Sunday, January 9, 2011

Spring is calling ...

 
I was very busy today and am so glad that I am able to share a second post with you.  While laundry and cleaning were on my "to do list" ... I was able to sneak away to my craft room for just a bit.  Green is my FAVORITE color and I just had to participate in this weeks color challenge over at The Play Date Cafe.  Just look at this photo ... isn't it wonderful!?  The color is serene ... the water refreshing - I can hear it, can't you?  Tell me it's the sound of snow and ice melting.  With everything frozen here, this waterfall photo is a welcome sight and has me wishing for Spring.  I know it's coming ...




Over at Etsy Inspired they are celebrating the French country vintage and handmade home decor of La Pomme.  Such beautiful things to see there.  Ephemera, tins, sheet music, and these fabulous fruits that became part of my inspiration today ....




So I began with Very Vanilla cardstock as my base and layered on delicious papers from our Botanical Gazette DSP collection.  I am absolutely deeply in love with these papers.  Every sheet is gorgeous.  A delicate white lace is held in place by various sized buttons in shades of green.  Since the inspiration photo calls for gold, I added a piece of left-over mesh along the bottom - perfect for my little bird to rest.




An old piece of wide twill was used for ribbon.  I added a pearl and a silver bead to a green decorative pin.  My sentiment is stamped in Always Artichoke Classic Ink and cut out with the Jewelry Tag Punch.  It's small, sweet, and just the right size for little words of happiness.

My bird is obviously not a "Michigan-der".  I am not aware of any feathered friends this shade of green in Michigan.  Perhaps he's here visiting from down south?  I stamped him in Jet Black StazOn and colored him with various Classic Ink pads.  Since the Classic Inks are water based and the StazOn is not, I was able to use an Aquapainter and it worked beautifully ... allowing me to blend and shade.  I should tell you I used a watercolor paper to be sure I could apply water without damaging the paper itself.  This little friend of mine is from the Nature Walk stamp set and I have been using these images a lot lately ... but I guess I don't have to tell you that.  Sylvia has a gorgeous vintage card on her site that also uses this sweet set.  Be sure to leave her a comment when you stop by!




Again, thank you for all your kind comments.  I enjoy reading every one - your words mean so much.  Have a wonderful evening!

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28 comments:

  1. This card is just gorgeous. Very calming and making me want Spring to arrive very, very soon. The papers are awesome and I may just have to place another order. The bird is so cute. He looks like he is looking for Spring, too.

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  2. Joanne your card is just so beautiful :) I LOVE the greens you have used, the twill, the little tag :)

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  3. OH wow, another fabulous card Joanne, so love the soft tone of this one, thanks for sharing your beautiful work!

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  4. Just gorgeous - I love all those little green buttons - such lovely shades and textures. Really pretty!

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  5. This is so beautiful! So much work has gone into it....that bird is welcome in my garden any day.
    I love every single element you have used.
    Sue xx

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  6. Wow, gorgeous! Love these vintage-y nature elements.

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  7. What a beautiful creation! I love the differing shades of green buttons. Everything just works together so wonderfully and that little pop of silver on the pin; just delightful. Thanks for playing along at the PDCC.

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  8. This is absolutely gorgeous! I love everything about it...thanks for playing with EIC!!!!!!!

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  9. Such a gorgeous card! I love the delicate greens that you've used, they look so lovely with the bird. Thanks for playing along with us at the Play Date Cafe and the EIC this week!

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  10. Wowza. Your card is Gorgeous. The colors are so perfect. Thanks for playing with us at Etsy Inspired. :)

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  11. What a beautiful card I love the soft colours and all the elements!

    Sorry if I posted twice had a bit of an hiccup!

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  12. Wonderful background papers!! I love the bird,twill and buttons!!! Sweet card!!!!

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  13. This is just gorgeous. Love the way how everything worked so well together.. :) Beautiful!!!

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  14. Just beautiful! I love the sweet birdy image and the piece of burlap netting is the perfect touch! :)

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  15. Such a pretty card Joanne! Love all the buttons and the beautiful green bird :)

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  16. Just gorgeous! Love those green hues and that fabulous gold mesh! Thanks for playing along with us at the Play Date Cafe!

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  17. Maybe you've discovered a new species of bird! LOL Can I just tell you how much I seriously LOVE your card? Oh, my, goodness. It is just up my alley, even though I am mostly a 'CAS' card maker, my heart goes for the vintage type card. You have made me so happy by playing at the Play Date Cafe this week!!!! THank you for joining us!

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  18. Swoon! Such a sweet card! those little buttons are a darling addition and the mesh behind the bird is a wonderful pop of gold! Very pretty use of the PDCC colors :)

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  19. Oh wow, this is so beautiful! I love where your inspiration took you! Gorgeous!

    Thanks for playing EtsyInspired this week!

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  20. A stunning card again Joanne .... how I love these colours ...

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  21. JOanne this is another masterpiece; the way you;ve used the colors fo the challenge...fabulous!

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  22. Love, love, love all the beautiful details! A card made with love and care. Just beautiful!

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  23. Wow, gorgeous, love the bird and of course the green!!

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  24. This is GORGEOUS Joanne, love everything about it! Thanks for playing along with us at the Play Date Cafe! :-)

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  25. Oh, this is just gorgeous! That green is just perfect. TFS.

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  26. OHHHHHH! This is just FABBBBBBB! I love that mesh and the bird...and that lace...and those buttons...OH MY! This is FABBBB! LOOOOOVE it! Rss feeding now:) Thanks so much for joining in the fun and playing along with us at the PDCC:}

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  27. Joanne! So glad this card won at PDCC!! Congrats!

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  28. This is ABSOLUTELY stunning! I love the bird, love the embellishments, the layout and everything! GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for playing along with the EtsyInspired challenge this week!

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