A Fond Farewell to Secret Garden!

Hello... sorry it's been so long since my last post, my craft room was under construction. Not really, but I was re-organizing it once again. When I organize, I pull everything out and sort and recycle, discard, give away...  and I actually managed to get it more organized than the last time - so yay! Last night I finally got to do some stamping, I'd been sick for the past 2+ weeks and really didn't feel in the creative mood :(

Good news is I crafted last night and a bit today and am totally loving all the new goodies that I've played with so far. But for today I'm going to share one of my favourite sets that will be heading off into retirement at the end of today...

My card features the 'Secret Garden' stamp set, this was the first set that I ordered from last year's Occasions Catalogue... and luckily it was carried forward into the annual catalogue so I got to enjoy it for an extra year. But, sadly it is now retired - so we can fall in-love with the new, pretty floral sets that are available now! It's not surprising that I like floral stamp sets as I love gardening (I've posted some photos below)!

With fond memories... of a Secret Garden!

 What a pink card?!! I know, I've said I don't really like pink... but it's hard not to pair flowers with pink - most flowers are pink!! Besides pink gives a nice contrast against black. I stamped the same flower 5 times, fussy cut them out and glued them onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, which I also fussy cut out - I wanted the contrast so the cutting time was worth the effort for the look I wanted! I used a Basic Black layer for some added contrast and embossed another layer of Primrose Petals with the 'Square Lattice TIEF', which is also headed off to retirement at the end of the day :(

 

I made a semi-circle with my flowers, every other flower is popped up on a dimensional - I added a piece of 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain ribbon and added a 'Thank You' sentiment to finish my card. I hope you like it :)  I've added a few photos from my garden, it's not a secret garden... but I do LOVE it - and it too is worth all the effort!


  This photo is of my back rock-garden, of course Tucker had to make a cameo...

he's just got to follow me everywhere!!  

 

 I just love this time of year, all the first blooms of Iris, Monarda and my lovely purple Alliums (did you know that they are in the onion family?!)

 This photo (below) is from the first part of my yard...
I have gardens all around the perimeter of my yard!

 Below is part of my front yard garden!

 Below is my favourite garden, it's not as flashy as the others since there isn't a lot of colour... but I love the hostas and astilbes and how low maintenance it is! I change my mind every year which garden is my favourite, this way they don't fight!!! Lol!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Secret Garden [wood: 131940 - $31.95; clear: 129144 - $22.95]

Square Lattice TIEF [119976 - $9.95]

1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon [Whisper White: 126877 - $6.75]

Rhinestone Basic Jewels [119246 - $6.50]

 

Have a super, fantastic day - Happy Stamping :)