Creative Grace: A very fun post indeed...

Hello friends!

First of all, my apologies for the delay in posting. I'm slowly adjusting to getting back to "normal" and my summer jobs have kicked into high gear! I had to make sure to pop in today as I am honored to contribute a post for my friend, Jenn Shurkus' "All Things Nautical & Summery" July blog feature. (Click on the image below to check out her blog).

I have a few special things to share with you today including a *very special* card!

As a part of Jenn's July blog feature, she has asked her guests to donate their works of art to a big huge blog silent auction where the winning bidder will win ALL of the fabulous creations featured on her blog this month (yes, you read that right, ALL!!!). The money will be donated to a fund that will help the Mom of her friend, Sue Avila, who was recently diagnosed with stomach and lung cancer. I am more than happy to help by contributing a collection of three marine themed cards that I have designed. (You can check out the "auction" by clicking here.)

BUT

This is the LAST day of July, and the LAST donaton for the silent auction!!! Are three cards possibly enough to be the end bookmark to this important silent auction??? After fretting over this a bit, I called my dear friend, Bernardo Alps, an amazing professional photographer and naturalist. When I shared Sue's story with Bernardo, he didn't hesitate to offer and help! He has agreed to donate one of his prints to the winning bidder! :)

I had the honor of meeting Bernardo several years ago when our paths crossed at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, CA (he just happened to marry a wonderful friend of mine and co-worker at the Aquarium). Bernardo has "worked the beat" for several years, doing photography and photo editing for several newspapers. His passion for wildlife photography has made him an extraordinary bird and whale expert and a much sought-after resource who is actively involved in numerous projects for the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, American Cetacean Society, you name it! Traditional newspaper photraphy is sadly becoming a dying art, and Bernardo is now trying his hand at some freelance work. You can find him on Facebook by clicking here.

I'm very excited to share three of Bernardo's prints with you today. Jenn is also sharing three different prints over on her blog (click here). THe winning bidder of the silent auction for Sue Avila will get to choose their favorite of the six prints that Jenn and I are featuring. Bernardo and I will print your favorite and ship it out! So I challenge you all to hop on over and place a bid - not only will you be making a meaningful difference to this family duirng such a difficult time, but you will also be the proud owner of all of these wonderful treasures from such a diverse group of artists that Jenn is featuring, including a Bernado Alps original print!

I had a hard time choosing ONLY 3 of Bernardo's photographs to feature! I knew one *had* to be a pelican (since I love pelicans so much) and I wanted to feature some of his cetacean "action" shots, which he is so well known for. I'm sure you will agree his work is nothing short of awe inspring!

California brown pelican, "what-choo-lookin-at-Willis???" Seriously sweet action shot!!! How did you DO that Bernardo???

Humpack whale, mouth WIIIIIIIDE open!!! WOW!!! Check out that baleen! I don't think I've ever seen a picture like this. Completely awe inspiring.

The cutest little Common Dolphin I ever did see! *squeal* I think animals just pose for him when they know he's around - astonishing!

Thank you Bernardo for your generosity and inspiration!

Last but not least, I do have a very special card to share today. I will admit I plan on sending this to Jenn (I will donate three different marine-themed cards that I'll be featuring on my blog at the end of August). I wanted to be sure to send this beauty to Jenn to say thanks for a month of fabulous ocean inspiration and to congratulate her on her new road in life and her wicked awesome new job!

I think making me her guest on July 31 was simply "meant to be". It is the start of SHARK WEEK after all, teehee...

Da-dum, da-dum, da-da da-da da-da da.......

Ahhh!!! I am so happy with this card :) I somehow am sadly lacking in a shark stamp (how is that possible???) So I had to make my own using an oval punch and cutting out a mouth with pinking shears. A little sanding did the trick to really show off those pearly whites!

My passion for Shark Week started many moons ago when I was working as a marine biologist. I've looked forward to it every year since. It's the most wonderful time of the year... After all, who doesn't love sharks?

So, happy "all things nautical and summery", happy bidding (don't forget to bid to help Sue Avila!), and happy Shark Week!

10 Comments

great shark, jill! ;p

Posted by: Analyn Mattero | 31 July 2011 at 04:20 AM

Love the "wicked" fun card. Happy sharking.

Posted by: Mary Sara P. | 31 July 2011 at 08:06 AM

*wicked* awesome shark! You are brilliant! So nice of you to get an extra prize for Jenn's auction. You are fab! And you know how much I love sharks...

Posted by: Glenda J | 31 July 2011 at 08:06 AM

This is SO awesome! Love the shark! How nice of your friend to donate the wonderful photographs...they are amazing.

Posted by: cheiron | 31 July 2011 at 08:08 AM

L-O-V-E! What a great card and what a great friend you are! I just might get a bid in on the photographs. Love the pelican!

Posted by: dawns | 31 July 2011 at 10:19 AM

Ummm... I DON"T LOVE SHARKS, JILL!!! In fact, I can't relax swimming in an ocean because I am so scared I will get eaten by a shark. But, this is a cute shark and I do love it.

Posted by: Novell | 31 July 2011 at 01:34 PM