cardmaking

Don’t play with your vegetables

/ Jodi / 26 Comments

vegetable card radishes

Remember being told to not play with your vegetables as a child at the dinner table?

I’m still playing with my veggies – watercolor painting these days – just for kicks.

Aren’t the radishes radishing?!

Certainly not some of my finest art work, but fun nonetheless.

vegetable card green onions

I had some scraps of paper and the urge to continue after recently painting my Lazuli Bunting, but was obviously getting a bit tired and punchy by the time I got to the green onions and carrots.

vegetable card carrots

Maybe I should stick to cooking and eating my veggies.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Watercolor Lazuli Bunting

/ Jodi / 18 Comments

lazuli bunting

I am a bit obsessed with watercolor lately…

My youngest son told my oldest son last week when he was over – “Paint, paint, paint – not so many cookies being baked around here – Mom’s too busy painting!”

Of course they were teasing – like they constantly do to me…  (I’ve come to realize it is their way of expressing their love – at least that is what I’ve convinced myself of to maintain sanity!)

But – I do become a bit obsessed with things… (and I am on vacation this week, so scheduled a few posts ahead)

So – when I recently posted my Papa Cardinal watercolor, a sweet blogger friend, Deborah @ CircadianReflections commented how lovely it was and how she wished cardinals were in her area of the world.

I asked Deborah what her favorite was.

When she commented it was a Lazuli Bunting….
I had no idea.
So I Googled,
and I feel in love with this precious little blue bird.

So here is my interpretation of this beautiful little bird that graces the West Coast of the United States…
but not Mars.

Hope it does a teensy bit of justice to this glorious creature.
Thanks for sharing with me Deborah!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Here’s Looking at You

/ Jodi / 23 Comments

PP254 Frames

Hi All – I am on a little vacation this week.  A fun trip to the beach with some girlfriends from GFC (Girlfriend Camp).

I thought it would be fun to send Hubby a little card while I am gone to let him know I miss him.

pp254 inside

The challenge this week at The Paper Players is to make a CAS (Clean and Simple) Card with the theme: “Frames.”

The first thing I thought of was glass frames as Hubby and I are at that fun stage in life where we are always looking for our reading glasses and/or sharing each others.

pp254 frames close up

And… After 33 years, my heart still does stop and skip a beat when he looks at me.  ❤

Hence the design for this week’s Paper Players Design Team Inspiration Card.

Here’s what I used and how I made it.

Card Recipe/Ingredients:

I simly drew and watercolored a heart on a piece of watercolor paper, splattered it a bit, and stamped the sentiment on with Stazon JetBlack Ink.

I then die cut the glasses out and put a thin layer of Crystal Accents for a glossy accent on them.  When that dried, I adhered it with small glue dots, and assembled the layers on the card.

I added a little line heart on the inside from StampinUp’s Hello Life Stamp Set.

So – Here’s looking at you, Merv.  And if you look back, I might wink.  😉

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

Papa Cardinal in Watercolor

/ Jodi / 48 Comments

watercolor cardinal

I had fun painting Papa Cardinal in watercolor this week in celebration of my Three Month Watercoloriversary!  (How do you like that made up word?!)

It’s been three months since I first ventured into the world of watercolor and shared my very first watercolor on April 4, 2015.

I think I am making some improvements, and I KNOW I still have a long way to go, but oh what a fun journey it is.  I’ve been trying to paint at least one thing a week.

Thanks to Laura @ CreateArtEveryday for initially nudging me out of the nest and encouraging me every day to continue, and thanks to all the other great artistic bloggers and family and friends who have really encouraged and supported me.  This is something three and half months ago I wouldn’t have even ventured at.  I would have told you I could barely draw a stick figure.

papa cardinalI used this photo of Papa Cardinal at the feeder in our backyard as my pose of choice to roughly draw the shape.  I then took LOTS of artistic license in creating an artsy version of him.    Because – hey – if I wanted him to look exactly like the photo – what’s the point?  Just take the photo – right?  (or maybe that’s my excuse…)  I put him on a branch instead of the feeder, because the feeder totally detracts from his handsomeness.  And then I spiked his hair a bit too to spiff him up.

We have several cardinal families hanging out here in our backyard here in Mars.  Maybe I’ll venture to draw Momma or Baby soon.  Baby is pretty grown up and there are other new kids now too.

Oh what a bird nerd I have become!  Thanks for visiting, and happy weekend – enjoy doing things you love with those you love – at life in between!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

So Sweet

/ Jodi / 26 Comments

pp251

I have always loved mailing cards to family and friends.  It is such a simple way to bring such great joy.

Who doesn’t love receiving a special card or note in the mail amidst all the bills and “junk?”

Electronic communication is quicker and easier and more immediate (and I am all about that!), but knowing that someone took the time to choose, or even better yet make a special card, hand write a note, address the envelope, adhere postage, and take to the mailbox or post office, is quite flattering – right?

My BFF Jill makes the most amazing handmade cards, and I am always so thrilled when I find an envelope in the mail with her handwriting on the envelope.

I hope people feel that way when they receive a card from me.

I hope they feel the love.

I hope they appreciate the time and effort.

I hope it makes them feel special.

That is why it is such a thrill for me to be a Guest Designer for the Design Team at The Paper Players and make a card each week to inspire others to create and share this joy.

pp251 sketch challenge

This week’s challenge is a sketch challenge based on the photo above.  We get to make whatever we want that closely resembles this sketch inspiration.

pp251 inside

I used this as an opportunity to create a “thank you” card.

There are so many people I could send this card to….

I truly believe one of the best ways to feel gratitude is to think of all the special sweet things people do that “make your day.”

It doesn’t have to be something big…

It could be a stranger’s smile…

a word of encouragement…

a compliment…

a gesture of kindness…

The happiest people are those that see and appreciate these cherished moments.

It is so good for the soul to take time to realize these sweet gestures, and even grander when you have the opportunity to reciprocate or give thanks and appreciate.

pp251 flat

So I will look forward to sending this card to a special sweet someone who made my day.

And I hope I’ve inspired you in a small way to show gratitude, appreciate kindness, and cherish the moments.

I used the following materials to create this card:

  • StampinUp Hello Life Stamp Set, Best Day Ever Stamp Set, Bloom with Hope Stamp Set
  • StampinUp Whisper White, Black and Gray Card Stock and Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper
  • Sakura Koi Water color paint for flower
  • Pearl Embellishments

Wishing you a Sweet Day!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Happy Retirement to a Dear Friend

/ Jodi / 11 Comments

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

Gusho over Brusho

/ Jodi / 23 Comments

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

Sunny Sunflower Birthday Wishes

/ Jodi / 19 Comments

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

/ Jodi / 29 Comments

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

/ Jodi / 32 Comments

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!