Monday 1 April 2013

Spring blossoms and butterflies



Happy April everyone, we have new themes for you at Pretty Little Ribbons and FlonzCraft Vintage Stamping challenges.

At Pretty Little Ribbons it's my turn to choose the theme and being just a tad transparent when it comes to  choosing themes and the fact it's also the first of April it had to be 'Spring is in the Air'...................not that you would ever know looking out of the window in most parts of the UK. And over at FlonzCraft the emphasis is on 'Thank You'.


There is a great sale going on at Pretty Little Ribbons this month so do go check out the bargains.

My card at the top if my first DT piece for Pretty Little Ribbons and may well get you grabbing your sunnies as it's a tad bright, but when I saw the lovely fresh green gingham ribbon and fuchsia pink lace from Sarah I knew exactly where I would go. So I created a background using green and yellow Dylusuions and stamped the gorgeous Elizabeth Bennett stamp which is a new one from Indigo and stamped with archival black.

I love all things Brontë and Pride and Prejudice is probably one of my favourites so I've also read the sequels written by Linda Berdoll, if you are a fan and have not read them yet then you really should.........mind you I think Miss Elizabeth Bennett would have had a fit of the vapours if she had foreseen what a racy young woman she turned into at the mercy of Mr Darcy. But the books are great escapism.

I bleached out the colour from the face and flowers, coloured with watercolour pencils and decoupaged some of the flowers, the butterfly and the bird. The charm and flowers are also from PLR, I coloured the white daisies with the same watercolour and green ones are as they came and match nicely.



My FlonzCraft card is fairly simple, an embossed background, some FlonzCraft butterflies inked with distress markers and some Aged Gold Frantage added randomly and the good old TH caged bird, although I let this one of of his cage. I created the sentiment on the computer as I wanted it in Italian which translated reads 'thank you for your kindness'.


My final piece is another one for Pretty Little Ribbons, simple matting and layering using Spellbinders, some bazzil and Magnolia DP, silky crushed ribbon and satin leaf trim from PLR. The two lilies are made with Tonic's stamp and punch lily set.

I hope you can join in our challenges this month and look forward to seeing all your creations.

56 comments:

Jackie said...

Wonderful selection of cards Brenda, my favourite has to be the lilies card. I hope you are having a wonderful time in Paris :o)
Jackie xx

cheryl said...

oh brenda Hun always love popping over to your blog and how I have missed your wonderful art work you are such an inspiration hun,love all your cards today hun but my favourite has to be the lady. Oh I just love the face,the colours,and just the way she,looks at you,just something really special in that card hun and I just adore it. Just noticed your post about your anniversary gosh hope I get time to create something,before it ends. love hugs Cherylxxxxxxxxx

Merry said...

Beautiful cards Brenda...love all the lace and ribbons. That pink on the first card is so cheery and love the style of the third card.

Jane said...

These are 3 lovely cards Brenda, all very different but so interesting. I am glad you let one bird out of the cage! It's always good to see sweet butterflies on your cards. I was very interested to hear about the Bronte sequels....I must look out for them, they sound good for holiday reading. I hope you had a restful Easter and are set for your Paris trip, Jane x

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

Oh my word what a lovely selection of cards Brenda
jacqui x

Stamps and Paper said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda all so different but equally lovely....

Anne

Wendy L said...

Oh Brenda they are all so gorgeous. Love the last one best, so pastely. So beautiful. xxx

Sarah said...

Absolutely wonderful batch of cards B, you inspire me to "look outside the box"!! Have a good day xx

debby4000 said...

Wonderful cards Brenda.
luv
Debby

Craftnut said...

Ah, i understand why you liked my card this week now! Love the indigo blue card - i thought she was the lady for SA to start off with but its beautiful, as are the other - you make mine look very amateur. Tracy x

Marianne said...

Wauw these cards are awesome!! The first is my big favorite :-)
xxx Marianne MW

Lorraine said...

A gorgeous selection of cards Brenda. All so different and all fab!
Lorraine x

jackiescrafts said...

What beautiful cards and all so different I particularly like the thank you card but they are all lovely

Jackie x

Sue said...

Such a gorgeous selection of cards Brenda. Each one is so beautiful and full of wonderful detailing.
Sue xx

Inkypinkydelights said...

These are lovely Brenda! I am just stopping by to say thank you for your kind words on my Blog today. Judy x

Linby said...

Three fab cards. I love the bright mix of colours in the first, and the birdcage done it white looks amazing.
Lynn x

Sasha said...

Fabulous work on all three cards, Brenda. All beautifully coloured and lots of wonderful texture. The colours on your your first and are so vibrant and I love the image. Such lovely soft colours on your other cards, too xx

Marlies said...

Beautiful cards Brenda and all so different! I like them all, the first is so colourful and I like the way you made the flowers in her hair. The second has lovely embossing and butterflies. I like the way you edges the cage. The last one is so elegant and stylish! Gorgeous all of them! hugs, Marlies

McCrafty's Cards said...

Three beautiful cards Brenda, I like how you have done the flowers in her hair on the first card, the embossing and butterflies on the second, and the soft colours and flowers on the last one, Have a good week.
Kevin xx

Paula (PEP) said...

The white of the gingham in the first really softens the very bright background & I love the way you added dimension to both the butterfly & the bird plus the flowers of her hair. The ledger patterned paper adds to the whole vintage & check theme too.
It is, however, the second that is my favourite. The trim for the bird cage is absolutely stunning & I love how the red of the button/charm brings out the red in the butterflies. Your final piece reminds me of Georgian Elegance bringing all the classiness that goes with it.
Paula (PEP)

rachel said...

all three of these are just fabulous Brenda - but I just adore the colours on the first one - fabulous xx

susiestacey said...

Gorgeous cards today Brenda - you have been busy. Love the final one - l ummed and arred about the punch/stamp at Harrogate and came away without it and just looking at your card l should have got it. Enjoy the rest of today x Susan x

Hanneke said...

Wow, great cards! I especially love the bright colors on the first card! Hugs, Hanneke

Vivi Morais said...

I loved the cards!!!
xx

May said...

Gorgeous selection of wonderful cards Brenda, I love the vintage shabby chic feel to them, Great designs.. Hugs May x x x

Lau W said...

Oh wonderful ! The first is WOW, so WOW !! :-))
Te second is superb, elegant, so lovely details,
and the last is so romantic !
Love them all ;-)
xxx

Crafting Queen said...

Beautiful cards, love the striking colours in the first one. Finally played my golf match today and boy was it cold!! (we lost the match :) )
Have a great week.

Claire said...

Hi Brenda, wow three beautiful cards. I adore the delicate butterflies on the middle card and the soft pastels of the spellbinders card but those zingy colours of the top card are really gorgeous
Claire xx

scrappymo! said...

OH my goodness...three wonderful cards...I love them all equally so going to comment in threes!
1. Gorgeous, hot colours...not your usual style and you pulled it off beautifully. That hot pink lace is beautiful. I have never coloured like this and always marvel at those who do!
2. Love the script bird outside the cage. You have inspired me to break open the frantage I bought and have never opened...it looks great on the cage!
3. Oh my...what a dreamy romantic card. The lilly flowers are beautiful and the layered dies so frilly and fancy!

Gerrina said...

What a big contrast between the first and the other cards! The sunnie s could stay as it was, ´cause I like the first a lot! The gold on the second makes it totaly elegant and the flower on the third is just stunning! Have a good Easter monday (for wat is left of it...) Hugs, Gerrina

Tedz said...

Wow! that first card is very bright but that's what you get from Dylusions - have you seen the new colours? The other 2 you did are lovely and much more sophisticated. I hope you are able to enjoy your Paris break. Pauline xx

nnalorac said...

Three beauties Brenda, so different, love the wow colour on the first, butterflies a sucker for them on the second and love the design of the third. Fab selection. Carolxx

Sally H said...

Wow, Brenda! These are all so beautiful! I LOVE that lady on the first, and the lilies on the last are so stunning! Gorgeous!

Aud said...

Another fab selection of cards Brenda, they all look super well done. Aud x

Words and Pictures said...

Wow, the pink and green is so zingy, and I love the subtle elegance of the other two!
Alison x

Daniele said...

amamzing cards, love the vibrancy of the green and pink, pretty image
hugs

catherine said...

You have been busy Brenda and each of these looks super. Love the bright fresh colours on the first one. The vintage look on the second is great and the great layering and beautiful flowers on the third.
x catherine

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow such beautiful cards, the first & last are my favs and opposite in colours! Have a great vacation, Shirleyx

Inky Angel said...

Brenda, these are just breathtaking. I love the first one especially, like the colors, lots f spring energy here. I also like how you add the flowers to the lady's hair, they really make the gorgeous face the focal point.
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Katie

AnyOldCraft said...

Beautiful cards Brenda.
You're not kidding about the first one being bright but I think we need it LOL
Mind you although it was freezing today the sun was nice and warm.
Spent the day with my mother-in-law today in her garden conservatory.
It was sooooooooo warm. She has such a huge one you can see all round the garden.
Love all the new buds and blossoms coming to life :)
Have a fab time in Paris.

Julie

Ink Art Designs said...

Hi Brenda, such a great display of your talents with 3 totally different cards! I guess if there was a common thread through them all it would be Spring. You have a great eye for detail and style. I hope you had a wonderful Easter break Brenda...and lucky you, off to Paris! Lucky you
Dot x

Phi said...

3 very different cards and all beautiful Brenda. I particularly liked the 2nd card. Loved how you've inked around the butterflies, cage, and bird in gold.

Donna Ellis said...

Oh my! three marvelous creations, each so unique! Brenda, your cards are beautiful. Distressing the edges with ink always sets your cards as professional and lovely - Just before! hugs, de

Shirley said...

Absolutely elegant and delightful Brenda, so much contrast between all three. I have just got the Elizabeth Bennett stamp and can't wait to use.

Hugs Shirley x x

walchowDesign said...

Gorgeous set of cards, Brenda! My fav today would go to number 3 with the special little flap on the side! Lovely display of the lacey diecuts!

Mervi said...

Hi Brenda, wow three fabulous cards, quite different all,
love the bright colours of the first one. Stunning and stylish creations.
Happy week and lots of sunshine;-))m

Dora said...

amazing cards!! so beautiful made, all of them.
greetings

Sonia said...

Hi my dearest friend, I hope you passed a wonderful Easter holiday ^_^
Your creations are stunning as always ^_^ Romantic and very elegant my dear^_^
A big hug,
Sonia

Jenny said...

Beautiful selection of cards! Jen xxx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Fantastic cards with wonderful details. I especially love the first one, the bright colors are gorgeous.

Rossella said...

What beautiful cards, the first one - pink and green is my all time favourite colour combination.

Have a wonderful time in Paris
Rosie x

Unknown said...

Hi Brenda, love your cards, but that top one is my definite favourite! That stamp is brilliant! Hugs Frea

Hildes Scrappeunivers said...

So beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I love these cards. The last one is my favorite. Your flowers are inspiring.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous Dylusion make Brenda, just stunning! I have them on my Wishlist, which Im afraid is getting longer and longer by the minute! LOL! So much awesome out there, just like your cards xoxo

Lindsay Craftymonster81 said...

All so beautiful, I love the vivid colours and vintage image on the first one and the softness of the colours and layouts on the others are so pretty
Lindsay xx