Spring Thoughts & Blossoms

Today is the first day of spring and with that I look forward to brighter skies, blooming flowers and the emerging of green leaves.  Spring has always been a sense of renewal for me.  The tiny buds on the trees, delicate flowers as they bloom, the radiant sunrise and sunset all bring me a feeling of hope.

I find when life places such demands on our time I don’t always take time to enjoy the amazing wonders life has to offer.  It is only until tragedy befalls our doorstep do we awaken and realize how swiftly things can be taken away.

I vow to spend more time in my gardens this spring and enjoy summer days sitting in our gazebo or by the pond.  There is something so peaceful about the sound of moving water and watching the fish glide through the pond.  I anxiously await to see my first butterfly of the season and listen to the sounds of the wind chimes blowing in the breeze.

I wish for you a springtime of happiness, good health and hope you will see how magical and beautiful each day can be.

Now our card for today is about spring blossoms.  I bet you would have never guessed this card was created with the Stampscapes Spooky Branch stamp.  I stamped the branches on Whisper White paper in StazOn Timber Brown then used the blossoms stamp from Stampin’ Up’s Artfully Asian set also stamped in Stazon Timber Brown.

I colored the leaves with a Mellow Moss Marker then went over them and the blossoms with a VersaMark pen and heat embossed it using clear embossing powder and a heat gun. 

I punched a 1 3/8” circle from a post-it note and used it as a mask for the moon.

Rather than sponge the background I decided to use a stipple brush for a different effect.  The colors I used were Distressed Antique Linen, Crumb Cake and Close to Cocoa.

I cut a Spellbinders Label Three from Whisper White paper and stamped the sentiment in Chocolate Chip and embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun then stippled it with the same colors as above.  I cut another Labels Three from Blushing Bride paper which was sponged with Chocolate Chip.

I found this pretty ¼” ivory and gold organdy ribbon in my stash and created a triple loop bow with my bow-easy.  Kaiser Pearls in Chocolate finish off the card.

I would just love to see what you create with your tree stamps.  Please feel free to email me with a link to your artwork.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampscapes Spooky Branch, Artfully Asian, Elements of Style
Paper:  Coco, Close to Cocoa, Blushing Bride, Whisper White                              
Ink: Branches - StazOn Timber Brown; Leaves - Mellow Moss Marker then VersaMark Pen with Clear EP; Blossoms - VersaMark Pen with Clear EP; Background - Stipple Brush with Distressed Antique Linen, Crumb Cake, Close to Cocoa; Sentiment - Chocolate Chip with Clear EP then stippled with the same colors                                   
Accessories:  1/4” Ivory/Gold Organdy Ribbon, Kaiser Pearls in Chocolate, Labels Three, 1 3/8” Circle Punch for moon, Bow Easy
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 ½” x 6 ¼”