper and stamp flourish.  Stamp sentiment.  Add ribbon.  Stamp floral images on red patterned paper x 4.  Trim all 4.  Cut along side of petals to flower center on 2 of them.  Shape each petal by pinching sides and rounding.  Adhere these on top of the other 2 and then adhere to front of card.
Thanks for stopping by!
hugs,
Melisa

Fabric Artist Trading Cards

Good Morning paper crafters!  I love trying new things, and a couple of months ago I came across a yahoo group that creates Fabric Artist Trading Cards ( 2 1/2" x 3 1/2").  I had never heard of such a thing, so I joined the group just to see what it was all about, because I like making trading cards.  And oh what fun I have had learning to work with fabric to create art. 

The group has a monthly theme for their swap.  Once you have made your card, you upload it to that months "album" and then at the end of the month, we swap.

I was told that a true fabric trading card is fabric from front to back.  All of mine but the last one have paper on the back.  I picked up a couple of embroidery books and as you can see, I am still learning.

The theme for this one was "April Showers Bring May Flowers" and it could be anything spring-like.  So I decided a potted plant would be fun to attempt, and easy for me to cut the pot shape.  This was the first time I had ever done the applique stitch.  It's a little rough, hopefully I will get better.  And the flowers and leaves are a very simple detached chain stitch.  I wanted a more decorated border, so I decided to try the Pekinese stitch on this one.  I really like how this one turned out, and I'm not sure if I'm going to trade it or not.

This is the one I have up for trade this month.  I figured the easiest way to create these would probably be to find fabric with a cute design and embellish it, since I'm new to this.  I used several different stitches on this one as well.  Did you know there is an Embroidery Stitch Bible book.  Yep, and I figured if it was the bible for stitching then that was the one I needed!  Ha.  Over 200 stitches in this book.  Ok, I will probably never use more than the 10 simplest, teehee.  The border on this one almost drove me crazy!  But once I got in a grove, I picked up pace.  It's called a "crossed sloping blanket stitch".  I think it finished the edges nicely.

This was the first one I created, for March's "Green" challenge.  And it is still up for trade if anyone is interested.  I stamped the flower images on felt, which did not stamp very well, but there was enough of an image to use as guidelines.  I used simple outline stitching and french knots, and then embellished with glitter glue.  I used a simple blanket stictch around the edges. 

And this is the one I traded for March's "Green" challenge.  I actually used the sewing machine on this one!  I would use that thing more, but I HATE changing the thread colors out.  I started with a piece of decorative fabric on this one.  I cut the fabric butterflies out and stiffened them with white glue so I could pop them up and shape the wings.  I stitched a piece of matching ribbon down the side and added a flower button.

So what do think about my latest creative outlet???  I love to try new things, so who knows how long I will create these.  But I figure I could handle at least 1 a month for the swap.

Wanna join me???  The group has a huge membership, but not very many participating.  We would love to have you join us if you like working with fabric and want to give it a try!

If you need more info on Artisted Trading Cards and a list of resources, then check out this post from last year:

http://melisawaldorf.blogspot.com/2010/09/artist-trading-cards.html

You can view all of my ATC's HERE

Check out the Fabric Artist Trading Card group HERE.  PLEASE join me!

Have a great day!

Melisa

CardMaker Mag Publication Teacher Gift Set

Good Morning!  Today I am sharing a Teacher Gift set.  You can find a slightly altered version in the May issue of CardMaker Magazine and as one of the featured projects on the CardMaker Magazine site HERE.  The chipboard on this set was discontinued, so I had to make a few changes.  The "A+ Teacher" and "for my teacher" sentiments are FREE downloads you can get at the bottom of my sidebar.  The gift boxes are from Creative Cuts and More.

And here is a photo of the changes I made:

 

I substituted some digital images.  I used "Apple for Teacher" digi set by Fred She Said and "Back to School Desk" by The Stamping Boutique.

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa

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You can view more of my Back to School / Teacher Appreciation projects HERE.

You view more Gift Bags / Boxes HERE.

You can view more of my Creative Cuts and More projects HERE.

He is Risen!

He is risen!  Hallelujah!

Oh what a wonderful feeling it is to know that I am free, because of what Christ did for me.  I still marvel, after all these years, that He died FOR ME.  It feels so personal and brings me a hint of sadness thinking of His suffering, knowing that I did not, nor will I ever deserve this kind of love.  A love that is so great that He suffered on the cross, was buried and rose again, FOR ME ...  so that my sins could be forgiven and I could be reconciled with God  ...  so that I could live a life of peace and joy in knowing that when I die, I will spend eternity with God.  What a wonderful feeling that I do not have to earn it.  The price has been paid.  If you would like more information on how you can have this kind of peace and joy, this assurance, this kind of love, then please feel free to email me - melisa.waldorf@yahoo.com.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16

Hallelujah!

If you missed the wonderful Easter post over on the Layers of Color blog this week, please take a moment to check it out HERE.

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Project Description

Trim patterned paper 3 1/8” x 4 ¼” Trim white card stock 2 ½” x 4 ¼” and emboss with Cuttlebug embossing folder. Distress with yellow ink.  Ink edges of both panels with black ink. Adhere white panel first then patterned paper panel over lapping to front of card. Adhere lace as shown. I use white wet glue along edges of lace/card and let dry before trimming. It prevents fraying once you cut it. Stamp sentiment on front of card. Stamp base of cross on yellow cardstock and front on white cardstock with black ink and trim. Trim / emboss white cardstock with Labels Eight Nestibilities  using Grand Calibur. Distress edges with yellow ink. Adhere to front of card as shown and add cross images. Embellish with yellow pearls.

Stamps : Layers of Color Gothic Crosses, sentiment Impression Obssession

Ink : Tsukineko VersaMagic Thatched Straw and VersaFine Onyx Black

Patterned paper : Lilybee Designs “This and That” 6x6 paper pad

Embossing Folder : Cuttlebug

Spellbinders Labels Eight Nestibilities and Grand Calibur

Lace : local craft store

Week 3 with Tuesday Throwdown

Oh what a fun sponsor Tuesday Throwdown has this week - The Cutting Cafe.  And this weeks challenge is "polka dots".  I have actually purchased digital files from The Cutting Cafe before.  Lots of cute images.

I used the Easter Bingo Cards Set and Easter Set #3

These egg-stra cute images are from the Easter Set #3 as well.

  The Cutting Cafe images are sold in sets.  The main difference in this digital company from most of the others I have shopped with is that the files are sent to you as .pdf's (Adobe Reader).  So, if you don't have a copy of Adobe Reader on your computer, you will need to download it (it's FREE).   This threw me off at first, because I'm used to just inserting an individual image in a document and then resizing it.  Resizing is more complicated with .pdf's.  So make sure you read over the instructions HERE before purchasing.  Once I figured that out, I was good to go!

So if you still need to throw together a couple of Easter cards, then digi images are the way to go at this point!

Have a blessed week!
Hugs,
Melisa

Kraft creations

Good Morning Papercrafters.  Ahhhh, its the one of the most dreaded days of the year!  We usually owe money, and of course, according to DH, somehow it's alwasy my fault!  But this year, we are getting some back!!  And as you might imagine, it has absolutely nothing to do with me THIS YEAR, teehee. 

So, if today is a downer for you, I hope finding time to get crafty helps a little.  And there is no excuse for not having time, because today I am sharing some cards that you could whip up pretty quickly.  Not a lot of layers or embellishments, but there is some fussy cutting.

Stamps : Flutterescent and Sent With Love art stamp set

Stencil : Victorian Corner

Ink : Brilliance  VersaFine Tsukineko Onyx Black and Crimson Red

Create A2 card with kraft cardstock. Stencil red corner flourish.

Stamp butterfly on card and again on a scrap piece of kraft. Trim the

second butterfly leaving off the antenna’s. Adhere to front of card

popping up wings slightly. Add glue with glue pen to black area’s of

butterfly and sprinkle with glitter. Stamp sentiment.

Stamps : Butterfly Collector, Acanthus Leaves, Touch of Elegance and Sent With Love art stamp sets.

Ink: Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black and Crimson Red

Glitter : Stampendous              2-Way Glue pen by Zig

Create A2 card with kraft cardstock. Mask off top part of card with

paper and stamp acanthus leaves with red ink. Punch black scalloped

border and adhere. Stamp decorative image (behind circle) trim and

adhere to front of card. Stamp butterfly pendant in red ink and in black

ink. Trim just the butterfly from the red image and adhere over the

Black, popping up wings slightly. Embellish butterfly body with

black glitter. Stamp sentiment.

Stamps : Nature Walk and Sent With Love art stamp sets.

Ink :  Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black

Border Punch :  Martha Stewart

Border Punch : EK Success

Glitter : Stampendous 2-Way Glue pen by Zig

Create A2 card with kraft cardstock. Punch along bottom edge with

border punch. Stamp flourish and sentiment with black ink. Add ribbon.

Apply watered down red paint to old book paper. Stamp floral images,

trim, crease, and layer 2 at a time. Embellish flower centers with

brads or buttons. Ink edges of card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa

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Making the world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Today is Faith Art Friday over at Layers of Color and we would like to invite you to check it out on the Layers of Color Blog!

Layers of Color is proud to be a Spellbinders Preferred Product Company and we all love and use the Grand Calibur!

You can now upload your LOC projects to our Flicker Group HERE, and find tons of inspiration.

And please join us on Facebook HERE.

Life is too Short ...

...  to wait for just the right time to submit your projects to a magazine.  So if you have ever considered doing it, then what are you waiting for??  Just in case you only get my email feeds and haven't actually visited my blog in a while, then I want to let you know that I have updated it with some information that might be helpful in submitting YOUR wonderful works of the heart.  Along the top of the blog are links to pages for the latest calls to some of the magazines and some general information about each publication that you might find helpful!

Afraid of being rejected???  It's not a rejection.  They just can't publish all the projects submitted, so they have to narrow it down.  And ...  it may have absolutely nothing to do with your skill.  Trust me, I have submitted A LOT of projects that were not selected.  But I finally got published because I just kept at it.  Yes, there is some work involved, but I personally think it is worth it.  Today I am sharing a couple of cards that I submitted recently to Take Ten.  I'm hoping to see them again in a future issue.   Now, some of the magazines do not want you to share your submitted projects on your blog, but it is ok for Take Ten and Stamper's Sampler.  I just can't share them anywhere else.  This is just an example of one of the tips you can read about on the "General Submission Info" page I have provided.  Another thing you may notice is that they tend to put cards that coordinate on a page.  So, because I know that,  I have to admit, multiple times, I have submitted 3 cards that coordinate, and twice I have been given a whole page to myself!!  I figure it just increases my odds!  Other tips, know what style the magazine likes.  Go to a local news stand and check out the magazines.  Some of the magzines list calls or challenges.  These 2 cards were created for a catagory that I'm not sure they even qualify for.  It was really hard, "Avante Garde".  That was a tough one for me.  Do you like sketches??  Take Ten is published quarterly and provided a sketch in each issue to challenge it's readers.  Don't want to worry about calls or challenges at all, then mail some of your cards into "Just Cards".  They will not let you know whether you are being published or not, but imagine the fun of picking up a copy, flipping through, and seeing YOUR NAME!  Yes, the other customers may think you have lost it when they see you jumping up and down and hear a little squeal, but who cares what they think! 

Well I hope something I have shared today encourages you to submit and please let me know if you get published so I can celebrate with you!

Have a fabulous day ladies!

hugs,

Melisa

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Project Details

Card #1

Stamps : Layers of Color "Flutterescent" art stamp set

The Angel Company (sentiment), Technique Tuesday (Clock).

Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black by Tsukineko

Patterned Paper : Pink Paislee 365 Degrees Collection

Vellum Clock : Die Cuts With a View

Trim patterned paper and adhere to front of card. Tear a large corner

of the yellow side, ink edges and adhere to front of card. Adhere

vellum clock. Stamp clocks and sentiment as shown. Stamp

butterfly on yellow side of patterned paper and trim. Adhere to

front card.

Card #2

Stamps : Layers of Color "Sent With Love, Acanthus Leaves, Flutterescent, and Butterfly Collector" clear art stamp sets.

Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black by Tsukineko

Patterned Paper : Pink Paislee 365 Degrees Collection

Trim patterned paper and adhere to front of card. Stamp butterfly corners and ornamental image on yellow side of patterned paper.

Stamp butterfly on aqua side of patterned paper. Trim all images

and adhere to front of card as shown. Stamp sentiment.

Pink Persimmon "Oh! Deer"

Hello friends.  I hope you are having a fabulous weekend.  It's a gorgeous weekend for us with high's in the upper 80's.  I went to a yard sale yesterday and got rid of so much stuff.  I had forgotten how much we had, since so much had been still boxed up this year while we were still in the rental.  So when we started unpacking it was the perfect time to set aside stuff that just wouldn't work in the new house.  I also spent a little time this weekend creating a couple of cards I'm shipping off to Take Ten tomorrow.  It is for the "Autumn" issue.  So I hope to see them again.

Pink Persimmon has 2 sets of "Oh! Dear".  There is an outline set and a silhouette set.  So you have the choice of stamping your deer the color of your choice and then the outline around it, stamp the outline and color it yourself, or stamp the ouline on patterned paper as I did below.  Since they are for the fall issue, obviously I tried to use fall colors.  And I tried to create cards that wouldn't take more than about 10 minutes to create.

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Project Details

Card #1

Stamps : Pink Persimmon "Oh! Deer (silhouette)"

Patterned Paper : My Minds Eye Stella Rose 6x6 paper pad

Ink : Kaleidacolor Cappuccino Delight and Pearlescent Chocolate (sentiment and birds) by Tsukineko

Spellbinders : Labels Eight with my Grand Calibur

Ribbon : local anitque store

Card #2
Stamps : Pink Persimmon "Oh! Deer (outline)"
Background Paper is REALLY old by Creative Imaginations.  I loved the little swirlies in the corners and thought it would create an enchanted forrest look.
Brown patterned paper : 7 Gypsies Nottinghill 6x6 paper pad
green copic marker for leaves and green prismacolor pencil to outline swirlies in the corners and brances on tree.

Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you have a blessed week
Melisa

Tempting Template - Umbrella

****** PUBLISHED IN THE AUGUST ISSUE OF STAMPER'S SAMPLER***

Good Morning Papercrafters.  Today I have a template card to share with you.  I LOVE Stampers Sampler and one of the things they publish in each  issue is a template or pattern.  They challenge their readers to create and submit a project using it.  The Feb/March issue had an umbrella pattern.  The April / May issue (on news stands now), has a mason jar pattern.  I can't wait to play with that one.  If you aren't able to purchase the magazine, then you can check out their "Tempting Templates" HERE.  Looks like they don't keep them up do date immediately.  The last ones were from August 2010.  If you really like the umbrella pattern, then check out what I found when I googled under images "umbrella coloring book" HERE.

I created the bird house myself.  I used my Spellbinders Classic Oval die set and my Grand Calibur to cut the opening.  The scallop along the roof line is hand cut.  The umbrella is paper-pieced and raffia was added to create a bird's nest.  And of course I had to add bird images by one my favorite stamp company, Layers of Color. 

Birds - Backyard Birds

Sentiment - Sent With Love

Corners - Touch of Elegance

DP - Pink Paislee 6x6 paperpad - 365 Degrees

(sorry, this one is retired)

If you decide to design your own umbrella card, I would love to check it out!  Just leave me a link.

Thanks for stopping by and have a very blessed week!

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Did you know you can get the Grand Calibur at Hobby Lobby?  Hmmm ... wondering if that qualifies with the 40% off coupon.  Anybody know??