Sunday 19 February 2017

The first warmth of the year

Oh what bliss yesterday was, the sun came out and warmed us up for the first time this year. We went out for a walk and saw that the crocuses had burst into life....

a whole carpet of these little beauties.
There are even sticky buds on the Horse Chestnut
 which means the leaves will soon be following.....squeal 😊
When we got home we found that it was 16c in our little sheltered garden.
The pots I planted up in the autumn are looking splendid.

The hellebore I bought last year has come back into flower and wow what a beauty it is.
 There are so many flowers to come.

As it was so warm, out came our canvas chairs and we enjoyed our first cuppa outside this year...
Bliss.

My card today was inspired by the gorgeous crocuses and the thought of spring being on its way.



The bird stamp is Designed by Ryn, such a cool stamp. I stamped it onto card and added some distress inks and a flash of metallic. I then I fussy cut it out. The flower spray, which I white embossed, is an old Noor stamp, sadly long discontinued. These are 2 of my favourite stamps.
I made a distress ink background, lots of layers and drying in between.

My card was made for the following challenges;

Designs by Ryn February customer creation
Creative Moments anything goes
Penny Black and More 3/3 favourite stamp they are both my favourites but if I really had to say 1 then it's the humming bird.
Frilly and Funkie 1/3 out of the cold      
Pixie's Snippets Playground #269/70 I used a snippet of left over watercolour card to stamp my humming bird on.
Rubber Dance 1/3 layers I used my inks to build up layers of colour and also added layers with my fussy cut bird and ribbon.
Sweet Stampin 1/3flowers
Allsorts 1/3 anything goes
Simon says stamp Wednesday fantastic florals
Stamping Sensations animal magic

I really hope some sunshine reaches you at some point over the weekend. I know we are not out of winter yet as despite this lovely mild weather, which is set to last into next week, there is talk of snow the week after! How fickle is our weather here in the UK?

Thanks so much for visiting, enjoy your Sunday.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


31 comments:

  1. Oh how lovely that sea of pale lavender is! I don't have one crocus on this farm, I must fix that. Your pots of flowers look great! Gorgeous card, too. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. A really pretty creation and lovely choice of colours Jane, many thanks for joining us at Allsorts challenge this week.

    I'm amazed how well ahead everything is in your parts, the snowdrops have only just shown their faces here. But I did buy two bunches of Daffs from Waitrose and they are like a ray of sunshine on the dining room table.

    B x

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  3. We made it to the Snowdrop park on Friday and what a beautiful display there was . My Hellebore is in flower too and looking very pretty.I have Helleborus Oriental Ballard which is a pinky purple colour. I'm sitting in the garden right now and just checked the label!! It was so warm yesterday we had lunch of bread and cheese for lunch out in the garden. Don't think we have ever been out so early in the year before. I love your beautiful humming bird o your card. Hugs Mrs A.

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  4. your crocus are ahead of the ones at Kew I saw yesterday, amazed what a difference those few miles make!! Gorgeous photos, and I love the card, too.

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  5. Gorgeous photos Jane, I love hellebores! And your snippets card is so pretty - a perfect crocus purple and I do love the white embossing and the 'hummer'.

    Hugs

    Di xx

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  6. Love your pretty hellebore Jane and so good to see those sticky buds! You definitely have captured the colour of the crocuses in you card today!
    Unfortunately we didn't reach 16degrees or see much sun in this part of the UK but it is decidedly milder thats for sure which is lovely....DON'T WANT SNOW THOUGH!!
    Have a good week my dear,
    V x

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  7. More lovely photos and a beautiful card, love the bird stamp.
    Julie x

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  8. This is wonderful, Jane! It really is a lovely stamp and you've showcased it beautifully against that gorgeous background. Thank you for sharing it with us at Stamping Sensations.

    Lynne

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  9. Oh I am loving this card! The beautiful colours seem to bring spring. Love the hummingbird and the flower. Love your pictures also. The flowers in the grass is magical looking. It has been a warm couple of days.

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  10. Beautiful images of the promise of Spring and the warmer weather to come. Love your pretty card, gorgeous in mauve just like the crocuses xxx

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  11. Fantastic stamping and colouring. Thanks for sharing with us at Creative Moment.

    Marjeta

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  12. Lovely photos and such an amazing card!!! It's super pretty. Thank you for joining us over at the Rubber Dance challenge. Hugs, Susanne.

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  13. Very pretty hummingbird card.

    LOVE your spring photographs . . . particularly that show stopper of a Hellebore.
    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  14. I know you get spring before me, but all these flowers in February? I should move to England. Lovely card, lovely flowers, and I enjoyed your swan photos too. Enjoy the sunshine!

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  15. Hey Jane, we have uncharacteristically warm weather here in London, On. right now. I'm loving the sunshine but hope the plants don't start blooming. Just in case we get hit by another few weeks of winter. I can see how your card was inspired by your surroundings. It has a beautiful feel of Spring to it :) Many thanks for continuing to share your art with me!

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  16. Gorgeous photos and love the card. The weather here in Lincoln is lovely today, very sunny. Happy crafty week, Angela x

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  17. I loved your pictures - almost as good as being able to visit myself!!
    Your card is stunning!
    sandy xx

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  18. It just makes such a difference when the sun comes out, doesn't it?! Great photos, and I love the happiness and warmth in your card - I can see the influence of spring.
    Alison x

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  19. Jane you certainly have different weather to us, it's still freezing up here, and there's definitely no sunshine. I love your card and how you've mixed the white and the purple, and you're right, it's a fab stamp. Have a fun week xx

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  20. Just noticed I have a couple of crocus out today, but insignificant in comparison to your photos. Your card is beautiful, I can understand why they are your favourite stamps.

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  21. Gorgeous card Jane! It's so pretty & I love the background you've created.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    Mandy xx

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  22. Love the hummingbird. Such a cool background. Roll on spring. Thanks for joining the Rubber Dance layers challenge. Hugz

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  23. As always, brilliant photography, Jane, but this time your spectacular card stole the show! I literally gasped when I scrolled down to it! I am in awe! Hugs, Darnell

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  24. Hello Jane,

    Love to see the first signs of spring through your eyes!
    Your gorgeous card perfectly reflect what you see around you.
    Very inspiring indeed!

    xx

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  25. Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Allsorts challenge, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  26. Beautiful card and lovely photos too.
    Thank you for sharing at Allsorts 'Anything Goes' challenge this week and good luck x Susan x

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  27. Stunning card, love the flower stamp, can see why its a favourite. Adding the coloured bird a perfect finish.

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  28. Gorgeous card in yummy, layered colours! Beautiful stamps, love that hummingbird!
    Thank you for entering your stunning card to our Layer challenge at Rubber Dance ♥

    Spring sure comes early in your neck of the woods! Thanks for sharing the photos with us all! xx

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  29. this is super pretty! Thank you for joining us at Sweet Stampin' this week. Sammy-x

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  30. Oooo what an absolute stunner and i so love Hummingbirds too and thanks for joining us at Penny Black & More this month, Luv Sam x

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  31. Loved all the pics of the beautiful spring flowers. The way you incorporated those colors into the inky background of your pretty card is noted and appreciated! Just lovely! Thanks so much for joining the fun at the Frilly and Funkie "Out of the Cold" challenge!

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Jane x