Enjoying Springtime

On this glorious spring day let the beautiful colors begin!

 

The Andre Rieu tulips are the first to bloom.

These beauties are named in honor of the famous waltz-playing Dutch violinist.

Lilac Perfection does not disappoint with its nodding heads resembling that of peonies. 

 

The Star Magnolia is now in the spotlight,

followed by pink magnolia buds ready to unfurl.

Our Chanticleer Pear will soon be covered with a profusion of white flowers.  The branches look so pretty against the sunny blue sky.

I hope the flowers are blooming wherever you are.  I look forward to seeing what tomorrow will bring.

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Tuesday Muse @ A Rural Journal

Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time

Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday

Weekend Flowers @ Tina's PicStory

Shooting the Moon

We all know a full moon can tend to make everyone a little crazy.  Perhaps it is the exuberant vibe it casts.   

 

So this morning I ventured outside around 3:30 a.m. to set up my camera.  Now keep in mind this is my first time shooting the moon so no fancy photography was done here.

 

There was such a peacefulness looking up at the universe and seeing the glow of the moon shine down upon me. 

 

There is a special lunar name for every full moon in a year.  This moon is known as the 'Pink' moon because of the wild ground phlox which covers in the spring.

 

I did not cast any spells, but rather made a very magical wish.  One I do hope will come true! 

Grape Hyacinths for the Soul

My grape hyacinths are in bloom so I brought in a few sprigs of these bell-shaped flowers to enjoy their 'true blue' beauty.

Legend has it the origin of hyacinth can be traced back to a young Greek boy named Hyakinthos.  Two gods, Apollo the sun god and Zephyr the god of the west wind, adored Hyakinthos and competed for his attention.  One day, while Apollo was teaching Hyakinthos the art of throwing a discus, Zephyr in a jealous rage, blew the discus back killing Hyakinthos.  Apollo then named the flower that grew from Hyakinthos' blood hyacinth.

Is your week off to a great start?  So far it seems to be going by rather quickly.  These photos were edited with the Florabella Collection using Ruth West's Divine Texture.

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Tuesday Muse @ A Rural Journal

Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time

Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday

Weekend Flowers @ Tina's PicStory

Pyramid Gift Boxes

Hi blogging friends,

 

I've really been in a creative mood lately  :-)

 

Recently, I came across a template for pyramid favor boxes.  I fell in love with the Paris design and made a few of them to give away.

Ribbon and roses were added to the top.  Glitter was added to the roses for sparkle.

Some will be filled with sachet teabags and others with truffles.

 

These really aren't presents, but just a little something to say I am thinking of you.

 

Each side of the box has a different image depicting Paris.

 

 

If you would like to purchase the template to make your own adorable pyramid box, please visit Vectoria Designs.

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Make It Monday @ Make It Monday

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups

Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Kids Prints

Are you glad it is Friday?  What a long week it has been!  Not only have I been tired, but my allergies are starting to 'kick in'.  I noticed our willow shrub is starting to bud.

 

I finally made my first baby card.  I didn't even have any baby stamps so I did a quick search on eBay and was able to pick up Kids Prints by Stampin' Up! super cheap  :-)

I stamped the baby foot in Going Gray and embossed it with clear embossing powder with a heat gun.  The piece of Shimmery White paper was adhered to a Spellbinders Floral Oval.  Some leaves were added using a Memory Box Fauntleroy Crest die.  The rose red vintage floral adornment is from Stampin' Up.

 

A triple loop bow was created from American Crafts Valentine Ribbon and finished with a Kaisercraft pink ice brad.  The "tiny toes" background paper is by The Paper Studio.

This sweet card was for a precious little girl born in March.  Her name is Aviana Maria - so pretty.  Congrats again to the family!

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Kids Prints, Short & Sweet, All-Year Cheer 1, Stampabilities Tiny Feet
Paper:  Solar White Linen, Rose Red, The Paper Studio Pink Tiny Toes Baby Feet, Mellow Moss, Shimmery White
Ink:  Image & Welcome Baby - Going Gray with Clear EP
Accessories:  American Crafts Valentine Ribbon, Kaisercraft Pink Ice Brad, SU Vintage Flowers Adornment, Memory Box Fauntleroy Crest, Spellbinders Floral Ovals Die, Large Classic Ovals #5, Large Petite Ovals #1, Small Petite Ovals #1, Bow-Easy
Techniques:  Embossing
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4" 

Avian Friends & Nutmeg

The other day as I was walking by the bird feeder I saw this russet and gray bird with steaks down its white chest.  I quickly snapped a photo and then went looking for my bird book to identify it.  I assumed it was a type of sparrow.  Indeed it is a song sparrow.

I'm delighted to see some new avian friends.  I've debated whether or not I should try other types of bird seed to attract different species.  I don't want to lose the ones who faithfully come to the feeder.  Do you have any advice to share?

 

This chipping sparrow was singing quite the tune!

A dark-eyed junco patiently waited their turn.

Sweet Nutmeg was back and I told her to strike a pose for me!

 

A couple of mourning doves were hanging out enjoying some fallen seed.  Their 'woo-OO-oo-oo-oo' is such a distinct sound.  I haven't found their nest yet, but I will know when I see 2 white eggs.

 

 

Enjoy your weekend!  I need to fertilizer my lawn today and then I will be crafting.  I'll have lots of new things to share with you.

Today I am joining ...

Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos
Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention Photo Gallery
NF Winged on Thursday @ NatureFootstep meme
Open House Party @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Weekly Top Shot @ The view from right here
Camera Critters @ Bluff Area Daily
I Heart Macro @ Studio Waterstone
Let's Get Social Sunday with Evelyn & Jamie

Vintage Lilacs

Hi blogging friends,

 

I hope you are having a great weekend.  I've been busy doing different projects around the house.  Today I have a vintage card featuring some lavender and lace.  These wonderful lilac images are from Arina Atelier's shop.

After resizing the image, the edges were inked with ColorBox Creamy Chalk Brown.  A French Pastry Doily die was cut from lavender paper and I added a strip of 1 9/16" lace ribbon.

I think this would make a pretty Mother's Day card.  Have you started your spring cleaning yet?  There is always so much to do, isn't there?

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Make It Monday @ Make It Monday

Craft-O-Maniac Monday @ Craft-O-Maniac

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Shabby Spring @ The Shabby Tea Room