Sent with Love

This vintage card was created using the Sent with Love set by Gina K.  I started by cutting a piece of Whisper White paper using the Nesties large classic ovals #5 die.  The floral image was stamped in StazOn Black and colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol.  The flowers were done in Light Cerulean Blue and the leaves in a combination of Limepeel and Old Olive.

The edges of the oval were distressed and sponged with ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown.  The main image was adhered to a piece of Soft Suede which was cut using the Spellbinders lacey ovals #5 die.  Three Bashful Blue brads were added to the center of the flowers.

The dreamy background paper is Cappella by Basic Grey and was adhered to a piece of Soft Suede.  I added the Martha Stewart cloud ribbon before mounting everything to a Glacial Blue card.

A closer look at the flowers.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.  I will be gardening and working on a few wedding cards.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Gina K. Sent with Love
Paper:  The Paper Company Glacial Blue, Basic Grey Cappella Designer Paper, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink:  StazOn Black; Prismacolor Pencils - Light Cerulean Blue, Limepeel, Old Olive; Sponging - ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown
Accessories:  Martha Stewart 3/8" Cloud Ribbon, Bashful Blue Brads, Gamsol, Nesties Large Classic Ovals #5, Lacey Ovals #5, Bow-Easy, Edge Distresser
Techniques:  Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Hydrangea

My hydrangea bush is in bloom and I couldn't resist picking the first flower to share with you. 

Simply beautiful ...

Wishing you a day filled with blossoms!  I'm joining the following blog parties:

Wordless Wednesday @ Create With Joy
Flower Art Friday @ Photos by Leanne
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

Haviland "Annette"

Summer is finally here and the temperatures have risen.  During summer, everything seems more vibrant, hopeful, and liberating.  I hope you will join me for tea in the garden on this warm day.

I'm still fond of my birdcages.  This one was a wonderful find at a local antique store.

A sweet little nest with speckled eggs and sprigs of lavender ...

The kettle is on and I have brought out a Theodore Haviland teacup in the 'Annette' pattern.  I love the soft florals with textured edges and gold trim.

Lavender is blooming in the garden with a divine aroma.

Fresh banana nut bread to share ...

Stachys 'Hummelo' lambs ear is showing off its lavender-rose flower spikes.  This perennial plant does not have the same fuzzy, soft leaves as the Stachys byzantine species, but I love it just the same.  The blooms last for a long time and butterflies adore it.

This rabbit is new to the garden.  When I took it out of the box my kitty Cheops didn't know what to make of it  :-)

I hope your week is off to a fantastic start!  I'm pleased to be joining these hosts:

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups

Tea in the Garden @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations

A Return to Loveliness @ A Delightsome Life

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson 

Little Bear Winner!

Hi everyone,

I hope you are having a great weekend.  It is time to announce the winner of my little bear giveaway.  The winning # using random.org was 5 - Becky from A Diamond in the Rough.

Congratulations Becky, please email me your address using the link on my right sidebar and I will get these items in the mail to you.

Thank you to all those who entered and for taking the time to come visit me. 

Garden Benches

One of the goals I set for myself this year was to not only maintain my flower gardens, but to set time aside to enjoy them.  I know you are probably laughing right now, but there is always so much to do.  It is a task that is easier said than done!  Gardeners often don't take the time to relax and reflect on the beauty in their own gardens.  One way to enjoy the fruits of your gardening labors is benches.  Not only are they practical and provide a focal point which draws you to the space, they are also a pleasant respite from the hot summer sun.

I love the charming element a bench adds to a garden so I have two stone benches to show you today.  This one is placed in my gazebo garden.  The greenery under the bench is thyme by Stepables.  This tough perennial is meant to be stepped on and has a wonderful fragrance.  If you have never tried Stepables you really are missing out.  These plants are perfect for pathways, rock gardens and for under trees.

Another bench greets you as you walk through the arbor.

Now that the backyard is blooming, I am simply awed by the beauty of the landscape and can enjoy it while sitting in my gardens.  There are also the vases of flowers I have brought inside for daily pleasure.  At one time, I wouldn't dream of cutting my flowers from the gardens to bring them indoors and then realized how silly that was.

Do you have a special sitting area? If not, I really hope you will consider adding a bench or chair so you can enjoy a cup of hot or sweet tea in the garden.

This photo was processed using the Florabella Collection, Shadowhouse Creations Painterly Texture and Ruth West's White Smudge Frame.  I would like to wish LeAnne who hosts Flower Art Friday a very Happy Birthday!  These roses are for you my friend  :-) 

Thank you for sharing a little part of your day with me.  I'm linking this week with the following parties:

Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

A Little Giveaway ...

A couple of weeks ago they had a table set up where I work selling little bears to help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  I picked this one up to raffle off.   Isn't she pretty in pink with her rose?

I'm also going to include a set of 10 Peony notecards with matching envelopes by Carol Wilson Fine Arts, Inc.  Each notecard has an embossed lace border and is blank inside for your own special message. 

I know it isn't much, but it's nice to get a present in the mail once in a while.  Just be a follower of my blog, leave a comment on this post and I will pick one lucky winner by random.org on Sunday, June 24, 2012.  All are welcome to join!

JustRite Kindness

A co-worker asked if I could make an anniversary card for his wife.  Since time was limited I cased a previous card I had created using the JustRite Stampers Kindness set.

This time the frames and sentiment were all stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and sponging was done in Lavender Lace.  Flourishes were cut from Almost Amethyst paper using the Die-namics Fancy Flourish die.  A Sizzix Scrollmark embossing folder was used on the Orchid Opulence background paper.  The butterfly was created with the exotic butterfly die from Cheery Lynn Designs and sponged with Lavender Lace ink.  I then applied Periwinkle & Sugar Plum Shimmerz Paint.

A fairytale purple rose, sheer ivory/gold ribbon, and rhinestones add a bit of elegance.

The inside sentiment by Rubber Stampede, Inc. was stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The flourish was stamped in Almost Amethyst.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you are able to do something creative this week.  I'm linking with my friends at Make It Monday.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  JustRite Kindness & Greetings from Paris, Happy Anniversary by Rubber Stampede, Inc.
Paper:  White Linen, Lavender Lace, Orchid Opulence, Almost Amethyst, Shimmery White
Ink:  Adirondack Purple Twilight, Lavender Lace, Almost Amethyst
Accessories:  Ivory/Gold Sheer Shimmer Ribbon, Kaiser Silver Rhinestones, Prima Marketing Fairytale Purple Rose, Periwinkle & Sugar Plum Shimmerz Paint, Spellbinders Labels Twenty #3 & #4, Small Standard Circles #3, Large Standard Circles #3, Sizzix Scrollmark Embossing Folder, Die-namics Fancy Flourish Die, Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Small Butterfly & Angel Wings
Techniques:  Sponging, Embossing
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Historic Congress Park

Last week we had such a beautiful day I surprised my husband with a picnic at the park.  He had no idea we would be spending the afternoon outside breathing in fresh air and enjoying the beauty of nature.  Picnics are unique in that every one of them is a different experience and always memorable.

Congress Park is one of our favorite places.  There are a lot of places to sit and reflect or take a leisurely walk.  It even has a historic wooden carousel that was restored to its original splendor.

Wildlife is in abundance with duck filled ponds.  A park with shady trees, scattered benches and natural springs sprouting up in fountains really made for a perfect day.  So come on and join us for a tour ...

Columbian Spring was discovered by Gideon Putnam in 1806 (another beautiful place I will show you sometime).  

Ducks were following us around and I enjoyed watching them glide through the water.

Lined with brick, this 20 ft. diameter reservoir was built in 1820.  Water from underground sources fill the reservoir, providing an ideal habitat for large trout.

Built in 1932 on the site of an old Victorian bandstand is a war memorial.  Bricks, engraved with names and dates of service in honor of veterans from WWI.

This is the Morrissey fountain.  Legend has it that a small red ball was floated atop the fountain when gambling was in session at the Casino so the local police would not raid it.

So peaceful to sit and have a picnic ...

with a friend to keep us company ...

The carousel features 28 horses and plays traditional calliope and organ tunes.

I'll wait for you if you want to go for a ride  :-)

This birdhouse resembling the White House was adorable and worthy of a picture.

An ornate bridge will take us to the northeast corner of the park where we will find the Italian Renaissance Gardens (see why I love this place so much).

 

These photos are of The Triton Pool.  In Greek mythology, Triton was the son of Poseidon (Roman name, Neptune) the god of the sea.  Triton was half dolphin and half man.  He created winds and waves at Poseidon's bidding by coming to the surface of the sea and blowing through a conch shell.  The two Tritons in the park were brought from Italy and sculptured in 1905.

As you stroll by the Corinthian columns there are four pillar-like statues of satyrs and maenads based on works from the fourth century A.D.

This is the Spirit of Life designed by Daniel Chester French.  The graceful bronze statue was dedicated in 1914 in memory of civic leader Spencer Trask.

Here we have a civil war monument dedicated in 1875 to honor the men from Saratoga Springs who volunteered for the 77th NY Infantry.  It is the only regimental monument not located on a battlefield.

There is even a museum which focuses on the history of Saratoga Springs and John Belter's Victorian furnishings.  This park is a vibrant gem in the crown of a sparkling city!

After the park we walked into downtown to Lillian's Restaurant on Broadway for coffee and dessert.

Michael had cheesecake drizzed with raspberry sauce and I opted for the carrot cake. 

Both were delicious!  Which one do you think had less calories?

Next, we stopped at a quaint florist and antique shop.

 

They had some beautiful items and a few things came home with us.  I will share them with you in another post.  Isn't that horse fountain just gorgeous?

I hope you enjoyed your day with us.  I am linking with the following blog parties:

Saturday Show Off @ The Rose Garden in Malevik
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper