Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Brushed Butterflies and Tulips

Hello, friends, and welcome!  I think I'd better get busy here before you forget about me.  I never mean to be away this long, but you know -- Life.

Everything is okay.  The tree removal went relatively well.  Some fence boards had to be replaced, which our neighbor kindly pitched in and took care of.  The big crane left a large pothole -- more like a crater -- in our driveway.  It will have to wait a bit to be fixed.  The RV is parked over it so it's out of sight for the time being.

Meanwhile, I've still got some cards I haven't shared yet.  Today's makes were a fun play with some Spellbinders sets on loan from my friend (and yours), Michele.  I'm afraid I kept them a little longer than expected.  It's just like all my NBUS -- I dance around it quite a while before I actually sit down and make anything.  Then I wonder what took me so long.

So here we have the first card with Spellbinders Butterfly Burst die set.  The butterflies come with it.  The sentiment is an oldie Hero Arts.  I wasn't very imaginative considering I very nearly copied the picture on the package.





The next card is Spellbinders Artful Tulip.  The sentiment is Poppystamps.  Once again the idea came from the packaging, but I added a bit more because you know how I am.  I love these pretty little tulips.  The fancy frame is Marianne Designs Anja's Oval, an oldie.




I did the coloring with Copics.  I think that pretty much covers it so I didn't provide a recipe, sorry.  I was looking at my draft posts that need to be written up and I'm a little surprised at how many there are, and not a one of them features anything from my NBUS baskets.  I need to turn over a new leaf and start using that stuff!  See you soon!

21 comments:

Christine Alexander said...

We're in the middle of building a garage and having a backyard reno so I sympathize, we took two big weeping birches out and have moved tons of soil around :)

Your Paintbrush cards are adorable, I love the little tulips sprouting out the brush xx

Glenda said...

Both cards are amazing but the second one with the tulips just really catches my eye! Love the paint brushes and you used them well. Hoping Sophie is well!

Birgit said...

Two beautiful cards Leslie! That was so kind of Michele to loan you her dies. You've used them well. The butterfly card is darling and will certainly scatter joy to whomever you send it to. The tulip card is absolutely charming as well! The Marianne Designs frame is so pretty framing that sweet tulip filled paint brush.

Yogi said...

both are lovely, but I really like the 2nd one. The tulips as part of the brush is a great idea. Have a great day

Margaret said...

Wow! These are both beautiful. I think I have a set like the first one that was gifted to me but I haven't used it yet. Looks like I need to get it out and use some inspiration. Love the tulips also since they are purple, but the card is gorgeous.

Diane said...

Both are so artistic and creative, I have a couple of these SB paint brush die sets (the SB warehouse sale of course)and have had some fun with the tulip one, it will appear on a DT down the road but I really LOVE how you have created with yours, so different from our normal dies and so fun too, I love that pretty pink paint on the first one and all the butterflies, your second one is beautiful too and love the arrangement of the tulips!!

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

These cards are so creative! I never saw your paint brush die before. I love how you used it as a center point on your cards especially your tulips!

I Card Everyone said...

Oh if your friends only knew how beautiful your butterfly card is IN REAL LIFE! It seems you loved those sets as much as I ever did, Leslie! LOve your purple tulips and that gorgeous oval frame!
=]

Cat Craig said...

Both are fabulous, Leslie. Heres to a new year with lots of nbus being used!

Barbara said...

Wowzer! I have this die and have made it several times like your butterfly card. I was happy with that, until I saw the tulip card that you made. fantastic and so creative. I love to be inspired by you.

Lynette said...

These are so cute, Leslie. I especially love the purple tulip one - the layers are fabulous.

Cynthia M said...

I love these so much! Tulips are my fav flower and they look so real! Love, Love Everything!

Bonnie said...

Life can get in the way of creativity, Leslie, but you can always delight with your cards! I am reminded that I have this paintbrush and tulips in my NBUS box. I hope I can use them as beautifully as you have! You found the perfect sentiments to go with both cards!

Marcia Hill said...

Don't feel bad about taking so long to play with those Spellbinder sets Leslie...Michele let me die cut the butterflies, tulips, & brushes almost 2 years ago (I think...) and I still have yet to make a card with them! Oh brother...now I'm really feeling like a slug!! But anyway, it was worth the wait as both of your cards are FABULOUS and are totally making me think Spring...a good thing! Hugs. :0)

Lisa Elton said...

You turned those die cuts into some lovely little works of art! I like your fluttery butterflies but I think the tulip card is my favorite. The fancy frame is fabulous!

nancy littrell said...

Two beautiful cards featuring beautiful...who would have guessed...Paint Brushes:-) Your cards are so creative and fun, Leslie..TFS Love and Hugs..Nancy

Conniecrafter said...

They are both so pretty, I really love the Tulips though and the heart paper behind them and the lovely frame all comes together perfectly!

HilaryJane said...

Glad the tree felling is now over and done with. Great paintbrush cards. I like them both equally. The pink and mauve colours are gorgeous xx

Pauline said...

Both cards are beautiful Leslie. Love the blended background on the first one, with those gorgeous butterflies fluttering, and love the sentiment 'scatter joy'. And those purple tulips - love. Your paintbrush on the tulip card looks so real, wondering colouring on this! Thanks for sharing, sorry for the late comment. Have a wonderful day!

Donna Ellis said...

Oh Oh OHHHHHHH! Leslie, I am in love! Purple and Green are one of my fave combos, and your self-portrait in the tulip card is hard to miss. The artistic gardener who brings life and beauty in everything she touches, DEFINITELY makes life full of magic for the rest of us! Pure gorgeousness. Painting life in your "scatter joy" pink creation is even more precious! I love the depiction of ALL OF US in this story - how we can choose to be ourselves, and paint the beautiful stuff flowing from our hearts, and let that pretty "stuff" come out in whatever colors and shapes it happens to emerge as! Each butterfly emerges in the color and state given it, not fighting to see who has the prettiest colors or jewels - just flowing into Life and bringing Beauty and Joy! Thank you for bringing this important reminder thru your artwork. Glad the tree ordeal is sorta finished. It's nice to cover the crater of that "surgical" procedure that needed doing. Jack and I do everything a little at a time, and it works about perfectly that way. So I guess we are in good company, as you do the same. Wishing you a beautiful February, dear friend. love, de

Ida said...

I'm playing catch up on my comments today (bet you couldn't tell). Both these cards are so much fun (I have that Hero Arts sentiment). Love them both.