BLOSSOMS EVERYWHERE!

Now that it seems Spring is here to stay, the flowers are everywhere in my part of the world! And I love it! Today I thought I’d show you a couple of sweet floral cards, but also a couple of the pictures of REAL flowers, that I always take during the first bloom of the season.

Most of you know that roses are my favorite flowers. I’ve been growing and loving roses for many years. At one time I had over 60 rose bushes in our yards. I’ve cut way back, but still have many: some in the ground, and some in large pots. I allow myself one new rose each year, but I may have to abandon that practice, due to space!

This beautiful white rose was the first bloomer this year. It’s a prolific bloomer all season long and I love it’s Old English style blossoms so full and lush.

This pink rose quickly followed the white one, and both bloomed almost simultaneously. This rose is on the opposite side of my yard from the white rose. Luckily my front yard provides the full amount of sun that roses need to thrive. In the severe summer heat we sometimes get, I have to water every other day, but watering is my summertime “therapy” as I revel in the beauty God gives us to show us His love.

I’m not growing any zinnias this year, but am loving using this new Stampin’ Up patterned zinnia paper. Isn’t it lovely? We’re going to be making this card in my first workshop here in Auburn, where I live. I’m starting the class this month, and hope to keep it going every month. If you live here locally in Placer County (California) and would like to come to my workshops, just leave me a comment or call me at (916) 217-6865. This first class is Saturday, May 18, from 11:00 – 2:00. No experience necessary!

Here are my “second favorite” flowers – lilacs! I grew up with a huge row of lilacs all across the back border of our yard in Southern Minnesota. They were amazing! And soooo fragrant! So having even a few little bushes (they’re 4 years old this year!) to smell for a few days, takes me back to my childhood. These are slow growers, but I love them!

And, here is a little step card we made in a special workshop I had last week. It was sort of a “thank you” workshop for some special crafting friends and featured this gorgeous new line of Graphic 45 paper called “Grow with Love”. Lots of tulips, daffodils, and lovely spring hues . .. its even prettier “in person”!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my “real” and “paper” flowers this morning! There’s just something about nature’s bounty that inspires creativity …. especially with the plethora of beautiful crafting papers and embellishments available today. I hope you do something creative every day, to feed your soul! Hugs! Janice