Sue Thomas

Beautifully done Bonnie. I had to put my sunglasses on, the orange is vibrantly bright. Awesome colour!

I found 3 of these wasps in the stable this morning. So I decided to see what I could find in the leaf litter out amongst the trees. Low and behold, by gently disturbing the leaves I discovered 9 more of these wasps. Gorgeous insects. These are paper wasps a subfamily of the Vespid family. You will often find their combs suspended beneath the eves of houses and other building. They are extremely efficient predators. I do handle them, and they have never tried to harm me I created a mask for the photo, used another one of Carole's frame punches. Negative tutorial, for the heading. ( I didn't need to refer to the tutorial, as I use it fairly often as I like the effect) Simple notepaper for the text. One of Carole's latest punches under the word notes.

They are all beautiful, but I have to say this one is my favourite. It's as Susan said, it's like stepping through a portal.

That is interesting, about the heated baths. I appreciate a professionals opinion, other than my own. Between the heated bath, dirt baths, and a buffet, your birds get the luxury of a full spa treatment. Whilst giving you immense pleasure observing them. Who needs retail therapy, when mother nature provides all the therapy anyone needs for free.

Thank you! I appreciate your words, as I do other comments that I receive. I look forward to seeing what you come up with for your 1-2-3 challenge layout.

I leave the bird baths out, certainly until the first snow fall, and until the temps do not rise above freezing during the day. Now I am emptying just after dark, and refilling them just after the sun has risen. As we have had a couple of nights of frost. Some use heated baths during the winter, personally I feel it isn't a good idea, as some birds have been known to get frozen to wire, with wet feet, when it's 20 or 30 below. Bird can and will eat snow. The Robin has a very distinctive song, one of the sweetest songs you'll hear. Second to them I would say are the Native sparrows, I hear them before I see them, especially the American Song Sparrow, and the Vesper Sparrow.

Few Robins will over winter, providing there are sufficient berries for them. The great majority of them migrate. At the moment they are passing through, but it's now coming to an end. As they migrate they do flock, sometimes in great numbers. I'm still putting out blueberries for them, (apples, grapes that have gone over too) as there are very few insects for them now. You'll be surprised what they can find under the leaf litter. It's in the Spring, when they are passing through I have the largest flocks, around 200 plus, will descend out in the trees. I'm prepared for them, as they will go through 6-7 apples and other fruit in a day. They will leave on mass in a few days. Those that stay will remain for the summer, rearing 2 clutches, depending on whether it's is a good season for insects. I heard a Robin out in trees today, the photo was taken on the 8th Oct. They are not in their breeding plumage now, and you have immature Robins, which can make them a little difficult to ID, if you don't know what to look for. The only little birds I have now are the Juncos. There's one on the ground in the photo.

Thank you ever so much for your kinds, posted on facebook. You need to get out of your controlled photographic studio, and start shooting what you see around you. I would love to see those photos, and showcased in lovely pages. next spring and summer, you'll have the bees that will occupy your bee tower hotels, and just think of all the creatures that you'll get to see and shoot that will be attracted to your flowers. I guarantee it, that you'll get a real buzz from it! ?

Is there a reason for cross-posting pages? Or am I missing something! Personally, I like to stick to posting in the relevant categories within the forum.

Yes, they are downloadable for Diamond members. or as a diamond member you can view the videos within the campus at any time.

Susan, I have now posted it on Facebook, for much better viewing.

Thank you, they certainly are masters of the air. Their flight skills are mind blowing to watch in real time.

I haven't put it on Facebook yet, but I will do it shortly. Thank you!

It's saves time scrolling through each video.

For each Q&A call, Carole lists the content of each Q&A. I copy and paste each months content into a word document. for easy access.

I do enjoy these type of challenges! Thank you Carole!

For easier reading. I simply can not resist adding word art. The background paper is taken from the same photo used in the background paper on the main page. Changed the colour, overlay, etc.

The days of crouching and crawling around on the ground is coming to a close for this year. It does pay off though, along with a lot of patience, it can be very rewarding. Everything is my own work. Pin, paperclips, sequin, polaroid images. Carole's corner punch, and lifted corner script. The background paper is from from another photo I took on the same day, lightened.

Susan, inexperienced or not, it is quite a common mistake. Especially when planting trees. Many people forget or do not take into account that a 6inch sapling will grow to possibly to 100ft tall, and spread branches. Same goes for flowers. It is amazing how plants will adapt to their location, twisting, turning, stretching to reach for the sun.

Two done, another two seasons to do, and you will four lovely prints, which will look great wall mounted.

Carole has so many wonderful techniques, remembering them all, and where they are can be a challenge in its self. I have started to use this technique to create some Christmas decorations. Using winter scenes. You matched the colours well. Looks like your flower bed is on a bank sheltered by a hedge. With the flowers facing towards the sun.

I have had the odd photoshop abr brush file that wouldn't allow me to convert to PSP. The Neon tutorial in the creative scrap, is fun, quick and easy and to do.

I'm pleased you have found it. For anyone else wanting to know how to create the effect, scroll through to 38 minutes and 30 seconds. Carole demonstrates the technique after creating a shadow box. What threw me was that I was looking at the list of contents of the Q&As. As the shadow box wasn't mentioned. So I scrolled through the months where I thought it would be, and found what I was looking for. Actually Jannette I use 2 slightly different techniques, with the same result. I use vectors, as the edges are ever so much sharper and cleaner. I create each layer, with the colours I'm going to use. ( from vector shape) Creating the shadows after each layer.

I found it. February 2023 Q&A

Can anyone remember the short tutorial Carole did on creating a cut out, similar to what I did in this page. I'm unable to find it, I think it may have been a zoon tutorial. It isn't in the shadow box masterclass. I've done a few of them, using 2 different techniques. I would like to refresh my memory on how Carole did it. Please send me a link, if you know where it is.