Clean & Simple for Summer

Hello!  I have a quick card today.  I was rummaging around in my scrap basket the other day when I came across this stamped panel.  Funny how I rejected it at one time, but now that summer is here its clean and simple design seems just right.  I added a little border of designer paper, some ribbon and a ribbon slide, and suddenly I have a card ready to go.  It’s an easy mailer, too!

The stamping took no time at all.  I combined two sets – Summer Botanicals and Mixed Greetings.  Flourishes has retired these sets and the remaining stock is on sale for half price.  Just thought I’d mention that.  You might also like to know that all of Flourishes' Christmas stamps are on sale now, too.  Christmas in July.  There's no promotion code necessary.  You'll find them already discounted at 25% off.  Just thought I'd mention that, too.

I haven’t been spending much time on the computer lately, nor in my stamp room.  When the sun shines I go outside.  I walk in the woods, work in the garden, take Wally for a swim.  Here on the Oregon coast it’s never so hot you can’t bear it, and despite rumors to the contrary, when the Spring rains are finished, we barely get another drop till Fall, and then only sparingly.  It’s one of our most beautiful seasons.  The summer wind can be ferocious at times, but not always.  As I write this we’re having our second windless day in a row, with temperatures in the mid-‘70s.  Feels like Utopia.

As with many homes on the coast, we’ve created outdoor living areas, sheltered from the wind and bathed in sunlight.  These sheltered areas are where I do my coloring, read my books, or when I abandon myself to the moment, I’ll take the occasional brief nap.

We have a south-facing deck – rustic and comfortable. . .

And a back courtyard. . .

It’s newly designed to be dog-friendly, as this is where Wally stays when we’re both at work.  He loves to take a flying leap off the retaining wall, roll in the cushy grass, and chew on whatever falls from the overhead tree branches.

This glass enclosure is essentially Wally’s doghouse. . .

We felt he didn’t have a large enough area to get in out of the rain when we were at work so we enclosed the back deck.  There’s a door on one end, and the side that faces the courtyard is entirely open.  It has become our morning coffee area, which is when these photos were taken.  Now… when the deck enclosure was first completed, Wally’s old doghouse was left sitting out in the yard till we had a chance to cart it away.  Wally liked his cozy doghouse full of straw and, even though it was out in the middle of the yard and he had a brand new bigger better doghouse, many times I’d come home from work and find him napping in his old doghouse.  Good parents that we are, we moved his old doghouse into his new doghouse and now he’s extra cozy.

It’s all about Wally. . .

Wally and I would like to thank you for dropping in.  We sure do enjoy your company!  Have a great day!

(Back to the card)  Stamps:  Summer Botanicals, Mixed Greetings  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, BasicGrey Euphoria designer paper  Ink:  Orchid Opulence, Close to Cocoa  Accessories:  Offray ribbon, Finishing Touches Stunning Slides ribbon slide (from Flourishes)

Comments

[SueB]

I have a big smile on my face after seeing that wonderful photo of Wally. Beautiful home, Leslie. No wonder you like to be outside. Here in Illinois it's been so hot I can't be outside for more than a few minutes.

[Glenda Brooks]

Yea Wally! Such a good dog! I can see why you love him so much! Beautiful home and garden! Everything here is turning brown. Tennessee is burning under the hot summer sun! No rain in a long time and hot, hot, hot!!

[Peggy - Small Steps to Giant Leaps]

:) :) :) :)
Yes, I love the card. It's a certainty that I'll copy the idea.
But the mini tour of your back yard and Wally's sanctuary was refreshing!! And the picture of the big boy was a bonus. He is just so adorable. I will admit you have implanted in me for the first time in my life the desire for a dog that sheds. What a beautiful face!
Enjoy your moderate temps. We in the midwest are full of humidity and really pretty tired of it. It gets to the point it's difficult to breathe!

[Diane]

LOVE the card - it's right up my ally. And, of course it's all about Wally! We LOVE our furry kids, don't we?? Absolutely adore your patio & yard. Perfect place to relax. Thanks for sharing! D :)

[Sandy Knecht]

Your card is beautiful! I love the softness.

[Willow]

The card is beautiful but then so is that Wally!!! And your backyard for that matter!!

[yogi]

lovely card. Love those flowers. Thanks for a peak into your life.

[LorraineB]

I really love that card! Think I'll have to go do some Flourishes shopping.
Wally is beautiful and I'm so glad you take such great care of him. As an animal fanatic I can totally understand doing everything you can for him.

[Gabriela]

Leslie - it tickles my heart to no end to see Wally living the "Life o' Riley" - and you grounds are absolutely gorgeous! Just look at that exquisite stone work! That Wally is sure a handsome fellow.

[Linda E]

I love your card and backyard oasis.

[Susan (rainy)]

Well of course it's all about Wally. With a face like that how could it not be!!! hehe Yup the summers in the PNW are to live for! And it pretty much started right on cue... July 5th.

Your card is so fresh and crisp and beautiful, Leslie. I love that Summer Botanicals set from Flourishes. I didn't realize that they retire sets. Is this the first time that they have done that?

[Laurie U]

What a gorgeous porch, and courtyard! and I also have to mention that Wally is a gorgeous dog as well!!!

Love the double stamping on yur CAS card!

[Barbara]

Hoping you have a wonderful day too. Kisses to Wally!
the colors in you card are so soft and remind me of a late summer afternoon....the time of day which welcomes you to sit on your porch and ponder.

[Tammy Hair]

Beautiful card and lovely outdoor areas. But most of all, I love Wally. Can't get enough of Goldens. I just recently got a breeder dog from a puppy mill. She is absolutely beautiful but has no clue how to be a dog. Wally is a lucky guy and so are you.

[Velta]

Oh Leslie...what a pleasure it is to receive your subscription!!! Seriously, you have a way with your art work and with your words...what I would give to visit your lovely landscape and Wally, of course :) Thank you for sharing and for the note on discounts at Flourishes...Have a great weekend!!

[Lenoria]

Your card is so restful and beautiful. Hearing about the 70+ temperature makes me wish I were there considering we are going thru 100+ temps right now and I hate to even be outside longer than absolutely necessary! I love reading your blog. Thanks for sharing.

[Libby]

Love the purples on this card, gorgeous! I hope you're having a nice summer Leslie and enjoying every minute you can spend in your gorgeous garden! And - love that you moved Wally's old dog house into his new dog house - so sweet! :-)

[Conniecrafter]

your ribbon and paper go perfectly with your stamping.
Looks like a great place to relax and what a beautiful yard, your temps sound perfect, it is just too hot for me when it gets in the 90's with a heat index in the 100's.

[Leigh]

I love hearing about Wally and seeing all your photos.

[Stephanie Perry]

Wally, you handsome boy...what nice spaces for both he and his humans (hee hee)!! Your card is so pretty, I love the color combinations and that ribbon is to die for! Thank you for sharing your card and the wonderful pics of Wally and your wonderful outdoor spaces!