A flat card from a flat Sabrina - it's been a long busy week and I still haven't even tried Lyn's TLC. I thought about Polly's MIX of our favourite place, and just couldn't get inspired by the sea or the mountains. They seem too far away and unobtainable at the moment. The same applied to Paris. So I thought of one of the few visits we managed anywhere last year, which was the Botanic Gardens, which has always been a peaceful haven for me. And then I thought of our most recent trip to Giverny, and how the hibiscus trionum (I'll add a photo in the challenge post) seemed so like a fairy lantern that it made me think of Lavinia stamps. And this is my third attempt at pulling something off for this challenge. I think the first one isn't even redeemable.
For this one I had a circle mask in the centre of the card, and I used IO Greenery with Brushos to stamp over it - mostly sea green, sandstone and lime green.
I removed the mask and stamped a circle of the lanterns in silver, and added my LOTV sentiment with a dark green ink. A bit meh, so I added another circle of lanterns in gold and it looked better. I cut it down and stamped French Foliage all round the edge in a couple of different greens, and added a butterfly from the pot on my desk. I also added a few bubble-like stamps which you might see if you look very carefully, as one of my memories from every visit to Giverny, regardless of the season and the flowers, is the shop with umbrellas hanging outside and a bubble machine. It lifts your heart already even before you get into the gardens. It's not my all-time favourite place, but it's definitely up there and I cound myself lucky to have visited several times.
Date: Friday, February 19, 2021 GMT Views: 1123
Favorited:2
Registered: February 27, 2007 Location: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 39843
Fri, Feb 19, 2021 @ 10:58 AM
A flat Sabrina is a sad sad thought....I hope something perks you up soon. Can't imagine you making anything 'irredeemable'.
I sure would like to think I'd visit Giverny someday but I'm guessing that might be tough. I'd like to see more of my own country. I think this card is very sweet and Monet-esque.
------------------------------ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Registered: October 18, 2015 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 19903
Fri, Feb 19, 2021 @ 11:30 AM
Love your card, Sabrina! Have never been to and probably
won’t make it but your pictures look divine! I would go in a heart beat but the trip is so far. Have been to many places in the world but not to Giverny.
Hope you get your mojo back soon....TFS
Registered: February 10, 2006 Location: Mid-Atlantic Posts: 13168
Fri, Feb 19, 2021 @ 11:32 AM
This is lovely ..... I agree with Jean that it reminds me of a Monet!! Hope things will look more upbeat to you soon, Sabrina!
------------------------------ Rita
God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ... being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8 & 9
Registered: June 29, 2010 Location: Recently moved to the seaside, with views over to the Isle of Wight Posts: 13780
Fri, Feb 19, 2021 @ 11:33 AM
I zoomed in and your card is even more beautiful. I really enjoyed my visits to ‘your’ botanical garden ... very calming. Hope next week is calmer for YOU x
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50743
Fri, Feb 19, 2021 @ 12:48 PM
I really like how you used your Chinese lanterns for the middle...how cool! And the foliage around the edge does make this seem like an Impressionistic painting. I know you are missing your annual trip to France...hopefully we'll all be able to go back to our favorite places soon ;) Hang in there.
I love how the focal point is the sentiment and the butterfly - the stamped images of the leaves and fairy lanterns give a nice effect! I agree with Jean and Polly - it is Monet-esque (to borrow Jean's term )!
I learned a few things from your card - I looked up hibiscus trionium and fairy lanterns, then soaked up the history of Giverny. Thank you for the educational part!
Registered: February 19, 2011 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 15375
Mon, Feb 22, 2021 @ 1:57 AM
This card is so lovely and peaceful; it lifts my spirits even without seeing the bubble machine in action. I love the foliage around the edges and the butterfly is perfection. It certainly captures what my impression of Giverny feels like -- although I have only visited in books and pics from friends. Your meh is beautiful.
Registered: March 8, 2005 Location: Halfway between Dallas and Houston Posts: 24020
Mon, Feb 22, 2021 @ 6:32 PM
Such a cool background! Shaping the stamping around the center greeting looks great and it really looks like some of the designs one would see in a formal garden. I love visiting gardens wherever we go.
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