Monday, May 27, 2013

Dainty White Bells

The best way to enjoy Lily of the Valley is to share it with others. So while I can't give you some in person, I hope you will enjoy these photos.


Lily of the Valley, native to Europe, was first recorded by Jefferson in 1771. These sweet, tiny, white bells make it to the top of my favorite flower list.


This old fashioned perennial signifies the return of happiness.


I've filled a Fenton basket with these nodding white flowers.
Perfume just fills the air!

I have a rather large patch on the northeast side of the house.


It has been raining for days and it is so dreary.  I'm in need of some sunshine and can't wait to get outside to see what is blooming in the garden.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Lily of the Valley


Are you getting ready for the long weekend?  Last night I spent some time playing with my Lily of the Valley set.  I'm so pleased with how this card turned out.  Thank you Heather for the inspiration.

I started with a piece of Crumb Cake paper.  Various images were used from the Grunge Corners set and were stamped in Crumb Cake.  The Lily of the Valley sentiment was stamped in Always Artichoke.  The edges were distressed then sponged with ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown.

I mounted the focal image to a piece of patterned Always Artichoke designer paper.  3/8" Kraft taffeta ribbon was wrapped around.


Next, I used the matching Lily of the Valley die to cut out the pretty flowers.  The image was stamped in StazOn Olive Green and colored with Prismacolor Pencils with Gamsol.  I decided to pop it up for some dimension. 


The inside sentiment by PSX was stamped in Always Artichoke and embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  The corner was decorated with another Grunge Corner stamp in Crumb Cake. 


The Lily of the Valley in my garden is blooming right now and I will be sharing some photos with you soon.

Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day!

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Lily of the Valley Set, Grunge Corners by Lili of the Valley, PSX Beautiful as Spring
Paper:  Desert Storm, Patterned Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Flowers - StazOn Olive Green; Background Images - Crumb Cake; Sentiments - Always Artichoke; Sponging - ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown
Accessories:  3/8" Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Papertrey Ink Lily of the Valley Die, Edge Distresser, Bow-Easy, Gamsol
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Prismacolor Pencils
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Old Fashioned Lilacs


The kitchen is filled with the sweet scent of lilacs.

 
I couldn't resist putting them in a silver coffee pot.


Their blossoms so dreamy.

 
Lilacs always remind me of my dear grandmother.


Their reflection makes me smile  :-)
 
It was a busy day yesterday planting annuals and filling pots.  A nice steady rain today will give them a good start. 

Have a charming week!

Today I am joining ...

Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Springtime Garden Tour

It seems as though everything is moving so quickly in the garden.  Is there anything more delightful than the scent of blossoms on a sparkling spring day?  It is amazing the transition that has taken place within the last few weeks.
 
Please join me for a leisurely stroll ...


The pink Magnolias are in full bloom resembling tulips.


Delicate pink hearts dangle from arching branches.


Lily-of-the-Valley pips making their way in the foreground.


Ferns brighten the shade garden.


A whiff of some old fashioned lilacs.


The sweet scent of Fothergilla major 'Mt. Airy'


Bottlebrush blooms smell like honey.


Double pink flowers cover the Flowering Almond shrub.


The Cleveland Pear covered in snowy white blossoms.  This tree has such a nice pyramidal form.


Tender blossoms of a Purple Leaf Sand Cherry.

 
A lazy bunny enjoying the Forget-me-nots.
 
 
Spring is in the air!  There is so much to enjoy as the gardens come alive.
 
Thank you for taking a stroll with me.
 
Today I am joining ...

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Tuesday Muse @ A Rural Journal
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Weekend Flowers @ Tina's PicStory 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Elements of Style in Purple


Happy Mother's Day!
 
A few weeks ago I created this Mother's Day card for a co-worker to give to him mom.
 
 
I stacked the Spellbinder Opulent Ovals in various shades of purple (her favorite color).
 
 
The roses were stamped in StazOn Stone Gray and colored with a blender pen in Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum.  I added some Cotton Candy Stickles to each flower.  Mom was stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder.
 
 
The inside sentiment was also stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Lots of white space so he could write a special note to her.  His mother's name is also Donna  :-)
 
To all mothers near and far wishing you a fantastic day!
 
Today I am joining ...
 
Let's Get Social Sunday with Evelyn & Jamie
Make It Monday @ Make It Monday
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Mother's Day for a Lady @ Inky Impressions Challenges
Anything Goes @ Divas by Design  
 
Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Elements of Style, All-Year Cheer 1, Mom by Serendipity Stamps
Paper:  Orchid Card, Recollections Purple Passion, Baer Design Studio Purple Damask Digital Paper, Shimmery White
Ink:  Roses - StazOn Stone Gray colored with a blender pen in Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum
Accessories:  Orchid Crinkled Seam Binding, Stickles in Cotton Candy, Kaiser Pearls in Lavender, Spellbinders Opulent Ovals, Bow-Easy
Techniques:  Embossing, Blender Pen
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Maytime Tulips

One of the tulips I planted in the fall was Maytime.


This lily-flowered tulip has deep reddish violet blooms with a light halo around each petal.


Graceful and elegant ...


a pretty splash of color.


We are receiving some much needed rain over the next couple of days.  Perfect weather for crafting  :-)

May your day be filled with sweet memories and flowers.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Lemons Anyone?

Hi everyone,
 
I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  The weather was beautiful here and I was able to get quite a bit of gardening done.
 
Please join me for tea today as I share with you my Victorian cottage roses teapot.


Pink roses make me swoon ...


Would you like a slice of lemon with your tea?

 
A lemon fork to dress up the table.  The pattern is French Provincial by Towle (circa 1948).


My choice of tea today is Darjeeling.  A blend of citrus notes with a hint of apricots and plums. 


Fresh roses fill a vintage crystal cruet jar.


A petite slice of cake to nosh.

 
 
A day to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
 
 
Thank you for sipping tea with me! 
 
Today I am joining ...
 
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmation
Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Related Posts with Thumbnails