Floral Arrangement

(completed project measures 11" X 9")

Hi Everyone,

This week’s creation was inspired by the wonderful dies at Cheery Lynn Designs, and the beautiful, spring weather we are experiencing at the moment in Australia, though it won’t be long and our summer will arrive...  those blooms will soon wilt, but not my flower arrangement!!

For my project, I have used a lot of dies, and created an arrangement which has a three-dimensional appearance.  I have tried to photograph the arrangement so that this can be seen clearly.  There are leaves, flowers, flourishes, pine branches, etc popping up all over the place.

It seriously is not that hard to put together, just time consuming, so do not be afraid to give it a go.  My ‘handy hint’ would be to lay die cuts where you think they should go, when happy with the arrangement, take a photograph to refer back to.  You can then pull apart your temporary arrangement, and use your photograph as a guide.

Firstly, I made all my flowers, inking and rounding edges – the flowers I used are: Sweet Williams, Judy’s Blooms, Flower Chain Border, Cuties 1, Miniature Rose, Cherry Blooms and the ScallopedWindow Stackers.  The Scalloped WindowStackers flower was created by inking the edges, and then spraying the die-cuts with glimmer mist.  While the die-cuts are wet, just crinkle into balls, before gently folding back out – when still wet, add a pearl/crystal brad centre, then place flower aside to dry, making sure your petals are the way you want them.  Easy!

The “Flower Chain Border” I simply cut the flowers from the border, placed on a mouse mat, and curled with a pop-stick edge!!  Yes, I do have the fancy tools, but I prefer the more simple – they work better for me!  J

The leaves and flourishes I used are:  Tropical Flourish, Pair of Ferns, StackerFlower 1 Leaf, Fanciful Flourish, Tropical Leaves, SM Leaves 2, Pine Branches and Olive Branches.  The Olive Branches played a large part in the 3D appearance.  I adhered the small end of the branch and when dry, curled the leaves upwards (or wherever I wanted them to go).   All the leaves edges were inked, some glimmer misted and others have distress stickles as well.

Border Carnival was added as the ‘tablecloth’ – and of course, I just had to add a couple of butterflies, and a dragonfly.

The urn or vase is an item I have had in my ‘stash’ for quite some years, but I am sure a google search (gosh I love google!!!) would bring up a mountain of sources to buy from. OR, perhaps create your own out of some clay!

Dies Used:

B147Olive Branches

B146Pine Branches

D134SM Leaves 2

B119Tropical Leaves

B117Fanciful Flourish

D137Sweet Williams

C184Judy’s Blooms

DL129Border Carnival

B132Flower Chain Border

XMC-5Scalloped Window Stackers

B149Cuties 1

B152Miniature Rose

DL152Small Dragonfly with Angel Wings

SF-1Stacker Flower 1, Leaf

B129Cherry Blossom

B118Pair of Ferns

B127Tropical Flourish

DL112 Exotic Butterly Mini

Challenge Number “Three” is underway on the CheeryLynn Designs Blog.

The theme this week is "Red& Green"

The rules are:

1.You must follow the ‘theme’ in place, and use at least ONE Cheery Lynn Designs die, though of course we would love to see more!! J

2.You must add a link to your blog post (not just your blog) using the Inlinkz, found at the end of this post.No back posting, only new projects please.

3.You must link to our blog in your post.

I am entering my creation into My Craft Spot's, Challenge #34 - "Handmade Flower Power".... please call over and have a look at the lovely DT creations, and perhaps, even enter yourself!! 


Also, I'm entering Challenge #6, over at Crafty Ribbons Challenge, #6, where the challenge is "anything but a card"!  You have to see the DT's creations, some really unique and unusal items... I especially love the cake - wow!!!
and
Fussy and Fancy Friday, also have a challenge taking place "Making a Gift/Anything but a Card".

Well I hope you have enjoyed my creation this week!  I wish all those celebrating “Thanksgiving” on the 25^th, a special time with family and loved ones....

And to everyone, happiness always, no matter where you are on the globe!!

Sandie