So many blooms ...

I have so much blooming in the garden this week that I would like to share with you.

Meet 'Mary' rose by David Austin.  Named for Henry VIII's Flagship she is one of the first to flower.  What a pretty pink complexion with a heavenly fragrance.

Cleome is blooming ... adding a touch to the English cottage garden.

This Centaurea Montana 'Amethyst in Snow' has striking silky white flowers with royal purple centers.  Unfortunately, this plant has not grown too much as I have transplanted it several times.

Old fashioned peonies are still plentiful in the garden.

I can't seem to control my love for violas.  This year I added these delicate looking flowers called 'Painted Porcelain'.  Creamy white flowers infused with lavender purple and deep purple markings.  They are very fragrant and will bloom all spring and summer here in the Northeast.

Lamb's Ear is placed where I can feel the soft and fuzzy leaves.

Lamium maculatum 'Purple Dragon' has stunning silver leaves with purple flowers that resemble snapdragons.

A new Persian kitty has arrived to keep critters out of the garden.  The flowers to the left are Dianthus. 

Columbine still mesmerizes me with their pure grace.

 'Elsa Spath' clematis is shining this year. Her petals are at least 8" and so gorgeous in purple!

'Dr. Ruppel' is impressive with pale orchid purple, ruffled petals. 

Thank you for coming to visit my garden this week.  I am joining the following parties:

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

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

'Sara Bernhardt' Peonies

My favorite flower of all time is in full bloom.  I have filled vases and urns with these lovely fluffy peonies ...

There are several varieties in my gardens, but I especially enjoy the classic 'Sara Bernhardt' ...

Luscious pink double blooms of fragrance ...

They photograph so beautifully and I am pleased to be linking with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  These photos were processed using the Florabella Collection with Kim Klassen's Epiphany texture.

I'm also joining the following blog parties:

Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage

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

Flower Art Friday @ Photos by Leanne

Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday

Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby

Sea Shell Bay

This card was created for my brother's wife Connie.  They live near the coast so I knew anything with a beach or sea shell theme she would like.  I love the JustRite cling sets which match the Spellbinders dies.

On a piece of Very Vanilla paper cut from a Labels Twenty Two #4 die I inked up the "Free Rides" image first by loading it with VersaMark then Close to Cocoa ink.  I embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.  Sponging was done in Bashful Blue and Distress Bundled Sage.  It was mounted to a piece of Bashful Blue then I added an accent of antique brads.

Kraft paper was stamped with a Cheesecloth background in Whisper White and two jumbo eyelets were set with a piece of rope twine.  

The bottom border was created using a Martha Stewart deco shells punch layered with a piece of lace dyed in tea stain.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Close to Cocoa and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Seashells were colored in Distress Antique Linen, Creamy Caramel and Blush Blossom.

May you always have a shell in your pocket and sand in your shoes!  Enjoy the rest of your week.  I'm linking with Make It Monday. 

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  JustRite Sea Shell Bay Labels Twenty Two, SU Cheesecloth & Happiest Birthday Wishes
Paper:  Natural White Linen, Bashful Blue, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Close to Cocoa, VersaMark, Bashful Blue, Distress Bundled Sage, Whisper White, Distress Antique Linen, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom
Accessories:  Antique Brads, Antique Jumbo Eyelets, Spellbinders Labels Twenty Two, Martha Stewart Deco Shells Punch, Lace, SU Rope Twine, Crop-A-Dile
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"