Path of Positivity March Challenge: Beauty of Botanicals

March at the Path of Positivity and with the optional theme of Beauty of Botanicals a chance to get Mothering Sunday and Easter themes in along with everything else that flowers can be used for.

There is always something wonderful about the seasonal changes especially from Winter into Spring. I remember it was not so long ago that the snowdrops would be out first, so delicate looking and yet hardy enough to withstand any sting in the tale of winter. Snowdrops in the snow will always be a favourite image. After the pure white snowdrops would come the brash bright colours of the crocus mixed in with the pastel yellow shades of the primrose as spring revealed more of her colours. Then towards the end of lent the daffodils standing proud and tall, their trumpet heads reaching out to herald the sun.

One of the effects of global warming is that now the flowers bloom together and often the snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils are out at the same time. I must admit I miss the slow progression of the blooming of the different spring flowers as winter released the earth into the hands of spring.

On Sunday our vicar was inspired by a quote from a book that described lent as being between the snowdrop and the daffodil to write a poem. She has given me permission to share it with you.

Between the Snowdrop and the Daffodil

Lenten silence whispers alleluia,

gentle snowdrops wait and wonder.

Ssh.

Hear it coming.

The shoots of spring straining

in their darkened winter soil,

Knowing that bold golden trumpets

will proclaim,

loudly.

A glory of daffodils

will hold their heads high to the sky,

and praise the risen Son.

But first - pause.

And in this sooty, ashen, mysterious love,

be born again.

Between the snowdrop and the daffodil,

is Lent.

Joanna Stobart

Now after all that you would think that I would be using an image of snowdrops or daffodils but no I have chosen a primrose with a view of making a card for mum be it for Mothering Sunday or birthday or just because.

 

Materials used:
SheepSki Designs: For Mum/Mom/Mam 
X-Press It card
purple card
white A6 card blank
white candle
tissue paper
yellow heart gem
circle die set
Polychromo pencils:
flowers - 104 zinc yellow, 105 lemon cadmium, 107 lemon
               171 light green, 166 grass green, 167 sap green
letters - 119 light magenta, 125 dark magenta, 134 magenta, 194 purple

For the candle I printed out the image to the size I needed to fit the candle then covered it with tissue paper, shiny side up, and printed it again. Having coloured it in I carefully tore around the edge leaving a white border then holding the image in place on the candle with a length of baking paper I gently heated it with a heat gun. The trick is to heat it just enough to melt the surface wax so that the tissue is embedded in it and covered with a thin wax layer. If the candle starts dripping you have heated it too much. I am sure there are plenty of videos on this technique you can search for.

In comparison the card was much more straight forward. I have used the same colours for both makes and have no idea why they look so different in the photos. I guess it must be something to do with the lighting.

I hope you will join us this month and show us your projects, remember that the theme is optional but as I said this time of year lends itself to plenty of occasions for using flowers. All the details of how to enter and the prizes on offer from our two sponsors, SheepSki Designs and Scribbles Designs can be found on the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog here. 

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

Entering the following challenges:
PIP Challenge 2009 - Anything Goes 
613 Avenue Create #231 - Anything Goes/ Optional Twist Use Coloured Pencils 
Stamping Sensations #March - Spring Florals 
A Bit More Time To Craft #111 - Anything Goes 
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra Challenge #March - Anything Goes