A Precious Fairy & Spring

The weather has been like a roller coaster.  Last week we reached 81 on Thursday and today the high will be 40.  I have my first garden photos to share with you.

This fairy statue holding a sunflower in her hands sits nestled amongst Festuca 'Elijah Blue' grass, which is noted for its frosty blue evergreen tuft.  The perennial blooming in the background is Meadow Sage 'Pink Delight'.  This particular variety is known for its lavender-purple flowers.

Behind the fairy I have a grouping of Echinacea 'Magnus'.  Once summer arrives these coneflowers will have pink blossoms with large coppery orange cones.  I will be sure to take pictures of them when they bloom.

Magnolia buds just starting to emerge.

A bright and cheery daffodil is greeting me.  Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they're known as the 'Lent Lily.'

The sweet scent of a hyacinth.

Salvia 'May Night' already has deep-purple blooms.  This long blooming perennial is a welcome addition to the garden.  Later in the season when this plant starts to look less desirable it will be time to dead head.  The best time to prune your salvia is early morning or late afternoon or just when you need a little garden therapy :-)

Isn't this an adorable bunny?  Could he or she be the one nibbling on my tulips?  They like to hang out under our willow bush and blue spruce tree.

Well, that does it today for garden pics.  Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are having a great week.  I am linking with Ms. Jenny for Alphabe-Thursday and the following garden parties:

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time

Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

Hawaii

This card was created for a male co-worker who celebrated a birthday a while ago.  I knew right away I wanted to use the Palm Cove stamp on this design.

I started by stamping the Island Mountain in StazOn Black, but before I inked up the stamp I masked off the bottom part of the mountain with a paper towel to soften the transition.  I then stamped Palm Cove directly in front of the mountain in StazOn Black.  Next, I used the Fountain of Light image to create lava.  Cloud Cumulus was also stamped in StazOn Black, but the edges were masked with a paper towel so the images would blend better with the sky. 

Using a cotton swab I sponged the mountain in Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango and Real Red.  The background was sponged in Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Ruby Red and Bravo Burgundy.  As you can see, I added a little Summer Sun to the water for the reflection.

The water was sponged in Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue and Night of Navy.  The rocks were colored with Going Gray and Sky Blue Shimmerz paint was applied to the water.  

To create some spark and ooze I added Christmas Red and Spiced Marmalade Stickles to the mountain and fountain of light.  Lastly, I applied ColorBox Frost White ink to the sky to create the appearance of smoke.

I mounted the focal image to a piece of Yoyo Yellow then onto a Black Linen card.  This card looks so much better in real life.  The camera doesn't seem to pick up the Stickles very well.

I truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to visit me.

A peek at the inside.

I am linking with Make It Monday and Inspire Me Monday.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampscapes Palm Cove, Island Mountain, Fountain of Light, Cloud Cumulus, Frond #3, Sentiment by PSX (F-2320)
Paper:  Black Linen, Yoyo Yellow, Dusty Durango, Glossy White
Ink:  Images - StazOn Black; Mountain - Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Real Red; Background - Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Ruby Red, Bravo Burgundy; Rocks - Going Gray; Water - Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy; Smoke - ColorBox Frost White; Inside Sentiment - Ruby Red; Fronds - StazOn Black
Accessories:  Christmas Red Stickles, Spiced Marmalade Stickles, Sky Blue Shimmerz Paint
Techniques:  Sponging, Masking
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Tulips in Bucket

Hi there,

Is everyone having a great week?  The weather has been just amazing!  We all know it wouldn't be spring without tulips so I hope you enjoy my card today.

On a piece of Shimmery White paper cut from a Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #5 die, I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black.  The tulips and bucket were colored with Copic markers.

Friend was stamped in StazOn Black on a piece of Almost Amethyst paper cut from a Lacey Oval #1 die.  I added a little bow from 1/8" violet ribbon using my Bow-Easy.  The butterfly is from SU's Beautiful Wings die.

Before mounting everything I sponged the 4" doily with Almost Amethyst ink.  The background is Euphoria paper by Basic Grey.

I noticed last night someone has been snacking on my garden tulips.  Could it be one of my bunnies?  I put a cage around them so hopefully we will have a few blooms.  I tell you it is tough being a gardener  :-)

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  PSX Bucket of Tulips, JustRite Shabby Chic Labels Four
Paper:  The Paper Company Metallic Punch, Almost Amethyst, Basic Grey Euphoria Designer Paper, Shimmery White
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, StazOn Black, Almost Amethyst
Accessories:  Offray 1/8" Violet Ribbon, 4" Doily, Labels Seventeen #5, Lacey Ovals #1, SU Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Bow-Easy
Techniques:  Copics
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Rain ...

"R" is for Rain ...

(Photo Source:  Cinnamon)

As much as I love the sunshine and bright sunny days I also love the rain.  There is something about a spring rain and the way the earth smells and how the hues of nature are richer.  On a rainy, cloudy day I find a cozy place and snuggle up with a book or sip a cup of hot tea.  The sound of rain is calming, peaceful and soothing to the soul.

I enjoy watching the rain through the window and how it touches each flower and moves it ever so slightly.

Seemingly overnight warm temperatures and soft rain transform beige lawns into verdant carpets.  Newly sprouted shoots from perennials have a vibrancy of color.

(Photo Source:  Gaurav)

"A rose must remain with the sun and the rain or its lovely promise won't come true." ~ Ray Evans

I am linking with Ms. Jenny over at Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.  I hope you will stop to visit the other participants to see their posts for the letter "R".

"Wild Violets" Spring Party

Hello friends,

I am joining Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for her special spring tea party.  Please feel free to wear your spring frock and hat for an enjoyable and relaxing time with friends.

Spring is a favorite season for many, and it is certainly easy to understand why this is so.  The earth comes back to life and the green world begins to return.  First seedlings are carefully nestled in the garden.

As I hear the sound of birds chirping my mind turns to spring bulbs.  One of my favorite teacups is this "Wild Violets" pattern made in Staffordshire England by Sheltonian.

Today I have brought out the matching sugar and creamer.

Spring florals are sprinkled around the home, including this twig and bird nest arrangement.

The tea kettle is on and today I am enjoying a cup of Darjeeling tea.  The flavours of Darjeeling differ from season to season depending on the plucking period.  Darjeeling is located on the Northern part of West Bengal, India.  Did you know there are only 86 Tea Estates, which produce Darjeeling tea?   

A matching violet plate has some delicious mini pastries.  Do you have a favorite?   

The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of it's scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.  If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness."

~ Therese of Lisieux ~

Thank you for stopping to visit.  I always enjoy having tea with you!  I am linking with the following ladies:

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tea Party Tuesday @ Sweetology

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups

Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

Cloche Card Winners!

Hi friends,

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  May you have the luck of the Irish on this day.  It's time to pick the winners of my handmade cloche cards.

The first # selected using random.org was 15 - Belle

The second # selected using random.org was 2 - Liz from A Dish Here, A Glass There

Congratulations to both of you!  Please email me your address using the link on my right sidebar and I will get your card in the mail to you next week.  Thanks to all who participated.  I hope to do this again real soon.

Memory Box Valise

This card was inspired by one of the gals over at Memory Box.  I see now why Suzanne didn't want to cover up this pretty Valise paper.

I stamped the Memory Box Adore image right onto the Valise paper in StazOn Black and colored the flowers in Regal Rose and Old Olive with a blender pen.

I added 1/2" Chantilly Crochet Ribbon to the corners and glued my bow with Crystal Effects.  A BoBunny metal butterfly was added for a little dimension.

The image panel was mounted to a piece of Blushing Bride paper and then onto a Desert Storm card.

A very easy card to create with a touch of vintage.

They are forecasting a beautiful weekend so I plan to spend Saturday and Sunday working in my flower gardens.  I'm so happy to see my tulips, daffodils and hyacinths all emerging from the soil.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Memory Box Adore

Paper:  Desert Storm, Blushing Bride, Memory Box Valise Designer Paper

Ink:  Image - StazOn Black, Regal Rose, Old Olive

Accessories:  1/2" Chantilly Crochet Ribbon, BoBunny Metal Butterfly, Bow-Easy 

Techniques:  Blender Pen
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Quatrefoil ...

"Q" is for Quatrefoil ...

Etymologically, the word quatrefoil means "four leaves", and applies to general four-lobed shapes in various contexts.  When is the last time you wished on a four leaf clover?  Did you know you were wishing on a quatrefoil?

In heraldic terminology, a quatrefoil is a representation of a flower with four petals, or a leaf with four leaflets such as a four leaf clover.

The quatrefoil became popular during the Gothic revival and Renaissance era, but can still be seen on countless churches and cathedrals.  Most often they are at the top of a Gothic arch with stained glass.  Lorenzo Ghiberti crafted a very famous quatrefoil made of bronze panels, which is displayed on the north doors of the Baptistery in Florence, Italy.

This is a close up of the gorgeous panels.

In architecture and traditional Christian symbolism, a quatrefoil is a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially-overlapping circles of the same diameter.

Do you have a favorite quatrefoil?  Mine would be the four leaf clover, a well-known symbol of good luck.  According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.  The odds of finding a four leaf clover is estimated 10,000 to 1.  Have you ever found one?  As a little girl I spent many hours looking for one!

What do the four leaves symbolize?  One leaf is for HOPE ... the second for FAITH ... the third for LOVE ... and the fourth for LUCK!

Thank you for stopping to visit me this week.  I am linking with Ms. Jenny for Alphabe-Thursday.  I'm curious to see what words the other participants have submitted.

Spring Cloche Party

Hi everyone,

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life is hosting her annual Spring Cloche Party.  I'm happy to be joining in the fun.  Thank you Marty for hosting our lovely get together.  In honor of our cloche party I will be giving away two handmade cards featuring our theme.  Please see below for all the details.

(click to enlarge photos)

Our sisal bunnies are poised and ready to hop into our springtime vignette.

A delightful nest with glass eggs reminds me spring is on the way.

This ceramic bunny was made by my grandmother.  A Royal Albert Wild Geranium teacup & saucer looks wonderful under a cloche.  The flowers are so delicate on this pattern and I'm sure you will be seeing this piece again in the future.

Spring florals ...

This dragonfly candle was given to me by my husband.  I keep this candle in the sunroom as it is just too pretty to burn.

A beautiful lavender colored rose.

This vintage bunny is a perfect touch for our spring theme.

Lastly, a sweet treat just for you!  This cupcake looks even more delicious under glass.

Thank you for coming by today for a visit.  If you appreciate handmade goodies, and would like a chance to win a cloche card just become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on this post by Friday, March 16, 2012.  I will select the winners on Saturday, March 17, 2012 using random.org and will give the winners 48 hours to contact me via email.  Please be sure to check out all the other amazing spring cloche's and spread some springtime cheer.

These are the cards I will be giving away.  We have some pink lily-of-the-valley under a cloche.  The colors are Pretty in Pink and Mellow Moss.

The inside of each card has a set of garden tools, but has been left blank so you can write a personal note.