Monday, June 20, 2016

Summer Lovin'

Hi Everyone!

Today is just for fun with a little all occasions card for my stash. I have used some Recollections papers and wood chippies from Michaels and lots of extra goodies to put this together. Special note of the gorgeous lace butterfly. It was a gift from my good friend Anne of Redanne. Thank you Anne, I just love my little lace butterflies!!




The little tag is from Graphic 45, the wooden flower embellishment is Prima, the doily is Prima, the leaves are Cheery Lynn, the Chloe die is Memory Box, the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the dragonfly stamp is from Do-crafts and everything else is from my stash.










UPDATE:
My card won an award in the following wonderful challenge:



***
To continue with my story of our trek up the mountain, I thought I would show you what we saw when we finally got to the top. It was really beautiful, but to be honest, we were both so tired and frustrated with the bugs, that we didn't really stop to enjoy it like we should have.




I decided to practice a photography technique known as 'creamy water'. It was tricky making the necessary adjustments, holding the camera completely still without a tripod, and swatting away bugs so they don't fly up my nose, but I think I managed to get a few good shots. lol

Here is a regular shot of the water...


this was done using the 'creamy water' technique...


regular...


creamy...


An overall shot of the falls with 'creamy water'. I think it's so much prettier than a regular shot.


These must be the remains of some sort of water pipe, tunnel, something or other. I am going to enter this shot into "A Beautiful World". Their word prompt this week is "OLD".



There is a  photography technique called 'forced perspective'. Basically, you can make small things look big and big things look small using a bit of trickery with your camera. I found the perfect spot to practice on.

 



I believe this next one is my most successful shot.
Doesn't this look like a giant cliff overhanging the ocean??


In fact, all the photos were taken from this little section of rock that was only about knee high from the ground...COOL RIGHT!!


Well enough about the waterfalls, back on the home front we have lots of birds at the lake. Some Mallards, a baby Blackbird on the boardwalk, a Goose taking a bath and something extra special!




So this is a Cormorant. They aren't rare everywhere, but apparently they only land on our lake for about two days a year, so I feel pretty lucky to have been there to capture a shot! They were way out in the middle of the lake, so this was the best photo I could get.


Dee Dee says hello from the patio as she asks very politely for some peanuts...


Karen says hello from the comfort of the big shady tree...


I would like everyone to meet Skittles. This is one of the babies that's been hanging around in the tree. 


And when I say 'hanging around' I mean literally...
HANGING!!!
Honestly, have you ever seen anything like this before? HILARIOUS!!


I actually managed to get up before the sun the other day, so here is my token morning coffee shot...


You would think with all those clouds that maybe we would get some rain...NOPE!! It is dry and hot, hot and dry...HOT HOT HOT!!

That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. If you have any questions or interesting tidbits about today's wildlife, please let me know.


67 comments:

  1. The colours on this sooooo pretty card are utterly delightful Pamellia and its beautifully layered up as always, love it. Great shots of the waterfall and stones and your skittles looks as though he is one very chilled out squirrel lol xxx

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  2. Gorgeous card and lovely photos, although I much prefer the 'normal' shots to see things as they are. Have a good start in the week, hugs, Valerie

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  3. Such a gorgeous card, those lace butterflies are so pretty and suit your style so well. Love your milky water shots....fun photos and brilliant techniques. The squirrels are so cute...love that they literally hang around in trees. Enjoy the week ahead xx

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  4. Your card is so feminine and stunning Pamellia and thos elace butterfly;ikes are gorgeous..love your photos and the creamy water is just fabulous..and so are your cute Squirrels..especially the little one "Hanging"around...so cute.

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  5. Amazing card ere again Pamellia, and your certainly captured our beautiful world!!

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  6. What a lovely card Pamellia - such beautiful soft colours and your signature wonderful layers and dimension.
    Your photos are stunning - as ever. As for Skittles - who knows what he was thinking!!
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  7. Oooh drool worthy your card is...every inch of it!!
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  8. Beautiful photos of nature, just love 'studying' them...what a wonderful world we really do have. Your beautiful card design is once again magnificent and I just adore each part of what you have added, and yes, the lace is really pretty.xxx

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  9. Hi Pamellia,
    what a stunningly beautiful card today.
    Love all the very fab and beautiful layers.
    That lace butterfly is so pretty too.
    Fantastic photography as always on your photos.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  10. Your photo shots are brilliant, beautiful scenery, shame about the bugs, we have awful ones called midges, bite like anything.
    Fabulous wildlife too.
    Your card is stunning, all those details are so beautiful, love it, Kate x

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  11. Oh what a wonderful way to start the week off seeing all this awesome splendour, your creation is outstandingly beautiful Pamellia, I have, as usual, spent quite some time just looking at all the lovely detail, you always come up with something different to use which is amazing, the lace is gorgeous, stupendous work. My oh my your photography skills holds no bounds Pamellia, I love the creamy water effect also the effect of making things look smaller or bigger than they actually are I agree the one picture looks like it is overlooking the ocean, your photos are spectacular, I love them all but the one that I really love is Skittles just 'hanging' it is hilarious, lol. Have a lovely day
    hugs
    lorraine x

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  12. Such a stunning card Pamellia! The elements and embellishments used are really cool! Love the soft subtle look! I enjoyed the 'creamy shots' and seeing those birds around the lake! Those little squirrels make me happy! A romantic coffee shot! :)
    Suchi xx

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  13. Once again, your card is absolutely stunning, as are your wonderful photographs. I just run out of words when I'm trying to say just how beautiful your cards are. Crafty hugs, Sandra X

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  14. Absolutely stunning card...as always. I wish I could think of other words to say about your magnificent projects as I adore them! That lace butterfly is so pretty x Loved learning a little more about photography and tricks, you are truly mastering them. The effect of the water is so calm and dreamy. Dee was asking so polity for peanuts and hilarious about the hanging squirrel (skittles)x So cute and as always so very adorable x Thanks for sharing x

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  15. Fabulous card, Pamellia! Truly a treasure! Your photos are always wonderful. I just love Skittles!

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  16. Oh my gosh, what a beautiful way to start my day, the week and the first day of summer!! This is stunning, Pamellia!! I absolutely love the layers!! The laces you used are so gorgeous!! The embellishments are so fabulous and look amazing!! I love, love every single thing about it!! The dragonfly is a perfect touch!!

    Your photos are amazing!! At least now you can look back at the pictures and enjoy the view without the pesky bugs ;) Your photo techniques are perfect!! The water looks amazing!! And your perspective shots are stunning!! It truly does look like a cliff overlooking the ocean!! Waving hi to Dee Dee and Karen!! And how precious is Skittles??!! I've never seen a squirrel do that!! And wow - how awesome to catch a picture of a Cormorant!! It's beautiful!! I hope you have a wonderful Monday my friend!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  17. Beautiful make Pamellia! My favorite is that little tag tied to the shabby bow :) Gorgeous layering and nice choice of embellishments.
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  18. What a beautiful card with your lovely florals and butterflies Pamellia! And your photos are wonderful - love that creamy water technique! Lovely photos of your hiking and your little squirrel family is just adorable!

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  19. Those gorgeous photo's have certainly cheered up a dismal and rainy Monday morning here in England. It has been raining for so long, our Summer has forsaken us.
    Another beautiful creation with an array of delightful layers and embellishments.
    Lorraine

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  20. So,sooo beauty!Thank you, Pamellia!

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  21. Great colours and card Pamellia.

    B x

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  22. Gorgeous card love all the fabulous texture,lace and pearls the lace butterfly is soooo beautiful and gorgeous sumptuous layers-love the waterfall pics-you live near some beautiful scenery
    Carol x

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  23. What luscious layers of beautiful things - all put together on a lovely canvas! Lucky you to have the gorgeous lace butterflies from Sweet Anne! You've put it to fantastic use on this card. Love the way you've used the Recollections papers, and the bold Hugs. Of course the tiny dragonfly and all the other goodies that you've placed 'just so'. Your photography skills are mind-blowing, and certainly enjoyed the nature photos. Appreciate seeing the 'before' and 'after' with the techniques you've described - Always enjoy the sunset & sunrise with the brilliant colors. TFS & Have a wonderful week.

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  24. Oh wauw your card is sooo beautiful!! A lovely romantic look with all the lace and embellies. Everything all comes together so well. I love it! Your foto's are fantastic too! You are a great artist. hugs, Marlies

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  25. Your card is sublime Pamellia, like jaw dropping sublime. Gorgeous wildlife photos too ♥

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  26. Gorgeous !! Beautiful colors ..loved the way you embellish your cards specially floral clusters..look different on each card :)

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  27. Gorgeous !! Beautiful colors ..loved the way you embellish your cards specially floral clusters..look different on each card :)

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  28. Another gorgeous card full of lace and beautiful embellishments . Love the lace butterfly . So look forward to seeing you photos each day you have become a great photographer , love the different tech. shots of the water falls so cool but I still love to see nature in its natural state . Your furry friends are adorable and skittles is such a show off LOL . Happy summer . Hugs Marilyn

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  29. Oooooooh, this is so, so, sooooo beautiful, Pamellia! It's an absolute stunner! That lace butterfly from our dear Anne is awesome and I adore your tiny dragonfly! So many fabulous details so perfectly incorporated together! Your card is so yummy like a fresh and delicious fruit! I absolutely love it!
    Your photos are heavenly beautiful! Thank you so much, my friend! Big hugs to you! Branka xx

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  30. Your card is beautiful, thanks for joining us at Allsorts, xxxx
    Your pics are mesmerising, xxx

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  31. A stunning card Pamellia.
    The photos are awesome , especially liked the ones where you tried the camera techniques.
    Yvonne xx

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  32. A truly beautiful card with wonderful layers. I love the hugs cutout

    Great photos with wonderful effects on the waterfalls.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  33. Gorgeous card and thanks for sharing your beautiful photographs.
    Hugs Julie x

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  34. Gorgeous card Pamellia, beautiful layers of pretty papers, lace and your gorgeous butterfly.
    fabulous photos, love looking at all the details in your shots.
    Pam x

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  35. Stunning card Pamellia! I love all of your lacy details and that butterfly is gorgeous! Fantastic photos too!
    Hugs, Tammy

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  36. It may be HOT, HOT, HOT there, but your card sure is cool! Love that flower spray and that beautiful lace butterfly looks fabulous tucked in there! Gorgeous little dragonfly perched there, too! We've been in dragonfly Heaven around here--love them!

    Love Skittles--how silly of him to just stretch over a branch like that! He! He! I love the name you've given him...did I tell you about the 2 babies my kids named--Pockets and Sox? Forgive me if I did! While I was sitting on the swing on the porch this evening a squirrel padded over and climbed up into the fountain to get a drink! Never saw that before! I did talk to him a bit and he seemed curious. I didn't have any food to give him, but I think I will keep a can of treats out there for the future.

    Your photography is amazing! Love seeing that! what a fabulous trick! I do like the creamy water--it gives the appearance of motion.

    We are having weird weather here...cool temps--and very low humidity. Night temp for tonight 61 degrees! Almost need a sweater! 90's are forecasted for the rest of the week. So, I'm off to feed my neighbor's kitties and take a walk! big hugs!

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  37. Beautiful card! I love the dragonfly. You are enjoying Nature so much, (well, except the mosquitos) you must have felt stifled in the city. I really like your photos! And the cards, too.

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    1. Thanks so much Marci!! It's so true, I always felt so miserable in the city and I just didn't know why until now. It's a whole new world and I'm darned excited about it!! hugs :)

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  38. I love love your beautiful card...the dragonfly looks so real with beautiful floral spray! All you photo techniques are sooo interesting! I love the creamy water and the trickery to make things look bigger is very cool! Your critters are just tooo sweet especially funny Skittles hanging on the branch ;) It is VERY hot here, summer has come in with a real Bang,,,it was 124 degrees today and only supposed to drop down to 118 for the next few days. Plants and critters alike are scorching here, I feel bad for them!

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  39. Totally amazing, Pamellia! Love that teeny dragonfly! Great photos too! xxx

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  40. Pamellia, this is such a beautiful post! Gorgeous card! Fabulous photos! I love how you played with different photographic techniques, thank you for sharing them, I'm certainly going to give them a try! And hanging Skittles is hilarious indeed, lol :) Thank you for linking up to Our Beautiful World!

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  41. Such a pretty card and beautiful embellishments ... I don't know how you keep coming up with them ... LOVE your photos! What an amazing place!! We've had far too much rain here ...sigh and now it's Midsummers day ...

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  42. Wow oh wow! Amazing, fabulous so feminine and gorgeous....card! Love all of your pics and the cool techniques you're trying out. Especially the creamy water. Aawww, your furry friends are sooo cute. And the little one hanging like that..too adorable. And the begger. Were you late putting out peanuts? Tehe

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  43. DROP DEAD GORGEOUS! I love your card and the dragonfly looks so very expensive on it, with all the other luscious things surrounding it.
    As for your photography, I love what you are doing, makes me want to change my camera and get one to "play" with. BEAUTIFUL shots and your water features and rocks are just wonderful.
    Faith
    x

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  44. Stunning card, love it!!! Thank you for joining us at Simply Create Too!!!
    Hugs,
    Arlette DT

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  45. Gorgeous photos and beautiful scenery. I adore the minty green on this card and the gorgeous layers . I love the HUGS wording and that gorgeous dragonfly combined with the roses. Beautiful . Tracy x

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  46. Another gorgeous scrummy card Pamellia, I love how many layers you create on your cards. Loving your little squirrel family which seems to be growing all the time ;)
    Hugs
    Donna xx

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  47. My gosh-- your art and photos always makes me HAPPY! Wonderful post Pamellia!

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  48. This card is really appealing to me Pamellia. There is just something about that color of green that makes me feel peaceful. All the colors are lovely and your sweet lace adds such a specialness. BEAUTIFUL in every way. Xj.

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  49. You really have used the butterfly beautifully Pamellia, your layering is always superb and I just love the dragonfly too.

    As for your photography, I am in total awe - the shots of the water (both ways) is just amazing, I really love the wall and that 'ocean' view is breath-taking.

    Your little menagerie always make me smile. Dee Dee is adorable in 'polite' mode, how could you possibly resist.... and Skittles looks hilarious!! Cormorants are sure pretty to look at but they eat tons of fish in a short time so maybe it is good they only stay for a couple of days... A great post Pamellia, I always look forward to visiting you! Hugs, Anne xx

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  50. Summer lovin happened so fast! Your title makes me think of the song in Grease. Love that movie and love your card! The butterfly Anne sent you is the perfect touch to this vintage shabby garden card. Gorgeous details and delicious design. Your critters are Pawsitively adorable and Skittles is a hoot and a half! Hehe! Fantabulous dearie! Hugz to you muffin! ~Doc

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  51. I thought I already commented on this card, but I think it so nice! Such a great card. How long does it take you to do this?

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  52. Faboulas once again Pamellia.love the colours and embellishments.
    Gorgous pics
    Best wishes
    Jules xx

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  53. Oh that squirrell is so sweet!Thanks for sharing in Our Beautiful World. AriadnefromGreece!

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  54. It really is a beautiful world. And your card is so beautiful too! Great colors and love the dragonfly!

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  55. Hi Pamellia, sorry I haven't been around lately, my 18 month old laptop decided it had had enough and packed in, so I had to buy a new one. I have managed to watch your fab video's on my phone, but commenting was impossible with the tiny touchscreen.

    You must have been so busy making all those stuningly beautiful cards and taking your amazing photographs. I especially love the squirell hanging over the branch. Sally.x.

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  56. This is a stunning card, divine. I think you nailed the creamy water shot. Those squirrels are just too darn cute, hanging about like that, hilarious! Cara x

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  57. Your posts have so much in them these days I have trouble knowing where to start and half the time I forget to mention something.

    Your card is beautiful, lovely lace butterfly and the dragonfly looks pretty cool too. Lovely summer blossoms and lots of feminine lace sexing everything up.

    The times my husband has dragged me up the top of hills and mountains to see a waterfall (It's always a waterfall), hot, humid, steep, painful but the view from the top is usually worth it every time.

    I am really loving the new guy Skittles, he is so funny. Say hi to all the girls for me.

    Dionne xx

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  58. Oooh! Nearly missed this! Fabulous card - how I love all those details that you do so well! Your trip up the mountain looks amazing! In love with Skittles! Chrisx

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  59. Hi Pamellia
    Terrific collection of pretty and eye catching wonder.
    Beautiful photos too. We used to call the water blur misty shots lol! Always used to try and use a tripod and a remote shutter release or the timer to reduce camera shake so well done you doing it without.
    Best wishes.
    Ang x

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  60. Gorgeous card with all those lovely lacey layers Pamellia! Great pictures (love the creamy water technique) and that baby squirrel is too cute, what a character! Deb xo

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  61. Very pretty card. Love all the embellishments you used. Thank you for joining the challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

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  62. Lovely creation! Very many thanks for sharing at Fussy & Fancy Friday and good luck with the challenge. Judy DT x

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  63. Lovely card!!! I love yours embellishments. Thank for playing with us at Fussy & Fancy challenge.
    Nathalie DT

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  64. Thanks for sharing your card in our Sizzlin' Summer Colors Challenge. It's always nice to have you share your art with us, and we'd love to have you join us again soon.
    Karen
    Really Reasonable Ribbon

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  65. Gorgeous as always! Thanks so much for participating in our Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge.

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  66. amazing card!
    love photos!
    so nice! cute ducks!
    hugs

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