What a beautiful day we had here yesterday.  I love the warm sunny days of summer...especially when they aren't humid.  I managed to spend a few hours out in the yard trying to keep my flowers looking nice, but I must say my garden is definitely feeling neglected this year!. :(  At least it's still producing the veggies we planted and hasn't gone on strike!  I think tomorrow I'll be picking and freezing more corn.  But I still want to have a few more ears of corn on the cob for supper...yummy!  

Now on to today's cards.  They were inspired by two different challenges.  I've been following the blog 4 Crafty Chicks for awhile, but don't think I've entered one of their challenges before.  Not sure why I haven't, but I really liked the colors they had for their next challenge and started thinking about what I could do with it.  Then I saw the design for The Friday Mashup and an idea popped into my head that would work for both challenges.   I love it when that happens! ;)  

Just a close up of the first card I made...

...and a look on the inside.  Every now and then I like to use the stamp a second time before I clean it off.  It's lighter and makes a nice background that can be stamped over with a saying, or even written on when you're just sending a note.

And my second card.  I needed to get a birthday out of one of these.  It's my niece's birthday in a few days and I thought I would send this one to her.

On the inside of this one I stamped the saying over the muted picture.  I must admit the pic doesn't look as nice as the real thing.  The picture is making the petals look a little funky.  Oh well...

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Stamp Set:  Inspired by Nature & On Your Birthday

Card Stock:  Marina Mist, Perfect Plum & Whisper White

Classic Stampin' Pads:  Marina Mist, Perfect Plum & Wild Wasabi

Punces:  Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle & Word Window

Embossing Folder:  Square Lattice

Ribbon:  5/8" Grosgrain in Marina Mist (retired)

Jewels:  Basic Pearls