Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Lilac Branch

I made this card using a new Sizzix die called Build a Lilac and different shades of purple Bazzill cardstock. After I cut out several individual flowers I sponged the edges with Purple Hydrangea Versa Magic and I bent them a bit with my fingers. I then used glue dots to stick them down to the background panel, from Lasting Impressions, in a pattern that I liked. I layered some smaller on top of the larger ones and some by themselves. The leaves are also cut from the same die with Bazzill paper and inked with Versa Magic Tea Leaves. The center of the flowers were filled with Liquid Pearls and then I sprinkles Winter glitter on top. It softened them without too much sparkle and I really like the way it came out. The hardware is from SU! and the dragonfly is a silver charm that I distressed with some Espresso alcohol ink to tone it down and make it coordinate with the hardware better.



Here's a close up of the flowers.

Lilacs are my all time favorite...although I am an avid gardener and I have many favorites...the smell and the color are just such an intoxicating combination. I like to imagine that's what Heaven smells like...I have four bushes growing in my yard and they are all in bud now. Well, all except the one I rescued from my grandpa's house a few years ago. He lived in the Adirondacks, which is now the family summer home, and my grandmother planted a lilac bush many years ago in the yard but I had never seen any flowers on it. It was in deep shade under a very large pine (which may have not been the case when it was planted!). After my grandfather passed away in 2004 I dug it up and brought it home with me and planted it on the side of my house on Long Island. We had the house sided in 2006 and the workers dropped materials on top of it and practically split it in half! I pruned and salvaged what I could and when they were done I decided that it needed to be moved to a more prominent and sunny spot, where I could see it all the time and make sure it was ok. It's been in my backyard now since the fall of 2006 and this is the second year it has produced foliage but no flowers. At my local nursery they told me that so long as it leafs out every year it has the potential to make a come back and bloom. I also read that it can take up to 3 years for a lilac to bloom again after a stressful transplant. So while I see no buds again this year at least I take comfort in knowing that it is still alive and has a good home. I talk to it too...but you all do that too, right? I talk to plants, trees, bugs, animals (of course!) and mainly myself. It's a bit concerning at times I think. Oh well. Happy Tuesday!

Edited to add:

Ila said...
This is Gorgeous!! I love lilacs too...but hubby is allergic so we had to dig all our out.

Wait! What? Ila, have you never heard of divorce?!! Okay, just kidding...but I would be devastated! I mean, my dh hates Rosemary and I am still bitter that I can't cook with it!

Not really ;-)

13 comments:

Carolyn King said...

that is beautiful. love how you layered those flowers! i love lilacs too--but allergic. They are pretty in paper form too!

Debbie Olson said...

Beautiful, Danielle! I actually glad that I didn't see this before I placed my JoAnn.com order this morning. . . or I'd have been really tempted to make it larger! :-D

Julia Aston said...

Love it Danielle! what a beautiful lilac! they are one of my favorites too! I have a row of them in my yard which screen us from the street on that side - they are very old and we lost 4 of them this winter after an icy snow storm but when they bloom they fill the whole yard with the most wonderful smell!

this card is just super!

Amy said...

Hello! I had to check out your blog after I saw the card you sent Joan. What great colours! I love this card too - the purple is fantastic. I am also a big fan of lilacs. It reminds me of my grandma because there is a large purple lilac beside the family house where my dad grew up. Great memories!

jjcreations said...

Danielle....this is beautiful. I love lilacs too and this is a gorgeous card. I know what it's like to transplant something to remember someone by. I have a lily in the backyard that I took when my grandparents sold their farm. I too am not embarassed to admit that I talk to plants, trees, birds, bugs, animals and myself. Don't be concerned....it's being attuned with everything around you...LOL Have a great weekend. Joan

Heather said...

Your card if gorgeous! If you really like lilacs you should visit Rochester's Lilac Festival this spring.

Anonymous said...

Just Beautiful!! I wish I had the touch for gardening...but alas...not my forte

Ila said...

This is Gorgeous!! I love lilacs too...but hubby is allergic so we had to dig all our out.

Rose Ann said...

This is so gorgeous, Danielle!! I love your lilacs!! I hope your grandfathers' bush blooms next year! You'll have to let us know. ;)

Bonnie said...

This is beautiful Danielle! so much work but soooo worth it! I hear you when you talk by the way! lol! It's all okay, except for the bugs.....;)

Kari said...

I love your card!!! It is gorgeous!!! Love lilacs too! And I absolutely love love love the dragonfly! Is it one that I would be able to find somewhere?

TjandMark/AKA PearlandHawkeye said...

I love lilacs too and they always remind me of my grandparents who I spent my summers with as a child. And I too talk to animals, bugs and plants. When I was younger I worried about it a bit, but now I am very comfortable in my conversations with creation. The jury is still out about the arguments I have with myself though!

Broni said...

What a gorgeous lilac! Love it!!!