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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Spring Meadow Bouquet

Hello, precious friends, and it's so wonderful to "chat" with you today! I am sure you are all looking forward to spring. So in anticipation of its arrival...I get to share the brand new Instant Garden digital image from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley called Spring Meadow Bouquet.
Isn't this an amazing bouquet? The flowers are, starting clockwise: Bleeding Hearts, Summer Snowflake, Lilacs, and then Checkered Lilies (also called Snake's Head Fritillary), more Summer Snowflake, more Bleeding Hearts, Lilac, and more Summer Snowflake. And just look at this sweet butterfly and the bumble bee (did you know they absolutely love the nectar of bleeding hearts).
Power Poppy, Marcella Hawley, Spring Meadow Bouquet, Instant Garden Digital Release, March 2016

Marcy is always so wonderful to provide us with the names of each of the flowers in her images, and I love finding examples of photos. I must say that I was amazed at seeing checkered lilies - they are really checkered! Isn't it so neat how God loves to delight us in His designs? After finding many photos of the various flowers and their different colors, I started to decide what color mix would work best for me. But before I started coloring, I used GIMP to remove the backgrounds of both images (the main floral image and the sentiment). Next I opened Microsoft Word and dragged in each image, resized them, and placed them where I wanted. I decided to make a "copy" of the sentiment and cropped the first two words for the top and the last three words for the bottom of my staggered sentiment (so I could "nest" my sentiment toward the bouquet). The sentiment that comes with this new digi is a single line. Then I printed it (always having two on a page whenever possible). Ah, and then the fun begins -- coloring! I must confess that this one took me three "pre-coloring" tests to figure out what colors would work best for me. I wanted my lilacs and checkered lilies to be compatible and still "work" with the vibrant bleeding hearts. I think they compliment each other. I have to admit that this card took me a long time to color, but oh -- the joy of coloring is so relaxing to me!

Once my coloring was done, I fussed some with trying to figure out a different layout and tried some border dies that just didn't work for me. So I finally "auditioned" Strawberry Slush as a mat and decided to use it with a favorite border punch. The rest was relatively easy using my Perfect Layers tools and trying to make my border symmetric at the bottom (yes, we perfectionists can get a bit carried away - haha!). But in the end, I think I like it enough. Truly, the image is amazing in its fine detail, especially if you enlarge it and see all the tiny dots and lines that give Marcy's images such beauty and depth! 

So, here she is in a simple layout with the decorative border punch at the bottom, and I think that this beautiful bouquet deserves front stage, don't you?


Power Poppy, Marcella Hawley, Spring Meadow Bouquet, Instant Garden Digital Image, CherylQuilts, Designed by Cheryl Scrivens, March 2016

I was so thrilled to see this beautiful bouquet, but I was also delighted to see the lovely sentiment. It really means a lot to me these last couple of weeks. As many of you know, I've continued to deal with health issues, and a dear friend of mine on Splitcoaststampers (Anne Ryan) requested that I be the "destination station" for the March 1 Teapot Challenge. Well, I can't believe the outpouring of love and encouragement, and I continue to receive beautiful cards from the "Teapotters" and other wonderful friends from SCS. How touched I am, and so this card will be posted on SCS tomorrow as a small gesture of my thanks to such a caring and encouraging community. And, precious friends, I thank you all for the many prayers and words of encouragement here on my blog! I love your dearly!

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
always in every prayer of mine for you all 
making my prayer with joy.
Philippians 1:3, 4


Now it's time to visit some of the Instant Gardeners for more inspiration. After that, I'm sure you stampers will definitely want to hop over to Power Poppy to purchase this new digital release to use today. Don't forget to check out the entire digital collection that keeps growing. So hop on over to the Power Poppy blog to read and see what Marcy has to say about this image and how she developed it - it's amazing, and she takes us on a walk! Well, that's all I'll tell you - find out for yourself! You won't regret it!
Thank you ever so much for visiting and sharing a comment, thought, or question. I love hearing from you and am always happy to answer questions, so please don't hesitate to email me. I love to help whenever I can. (I am entering this in this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge.) 

Blessings,


Stamps:  Spring Meadow Bouquet (Power Poppy) 
Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Strawberry Slush (SU), White Weave textured paper (The Paper Company)
Ink: None (printer)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Perfect Layers tool, piercing tool, Modern Garland border punch (Martha Stewart)
Techniques: Digital images using GIMP and Microsoft Word
Card Size:  6¼” x 6½”

31 comments:

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Cheryl, Your card and coloring is lovely! I love this bouquet with the bleeding hearts and lilacs! I am glad that you had so much fun making it and arranging the digi image just how you liked. I did not know you were going through some health issues and I will check out that teapot challenge. Thanks so much for sharing!

Misti said...

Cheryl, this is stunning!!!!! The border punch adds elegance to your gorgeous card. I'm going to have to google the flowers too, I've never seen checkered lilies.

Lin said...

That is a gorgeous bouquet, brought to life beautifully with your coloring, Cheryl! Lilacs and bleeding hearts are 2 flowers I always look forward to seeing each spring. That pretty border is the perfect finish to your card! Sorry to hear about your health issues, sending prayers that you'll have the strength to deal with them. Hugs!

Conniecrafter said...

Cheryl it is so good to see you posting again, and so glad that the coloring was able to relax you so! Yes it is amazing to me all that God has blessed us with to bring such beauty into our world. So much to be thankful for. How special to be receiving all those lovely cards, and so glad it is cheering you up, you continue to be in my prayers! (((HUGS))))

Leslie Miller said...

Cheryl, I didn't realize you were having some problems, but realize you didn't post last time. That's what I get for not being on SCS. I've been all wrapped up in pneumonia and other things stemming from that. I hope you're feeling better now. You did a gorgeous job with this bouquet! It is a beauty, isn't it? Love what you settled on for the layout. It really doesn't call for any enhancement, so you got it just right. I'm greatly inspired!

Unknown said...

Cheryl,
We have had quite an unpleasant winter and I so look forward to the Spring as the Lily of the Valley, Lilac and Bleeding Heart bloom in my gardens. This beautifully colored floral stamp has my heart singing. I always cut little bouquets to brighten the rooms. I really like this card with that very pretty butterfly. Thank you so much for entering our 221st challenge. We are always delighted to see your entries and appreciate your inspirational creativity.
Blessings,
Carole Robb Bisson
Word Art Wednesday
DT Member

Caly Person said...

The coloring is beautiful, Cheryl! I love bleeding hearts!

Sabrina Jackson said...

Cheryl, my sweet, sweet friend, I am absolutely in love with this beautiful card that you have created here! Your coloring is amazing....love it! Hugs and blessings, Sabrina

roseflowerbooks said...

Absolutely gorgeous card, Cheryl! We have been praying for your health. Looks like I might need another digital stamp, hehe! As always love how you give love to our Glorious Creator.
Blessings,
Pamela

Barb said...

You've done an absolutely fantastic job with this image, Cheryl! Your coloring is delightful and your card layout provides the perfect showcase for this beautiful bouquet!

SewPaperPaint said...

Just beautiful, Cheryl! The little border and the textured CS are such a pretty frame! Great coloring - you are the queen! Hugs, Autumn

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Hey sweet friend!! I knew you had a release you were coloring up and preparing for today and just had to stop by and check out your gorgeous work as well as say hello!! Gorgeous coloring as always!! Love the flowers Marci created!! She is so talented as are you!! You never cease to amaze me with your ability to manipulate digis!! Your are incredible!! The recipient is sure to love it!! Continuing to pray for you my friend! TTYS!!
hugs,
Chris

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Ahhhh just wonderful colouring and detail dear Cheryl, love your card as always for it is so very beautiful indeed..

I have seen the checkered lilies in England in a meadow when out walking in the spring 2012, (they're rather tiny) with a dear 80 year old sweet Christian lady there, called Iris.
Rather appropriate eh?
Hope your health is on the up dear friend, or rather I pray earnestly that it is, dear sister.

Thanks so much for sharing, Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Robin Clendenning said...

Hello dear Cheryl!! I so like writing to people this way and not hand writing so that I can correct my mistakes and you never knew that my hand don't play well with my brain!! LOL!
Your card is just amazingly beautiful my sweet friend!! I love all the flowers and the colors! I love how you colored them and the card base with the special cut border!!
I think of you often and pray for you too sweet friend!
Love you!

Tracy said...

Oh this is the epitome of spring! I have never heard of checkered lilies but I just had to Google them. What an amazing flower! You have rendered it and all the other blooms beautifully Cheryl. Hugs!

Barbara said...

Marcy has given you a beautiful array of flowers, but you have done a wonderfully amazing job coloring them. Thanks to your research on each flower. What fun. You simply let them steal the show with the simple frame and background. I am so sorry to hear that you have had health issues recently. I hope not serious and that you will be well soon. There are too many of my friend lately that are not in the best of health. Hugs and a Prayer too.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to see your latest and greatest card, sweet child of God. It's incredibly beautiful with your renown coloring skills. I am always amazed at your floral coloring, Cheryl. Truly, you have a talent for making all things beautiful. Still praying. I've got you and another SCS'er covered in prayer. Blessings and huge hugs my friend, Anne

scrappinmommom said...

What a beautiful card and love the colors and detail of each flower. Get well soon. Thanks for sharing.

Vicki Burdick said...

Cheryl, your card is so pretty!!! Love this digi. I was not aware of your health issues, I need to go read your blog and see what is going on with you. I will say prayers for you! Hugs my sweet friend!

Traci M said...

Cheryl, I am rarely on SCS, but the Teapot Tuesday will always hold a special place in my heart. I just saw the original Teapot Tuesday , my friend, Cindy Motherway, today! I am so very sorry to hear of your neuropathy and knee surgery. I've missed your last card posts. Cheryl, your card is beautiful and obvious much care and time went into it. I love the lavenders and purple hues you coordinated...just gorgeous!! I pray you find relief and recovery soon. And your faith will continue to shine!!

Stacy Sheldon said...

This is so very amazingly beautiful Cheryl, I love the colors. :)

Susan Lankford said...

Hi Cheryl...I agree that God must delight in all of His designs! And I know He delights in your faithfulness to appreciate his design. I'm always amazed at the beautiful accuracy of your coloring and descriptions. And I love the design of your card that leaves the focus on the bouquet!
I so hope you are feeling better! I'm seldom on SCS these days, but happy (and not surprised), they chose to honor you.

Angelica Schmidt said...

Hi Cheryl! God gave us everything beautiful to enjoy including flowers! Your card is absolutely gorgeous as always and I'm always amazed at how amazing your coloring is . Hope you are feeling better! Have a Blessed day my sweet friend! Hugs

Lisa Lara said...

Hi sweet Cheryl oh my this is a beautiful and fun digi. Makes me think of May Day. I just love your coloring, color choices and beautiful bottom border that adds the beautiful finishing touch.

Davi said...

So beautiful Cheryl, The way you colored it is lovely and the blue shading behind really makes it glow :) Hope you are having a great weekend!

Stephanie said...

You are such a precious lady, dear Cheryl, and an inspiration to us all.

Once again you have brought a smile to my face with your charming card. What a beauty! The Lord has indeed blessed us with glorious flowers.

Love and hugs to you!

Aleksandra said...

Cheryl your card is gorgeous and your coloring exquisit! I love it!

Have a great day!
Aleksandra

Marisa said...

Stunning colouring and love the punched border alogn the bottom! Can't wait for flowers in my yard again!

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

Wow, this is so beautiful! And I love the punched border along the bottom. Remembering you in my prayers.

Jocelyn x (aka JoBear2 on SCS)
Instead of Ironing Blogspot

P.S. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment :-)

Karen Dunbrook said...

gorgeous...love the hint of blue behind the image...
You are much loved as well mf.
hugs,
Karen

Susan (rainy) said...

So wonderful to be able to visit your blog! Always rewarded with such beauty, Cheryl. I can tell that so much time and love was put into coloring this sweet image. Truly amazing!