Tuesday 20 March 2012

Four Peas in a Pod

After a very wet Saturday with some much needed rain the sun has returned and we are back to glorious blue skies and sunshine in the south of England. Today is a little overcast but the sun is already peeping through. Spring flowers are basking in the sun outdoors. Cherry blossom is bursting out everywhere.
The buds on my magnolia in the garden are nearly full to bursting but not yet open. However I spied the magnolia below on my way home from work which is in full flower already.






How glorious is that sight...it makes my heart skip a beat. I know that the magnolia flower is short lived but it certainly shares a lot of pleasure in a very short time.



















I also spotted a gorgeous hot pink camellia in full flower.













I know that Spring has sprung today as not only is it the Vernal Equinox (when there are equal number of daylight hours and darkness) but also it is my darling daughter's birthday. She has been busy working nights for the last 4 days but lucky her rota (she is a doctor) has worked out that she has today off. I have been waiting to share with you something I made for her in my silversmithing  class...
Yes 4 Peas in a Pod! Now there is a story behind this. I started silversmithing about 9 years ago and at the time my daughter said that the one thing she would love me to make for her was a peas in a pod pendant. She has always liked that imagery and until now I have never had the skills to make it. But finally I have. The pod was made by using a metal fold forming technique. I will publish a post showing this in the future as I have also made some earrings using this method and it is fun to see the process. I made "tendrils" for the pod using silver wire and I soldered a wire leader into the centre to thread 4 freshwater pearl "peas" onto. The 4 represents the four of our family.



This is the view of the other side of the pendant. I bought a chain and put her gift  into a box for her to open with her other birthday presents this morning at her home. I hope she likes it...I certainly had fun making it and felt an achievement having come up with a workable design after all these years.









I can also now share with you the special spring Birthday card I made for her.
I made an easel card, well her brother had one so I cannot treat my children differently can I? I used one of my favourite Lili of the Valley Stamps called Dandelion Clock.






Here she is in close up, she is a really sweet stamp to colour. I used my Promarkers and highlighted her with my Prismacolor pencils and added some sparkle to her wings and dandelion using Glamour Dust glitter. I went to town with all the details..Martha Stewart punched butterflies, ribbon, buttons and gorgeous mulberry paper flowers...














Quite a bouquet here!
















This is the inside complete with a sunbeam across it...














and this is a rather wonky side view showing you how the card stands up by itself. Although these cards take a long time to make they are worth it. A real spring birthday card for my spring daughter.

I would like to enter my card into the following card challenges;

Penny Black Allsorts Spring time
Pretty Little Ribbons #8 Spring Colours
Cupcake Craftroom Spring Bouquet
Ladybug Crafts Ink Anything Goes
Joanna Sheen Spring is in the air
Lili's Little fairies Butterflies and fairies
Papercrafting Journey #5 Pretty pastels
Really Reasonable Ribbon Spring with ribbon #44
Emerald Faerie Garden  Easel card
Totally Gorjuss Spring #123




Wishing everyone a very Happy Spring..we are there at last..and the days are now getting longer than the nights. What a wonderful thought.
 Happy Birthday to my darling Milly :0) and have a wonderful day.
Welcome Spring, you have been missed.

Bye for now,

Jane x

42 comments:

  1. Whooo hoooooooo for Spring!!!!!!
    Oh Jane that is the most beautiful necklace, really love work, I think Milly will be delighted with it. It is ever so pretty, I too love the image of peas in a pod. I crocheted one once and a lady asked me to squeeze another pea in to represent all her children! :)
    Your flower photos are beautiful, such a lovely time of year and great to know that our days are now longer than our nights!I love all the spring colours in Milly's card too. :)
    Happy Spring Jane and wish Milly a very happy birthday from me!
    Vivienne x

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  2. Happy Birthday to Milly! What a beautiful gift&card she'll get, she'll LOVE them!!! You're so talented, dear Jane!!!

    And I LOVED your images of the PINK ;) flowers everywhere...It's amazing how beautiful it's at yours already, we still have this *add an ugly word here* snow coming down day after day... But sun shines here too!

    Warm wishes from Finland again, dear friend!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  3. It's such a good feeling that Spring is here Vivienne isn't it. I had a phone call from Milly this morning and she did love her peas in the pod and her card :0). The flowers all around me are so inspiring.
    Happy Spring too,
    Jane x

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  4. I thought of you with my pink flower photos Mia...everything is looking full of life around here and the sun is shining.Sending Spring wishes your way!
    Jane x

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  5. I love the colours in this easel card, so pretty. Thanks for joining us at LCI this fortnight....

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  6. Thanks Catherine, they are very Springly!
    Jane x

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  7. A gorgeous card Jane and a beautiful pendant, you daughter will adore it I am sure.

    Your blossoms look to be much further ahead that our which are still being rather shy, probably because we are still having night frosts.

    Thanks so much for joining our Springtime theme at Penny Black and More this month and good luck.

    B x

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  8. Hi Brenda, we are having such lovely weather but we do need rain as we are officially in "draught" now! Our hosepipe ban starts in April. Thanks for your visit and your kind comments.
    Jane x

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  9. I really enjoyed making this Kate. Thanks for visiting,
    Jane x

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  10. Happy Birthday AND Happy Spring, Milly!!
    That is a gorgeous necklace and card duo. The necklace looks fun and elegant. A fitting birthday set.

    Spring is slowly but surely arriving here.

    Have a great week,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22
    etsy

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  11. Wow, Jane.. you have outdone yourself with this amazing pendant! I **LOVE** it!!
    *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to your daughter! Your card is brilliant and I'm sure she'll treasure it a lifetime. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  12. Wow!!!! That 4 peas in a pod is beautiful! How impressive... Your card is darling - she's is getting a fabulous gift!

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  13. Hi Anne, thank you for your good wishes to Milly. I am so glad that Spring is springing for you too ;0)
    Jane x

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  14. You're very kind Teresa, I was able to use one of my handmade boxes to put Milly's card in too. Happy Spring,
    Jane x

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  15. Thank you Lori, I really enjoyed making her pendant, it had been so many years as an idea in my workbook. It was so good to see it come alive.
    Jane x

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  16. What a gorgeous card you've made for your daughter. I love that sweet LOTV image. And the necklace you've made for her is stunning. I'm sure she was delighted with it and I hope she had a lovely birthday. Thanks for sharing your lovely work with us at TG this week.

    Kat x

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    1. LOTV make gorgeous stamps don't they Kat. Thanks for your kind comments and birthday wishes for my daughter.
      Jane x

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  17. Happy Spring to you Jane,
    What a lovely post. So enjoyed your flowers and the gorgeous necklace. It is so unique and so beautifully made. I love symbolic jewelry. The card is great, I know your daughter will cherish all of these gifts made by mum.
    Happy Day to you, xoRobin❤

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  18. Happy Birthday Milly! Wow, Jane that is the most beautiful jewelry! She is going to be amazed!
    x Teje

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  19. Happy belated birthday Millie x I love the peas in a pod pendant, that is so unique and beautiful, and the card....you are a very talented lady.

    Laney x

    ps we didn't get the rain here in the West!

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  20. WOW The Pea Pod is just amazing!

    And a fabulous card! Love the fresh colours you have used.

    Thanks for joining us at the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge.

    Sarah x

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  21. Hi Teje, she did love them. Thanks for visiting,
    Jane x

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  22. Thanks Laney, she did have a lovely birthday, sad not to see her but that is what happens eh when they grow and fly ;0)
    We got heavy rain Saturday, none Sunday and it has been glorious again ever since!
    Jane x

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  23. Thanks Sarah, it's certainly a talking point! Thanks for also liking my card and visiting me here,
    Jane x

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  24. Robin, I missed out my reply to you..!Thanks so much for your sweet comments and birthday wishes for Milly. I love the symbolism of this too... Happy Spring and I hope some sunshine is coming your way,
    Jane x

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  25. What a gorgeous spring card! Thanks for entering LCI this week and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win an image!
    Pinky

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    1. Thanks Pinky I have been lucky enough to win an image already!
      Jane x

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  26. What an amazing card! Loving your color combo, the image is so cute!!

    Thanks for sharing with us at penny black and more! Hope to see you again soon!

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    1. I really enjoyed using those colours Ellie thanks for stopping by
      Jane x

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  27. Gorgeous pendant!! I'll look forward to your WIP post about it. I think I know where all your rain has gone because I feel like I've been living in a non-tropical rainforest in Ohio. Pretty, pretty flowers too. I am SO ready for spring!

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  28. So that's where all our rain is Linda......;-) actually it's getting quite serious here as the local reservoirs are at the mid summer levels . I will post my WIP soon. Sending you some sunshine it's glorious here again today.
    Jane x

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  29. What a lovely post, Jane! I loved the magnolia photos, the blossom is so stunning. And your peas in a pod pendant is so pretty. I too love pea pods and have often embroidered images of peapods, but have never seen one made from silver and pearls. Milly will be so delighted! Her card is very pretty and spring-like too...Happy Birthday, Milly!
    Hope you enjoyed lunch with your friend today!
    Helen x

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  30. Hi Helen, I had a lovely day today enjoying lunch with my friend and again the weather was beautiful. Thanks as always for your visit and your birthday wishes to Milly,
    Jane x

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  31. Absolutely stunning pendant, Jane. Thanks for sharing! Donna ☺

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  32. Thanks so much Donna glad you liked it
    Jane x

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  33. Thanks for visiting Tracey,
    Jane x

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  34. Such a super sweet card and love the gingham ribbon! Your pearls in a pea pod are stunning, too :) Thanks for playing along with the Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge :)

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  35. Thanks Jan gingham ribbon works well here I thought.
    Jane x

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  36. Beautiful card!! Love all the flowers. Thanks for joining us this month at the Cupcake Craftroom.

    I loved seeing your photos of the cherry blossoms - I love that flower. Your 4 peas in the pod jewelry is gorgeous.

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  37. Hi Theresa, the blossom is looking so beautiful everywhere isn't it. Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.
    Jane x

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  38. A beautiful card. Thanks for joining the Joanna Sheen Challenge.

    Wendy -x-

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