Happy Retirement to a Dear Friend

Too Kind Congratulations Retirement Card Bev

Today I will be celebrating the retirement of a sweet friend I work with, and I wanted to make her a special card.

Too Kind Congratulations Retirement Card Bev 2

I used some new DSP (Designer Series Paper) from StampinUp (SU) that has fun polka dots on one side and sweet handwritten happy words on the other side.  I was feeling purpley for my friend and used the SU “Too Kind” Stamp Set to stamp the flowers and my favorite “Sentiment Sampler” from Lil’ Inkers for the Congratulations sentiment.  A couple pearls for embellishment and a few off-balance layers of framing in black finished up my card.

Too Kind Congratulations Retirement Card Bev 3

I sure will miss this workplace “girlfriend”  (as she is famous for calling everyone – expect for the men who she typically fondly referred to as “boyfriends”).

And that she was…

and hopefully will remain…

Everyone’s bestest “girlfriend.”

Happy Retirement Beverly!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Remembering Spooky

black cat watercolor card

Our dear daughter-in-law lost a special beloved furry buddy this weekend.

My heart breaks for her as this is her first experience losing a pet.

I thought of her all day yesterday and wanted to do something special, so I decided to try to draw and watercolor a photo she posted in memory of Spooky and make it into a card last night.

This is my first try at doing a cat, and he sure doesn’t look exactly like sweet Spooky.  But hopefully it is close enough to give Colleen a little remembrance and show her how much I love her and ache for her loss.

Hugs & Sweet Memories,

Jodi

Gusho over Brusho

brusho 1

Brusho seems to be quite the rage these days.

brusho 3

Brusho Crystal Colours are brilliant, intense transparent color crystals that are great for painting, color washes, staining, and creative textile design on porous surfaces such as paper, wood, and fabric.

brusho 6

I thought I’d just do a little experimenting with the colors and the way they work.  A couple sprinkles of the crystals before and/or after spritzing with water created these basic designs.

brusho 2

Nothing complex or intricate – just testing them out and seeing how they work.  So these are just some simple experiments, but oh the possibilities that are running through my head.

brusho 5

In trying different combinations and amounts, I learned quickly that a very little goes a long way.  What great effects might be possible combining these with watercolor painting, stamping, embossing, sewing, woodworking!??!!

brusho 4

Oh so many possibilities….
and oh so little time…

Make it count…
doing the things you love…
at life in between.

Cheers and Happy Friday Hugs,
Jodi

Watercolor Hummingbird Card

watercolor hummingbird card

Monday’s Hummingbird Cake Recipe  post had me thinking of hummingbirds,
so I decided to try my hand at watercolor painting one.

I lightly outlined the basic shape in pencil,
filled it in with some clean, clear water,
then loosely dropped in some paint.

When I was mostly pleased with it, and it was dry,
I adhered it to some vanilla card stock and made it into a little card.

Today my wish for you
is that you find some time
to do things you love
with people you love (even if that is yourself!)
at life in between.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

An Iris Watercolor Experiment

watercolor iris experiment

The other evening, after hubby went to bed, I had the urge to paint.  I didn’t know what I  wanted to paint, and I didn’t feel like putting any effort into it…. I simply wanted to paint.

Watercolor Iris Card 1

So I just grabbed some scrap pieces of watercolor paper and decided to try irises – very abstract irises…  Not sure if you can even tell that is what they are (except I gave you a hint in the title of this post!).

Watercolor Iris Card 2

I literally only spent about 15 minutes on all five of these “paintings” – one rather large that I started with, followed by four smaller ones.

Watercolor Iris Card 3

I just starting mixing colors and splashing it on – spending about 3 minutes tops on each.

Watercolor Blue Thistle Card

After a few irises, I did do this other “flower” – supposed to be those blue thistly things you see growing alongside the road.  (Maybe called blue thistles?)

Watercolor Iris Large

As you can see, I was being completely “loose” with all of these.  I just ripped scraps of paper and painted.

Some I like… others not so much… But I went to bed happy, feeling like I had this opportunity to unwind and “express.”

When I awoke the next morning, I realized this could be a little gift set of sorts.  I simply adhered the small ones – all about 3.5 x 5 inches onto card stock and the larger onto a sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch black card stock, which I could frame.  The gift could be four blank floral note cards and a framed floral picture.

I’m trying to discover my “style” in this.  I’m getting comfortable with small single items, but can’t even begin to imagine taking on a landscape or cityscape or detailed painting like so many others can that I admire.  Maybe someday, but then again maybe not.

I do have to say I felt satiated after completing – or was it the Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade I was sipping while painting…. ?

Hmmmm….

Cheers & Happy Friday Hugs,

Jodi

Stay Loose My Friends

pink peony watercolor card

You know that Dos Equis “guy” who is famous for saying, “Stay Thirsty My Friends?”

When I am water color painting, his voice runs through my head…

“Stay Loose My Friend.”

I know – you do not want inside my head – eh?

So when I picked these beautiful, vivid peonies from the “other side of the house” this past weekend to make a fresh centerpiece for the kitchen table, I had the urge to paint.

pink peonies

I know I don’t have the skill to recreate the actual image…

but that is what I LOVE about watercoloring!

To me – it is freedom.

Freedom to express creativity.

It is not about recreating the exact image.

pink peony watercolor card 3

It is being inspired by the image to create your “own thing.”

So after watching an inspiring tutorial by Janet Rodgers, I decided to “wing it.”

In 15 minutes, without even sketching first, I just took paint and water to paper and created my “idea” of the peony.

pink peony watercolor card 2

Janet talks about just throwing water on the paper and keeping it “loose” and just the idea of the actual image – not the exact color nor the exact representation.

Watercolor allows you to express your vision of the image.

Mine is so far from artistic perfection,

but oh what freedom it is to create!

Thanks for visiting.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

My First Design Team Card for The Paper Players

PP248 Masculine Birthday Card By the Tide

This week begins my three-month journey as a Guest Design Team Member for The Paper Players.  I have admired this group of talented individuals for some time now since discovering the hobby of stamping and card making and paper crafting.  I have participated in their challenges over the past year or so when I had a chance, and I always appreciated the kind and fun feedback and encouragement.  I’ve even been recognized and won a few times!  When I got an email asking if I would be interested in being a Guest Designer to inspire others, I was extremely flattered.  Also a little nervous!  I decided to commit for three months, and see how it goes.  If all goes well, I will extend to the six-month commitment requested.  So you will notice I will be posting a card each Sunday morning now that will be an inspiration for others to participate in the weekly challenge.

pp248

This week, for my debut card as a Paper Players Designer, our PP248 Theme is Masculine Card.  I decided to pull out my StampinUp “By the Tide” stamp set as I haven’t used the lobster stamp yet.

PP248 Masculine Birthday Card By the Tide knot

I had some navy blue designer series paper with nautical knots printed on it that I thought would go well, and embellished it with a jute knot to somewhat simulate the design of the paper.  (Anyone know how to do that specific knot or what it really is?)

PP248 Masculine Birthday Card By the Tide flat

I used SU Cherry Cobbler red ink for the lobster and SU Crumb Cake for the sea grass, print and to sponge the edges of all the paper for a more “rugged” look.  I finished it off with silver brads and a tan candy dots on all four corners.

So I’m off and running with ink and paper cutter and stamps as an official “Designer.”  I hope some of my fellow stampers and paper crafters will play along in the challenges.

Happy Sunday!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Sunny Sunflower Birthday Wishes

Liz Birthday Card Yellow Sunflower 2015

Is it a sunflower or a black-eyed susan?  Not sure… but that’s the beauty of art – and especially watercolor painting.  The freedom to create something new, something different, expand OUTSIDE the lines.

Whatever it is, it is bright and cheery and for a special young lady’s birthday!

Happy Birthday Week Liz!  🙂

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

Strawberry Fields Forever

strawberry watercolor

Shall we talk about strawberries…
the yummy, juicy, sweet, delicious, nutritious, ruby-red fruit of summer?

Or shall we discuss what John Lennon was talking about in the amazing Beatles hit, Strawberry Fields Forever…
and boy are there a lot of commentaries out there on that!

Or do we want to talk about drawing and watercoloring and cardmaking and “art…”
some of my favorites things to do?

Or how about strawberry recipes…
Strawberry Spinach Salad, Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad, Strawberries & Cream, Strawberry Pie – OH MY!?
What is your favorite?  I love them all!

Or shall we just “Let it Bee?”
Let it be whatever we want it to be…

A symbol of summer,
A memory of our childhood,
A favorite hobby,
A sumptuous summer treat.

Let it be Strawberry Fields Forever…
at LifeinBetween.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS   Barbara, you know I love a challenge!

Let it Bee

let it bee bumble bee watercolor

When you feel that cleaning or laundry or household chores
come before time with family or friends…
Let it bee.

When anxiety or worry steals the joy
of the moment you are in…
Let it bee.

When you think that your parenting
falls short of the “super” mom or dad next door…
Let it bee.

When your dinner is burnt or undercooked or less than gourmet,
but your family is gathered around the table anyway…
Let it bee.

When you look in the mirror and critique what you see,
thinking you are too big or too little or too this or too that,
but you have a loved one that thinks you are the bee’s knees…
Let it bee.

Let it bee, Let it bee, Let it bee, Let it bee…..
Whisper words of wisdom…
Let it be.

Bee Happy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS – The WINNER of the Thanks a Latte Card this week is Paul from My Cluttered Attic! Hubby chose #17, and that’s you buddy! Send me your address to mckinneyjodi@gmail.com, and the card will be on its way.  Enjoy writing a funny note to a friend you’d like to thank while sipping a triple shot latte.

PSSSSSS – I know just who I am going to send this watercolor card to- a brand new bee keeper who I think is the bee’s knees!