Choosing a favorite flower for me is like asking me to choose my favorite child...impossible! I love all flowers...roses, daffodil's, peonies, tulips, hibiscus, lilies, hydrangeas, poppies, sunflowers, etc.! The list could go on and on! However, there is one flower that has been a favorite since I was a child (even though my hubby says it's not a flower but a weed because it's so prolific!!) and that is Lily of the Valley! I just LOVE the look of those deep green leaves and those tiny petite bell shaped white flowers, and of course the smell is divine! I even remember receiving for Christmas one year when I was young, a tiny little doll that came in a clear plastic perfume bottle (think size like Polly Pockets), and she smelled like Lilly of the Valley and was dressed all in white and green...she was a treasured doll for quite some time!
So I have 2 cards to share with you today because I couldn't decide which one I liked best. I used PTI's Forrest Floor: Spring stamp and die set on both:
I started by stamping a background on kraft cs using PTI's Text & Texture: Wood Slices and then die cutting it using The Greetery's Crimped Frame Dies, and then adhered that to a white card base. Next I arranged my two tone leaves and then added three sprays of the Lilly's on top, with the very top one having pop dots behind the tiny bell shaped flowers for dimension. I also added some jute twine wrapped around the little bouquet, and then added the sentiment frame and sentiment (sentiment is from SSS's Sketched Flowers). Here's a closer up so you can see that the little bell shaped flowers are white heat embossed...
A few green enamel dots on the sentiment frame finished off my first card.
My 2nd card uses almost all the same elements and layout, but has just a bit of a different background...
My background on this card uses a piece of PTI's Bitty Big DSP in Simply Chartreuse, and was die cut using PTI's Scallop Stackers: Medium Die, and then adhered to a white card base. Next I die cut a smaller white stitched rectangle and blended Salty Ocean Distress Ink over it before adding my leaves, flowers, and frame.
My sentiment on this card is from The Greetery's Sentiment Suite: Thinking Of You stamp set, and then I finished with a piece of jute twine and a few of Lucy's Little Things Jewels.
There are LOTS of BEAUTIFUL cards from the DT and in the gallery already to inspire you, so choose your FAVORITE FLOWER (if you can!) and play along right HERE.
Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!
These cards a so beautiful <3 love that wood slices background.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! Great cards.
ReplyDeleteWow, Marcia, you and I have the SAME story about favorite flowers! I love them all, and had some that I love the most for different reasons, but Lily of the Valley was my all time childhood favorite and brings back all those wonderful memories! I would love to see that little doll! Both of your cards are delightful and have a bit of a vintage feel to them - maybe I think that because of the memories. Sorry for the sporadic commenting this summer. We just got back from another camping trip. No complaints, just no time!
ReplyDeleteYou've chosen my own favorite, Marcia... my mom even wore a perfume called Muguet Des Bois! If I think about really hard, I can even smell it!
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have that stamp set - and leave it to you to make it magnificent!
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Mother Nature is wearing a big smile Marcia. You've done here proud with these beautiful earthy cards. I'm especially fond of the second one!
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous Marcia! I too, love Lily of the Valley. In fact I have them in my back garden and I just let them naturalize. They're so pretty whether they're in bloom or not. I loved reading about your sweet childhood memory of the little doll. Wouldn't you love to still have that doll now? I have this set and am now inspired to pull it out. Thanks for inspiring me.
ReplyDeleteLily of the valley make me think of my grandma and grandpa's house where they filled the bed on the side of the house. When they bloomed, they smelled so good and I love the green and white beauty. When we bought our house, there was a similar bed of lily of the valley in the side garden. I was thrilled to see it and enjoy those little beauties every spring. Your cards are very special! I love the embossing on the flowers and each card is different but equally beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJust love your lilies of the valley, Marcia! So pretty clustered like they actually grown (I have a swath of them along my garage). Especially love the design on card two with the blue shading!!
ReplyDeleteTwo gorgeous Lily of the Valley card designs, Marcia. TFS your cards and sweet story. Flowers do seem to bring us all such happy memories. I honestly can say that I can not name one favorite, but I do love Lily of the Valley plants and flowers too. TFS Hugs..Nancy
ReplyDeleteSo lovely, Marcia ... one warm and gentle with the kraft background, the other fresh and crisp on the white ... both gorgeous! What a sweet background story too! Here in France, Lily of the Valley (muguet) is celebrated on May Day ... traditionally, everyone has it in their homes at that time ... to herald the springtime and bring good luck! You've captured it beautifully here ... I can almost smell that wonderful aroma! Hugs, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, Marcia ~ both of your cards a simply beautiful! Love Lily of the Valley and 'need' that stamp/die set in my flower collection. Your card designs truly inspire me! {{{HUGS}}}
ReplyDeleteI always thought Lillie’s of the Valley are flowers and they are beautiful. Both cards are wonderful and I can see why you had a hard time choosing. x
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness these are a pure delighT1 I love lily of the valley and I love your cards!
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely Marcia !I love your beautiful lily of the valley bouquet and also love them irl. too (esp. that amazing smell). Thanks for sharing with us over at 'The Flower Challenge' Viv DT xx
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