Anything But Cute - Summertime Fun with Video

Hello Everyone!

It's time for another mixed media challenge over at Anything But Cute. Anne is our hostess with the mostest this month and she has chosen the theme "SUMMERTIME FUN". More about that in a minute, but first here is my project.

Here is what Anne had to say about her theme. "What does Summertime fun mean to you? Spending time by the seaside, foreign travel, camping in the great outdoors or simply enjoying time in the garden? Create a MIXED MEDIA project focusing on how you like to spend your Summertime. Don't forget to tell us how your project relates to our theme."

I think we all know that my favourite thing to do in the summer is take a walk outside and enjoy all the sunshine, the water, the foliage and the flowers. So for my project, I tried to capture the 'beauty' of nature that I love so much. I suppose the only thing missing from my card is a squirrel!! haha!

Here is the video for you, if you care to take a peeksie. It's a little over exposed, sorry. I am trying to get better lighting in my craft room, so I added another light, but the camera did not adjust well, so it's sort of bright in areas. I'll have it fixed for next time.

Card Series 117 - Summertime Fun!

***

Well we finally got a spot of rain and it seems to have spruced up the foliage a bit. I love taking photos of the wet world, so today I'm sharing some drippy shots with you. The sun was quick to come back out after the rain stopped, so at least is wasn't dark outside.

Remember all those trees and bushes that had such pretty flowers on them? Well now they are all growing some type of berry / fruit things. Shout em out if you know them folks. And if anyone knows if any of these are edible, please do share.

A couple shots of the lake. One regular and one glamour shot for good measure.

Thank you so much to Sara Emily for identifying my plant as a PETUNIA!
My first real plant by the way, LOVE IT!

A Cardinal - male

This little baby Sparrow has been sitting in the tree eyeballing the bird feeder for a couple of days now. I do hope she works up the courage to come get some food. SO TINY!

So I finally had a taker on my Hummingbird feeder. Just one problem...

NOT A HUMMINGBIRD!!!

Tell me this baby squirrel doesn't look like a stuffed toy!! So cute!

Oh BRENDA, you poor old girl! She has had a rough winter, so everyone send her some love. First she lost half of her tail, then she lost a finger on her right hand, then she injured her left arm!! She's a tough old gal, that's for sure, and she always gets the good food when she comes!

WET JUNIOR, what can I say about that other than... awwwwwwwwww!!!

Tell me this picture doesn't make you want to scoop him up and hug him!

My token morning coffee shot. So many colours in one sky!

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.

Anything But Cute #14 - The Birds and the Bees

Hello Everyone!

It's time for another mixed media challenge over at Anything But Cute. Niki is our hostess with the mostest this month and she has chosen the theme "THE BIRDS AND THE BEES". More about that in a minute, but first here is my project.

I thought I would go ultra-feminine for this one, so I have a nice girly card ready for any occasion!

Here is what Niki had to say about her theme. "With the lovely warm weather in my neck of the woods, I am seeing so many wonderful birds and bee's, so I would love to see those in your mixed media makes! Pull out those bird stamps, think of feathers and maybe some honeycomb. Or you could even go for a non-traditional interpretation like a family crest that has a bird emblem on it. The sky is the limit but NO BUTTERFLIES please!"

I absolutely love Niki's challenge theme and it took me directly to a warm spring morning with the birds singing and fluttering outside my window and the sky as blue as can be. I have put together this shabby chic card with that very morning in mind. 

For my tutorial portion of the project, I have put together this video. Enjoy!

Card Series 114 - Beautiful Birds

UPDATE:
My card won an award in the following wonderful challenge:
**  Scrapy Land {Challenge #43} - Anything Goes (dies: Memory Box, Cheery Lynn)

***

Since our theme this month is about birds and bees, and my card is about birds, I figured I would share lots of bird photos with you today. This first set is from our trip to the African Lion Safari.

First up is this gorgeous Black-Mandibled Toucan

Next up is a Pterodactyl... no wait, it's Darth Vader... no wait, it's an alien...
Oh for crying out loud...WHAT IS IT????
UPDATE - Thank you to Kathy Gnj for identifying this as a Northern Ground Hornbill

This is an easy one. Say hello to the Ostrich who invaded my space!

Seriously, and he showed me his tonsils!!

He was so close, I actually took a picture from UNDERNEATH him!! Awesome!

A panning shot of a Marabou Stork.

Next up is the Chaco Owl. Got a great action shot of him coming in for a landing.

Next up is a Falcon - Peregrine Falcon perhaps?? Not sure.

There's no mistaking this next fellow - the Bald Headed Eagle.
DOESN'T THIS LOOK JUST SAY IT ALL!! YIPES!

Back on the home front, I'm still working on my panning. Never gets old!! lol

On the boardwalk we have a Sparrow enjoying the view, and

... Billy the Budgie still alive and kicking - you go boy!

So NOT a bird - but bird related!

A baby American Sparrow. Poor thing sat on this branch forever! He couldn't seem to get his balance or get his wings to work, so he just sat there until he gained his composure. Poor little guy! 

No post would be complete without my token morning coffee shot...

...and a baby squirrel!!

I would like everyone to meet JUNIOR. He's been visiting every day for a week or so now, but hasn't worked up the courage to come onto the balcony. Isn't he adorable!!

BET YOU THOUGHT I FORGOT ABOUT THE BEE PORTION OF THIS THEME!
The only bee shot I have to date. lol

That's it for today - longest post ever right? 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.