Wednesday 15 March 2017

A taste of Spring

Wow...this amazing weather continued today and there was even a hint of summer heat in the gorgeous sunshine. I have been beavering away with some secret, for now,  DT work but I also had time to sit in the garden and enjoy a cuppa with this sweet boy.



I noticed something very special appearing in my pots..
yes my first tulips are about to bloom....whoop whoop..how wonderful spring bulbs are. They sleep all winter and wake up just like magic. 

My darling Billy always rolls around on the patio if I am sitting outside.

My over wintered violas are stunning and have a gorgeous scent too. Yes in the distance is my studio. ..not long now until I will be able to work outside again.
I can't share my current DT work yet but I can share a card I made for Dotty's today. ..inspired by this glorious weather and my magical plants.  I have missed using my Lavinia fairies so after making a very spring inky background with distress inks and adding a bokeh effect with white ink I inked up some magical images.  It's hard to show in the photos but there is lots of sparking sunny glitter too.

here's a close up
I used my Visible Image sentiment from the Own It set.
and I made a wish.....for more sunny days ahead in my little garden.
I also reflected on the fact that it is nearly a year since I retired from my physiotherapy job...After 34 years I thought I might have rather a lot of time on my hands...gosh how wrong I was. I am still pinching myself how my creative life has taken off....it's magical and I do count my blessings..and try to take the time to smell the roses...well it was violas today!

My card was made for the following challenges. .

Rubber Dance 1/3 everything spring
That's Crafty 1/3 bling it up
Sweet Stampin 2/3 anything but a birthday
Creative Inspirations 2/3 favourite stamp brand and why Lavinia are my favourite fairy stamp brand...much copied but never rivaled. I think these silhouettes are just perfect for not too fussy/non cute fairies. I notice they have a green man stamp coming out soon...that will be straight on my wish list.
Squirrel's not so random challenge spring fever
Artistic stamper 3/3 spring
Stamping sensations 2/3 close to nature
Craft  Stamper take it make it March
Creative Artiste 2/3 anything goes mixed media
WOW  March I used WOW embossing glitter for my added bling and my dandelions are black embossed.
Simon says stamp Wednesday 1/5 bit 'o green

Thanks so much for stopping by, I know that many of my American and Canadian friends are under many inches of snow. ..I hope my photos might warm you a little and perhaps if you make a wish....who knows? I know that our wonderful weather is only going to last for another day so I am making the most of every single glorious minute.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane (and a very sunny Billy ) x

21 comments:

  1. Fabulous fairy card Jane and beautiful photos. fairies are in my garden too this week!! I love your background and like you i am partial to Lavinia's stamps. It's been a lovely spring day here today too! x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love your little dandelion wishes card and yes the weather is just the sort anyone would wish for! Your garden is coming to life, as is mine....wonderful isn't it!
    Really hard to believe its almost a hear since you left your job....I know myself though that there are never enough hours in the day!!
    Enjoy the rest of your week my friend
    V x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful card Jane - all that's best and magical about fairies and you won't believe how close it is to at least part of my snippets card and give away this next fortnight! Wonderful flowers and Billy is a darling! I can send our neighbour's cat Penny over for a date if you wish. She sleeps snuggled up beside our front door under the portico most of the day, looks VERY indignant if we want to go out and have to step over her. Good grief, we even apologise to her!! Plus we have to quite regularly buy new half circle coir outdoor mats (at a cost) due to her using them as a scratching post! Other than that- she's a perfect date, I can deliver her whenever you like :)

    Pssst. Spike is back in town here - he came to feed last night Yay!

    Hugs

    Di xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your card is magical and I love these stamps. When I get a chance I may be ruder some of these fairies. I love the dandelion with the glitter and the background too. OMG I love the bright colour of the violas and would love to duplicate this look with the vibrant green behind it. We did get a pounding yesterday of snow....35 cm and windy and cold.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, your weather is so much springier than ours! We're having rains and flooding in our area. I enjoyed seeing your flower filled garden and blue skies. Love the pansy! Lovely card, as always. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. The beautiful background really reflects your garden coming to life and I love the dandelion stamps you used, such a pretty card. Billy looks as though he is enjoying sitting in the warmth of the sun and the flowers are bringing gorgeous pops of colour. Yes it won't be long before you open up your studio again. Hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. A really super creation, I always love a fairy or two especially Lavinia, great background as well Jane, many thanks for sharing with us at Stamping Sensations 'Close to Nature' challenge.

    We had a lovely sunny day yesterday as well, was so nice to be able to wander in the gardens without a coat.

    B x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your card is enchanting Jane, i love that background. Hope you have a wonderful summer in your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your card is amazing. So beautiful. Thank you for joining us over at Rubber Dance. Hugs, Susanne.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is so beautiful Jane! Thanks for sharing with us at Stamping Sensations.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your garden is certainly coming back to life Jane, it's so lovely to see that spring has finally sprung. Great card and a gorgeous background.
    Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  12. It truly was a taste of Spring yesterday, Jane and I even managed to sit outside to have my lunch sat on the front bench! The sunshine was lovely and warm and I saw the first bumblebees of the season! I treated myself to a few primroses for a splash of colour by the front door and my crocuses and miniature daffs are in full bloom...don't you just love Spring?! Long may it continue...well, until Summer decides to make appearance anyway!
    Love your pretty silhouette card using one of your infamous inky backgrounds...and clouds...I just love clouds in my crafting! I don't know what it is about them, I just love to use them! Have a lovely evening, hugs, Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  13. The weather was lovely wasn't it, it's overcast and chilly here today, but it is lovely to see the garden coming to life again.
    This is really pretty, love the shimmer and fab background too.
    Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge X

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such a lovely card! Thank you for joining us at Sweet Stampin' this week. Sammy-x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very beautiful card with these stamps and your background, fits perfectly.
    Thank you for joining at Stamping Sensations this month

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love your card! The colors are perfect and I love the fairy. I am putting this on my to make list.

    ReplyDelete
  17. A lovely card. Pretty colours and super stamps.
    Thank you for joining in with our March challenge "Anything Mixed Media Goes" at Creative Artiste Mixed Media and good luck x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your garden is so beautiful! Billy is of course the prettiest of the flowers ;-)
    Lovely card! The black against the colourful background looks awesome! Thank you for entering our Spring challenge at Rubber Dance ♥

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jane this is beautiful, I love the sparkle on your card, and Billy is looking very handsome. It's fab being retired isn't it (says she from Spain) :-) Thanks so much for entering our challenge at Rubber Dance, and have a great week. Sue xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a beautiful card Jane! That background is amazing, your colours are so perfect for spring and the added sunny glitter really makes it shine. Love that stamp, how magical!! I am so jealous of your garden!! I am currently drawing up the plans for the new patio set up and you have inspired me to add tulips and violas to a pot or two, love the splash of purple for early spring!! Can't believe how green your grass is already! sending hugs :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Loved the pictures from your cute cat. Your card is amazing. I love the fabulous background combined with the pretty silhouette stamp. Thanks so much for joining us at As you like it.

    Hugs,
    Larissa

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment; I really enjoy reading every single one of them.

To comply with the new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) May 2018 I wish to state that any comments left here are with your consent that your name & comment are visible to anyone who visits my blog and that you accept that your personal information is being used for that specific purpose.

Jane x