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Thursday 2 April 2020

Queen of spring blossom

Hello crafting friends!

As we continue to live in some kind of science fiction horror story, I hope you are as comforted by our crafting community as I am. Come and escape for a while!

I was so proud to be asked to join the inspirational team at CAS Watercolour as Guest Designer this month! Let's have a look at the challenge:


It couldn't be a more uplifting theme could it?! Here's what I came up with:


On my solitary walks with Eva pup, the magnolias have caught my eye - they have been laden with blooms this year and really earned their reputation as queen of spring blossom! For my card, I used the branch and leaf from Concorde and 9th's Beautiful Branches and the flowers from MFT's Floral Focus - and I doubt whether you'll find a tree like it in real life! Call it artistic licence!


The card started with a fade-out wash of blue ink on dampened watercolour paper. I stamped the branch and leaves over the top before it had dried to get a 'painted' look.


The flowers were stamped and watercoloured in Stampin' Up's Petal Pink with Calypso Coral details, then fussy cut and arranged on the background.


The panel was cut out with a Heffy Doodles stitched rectangle die and a lovely blocky sentiment from Uniko added for contrast with those delicate blooms.


So now it's over to you!  Creating something gorgeous with spring flowers should cheer you up! Do go to the CAS Watercolour challenge page to see what the amazing team has created to inspire you and you can link up your creation there when you're ready :)

EDITED TO ADD SOME AWARDS
So pleased this card made the Top 3 at The Sisterhood of Crafters :)


And delighted to see that it was chosen as a Favourite at Happy Little Stampers Watercolour!



CHALLENGES
I'm linking this card up with The Sisterhood of Crafters where Spring is the theme. Also Happy Little Stampers Watercolour Challenge, where Anything Goes (there's an optional twist of Stars, which sounds fun, so I may be making another card for this!) I'm also linking up with a new-to-me challenge {PIN}spirational Challenges where there's a wonderful graphic to inspire us - I was inspired by the spring.



AND IN OTHER NEWS
In an effort to keep cheerful during lockdown, I have enlisted the help of Bill Bryson. I am a big fan of his books, such as The Lost Continent, Notes From a Small Island and Notes From a Big Country, and have just started reading The Road to Little Dribbling. It has not disappointed. I'd only got to page 4 when my OH popped his head round the door to ask if I was okay as he could hear me screaming in agony. "Sorry dear?" I said. "Oh yes thanks, I'm fine. Just reading a book."

Hope you are finding plenty of ways to stay sane and cheerful while also keeping safe and well. Do share your tips!

Hugs,

31 comments:

  1. What a beautiful card. I just love the different varieties of Magnolia in blossom currently - from white, to blush pink to magenta . . . they are AMAZING.

    Keeping sane by making cards and ATCs; learning a slightly different way to draw and doodle; walking once a day; helping neighbours and reading. Bit of spring cleaning added to the mix, because, as you know . . . I LOVE cleaning! Really I do! LOL!

    Lobe xxx

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    1. The magnolias are particularly full on this year aren't they? Must have been all that rain.
      You are a HIVE of activity Sarn. All great ways to keep sane :)
      xxx

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  2. This is truly beautiful Vicky, gorgeous colour combo and painting. I agree about the magnolias this year, we have a neighbour who has the most magnificent tree in flower just covered and gorgeous.
    Keep safe and well
    Faith x

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    1. They've just taken my breath away this spring!
      You keep safe and well too x

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  3. What lovely watercoloring on this Vicky! Love the soft colors of the background and your beautiful magnolias! Thanks so much for being our Guest DT this month! xx

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    1. Thanks Julia and it is my honour to be guesting with you all this month! x

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  4. What a beautiful Spring watercolor, Vicky! Your shading is spot on and the branches and budding leaves look a perfect fit to me! Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer this month!

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    1. Thanks Bonnie - I'll make up a complicated latin name for it and no-one will ever know! Thanks for having me along this month!

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  5. What a beautiful card for the CAS Watercolour challenge I'm hosting! I love those gorgeous magnolia blossoms - you shaded them so well and the fussy cutting adds great dimension. Your watercoloured background is perfect. Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer!

    p.s. I love Bill Bryson too.

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    1. A brilliant choice of theme Susan, thank you, and a real pleasure to be guesting with you all this month :)
      Who doesn't love BB?!

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  6. wow Vicky your Magnolia are beautiful, they are just starting to come out here (BC, Canada)

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    1. It's amazing how they grow all over the world! Enjoy them - they really are the most beautiful trees.

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  7. Your magnolia blooms are so beautiful and delicate looking Vicky! Gorgeous with the soft blue background. Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer this month at CAS Watercolour!!

    That book sounds like it is really, really good! :) Hope you didn't scare your hubby too much! :)

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    1. I think that's why I love magnolia - they look so delicate but are as tough as old boots really! Thanks so much for having me along as your guest at CAS Watercolour this month - really thrilled to be asked. Any book that makes me laugh like a drain at this time is a brilliant book in my view!

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  8. A gorgeous card Vicky, just love you pretty watercoloured magnolias and thanks so much for being guest designer this month at CAS Watercolour, Robyn

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    1. Thanks Robyn. I'm so proud to be guesting with you all this month!

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  9. BEAUTIFUL Magnolia blossoms Vicky!! Your water coloring and shading on them is perfect and I love your soft background wash too...really sets those blossoms off beautifully! Thanks so much for being our GD this month...we're enjoying you tagging along with us!! :0)

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    1. Thanks Marcia - and for the warm welcome too!

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  10. This is gorgeous, Vicky! After a week of sorting and die cutting card offcuts ready for happy mail use, I've now cleaned my work area. Miraculously, I can see the floor and the desk now! xoxo

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    1. Yay! Always a bonus to be able to see the desk and floor! xx

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  11. Fabulous magnolia flowers Vicky, so dimensional and love the watercolour look to the background, branches and leaves. Congratulations on being the GD this time. x

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  12. Spectacular and elegant, Vicky! I love magnolia blossoms and this is image is gorgeous! Thanks for joining the Sisterhood of Crafters, "Spring" Challenge.

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    1. Thanks for the challenge Vicki - these craft challenges are keeping me going in these grim times.

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  13. Congratulations on guest designing at CAS Watercolour Challenge this month, Vicky! What a beautiful and elegant magnolia card! Fantastic combination of the stamp sets! Your light wash and coloring are simply stunning!
    Hideko xx

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  14. Beautiful! Thanks so much for participating in the PINspirational Challenge this time and good luck :)

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  15. We are lucky to have you guesting Vicky! I love your beautiful magnolia and the gorgeous soft spring colours:)

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  16. What a beautiful CAS card! I love the way you watercolored the flowers - so soft and lovely! Stay safe

    Thank you for sharing your work in our Happy Little Stampers watercolor challenge & we hope you will join us again in the next HLS Challenge!.
    Anna – Design Team member at Happy Little Stampers

    Visit my blog - Crafty Anna Studio.
    You can also find me on Instagram - CraftyAnna Studio
    Thank you!

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  17. Such a beautiful card, the colours are wonderfully fresh.

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  18. so beautiful..love the delicate look the flowers have
    xx Karen

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  19. Such a beautiful card, Vicky! Your wonderful delicate flowers and soft background makes it truly special! Glad to hear you're keeping busy - keeping having fun! Thanks so much for joining us at HLS Watercolour Challenge! Stay safe! :)

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I'd love to know what you think. Do leave me a comment - it always makes my day! Vicky x


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