Sunday 5 May 2019

Back to winter!

Well, after all the water which came down in March, April turned out to be a great month! Dry, warm and sunny for the most part. Anyone would have thought it was summer already! It was obviously playing tricks on us, though, as right now it's so cold it feels as though we're back to winter, at least up here in the north. And even further north it's been snowing, apparently! Minus temperatures are forecast for us tonight. I think I put the thermal undies away too soon! How all that fits with global warming, I've no idea, so I'll just move swiftly on to this month's Stamping Sensations Challenge, where our theme for May is

* * * * * IN AN ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN * * * * *

We'd like your projects to show what you might find in a typical English country garden, so you could include, for instance, flowers, trees, birds, insects, wild animals, etc., or perhaps garden furniture, shed, greenhouse or even washing on a line! Whatever you choose, your main image must be stamped and relevant to the theme, otherwise your project will not be eligible. See here for our full challenge rules. You will not want to miss out on the chance to win this month's fab prize of these 2 beautiful A5 stamp sets, kindly donated by our lovely sponsors Chocolate Baroque.

English Cottages Rubber stamp sheet - A5Honey Bee Unmmounted Stamp Sheet - A5

I have used Chocolate Baroque stamps on my card.

I created the background with my Gelli Plate, covering it with Distress inks and then lifting off some of the colour with stamps from the Chocolate Baroque Spring Foliage set before taking the print.

The central image is from the Home Sweet Home set and the robin is cut from the main image in the Robin the Spruce set. I coloured the butterflies (Just Butterflies set) to look like Orange Tips, which have been visiting my garden during the past few weeks. The flowers on the grass at the front are from "The Spinney" Design A Tree set.

The main image is coloured with Polychromos pencils and cut out with a Spellbinders die. I used Arteza brush pens for the robin and butterflies.


There is some truly delightful inspiration from my teamies over on the Challenge Blog, so please do go and check it out. I am so looking forward to seeing your entries for this theme.

Mine is a Scottish Country Garden but it has plenty in common with an English one! I'll leave you with a few recent photos.

Orange Tip butterfly. Hard to photograph as they are hardly ever still!

Lesser Redpoll

Auricula

Ivy Leaved Toadflax, growing in the garden walls. In our garden, the wildflowers sit happily alongside the cultivated ones. We do not have weeds!

Bank Vole. We have a family of them living in the undergrowth behind the bird feeders. The baby ones are so cute!

Yellowhammer. Due to recent population decline they are now classed as an endangered species. Not apparently so in our garden! Last year we counted 20 here on one occasion. Not so many yet this year, but still several pairs visiting regularly.

Bluebells. This seems to be a really good year for them as there are lots about, both wild and cultivated. 

Sycamore. The warm April weather brought most of the trees bursting into leaf. This is my favourite time of year, when everything is fresh and new.

Heron. Not in our garden, but I took the picture from the garden as it took off from beside the river which is next to our house. We are so lucky to live here, surrounded by beautiful wildlife. It makes up for all the rain!

10 comments:

brenda said...

The weather is pretty much the same here Lynn but the birds don't seem to have noticed and like you have a good few Yellowhammers nest building and the like.

A super card for our theme and really like the design with the addition of the Butterflies and Birdie.

B x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I love your gorgeous scene Lynne and the wonderful photos of the scenery around your home.

Sue xx

Viv said...

Great photos Lynne and a lovely card.
(Struggling a bit with my new Arteza pens - might need some tips!)

Marlies said...

A lovely garden scene card Lynne. Lovely photo's too! Marlies

Joan said...

Lovely card Lynne with such a pretty scene. Like you I put my thermals away but got them out again yesterday as it's so cold again. I like your comments about no weeds, I have wild violets, Blue Alcanet,Comfrey and wild Bluebells in my garden, do have to keep a rein on them though as my garden is small!

Joan x

Kathleen said...

Heating on here and has been for the past couple of days.
A really lovely creation with a super background and a great image, love the addition of the butterflies and the lovely little bird.

Kath x

kiwimeskreations said...

What a beautiful card Lynne - and a stunning garden and array of wildlife - a wonderful place to live, despite the quirky weather!
Blessings
Maxine

Carol said...

Lovely card and photos Have a lovely evening xx

Sally H said...

A gorgeous card, Lynne! I love it! Wonderful photos too. You do live in an idyllic spot! Looks like you might get some warmer weather next week. Hope you enjoy it!

pinky said...

'Ne'er cast a clout till May be out' Lynne!! Definitely true this year! I just adore your beautiful card, it's like a painting! I think I can safely say I am on the best team of photographers ever! These are just amazing!!