Pages

▼

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.

at

56 comments:

  1. Jackie1 April 2013 at 08:14

    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

    ReplyDelete
  2. cheryl1 April 2013 at 08:24

    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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Merry1 April 2013 at 08:33

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jane1 April 2013 at 08:37

    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

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jacqui's little piece of England1 April 2013 at 08:43

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. Stamps and Paper1 April 2013 at 08:48

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

    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wendy L1 April 2013 at 08:54

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sarah1 April 2013 at 08:57

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. debby40001 April 2013 at 09:05

    Wonderful cards Brenda.
    luv
    Debby

    ReplyDelete
  10. Craftnut1 April 2013 at 09:36

    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

    ReplyDelete
  11. Marianne1 April 2013 at 10:26

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lorraine1 April 2013 at 10:28

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. jackiescrafts1 April 2013 at 10:37

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

    Jackie x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sue1 April 2013 at 11:12

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

    ReplyDelete
  15. Inkypinkydelights1 April 2013 at 12:03

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. Linby1 April 2013 at 12:49

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sasha1 April 2013 at 12:51

    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

    ReplyDelete
  18. Marlies1 April 2013 at 12:55

    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

    ReplyDelete
  19. McCrafty's Cards1 April 2013 at 12:55

    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

    ReplyDelete
  20. Paula (PEP)1 April 2013 at 13:09

    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)

    ReplyDelete
  21. rachel1 April 2013 at 13:20

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. susiestacey1 April 2013 at 13:49

    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

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hanneke1 April 2013 at 14:03

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. Vivi Morais1 April 2013 at 15:19

    I loved the cards!!!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. May1 April 2013 at 15:49

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

    ReplyDelete
  26. Lau W1 April 2013 at 16:14

    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

    ReplyDelete
  27. Crafting Queen1 April 2013 at 16:29

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Claire1 April 2013 at 17:01

    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

    ReplyDelete
  29. scrappymo!1 April 2013 at 17:47

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Gerrina1 April 2013 at 18:29

    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

    ReplyDelete
  31. Tedz1 April 2013 at 20:23

    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

    ReplyDelete
  32. nnalorac1 April 2013 at 20:25

    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

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sally H1 April 2013 at 20:26

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

    ReplyDelete
  34. Aud1 April 2013 at 20:37

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

    ReplyDelete
  35. Words and Pictures1 April 2013 at 20:50

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

    ReplyDelete
  36. Daniele1 April 2013 at 20:57

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

    ReplyDelete
  37. catherine1 April 2013 at 21:39

    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

    ReplyDelete
  38. Paper Creations by Shirley1 April 2013 at 21:57

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

    ReplyDelete
  39. Inky Angel1 April 2013 at 22:03

    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

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnyOldCraft1 April 2013 at 22:38

    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

    ReplyDelete
  41. Ink Art Designs1 April 2013 at 23:23

    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

    ReplyDelete
  42. Phi2 April 2013 at 01:34

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Donna Ellis2 April 2013 at 02:45

    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

    ReplyDelete
  44. Shirley2 April 2013 at 07:13

    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

    ReplyDelete
  45. walchowDesign2 April 2013 at 08:16

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Mervi2 April 2013 at 08:16

    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

    ReplyDelete
  47. Dora2 April 2013 at 09:03

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

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sonia2 April 2013 at 13:28

    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

    ReplyDelete
  49. Jenny2 April 2013 at 13:35

    Beautiful selection of cards! Jen xxx

    ReplyDelete
  50. Silvia(Barnie)2 April 2013 at 15:56

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

    ReplyDelete
  51. Rossella2 April 2013 at 18:32

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

    Have a wonderful time in Paris
    Rosie x

    ReplyDelete
  52. Unknown2 April 2013 at 19:19

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

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hildes Scrappeunivers2 April 2013 at 20:38

    So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Anonymous5 April 2013 at 01:08

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

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anonymous6 April 2013 at 07:45

    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

    ReplyDelete
  56. Lindsay Craftymonster818 April 2013 at 13:01

    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

    ReplyDelete