Sunday 23 February 2014

Signs of Spring

Yesterday morning we woke up to blue skies and sunshine, such a bonus at the weekend. We had already appreciated how light the mornings and evenings are becoming...all signs that spring is on it's way. My daffodils are well ahead this year and were nodding sweetly in the rays of the sun. Such a pretty sight.


I also noted that my flowering current is in blossom.

And look at the buds on my magnolia

Last week Ignacio of Nicecrane sent his DT some of his new releases. I really loved these images, they are just perfect for spring themed projects and they are aptly named Blossoms and Birds. I decided that it was a perfect time for my inspiration from my garden to help me create a few projects for him as his DT guest designer.This lovely sheet is available here.


I first decided to make a card using the bluetit image on the bottom left. I made an inky backing card using some very spring coloured Distress Inks, one of them is named Mown Lawn, what a great name! I also added a few flicks of water to give some extra texture.
I wanted to made a scene like my branches I saw on my magnolia tree so I used my Marianne bough die which I inked to give some depth. I also wanted to make some blossom so I headed for a couple of punches I have had for years and punched out some little blossoms, I wanted these to have just a delicate wash of colour so mad woman that I am I decided to paint them.....I kid you not and here is a photo to prove to prove it.



 The backing card is some gorgeous new blue pearl card which fell into my online shopping basket the other day.

Here is my finished piece. I kept it quite simple as I think it shows off the image, blossom and backing card without other big distractions.



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

Frilly and Funkie Bloomin' marvellous
Ladybug crafts Ink flowers galore
Country View Crafts Painty Pleasures
Totally Papercrafts spring
Artistic Stamper use Distress
4 Crafty Chicks things with wings
Cupcake Inspiration Birds
Pile It on Thinking of you

And in case you have been missing the newest flower in my family... darling Daisy...she is 14 weeks old tomorrow and has started swimming lessons ;0)

Here she is 2 weeks ago wearing Nana's handknit...;0)
and my daughter sent me these photos during the week of Daisy when she first woke up, waving to Nana...bless ;0) She is losing her very dark hair she was born with and looks as though her hair is going to be a light brown.
Daisy is just such a happy soul, her photos make me smile every day and I do miss her lots.

and when my girlies came to stay the other week we had lunch in Caffe Nero and it seems my granddaughter has already taken an interest in cake...it must be in the genes.She was fascinated by it but at least at this age can't pinch any from her Nana. 
and good news...my girlies are driving up to meet me after my silversmithing class on Tuesday and then we have a whole day down there with them on Saturday, I can't wait.

Thanks for all you kind words and your entries to my jewellery giveaway, I have put a link in my sidebar for it and also you can find the post here if you would like to join the fun. It is open until 7 March to everyone.


Today is rather dull and damp but I have plenty to keep me busy as it's my darling son's 25th birthday tomorrow and we are hosting a little tea party here in the evening...so there is a cake to bake....must get going.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


36 comments:

  1. Awe I love the blue tit image and your card is beautifully spring-like Jane!!
    Goodness Daisy is growing fast, such a happy little soul! :)
    A very happy birthday to Matt!
    Enjoy the rest of the weekend my friend,
    V xxx

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  2. So very Spring like. Really gorgeous background.Thank you so much for sharing your lovely creation with us at Totally Papercrafts.

    Hugs
    Cathy DT Member
    xxxxx

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  3. I came over to tell you how much I really love your card with the Nicecrane image but then that beautiful baby Daisy caught my eye and OH MY WORD! What a cutie that little one is. Her smile lights the room up. :) Thanks so much for sharing Jane.
    hugs,
    Lisa x

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  4. Gorgeous card Jane, love your background.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  5. Hello dear Jane,

    Lovely to see those signs of spring, here the late blooming-winter gives its best: snow 24/7. And that card is so pretty, those flowery branches with beautiuful birds...Just gorgeous! As is the sweet miss Daisy too, she grows so fast! Enjoy your girl-time soon!

    Happy Sunday!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  6. Your card is simply stunning (as is your granddaughter!!). Your handmade background has inspired me to pull out those distress ink I have gathering dust. :) Thank you so much for sharing your art with us at Cupcake Inspirations. :) -Alycia

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  7. Sooo colorful and amazing Spring Card,,,,,Jane,,,,love these blossoms punches and all over your stunning green tones contrating with my Bird image,,,,,,. But The best is Daisy,,,OMG,,,,,,,,I can´t believe she is learning swinmming,,,,,OMG,,,

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  8. Gorgeous inky background and wonderful blossom on the branches - the perfect complement to Ignacio's images. Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Artistic Stamper.

    Lovely photos too - both of the spring flowers and of Daisy!
    Alison x

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  9. Gorgeous photos of Daisy,and your lovely garden too!
    Your card is delightful! I love the bright colours on the background and the blossom filled branches are a perfect backdrop to those gorgeous images from Ignacio. I think I will have to treat myself to those!

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  10. Hi Jane! Lots of lovely things in this post! LOVE that your daffies are in bloom.. mine are coming along with the buds on them and reaching to the sky. LOVE your card.. you're quite the master of doing them. LOVE Daisy Jane, she is such a happy little darling always with a smile. I bet you can't wait to share cake with her! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. beautiful pictures Jane and your card is stunning - what a fabulous design xx

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  12. What wonderful spring pictures! My daffodils are poking their little stems up! Great card and beautiful baby! So glad you were inspired by this week's Birds theme at Cupcake Inspirations!
    Hugs, Debbie!

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  13. Great photos Jane, the promise of warmer weather to come - yay. My fuchsia plants are in leaf and those that were sheltered didn't lose all their leaves from last year, I just hope we dont get a prolonged cold snap to set them back. I love your card with the inky background and fabulous images and gorgeous photos of Daisy too. Have a great week xx

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  14. thanks for joining us at Country View Crafts challenege this month x trace x

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  15. I am always so surprised at how far ahead you are in terms of Spring weather! I'm on school break this week (yippee) and I'm looking out the window at mounds and mounds of snow. We had milder temperatures and some melting over the weekend, but today we are back below freezing, as well as very windy. It's a good excuse for me to stay home and work on projects!

    Lovely card! Also cute pictures of Daisy! Have a great week!

    Jane T

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  16. Such gorgeous spring photos! I am wanting spring to come here to Canada soon!! But, we are in a deep-freeze right now :( Gorgeous card made for our 4 Crafty Chicks "Things with Wings" challenge - thanks for joining us!!

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  17. Hi Jane! Beautiful photos! Those flowers mean spring to me. Your card with the birds is adorable and the colours are lovely!
    Kisses to sweet Daisy! x Teje

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  18. Wow - what a fabulous card.
    Thank you for playing along at 4 Crafty Chicks.
    Debi - GDT@4CC

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  19. A very lovely card. I so wish I had flowers too!

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  20. A beautiful spring inspired post Jane! I love your bright spring flowers and your card is so pretty and evokes the season so well with the blossoms and birds. How happy baby Daisy looks there...lovely little jacket that you knitted too!
    Wishing you a happy week with lots of sunshine.
    Helen xx

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  21. Wonderful Spring post, Thank you, Jane!! I'm old-fashioned and love buds. They mean spring is on the horizon. Thanks for sharing your newest card.
    Very sweet and a bit old-fashioned, too.

    Many kisses to Daisy...what a sweetheart.Her smile warmed up a cold, snowy day!
    Happy Tuesday,
    Anne and all
    PlumCreek Studio

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  22. What a lovely blog post Jane. Starting with those lovely flowers, moving on to a super card (great handmade flowers which work so well with Ignacio's image) and finishing with that beaming smile and angelic face. Thanks so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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  23. Love the card and ABSOLUTELY love the baby pictures. Daisy is a darling!

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  24. Such a pretty spring inspired post Jane...your garden is already looking beautiful!
    Your latest card design has to be one of my favourites...it's gorgeous....Ooh...and beautiful, happy Daisy...such heartwarming pics!!
    Happy Birthday to your dear son too...hope you all had a wonderful tea party!...x
    Susan x

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  25. Wow1 Love the card!Thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper Challenge this month :)

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  26. Dear Jane,

    I cannot tell you how good your post makes me feel!
    To see that there are sure signs of Spring somewhere in the world and your beautiful card...what a delight...
    and Daisy looks wonderfully alert and happy! what a darling! I hope you'll share pictures and stories and maybe even tips /recipes about the BDay party! I know that if you host it it'll be a party to remember!

    Thank You~

    xx

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  27. beautiful and lovely details..thanks for sharing at cupcake inspirations

    Tina
    sweetie dt

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  28. Beautiful card...Thanks for playing along with us at Totally Papercrafts this week.
    Wendy xx

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  29. This happy post has made my day. Your spring card is so cheerful with those cute little flowers on their branches and the wonderful birds image. I long for flowers to come up but until we get rid of almost 2 feet of snow on the gardens and piles of 6-8 feet where my husband has shoveled that isn't happening so thanks for sharing. And then there are the baby pics with her Grandma's special sweater - a definite aah moment. Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie and sharing such joy.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  30. Such a beautiful card Jane, perfect for the season that is most definitely nearly here (it was quite light when we left swimming the other night, amazing how you notice the difference after only a week's break) and how smiley and gorgeous is Daisy?! Hope you have a lovely weekend. Bethx

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  31. Your card is lovely , Jane. The green background is delightful and your flowering tree is the perfect backdrop for that gorgeous vintage image! It makes a really exquisite card.

    So happy to have you joining in the fun with us over at Frilly and Funkie!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  32. Blimey Jane where have those 14 weeks gone, she's a little poppet,
    Love your cheerful card, my first daffodil opened a couple of days ago, I do so love the spring flowers.
    Anne x

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  33. Gorgeous card! Love the inked/sprayed background and your tree branches. Thanks for playing at Cupcake Inspirations.

    Nance, DT Sweetie

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  34. Love your card and the way you created the background for the main image.
    He is a little cutie too...what a gorgeous smile.
    Thanks for playing along at Ladybug Crafts Ink.
    Hugs Sally xx

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  35. BEAUTIFUL Card!! and SUPER cute photos of your granddaughter!
    Thank You for joining us last week at PIO!
    Have a GREAT day!

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