I know…I know – this is a weird title for todays post but today is a very special day for a very special person….my wonderful "Aunt Jean" and she is turning 88 today! I have blogged about her before and trust me…if we are all so fortunate to be 88 – you want to be like "Aunt Jean" ?
I knew that a sweet card like this will not only make her smile, she will look at it for days and days with joy. She misses James so….as he lived in Raleigh, the city where dear Aunt Jean lives….I have shared with you what a "keeper" James is…he would have dinners with her….go change light bulbs for her….clean the gutters for her….they truly had a special relationship (which totally warms my heart)
There are 2 stamp sets for today….the FUN You're Sublime and Endless Birthday. Don't forget that we have so many different stamp sets that can work well together and I also think we go through times that we "have a creative block" so mixing things up makes you "pep" up!
You can see in the above image, there is a sentiment above the adorable wheel barrel of flowers. I simply took a piece of masking tape (I just use that blue low tack tape) and then stamped it up with Versa Mark as before we get to watercoloring, we are going to heat emboss this on the Watercolor paper.
I love to heat emboss when I am using the Aqua Painters as the "embossed edge" as a "dam" and the watercoloring does not seem to run as much. (now realize there are many times that we like that messy look, but today I wanted to try to keep it contained!)
Please do not get overwhelmed when you see the long list of products that I used for todays card. The best analogy that I can give you is….when you see a recipe that has a TON of ingredients….most of the time we shy away – BUT – if we try it and through the process we say, "Now that wasn't too bad" than you will come back and do it again! The same is with these products.
When you are watercoloring…you seem to use lots of different colors to get the "just right look" BUT GUESS WHAT? – any look is great – no stressing just practice and practice and you will get more confident and be super proud of yourself!
I had lots of fun coloring this for Aunt Jean. Coloring is soooooo relaxing to me – I have absolutely no clue as to what is right and what is wrong….I just GO FOR IT and I hope that you give it a try as well.
When you are trying to get a different contrast in colors…let the lighter shade dry quickly (it doesn't take too long) before adding a deeper color. In the list below, you will easily be able to tell the colors that I used.
To add ground, I used the Sahara Sand and then went over with the Crumb Cake. Because the Endless Wishes Stamp set is a photopolymer, it is super easy to curl the sentiment to get it "just right"
The overall card size is a 4 1/2" Square (I've been hooked on this size lately) and I think the color combo (Pool Party, So Saffron and Soft Suede work together well.)
I wanted a special little touch so I thought that a button and a simple Bakers Bow would be perfect….what do you think – was it a fun touch!?!?
I know that having a fun envelope in the Pool Party with these fun polka dots will make Aunt Jean smile.
Here is a fun fact that will make you smile – she is a DIE HARD "Tar Hills" Fan…..as she went to Chapel Hill and still goes to watch Basketball Games and even drives a TAR HILLS BLUE Car….is that too cute or what!
Later in September I will be driving Stanley (the horse) to Raleigh for a show and Hannah will come to meet me and guess what??? – we will stay with Aunt Jean as we both think that she is the best thing since sliced bread!!! It is not only FUN to stay with her, it is a joy as she is so beautiful in many, many ways….being with her is a life lesson!
Bring some sunshine to someone today and I do hope that you are blessed to have a special person like Aunt Jean in your life!
Until tomorrow!
p.s. – HJ….if you are popping on today, can you please email me…..I had an issue with your address and do not know how to get in touch with you!
Beautiful, beautiful card, Susan, and what wonderful gesture for a very special person. Aunt Jean sounds fabulous and you are lucky to have such a gem in your life. Have a fantastic day!
What a great story. Aunt Jean is a treasure. I am so sure she will love this card. I like the slightly wider border of the Pool Party around the layered center. The water coloring is great!!
🙂
I had an Aunt Jean, only we called her DeeDee. I have no idea why, except Dee is a nickname for Jean… anyway, she left us when she was in her 90’s. We thought she was sort of our ‘crazy’ aunt. Of course we know now that she wasn’t crazy… just battled with OCD. She had a great sense of humor, and loved to laugh. And I miss her. I’m glad y’all will have time together. Enjoy and, by the way;
‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aunt Jean’!
Hugs Jess
Mine was Aunt Connie! Happy Birthday to Aunt Jean…sweet card!
Susan, what a pretty card. Your wonderful Aunt Jean will love it. She is so blessed to have you and your family in her life. You all are very blessed to have her in your life as well. Happy Birthday Aunt Jean. May God Bless you in a very special way today and every day. Have a great day Susan, hugs Ellen Hinds
Love your coloring! I don’t think I have noticed the heart in with the flowers before – fun! Sadly, I don’t have any aunts or uncles left. My dad was an only child but mom had 6 brothers and sisters. Have a good and safe trip with Stanley and Hannah. Give Aunt Jean a birthday hug from all of us!
Oh, Susan, what a great card! Lucky for “Aunt Jean” to have such a talented niece and lucky for you to have such a cool aunt!
Oh what a perfect card ! Happy Birthday Aunt Jean ! Loved hearing about her .Oh,and I LOVE LOVE that Endless Wishes set …it is one of my favorites !
Have a great trip to my wonderful state of North Carolina !
What a cute card! Aunt Jean will love it–she’s a smart lady, I know, because she’s a Tar Heel! My Uncle Baxter turns 95 this week. Isn’t it wonderful we can still enjoy our special family?
Thanks for sharing.
Cute as can be!
This is adorable!
I DO have an Aunt Jean! How funny! When I saw your Title for todays post, I laughed. My Aunt Jean is 89 years young. Wow, what a coinky-dink! Thanks for sharing,
Donna
Sweet card and an even sweeter story about your Aunt Jean. She sounds amazing and how wonderful to have such great people around her that enjoy spending time with her. Happy Birthday Aunt Jean!
Oh, I love this birthday card, Susan! These colors are really pretty together! You did a bang up job with this one…beautiful water coloring! Your Aunt Jean will love it! How special to have someone so dear in your life. I’m sure she was so saddened when James moved back home. My hubby and I just brought our 2 grandsons back to VaBeach last night after spending 2 1/2 weeks with us. We are planning a trip to the beach in a little bit! When we were here in June it was actually too Hot to be at the beach. : ( But not this time around!
Birthday Greeting to you Aunt Jean and many more too! You will love the card you are getting from Susan. It just shows us how much thought and care she has put into it! You share the same birth day as my sister Sharon H. So have a wonderful day both of you!
She is amazing…simple amazing!
I thought that the wider border would be perfect….I know that I usually do thinner ones but this worked!
I had no idea that that was a nick name for Jean – she has had a great day – she sent me a picture of her on her special day…via her I Phone – !!!!
One of my dear and SUPER FUNNY friends name is Connie…thank for popping in!
Thank you Ellen…you always have such special words that bring a smile to me face! Have a fabulous weekend!
Your Mom was one of 6! WOW – a litter! I have to say. I adore coloring – I have no idea what I am doing but I have fun!
You made me smile…
Right??? That is a FABULOUS stamp set….love the fonts!
Oh my gosh….I want an Uncle Baxter!!!! Love his name….happy, happy special Birthday to him1
Thanks….how can you not be happy with such a special person….have a great weekend!
Awe….thanks for popping in!
Now I guess that we are twin “coinky-dinks” – that is sooooo fun!
Well….rumor has it that I should be say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I hope that you have a special day as you are one special person!
I am sure that you had such an amazing time…it truly does not matter about the age….it’s about the experience! I am sure that you had a wonderful time!She was sad that James moved but I am proud of him that he stays in touch with her as he does!
I rest my case….Aunt Jean is FABULOUS and Sharon is FABULOUS….It is wonderful that 2 special ladies share the same Birthday!
That is one gorgeous card!! I love the wheel barrow and the frog but not so crazy abt the others in that set. So id have to fall in love with the others to justify the set lol. I do have the birthday set tho. Happy Burthday, Aunt Jean!
The answer to your title is “Yes, I have an Aunt Jean!!” You are fortunate to have her and she is equally fortunate to have you in her life. She sounds like a fun lady to be around! I bet James misses his visits with her also. Now, to your card…sweet!! I love this stamp set and you always color the images beautifully! Aunt Jean will love it. Happy Birthday to her!
4 brothers and 2 sisters so that makes 7 kids including my mom. Anyway, she was the baby of the family and the most ornery one of the family I used to hear about!
Oh that’s so funny that Aunt Jean sent you a picture on her iphone!My mom is 92 and pretty hip, but can’t see well enough to use a smart phone.