Aug 01 2008
Just for Fun 3!
Time for another fun challenge with Carole! This time she sent me the paper and I actually chose a stamp with a Cardinal on it. (I must really like this image…I’ll explain later.) I finally had the chance to meet Carole in person at CHA. She’s so sweet and just as quick-witted in person as she appears online. I wish we’d had more time to sit and chat. {{{Carole}}}
Just a Note
Inkdadinkado has had some fantastic new stamps lately. I love this one called Duet. It’s so…wispy. (Sidenote: If you like Halloween, you must check out the new Inka stamps and sets at Jacksonbelle Embellishments. Lots of cute stuff!)
I used Copics to color my images, outlined in gray, then added a few little yellow gemstones to the branches and flower center.
I first painted my chipboard flourish white then decided it didn’t look quite right so I sponged over the paint with Ranger Peeled Paint Distress ink. It still looks kind of plain to me but definately better than white.
I was happy to color this Cardinal a bright shade of orange as opposed to it’s true color of red. I am not a fan of Cardinals (even though they are our state bird) and so when I see red, I cringe. I’ve had one of those blasted beasts stalking my house and trying to peck its way inside for two summers now. If I’m in the kitchen, it will sit on the back of one of my deck chairs, staring into the house and leaving me a present, then about every thirty seconds it flies up to peck on my back door. If I’m in the dining room, it pecks on the living room window across from me. It will peck on the long window over my front door, and when it wants to be especially annoying, it will peck on the front door kickplate. I’ve tried leaving the blinds closed…peck, peck, peck. I’ve hung post-it notes and paper on the window and kickplate…peck, peck, peck. This bird is insane and it’s trying it’s best to make me that way as well. (And I will tell you I am close. Very, very close.) I’ve tried talking nicely to this crazy creature and more often than that, not so nice. I’ll admit it. I yell at the bird. It just will not go away. Maybe I need to surround my house with those big plastic owls with the bobbing heads. So while Carole is skipping around her yard whistling and making wishes, I’m thinking of ways to get rid of the darn thing. And, by the way, I forgive Carole for liking Cardinals since she also likes Orioles…Baltimore Orioles, that is. 
Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out Carole’s blog to see what she did with this same paper and image. (…Or maybe you saw it yesterday. lol)
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (white base), Prism Super Smooth White, Intense Orange, Intense Kiwi Patterned Paper: Scenic Route Ashville/Patton Avenue Stamps: Inkadinkado “Duet”; Cornish Heritage Farms “Classic Essential Expressions” Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Ranger Peeled Paint Distress Accessories: Copic markers, Making Memories Flourish (Jigsaw), Hero Arts gemstones, May Arts velour ric rac, EK Success fiber, CHF Perfectly Clear ep (sentiment), sponge, pop dots. Card size 5” x 5”.
Love the colors and the beautiful shading on this card M!
This is bee-yoooo-ti-ful!!! I love the intense colours!! We also have a stupid cardinal (and I am being nice) pecking away at our house too. Our dog sits and barks constantly at it! Finally, my son put his toy wrestlers on the window sill and so far they are not pecking (been two days) but they do just sit and stare at them!! Now the dog barks at the wrestlers…..sometimes you can’t win……
Michelle, this is so pretty and I love that bird image. I love your colors!
PInky
This card is so beautiful. The colors really do pop. And I’m sorry that the cardinals are bothering you but it did give me a laugh this morning…thanks for that.
Oh devine colours, I love the richness of them. Have you tried a toy snake to scare the bird away, we don’t get cardinals here in Australia but it has worked a treat with other nuisance birds. the rubbery curled up ones you get at toy stored are the best. Just remember where you have put them or they can scare the living daylights out of you otherwise, my poor Mum attacked one with a broom one day,lol.
Wow! I absolutely love this card! I want these birds but whenever I look for them they’re always gone. Inka and Lindsey have some fantastic new bird stamps!! I’ve heard about cardinals being wierd like that. Some say it’s all about the reflection but I’m not sure in your case. Odd…
Beautiful card Michele! That is some of my fave DP and that ribbon is yummy too! What a wonderful stamp and so wonderfully colouring too!
Ooooooo — I love this, Michele! The colors are fantastic! I’m so sorry you have such a pesky cardinal at your house — I love cardinals, and none of them have tried to peck their way into my kitchen!! Maybe he just wants to get inside and hang out with you!
Love what you’ve done with this, as usual, Michele! Especially love the gems on the branches — what a great way to dress it up! And sorry again about my inadvertent ’sneak peek’ yesterday — I must have something pecking at my brain! I’ve never heard about Cardinals acting like the one you’ve got hanging out at your house. Just start wishing on him (since you’re supposed to every time you see a Cardinal, you know) for him to go away, and maybe he will? Worth a shot! If that doesn’t work, there’s always the trusty bee-bee gun…
I love how you colored this! I would have thought you would shy away from this stamp just because of the cardinal! Mine hasn’t been back and I’m sorry yours has. I could always send one (or all) of my cats to you for a few weeks (months, years)!
Awesome card Michelle. Have no helpful ideas for getting rid of the cardinal though. Maybe try Carole’s idea…the bee-bee one.
Your card is gorgeous Michelle - love that image and you’ve used it marvelously! Your bird story is too funny! We don’t have cardinals in CA - I’ve never seen one in person and would LOVE to! You know we are “bird people” - my hubby is known as the “bird whisperer” in fact. We had a backyard scrub jay that would come when we called. He also went through a phase of pecking on the windows though - the worst the bedroom window super early in the morning. I DO understand that driving you NUTS!
I love the card! That paper is de-lish. You mentioned that you felt the chipboard was still a little plain…why not add a few of those same yellow gemstones to it? Just a thought. I had to laugh at your Cardinal story….not to laugh at you, but b/c I know exactly what you’re talking about. We have one who pecks at our kitchen windows. ACKKKKK!!!! Believe me, in my mind it’s not called a red bird…just some other kind of bird (if ya catch my drift).
This is adorable!! I love the paper and your coloring is insane as always!! LOVE the die cut thingy, it just rocks!!
The colors on this are stunning. I placed this card in my lust file. One of these days I will figure out how to share the file but for now, I can look and drool. Much easier to drool over these cards than pine for Johnny Depp. sigh.
Great card. It’s bright and cheery. What an interesting story about your cardinal.
What a GREAT card. I love the colors. You did a fabulous job. TFS
Ugh! That coloring is fantabulous! I went to get the stamp… and it’s sold out.
You must have made this on popular in a hurry! 
I mean… this ONE popular. Oh why don’t they put an edit on these things.
Fantastic artwork! I had a crazy woodpecker once. I finally purchased one of those signal fog horns! It sounds horrible but works like a charm! LOL It also works on black birds…….
Wow; I love your card and I love Carole’s; and even though you’re not fond of cardinals; they are my ‘bird of hope’. I feel I HAVE to own the Duet stamp. LOL
Do you know where I can find it? I didn’t see it on Jacksonbelle’s site, although I saw some other stamps I think I need. LOL Just curious if you knew where I could find it!!
TIA!
Michele, your card is so pretty! I love the bling! I had to chuckle at your story. We have a family of cardinals in our yard and I so love them. But I have to tell you I found Mr. Cardinal cheating. Yup! While Mrs. Cardinal was out searching for food for the family, Mr. Cardinal was singing a fine tune to another lady bird. I guess men are the same in all species . . . LOL!
We’re big Cardinal fans at our house … the St. Louis Cardinals … but I do love this bird in orange … fabulous card.
Oh, now that is freakin funny! I never ever heard of a deranged Cardinal (the bird type)ahem, and I can’t get the visual out of my mind now! On another note this card is fabulous! I don’t have these new stamps-yet-and now they are just a must have! I even love him colored in orange-adorable! You are too funny!
WOW I love the way you colored this, M-ster!!! that swirly thing is the perfect accent! LOVE it!
I love the bright colors, and your coloring ROCKS (as usual)!! I love the chipboard flourish, and your blinged out tree!! Wonderful image too (I will have to check it out in L’s store *wink*)!