Our friends at Spellbinders Paper Arts reached out with an invitation to play with Susan Tierney-Cockburn's newest collection called Nature's Botanical Garden! I was so pleased to receive the gift that included her Hydrangea and Forsythia etched dies!
Forsythia have always represented Spring to me - I'm always sad they don't last longer! And even though I don't have the luck to have them in my own yard, my neighbor lets me cut as many branches as I'd like!
I started my playtime by cutting the floral bits in white and the branch in kraft...
Then it was as simple as adding layered of watery washes of these inks:
Susan really tested me with those teensy centers - but I managed to
'curl' them to my will and mount them using Nuvo drops as glue!
Since it is butterfly season 'round here, I brought out one of
my many Spellbinders' embossing folders to add dimension to my card base
and to peek out from behind the SB Four Petal frame.
You know my favorite Betterpress A Little Sentiment set had to make an appearance, right?
My own Hydrangeas continue to test my patience - some years they bloom, often not at all! These paper ones are just like my favorites: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Agnes Parvelli.' Same steps to bring them to life as before...
Here is a closeup...
Did you spot the Stickles added to their centers? A stack of
those Four Petal frames with a bit of a watery wash in the background
and a few 'hand cut' stems and my card was complete!
One more? There is a gorgeous addition to Spellbinders' 3D embossing folder collection from Susan, as well: Botanical Wreath. I chose to use a piece of cold press watercolor paper then added a watery wash of color. After a quick fussy-cutting it was popped up on a creamy 5x7" card base - the center sentiment is from one of my Betterpress of the Month sets called Corner Sunflowers.
Spellbinders Paper Arts has LOTS of new things releasing today - you'll find them all right HERE! And I'll be back with more soon with a few of their Home for the Holidays collection of products! Hope you'll come back!
=] Michele
Wow all so gorgeous!!! So enjoy seeing them.
ReplyDeleteOoooo! Beautiful, Michele! My fave has to be the hydrangea. I have problems with mine as well. I've been researching more how to get them to bloom more. Your water coloring makes all of these pop so beautifully against the white backgrounds. I just placed a big SB order last week after Bonnie enabled me to get the Betterpress. What are crafty friends for anyway? hahaha. So these dies are on my wish list for later. Hugs to you! Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think you deserve a medal for succeeding with all those tiny pieces and you topped it off with fussy cutting too - respect. You should be very pleased with yourself as the results are stunning xx
ReplyDeleteLucky you! And us since we get to see awesome floral cards! 😊
ReplyDeleteI've always thought Susan's flowers were beautiful and so realistic but they seemed like they would be difficult to mail. Plus all those tiny pieces give me pause. You did a beautiful job with them all, Michele. Forsythia makes me think of Spring too and I used to have a large bush at my old house.
ReplyDeleteOh my! ALL those tiny pieces, you must have such patience my friend lol. But so worth it, they are all so beautiful, but it's that first sweet branch that has my heart today!
ReplyDeleteYou've worked your magic in those products that were perfecly placed into your hands! Beautiful cards, Michele!
ReplyDeleteAll 3 cards are GORGEOUS Michele, but I think my favorite are the Forsythia's! We had them at our house when I was growing up and I loved them! We tried growing them here where our lilac bush is now, but never had any luck. But anyway, your card is SO pretty and you made all those little fiddly pieces come to life beautifully on all 3 cards!! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are exquisitely colored and formed. Oh, my the hydrangea is a workout, isn't it? Beautiful trio of floral cards in your CAS style.
ReplyDeleteThree magnificent works of art! Wow, these are gorgeous, Michele, and you are a saint for having patience to fiddle with such little parts!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Michele! How very fun for you to receive these goodies. You made excellent work with them. Your cards are gorgeous! Whoa Nelly! You and watercoloring go hand in hand. I love the you added additional beautiful texture with your embossing folders. Thank you so much for sharing. Can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve.
ReplyDeleteThree incredibly stunning cards! Susan's flowers are so pretty and lifelike, plus all the work that comes along with them, but they sure are beautiful. We have both forsythia and hydrangea's growing in our yard. The forsythia's do great every year, but the hydrangea's are definitely more challenging. They're a treat when they bloom.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! Lucky you to receive these beautiful die sets and embossing folder! I love your coloring and arrangement of the forsythia! A brilliant idea to add the centers with Nuvo drops! The hydrangea is gorgeous in white with the sparkly green centers! The wreath is amazing! Such beautiful colors and texture! Time well spent, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI cannot image the amount of time and work these took...but they are so worth it. GORGEOUS>
ReplyDeleteLots os pieces adn patience here, Michele. All of these cards are soooooo gorgeous.Forsythia are so wonderful and also one of the first signs of spring, but also make me sneeze. I love the paper version. We have several hydrangeas down the shore - they love sandy soil. I have a great article on growing them successfully. If I can find it, I will send!
ReplyDeleteOh my your florals are fabulous!
ReplyDelete