2018 Nature Calendar

My 2018 Nature photo calendar filled with animals, insects, birds, and other examples of nature in the world.   I have been able to get a few good bird photos, a bison photo and some cute creatures as well.  I have taken quite a few trips to the national park, many trips to the wetlands and kept a keen eye out for movement in my world.  Some of these just turn their backs on me every time I try to photograph them.  Others are curious but wary.  I have had a great good time working on this calendar.  I hope many find it a great gift idea.

Check out my Calendar page for details.

Christmas Card Challenge - Feb - Christmas Animals

This month's challenge is Christmas Animals.  Reindeer, cardinal, polar bear, penguin, dove, camels, sheep, partridge, geese, deer, and chickadees would all qualify.  Which one will you choose? Leave me a comment.

I chose a cardinal.  I bought the stickers after Christmas knowing I had this challenge coming up.  I cut a piece of light green card stock with Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Thirteen onto which I applied the cardinal sticker. I cut the next size up in dark brown card stock which matched the card color.  I cut a Fancy Pants Designs - Christmas Magic - Bough of Holly paper leaving a border all the way around and adhered it to the card front.  I colored printed my greeting on the same light green card stock, flagged the ends and applied a red ink pad to the edges.  Both of these elements are adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

There were 2 smaller stickers in the set and I changed the layout a bit accommodate them. I cut a smaller label in black and mounted the bird on that.  Then a layer of Kiwi Kiss and then a layer of ivory.  It was too stark so I applied some Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen to tone it down just a bit.  I found some designer paper that I have used before which worked well.  I punched a Stampin Up! Modern Label punchie in black and found SU Word Window greetings which worked well.  I chose a black card to coordinate with the layer that the cardinal is on onto which I adhered the designer background paper. Again both elements are mounted onto the card front with 3D foam tape.

I've submitted this card to Hazel's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes