The Flower Challenge #56 Use Your Favourite Flower

Being asked to use my favourite flower is like being told to hold my breath for 3 minutes. I just can't do it, truly I can't. Sooooo I will pick one of my favourites at the moment in my new collection of stamps.

I have made three super easy cards, stamped and die cut my images. This beautiful little hanging flower is from Pink Fresh Studio and I was a little challenged die cutting each stamped image. I finally got it right but wasn't going to not use what I had already stamped. 

After copic colouring each of my hanging ring of flowers I went through my collection of pattern papers and came up with three I liked that suit the colours I had used. 

The bow for each ring is added separately so I coloured those to suit the flowers.

With my red flowers I have a different colouring technique, playing with adding the colours in ever decreasing size as they get darker rather than blending just to see if I liked the look. 

I have seen flowers done this way but in larger  size. Not sure on the idea but was happy enough to use here. This card is a sympathy card so no extra addition like the birds on the other cards.

Here as above I have used birds that I coloured who knows how long ago and again I picked them for a flower match. I liked the idea of the little birds sitting on the ring like a swing.

I've done some more but I think three will do for this post.  All sentiments added out of my collection of pre cut dies. I think with 'friend' I might need to add something else just still pondering.

So now you have seen one of the many many many favourites I have. Don't forget to nick on over to The Flower Challenge Blog and see what the wonderful Design Team has been up to. 

This month we have my good friend Bozena as Guest Designer. I have known Bozena since first starting to make cards many years ago and she has never failed to inspire me not only with her cards but with our conversations over those years.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

Happy Crafting

Aileen

Home Update

We are doing a massive update at our home and the house looks like we are hoarding really badly. Having to take down every picture and ornament, box them so they are out of the way, emptying shelves of crafting items (mine) guitar and music hoohaa (john) and DVD's and more crafting (Elysha) then placing all large furniture in the middle of the room the monumental task of painting every room, ceiling, and piece of  dark wood trim has been achieved, nearly completed. All trim, door frames, doors etc are now sparkling white. Its amazing the difference it makes. Cleaning all those ducted air conditioning vents

Then last weekend we decided the dark slate around the fireplace needed to go so my multi talented husband chipped  and jackhammered it all out covering us all in black dust. 

In this photo the paint sheets are in the way but you get an idea this slate was the same surrounding the fire.

We then went and looked at discounted stock of tiles and found a fabulous large tile that there was enough of to do the base around the fire and up the wall to become a feature wall. Tiles cost $60.00 other items needed took cost to $100 for this wall -BARGAIN

Check it out, ignore the horrible carpet and fireplace. This we cleaned after the photo and carpet goes mid may. Of course then we have to work out where to move all that big furniture to.

Meanwhile after doing the fireplace my husband has gotten very enthusiastic and has now started on the bathrooms. Our on-suite has been gutted and tiled this weekend. Grout half done. Tiles on special, this time we have tiled to the ceiling all the way round. 

Also new shower screen, vanity, shaving cabinet and toilet cistern and seat. Will attach photos next post as I want to wait till all the grout is in for before and after.

Still to go, Finish painting,

New fans and light fittings

carpet

main bathroom refit

laundry

new kitchen refit

 then all those little things.

As I sit in my little cocoon wondering if I will ever get to walk through an uncluttered house again without stepping on clumps of dried tile cement, nails, screws, cut pieces of tile etc. Will I ever be able to find that box that has my craft glue, tape etc. Will Jake ever stop jumping every time a tile gets cut or a ladder dragged.

 This is all a big change in our lives and I hope mum and dad are loving the changes that are happening because they made them possible. Miss you both very much.