Vintage Tapestry Script

This vintage style Valentine was created for my dear friend Veronica.  On a piece of Shimmery White paper I stamped the Hero Arts Tapestry Script Background in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige.  Since the image is so pretty I didn't want to cover it all up!

The heart was cut from Blushing Bride paper with the center from Shimmery White, which I sponged in beige ink.  The flourish and heart border were done the same way.

Friend was stamped in VersaMark and embossed with gold embossing powder on a Spellbinders tag cut from Shimmery White paper.  Both the key and tag were hung from gold cording with a piece of light pink seam binding.  Kaiser pearls in blush were added to the flourish.  Before mounting everything I used an edge distresser and sponged the edges with ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown.

The inside sentiment by PSX was stamped in VersaMark and embossed with gold embossing powder and a heat gun.  The row of hearts at the bottom was cut from Blushing Bride paper using the new Memory Box Heart Chain Border die.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Hero Arts Tapestry Script Background, PSX (F1148) Sentiment, JustRite Shabby Chic Labels Four
Paper:  Natural White Linen, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Background - Brilliance Pearlescent Beige; Sponging - Brilliance Pearlescent Beige; Friend and Inside Sentiment - VersaMark with Gold EP; ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown sponged around edges
Accessories:  Light Pink Seam Binding, Kaiser Pearls in Blush, Gold Cording, K&Company Life's Journey Metal Key Art, Memory Box Heart Chain Border Die, Sizzix Locket Heart Die, Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Motifs, JustRite Custom Dies, Edge Distresser
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4.5" x 6.25"  

Lavender & Giveaway ...

"L" is for Lavender ...

This week over at Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday we are studying the letter "L", as in lavender.  I think just about everyone loves the aromatic floral scent, don't you?

The color lavender suggests refinement along with grace, elegance and femininity.  Purple and its lighter shades have an almost sacred place in nature.  I think lavender, orchid, lilac and violet flowers are all so delicate.

What better way to reduce stress then to light a lavender-scented candle after work, or mist your bed sheets with a lavender-scented spray.

As an herb, lavender has been used for over 2,500 years.  In ancient times lavender was used for perfume by the Egyptians and Phoenicians.  Romans used lavender oils for bathing, cooking and scenting the air; hence the Latin root (lavare - to wash or livendula - livid or bluish).

The air was fragrant with a thousand trodden aromatic herbs, with fields of lavender, and with the brightest roses blushing in tufts all over the meadows ...

~ William Cullen Bryant ~

Lavender sugar is delightful sprinkled on fresh berries and in tea.  The sugar carries a light flavor and smells heavenly.

I will be giving away a fresh jar of lavender sugar to one lucky individual!  To enter to win you must be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, February 14, 2012.  I will select a winner on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 using random.org and will give the winner 48 hours to contact me via email.

My word this week for Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday is lovely lavender.  I am also linking with Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.  Thank you for spending a little time with me today. 

Shutterfly Garden Photo Book

Hi everyone,

I hope you are having a fabulous weekend!  I have been very busy working on another Shutterfly 8" x 8" photo book.  This book is a tour of my gardens.  Since I take so many digital pictures and never seem to print them out, I thought it would be nice to have a photo book that I could look at and reflect on how the gardens have changed over the years.

This book consists of 47 pages and in between some of my gardens, I have flower poems by Emily Dickinson.  

These books are easy to create; it's just a matter on deciding the layout of your pictures.  Even though I create cards I just don't seem to have the time to do real scrapbooking so the digital books work out much better for me.

Now, for the best part - I had a 40% off coupon so I knew it was time to get this printed.  Yes, I am doing the "happy dance"!

Here are some pictures of the finished book.  The cover is a purple Echinacea with Perovskia atriplicifolia in the background. 

Arbor garden in early spring ...

Pretty purple Irises ...

Hostas and ferns showing off their color and texture ...

The relaxing pond garden ...

Autumn beauties ...

The back cover with a double ruffle peony.

Since posting my last Shutterfly photo book have any of you created one?  I was thinking wouldn't it be nice to create a 5" x 7" book of your favorite recipes?  I think this might be a great winter project :-)  If you are interested in viewing more of my gardens they are categorized on my right sidebar.