Sunday, March 8, 2015

Shabby Girly Lotus Blossom and the View from Today's Studio


Today's feminine project was made using the Retrosketches #156 sketch and will be entered at The Shabby Tea Room, for "Pop of Pink," TSTR247.  The color palette was inspired by the gorgeous gown seen here, at the Oscars:

Photo: oscar.go.com

The good people at Runway Inspired Challenge (RIC#79) invited us to use a variety of Oscars looks as our inspiration.  I loved the softness and the sparkle in this gown, so I used Blush Blossom and gold sequins from my Gold Sequin Trim to echo that.


I used the Lotus Blossom stamp (a freebie available with Sale-a-Bration) and inked it in Blush Blossom over Pink Pirouette. Soft and subtle!

To add a bit of texture, I used the soft Gold Satin Ribbon as well as some Pearl Basic Jewels.  Finally, I added scrunched strips of Pink Pirouette card stock that I'd cut using my Stampin' Trimmer. These little touches make it eligible for the Friday Mashup Challenge #200 (FM200), in which we're to pick two favorite Challenges from before (to celebrate the big 2-0-0!). I chose #7 (Feminine) and #14 (Flowers).

The Ornate Tag Topper Punch and White Baker's Twine add touches of class to the tag.


This sweet sentiment comes from the And Many More stamp set and was inked in Perfect Plum.  I also used it to sponge the edges of the punched piece (using the Modern Label Punch). A pearl ties it to the rest of the project. 

And here is the view from my Studio today:



What they say about Seattle is true.  It rains here.  A.  Lot.  Thing is, when the sun comes out, it's hard not to drop everything and head out to enjoy it.  

We've had *unseasonably* lovely weather for the last few weeks.  I have daffodils and hyacinth peeking up and blooming in the yard. My lilacs, blueberries and hydrangea are budding and some leaves are even beginning to unfurl. It's magic.  

For a mom whose kids play baseball and softball, this weather is sublime.  The kids have had so much fun practicing in this weather (let's hope we have some games on days like this).

As you can see, the sky is robin's egg blue right now, all over, with NO clouds in sight.  A PNW rarity, to be sure!


This is our deck, which we've waited forever to build.  It took all summer to be completed and I've been gazing longingly out the windows at it since October, but I've finally been able to enjoy some morning coffee and blogging out here.    

On the right side of this picture is our grill, where I've temporarily set the hummingbird feeder.  Anna's Hummingbirds (we love that name) are native, year-round residents here and I've got one who's been visiting the entire time I've been out here working.  

I hope Mother Nature lets up on you snowbound folks and gives you some respite from the cold and that the thaw is gentle and uneventful. We'll be back in the rain and gray soon, I'm sure, so I'm going to enjoy this sun and clear weather while I can!

Stop by tomorrow for my latest Mojo Monday entry (a masculine birthday card)...



9 comments:

KT Fit Kitty said...

A very pretty card! The pink and gold together look fabulous! Pink is my favourite colour! You have a lovely view from your studio! We still have a lot of snow on the ground here in Nova Scotia, Canada, so I can't wait for our spring bulbs - the hyachinth is my favourite! I'm new to the Friday Mashup but I joined in the celebration too!

Unknown said...

I love the elegance of your card!!! i"m so jealous of your weather!!! We have had nothing but cold out here on the East Coast! I too love hummingbirds!!!
Great job mashing up the challenges for The Friday Mashup! thanks so much for joining in the celebration and sharing all of your 'spring' with us!
~tracey

Lin said...

The gold touches add such a rich elegance to your card, Sara! Thanks for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

I Card Everyone said...

Oh what beauty I'm seeing here! Your card is fabulous, but the weather? Ack! I adore hummingbirds and in May our Ruby Throats will return... I'd love to see an Anna's some day! Enjoy!
=] Michele

Kim P said...

Very soft and pretty card! Thanks for participating in the Friday Mashup 200th celebration!

D- said...

This definitely feminine and pretty. LoVe it. Thanks for sharing.
I spotted you over at Friday Mash Up.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsByDragonfly {blogspot}

Diane said...

Beautifully unique card...so creative!! Thank you for joining us at "The Shabby Tea Room" for our "Pop of Pink" challenge!
Diane TSTR DT

Karolyn at Paper Therapy said...

Your card is lovely - all of the texture and your attention to detail really works!! I live in the Seattle area in the summer, so I know what you're talking about! So glad you're enjoying a lovely spring in WA - there's really nothing better than blooming lilacs and hyacinth. Thanks so much for playing with us at the Runway Inspired Challenge - we're so glad you did!

Mary-Anne V said...

Great interpretation of the picture...love that gold.