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Monday, February 15, 2016

Flowers Always

Hello, dear friends, and happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful and restful weekend. 

It's the 15th of the month, and I am delighted to color up the new Instant Garden digital image from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley called Flowers Always. Marcy shares this:
"I have been very intrigued with folk art and primitive art for a long time. Not the super duper primitive, so much as the decorative arts of rug hooking and quilting. Doing this research led me to stumble upon a bunch of crewel embroidery images." 
Power Poppy, Marcella Hawley, Flowers Always, Instant Garden Digital Release, February 2016

This is a really neat image with lots of versatility. I found some beautiful crewel embroidery patterns, decided to use some designer paper as my color palette, and started by opening Microsoft Word and dragging in the main image. Once I resized it, I dragged in the sentiment and resized it as well. Since I decided to use an oval die, I made a copy of the sentiment in Word and cropped each one (cropping the quote from one and the author from the other). Then I moved and centered them under my main image and started coloring (with beautiful music that is also playing as I type).

Since I did not use a decorative die, making the card took nearly as long as coloring it! I love using my Perfect Layers tool for even matting, and it came in very handy for this card. I die cut my image with an oval die, matted it by fussy cutting, and just had to paper pierce it (yes, it was begging for it - hehe!). And I used a ribbon across the card, and it was finally done.


Power Poppy, Marcella Hawley, Flowers Always, Instant Garden Digital Image, CherylQuilts, Designed by Cheryl Scrivens, February 2016

I remember years ago when I did embroidery and how I would look at the back of my work and be amazed at what a mess of threads and knots it was. However, the front was beautiful. That reminds me of how God works. He is creating a "beautiful tapestry" as He transforms me into the image of Christ. From my perspective, my life is as messy as the back of one of my pieces of embroidery. But I can be assured that He is always working in my life with the ultimate plan of working all things together for my good and for His glory. 

And we know that for those who love God
all things work together for good.
Romans 8:28

Now it's time to visit the rest of the Instant Gardeners. After all the inspiration, I'm sure you stampers will definitely want to hop over to Power Poppy to get this new digital release to use today and also check out the entire digital collection that continues to grow. And don't forget to visit the Power Poppy blog to read more about this gorgeous new digital set.


Thanks so much for visiting and sharing a comment, thought, or question. I love hearing from you and am always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to email me. (I am entering this in this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge.)

Added Note: Marcella Hawley posted a Special Note on Tuesday, February 16, that I wanted to share with you, and I trust that you will join me in praying for her and her entire family.
"It is with the heaviest heart that I must share with you this news. My beloved mother, Susan H. Smith, passed away on February 6. You can read my special post about Mom's life here. We cannot thank you enough for the prayers and good thoughts everyone has been sending."
Blessings,


Stamps:  Flowers Always (Power Poppy) 
Paper: Classic White (Neenah), Vintage Cream and Enchanted Evening (PTI), Tangerine Tango (SU), World's Fair Collection (Graphic 45)
Ink: None (printer)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Grand Ovals dies (Spellbinders), Enchanted Evening Satin Ribbon (PTI), Perfect Layers tool, piercing tool, 3M dimensional tape
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word, paper-piercing
Card Size:  5” x 6¼”

41 comments:

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh Cheryl, I love this fab image and the great colors you used. Beautiful as usual, but that's exactly what I expect from you! Hugs, Autumn

Juliana said...

Those jewel tones are so beautiful with these flowers!!

Leslie Miller said...

I love this image and how beautiful it turned out matched up with your designer paper! Perfection, Cheryl! I used to do a lot of embroidery, too, and that's exactly how I see this. Fantastic job!

Lin said...

What an amazing image, Cheryl! You've brought it to life beautifully, as always! Beautiful papers behind, too!

Stacy Morgan said...

Cheryl this is beautiful. I like the warm colors, rather fall feeling. It is perfect with the designer papers you choose. Wonderful card sweet friend.

Cathy P in AZ said...

Just stunning! LOVE.

A Place for Kia said...

I am in awe of your colouring skills Cheryl. This is beautifully done and yes, I agree, it reminds me of embroidery work as well. Gorgeous work.

Barb said...

Your card is lovely, Cheryl! Your color palette is gorgeous and coordinates beautifully with the patterned papers. And I absolutely adore that paper piercing! It's the perfect finishing touch! Well done, my friend!

Hugs!
Barb :)

Misti said...

This is stunning, Cheryl!!! Love the colors!! Gorgeous, coloring.

Susan Lankford said...

As always, Cheryl, your coloring is beautiful...I love the coordination with the flower paper...the colors are so striking!

roseflowerbooks said...

Absolutely gorgeous card and faithful expression as always. Thank you for uplifting me this day. Lol! It definitely needed paper piercing just perfect! I'm thinking about getting the entire power poppy collection do we just tell the owner you were the inspiration behind it?

Anonymous said...

Sweet Cheryl, what a gorgeous card you've brought to us today! Magnificently colored, as usual, and so perfectly paired with your papers. It's definitely folk art at it's finest. Hope you are doing better. Hugs and love, Anne Ryan

Pauline said...

Oh Cheryl this is absolutely gorgeous my friend! Gorgeous colours, you have matched the papers perfectly! Yes I remember when I did embroidery- I would always start out so nice and neat (the back side) but by the time I finished it was a total mess! LOL. Thanks for sharing your masterpiece with us today! Hugs,

Cheryl said...

Oh, how truly beautiful this is! Thank you ever so much for sharing. :) I hope you are feeling better, dear Cheryl. I am praying for you!

Barbara said...

Totally gorgeous and it does remind me of a special quilt. Love the papers that you chose and that oval image.

Late Blooming said...

My favorite Bible verse. Even put it on my sons grave marker. Pretty card. Love the flowers.

Robin Clendenning said...

Oh gosh, that paper goes so well with the image it looks like it was made for it! Beautiful card my sweet Cheryl!!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

This is beautiful, Cheryl!! I so love the array of colors and your coloring!! The dp is absolute perfection with it!! Gorgeous as always!!

I so love your analogy with the back of your embroidery and our sin. We are truly all a mess and thank God He has our lives in His Hands. I keep reciting that verse in my head as I reflect on Scott's lay off a couple of days ago. God is in control. As a human it is so easy to panic. This is when our Life verse Proverbs 3: 5,6 comes into play. It is easy to trust when life is going our way but it is quite another when trials or disappointments come away. Thanks for your encouragement and dear friendship!!! So thankful for you dear sister! TTYS!!
hugs,
Chris

Tosha Leyendekker said...

This is absolutely exquisite Cheryl!! Your coloring is phenomenal, especially paired with that beautiful dp! And I love how you shared your feelings about embroidery...the beauty being visible, and the mess behind. I feel the same as you, and am grateful for His unconditional love and mercy! Hugs sweet friend!!

Carol McCready said...

Love your card. Those papers are a perfect match.

Conniecrafter said...

That is gorgeous it certainly does have that look of folk art to it that's for sure. I love your comparison between us and the embroidery, he makes all things beautiful!!

Davi said...

Cheryl I love the way you colored it and your choice of papers to go with it is so perfect, really enhanced the image! Beautiful Beautiful! It is amazing how all those ugly snarls and knots can me made into something beautiful with His amazing grace isn't it!

Broni said...

The paper piercing really sets off the image beautifully! And I love the wonderful, warm color combo!

Unknown said...

Cheryl,
I really like the DP and you have done an amazing job coloring this magnificent image. I was always so surprised when I turned my needlework over to see the grand mess on the back. Thank you so much for joining our 219th challenge at Word Art Wednesday this next fortnight. Your creation is inspiring, beautiful and very much appreciated. Blessings, Carole

Katie Sims said...

My stars, Cheryl...your coloring of this image is nothing short of incredible! I loved seeing it featured in a post on the PP blog. Your beautiful papers and clean layout really show your amazing image off perfectly. Your post is as lovely as your card is...yes, we are all in various stages of our growth and am sure we all feel like quite the mess, but His love and guidance is what sustains us....what a blessing that is! Sending hugs your way, sweet friend!

Angelica Schmidt said...

Your card is absolutely gorgeous Cheryl! Love your coloring and the pattern paper you chose! Amazing as always! Hugs my dear!

Stacy Sheldon said...

you are absolutely right you know, that DOES look like needlework. ( I didn't see it that way in the packaging shots ) This turned out so beautiful Cheryl!

Melanie Ann MacKenzie said...

Hello my dear friend..
Well, what a beautiful card! The paper that you selected is utterly perfect for the way that you have expertly coloured up that lovely image. And really, what a perfect quote to accompany it. Just wonderful my sweet friend, as always. Hugs.

Michele (mitchygitchygoomy) said...

Cheryl, the beauty of your heart towards God is reflected in the work of your hands and in the grace filled stories you share. All of this post...beautiful. Praying that you are feeling better and have meds sorted out.

Stephanie said...

The colors are warm and beautiful, my friend. And the saying is just too sweet. You always share such loveliness.

Love and hugs to you!

Patti J said...

Another beautiful creation! These flowers are so realistic, and you've created the perfect card with them! Thanks for the inspiration!

Tracy said...

This image reminds me so much of the old samplers that women used to make. It's such a pretty design and lends itself to be colored in so many ways. Truly lovely Cheryl. Hugs!

Lisa Lara said...

SQUEE! Did you hear me SQUEE? WOW . I loooooooooooooooove this card Cheryl. Love love love it. Hugs.

Christina Hor said...

Oh another beautiful card Cheryl! But WOW! What a different approach Marcella took on this one! Yet it's equally beautiful as the rest of her beautiful art which you have once again brought it to live so stunningly Cheryl! And I do agree with you about how much faster it take to put a card together with decorative dies than with pattern papers. That's why I love decorative dies so much! Haahaa. Oh before I forget, I want to let you know that I got the Magnolia digi. Have a lovely week Cheryl. - Hugs, Christina.

Susan (rainy) said...

Beautiful... BEAUTIFUL!! Your coloring is always so perfect and intricate.
Love the comparison to an embroidered piece of art and our lives. I've always thought about the "beautiful tapestry" when things aren't going the way I think they should, and remember that God knows what the finished piece can look like. I'm only focused on the moment.. or that single thread. It helps me gain perspective in the hard times. Love your card!

Traci M said...

Cheryl...I thought I had commented before; so sorry! This is a gorgeous card so perfectly done up in the folk art colors!! I love it and the super sweet layout as well...just wonderful, my friend! I wish you a relaxing weekend as well...a week late!

Karen Dunbrook said...

This is just an amazing and beautiful card mf...just like you are to me mf!
I am so sorry I am commenting so late...this abscessed tooth and root canal really put me behind and I had extra kids this week as they had a PD day. I finally got a working printer and want to consider getting some of their digital images. Also love your choice of colour combo...well done as always.
hugs and love,
Karen

stampingbowd said...

Cheryl, your card is stunning! You combined DP and coloring seamlessly! Very striking!!! I hope you are well, my friend!

Jill Norwood said...

Cheryl your card is so beautiful! And as always your post feeds my soul. I will pray for Marcella and family. It is so very hard to lose the ones we love! Hugs - Jill

Dorothy S said...

This is such a beautiful image beautifully done.
I had to stop by to thank you so much for your kind words on my Tea Pot party card. I hope you are doing well.

JD/ Jill said...

How beautiful! (as all your cards are!) Wonderful coloring and design.

Also a beautiful post, You words touched my heart, and made me, well, feel like less of a mess (I'm not the most organized person, but I know that God looks past that)
I will pray for Marcella, I know how much I miss my Mother...
Blessings to you, Hope you are having a very special weekend.