Parrot Tulips Valentine

It feels like forever since I posted (it was only last Thursday), but so much has happened in the days between.  My 10 YO had a birthday party to attend and a Girl Scout cookie booth to be part of on Saturday.  Before and after those two events, my husband and I had more painting to do in the bathroom (we're going from a deep hunter green to a light, crystal-waters blue).

I also cleaned my house as best as I could, because my sweet friend Andrea came for a visit on Sunday.  She brought her daughter, and my girls were so excited to hang out with her.  We have a trampoline now, and those three were out there most of the time.  Andrea and I were thinking of crafting together, but we talked the whole time.  I made (er, heated up) stromboli and a side salad for lunch, and my dear hubby took all the young girls out to lunch.  I absolutely love Andrea's company and she feels like a sister to me.  Plus...she always brings me goodies. ;-)

OH!  One more thing before I show my card today.  The deadline for Paper Crafts' Stamp It! publication call ended yesterday, and I wound up submitting 23 projects.  !!!  Yes, that took up so much of my time the last three weeks.  I enjoy the publication calls because I am pushed creatively further and further.  In fact, as the deadline approached, I felt that my cards were getting better and better.  Let's see if the Paper Crafts gals agree!  I should find out by Friday if I've made it in.

This card goes to my mom for Valentine's Day.

It just occurred to me that I made her a tulip card for Christmas too!  The tulips in this pot are Parrot Tulips, and here is a pic of a real one:

All those flourishes and etchings make me happy!  I'm anxious to make a card using the birdcage stamp soon.

I used a sticker from Heidi Grace called Quotes & Phrases - Happiness.  It looked a bit plain next to that glorious pot of flowers, so I surrounded it with pearls.  Of course!

Challenges entered;

• CARDS: create - Valentine cards
• City Crafter - use at least three of the colors of the rainbow (I've got green, blue/violet, and red)
• Paper Players - use a floral image on your card

A big thank you to those of you who have offered advice on both cameras and hand pain.  I am absorbing everything you say, and can't wait to get a new camera....and control this arthritis!

Colleen

Stamps:  Victorian Eccentricities - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper:  white - PTI
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punch:  Botanical - Martha Stewart
Other:  pearls - Recollections; Copic markers