Thursday 26 January 2012

Some colour on a drab day.

After the lovely real winter weather we had recently it has become just....dull. All this week it has been that kind of week where it never really gets  light. The weather men are forecasting some brighter colder weather by late weekend so I hope the sun returns then.  We have had some much needed rain but that has not done much to cheer so I thought I would share some colour on a dull winter day.

Last week I found these snowdrops in flower in my parents' garden.




Unlike last year when there were carpets of them, this year there are only a few clumps. I think snowdrops need a really cold winter and as we have had such a mild one they are taking this year off!












We saw some beautiful Helebores at the garden centre and this one even had a bee buzzing around !














Here is another lovely clump.
















My parents also had a lovely pot of tete a tete daffodils in flower in their garden.




Do you remember my little one outside still in bud a few weeks ago...?











Here she is today, fully opened in my raised bed. How I love my daffodils.




Also my hyacynth in water has bloomed and the scent is just divine. As I come into the house that spring- like scent greets me....











This was last week..............







and now..........................













Here she is today, looking out into my very bare garden.
The flowers have a lovely purple edge to them.





















How beautiful they are. I have so enjoyed watching my bulb in water grow from first putting down some roots last autumn to her splendour now.
















Even Billy is looking out for some colour in his garden
from the heights of my studio roof.



So what else can I offer for some colour on a drab day....how about my latest card challenge offering?

I chose to make a really bright cheerful card using bright blues.

I inked up a sweet Penny Black stamp called "Betsy Bluebird"  and I coloured her flowers to look like snowdrops.






I used my trusty Promarkers to colour her and highlighted using my prismacolor pencils.









I cut a border with my Martha Stewart lace punch and added a bright blue ribbon and 2 bright blue polka dot buttons. I used twine to tie the button to continue with the "garden" theme. I stamped my circular sentiment using bright blue ink.

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

Passion for Promarker's recycle something I have recycled some of my garden twine to tie the buttons with.
Papertake weekly challenge Happy highlights I have highlighted my card using bold blue ribbon, buttons and bright blue ink to stamp the sentiment.
Simon Says Stamp anything goes
Penny Black Saturday Challenge crafty bargains My bargains are the polka dot buttons found on Ebay as a craft destash...!
Joanna Sheen celebrations
Creative Craft  the colour blue
Die Cuttin Divas buttons, bows and/or bling I used a lacy scallop square diecut.
Party Time Tuesday colour/photo inspiration I used the colours and the photo as inspiration  but gave my card a spring rather than a winter feel to cheer us up!

I hope my post has put a little splash of colour into your day?

It's nearly the weekend again, have a great one when we get there.

Bye for now,

Jane x

36 comments:

  1. What a lovely little clump of snowdrops, I used to have a lot of snowdrops but they all have disappeared! I do have a little purple crocus out though but no daffodils yet!
    Cats do have amazing heads for heights, don't they. They just sit there looking round them like they're on the ground, I'd be terrified. You should see what our lot get up to!
    Thanks for your burst of colour Jane, it's grey here too and very cold.
    Happy weekend to come,
    Vivienne x

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  2. Hi Vivienne, I think my little wish for some sunshine must have been heard.....the sun has actually peeped out since I posted this! Sending some your way.
    Billy is so funny, he just gets up anywhere..including the roof of our extension and jumps back quite happily. I agree I would be terrified, I HATE heights!
    Have a great weekend,
    Jane x

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  3. So beautiful pictures, Jane, thank you so much for sharing! We had a glimpse of sun today, but it's -15C or so and windy...So your flowers and that brave inspector-Billy (he sees absolutely EVERYTHING from there!) just made my day!

    Have a great Thursday - and the weekend soon too!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  4. Your hyacinth is a particularly beautiful shade, Jane and your photos show it off really well...I can just imagine the delicious scent. The new blue card is very pretty, I'm rather fond of those shades and it suits the subject matter every well.
    Have a happy rest of the day!
    Helen x

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  5. Brrr that is cold Mia...even our coldest winter days here in Surrey never get that bad ;0) Billy loves to be high up for the best view...I wonder if he can spy you in snowy Finland-LOL!
    Keep snug and a happy weekend too!
    Jane x

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  6. Thanks for sharing some lovely spring pictures...I can only imagine how sweet that hyacinth must smell, I'm jealous! That image on your card is just perfect for you being the flower gardener that you are!

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  7. It's quite unusual isn't it Helen... I think the original packaging described it as a purple...? It's much paler than that but so pretty. Enjoy the rest of your Thursday, I hope you are getting your commissions finished?
    Jane x

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  8. Hi Sandee, lovely to see you here.Thanks for your kind comments... I do so love my garden when the summer comes...sigh..summer seems a long way off at the moment!
    Jane x

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  9. Beautiful flower pictures. The hyacinth is gorgeous.
    A wonderful card. I love the spotty buttons. Thank you for joining us at Creative Craft.
    Nikki x

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  10. Thanks for your visit Nikki and hi!
    Jane x

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  11. Jane, it is so lovely to see greenery OUTSIDE! The snowdrops are my favorite first flower so delicate and sweet. You must be so excited to see the buds and the helebores are just beautiful. I had never seem them until you posted them once before.
    I think Billy is happy to be outside and surveying the yard!
    Your card is stunning, love the little girl!
    Enjoy your Friday, xoRobin❤

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  12. What a pretty blue card! Thanks for joining the Die Cuttin' Divas challenge this week.--Pat N.

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  13. Dear Jane.. oh my.. thanks for sharing your flowers! We are way behind you. I have snow drops coming up but just an inch or so. And I so want a hyacinth in my house! Must go shopping. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. Everything is growing fast Robin I noticed buds on the trees too. You still have snow I believe...brr ! Take care and have a lovely weekend.
    Jane x

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  15. That scent is just so unique Teresa . See if you can get a potted one they are still in the shops here. I hope your flooding calms soon it looks bad. Take care.
    Jane x

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  16. Hi Pat it's the first time I have joined you at the die cut divas. Nice to meet you.
    Jane x

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  17. What beautiful flowers - I can;t see any because of the snow!!!
    A delightful card, fabulous colours and the Penny Black 'Betsy Bluebird'
    sweet so stamp.
    Thanks so much to joining us at the Simon Says Stamp challent
    hugs
    Heather xx

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  18. Some of my favorite flowers :) I especially love the smell of hyacinths. Good luck in your contests!

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  19. Poor you Rica, lots of my blogging friends have snow but we are snow free here in Surrey this winter so far. Thanks for you visit to me here,
    Jane x

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  20. Hi Linda, yes that is such a unique smell...mmmm. Thanks for your good luck wishes and enjoy the weekend
    Jane x

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  21. Very adorable..love your color choice... Thanks for joining us at PFP this week.
    www.justwordz.ca

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  22. Hi Jane! What a beautiful blue card! I love all those unique details you have add there!
    Thank you for flower tread! We have gloomy weather, lots of green around but no flowers.
    Have a lovely weekend! Kisses to Billy! x Teje

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  23. Hi jane...love all the beautiful flower pics...gorgeous card...sorry I'm late visiting this week...thanks for sharing your crafty bargain and for joining in the fun at Penny Black Saturday...hugs kath xxx

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  24. Thanks Teje blue is my favourite colour. Hope you Greek blue skies return soon. It's sunny here this morning as I type.
    Billy sends a purr.
    Jane x

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  25. Hi Kath how quickly a week goes by. My prize from your challenge last week is on it's was from USA as we speak!
    Enjoy your weekend.
    Jane x

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  26. oh thank you for sharing the pix of your kitty and flowers! cheered me right up! :)
    your card is precious! I love that fun little image! and great idea to turn our photo/color inspiration into a spring one!
    thanks for joining the party at Party Time Tuesday this week! hope to see you again! :)

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  27. How cute!! I love how you took colors that our DT made seem very wintery and you made them feel perfect for spring! Your coloring is outstanding. Thanks for playing at Party Time Tuesdays this week.
    Renee
    PTT DT

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  28. Hi Jennifer I'm glad to have cheered you up with my flowers and card. Thanks for visiting me here,
    Jane x

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  29. Hi Renee, I decided to warm up your colour scheme - LOL...I am so looking forward to spring, we have had such dull weather here recently and I really miss the sunshine!
    Jane x

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  30. Hi Jane, it warms to heart to see this first flowers of spring.. it was a pleasure to read your post...I love your card too.. she is such a cutie!
    thanks for joining us over@ Passion for Promarkers "recycle" challenge this week
    Hugs xx

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  31. Thanks Lis -m we all need some thoughts of spring don't we? Enjoy the last of the weekend.
    Jane x

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  32. beautiful flower photos and a lovely card to go with them. Well done! Kate x

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  33. Hi Kate welcome to my blog and thanks for leaving a lovely comment.
    Jane x

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  34. Beautiful photos Jane your parents garden must look glorious in the Summer.
    Gorgeous card, so sweet, pretty and beautifully coloured.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp
    hugs Mandy xx

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  35. My parents garden is indeed beautiful in the summer Mandy . Thanks for liking my card and lovely to see you here.
    Jane x

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