Sunday 12 June 2016

Blooms, Butterflies and new family members




My thanks to you all for your kind comments and well wishes yesterday which are all greatly appreciated. It's at times like this when the body is less than willing that I am re-assured my obsession of working weeks ahead with DT projects is a practical solution to dealing with MS. With artwork done and posts scheduled it takes the worry away and leaves me to just add a few words as I am doing here.

Today sees the start of a new challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and this month our theme is Beautiful Blooms, one that plays right into my hands. As always there is a generous prize of a $20 shopping voucher from FlonzCraft.

I started with a Dylusion background and pearl mica spray. The colours turned out a little more intense than I planned so rather than water them down I used white embossing powder, it's one I don't use that often but quite like how the Visible Image sentiment pops with it. Next I used a Timmy stencil and pearl dimensional paste here and there and then stamped randomly round the edges with a Penny Black stamp using DI Dusky Concorde. I used a Tattered Lace Butterfly Trio stamp and die set again using white embossing powder and the flowers are Heartfelt Creations.

I do hope you will come and join us this month and share your own beautiful blooms.


The above card is one of my Guest Designer cards for Chocolate Baroque which you will find on their blog here today following their 15 minute card theme. I used the beautiful Butterfly Flourish Swirls stamp set, stamping with black archival ink and colouring with Brusho's. I drew a black line around the image, added a few sequins and matted and layered onto coordinating cardstock.


And look who moved in with us yesterday, Anysia and Azaria arrived home with these two sweeties who have been named Jemima and Puddleduck.....................I know that's all one name..............but they were not to be moved on the chosen names. They are Aylesbury ducks, two weeks old and will be almost full grown by twelve weeks and larger than most of the hens.

Happy Sunday all.

69 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely cards and duckies!!!
Hugsss, Gaby

Helen said...

I hope Jemima and Puddleduck will be very happy! Love the card.

rachel said...

Beautiful cards ...love these brenda. Both gorgeous but of course i am naturally attracted to the inky one. Thise ducklings are supercute xx

Crafting Queen said...

Love your cards, the first one is wonderful. Your new additions are adorable.

Kelly Lloyd said...

Two wonderful projects as always Brenda.
I like the CAS style a lot but never seem to master it, yours is gorgeous and I love the border, it really brings the card together, must try this lol
Your two new additions are just adorable, love their names too lol

Hugs Kelly

Astrid Maclean said...

Amazing colours and textures once again, both are simply stunning!! Your new family members are soooo cute! xxxx

Jane said...

Sorry to hear that you are having a flare up Brenda...take it easy and I hope the symptoms settle down soon.What gorgeous floral cards,I especially like the CB one.Sweet ducklings! Hugs xx

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

I love the intense background colour on your first card Brenda as it really makes the white and silver on your card stand out. The Visible Image sentiments always looks great too. I'm the same as you in that I always tend to make my cards well in advance, mostly because I'm worried that I will have a crafters block if I leave it till nearer the due date of a new challenge! The butterfly flourish stamp is so delicate and you've coloured the butterflies in so beautifully, it's gorgeous. Take it easy and enjoy your Sunday. Crafty Hugs,
Sandra x

Shirley said...

The colours are vibrant and gorgeous but the use of white tones blends it all together beautifully sweets. Bet it shines?

Your guest designer card is CAS to perfection. Love it Brenda.

Thank you for everything as I know how busy you must be.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Stamping Bubbles said...

Hello Brenda
Two beautiful cards once again. I love the intensity of the background in the first card and I think it works brilliantly.
Your ducklings are so cute. I hope they give you lots of eggs.
Take care
Lesley

Ink Art Designs said...

Hi Brenda, gee, both cards are so different and both equally stunning! Gorgeous.
Dot x

aussie aNNie said...

aww cute additions Brenda, and gorgeous cards you made. I do hope you are feeling much brighter today my lovely friend...hugs...xx{aNNie}

gwen70 said...

Wonderful cards, love the ducklings

KarinsArtScrap said...

it's a very beautiful card with a fantastic background Brenda the second card is gorgeous.
Gr Karin

pinky said...

Sorry to hear you are going through a rough patch Brenda, hope things pick up quickly again. I love this gorgeous project the colours are beautiful and those words are perfect. How cute are those wee chicks!!

Sammy said...

Oh Brenda, that first card really made me go "WOW!" Absolutely gorgeous! The other one is ever so lovely too.
Hope you're feeling a bit better. MS is a horrible thing to have to live with, and I applaud you for not letting it get in the way of doing things you love! x

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous card Brenda, but I'm distracted by those sweet little ducklings! Awwwwww! have a great Sunday. hugs :)

Fliss said...

So sorry to hear you've been under the weather Brenda and hope you recover fully very soon.
Your cards are both absolutely beautiful and the new family additions look adorable.
Fliss xx

Sharon said...

Love the butterflies and of course the little chicks!
Sorry you are not feeling well, hope things improve soon
Sharon x

Craftyfield said...

Your FSC card is a lovely vision in blue (my fave colour!)Love the delicate design of your Chocolate Baroque card and the cute ducklings...

jackiescrafts said...

So sorry to read you have had a relapse Brenda, I hope the pain eases soon and you are able to sleep and feel better.
Your cards are all beautiful, I love them both but then I would as they both have butterflies on them lol. I especially love the simplicity of the second one and the vibrant background of the first one really show off the white embossed sentiment.
Jackie x

Joan said...

Love both your cards Brenda but the first one really has the wow factor for me, I love the intense colours and the texture paste contrasts , just beautiful.
Sorry you're under the weather, hope you feel better soon. I'm always going to get ahead with projects but then find myself in my usual last minute rush, story of my life !

Joan x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful inky card .... love it ! The HFC flowers look beautiful embossed. Take good care, xx

Gerrie's kaarten said...

Schitterende kaart vooral de bovenste kaart is heel erg mooi
Leuke foto met de eendjes
Groetjes Gerrie

McCrafty's Cards said...

Beautiful cards Brenda, I love the butterflies, I love your Ducks
Kevin xx

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous background and love the embossed sentiment,beautiful butterflies on the CAS card too-cute Jemima and Puddleduck we have kept ducks before and the cats were terrified of them lol.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Non so se ho fatto qualche pasticcio con i commenti, Brenda... forse ne ho scritto uno che invece era per il blog di Marianne... Ooops... :(
Che dolci queste piccole anatre! Jemima e Puddleduck sono bei nomi. Spero che si ambientino senza problemi. Il tuo labrador però sembra un po' perplesso :D
Incredibili stupende card, La prima è così vibrante e spettacolare!! E la seconda per Cioccolato Barocco mi piace molto, è incredibile come hai colorato le ali delle farfalle con i Brusho's!!!

hellerlittle said...

Hallo Brenda !!!
Sorry to hear you are going through a rough patch, hope things pick up quickly again. I love this gorgeous projects the colours are beautiful and those words are perfect. How cute are those two duck chicks!!
CU hellerlittle

Sarah said...

Fantastic cards Brenda, the white embossing looks amazing on those beautiful bluey tones. The design of your butterfly card is brilliant, must remember the way you have done the sentiment it looks really stylish with such a CAS design. As for those ducklings...adorable and I'm pleased to see the photo bomber in the background looking on...we always joke that Suzy must be the most photographed dog in Dorset...she appears on every single one of our snaps!! xx

Pat said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda, I love the butterflies. Two beautiful little ducklings too, lovely photograph.

Pat xx

Mrs.B said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda, love the shades of blue with the white embossing and the flowers look lovely.
Those ducklings are so cute.
Avril xx

Caro´s kreative Welt said...

Hi Brenda, both cardc are wonderful. Love the Blooms with the great background and the butterflies... fantastic!
The ducks are very sweet.
Hugs Carola

Kathleen said...

Card 1 - fabulous background, totally love the flowers, lovely colours.
Card 2 - Love the gentle simplicity and the design, very classy card.
Lovel the name of the babies.

Kath x

Esther said...

Hi Brenda - your cards are beautiful as always, love how that white EP pops against the vibrant background on you fSC card. So sorry to hear you are struggling, hope things improve soon...Esther xx

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Brenda, absolutely wonderful cards,the deep colours in the first one are gorgeous, beautiful stamping too.
Love the simplicity of your butterfly card and the colours once again are beautiful.
Can I ask you what sunray stencil is it you've used in one of the CB Cards? I have been trying to find one without success, Kate x

Greta said...

2 beautiful cards, Brenda, but I really adore your CAS card! Such cute ducklings, too!

Fikreta said...

very pretty cards!
love the ducks!
so cute!

Bad Kitty's Craftroom

Unknown said...

Wow stunning! Love the whole creative design and gorgeous butterfly!
Oh my goodness I want them duckies!!! How gorgeous!!
Lucy x

Donna Ellis said...

Your ducklings are so sweet! Darling additions to your homestead. Brenda, beautiful cards, and pretty designs! Lovely seeing the bold colors in your first creation! Very unusual on your blog. It is a joy seeing the pretty masterpieces and techniques on your blog! Hugs, de

MaryH said...

#1 has some fantastic glimmer on that amazing blue. Love the flowers, that pearl embossing- perfectly placed in that stencil. The flowers & butterfly added even more lovely things to admire. Loving the delicacy of #2, and your brusho coloring in the wings is so very pretty. Enjoyed seeing your young lady with the little fuzzy cuties too. And hope you will continue to feel better each day. Big hugs, and TFS. Have a good week.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Awwww, the little ducks are so cute! So sorry to read of your MS flare-up, Brenda, I hope you feel better soon! Your cards are beautiful, and I especially love the first one with that gorgeous background!

scrappymo! said...

Ohhhhh...so love the arty feel and beautiful background of the first and also love the CAS butterfly card too. The yellow and blue look so pretty on these butterflies.

The ducks and daughter steals the show though!!!

Juls said...

Beautiful cards xx

Tracy Welham said...

Stunning cards! The ducklings are so sweet - love the names. Creative Blessings, Tracy x

Lau W said...

Oh the ducks are cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute ! A nice shot with your pretty daughter !
2 beautiful cards again, very pretty !
xxx

Robin said...

Gorgeous cards! I love those butterflies and I love using the white embossing powder. It makes the embossed things so bright against the backgrounds. The ducks are so adorable...your daughter is beautiful! So sorry you've been knocked down again. Keep fighting. There are new things to help coming out every day. Hugs, Robin

Tinka's paper wonderlland said...

Wow, love that blue card, it is amazing!! Cut ducks, they are so adorable!!
♥Hugs Valentina♥

Rainey's Craft Room said...

Two more very pretty cards, love the blue one and the lovely techniques you have used to achieve the design.
Lorraine

Rhonda Miller said...

What a lovely card. I love the die cuts. Those duckies are so cute.

Gerrina said...

Both cards look so great! Love the background on the first, but my favo is the second; so perfectly and beautifully CAS!
Sorry to read about the MS is working against all your plans and energy; wish you strenght to deal with it and hope you will get out with the energy that you need for the things you really want to do!It is a card that live could have waited to play... Big hugs, Gerrina

coldwaters2 said...

Two stunning cards Brenda the colours on the first one seem to come to life when looking at it, awesome, so are those beautiful baby ducks.
hugs
lorraine x

Grá O'Neill said...

Beautiful cards, I love the intense background & the white embossing is fab :)

http://cheryl-cherylscreativeatcscards.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Oh my these are amazing I love love butterflies and you have made two crackers here hun just love them to bits hugs cheryl. Love the wee ducklings too so cute hugs cheryl xxx

Tracy said...

Sorry Brenda the two ducklings stole my attention, so cute. And two beautiful cards too.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

Nice cards!

aussie aNNie said...

B, while you are not well, please don't worry about commenting on my blog...it is too hard for you and I know you love me... hehe/xxx

Di said...

What lovely cards Brenda. The colours on the first one are so luscious - you always come up trumps!

And those little ducklings are absolutely adorable 😁

Hugs

Di xx

Keep It Sweet and Simple said...

Beautiful work, Brenda. Your blue background is stunning.
Hope the little ducklings are settling in.
xxx

Sarn said...

WOW - LOVING these cards Brenda. Really must get my set of Brushos out this week and play with them. You've inspired me!
Hugs, Sarn xxx

Carole Pollard said...

Wonderful card design just fabulous and thanks for sharing the baby duck photo its so sweet love and hugs Carole x

Inkypinkydelights said...

Hi Brenda, I have not been around lately either, but oh dear I am so sorry to hear you are unwell again. I wholeheartedly agree with working ahead. I can work in no other way. So I am with you there full percent. Love your cards. Oh and what cuties! What a shame babies have to grow into adults eh! lol Judy x

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful cards Brenda!! So lovely!! The background in the first one is awesome!! Love the simple design of the second one!! The duckies are so cute!!
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

ALI said...

Gorgeous card and cute chicks...

Dawn said...

A couple of beautiful cards & chicks Brenda!
Hope you're well today!
Hugs
Dawn xx

Mrs A. said...

Love those cute ducks. This is an absolutely gorgeous card. Beautiful flowers and of course a lovely butterfly to boot. Your second card is fab. Would take me a lot longer than 15 mins to produce if ?I was doing it! Hugs Mrs A.

Mrs A. said...

Love those cute ducks. This is an absolutely gorgeous card. Beautiful flowers and of course a lovely butterfly to boot. Your second card is fab. Would take me a lot longer than 15 mins to produce if ?I was doing it! Hugs Mrs A.

Unknown said...

Hallo liebe Brenda,
zwei wunderschöne Karten zeigst du uns wieder,ich liebe Schmetterlinge sehr und die beiden kleinen Enten sind ja einfach nur niedlich,
glg ulrike

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeous cards as always Brenda. Love those lovely little duckies!! I know how much crafting and blogging means to you. You are an inspiration to keep going with it all so productively as well as coping with very challenging illness. Hats off to you! Have a lovely weekend. Nicola x

Merry said...

Aaaaawwww how cute are those ducklings. I bet they have grown heaps already. Beautiful cards too…..love the simplicity of the first card and the perfect placement of the sequins. You make it look so easy. :-)