The Beauty of the Garden

Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful #22 , Timeless Tuesday #171, and Mojo Monday #243 Challenges

Close up (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Hi Friends,

It's been several weeks since I've posted so it's time to get back in the saddle again.   I had a wonderful trip to Washington, D.C. and Virginia.   And while I was back east for our daughter-in-laws baby shower, which by the way was lovely, I had a chance to visit the gardens at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia.    The garden reminded me of my garden when I lived there and I loved trying to remember all the names of the plants, trees, and shrubs.    While I can't have these types of flowers in Arizona I can create them on paper!   Watercolor flower gardens - dreamy.

 I've spent a few days in my studio just playing with watercolor techniques.   Today's offering is for Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful and their Timeless Tuesday Challenge.   I've also used the Mojo Sketch Challenge for my design.

I  know many of you already create with watercolor using different techniques such as mineral spirits, watercolor pens, etc.    This technique uses different stamps to create your own unique scenes (loads of fun).    Once you've created your scene it's time to apply the watercolor.    I used 4 stamps with this design; the flowers, pot, grass, and the sentiment; all from Flourishes In the Garden and Botanical Bookplate Vol. 2 sets.    I keep pieces of acetate (from stamp sets purchased) which work well as a watercolor pallet and are a good source for re-purposing.

Rub some color from your pen onto the acetate then dip your brush into a little water and pinch off the excess before dipping back into your color.    It takes a little practice to find that combination of water and color.    I have used watercolor pencils with both water brushes and mineral spirits but, in my humble opinion, I find this technique closer to actual free form watercolor - maybe because I'm creating my own unique scene even though it's done with stamps rather than free form.    I stamped this scene with soft grey ink (London Fog) from Memento so the lines wouldn't show as much.    The watercolor pens are Marvy Le Plume II  dual tip brush/fine point watercolor.    I'm sure there are others on the market you could use as well.   After applying the watercolor you can use the fine point for detail if needed.

I hope you'll come back and join me again for some more watercolor offerings.    This was a relaxing way to get back in the crafting studio.   For those who would like to see all the resource materials used, please visit my gallery on Splitcoaststampers.

Teaser:  More zany adventures with the ladies  Girls Just Wanna Have Fun   They'll be back in June and definitely up for some fun!

Until next time my friends,
Have a blessed day.  See you soon!

Dear Buddy

Dear Buddy,
As I sit at my desk and pen this letter to you I am filled with hope, love and dreams fulfilled.   You are an answer to prayer.   You are loved with an everlasting love, sanctified and created for a purpose.   I pray that you have a heart like David, and a love for God's people like Samuel.   May you be kind and gentle in spirit; encouraging those around you with a voice that sings with laughter.  And as you grow older, strong arms that embrace others with comfort and protection.   We wait with happy anticipation of your arrival - a special delivery from heaven above and a miracle of God.

We are forever thankful.
Love,
Grandma

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Today's offering is the first of many letter's I hope to write to our precious grandson.   Leaving him a piece of me in written and creative form.   The card of course is for him, but is also entered into the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge and the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge.

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Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; 

and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, 

and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations.

                                                          Jeremiah 1:5  King James Version 2000

 Blessings to each of you today.  May your heart be encouraged, uplifted, and filled with hope.

It's the Little Things That Matter Most

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

SCS Clean and Simple 168 -  Click on Photo to Enlarge

Leaves created by reverse masking  - Inside Sentiment - Thank you

What matters most to you today?   A helpful hand, a listening ear, a hug when needed most.    Gestures of kindness and caring for another persons soul.   We all have the capacity to grow compassion.   It starts with the little things.   In our homes, our neighborhood, our circle of influence.    A mighty oak starts with one acorn.    Let us be that seed of compassion and understanding today.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, 

forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

                                                                                                    Ephesians 4:32  New International Version