Spellbinders Pretty Birds...

 Hi again, crafty friends! I'm back to share another paper creation with you all...

 I treated myself to this Spellbinders Pretty Birds die set a couple of months ago and they have been sat patiently waiting to be used on a project, so I decided to cut them out and ink them up...

I have to say, I love the way these sweet birds came out, but am not 100% sure on the over all card...I liked it when it was finished, but then I always do the mantel piece test - I sit the card on the windowsill or sideboard and just look at it when I'm passing - I didn't know then if it was a little too sugary??! (That'll teach me for just using the first paper that came to hand as it was on my desk!) I'm going to make another one and try using a blue or yellow tone paper (something which I need to get more of) and see how I feel about it then, but in the words of Gina K, it's "better than horrible"...

Dies used :

 Sizzix Script Sentiments 665089

Spellbinders Pretty Birds S4-1406 

 Thanks for popping by to have a look at my sugary sweet card and I may be back soon with some more crafty inspiration...who knows?!...the sun is shining, so anything can happen! 

Crafty hugs,

 

Just a note...

Hey there, crafty friends! As it's my day off and hubby is off delivering, I decided to sit and play at my crafty desk and see what I could come up with...

 I started with the Sizzix Snail Mail by Eileen Hull postage die (I would have really liked the Waffle Flower version of this type of die but it wasn't in stock in the UK at the time and  I find the 'windows' of the panels on this one are a touch on the small size, but I persevered!)...

I added some some patterned paper panels to the postage collage die and randomly stamped with some postage style stamps from my stash. I then backed this onto cream paper with 2mm foam tape and matted onto a pretty ditsy floral paper. I cut out all of the elements and arranged how I thought I would like them before attaching to my card...

 Dies used :

Sizzix Snail Mail by Eileen Hull #665869

Spellbinders Happy Birthday Wishes #S3-514

Spellbinders Sealed Blooming Stems #S4-1296 

Sizzix You've Got mail #665820 

The just a note sentiment was computer generated and the Birthday part came from Wow! Happy sentiments.

Thanks for dropping by and I'll hopefully be back with some more craftiness soon,

 

Nature's bounty...

 Hey there, Blogger buddies! Crafting is pretty sporadic at the moment, as life has been pretty busy now I have 3 part time jobs! I'm hoping to have some crafty stuff to share soon, but for today, I thought I would share some positivity in the form of Mother nature's treasures...

I am blessed to live in a beautiful part of Wales, with the countryside literally on my doorstep and there is nothing more refreshing or humbling than going for a walk and actually looking at the wonders of this magical place...

There's an abundance of wild flowers from bluebells to wood anemone, dog violets and greater stitchwort, to name but a few...

 

 

There's food throughout the hedgerows from dandelions to make honey (although don't be too zealous with your picking as they're an essential food source for pollinators at this time of year)...

 

 

...wild garlic and garlic mustard (or Jack o'the hedge as I know it) which can be used in pesto and sauces...

 

...and even nettles (not for the faint hearted) and cleavers for tea...

 

It is amazing how Mother nature provides and there is also a glimpse of what is to come...

 

 

...bilberries (or winberries as they are known here), as well as alpine strawberries, wild raspberries, gooseberries and blackberries plus cob nuts later in the year...

 

 ...and of course, the crafter in me couldn't help but pocket a handful of alder cones for that thing that happens in December!

 

With all the noise that is going on in the world at the moment and with the pressures of rising bills and day to day stresses of life, it is good to put on your walking shoes, get out in nature and just be....even for a little while. Look around and see the wonders that nature has to offer - just remember to forage responsibly and if you're not sure...DON'T PICK IT and certainly DON'T EAT IT!  

 

Happy Spring,