Thursday 10 April 2014

The April Wacky Watercooler "Spring has Sprung" Blog Hop














How time flies!  It's already time for another blog hop with the Wacky Watercooler gang.  We're going to have fun sharing some amazing projects that are inspired by Spring's many occasions.  Luckily, with all of Stampin' Up!'s wonderful products, becoming inspired isn't difficult.

For those of you who are familiar with our blog hops, you'll remember that it's a circular one.  Whoever you begin with, whether you go backwards or forwards through the names, you will, eventually, wind up right where you began.  Like a ring, it continues forever.  Of course you can "jump off" at any time.  For those of you who haven't experienced one of our blog hops before, you're in for a treat.

If you've come through the blog hop from the beginning, you will have arrived here from the very talented Christine Giuda's blog.  Christine never ceases to amaze me with her artistic projects.

* * * * * * * * * *

For this blog hop I am going to have one project to show off.  The hanging Memory Tray that I've used for the project isn't Stampin' Up! but it makes a wonderful backdrop for all the great products that are.

My project shows little moments that represent Spring for me.  Winter took over for far too long in this area.  There is still some dirty snow on the ground but temperatures have risen sufficiently to rid us of some of the huge piles with which we've lived since the latter part of October.  The other day I saw a robin.  I'm sure Spring is here, finally.

When I think of Spring, a couple of things come immediately to my mind.  One is Easter.  It's a sure sign of Spring if we can hide some treats and eggs outside.  Of course the treats aren't the only wonderful thing about Easter, but when you have kids, the Easter Egg hunt becomes an annual event.


I went to town making flowers for this little vignette.  Thank goodness there are a lot of choices among Stampin' Up! products.  All the flowers were made using the Creped Filter Paper.  The little blue ones were made with the Petite Petals Bundle while the daisies were cut using the Blossom Party die and then sponged with Daffodil Delight ink.  The pretty roses were cut using the Spiral Flower Die and then sponged with Crisp Cantaloupe ink or Pool Party ink.

The next occasion that comes to mind with Spring is my daughter's birthday.  There are a lot of birthdays in the Spring, aren't there?


For me, my daughter is my wish come true.  What's better to celebrate than a pink elephant wearing a party hat?  I love the background of Watercolour Wonder Designer Series Paper, don't you?

Spring also means that the birds and Canada Geese return to our area to nest.  I'm sure they had a bit of a shock this year when they flew overhead and saw all the white.  Thank goodness that's going away quickly.  They have to get their nests established and find good feeding areas after all.


I've used the Watercolour Wonder Designer paper again in the top vignette and then stamped it using Early Espresso and the Serene Silhouettes stamp set.  The bottom vignette showcases that wonderful Wetlands Stamp set as well as Lovely as a Tree.

This next vignette uses a partial nest that is not Stampin' Up! but everything else definitely is.  I just wanted a nest and, try as I might, could not make one myself.  Kudos to the birds who seem to have no problems making them each year.


The cute little eggs are made from our Simply Pressed Clay.  They're as light as a feather (yes, I've added a little vellum feather poking out of the nest) and once they dried it was an easy matter to stamp them with little spots using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  Once the ink dried, I painted the eggs using a mixture of Crystal Effects and Pool Party ink.

When I think of the birds returning, I also think about birdhouses.  My grandson loves Bluebirds and so I made this vignette especially for him.


I free-handed the birdhouse after I used the Woodgrain embossing folder on Early Espresso Co'redinations cardstock.  The little roof is hand cut from the Epic Day This and That Designer Series paper as is the background paper.  The leaves are Always Artichoke cardstock cut with the Little Leaves Sizzlit die and the Bluebird was stamped and cut using the Backyard Basics Bundle.

Another occcasion that signals Spring for me is Mother's Day.  Whether it is a single rose or a large bouquet, flowers always represent that day for me.  My Mum loved flowers and was always delighted to receive them for Mother's Day.


This little rose was made from our Simply Pressed Clay and then coloured and sealed with Crystal Effects.  It's been wrapped up in a piece of the Modern Medley Designer Series paper and held together with a ribbon of Victoria Crochet Trim.  The little leaves were cut using the Little Leaves Sizzlit die.

Of course flowers are sensational during Spring.  I think I love them so much because it is such a delight to see them after a long, white winter.  Daffodils, especially, represent Spring for me.


I've made these using Vellum cardstock and the Secret Garden bundle.  I heat embossed the daffodil flower onto the Vellum using white embossing powder.  I thought it would be far too stark to use black.  Then I sponged Daffodil Delight ink into the vellum and let that dry.  I also cut a 3/4" x 1 1/4" piece of vellum and sponged that with Crisp Cantaloupe ink.  Once that was dry, I used the new Fringe Scissors to cut approcimately 1/4" down into the Vellum.  Then I used Sticky Strip to form it into a "tube".  By running some Multipurpose Liquid Glue along the non-fringed edge, I was able to place the "tube" into the centre of the flower and "voila" a daffodil was born.  The leaves, too, are Vellum cardstock while the grass was cut and recut using the Fringe Scissors.

Besides the daffodils, I love lilacs in the Spring.  The scent of them is almost intoxicating, especially if you happen along a lane bordered with bushes.


For the little blossoms, I used Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant cardstocks.  I would guess that I cut well over a hundred of  them using the Itty Bitty Shapes punch.  Then, after curving them with my Bone Folder, I put a dab of Dazzling Details in the centre of each.  While that was drying, I cut a "branch" out of Early Espresso Co'redinations cardstock and soaked it well in some tepid water.  Then I hand-curved the branch so that it appeared to be 3-D.  After that was dry, I adhered the branch to my little vignette and then glued down layers and layers of blossoms.  Three vellum butterflies made using the Papillon Potpourri stamp set and matching punches, and my vignette was complete.

I made one more item for this project.  I love pussywillows and they really are the harbinger of Spring for me.  Of course I wanted mine to be made from Stampin' Up! supplies and, after a whole lot of fussing and a bit of swearing, I think I managed to make a reasonably realistic branch.


The little pussywillows that are peeking out were made using the Simply Pressed Clay.  After layering a whole lot of colours together to give the branch some realism, I covered it with Crystal Effects.  All in all, I'm happy with the results.

* * * * * * * * * * 

So, what does my project look like as a whole?  I'm glad you asked.  I'm just dying to show it off.


After taking pictures of it from a whole lot of angles, I decided to use this slightly not-direct view.  I think it shows some of the 3-D effect (and there is a LOT of that).  If you click on the photo, it will enlarge on your screen and you'll get a better look.  It's nicer in real life---but then most things are, don't you think?

* * * * * * * * * * 

Well, that's it for my post.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing my Ode to Spring.  Your next stop will be with Stefanie Pletscher.  Stefanie is not only an amazing medic, she is also a very talented crafter.  I'm sure you'll agree when you see her projects.

Our next Blog Hop is the second week of May.  Don't worry, I'll give you fair warning.



 photo nextwatercoolercrockbutton.jpg

32 comments:

  1. Wow, Heidi! This is amazing. I love every block of the project. How did you find the time to do that?? Gorgeous. I think I especially like the eggs and the lilacs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Buffy. I've been house-bound since I've been ill so finding the time hasn't been difficult. I love those eggs, too. Since I've stopped whining about not having more forms with which to use the clay, I've been getting more creative with it.

      Delete
  2. Wow is right! Your work is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Holy smokes!! You've blown me away, Heidi - what a gorgeous piece of art. Absolutely fabulous. I can't even choose a favourite part - love it all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deb. My husband actually went past while I was taking the photos and stopped to say "WOW"! He's not usually that demonstrative about any of my crafting, so I was quite overcome by his praise.

      Delete
  4. Truly amazing! You are an artist with that clay - making eggs out of it? And that rose - well, I'm speechless ...Each section is worthy of standing on its own, yet they all work together when seeing the entire project.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Gail. I'm finding more things to do with the clay now that I'm not waiting for SU! to come up with more forms for it. It's actually really versatile and fun.

      Delete
  5. WOW! That's a stunning project! I'm completely blown away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stefanie. What a nice thing to say!

      Delete
  6. Heidi, this is an absolutely beautiful project. I would really like to do one of these. It is jaw dropping gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Christine, thank you so very much! It takes time and patience to make one of these. I'm sure you have both.

      Delete
    2. My daughter loves to go through the hops and when she saw this framed piece she thought it was beautiful. So yesterday while we were out shopping we passed by the frame section at WalMart and there was this beautiful frame with lots of spaces and she said, "there Mom get that frame for a project like the lady did on the blog hop". So now I will be attempting this. It will probably take me awhile though.

      Delete
    3. Don't think of all the squares you have to fill, Christine. Just do them one at a time. Nibbling at it makes it go faster. I'd love to see your finished project.

      Delete
  7. I am speechless! I saw the first picture and thought it was outstanding - then I kept going and going and going. You are truly an artist!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. With a general theme like Spring, it's easy to think about "vignettes" that bring it to life.

      Delete
  8. Oh.Em.Gee!!!!! I think you've done a stupendous job on this project!!!! I don't think I'd ever attempt something so full of detail as this. I'm amazed at your talent and creativity!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Jeannie, it's just a matter of one step at a time (or one vignette). The whole seems like a lot of work but divided into little scenes, it becomes much more do-able. You are so very artistic and talented and could easily do this or better yourself.

      Delete
  9. Heidi your daffodils and lilacs are just amazing. Being allergic to the real thing I love ones that look so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tammy. I have major problems with pollen during the Spring as well. Nevertheless, I wouldn't trade Spring flowers for relief. Of course enjoying the paper ones is a whole lot easier on the sinuses.

      Delete
  10. Absolutely stunning project, Heidi! Love all the elements you've included.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What an amazing project. My favorite part is the Mother's day clay flower. Wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jackie. I enjoyed making that Mother's Day clay flower. Our clay is so easy to use and colour---I love it.

      Delete
  12. Wow, Heidi, wow! My favorite are the lilacs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Debbie. I love how the lilacs turned out but, oh my! All those little blossoms were nearly the death of me.

      Delete
  13. Absolutely amazing! I think it's wonderful that you included so many personal memories into the blocks....you can tell you put a lot of love into the creative process. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. It did and I'm glad it shows.

      Delete
    2. Each of the scenes that went into making your beautiful vignette, are alive with the colours and feelings of spring. The lilacs, while a lot of work are perfect as are the daffodils. This is such a great piece and very inspiring Heidi.TFS!

      Delete
    3. Thank you so much, Penny. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I don't have any flowers in my garden at the moment as the snow is still melting, but my frame lets me dream.

      Delete
  14. Heidi, I tried twice to tell you how awesome & amazing your "one" project is - it looks like ten to me - but I was having computer problems over the weekend, then ran out of time, and then forgot. sigh. It is a a completely fabulous project!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, KatheD, thank you so much for coming back after your computer problems. That means a lot to me. I loved making the Spring has Sprung frame although I would think twice about doing something with so many parts too often.

      Delete

GDPR (for my EU visitors)

In line with new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) coming to the EU, please note that in commenting you do so with the knowledge that your name & comment are visible to all who visit this blog and thereby consent to the use of that personal information for that specific purpose, only. I do not collect information stored on my blog. If you have left a comment and prefer that it not be seen, please delete it. Followers: If you follow my blog (thank you!) you do so in the knowledge that my followers list is open to anyone who visits my blog. Your photo, name and links will appear and can be seen by anyone. If you don't want this data shared, please remove your name from my followers list.