Yearning for Spring

Happy Groundhog's Day! I can never remember what means what with the groundhog. Is it shadow = Spring or shadow = more winter. Whatever it is, I hope it means Spring is coming.  I'm yearning for Spring. I really do enjoy winter but having a very energetic 2.5 year old and a very small house which isn't a very good combination. This makes me long for warmer weather. I need to tire my boy out and no amount of racing around the kitchen is good enough!

Enter Spring, budding blooms and a bird. I always notice when the birds start singing in the morning. That means Spring has arrived. I can look forward to more sunshine, green grass, and play dates outside.  Let's dream for a moment and take a step into Spring...

 

This card design is right out of the Occasions Mini Catalogue. The only thing I changed was the ribbon flower embellishment. This was a card for our Ribbon feature at Technique Night.  So many little things that add up to one stunning card. It's much prettier in person. This is the kind of card that takes quite some time to create but is so worth it in the end. I haven't given mine away yet. I need to duplicate it first :)

 The ribbon rose was made by folding the ribbon over like you would make a spring for a card. I found instructions on YouTube and watched the video several times before attempting. My tip: After you've folded it all up, hold it loosely while pulling. If you hold on too tight, you'll pull all your folds back through and end up at the beginning again.  If you'd like detailed instructions on how to make this, leave me a comment and I'll see if I can get a photo tutorial up for you.

 I used a sponge dauber and a re-inker to die the silver glimmer paper blue after I had punched it with the Lace Border Punch. The background was stamped with Baja Breeze Classic Ink onto Baja Breeze card stock using the En Francais background stamp. (Love it!) My favorite embossing folder has got to be Vintage Wallpaper and I think it was the perfect setting for this card.  The cute banner is from the Take It To Heart stamp set in the Occasions Mini catalogue. I fussy cut it (meaning that I cut it out by hand) and popped it up on Stampin' Dimensionals.  The Loving Thoughts stamp set would have been perfect for a sentiment but since I don't have that one yet, I used a greeting from Happiest Birthday Wishes and I was pleased with this as well.  

Overall, it makes me long for Spring. How about you? Do you have the winter blues and need some sunshine to lift you up a bit? Crafting with colour or images reminiscent of Spring are a good temporary mood lifter. I hope you can find some Spring today :)

Tamara

Stampin' Supplies: Products are found in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalouge unless otherwise noted.

Stamp Sets: Take It To Heart (Occasions Mini), Happiest Birthday Wishes

Card Stock: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Naturals Ivory, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink: Early Espresso Classic Ink, Baja Breeze Classic Ink, Old Olive Classic Ink, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Pretty In Pink Classic Ink, Melon Mambo Classic Ink, So Saffron Classic Ink

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Lace Trim Border Punch, Aqua Painters, Framelits (for Big Shot)

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals, Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon, needle and thread