Top Ten - Floral #7

Botanical Name - Zinnia

Common Name - Little Star or Youth and Age

The colors of Zinnia's when they bloom are breathtaking!

The three names are so different for this Floral choice

that I decided to do a little research.

 Let me introduce

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Johann Gottfried Zinn

December 1727 - April 1759

Zinnia were named in honor after the German Botany Professor.

When I was choosing colors for my Zinnia I had so many choices.

The color range for Zinnia is endless!

Do you think that is why the name Little Star...

multitude of colors?

I think they should be called BIG Star!

For the choice of color and texture!

Perhaps the common name of Youth and Age

comes from Zinnia Romantic flower meaning...

Thoughtful Recollections

As I sit in my Floral Cutting Garden next year

sipping my glass of wine..

I will toast Professor Zinn

 and recollect memories

 whether little or BIG!

Of course the wine for this toast

Zinfandel!

Be Spontaneous!

- Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Plum and Orange - Bazzill

Ink: Adirondack - Espresso, Color Box Chalk - Dark Peony

Stamps: Flourishes - Zinnia, Sentiment - Flourishes- Dahlias

Colors: Copic Sketch Markers - RV17, RV19, R39, R30, R32, R35, R46, YR02, YR07, YR09, YG61, YG67, YG63, Y35, Y38

Embellishment: Kaisercraft Pearls, Wink of Stella - Clear, Uni- Ball Signo Marker Pen - White

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive

Top Ten - Floral #6

Botanical Name - Alcea

Common Name - Hollyhock

When I started planning my Floral Cutting Garden

my step-daughter Brenda asked my if 

I was thinking of planting Hollyhocks?

My answer was of course YES!

Hollyhocks are on the Top Ten List!

Hollyhocks are a old garden flower that goes back over 500 years.

Or what I am calling it Vintage!

I have always pictured Hollyhocks blooming in a traditional english garden.

Right next to the white cottage with a picket fence.

What I learned are that Hollyhocks are native to Asia as well as Europe.

On May 15th in Kyoto Japan they celebrate the Aoi Matsuri festival

 or the Hollyhock Festival.

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia.

I mentioned that this summer was filled with special moments.

Ed and I had the pleasure of spending 6 weeks with his Mom, Taeko.

What I cherish were sitting on the front porch and talking, 

driving Taeko to the senior center to play cards,

iced coffees and morning coffee,

picking weeds together,

visiting gardens,

 our cooking together,

and learning about her growing up in Japan.

Now, I have to ask Taeko about the Aoi Matsuri Festival.

When I plant my Vintage Hollyhocks they will have

more meaning then I could of imagined.

Be Spontaneous!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Chocolate, White and Pumpkin - Bazzill

Printed Paper: My Stash

Ink: Adirondack - Espresso

Stamps: Flourishes - Hollyhocks

Colors: Copic Sketch Markers - YR01,YR04,YR07,YR09,RV91, RV93,RV95,RV99,G40,G82,G85,G94,Y15

Dies: Spellbinders - Small Classic Rectangles

Embellishments:My Mind's Eye -Enamel Dots, Signo Pen - White

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Cuttlebug, Tomboy Adhesive

Top Ten - Floral #5

Botanical Name - Ranunculus

Common Name - Turban Buttercup

I love in early spring when I place Ranunculus in a pot.

Simply...beautiful color!

Ranunculus are such happy flowers I felt this

 would be a perfect Birthday card.

One of the lessons in the On - Line Card Class for 

Copic Markers was adding Gray Shading to deepen and enrich the colors.

Which is something I had been taught before.

It takes time to master this technique and I will have to

Practice, Practice, Practice!

The petals on Ranunculus are tightly woven they remind me of braids.
Perfect for the ribbon embellishment!

Five more favorite floral choices coming!

Be Spontaneous!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Lime Green and Yellow - Bazzill

Ink: Adirondack - Espresso

Stamps: Flourishes - Sweet Nature

Colors: Copic Sketch Markers - R29,R35,R39,E18,C4,Y28,YR04,YR07,YR18,YR38,

                                                   Y11,Y19,YG23,YG17,YG67

Dry Embossing: Provo Craft  - Happy Birthday, Cuddlebug

Embellishments: Ribbon - Offray, Pearls - Kaisercraft, Paperclip - Pebbles

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Rubber Stamp Collection Tape,

          Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper

Top Ten - Floral #4

What a fun and exciting Summer I have had!

The past two months made memories I will cherish.

However, I missed keeping you up to date on the landscaping

and my Top Ten Floral choices.

So...let's get started!

Botanical Name - Lathyrus

Common Name - Sweet Pea

Sweet Peas are very dainty and pretty flower.

My first time I enjoyed Sweet Peas was a gift from Ed, my husband.

It was Easter morning and he gave a small vase filled with Sweet Peas.

They were pinks, peaches and lavender!

Very Sweet!

As most of you know I love coloring with Copic Sketch Markers.

In fact I am in the second week of the 

On Line Card Class - Copic Markers.

Which I encourage you to take!

However, I decided to watercolor with Distress Ink.

I love Distress Ink and much as Copic Markers!

Funny I heat embossed Sweet Peas on Pea Green Paper.
Just realized this!

I am planning on two spots of Sweet Peas

climbing in my Floral Cutting Garden.

Now, I have to find the trellis for the Sweet Peas!

Spontaneity

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Chocolate, Fuschia and Pea Green - Bazzill

Printed Cardstock: October Afternoon - Crab Apple Orchard

Ink: Simon Says Stamp - Dark Chocolate

Stamps: Flourishes - Sweet Peas

Distress Inks: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Festive Berries, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss  

Dies: Spellbinders - Labels Eight and Labels Nine

Heat Embossing: Versamark, Stampendous Clear Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Heat Gun

Embellishments: Ribbon - Dot Mixed Shibata Floral

Tools: We R Memory Crop-a-Dile, Tim Holtz Water Brush, Tomboy Adhesive, Fiskars Paper Cutter

Top Ten - Floral #3

Botanical Name - Iris

Common Name - Iris 

When I was growing up my parents had
Purple Iris growing in our garden.

When I plant the Iris's for our garden the first color
 will be purple to honor my parents.

The Iris represents the Fleur de Lis of France!

My husband's last name is Lisle which his ancestors 

shortened from de Lisle when arriving in the United States.

The Iris will represent both of our families!

I always have a Happy Day when I visit
Schreiners Iris Gardens located in Salem, Oregon!

A few of my favorite colors of Iris!

Hmmm, I just noticed the names of the Iris...
Romantic Evening and Goodnight Kiss.

Perhaps the Iris could represent the love
I share with my husband, Ed!

Are you being spontaneous?

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Sunset Orange - Core'dinations, Purple - Bazzill, White - Flourishes Classic

Ink: Adirondack - Espresso, Memento - Morocco

Stamps: Flourishes - Flowers for Jan & Tiny Flowers and Tags

Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers - BV02, BV04. B79, R02, R05, R08, R39, G40, G82, G94. G99

Dies: Spellbinders - Small Deckled Rectangles, Spellbinders for Flourishes - Classic Tags (Mini)

Embellishments: We R Memories - Orange Bakers Twine, Kaiser Craft - Pearls, Spica Marker - Peach

Tools: Tomboy Adhesive, Sticky Thumb Dimensionals, We R Memories Corner Chomper, Fiskars - Paper Cutter

Top Ten - Floral #2

Botanical Name - Narcissus

Common Name - Daffodil

Just think back to Springtime...

when Daffodil stems pops out of the dirt.

A few weeks later this beautiful shade of yellow

has opened from the Daffodil bulb.

Excitement builds as flowers begin to fill the gardens!

As the Daffodil flower introduces color in the garden...

Marcella Hawley

 has introduced Power Poppy.

You may recognize her name and style of botanicals

as she designed for Flourishes.

I was so happy that Marcella is continuing her designing.

As I so enjoy coloring her floral designs!

The bouquet in Springtime Love has many

 of flowers that will be planted in my garden

Tulips, Bleeding Hearts, Anemones and Roses!

Also, one other floral choice on my Top Ten!

(Check back as this flower is #4 on my list)

Weekly Sketch Challenge from Splitcoast Stampers

Copic Sketch Markers chosen to color this bouquet.

Next spring I hope to create abouquet as beautiful

as Marcella sketched Springtime Love!

As Daffodils will be one of the first flowers to bloom in my garden!

Be Spontaneous!

-Elaine

Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Daffodil Yellow and Grass Green - Bazzill
Printed Vellum: Dear Lizzy - Lovely Afternoon
Ink: Adirondack - Espresso
Stamps: Power Poppy - Springtime Love, Sentiment - Hero Arts
Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers
Embossing: VersaMark, Embossing Powder - Stampendous Clear Transparent
Embellishments: Queen & Co - Candy Stripers
Tools: Spellbinders Small Standard Circles, Cuttlebug, Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper
Adhesive: Tomboy

Top Ten - Floral #1

Botanical Name - Rosa 

Common Name - Rose

Portland Oregon - The City of Roses

Just a few weeks ago we stopped at the 

Portland Rose Garden.

I must share with you that I have

 never seen the garden so beautiful. 

Every Rose bush was blooming!

Simply...breath taking!

In the beginning of June the city of

Portland celebrates the Rose Festival.

This year's rose selection for the

2014 Official Rose was

Royal Scepter

A beautiful white rose!

Instead of coloring I choose to heat emboss the white rose.

Simply...Crafted!

Love this stamp from Paper Source!

The Rose Festival floats are constructed

from many different flowers and botanicals.

This little dog reminded me of our dog I grew up with

Kiltie! A very special West Highlander!

Loved the use of orange peels.

 Big Chocolate Teddy Bear holds one Red Rose!

Perhaps representing my number one choice...

Roses!

Be Spontaneous!
-Elaine


Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Shades of Blue Green and Cream - Bazzill
Printed Cardstock: American Crafts - I Do Santini Mums
Stamp: Large Rose Out - Paper Source, Sentiment - Flourishes - Tiny Flowers and Tags
Ink: Hero Arts Shadow Ink - Soft Vanilla
Embossing: VersaMark,  Embossing Powder - Stampendous - Detail White, Martha Stewart Embossing Gun
Tools: Tiny Tags Die - Flourishes, Cuttlebug, Fiskars Paper Cutter, EK Success 2" Scalloped Round Paper Shapers
Adhesive: Tomboy, Sticky Thumb Dimensionals

Floral Cutting Garden

Last year my husband, Ed and I built our dream home!

This year we are outside beginning to landscape.

You are probably wondering why I am sharing a photo of a mound of dirt?

Also, known as Mt. Eli!

The ground that is under Mt. Eli is my future

Floral Cutting Garden!

Mt. Eli came from the dirt cleared to build the Red Barn

Imagine a cutting garden filled with flowers!

Imagine waking up at sunrise, pouring a cup of coffee,

and walking out to the cutting garden.

Cutting flowers for bouquets!

As many of  you know are home was built on Lot #10.

I have been walking in the sunshine on Lot #10

planning what flowers I want to plant.

The list keeps growing and growing!

So... I have narrowed it down to my Top 10 floral choices.

Please join me as I share with you the

Top 10 Floral Choices!

Also, the progress in clearing Mt. Eli!