My car stalled right in the middle of the county highway. After rolling to the side and calling my husband to rescue me, I sat there waiting. And waiting. After a few minutes I noticed a bluebird just sitting there on the telephone wire above me. Watching. And waiting with me. He never flew away, he never seemed to move. He just watched and waited. As soon as my husband rolled up behind me, the hues of blue fly away. I knew in my heart that the bluebird was sent by someone to be my protector those long thirty or so minutes.
This is just one of the many reasons why bluebirds will always be special to me...
The Lawnscaping Challenge is all about a splash of color. Having gone through a recent personal rough patch in regards to work, etc., I remembered the power of the bluebird and created this card. Instead of the black tones, I reached for the cream and brown, with a pop of blue.
The inspiration for the general design and neutral color theme came from the challenge at Scrapbooker's Paradise.
On a side note: I really like that I can use challenges as inspiration points, and appreciate it when they help to recall why I make cards. Thank you to all those wonderful crafters who put so much time and talent into running the challenge blogs.
Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Teal) Bazzill
Patterned Paper: (Basics White) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs, Sophie's Sentiments) LawnFawn
Ink: (Walnut Stain and Antique Linen Distress) Ranger
Other: (Natural Burlap String) May Arts, (Glossy Accents) Ranger, (Woodgrain Embossing Folder) Craft Expressions, (Tag Punch) McGill
Love the cream and brown just as it is (especially with the woodgrain pattern) but the bluebird is the PERFECT finishing touch. Love this card :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story! I'm glad you are safe, Karen! Your card is beautiful with the little bluebird and I love the different patterns on the trees.
ReplyDeleteLove this very special bluebird card Karen :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, this card is just perfect! I love the look you got from those lawn fawn stamps!
ReplyDeleteNice texture on your card. Hope your rough patch is smoothing out for you. Loved the story you shared. Where would we be without the bluebirds of our lives? {I HATE CAR TROUBLE!!!!}
ReplyDeletelove this- love it more that you are here to use it as inspiration... ahh.. woodgrain! :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your troubles! It almost sounds, though, like that 30 minutes was good for something... How flattering for that bluebird to have a card inspired by it! ;)
ReplyDeleteUgh...car & work icks?! I'm Soooo sorry to hear that! Love your story tho...I think the very same thing about the bird:)
ReplyDeleteYour card is wonderful...that pop of blue is perfect!
Wow such a wonderful bird, definitely a gardian angel:-) And I love how you documented that in your card..
ReplyDeleteYour card is fab!.Love your use of embossing, trees and that little pop of colour:)
ReplyDeleteGlad that all went well... car trouble can be troublesome :)
Sorry to hear about your troubles Karen, but it's nice that you had company :) I love your card - it is perfect for the Lawnscaping challenge.
ReplyDeleteThe sun will come out and you'll look back on the rough patch as just another bump in the grand scheme of life... right? Love the different patterns on the trees and the tag is perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story - it seems that little blue bird was there to watch over you until your hubby could rescue you . . . nature is so cool!! And WOW!! The texture in this card is amazing, and that pop of color with the blue bird is awesome!
ReplyDeleteA card is absolutely gorgeous! I love these trees in the same tones of beige and this little bluebird that illuminates the entire the card.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your problems.
What s great story! The light colors along with the pop of blue works perfectly together! TFS =)
ReplyDeleteGreat texture and love the paper pieced tree's, the bluebird really stands out against them.
ReplyDeleteKaren, So glad you are okay...and am hoping the boys weren't with you. Love your card...did you make those tree tops with a cloud die? Love how you outlined the patterned paper versus using traditional tree colors!
ReplyDeletelove the card, the difference mix of textures and colors. You always tell the best little snippets of a story.
ReplyDeleteYour stories always inspire me as does your work! Glad you got through the rough patch and car trouble. Imlove your pop of color!
ReplyDeleteI love the subtle texture and pop of blue on this. Thanks for sharing the stories behind your creations, too. It's like having a little peek into your creative process.
ReplyDeleteHope you have lots of better days ahead!
To turn a stressful stranded situation into inspiration and then into a fantastic card, WOW, thank you for sharing!!!! Still though, hopefully you don't find yourself in that situation again! I stress over a broken down car a lot!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous, Karen. I love all the patterns and textures and the warm tones. And you're right, it's good to have a reminder of why we do this. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so full of texture! Love the woodgrain and those trees are so fun!
ReplyDeleteI really love this card. "Critters" is used most with the brighter colors and I love that you showcased the trees in a gentle color format.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story...and card to commemorate the event!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome. Love your take on the challenge, it's so super sweet
ReplyDeletebeautiful card and an amazing story. You had a little angel watching out for you that night :)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this, Karen!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, Karen! Love the patterns, textures and the color scheme. Wonderful story and hope the rough patches are behind you now.
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is the coolest card ever! Definitely a 10 on the Fab-o-meter! I love your story, too--your posts always make me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteThis card ROCKS!!! Love the muted tones with the pop of blue! Your paper pieced trees are fantastic and I LOVE the woodgrain embossing in the background! It takes a special spirit to make note of something beautiful in nature when confronting life's challenges. You are truly gifted.
ReplyDeleteWoW! What a beautiful card!
ReplyDeletegreat take on the challenges!!!
+ I also wanted to let you know that your comment on Moxie Fab this week made me very, very happy! Thank You so much!
simply gorgeous Karen!
ReplyDeleteso classy ;-)
Wonderful story. I love how you can always find something positive even when the situation proves difficult to do so. Your card is just dreamy! I love those trees and your sweet little blue bird :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, this is absolutely gorgeous - I was just checking out the challenge entries and saw yours! It's definitely a winner in my book!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the wood grain embossing folder!!! Your card is beautiful! The little blue bird is great.
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE THIS! LOVE I tell you! I love the soft affect of the wood grain. The paper pieced trees and the blue bird, the twine and the little hi hanging.. So precious. As was your story! Glad you weren't alone in the middle of a country highway!!!! Thank you, as always, for playing with us at Lawnscaping!
ReplyDeleteawesome take on the challenge pic, karen! your trees are looks so soft and pretty and the blue bird is a sweet pop of color!
ReplyDeleteAlison started a "Share the MOJO" blog - I couldn't help but link up this amazing card of yours!
ReplyDeletehttp://sharethemojo.blogspot.com/
So very pretty. Great take on that challenge picture! Love the texture you added with the embossing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your inspiration! I'm glad someone was there to watch over you, especially with that terrible storm you guys had just had.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Karen. I LOVE the soft neutrals you picked to go with your fabulous bluebird. :)
love the story behind this card. hope the blue bird will bring you better luck with work, too. =) lovely card, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely card!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story Karen. I just love blue birds and this card. So sweet!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I just cannot tell you how amazing you are! This is fabulous!! For me, you just killed it! I'm in love with this card. The story is great too. Reminds me that inspiration is everywhere...wow, just everywhere.
ReplyDeleteYour cards just really make me smile :).
This card is soooooooooo rockin' awesome!!!! Love everything about it!!!!
ReplyDeletelove how you tie sweet little stories into your blog posts and projects. and absolutely love this card. perfect background for that little bluebird.
ReplyDeleteYour card is simple and beautiful! I love the embossed paper and the layering of the neutral colors. The blue bird was the perfect choice!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Dawn
Wowers! Love your take on my challenge this week! Thanks for playing along!
ReplyDeleteThis is super cool, Karen! I love it! Thanks so much for playing with us again at Lawnscaping! I always love your work.
ReplyDeleteLove everything about this card - your monochrome color selection and that adorable bird - but that woodgrain embossing especially!
ReplyDeleteSorry you are having a rough time - hope everything works out ok :)