Blooms and Birds Card

Hello friends! I hope you're having a wonderful day. Here in Charleston the sun is shining and the oppressive heat of last week has gone, leaving us with absolutely beautiful weather. It's such a pleasure to walk outdoors and feel a gentle, warm breeze instead of the inside of an oven. I had a harrowing moment this morning when I had to kill a spider. That's supposed to be my husband's job, but it seems like they always turn up when he's at work...    

Today we begin and brand new challenge at the Frilly and Funky Challenge Blog! Cec is our host and her theme is A Summer Garden. She asks us to create a project depicting any type of garden our heart desires.  It can be landscaping, a flower garden or even a vegetable garden! The challenge winner receives a guest design spot on the blog, and all entrants have the chance to win a $25.00 shopping spree at the Funkie Junkie Boutique!  Be sure to hop over to the blog for the lovely inspiration of my teammates, as well as the challenge entry details! 

My own summer garden wouldn't be complete without birds. I keep several feeders in the garden just outside my craft room window. I have a wide variety of songbirds that visit throughout the day, and I adore observing their gentle ways and interactions. Last week I had the pleasure of watching the Cardinals and Red Bellied Wood Peckers teaching their fledglings to eat from the feeders. While it seemed extremely frustrating for the parents, it was a close up view of a miracle for me.          

I fussy cut my little bird and nest from Pion's 'A Day in May' design paper. It's my first time using it and I am in love with this paper collection. I plan to stock up on it and hoard it so I'll never run out, so if you want any you're going to have to beat me to it!!  I added a few stray pearls here and there. They were left over from one of my Prima pearl sprays and I didn't want to waste them.     

I created a woodsy garden of delicate blooms using flowers from my stash along with some die cut branches and rose leaves.    

The half circle near the top is framed by a lace doily I made using one of the new Prima dies. 

All the papers are distressed and layered up. I added stitching on the bottom layers. I'm getting better at sewing a straight line!   

Thank you so much for being here with me today! May your day be blessed with all things good and wonderful! I hope you'll join in on the challenge with us. You have two weeks to submit your entry, so there's no rush. Just close your eyes, dream of a beautiful garden that is near and dear to your heart and start creating!! 

Hugs,

Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Titanium Scissors	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Pion Design Paper - A Day in May 6x6" Scrapbooking Paper	Pion Design Paper - A Day in May 12x12" Scrapbooking Paper
Prima Delightfully Thin Doily Die	Prima - Say It In Pearls Collection - Mini Flourish with Roses - Pink	Natural Jute Twine	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/4"