Ahh.. La Bella Primavera!….And New Cardmaking Video Posted!

Cristiani!  Primavera sta qua! Adesso, sta molto fresca a Las Vegas e presto ogni mattina, quando sta calma fuori, mi piace camminare nel mio giardino con un bel cappuccino. I’ve got to practice my Italian somewhere or else I’ll lose it completely, folks. And since my guy doesn’t speak Italian and there’s only so much I can say to my dogs, you’ll have to bear with. A serious Italophile lurks here at this post in the ether.  Aside from a lusciously intonated language which languidly rolls off the tongue, I think I’m primarily in love with how Italians, especially in the South, have perfected the art of savoring the moment.  So so so profoundly important!

Well, spring has arrived where we are, and since it’s going to be a short one, I’m doing my best to savor the transient beauty of a Las Vegas spring. We’re now regularly in the 70’s and 80’s during the day.  Before we know it, the weather is going to become unbearably hot, and I will, unfortunately, wilt. I’m trying to get into the habit of rising early so that I will be able to continue enjoying the outdoors before the potent Vegas rays force my retreat.  There has been a devoted nurturing of seedlings these past few months – watering, lighting, adjusting, fertilizing.  So, it’s been a bit difficult to remain calm knowing that many of them will not survive the extreme temps here – will keep you posted on the developments.  So far, the all the basil varieties are perky, and my intuition tells me the salvia will thrive. These are the varieties of salvia I’m trying out this year.

Salvia, "Summer Jewel Pink"

Salvia, "Blue Angel"

Colorful spires, full of nectar.  Hummingbird sanctuary?  Yeaaaaah boyeeee!

As is often the case, the garden inspires my craft.  I want to share with you my latest nature inspired creation.  It’s a relatively quick card that celebrates the explosion of color and life in spring as seedlings burst forth from their casings and spring bulbs erupt out of the soil.    Come visit me on the tube to see the tutorial for this fresh and invigorating card!  Click the link below to view:

Card Making Tutorial: La Bella Primavera

Here’s a teaser shot to lure you over to the tube…

Detail of "La Bella Primavera"

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamp Set: Olde Curiosity Shoppe 3, IC0141, Hampton Art/Graphic 45
Sentiment Stamp: Ditto

Patterned Papers: She Art, Christy Tomlinson
Solid Cardstock: PTI

Ink:
Pinwheel Petalpoint Pigment Ink Pad, Colorbox
Versamark Embossing Ink
Gold Embossing Powder, Tsukineko
Dusty Concord Distress Ink, Tim Holtz

Punches:
Heart, Fiskars
Circle, EK Success
Flower Punch, Martha Stewart

Dies:
Flowers, 3-D Bigz Die, Sizzix

Bling:
Pearls, Recollections, Michaels
Lime Green Rhinestones, LA Downtown Fashion District

I’ll be using another stamp from the same set in my next tutorial.  This project will be the perfect gift for someone in your life that’s got a lot of stress.  So keep your eyes peeled. Or better yet, subscribe here and on the tube so that you don’t miss it!