Thursday, August 28, 2014

Brighter Days Minis...MUSE #82

Hello!
A rainy, blustery, cool day; perfect weather for a day spent indoors, which I most certainly did. Not so my husband.  Yesterday, following his work day in the city, he headed to southern Alberta, for the first leg of his annual one-day mondo-bike ride in Logan's Pass, Montana, which he did today.  I've never joined him on this trip - the thought of driving the pass, alone, on those narrow, windy, high mountain roads has zero appeal to me (and given that, leaving me at home is a win-win for both of us) - so my 'experience' of the major ascents and descents comes from photos. He returns home after the ride - about a four hour drive - equal parts exhausted and jubilant in having accomplished this feat yet again.  On Monday, I drop him off in Calgary, where he'll begin his stint as a commissaire for the Tour of Alberta Pro bike race. I'll meet up with him in Edmonton later in the week...FAMILY TIME!!! I'm soooo excited.

Waiting  for my husband to come home (no work tomorrow, so I'll stay up to greet him with a cup of tea and some home-made cookies) late this evening affords me opportunity to make my rounds in blog-land, as well as post my two mini cards for Muse #82, where Bobby's bright, twirly, swirly card is showcased.


A visit to Bobby's blog revealed that she used texture paste and inks to create this dazzling array of dots. Isn't it amazing!! And oh, how I wish the texture paste that I have ordered (I'm ready to try this stuff, even though I suspect 'mess' is inevitable) was in my hands right now.  Alas, not so the case (maybe next week...), so I focused on the colours, the layout and the sentiment in my minis

Card 1 features a sponged butterfly - similar to many previous ones - but it is a NBUS because I've not used this 'large' size one from the collection before.  I tried to mimic the swirls in Bobby's card with my 'wavy' Uniko sentiment...it wasn't quite as pliable as I'd hoped, but I'm okay with that...it's different.


Mini #2 features STAMPloration stamps for the background, the same Uniko sentiment, and a smaller butterfly from my 'go to' collection.  A bit of bling (my effort to capture Bobby's shimmer) and ta dahh...


Here's my MUSE duo...

Still a couple/three hours before my husband comes home...more blog visiting, some Food Network TV viewing...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!


20 comments:

Erika said...

I like the way you reversed the backgrounds for each card. The darker butterfly is my favorite!

Ardyth said...

These are beautiful! I love the shaded butterfly and the colourful background! So glad you joined us at Muse this week, Carol!

Susanne Vargas said...

I adore your mini cards! Who makes those beautiful butterfly dies?
Have a great weekend!

Marisa said...

Adore these two butterfly cards, Carol!! Gorgeous sponging on the first one and love the coloured strips on the second. You are the butterfly queen :) Koodoes to hubby for doing that ride!

Barb Ghig said...

Two really gorgeous cards, Sandie! I love how you shaded the butterfly on the first one, and how you added sparkle on the 2nd one...both are so pretty!

Brenda said...

I love your beautiful cards from the inspirational card. Love that one too. lol I have some embossing paste and love it, just not as much time to play with it just yet, but I will! Work certainly does get in the way of a crafty life doesn't it. lol But that is ok, because you are right you have to pay for your habit. lol You make me miss going back to school too. sigh Your husband amazes me but there is no way I would go to Montana with him either if he was on narrow ledges and cliffs!!! That would scare the life out of me. But I'm glad that you will get some family time in with your family then at the next one. Yay for that! Not that you will be spoiling any kiddo's that we know of. lol I'm sure they are going to be thrill to see you too.. I hope the hubby is back home safe and sound and travel safe on the next one my friend. Big hugs, Brenda

Vicki Dutcher said...

LOVE your Muse card! That bfly is gorgeous!! You did good :) Thanks for joining in with Muse~

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Gorgeous, your Muse cards - especially the first one! Thanks for all your wonderful comments you left on my blog during my vacation - I really enjoy reading them. And now I am trying to catch up with everybody....

Jacquie Southas said...

Two great takes on the Muse card!

Greta said...

Love how you were inspired, Carol! 2 wonderful creations! Hope hubby enjoyed his adventure & made it home safe & sound.

Karen M said...

Both your cards are gorgeous - I love the pretty colours you have used and the designs are fab! xx

Kylie said...

You are the queen of the mini's, Ms C! The colours, the designs - swoon worthy. :) Your blog continues to be a source of great inspiration to us all.

Anita in France said...

So pretty, Carol ... fabulous striped background with the 'silhouette' butterfly ... and I just adore the sponged butterfly, so beautifully settled into it's circular niche! Hugs, Anita :)

wienerhoneymooners said...

lovely Miss C, just gorgeous!!!!!

Deepti said...

Love that beautifully inked butterfly ! What a unique take !!!

Monika Reeck said...

If you tell me to choose I will choose the second card with black paper and yellow orange butterfly it looks sooo adorable Carol and yeah you never forget to put butterfly on your card and you made it always beautiful. Love the first one too the colors behind the black butterfly is adorable...and you choose the same sentiment too wooohoooo I think I see a winner here... big hugs from me in Germany...I walk again to your new post Carol..

Shannon J said...

Seriously, you and sponging = magic!! I am in awe of your ability to blend in a way that make the colours appear so natural and make the image come alive! That butterfly is so pretty! And I love how in the second card you went with a silhouetted butterfly to make the beautiful background the star of the show! FabUlous!!!

Joyce said...

Two fantastic cards. I love them both and it is so interesting to see how many directions the inspiration from Bobby's beautiful card can go.

Taunya Butler said...

I am so impressed with what you did with these two mini's! Love the colors and the softness with the butterflies! Both are just gorgeously done!! My favorite is the sponged on butterfly with the curved sentiment - amazing!! So delightful to visit you!! Have a great night!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Two gorgeous takes on Muse Carol--I love your perfectly blended butterfly so much!