Sunday, 3 May 2020

Out in the paddocks


It's time for for our new challenges at Stamping Sensations and Penny Black and More where our themes are 'Say it with Flowers' and 'Boys and Men'. As always there are wonderful prizes to be won at both.

Again my shares are ones made some time ago and before my Mojo went into it's own self isolation, I don't think I have ever gone so long without creating a card, it must be seven weeks now and I am beginning to wonder if I ever will again. Even when I lost my parents so close together and struggled, I still found a way back to my craft desk, but this time it really is a no go area so I am more than a little grateful that I had DT work scheduled for a few months ahead.


When I made this one I think it was way back in January, I enjoyed creating the scene using a whole host of Penny Black stamps, some including Foxy go back to the very early days of PB. Not a great deal to add really, Distress inks and Versafine Clair for the stamping and DI's used to create the ground and sky.


As our prize from Chocolate Baroque includes one of the lovely 'Blueprint' Stamp sets I had to use one for my DT share, of all the recent releases and there have been some beauties, I think this release is my favourite. I spritzed Dylusions in pink and grey and dabbed a goos amount of the colour away to keep the finish soft. Used some of the worker stamps, stamped, coloured and cut out the Cala Lilies and placed in a twin circle. Three chipboard circles stamped with more of the worker stamps and some stencilling.

And a few more photo's, yesterday we are in the gardens in my Allsorts post, today we are out in the paddocks with Nature, beautiful Whitethorn flowers (aka May), Cowslips, Horse Chestnut and even Kexi (Cow Parsley). Many would say just hedges and weeds, but to me it's a source of beauty, peace and tranquility, has been as far back as I can remember when I wandered the farm with my Dad. During the last few weeks when I've been unable to settle at anything, this is invariably where I slope off to with my girls and camera.


    
Two of my companions, Poppy and Holly, you can see the full compliment a couple of posts down. 
           
I hope unlike me your crafting Mojo is in good form and you will join in with our challenges this month.

                                                    
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40 comments:

Mervi said...

Two fabulous cards.
I do hope you'll get your mojo back.
TG we have the nature around us where we can wonder the miracles of growth;-))m

Stamps and Paper said...

Two fabulous cards Brenda your scenic one is amazing so much going on in the picture..love the colours of your blueprint flower card again fabulous colouring.. thank for sharing your beautiful garden pictures with us...and not forgetting your furry companions

Anne

Helen said...

I recently managed a couple of birthday cards and have another to do soo too.... Hope your mojo comes back soon.
Love the pics, you can't beat nature - love cow parsley and wild hedgerows! take care xx

Crafting Queen said...

Just wow,these two are amazing. Love the scene you created. Do hope your mojo finds it way back to you soon. Love your darling fur babies, hope they are doing well. Sending hugs. Anesha

Babs said...

Had a few tears there Brenda reading your post, I can see why you would want to wonder off to be there and gather your thoughts hopefully you will find your mojo there too.
Your cards are amazing just love the scenery on the first great stamping , the flowers in the blue print look all most real lovely colour and layout.
Thanks for sharing your photos I have not seen any cow slips in years .

Babs x

Marlies said...

A beautiful elegant card Brenda. Lovely coloured and design. It must be very nice to live in the country. Your photo's look nice and I love your dogs :)
I hope your mojo soon comes back. Stay safe and well. Marlies x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two fabulous cards Brenda.I love the scene you've created on the first and the vibrant colour on the second. The blossom on your trees looks wonderful. I've been enjoying our daily exercise around the local roads lately seeing the trees go from bare to having their leaves coming out. It's a good job the nature carries on as normal.

Sue xx

Craftyfield said...

Both lovely cards Brenda. The landscape is delicately coloured and speaks to me! Your countryside looks gorgeous on a sunny day, I miss that sometimes. Enjoy it while it lasts... x

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Brenda - these are uncertain and unsettling times and I can understand your lack of mojo in the cardmaking department, but your camera is catching beauty of another kind, and I for one am so enjoying it. Be kind to yourself and take care.
Loving these cards - they are gorgeous, and your wee country scene is fabulous, as are your cana lilies.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Cath Wilson said...

We all have a 'secret' or 'special' place, Brenda - thanks so much for sharing yours! This looks like a place I visit in my imagination ;-)
It's gorgeous.
Your cards are beautiful. No wonder you're so good at creating scenes, with all that beauty and tranquility around you. Sometimes the best healing places are where you and nature can be alone together. I love that fence stamp - it's so realistic. The vividly coloured lilies are gorgeous, as is your subtle background. It looks as if you had lots of fun with that one :-)

I just remembered your 'family boasting' from yesterday - wow! What an achievement to be listed as a leading athlete. I can understand why you're so proud. A definite cause for celebration!

Enjoy a quiet, peaceful Sunday.
Cath x

Leanne Harris said...

Two gorgeous makes Brenda and your PB looks so lovely and peaceful. We are very peaceful at home here amongst the countryside. I too love the Cow Parsley, I know that so many people hate it but I think it's such a pretty weed and our woods are full of it and now I seem to notice it so much more, the tiny little flowers are so pretty. Take care of yourself xxxxxx

Maryann scrapbooking said...

Un très bel article avec deux très jolies cartes, j'adore la carte rose avec les arums.
Que de jolies photos de la nature et de la flore.
Une caresse à Poppy et Holly.
Prenez soin de vous, restez confiné.
MaryannG

Gerrina said...

I am glad that I could inspire you with one of my makes and hope your mojo is back!
The first two weeks of lockdown I had to get used to all of it, but know I am like you enjoying the close surroundings and spring blossems! Good to be in a house that feels like a home with a garden and neighbourhoud that you like and provides you with different vieuws and nature every season!
I love the scene you made; so much to see, but was stunned by the way you used such bright colours on the flower card! They really look like someone has just dropped them for a few minutes on that beautiful background! Enjoy the weekend, Gerrina

Carole Pollard said...

Fabulous cards as always and really hoping you can get crafting again very soon. Thanks for sharing those amazing photos of such a beautiful place stay safe love and hugs Carole x

Ellibelle said...

Both cards are so beautifully done Brenda, my favorite is the first one with that pretty scene. Gorgeous flowering shrubs too! I love them all and don't care if they are classified as weeds, to me they are all pretty!

I'm sorry you still were unable to bring yourself to craft, but glad you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors and I am sure you'll get back into the craftroom soon. What usually helps me if I start re- organizing things in the craft room. Maybe something to do on a rainy day. You may then find some crafting mojo!
Hope you're keeping safe and healthy!

Viv said...

Lovely to read your post B.
Pics are fab. two great cards as ever and hope you are all OK. xx

crafty-stamper said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda and love the nature pics and the beautiful cowslips -a lovely place to hide out and hope it helps you to get your mojo back
Carol x

KandA said...

Two fabulous cards Brenda. I love the scene you created on the first and wonderful colours of the Calla Lilies on the second. I hope Mojo comes back soon but in the meantime I'm really enjoying seeing the photos of your lockdown area xx

Fikreta said...

so very nice cards!
very beautiful flowers!

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful cards and photos Brenda. I’m sorry to read that your mojo is still missing and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it returns soon. Take care of yourself and keep enjoying the beautiful scenery around you. Crafty hugs, Sandra xx

Wendy L said...

Wonderful pics Brenda.
I must admit, I am not doing alot of card making. I tend to sit and crochet, making lots of face mask adaptors to post to UK.
Xxx

Kathleen said...

Two brilliant creations Brenda, great images, super colours and stunning designs.
Fabulous photos too. Isn't it nice to see some greenery. Today is the first day when I have felt like throwing everything through the window, card making wise that is. All of a sudden a lot of my pens are running out, both Topics and ProMarkers (I do prefer ProMarkers) But I have to say that I have had for quite a number of years, so I can not grumble, but Chris will, when he see's the price of them now!

Kath x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards, garden photos and of course the doggies! Browsing through previous posts, i feel like i had a nice stroll through a garden and it brightened my day. Hope your mojo returns soon.

Greta said...

The scene you created is one of my favorites, Brenda! Love the pictures of your beautiful part of the world! How neat your puppy dogs can wander with you!

Lorraine said...

Two gorgeous cards Brenda, particularly love the pink floral card.
Hope you get your mojo back soon
Lorraine x

Linby said...

I'm so sorry to read of your lost mojo. I am finding that watching others on FB live craft has helped me to be inspired.

Two gorgeous cards and such lovely photos of your environ.

cuilliesocks said...

Two wonderful cards Brenda, I especially love the scenic card. Sorry to hear that you are finding it hard to find inspiration, I hope your mojo comes back soon. Lovely walk around with all those trees and plants and with your two wonderful companions, take care of yourself, Kate x

Caty said...

Your cards are really Fantastic Brenda !! Love them both. The stamps are so beautiful, great backgrounds and colours too. Bravo !
Your little Poppy and Holly are adorable !! so cute.
Beautiful flowers you are sharing with us too, thanks.
I wish you a very nice new week, stay safe and well, and big hugss
Caty

Mrs A. said...

Two super cards. I especially like the first card with the lovely scene you have created. My mojo has done a long hike. Social distancing to the extreme. We have been enjoying seeing the wild flowers in the hedgerows as we have been doing our walks along the country lanes. Have noticed an increase in cars on the roads which is a bit worrying. I have managed to get another delivery slot fior this week Stay safe and well. Hugs Mrs A.

aussie aNNie said...

Oh look at Poppy and Holly, love these two...so cute. Love your cards too B and the beautiful pictures of nature at it's best.xx

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely pair of cards, Brenda and I particularly love the gorgeous scene card. I love how textured the fence posts look and the mix of greens is so soothing. Love your photographs too and I'm so glad you have such a beautiful place to wander in. I too am struggling with my mojo and do more clearing out than crafting now that I finally have the time I'd been longing for.
Hope you are staying safe.
Hugs
Carol x

Sarah said...

Looks very much like the mojo was firing on all cylinders when you made these Brenda, they are wonderful, especially that lovely scene. More super photographs, our cowslips didn't do so well this year but we did have a couple of orchids appear which was unusual. I hope that Ben is recovering well from his colic and you and Anysia for that matter, such a dreadful thing to happen. Thinking of you all xx

Vicky Hayes said...

Both cards are gorgeous Brenda but I'm bowled over by your beautiful country scene. I'm so sorry your mojo has deserted you. I know that lots of others are saying the same. I would say just keep trying and trying again, doesn't matter if you throw everything away. It will come back and it could be a real comfort to you when it does. You really do live in a beautiful part of the world and the photos are beautiful. Take care, Vicky x

ALI said...

Two stunning cards Brenda and some beautiful scenery photographs x

Zoechaos said...

Lovely cards Brenda and the photos well that little place of peace must be most restorative. Yes it is me, I had become very engrossed with Chainmaille and Jewellery making but like you the lock down effected my mojo and sent me scurrying back to my good old rubber stamps. I hope your inspiration returns soon and when it comes ideas will simply flow! Take care and have fun off to see your dogs now. x

KarinsArtScrap said...

beautiful cards and flowers Brenda

I'm back again helped my sisiter in law and brother in law moving to a other house.

Gr Karin

pinky said...

Beautiful cards Brenda but no wonder your mojo has left you with the gorgeous outdoors you get to enjoy every day. Especially with your two cute companions!

Tracy said...

These are gorgeous cards, love your PB scene, hope that fox isn't getting up to no good. Your Calla Lillie's are really pretty , love the pink inking.
Your so lucky having all this nature around you, your pictures are beautiful. As for mojo mine comes and goes all the time, I went a long time without creating, then when I did everything kept going in the bin, but I thought if I gave up what did I have left, it's the only thing that keeps me sane.
Just hold in there Brenda and don't give up.
Hugs
Tracy x

Sally H said...

Two very beautiful cards, Brenda! Your scene is lovely and the calla lilies too. For a second there I was walking in the paddock with you, enjoying the sunshine and the blossom too. Sending big hugs xxx

HilaryJane said...

Don't you just love Spring when the sun is shining. At least these last few weeks have enables us to focus on the amazing growth and exuberance it brings. Love your photos xx