Thursday 3 January 2013

New Beginnings

This is my very first post of 2013 and already I have noticed that there are signs of new life all around. I managed to get out in the garden to make the most of some rare sunshine on New Year's Day. As I did some clearing I saw lots of lovely bulb shoots beginning to peep up through the sodden ground. I could not believe how wet the earth is. I have very free draining soil so goodness knows how sodden clay soil will be.

I have also been watching my dear little pot of daffs on my kitchen side. The flower heads are beginning to emerge and it won't be long until they bloom.








My hyacinth is also coming along nicely. I so miss colour in my garden at this time of the year. I was delighted to be bought some flowers which are cheering up my dining room at this dark and dismal time.













Pretty roses and stocks are the perfect remedy.

As well as new beginnings in nature I have also been thinking of a better way of responding to the lovely comments that you leave me here on my blog. I so love reading them and I always reply but I am aware that most people don't have the time to come back and read my replies. I have decided that instead of responding to comments here on my blog that I will either write on your blog or via your linked email address (if you are not sure if you are linked check your profile and your email usually appears there). I think this will be a much more personal way of me responding. Several of my fellow bloggers already do this and I think it is a very good idea. Please excuse me if there are times I cannot respond but I always try to.



I hope you all enjoyed your New Year celebrations whether you  were partying or just curled up with a good book? We had great fun at our Ball and saw the New Year in with around 80 other dancers.
I love the way this photo came out, I nearly deleted it as it was blurred but I think it summed up a really fun night on the dance floor. Our dance classes start back next week as does my silversmithing class. I will definitely be showing you my French knitted jewellery I finished really soon, it came out really well. I went back to work yesterday after 10 days off so I felt well rested.

My challenge card today continues the new beginnings theme which also seems to be the subject on lots of challenge blogs this week. I thought I would share a New Baby card.
I used a stamp made by my great blog buddy friend Kerry's company, Ladybug Crafts Ink. I coloured it with my Promarkers and highlighted with Prismacolor pencils.
The backing papers are from my stash.  I added some fab new pale blue pearls for a little bling and a pretty organza ribbon. It is for sale here in my Etsy shop

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

My new year got off to the best beginning this morning as one of my LOTV Christmas cards from December is featured in the daily talent spot on the great Joanna Sheen Challenge blog here. I was thrilled to see my card there ;0) and I just found out that with the very same card I won a £10 Joanna Sheen in the Charisma Cardz challenge here. Wow!!

Really reasonable ribbon #63 my new toys my "new" are my blue pearls and organza ribbon.
Papertake weekly Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers #179 New beginnings
Bearly Mine #67 something old something new my old is my stamp, my new are my pearls and ribbon
Party Time Tuesdays #101 celebrate
Simon Says Stamp New something
Wednesday Creative Inspirations Celebration #195
My Mum's Craft shop Anything Goes #1 new monthly challenge
Crafty Ribbons #36 New Beginnings my new are my snazzy pearls and my ribbon
Natalie and Amy My favourite things as well as everything I have already mentioned these baby backing papers are my faves!



I hope that 2013 brings new beginnings to you all and the very best of good health and happiness.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


22 comments:

  1. There are so many little shoots pushing through Jane, it makes me so heart skippy happy all this pre-spring business!!!! :)
    I think changing how you respond to comments is a good idea too!
    Well done with your pretty little baby card, what a great start to the year and well deserved too as it's so cute. :)
    I'm looking forward to seeing this French knitting jewellery!
    Vivienne xxx

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  2. Hello Jane,

    Just wanted to say a somewhat belated Happy New Year to you and wish you all the best for 2013.

    B x

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  3. Afternoon Jane, a lovely first post too, and I agree the distance to see me would be too far, such a shame, love the dancing feet photo :) and such a sweet card too, love the letters in all those different colours just perfect
    Happy New Year
    Hugs Kate xx

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  4. Very cute card. Thanks for playing at CR.

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  5. Hi Jane, Loved seeing some green sprouts and earth! We will not be seeing any, anytime soon. It is negative degrees and freezing!!!!! I'm in for the rest of the day and so content to be! Well, good idea about the comments but I JUST figured out how to leave replies so I will be doing that for a while.
    Happy New Year and here's to new beginnings and new experiences.
    xoRobin❤

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  6. Love all the green shoots coming through, Jane, such a cheering sight when all is grey and drab! I too think it's a good idea to change how you respond to comments. Love your sweet little new baby card! Looking forward to visiting you through 2013 :) Wishing you a very Happy New Year and wonderful new beginnings.
    Helen x

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  7. Hi Jane, I also have some iris shoots coming up, but didn't notice any daffodils yet.. I have 2 hyacinths in the garden window that are making their way up. I only rarely respond to comments as from my way of thinking, my part of the conversation is the post on my blog, and the readers part is their comment. Responding to each comment is a heavy burden. But on my blog there is an option for "Reply" - and if I'm not mistaken, if the commenter is set up to receive the reply via email, they will see it. If a commenter has a question, I try to answer it. I feel my responsibility to those who take the time to comment on my blog -- is to always comment on theirs. :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. Such an adorable card Jane, a fabulous design and such a sweet image..........I love all your sparking!!

    hugs
    Heather xx
    Thanks so much for joining Simon Says Stamp challenge.

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  9. oh lovely card, i hate the gardens looking plain too, love to see spring popping through! thanks for joining us at Crafty Ribbons x Carol

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  10. Hello dear Jane,

    Like every year this time it just amazes me how springly it looks at yours!! I KNOW it's pre-spring by Vivienne's calendar but it hasn't really sunk in here yet ;) Snow, snow and more snow everywhere. So thank you so much for sharing your greens...So hopeful!

    And the cards you make...They're simply stunning so no wonder you keep placing top everywhere! "It's a boy# is the cutest!

    I wish you wonderful first weekend of 2013 - any dancing in order?

    Yours,
    Mia

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  11. This is a very cute baby card!

    Thanks for partying with us at PTT! Hope to see you again soon.

    Jenn

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  12. Cute card! Adorable image! love the touches of glitter! Thanks for joining us for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge!

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  13. Good morning Jane..I hope you're enjoying a lovely and relaxing Sunday morning!..Those are such happy green shoots, aren't they? They make me dream of the lovely Spring to come and your flowers are so pretty...stocks and roses are two of my most favourite flowers...
    Congratulations on your card challenge success (always so well deserved!) and I love your latest card...Can't wait too see your French knitted jewellery!
    Susan x
    (P.S Love the dance pic too!)

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  14. gorgeous card thanks for joining us at PTW hugs Jill xx

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  15. :) I can't wait to play with them either hope the postie is quick. Then I can encourage you to buy another lol xx

    Hugs Kate x

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  16. Fabulous card.
    And I just fell in love with your chicken flower pot!! How sweet :)
    Thanks for playing at Crafty Ribbons!
    Laura

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  17. When spring feels so far away, it's so nice to see flowers growing. I just love the smell of hyacinths and dancing is always fun. I'm glad you had a good time!

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  18. Hi Jane, what a gorgeous card. I love the image and your colouring is fab. Thanks for joining us at PFP this week. Hugs, Denise x

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  19. Very cute..love the papers. i have the same ones...thanks so much for joining us at Passion for Promarkers this week..

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  20. Happy New Year to you, Jane! How nice to see the cheerfulness here at your blog, whether it's a bright bouquet of flowers, the promise of future blooms from the bulb's first efforts or your creativity shining through in your new baby card- And I did double check to see if you were hinting at the possibility of a new little one on his or her way! ;o) We're seeing the landscape greening up after the rains- Spring won't be too far off, now! Take care! :o)

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  21. How sweet, such a cute image and I love how the DP matches the image! Thanks so much for playing along with our first monthly challenge over at MMCS. Hope to see you again next month! x

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  22. Such a sweet card!! Thank you for playing along with us at Really Reasonable Ribbon!
    Hugs
    Heather

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Jane x