Monday 24 February 2014

Monday Prickly Pear and Nicecrane shares


Photo beautifully enhanced by Ignacio

Good morning Peeps, hope you all had a good weekend.

As it's Monday it's my day to share this weeks DT piece for Prickly Pear and Nicecrane Designs and also one using the Cricut Mini which I confess I have rather neglected recently.

Lots of you have asked how things are health wise, well it's limbo land time at the moment, I now have to wait four week to see if the treatment did what they hoped or find out what comes next, so still a waiting game. No fun, but not a lot I can do about it.

So now for my cards, I have been such a lucky girl getting to play with Ignacio's new Spring designs and it's been a real treat as I love this time of year and never fail to be amazed by Nature and how everything bursts into life as if by magic. And in stark contract to last year when everything was very late, this year looks like being ahead of itself. You really do need to check out the new designs here.

For the top one I printed one of the Nicecrane Vintage Flowers images twice, cut out and decoupaged, cut a fancy oval with a die, placed some cord inside the oval and layered over a stamped sentiment, the backing DP is BoBunny..


My Prickly Pear piece uses Graphic 45 DP's,  I stamped three small panels using just the floral section of the Boot Flower stamp and coloured in, the sentiment is also from the Spring releases and some ribbons and lace to finish. All the Spring release stamps are available on the store website and extremely good value for money.


I love this bird and blossom image also one of the new Nicecrane Spring designs, teamed it up with an embossed and gilded background, a Penny Black sentiment and some added blossoms and ribbon to compliment the ones on the image.


My final card has a base created with the clever cut and weld facility on the Cricut Mini which allows you to make custom borders such as this one and your imagination is the only restriction. It's still available at lots of places for £99 so a great deal. I kept the card fairly simple, punching the corners of the image with a butterfly punch and matting onto coordinating cardstock. The border butterflies and dragonflies are shaded with Pan Pastels plus a couple of die cut ones.

Hope you all have a good week, scary to think we will be into March in a few days but hopefully Spring will be close behind.


60 comments:

Marianne's Craftroom said...

Gorgeous makes, so varied. My fave is the bird card. Hope for good news for you x

Redanne said...

Wow Brenda, your work with Ignacio's designs is fabulous! Your cards are beautiful and I love how you created that beautiful butterfly border with your Cricut. Your photography is superb too. Anne x

Bridie said...

Stunning cards

Thank you so much for leaving a lovely comment on my blog

Happy Monday!

Hugs

Bridie@BGPayne Crafts

susiestacey said...

Lovely makes Brenda - you have been a busy bee. The images are so pretty - have just taken my daughter/grandaughter to hospital this morning and was surprised to see a beautiful bank of daffs in full bloom - lovely x Susan x

Kari said...

Hi Brenda! Wonderful cards,all of them!
Love the one with the butterfly border!
Hope you are well!
Hugs,Kari :)

Crafting Queen said...

These are wonderful cards. Hope that the treatment worked, waiting is no fun. Sending hugs.

debby4000 said...

Oh what wonderful cards, absolutely love the first one.
luv
Debby

Beryl said...

A gorgeous selection of cards Brenda. Thank you for sharing them.
Yes things do seem to be coming along early this year but I have sworries that plants and frogs etc may get caught out by a late streak of cold weather. It's been very mid this year - if wet - and I can't see us getting away without a really cold spell at some time.
Hope the treatment you haave had does the trick for you.
Beryl xx

Wendy L said...

All so pretty Brenda, it would be hard to choose which one for fave. xxx

Marianne said...

Sorry I haven't been around to visit your blog lately, but it seems that you have been quite busy creating cards. Thanks for the update on your health. I had figured out your 6 weeks of treatment should have finished by now. Hope you'll have a bit of good news soon. I'm also happy to see that you seem to have more control over your hands right now, or your wouldn't be cutting and decoupaging images. Love your decoupaged flower and how the colours in your first card are such a perfect match. My other favourite of this set is the last one, also because of its colours. The dragon flies and butterfly corners add a nice touch. I think I have a similar butterfly punch hidden away somewhere...
Hope your week will be a good and sunny one!
Marianne x

nnalorac said...

Beautiful cards Brenda. Health waiting games are no fun seem to go fro. One thing to another don't they. Fingers crossed for you. Take care Carolxx

ALI said...

Beautiful cards Brenda.

Lau W said...

Oh wow ! How much thse cards are wonderful ! Spring is near !! i hope !
Love all of them, fantastic !
Get well soon my dear Brenda, i think of you !
xxx

Dora said...

wow...three beautiful cards have you made. and all three of them is so different. fantatstic done.
I like the first card, what you have done with the yarn. looking so great.
have a beautiful cay!
regards

Jane said...

Beautiful work Brenda...let's hope spring is just around the corner. I love Ignacio s new birds and blossom images just perfect. I hope you get some positive results soon at the hospital. .thinking of you. Hugs Jane xx

coldwaters2 said...

Wowwww Brenda what a stunning selection of creations each and everyone of them is beautiful, awesome work.
hugs
lorraine x

rachel said...

beautiful images and all of your cards are stunning Brenda - it must be very frustrating for you waiting to see if the treatment has worked. Here's hoping it has! Big Hugs to you lovely lady xx

Paula (PEP) said...

I'm glad you've got something to keep yourself occupied with whilst you're waiting.
Your deep green die-cuts & matting in the first are a lovely accompaniment to the beautifully decoupaged flowers
I log the way you've embellished the Prickly Pear flower centres & how they help to accent the polka dots in the patterned paper. The white elements including the lace are eye-catching too.
The bird & blossom colours are beautifully accented & I like the leafy embossed backdrop together with the brown leaf sprigs.
The final one is quite magical with the way those flowers are enhanced by the tiny butterfly corners, your dragonflies & ribbon all in the orange-red of the floral image. I think the bugs make that my favourite of all!
Much love from me
Paula (PEP)

walchowDesign said...

You've been busy creating beautiful cards, Brenda! Sorry to hear that things are a bit slow but I am sure there is a reason for it. Weather has been lovely for the last two days and hope it will remain so. Take care!

Hanneke said...

Wow, you've been a busy lady Brenda! All your cards are lovely! I especialy love the green and purple one with the flowers and lace, I love the Lay-Out. Hugs, Hanneke

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

beautiful vintage cards with such lovely detail , the bird one is my fav, strange I love bird cards so much and yet I'm terrified of birds in everyday life.
janex

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, Brenda, you've been busy! These cards are gorgeous. I absolutely love how you did the flower in the first card - beautiful!

Sarah said...

Such a smorgasbord of loveliness Brenda. The sentiment on the first is lovely and the birdies and blossom are so pretty. I noticed this morning that the primroses have put in an appearance at last...spring is coming...surely!? Fingers crossed for you xx

ribenaruby said...

Hi Brenda, delicate beautiful cards, love all of them...top one in particular is so meaningful. Take everything in your stride Brenda, best wishes. Ruby x

AnyOldCraft said...

Absolutely stunning cards as always Brenda with some truly amazing sentiments.
LOVE what you have done with the yellow string.
Sorry you are in limbo sweets. Sucks but as you say there isn't an awful lot you can do about it.
Fingers crossed everything works out for the better and try and keep your chin up.
Ooooooooh I agree about Spring.
I am really hoping we don't get a late freeze.
So far we have only had rain but no snow.
Hoping the sun hangs around as I have almost 100 plug plants turning up in the next couple of weeks lol
Have a fab evening Brenda *hugs*

Lorraine said...

Gosh, you've been busy! All absolutely gorgeous.
Lorraine x

Nicecrane Designs said...

Wowwwww Brenda,,,,,,,absolutely a delicious to watch your cards,,,,,The first one is a play of art my friend,,,,,,love everything on it,,,and all over the way you used my flower sheet wit your incredible die cut,,,,,,,,,lot of applausses,,,and the other ones are so adorable,,,,so vintage and colorful,,,,spring is coming,,,,,,and it is faster with your cards,,,,,Take care,,,,Health is first of all Brenda.

Gerrina said...

What a lot of flowers! Real ladies cards... Love the strings on the first and the panals on the second! Hope you´re having a fun week, hugs, Gerrina

Paper Profusion said...

All the cards are beautiful Brenda. Fingers crossed during this waiting period. Nicola x

cheryl said...

Gosh hunny you have been busy the cards are all simply stunning love them all, realky hope you get some good news hun really do keep fingers croosed for you. I have been using my cricut mini lately too should use it more really, must get some new blades hugs cheryl xx

Whisper said...

Oooo gorgeous Brenda and am so loving those devine sentiments too, Luv Sam x

Bad Kitty said...

beautiful cards

Marlies said...

You have been busy making all these gorgeous cards Brenda! They all look so elegant. Beautiful made! hugs, Marlies

PatR said...

A gorgeous collection of cards Brenda. Sorry to hear things haven't been good for you lately but I really hope the treatment does the trick. Sending you very best wishes xx

Jaya Raghuvanshi said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda! The first one is just breathtakingly beautiful! In love with the selection of colours in it...Beautiful creations!

Kathleen said...

A fantastic set of cards here Brenda, all very stunning in their own way, some brilliant work.

Kath x

mags said...

A gorgeous selection of cards Brenda. Hope the treatment works for you.
Mags
x

Words and Pictures said...

Such lovely work as always, Brenda - despite everything you have going on to hinder you. Love that first one - such elegance!
Alison xx

Lynne K said...

All so pretty, Brenda! I do like the new Nicecrane designs, especially the bird one, but the flowers are lovely too. Yes, I wish spring would hurry up and come, it's just been rain, rain and more rain up here for weeks now. I guess I should just be thankful it isn't snow! x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

These are wonderful cards. Love the quote of the first one.

Ellibelle said...

Such beautiful creations Brenda, love them all, fabulous idea how you used the twine on the first one!

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow, what an amazing set of cards again Brenda! Wonderful, each one of them! Specially love that decoupaged flower on the top one, stunning!

Sending good wishes for the success of the new treatment. Four weeks sadly is a long time to have to wait...

Phi said...

Wow so many beautiful cards. Absolutely love the one with the birds and blossoms.

Diane said...

Wow Brenda what a beautiful collection of cards.

Hugs diane

Annmaree of Oz said...

Thinking of you with everything crossed and hoping for the best for you!!!

Lots of lovely cards, the diecuts are great, and the flowers, I really love the birds one, especially! Great idea for the great border card with the Cricut, I haven't used my old Criccy in ages!! I must get it out!

Take it easy! xoxo

Gail said...

I really like them all!
The added flowers are always so amazing looking!
Hope you're doing ok while you're waiting!

Jackie said...

What a wonderful selection of cards. I love the first one in particular :o)
I hope your treatment has worked for you and a "what happens next" is not needed {{{{{hugs}}}}}
Jackie xx

stampingbowd said...

Beautiful card designs!!!! All so different but equally gorgeous!

I hope the treatment works and you are on a complete mend soon!

Berina RGA said...

gorgeous cards Brenda... hope u feel better soon... best wishes..
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

Berina RGA said...

gorgeous cards!! hope u feel better... best wishes!!
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Fabulous cards that are so sweet and charming, beautiful design and fab coloring. Thanks for visiting and leaving the sweet luv.
Hugs
Berni
berni46blogspot.

pinky said...

Wow Brenda what an array of beautiful cards. I love what you have done with the twine in the first, very inventive!

Eemeli said...

Oh, you are so versatile. All the cards look fabulous and I really like the different ways of
using flowers/images of flowers. Fabulous color schemes also.

Have a great day!

Hugs from Finland,
Eemeli

Dr Sonia S V said...

The first card is simply stunning Brenda .Loved the way you framed the sentiment and the beautiful flowers look so gorgeous
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Lynn (delphinoid) said...

Gorgeous Cards Brenda!

All the cards are beautiful, but I love the Floral Card because the colours really draw me in.

Happy Crafting!!! :) X X

KandA said...

Such beautiful cards Brenda. I love the wonderful images of the flowers and birds and I hope you don't mind if I take inspiration from the first with the sentiment as it would be the perfect design for my aunts birthday card from my dad xx

Anonymous said...

Your cards are always so beautiful and I always see new things. I would never have thought to put twine in my frame. Nice touch. I love the sentiments that you used also. May I ask what company makes the first one about friends? Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Your cards are always so beautiful! I always see something new. I would never have thought to put twine inside my frame. Nice touch. May I ask where the Friend sentiment came from?

scrappymo! said...

How appropriate that I am #60 as that is how I will be this weekend! lol
So many beautiful cards Brenda. I am always drawn to the bird cards so you can guess which is my fave! But they are all beautiful. I don't know how you do it. You consistantly turn out gorgeous cards...over and over! The Nicecrane designs are wonderful and you have made those birds soar!

Donna Ellis said...

Hi, Brenda! You have such a special way of creating something unique with each card! I love the variety of styles used here. Always I am inspired when visiting your blog, and think of all the stamps in my stash I want to use. These are all amazing. Thank you for bringing happiness to my heart with your multiple shares of different styles. hugs, de