Dec 26 2007
Expecting
We have two expectant mothers in the lab where I work and many of my coworkers are asking for baby cards. Since this activity is all contained within the same circle of friends all the cards will need to be different. I love baby cards so I’m happy to oblige, but I’m thinking this will be quite a challenge. Were I to accomodate everyone, I’d be looking at making 40 cards. I’ll do the best I can without turning it into an ordeal. At this point the challenge sounds like fun, but when the fun wears thin I’ll simply stop. It’s first come, first served!
One mom to be knows she’s having a boy, the other has chosen to be surprised. That eliminates pink from my color choices (boo hoo) but there are no holds barred when it comes to bulk and weight because all cards will be hand delivered (hooray!). So, gee, why is this card so lightweight and non-bulky? Well, it just felt like the right thing at the time.
There’s a baby shower in January for the mom who’s having a boy. I’ve been wanting to stamp with my new Love Nest set from Flourishes and the more I thought about this image the more perfect it seemed. After all, she hasn’t had the baby yet…she’s just waiting…interminably it seems to her, I’m sure. I know in my final month I had nothing to do but wait. The baby’s room was ready, my bag was packed, his first little outfit he’d wear home from the hospital tucked inside — so tiny, soft and sweet, a little sack gown I’d sewn myself. I’d sit in his room and just look around, picturing him on his changing table or tucked into the cradle his dad made for him. Oh, dear…I’m choking myself up. My goodness, that baby was loved. He still is. It sure seems like yesterday.
My expectant bird mom is made up of four different images. I stamped the bird first, then masked her (very easy because of the simple line drawing), and stamped the cage and nest (one stamp) in place. The eggs were stamped next, no masking required. The bow was stamped separately in Blue Bayou, cut out and glued on. The coloring was done with a combination of markers, chalks and blender pen. I love chalks best for a very soft, blended look. The bird was done with Not Quite Navy, gray and black chalks. Once I put my color in the general area I smoothed it out with a light touch of the blender pen. I don’t always use a blender pen with chalks, but with such a small image its fine brush tip was helpful. The sentiment I used is from Stampin’ Up!’s Love Matters (retired). There are several great sentiments with the Love Nest set, including “We’re Expecting”, but for my purposes this one was ideal. You can never have too many sentiments.
Just a note: I started to stamp the eggs in Soft Sky and turn the bird into a Robin when I suddenly thought, “what would a Robin be doing in a birdcage?”. I think this bird looks more finch-like but I was thinking “parakeet” so…I looked up a blue parakeet and its eggs on the internet and found that the eggs are a rather dull beige color. Not much fun. I stamped them in So Saffron. I know it’s a little over the top to bother with all that realism but, hey, I’m on vacation.
I made a special trip to the scrapbook store for boy and gender neutral baby papers. I needed them like a hole in the head, I’m sure, but, gosh, it was fun. Of course, you know I picked up a few other things while I was there, too. Hmmmmm…where are those baby papers? They certainly aren’t on this card. You know how it is when you get a picture in your head… When I decided upon this image I pictured it with a lot of white around it — white with maybe just a soft petite pattern. Naturally, that led me directly to my retired Stampin’ Up! Petite Patterns. I’ve always loved these delicate tiny leaves and they seemed perfect for what I had in mind. I stamped them in one of the softest colors I know — River Rock.
Well, time to wrap up this long post. I’m going to go read now. I’m not sure what I’ll stamp next. I know I need to do a lot more baby cards but I’ve got some other cards that need making, too. We’ll see. I enjoyed our visit today. Gosh, I love being on vacation! I could so get used to this! See you soon!
Stamps: Love Nest by Flourishes, Love Matters and Petite Patterns by Stampin’ Up! (both retired)
Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, River Rock, Blue Bayou, So Saffron, markers: Creamy Caramel, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Soft chalks (Stampin’ Pastels by SU!), Fiskars scallop scissors, eyelets, ticket corner punch. Notice there’s no ribbon? Yikes! Since I had a paper bow, I didn’t feel right about using cloth ribbon…just one of those little things…
Wow…I get to be the first to comment! I just have to say that your card is as sweet as can be, and I LOVE it!! I had to laugh about you looking info up on the internet. I do that frequently myself.
Oh this is so sweet - sorry, should that be tweet? Can’t wait to see what you are going to do next.
Your card is so sweet and pretty, the little expectant mommy bird is so perfect for a baby card! Can’t wait to see some of the other baby cards you create (although I’m sad there will be no pink!).
It was also so sweet reading about the last month of YOUR pregnancy, thanks for sharing that!
That is just the cutest card ever!!! I love it…so pretty. The MTB will love it!
This is just adorable and a perfect card for mommy to be.
This card is absolutely adorable!!! Thanks for sharing this with us. You do incredible work!!!
Darling image for a Mom to be, and the paper is perfect! I know what you mean about being able to create a card and not have to worry what you put on it, because it won’t be going thru the mail!
You chocked me up, too! Love the card … and your memories.
**oooops, meant to say “choked” .. chocked, what the heck is chocked?!? LOLOL, sorry!***
Oh my! What a wonderful beginning for your baby card-making quest. You’ve created the sweetest card with the combination of these stamps and colors. I love the soft coloring and that sweet little cut-out bow! And no ribbon! How very brave of you! :o) Linda
What an absolutely adorable card! I love your choice of background, too, it’s so delicate and appropriate for the scene. Can’t wait to see what else you come up with for the mommy-to-be’s. Your work-mates are going to have fun choosing.
That is PRECIOUS! I love the dimensional bow and appropriate sentiment. Don’t forget to keep a couple of cards for yourself to give. LOL.
Oh my goodness, you sure were chatty today - how I wish you NEVER had to go to work again!!! The story of your waiting for your new baby made me cry!!! My first came 21 days early, I was NOT ready, his room was in the middle of being wall-papered (by me), but, nontheless, I was so GLAD he came early and we were home and he was 3 weeks old by his due date!!! Now, back to the card — LOL!! I LOVE it — what wonderful work you have done with that adorable bird and cage — your coloring, shading is SO soft and pretty. And this IS the most perfect baby card EVER!!! TFS!!! And for having to make a lot of cards — well, baby cards are sure fun ones to do — good luck!!!
This card is so lovely and will definitely generate the “aws” when it is received!
What a sweet, adorable card. I love how you combined stamps for your cute main image and the sentiment is perfect!
Absolutely Adorable! I love every little detail, but especially the expectant birdie. Just Perfect. TFS
Hi there!
This is Christen, the managing editor of Take Ten magazine. I just wanted to encourage you to submit some of your work for possible publication in the Summer issue. Our next deadline is February 1st. Let me know if you have any questions! colivarez@stampington.com
Thanks!
What a sweet, sweet new stamp, Leslie — love this!
Oh My Leslie, this card is just adorable. What a wonderful story..such love pouring our of you. I really enjoyed reading the rest of the story as well as the beautiful card so perfectly detailed.
Wow Leslie! A simple card for you yet so stunning!
Sweet card Leslie! Have a wonderful New Year, wishing you many more blessings.
Hugs, Jennifer
Oh, that’s adorable! The bird does look like she’s watching over those eggs.
I read through your comments and saw Christen’s suggestion to send your work to Take Ten and I wholeheartedly agree with her!! I would love to see your cards in that magazine.
This is adoreable! 40 cards WOW! What a lucky mom to get that many Leslie originals!
This card is so pretty! What a fun challenge! I wouldn’t mind that at all, at least at first, anyway!
Looking forward to all of your baby creations!
Beautiful Leslie!! Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous works of art and the thought process behind them…what a awesome look into the creators heart and soul!!
Dee
absolutely darling image. Love the soft color and that lovely river rock pattern in the background!
Oh what a lovely idea for an image on a baby card! I so love it. Soft, and perfect!
Adorable!! And I’m totally cracking up over the robin the bird cage! lol. Too funny!
Oh this is so precious!
This is absolutely precious Leslie! I would have never thought to use a bird with her eggs for a baby card, but it is so appropriate. I have the now retired SU Buggies & Booties set in my stamp arsenal. If you would like for me to stamp/mail you a few images to work with, let me know. Just let me know what ink color, paper, if you want image embossed, etc.
Linda
This is just darling, Leslie! Soooo sweet!
I didn’t see this one before! Oh…it’s adorable! I am a total bird lover, so I am just crazy about this card!