Thursday 11 April 2013

Coming out of hibernation

We woke up to the most beautiful blue skies and sunshine last Saturday morning and found that the raw easterly wind had finally dropped. It is incredible how sunshine stirs your blood and boosts your energy levels.My first thoughts were that it was a perfect day to get my studio out of hibernation and spring cleaned. (For any new readers I am lucky enough to have a garden studio which my dear Hb and Dad installed for me at the end of the garden in the autumn of 2011).  It does have a little heater but I close it up when winter sets in. Last year that happened in early November.
The blinds had been down and there was no one at home ;0) other than my pig on the veranda.



I opened up all the blinds to let the light in and cleared the work surface of the remains of  Christmas projects I I had been finishing off last November.

I then set to with my duster, hoover and window cleaning spray.
As I cleaned I took a new look at some of the special things I have hanging in my studio, many made or given to me for me by my dear crafting and non crafting friends.










I tidied as I cleaned and I felt a great sense of achievement when everything was neat and tidy. I even had a new addition to my studio which my dear Mum made me at her sewing class.



Meet my fun sheep cushion which fits perfectly on my chair.


I also gave my teak workbench, which my dear Dad made and installed for me, a good polish and added my spring coaster for my cup of tea.
















I then went to get my radio out of hibernation too.














Perfect.

















And all this time someone was watching me intently from the patio sitting in the sunshine.
My sweet Billy. He also can't wait for me to get back out into the garden so that he can bask in the sunshine on the veranda. I will be able to leave the door open and hear the sound of the garden, including the birds singing and the bees buzzing. I just can't wait!

My spring cleaning inspired a very spring themed card for today using one of my sweet Lili of the Valley stamps called Blossom. I bought her last year and I have only inked her up once before. 








Here she is in close up. I coloured her with my Promarkers and highlighted with Prismacolor pencils. The sentiment is also LOTV. I used a new Cheery Lynn butterfly die for the larger intricate butterfly (Exotic butterflies #2) which my daughter and son in law bought me for my birthday. The smaller butterflies were made with my Martha Stewart punch. The lace paper was given to me by my son's girlfriend and the backing paper was made and embossed by me...I have had many wet crafty weekends playing indoors ;0)




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

Joanna Sheen step into spring
Emmas crafty cards Butterflies
My Mum's Craft shop Easter or Easter colours
Allsorts Spring has sprung #201
Cheery Lynn challenge Anything goes #75 GD
Pan Pastel use a stamped image #14
Lexi's #87 use punches or dies
Bunny Zoe favourite colour combination my favourite colour combo is blue with green and a touch of yellow so spring like:0) GD
Penny Black and More blossom and bows
Papertake Weekly Bingo my line is the middle one;  punches, free (image), ribbons
Bearly Mine anything goes #81
Simon Says Stamp April showers and /or spring flowers
Ribbon Girl add flowers
Divas by Design Flowers
I love Promarkers Embossing Mine is heat embossing. I made the backing paper which you can just see peeping out. I used blue distress ink on crushed white card. I then stamped a floral stamp with versamark and added green embossing powder which I heat embossed.  Sadly though most of my hard work is covered up by the image but you can see parts of the embossing above Blossom's hair and to the side.


I am noticing lots of cheery spring posts and photos on everyone's blogs, it's so lovely to see.
On Saturday I have tickets for the Big Stamp show at Alexander Palace in London...I am so excited. I have written a long list and will treat myself to some things but it will be great to see others in the flesh. I can add them to my every increasing wish list. I have birthdays and Christmas covered for so many years!.

Have a lovely weekend when we get there and enjoy this warmer weather. If you live in parts of the world where spring wakes up even  later than it has here then I am sending you sunny thoughts.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

********Remember that you only have until 4pm (GMT) this Sunday to enter my giveaway here. You could win one of my handmade summer shell necklaces or one of my bag charms. There are also details in my side bar. To enter you need to leave your comments on that original post. Good luck everyone*********

31 comments:

  1. Spring is on the back burner here today I'm afraid Jane. We have had a very rainy, chilly day, I can't actually remember when we last had rain !
    Lovely to see your Springy photos though and it will be great for you to move your crafting into the garden again.
    Beautiful bright colours in your card today!
    Have a great weekend my friend,
    V xxx

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  2. Perfect indeed, dear Jane!

    It's the official opening for the summer-season to see you open your studio, I love it! Everything is ready for those happy crafting days, and Billy is inspecting it all very carefully.

    Perfect.

    Yours,
    Mia

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  3. Great to see the doors of your studio open, Jane as it means Spring must be on it's way! I would love to have a little space in the garden like this, as I find being outdoors so inspirational, especially when the sun shines! I can just imagine, a warm breeze, birds tweeting, bees humming...oh, what bliss!
    Love your sweet LOTV card with it's Spring colours and pretty embellishments! Hugs, Lisa x

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  4. Jane, While I've seen pics of your studio before I don't think I've commented on it. It is such a lovely little studio, those windows let in lovely bright light to work by.

    Gorgeous. Enjoy the warmer months and your beautiful creating space.

    Your card is so pretty.

    Cheers,
    Kasey

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  5. Super card Jane. Love the spring time feel to it. I really do hope that it's just around the corner.
    Your little studio looks fantastic. A lovely little crafting haven.
    Hugs, Janine xx

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  6. How lovely it is to see you back with us again at Penny Black and More Jane. What a lovely start to spring with such a bright and cheerful card.
    Thank you for sharing your card with us and we hope to see you back with us again next month.
    Good luck in our prize draw.
    Shirley

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  7. Hi Jane, It was so wonderful to see your studio opening up for Spring and warmer weather! It really is a little peace of heaven just for you! (and maybe sweet Billy)
    Billy is such a companion and will find all the sunny spots!
    Love the card, the button flower is a great addition!
    xoRobin

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  8. Hi Jane, I was wondering when you'd be able to get back in your studio.Glad your weather is getting more Springy. I love your Mum's new pillow.

    I'm sure Billy is please to see you in the garden.

    It's not very Spring-like here. I'll take your sunny greetings.

    Best wishes,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22 Studio

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  9. Such an adorable card! Your coloring is perfection! :) Thank you for participating in our "April Showers/Spring Flowers" challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog this week! xx

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  10. Hello Jane and Billy! Glad to see you're able to get back out to the studio and the sun has started to warm things up a bit. Love to see how it has inspired your latest card, the flowers even seem to be forget- me - nots, just as you're thought of so fondly by so many! :o)

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  11. I'm glad some sun is coming your way after such a long winter. I look forward to seeing what you produce in that cozy studio! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  12. Gorgeous card Jane :-) the image is very cute and I love all the blue and yellow combo,, beautiful :-)

    Fab studio too ! WOW ! am sure you will be spending many happy hours in there :-)

    thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge :-)
    luv
    Lols x x x

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  13. What a wonderful studio you have - & all that light coming in! Looks a heavenly place to be crafting in too :-)

    Love your inspirational card!

    Thank you for joining us at Emma's crafty Challenge ~ good luck!
    :)

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  14. Good morning Jane...Spring must surely have arrived now that your lovely studio has officially reopened and the blinds are up! I remember how beautiful your workbench is...made by your dad...very special!
    It's great to be surrounded by all your crafty treasures, isn't it?
    Billy is so funny watching on wisely...I think he's seen all this before!
    Love your latest card as always...such pretty colours,
    Happy Weekend,
    Susan x

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  15. Beautiful card love all the butterflies. Thank you for joining us at I♥Promarkers good luck Ginny x

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  16. Hi Jane! I'm so happy to hear that you have opened your studio! I can imagine how great you feel and Billy, too! Have a wonderful weekend! x Teje

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  17. What a wonderful place to work and your darling Billy right there with you! Such a pretty card with the blues and yellows and layered butterflies!

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  18. Such a cute card Jane, thanks for joining us at Cheery Lynn Designs this week
    Hugs
    Sheila xx

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  19. Really adorable, I love the sweet image and the colours and the butterflies look fab. Your craft room looks so lovely too. Thank you for joining in with the PanPastel challenge blog
    Lindsay xx

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  20. Thank you for sharing your fabulous card and the sweet image is just fab. Thank you for sharing your creation with the DT from PanPastel UK Hugs Terry xxxx

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  21. what a sweet card so pretty thanks so much for joining us at Bunny Zoe's Crafts
    hugs sara x x x

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  22. Your studio looks the ideal place to craft.
    A beautiful card, lovely image with fresh spring colours. Thanks for joining in Emma's crafty challenge and good luck x

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  23. The card is gorgeous and the story is good too how I love to visit and hear about your antics, and of course see wonderful pics of your gorgeous puss, take care swetie big huggies June xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  24. Thank you for joining us at Lexi's Creations with this gorgeous and beautifully coloured card.

    Spring sort of appeared for all of 5 seconds in Hampshire before it snuck back behind a viscious winter chill. I for one am sick of it now! Love your craft shed. You need to get it double insulated and heated and then you can craft in there no matter what the weather. I doubt it's any colder in there than my bungalow!

    Lin xx

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  25. super springlike card Jane just what we need!!Thanks for joining us at BMC
    hugs
    laney

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  26. The studio looks so inviting! And it's great to see Billy is doing his job!

    I like to move out to my screened-in porch to work on my projects in the summer. It's so nice to be able to enjoy my backyard at the same time. Sadie, my indoor cat, loves it too!

    Have a great week!

    Jane

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  27. Very pretty card and your studio looks like such a wonderful place to be. You almost make sound spring cleaning like a fun thing to do. Yay for spring!

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  28. What a fab crafty space, gorgeous card, thank you for joining us at I○ProMarkers this week
    Ruth x

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  29. Fabulous card love your arrangement of the butterflies xxxx

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  30. A gorgeous spring card. I love the image and pretty colours.

    Thanks for joining the Joanna Sheen Challenge this time.
    Lorraine x

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  31. Love your garden studio! What a fun place to create with the outdoors all around! Glad you had some warmer weather to be inpired for spring cleaning!
    Your cat is just too cute too, something my Thomas always loves to do too, watch me whatever I do.
    Your card is gorgeous, beautiful colors and design.
    Thanks so much for playing along at Penny Black and More! Good luck!

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