Fairy Breath of Summer~

Happy first day of summer!

Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. 

~Henry James

Are you doing anything today to celebrate the arrival of summer? 

  

 Each fairy breath of summer, as it blows with loveliness, inspires the blushing rose.  

~Author Unknown

 June 21 marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and simultaneously heralds the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere.

Being kids at heart, we picked up a plastic 'kiddie' pool at the discount store to sit and splash in as the days heat up. Perhaps we will break it in this afternoon! Speaking of warmer days and sunshine, I made a summery card a few days ago. There seem to be plenty of birthdays in June, July and August so I am stocking up while having fun~

 I used: 

        

• Prima flowers
• Liquitex Modeling Paste for clocks (center)
• Liquid Pearls
• Sizzix weathered clock die cut
• Lindys Stamp Gang Starburst
• My Minds Eye The Sweetest Thing paper
• TCW 6x6" mini time travel stencil (used w/ modeling paste)
• K & Company sticker

 I used Lindys Stamp Gang to color the center flower golden and put a dot of Liquid Pearl in the two smaller teal flowers.

  You can see how this easel-style card stands up when displayed. For this Cherish The Journey greeting card I used half pearls as a the card rest. Lifting the card front over the pearls allows one to fold it flat. There is space inside to write a sentiment.

 Then followed that beautiful season...Summer
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The last few evenings we've been playing Yahtzee while listening to 70's c.d.'s - so much fun! It's official: summer is here!

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I Am My Mother's Garden~

As a Design Team member I made this Gothic Arch for the Bella Creations Tres Chic Challenge. When I saw the Mariposa papers I was to work with I knew I wanted to include some deep red mulberry paper and parchment to the mix.

I gathered up several edge punches, sheer ribbon, thin stiff cardboard, then suddenly got the idea to include a white moire frame to the front! I found the Moire frame in the bridal section of Michaels.

 Here are the steps to making this Gothic Arch~

*cut a house shaped piece of firm cardboard to the size you like (mine was approx 7"x 8")

* tear paper into strips and punch one edge, if desired

*starting at the top, glue paper to Arch overlapping each new strip. Ink edges.

*I used Velcro to attatch the white moire frame to the front. This allows me to remove the frame to place a photo inside, then re-attatch without disturbing the floral spray!

*I added a ceramic floral spray and single red Prima paper flowers. Add Prima crystals.

*I added the last 4 lines of a poem to the front. The entire poem is on the back.

*I added an additional piece of cardboard to the back for strength and cut an easel stand at an angle

This was so fun to make!! You could make several, decorate the backs, and bind them together into an album. Here is the poem I printed on the back~

My Mother's garden

My Mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things that gave my life it's start.
She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem...
And when the winds and rain came, she protected me enough--
But not too much because she knew I'd need to stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong--
Markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.
I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me. ~~~Anonymous