Thursday 9 May 2013

Beautiful blossoms

I love my tiny garden and I really don't think I would have the time to manage anything bigger than my little outdoor space. I would need to have days with 48 hours in them! I only have one "large" specimen out there and that is a magnolia. We prune it hard after it has flowered in the spring to keep it relatively small and not to overpower the rest of the garden. Although I miss having big trees out there I can more than make up for this in my neighbourhood. I live in a London suburb and it is very leafy in my area and there are gorgeous trees everywhere.

I noticed how much glorious blossom there is around at the moment so I took my camera out for my walk round to my local shops over the bank holiday weekend to capture some photos.
This is a cherry tree in our road


and this beauty is just around the corner.

I am amazed at just how gorgeous these frillies are

It is not  just the trees which are showing off their beautiful blossoms. I also spotted others on my walk.



I was also amazed by how many shades of green nature has.....

the horse chestnut above is showing off its "candles" where my beloved conkers will ripen.

Such lush new leaf growth on this beech hedge above.

As I walked I was quickly inspired as to what card I would make when I got home. All those blossoms make me think of Cicely Barker's Flower Fairies. I bought a new fairy stamp at The Ally Pally Stamp show  last month  and decided it was time to ink her up and use some of my new stash. I also would go for really girlie pinks, just like that wonderful blossom I had seen. Here is my card creation

Those who remember the "small" new stash I showed you from Ally Pally may remember seeing the metallic gilding wax tubs. I bought 3 colours and here I have use the "pearl moon" colour to rub over the pink card which I embossed using a Spellbinder embossing folder. It gives a lovely sheen to the card which you can just make out in the photo. The fairy is a Lavinia stamp which I bought at the show. I lightly coloured her wings with my Promarkers and then added lots of glitter and Glossy Accents to them and to the moon. I can see me using this lovely stamp for lots of occasions including Christmas.  I also added Stickles to the stars. You will spot another new die, Memory Box's precious stars. I have the precious hearts dies and these are just as cute. Even my matting card is glittered. It is my niece's birthday on Sunday and although she will be 29 she still loves pink and fairies and I thought she might enjoy receiving this card. 

I used this great sketch on "A die for a Sketch Challenge blog" for my card. They are celebrating their first birthday and are also hosting a blog hop


You will also see some more of my "sewing" around my card. Don't be deceived, it is actually made by using a Sue Wilson piercing ruler which I also bought at Ally Pally. I pierced all around my card and I then created the "stitching" with a silver gel pen. I think it looks pretty realistic and no sewing machine was harmed in the making of my card ;0) 
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

A die for a sketch Birthday hop
Lavinia Stamps Challenge Pastel Colours #3
Stamping Sensations Embossing
Ribbon Girls add a button
Pan Pastels Fairyland #18
Cupcake Inspirations #209 I was inspired by the fairy and the pink and mauve colours.
My Mum's Craft shop spots and/or stripes I used fun stripey buttons
Penny Black and More Sew easy
Forever Friends pastel colours #61
Allsorts Challenge add some sparkle #205
Papertake Weekly anything goes
Divas by Designs anything goes
Simon says stamp things with wings
Natalie and Amy things with wings #9
Whimsy Stamps monthly challenge anything goes #59
Crafty Ribbons Challenge No designer paper #45

I would like to thank you all for your very kind comments you left me on my last post. You seem to like the GD card I made for Ladybug Crafts Ink new Billie Baby stamp release. I really enjoyed making it. I am working on my week 2 GD card as we speak and I show it to you on Tuesday. (A little insider info is that is a card for a baby boy this time and yes I have been making more patchwork! )If you missed that post do remember that you can win the image I used just by commenting  here. I will put all the names into a hat and announce the winner on Tuesday. Please make sure you leave any comments on that post by 8 pm on Monday night. 

After the most glorious May bank holiday weather we have some very strong winds to contend with today. I am sure that a lot of the beautiful blossom will be raining down today like magical fairy confetti. 

Happy Thursday,

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

42 comments:

  1. Wow! Your pictures are amazing, Jane! You are quite a few weeks ahead of us, season ways, as there is not a sign of blossom and definitely not lilac flowers opening here - we don't get that until June! You are quite right that nature paints a very pretty picture and sometimes it's nice to stop and appreciate it for a moment!
    Love your pretty fairy card, all sparkly and pink and girly! Nice CAS layout and simple embellishments - I treated myself to the Precious Stars, so pretty! Lisa x

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  2. I Love blossom trees. Where I grew up was surrounded by them.

    Gorgeous card Jane. Love the image.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  3. We always seem to be on the same wavelength Jane, I also am planning a blossom post but I also need more hours in the day at the moment!!
    Beautiful photos and a beautiful card, your niece will love it! :)
    The weather isn't great the poor cherry trees are suffering from it.
    Happy Thursday my friend,
    V xxx

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  4. This is beautiful Jane and thanks for joining in our challenge over at Allsorts this week
    x catherine

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  5. Congrats on being guest designer! And YAY for Spring! Beautiful flowers :)

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  6. Gorgeous card, Jane! I love the shimmer and colour. You've used beautiful dies too! Thank you for joining us at A Die for a Sketch! Also, thank you for sharing those incredible photos!...Nancy :o)

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  7. What beautiful flowerings, Jane - it's been the same here this year in NE Ohio.....they say they flowers are lasting longer because it's been on the cool side. One of the prettiest springs I can remember.....

    Your card is adorable, and perfect for our challenge! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp challenge!

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  8. What a beautiful day for a walk, Jane! So fun to "gather" inspiration in the form of those gorgeous blooms- Love the shimmery fairy! Looking forward to seeing more of your baby themed cards...Congrats on your "Guest Designer" spot! Yippee! :o)

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  9. Hello dear Jane,

    Wonderful pictures! I loved all the flowers, oh all that pinkness... And that beautiful card just completes it all, wow! I wish it'll be beautiful again at yours (it rains here today), it's been very warm and pretty here too... Welcome summer!

    Happy Thursday!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  10. Thank you for sharing your beautiful Spring photos Jane, as I probably said earlier this week nothing in our garden is anywhere near this stage and I would be hard pushed to find many photos.

    IN answer to your question, tiny gardens can be very good, when you get two cares of them you are hard pushed to keep up with the grass cutting let alone the weeds. But I have come to love it that way.

    And I am loving your lovely Lavinia fairy floating in the sparkly moon.

    Thanks so much for sharing with us at Stamping Sensations and Allsorts challenges.

    B x

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  11. ooo soo shimmery - lovely card and those pictures cheered me up too! many thanks for entering the Lavinia challenge and good luck xx Melissa (DT member)

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  12. Gorgeous blossom and lovely card Jane,. Judy x

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  13. Gorgeous flowers! Wow! Just stunning! Your card is amazing too! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at Cupcake Inspirations! Good luck and I hope to see you back next week for a new challenge!
    Rene ;D

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  14. Wow I can practically smell your blog Jane, amazing photos. I love your sweet project! Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.
    Pinky

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  15. Insider info? Baby boy card? Patchwork? Could you be trying to make an announcement? :-) Love your card!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  16. Wow this is such a pretty card and I see you are a fan of Lavinia stamps to !!! Thanks for joining us this week at PanPastel uk.

    Kerry DT Leader

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  17. loving your card creation, thanks for joining us over on divas by designs xx

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  18. Beautiful images! Our new house has more of a yard than we've had previously...it remains to be seen if I can find the time to tame it. Happy Spring -- Bethanie

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  19. Hi Jane! Just amazing flowers! You have a lot of rain but without that there wouldn't be so much beautiful flowers! I love English gardens! Guess what, we have rain from yesterday and today it's raining a lot. Have a lovely weekend! x Teje

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  20. Wow, your photos are amazing. So many beautiful blossoms.
    And your card is fab too. I ike the embossing folder you used to create the background and the image is fab too. A perfect girly card. Thanks for sharing it with us at Crafty ribbons! Hugs! xx

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  21. Beautiful blossom photos, Jane, and a beautiful girly card too! I love this time of year when everywhere there are trees blossoming, such a gorgeous sight.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
    Helen x

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  22. Good morning Jane...Such beautiful photographs in this post and I love how your walk inspired you for your latest card design which is so pretty!
    I've just been reading your last post too and the baby card is gorgeous!
    Happy Weekend to you!
    Susan x
    P.S I'm also a big fan of Cicely Barker's Flower Fairies!

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  23. Hello Jane, What amazing ornamental cherry blossoms.Lucky you---slowly our trees are starting to blossom. Lovely chestnut trees....

    Happy B-day to your niece. Gorgeous card and I love the stitching.

    Thanks for sharing some of your Spring...
    Anne x
    PlumCreek Studio

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  24. I am back with my Dt hat on. What a lovely card. Thank you for sharing at A Die For a Sketch and good luck with the Challenge and Hop. Judy DT

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  25. Ahhh....very cute! Love that paper with a hint of shimmer - NICE!


    Thanks for joining us at Cupcake Inspirations!

    ~Michele

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  26. Fab card, and I too love my coloured wax's. Thank you for entering it into the Lavinia Stamps Challenge, and good luck. Hugs, Pauline, Lavinia DT member xxx

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  27. Absolutely stunning, I love the image and the embossing and the sparkle on the moon and the die cuts are beautiful. Thank you for joining in with the PanPastel challenge blog
    Lindsay xx

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  28. What a pretty card! Thank you for entering the Lavinia challenge, good luck! Wendy (DT member) xx

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  29. A really pretty card, love the embossing! Thanks for joining us at NATALIE & AMY’S this month, hope we see you again soon. Hugs Sheryl xx

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  30. Morning Oh wow what a beautiful card and thank you for joining our challenge at Forever Friends "PASTELS" good luck and hope to see you again next time DT Member Sandra H xx

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  31. Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Penny Black & More @ Allsorts, Stamping sensations and Allsorts challenges, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  32. Such beautiful photos I almost forgot why I was here!
    Love the card
    Thanks for joining us at Crafty Ribbons

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  33. The flowering trees look lovely! Somehow we've almost caught up with you. Our lilacs are blooming as are so many flowering trees and shrubs. A little frost tonight, and then a warm up again for the end of the week.

    My mum loved her card! She was very surprised and pleased!

    Jane T

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  34. I love the blossom it looks so gorgeous on the trees although I am so pleased the lady next door cut hers down as my house is not full of it this year :)
    Love your card so pretty and the colour of the pink blossom around the corner from me
    Hugs Kate xx

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  35. So beautiful, love the gorgeous silhouetted image and the embossing and die cuts are beautiful. Thank you for joining in with Diva's By Design
    Lindsay xx

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  36. Hi Jane, Fabulous card love the Silohutte image a lot. Thanks for joining us at a Die for a Sketch.
    Ilonka dt:)

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  37. Lovely image and great embossing, thanks for joining us at crafty ribbons Rebecca x

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  38. Lovely card.
    Thank you for joining us at A DIe For A Sketch
    Hugs Miranda

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  39. Beautiful work! Thanks so much for joining us at Forever Friends. We are moving to Crafty Friends on June 1st...hope to see you there!
    Manderly
    xxxooo

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  40. Lovely pics and great card.
    Thanks for joining us at Crafty Ribbons.
    hugs Anke

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  41. What a lovely card Jane! Thanks for joining us at a Die for a Sketch!
    Hugs, Marjoleine

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  42. Everything I want to say has already been said. Just stunning, and your photos are fab.

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