Blooming Bucket of Tulips

 

Well, hello again!  Vacation is over and I’m back at work, but I do have a few cards to share.  During my time at home I spent the better part of three days (maybe four?) sorting, purging, reorganizing, and cleaning my stamp room.  If you knew how meticulously I labored over this task you would probably suggest I have my head examined.  However, I feel good about my room, it’s a happier place, and I’m a happier stamper spending time there.

 

I made notes to myself regarding items I wanted to be sure and remember to use.  You know how it is when you’re cleaning your stamping space – you come across things you’d perhaps forgotten, or maybe it’s just that certain things look brand new in their reorganized state.  It’s a little of both for me.  I referred to my notes when I made the card I’m sharing today.

 

 

• Use the tulips from Flourishes’ April Showers stamp set.  I’ve used this set many times, but never the pretty bucket of tulips.  I’m not sure if this set is retired, but I still love it.
• Use the last scrap of this leafy My Mind’s Eye designer paper.
• Use pink.  When sorting and reorganizing I noticed my paper collection is heavily weighted toward pinks and blues.
• Use my white textured paper.  I have a file full of this paper with various textures and embossed patterns.  I used three different patterns here.
• Dip into one of my three jars of ribbon scraps.  I find myself using less ribbon these days, even though I keep buying it (can’t resist), and I rarely pull anything from the scrap jars.  I have to wonder why I keep the scraps if I’m not going to use them.
• Keep it mailable with no extra postage.  I don’t mind extra postage, really, but now and then I like to see how pretty and interesting a card can be without it.  There is some dimension, but it feels smooth in the envelope, and it’s lightweight.

 

 

I considered making this a thank you card, but decided instead to turn it into a Valentine for a friend.  Don’t friends make your heart bloom?  The inside sentiment is from another Flourishes’ set, Tokens of Affection.

 

 

I used more ribbon inside the card and still have about 9” of this remnant left.  I guess I don’t have to use it all at once, but I made a good effort.

 

The tulips, by the way, are watercolored with Stampin’ Up! markers.

 

Okay, that’s it for today.  More stamping, less talk next time.  Just one more thing. . . you all make my heart bloom and I appreciate you more than you can know.  We’ve spent a lot of time here together, haven’t we?  I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I hope we’ll be friends for a long time yet to come.  Have a happy day!

 

Stamps:  April Showers, Tokens of Affection  Paper:  Melon Mambo textured, white textured, My Mind’s Eye designer paper, 140 lb hot press watercolor  Ink:  Palette Noir, Stampin’ Up! markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, Candy Dots (look like brads, but are self-adhesive), Spellbinders oval dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Comments

[Joan B]

beautiful job

[Glenda]

Your card makes me think of sunshine and warm breezes that come along with Spring. We are a cold and snowy 26 degrees this morning with temps dropping throughout the day. Brrrr.... Love your coloring on this card and did I say I love tulips? Well I do!

[bonnie weiss]

Tulips and pink and ribbon ... what could be better?! Beautiful way to start off the new year.

[Maureen Chandler]

This card is just so pretty - I love it. I understand what you mean about cleaning and sorting in your craft room. I have stuff stashed and have forgotten about it and it is good to look through things and use them! You are right, what are we saving bits and scraps for if we never use them?? I wonder how people store card stock? I have it in a cabinet so that it isn't in the light but it is hard to get to the bottom of the stack without taking a whole pile out!! Would love suggestions! Happy New Year!

[Diane H]

I have this Flourishes set, however I don't think I have ever seen it used so beautifully...gorgeous use of all your products on hand!! That is my only New Years resolution to use up some things I have (I think I have made the same one every year...oh well, at least I am trying!!) and to use new things that have sat around for a very long time!!
It is 11 below this morning in Michigan, blowing snow, most places are closed, roads are closed, trains are shut down and even the University of Notre Dame is shut down...I wish for Spring!!

[Susie]

This card is simply gorgeous, Leslie. I love your floral cards. And yes, I absolutely agree with you about having a more organized stamp room. And to make your efforts feel even better, I want you to know I have taken away many tips from you. I remember way back thinking to myself, "how in the world does she do it?!" I asked how you were able to create so many beautiful cards so quickly and your response was that you colored on your lunch and break times thereby having images in the reserve (good idea). You also inspired me to use up all the dp I have (and I have goo gobs). I've been slowly cutting 12x12 sheets into 6x6 sheets and doing the same to my 12x12 solid card stock. One day during Christmas break I made different size card bases from the solid stock and put them in a clear bag (one less step when I'm ready to create a card). Now mind you they were different 4.24x5.5 orientations not fancy folds. I also took an afternoon/evening and cut different die cuts (frames, embellishments etc). The past several days it has really come in handy. I continue to try and streamline my process as well as my containment. I know I need to part with some of the earlier stamp sets but each time I get to that point - well... it's hard but necessary I know.

I love the card today. I like the idea of a leaner but still aesthetically pleasing card. Does this mean strictly CAS -- hmm, I don't think so. I think you've proven that with this card. While still keeping beautiful white space you've added a lot of interest, depth, texture, and color with little embellishment.The watercoloring is lovely and gives such a soft feminine feel to the card. And of course, who illustrates florals better than Flourishes? Excellent card, Leslie, and a great post to start off the New Year! Hugs, Susie ~

[Heather Jensen]

This is absolutely stunning, Leslie. That is one of my favorite sets. I love the ribbon down the side and the Tulips out of the bucket look so pretty. :)

[Conniecrafter]

Oh how I love this, you kept it mailable but added so many great things, the flowers are just lovely and like how you arranged the images, love the different textured papers and stitching. I so need to get in my room and clean it, making a list as you go of things you want to use is a great idea!!

[bensarmom]

Leslie, this is just stunning! I love you layout here and of course your superb coloring and design of your card. You are a master.

[Donna Ellis]

Hi, Leslie! How unexpected - yet not unexpectedly GORGEOUS - it's a wonderful card, and different from what one usually sees. Beautifully sentimented for Valentine's day, too. hugs, de

[Maggie S]

This is just gorgeous. I just love the tulips and your layout with the opening in the center and then heart die over it. So beautiful.

[Sherri Dean]

I was so happy to see you had posted again & couldn't wait to see what little treasure awaited! WOW! This is one of my favorites. I say that a lot about your cards, I know. But this is so fresh, and so "different" it really sings! I love the heart off center and your tulips are gorgeous. I have been putting off cleaning my stamp room because of the horrendous amount of stuff I have collected & know I need to weed out. You have given me incentive to start today! Maybe that's exactly what I need to get my mojo rejuvenated again!

[Tammy Hair]

Now that you are done reorganizing, feel free to stop by my house and do mine! I don't even know where to start! Love your gorgeous card. The image is gorgeous and the way you have it framed with the heart is spectacular!

[Pauline]

When I saw your name in my Feedly this morning I could hardly wait to go look, but with the storm we had last night it took 3 of us 1.20 hrs to shovel the driveway just to get out to get to work. So I had to wait until I got home tonight. OM Goodness, this is absolutely gorgeous Leslie. Love all the white space and those tulips are just wonderfully coloured. It makes me want Spring now! But with the windchill sitting at -31F it won't be any time soon! Love the layout and all the finishing touches you do so well, especially the way you tucked that heart in behind the tulips! I did a bit of cleaning up myself over the holidays, and I was amazed to find stuff that I either forgot about or didn't even realize I had it - that's when you know you have too much! Leslie, thanks again for sharing, you are such an inspiration to all of us!
Hugs,

[Tricia]

Oh, this is gorgeous! That is one of my very favorite Flourishes stamps. Such a pretty card!

[CherylQuilts]

Oh, Leslie, what a beautiful card! I love these tulips and can hardly believe you've used the SU markers…wow! Beautiful effect using them! I so appreciated your comments about cleaning our stamping rooms. It makes such a difference for me, and I am much more productive when it's cleaner and less cluttered. I am in the process of weeding myself and am eager to share my "weeds" with others…sounds bad, but I know I can bless others with things that I no longer need or use anymore. And I know there are so many people who would enjoy some of the paper, ribbon, stamps, etc., that just sit there and say, "hey, what about me?" LOL! Thanks for sharing your beautiful work and for sharing your thoughts about stamping happier! I love them! Hugs, Cheryl

[Sherylee]

I really like the idea of a list to use up! And your beautiful words to go with this beautiful card.

[Elaine Lisle]

This card is beautiful!

The design is layered and your eye flows across the card. The ribbon is perfect using the colors of lime, fuschia and white to complement your tulips!

One of my favorite flowers!

[Francie in Montreal]

Wow! You've done it again. Your card could charm the birds out of the trees. It is so very pretty and all my favourite colours. Thank you for having created it and bringing a great big smile to my face on this arctic-like Quebec day.

Ummm, I don't have much to contribute to the tidying up of our craft areas topic. It's a concept I'm still grappling with. I do save bits of card stock and designer paper and file them by dominant colour in an accordion file. Works for me. I often fish in there when I need just a tidbit - like when I'm making a flower, for instance. Have a grrrreat day!

[Colleen Dietrich]

Wow, your watercolored tulips are SO pretty, Leslie! Love the clean feel of this card, and yet it has plenty of interest to it.

Hey, I totally get the organization thing. It gives me as much pleasure as making a card. Truly! The deeper I can organize, the better. I love to be methodical about it: gather all my paper pads together, by size. Then sort them by brand. Then sort them by "feel"...you know, vintage, fun/spunky, etc. Oh! So I can imagine how good it felt for you to go through your things, and then you see it all with new eyes.