Note to Everyone: Thank you so very much for taking the time to welcome me and my blog into your respective worlds. I am so humbled by your responses and so touched by your comments, words of confirmation, and expressions of encouragement. Today's card is dedicated to each of you--so may you enjoy, knowing that it comes from my heart!! Hugs for each of you!!

TILDA WITH LILACS

MMmmmmmm...isn't the scent of Lilacs just so heavenly in the spring and summer?? And nothing is sweeter than little Tilda picking lilacs and making a little nosegay for one of her favorite people!!










This little card (by the way, I usually make 6"X6" cards) was quite time-consuming because I found a set of wrapping papers and liked it so much that I wanted to use ALL of the patterns!!!! I spent a lot of time on the inside of the card and think you will agree when you have a peek!! I am not a purple person BUT I loved this paper with the hint of pink and green and the muted purple/lavender. In addition, the paper was just calling out the name of little Tilda with Lilacs!! This seated Tilda With Lilacs is from the Magnolia and Lilacs Collection 2008 and can be found with all of her friends and accessories at Magnolia-licious.






I first selected where I wanted each of the kinds of patterned paper to go and made the bases for each of the panels out of layers of Bazzill CS, the DP, and LOTS of stitching. I actually completed the inside of the card first because I knew that I wanted to use something a bit dimensional on the front and rather than squish (is that a word?) the front-- I finished the inside before I started on the front of the card.





Since the paper I was using on one of the inside panels had tiny printed buttons I wanted a bit of dimension so I added tiny button brads over each of the paper buttons to emphasize the quilted effect and at each juncture on the other panel. I also used zigzag stitching on the inside of the card to project more of a "downhome" and quilted feeling. I also added a tailored knot of lavender and moss grosgrain ribbon...you know, like they tie quilts together sometimes.










I decided that there needed to be more of a continuation of the "lilac" subject from the front so stamped a portion of the Magnolia lilac image on the upper edge of the jotting place and colored with Copics. This is actually a separate Magnolia stamp but I am certain the same effect could be achieved by inking just a portion of the lilacs on the Tilda stamp. I also added a pretty SPRING charm for another touch of sentiment. You will perhaps notice that I rarely add a sentiment to my cards unless it is a requirement of a sketch challenge---BUT this card is SPECIAL--it's to thank my Magnolia buddies!!! . To complete the inside I put the panels on the card base using Scor-Tape insuring that the weight of this card would not pull the various pieces apart. Note: The button brads are actually much lighter than they photograph.






Now on to the FUN part!!! In my next life, I want to only make card FRONTS!!!




Out of all the papers, I selected the muted floral for the background of the front and wanted Tilda sitting on a gingham blankie trimmed with a bit of heirloom cotton lace. Using scraps of the floral and gingham papers I tried Copic colors on them until I found ranges that to me were the most acceptable and pleasing to the eye. After coloring (hahhaha, when I think about me coloring...too funny) anyway, after coloring Tilda with Lilacs I added Diamond Stickles to her wings and she was ready to perch on her gingham blankie on dimensionals. I really like the tiny shadows that Tilda makes when cut out and placed on dimensionals...just personal preference!! Oh No!! Not finished yet!!


I am so taken with FlowerSoft at the moment (thanks MM) and wanted to try something else that I had read about.....soooooooo, I made a small nosegay out of Flower-Soft lavender sprigs and wee tiny pink roses to add as interest and as an OH, MY GOODNESS! effect beside Tilda. Although the nosegay looks very fragile, it is actually quite hardy...you can SQUISH it and with just a touch it is back to 3-dimensional!! I also wove tiny pink, lavender, and moss silk ribbon through the lace and tied a soft bow in the middle...added a cuttlebuggy THANKS just for YOU and ...we're almost there...WHEW!!




To finish the corners, I used pearlized buttons from an old Harlow type see-through blouse I found in a vintage clothing store owned by one of my past students...Since I have no desire to strut about in a see-through ANYTHING, we chopped the buttons off right in her shop and I came home with enough buttons for this card...I think I have 2 left if anyone needs them...lolol...If you are needing a see-through blouse I know where you can get one REAL cheap, of course you will need a rope to tie it on!!!! While I was there I chopped some strange looking feathers off of an OLD hat to use in my next post.


I hope you like this little cutie in her lilac environment and trust that if you have suggestions or questions for me that you will let me know. Have a happy and safe day!! Pause and smell the lilacs!!! Hugs aplenty!!



OK...now get your flannel shirts and blue jeans on and get ready 'cause we may just go down on the farm for my next post...More hugs!!