Spring Is In The Air

Before I go any further I thought I should say I had help and distractions while in the craft room today...Gizmo had to be brought in as there is a loose cat hanging around and both Gizmo & Polly would be vulnerable so put Polly on her indoor perch and Gizmo followed me to the craft room.

Today I thought I would share what was originally something for swap on one of the groups I belong to – then when I popped over to the CD SUNDAY BLOG I saw the theme and thought well done that girl – this fits that theme too!!!

I have used the paper and decoupage sheet from Debbi Moore fantastic new Garden Bookazine

All I will say is I cant wait now for the cds to arrive – I just adore her Shabby Chic cds anyway

I would never have thought I would hear myself say I loved something to do with gardening – but I do!!!

So for this piece of my artwork – I had to do something on a piece of heavyweight card that measured 6x6 – it didn't matter what materials I used – or how I decorated the card as long as it stayed at 6x6.

I had to make 3 and really enjoyed making them – I used some cheap mini easels to stand them on – they were from The Range and around 45p each I believe.

Onto the project then,..

So materials for this card I used ….

Heat mat to work on and protect your surface – I always use it...

heavyweight card 6x6

sheet of birdcage with flowers backing paper

The garden shed decoupage sheet

Amber coloured gems

2 small black AB pointed gems

Assorted flowersoft – both ultra fine and normal

Ranger black enamel

Glossy accents

Sticky pads

Eazi Score Board & tool

Tonic 8” guillotine

Scissors

Tweezers

Shaping tool from www.dimensionstamps.com

Foam shaping mat – stamping mat or even a mouse mat

To make the card …

I trimmed the card to 6x6 exactly and rounded the corners

After printing the beautiful backing paper in cream and lemon I decided I wanted to use the left side so I got the bird box and flowers around the top and down the left hand side – had I used the right hand side of the paper the bird house and flowers would have been down the right and along the bottom...somehow the birdhouse didn't look right at the bottom.

So the paper was stuck to the card and cut around.

I printed the decoupage sheet – I decided to use the octagonal shaped with the garden shed and it fitted perfectly in the space allocated for it.

Once the decoupage was added with small double sided sticky pads it ws down to the decorating.

I started by adding the lovely amber coloured gems to the centre of all the surrounding flowers. They were stuck using Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue.

I stuck a small black pointed AB gem on the bird box where the perch would normally be and decided to add the same as the shed door handle – not sure I made the right decision as it looks a little too big but if I try remove it now I know the paper will end up damaged so its there to stay!

On to the flower soft – I started off with the Ultra fine in a green colour for the trees and shrubbery – then a spring mix for the flowers in pots either side of the door and the 2 hanging baskets. The normal flowersoft in another shade of green was used against the 1^st colour and finally I added some pale lemon to the wheelbarrow of shrubs.

To finish off I used glossy accents on the windows and door panes, flower pot and hanging baskets and then Ranger black enamel was added to the opening of the bird box.

I have the page on an easel next to me and its a lovely design..as I said this is to be sent away as part of a 6x6 swap but how lovely would this be put onto an 8x8 card for any gardener – male or female it would work for both!

Thanks for dropping by

See you again tomorrow friends!

x