I used a mask for the sun made out of Eclipse tape, used a scalloped nestie shape for making the cloud effect and torn paper for the landscape. I used a mixture of different dye inks - Ecogreen Paris Trunk colours, some Distress Inks and Adirondack, all applied with Cut n' Dry foam. I stamped in black archival and Imperial Purple Versafine inks. I added ink shading to the edge of the card.
I used a motley selection of stamps! The outer maple leaf, small butterflies and toadstools are Lavinia, the Fairy is Chcolate Baroque, the grasses are Inkylicious and the trees and bird are Artemio. The words from The Secret Garden are a Jo Capper Sandon stamp by Stampotique. I finished off the wings with a little glamour dust glitter. Using this stamp inspired me to order a gorgeous illustrated version of the book as the present to go with the card.
This weather has been amazing and everything is coming on really quickly in our vegetable and fruit garden. This is some of our apple blossom.
This is exciting as this is quite a young tree, planted in memory of a dear friend. It looks like this could be the first year we get fruit. The pink blossom is just beautiful.
The variety is Ashmead's Kernel, a really old variety apparently raised in the seventeenth century by Dr Ashmead of Gloucester. We chose this apple because it was my favourite at an apple tasting at the RHS gardens at Wisley in Surrey. The fruit is described as having an intense flavour reminiscent of fruit drops and firm flesh. I thought it was delicious. We have planted a number of fruit trees in memory of lost friends, we think it is a lovely way to remember special people.
Hope you are enjoying your own gardens this lovely spring.
Elaine
Wow, Wow, Wow! This is just Awesome! I love it! The scalloped nestie clouds are inspired too. The Secret Garden was one of my favourite books when I was about ten. Our Apple blossom is at it's best at the moment. It is a Bramley and produces some huge fruit - we lost two panes on the greenhouse to large (ready sliced! ) fruit last year!
ReplyDeleteYour card is stunning Elaine. You've become extremely good at this type of scene and the colours you have here look so dreamy. Beautiful shading and I love your mixture of stamps. especially the swallow and the teeny butterflies.
ReplyDeleteYou've told me about your fruit trees before and I think it's such a lovely idea. The blossom is really pretty.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
Beautiful card and what a lovely idea to give the book as a gift. Thanks for sharing the apple blossom pictures too.
ReplyDeleteWow an exquisite card. Love your colours you have used and the clouds are lovely, what a great idea. You are just brillant at these sort of cards. Love it. Hugs ChrisB
ReplyDeleteYour card is fabulous Elaine. Really a Fairytail and beautiful colours. Love it.
ReplyDeleteAlso your blossom, a nature wonder.
Hugs
Marja
What a beauty, we have the same taste in stamping.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore this card, Elaine you have excelled yourself again! x
ReplyDeleteA lovely card Elaine, with a great mixture of stamps. You've chosen a very pretty colour scheme, and I'm sure the recipient will love it.
ReplyDeleteOur garden is full of blossom of all sorts too, it's a lovely time of year, isn't it? Nature is a wonderful thing, and I just love looking at the different displays on the trees. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. Judith xx
your ink and stamp work is just stunning - wish I could do this style.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card. I had forgotten the book 'The Secret Garden' My friend and I loved it as kids. It prompted us to take flowers from our gardens and plant our own secret one near some old buildings.
ReplyDeleteLovely way to remember a friend. My work mates gave me a rose bush in memory of my Dad which I love to see flowering.