Blog Hop: Think Spring

WELCOME to the Think Spring Blog Hop hosted by Jessica-Creative Stamper and moi, Fancy With Nancy. If you are coming from Jessica's blog, then you are in the right place.

Spring is my ABSOLUTE favorite season. I love to garden and there is something so wonderful about the hope that exists in a growing garden after being so dead all winter long.  My first project is inspired by my garden. Besides digging in the dirt and watching things grow, my favorite thing to do is take pictures of my garden. The garden is a great place to learn how to use your camera. Your subject does not move (except for with a breeze) and you can take your time focusing in on what you want to highlight and you can learn how to deal with the lighting issues each picture presents.  Usually, the first picture that I take is of the first flower that shows up in my garden. My flowering tree: Royal Star Magnolia.

This is my picture from last year. I was just out there checking out the growth and there is a bud just starting to open up.  Can't wait!

I wanted to get these pictures printed and added to the page before I posted but you know.... life is very busy right now.  So just imagine this picture and it's siblings perfectly arranged on this layout.

And here is the layout:

"Spring has Sprung", it is so true when that first flower opens up. They are so fleeting and taking pictures of them makes them last just a little bit longer. Here are some closeups:

 I created the SVG file for the flowers and the leaf flourish. You can download the flourish FOR FREE below.  The flower SVG will be for sale shortly (very a very affordable price).

I love these colors together and the First Edition paper in SU. It is archival paper in 12x12 looking like it came right out of a dictionary. Love it.

Recipe
Colors: SU Soft Suede, SU Blushing Bride, SU Very Vanilla, SU Crumb Cake
Accessories: Crumb Cake Ribbon, SU Designer Series Paper First Edition

For my second project for spring, well I cheated a bit.  I made this project for my daughter's school auction. It is part of the centerpiece series that we are doing that are based all on these super cheap and easy to change wall clocks we got at Hobby Lobby for just under 8 dollars (originally 14.99).

 I covered the clock with 12x12 paper and used a nail file to cleanly create the circle instead of cutting it and hoping that it matched up. I just ran the file over and over again on the edge in one direction until the paper ripped off.  I think stamped and cut out all the flowers and attached it using Scrappy Glue.  I actually ended up putting just a little bit a cream paint on the hands (with hopes the extra weight does not affect the time, eek!) because the darker original hands were not showing up on the brown paper.

Recipe
Colors: SU Early Espresso, SU Crumb Cake, SU Marina Mist, SU Very Vanilla
Stamps: SU Fabulous Flowers
Accessories: SU Basic Pearls
I used the same leaf flourish from the "Spring has Sprung" page. Download the smaller of the two flourishes that I created in SVG format below and please post back if you ever use it!

Spring Bling you say? OK :) I am doing two blog hops so the bling is the same for both. I will combine the comments together and choose 
randomly for one winner across the two posts.  My lack of organization is your benefit. I found myself with an extra Stampin' Up Embossing Folder named Elegant Lines.  You need a Big Shot for this item (and I believe other machines are compatible like the Cuttlebug). If you don't have a machine to work with it and you are the lucky winner, I also have really fun Stampin' Up Basic Rhinestones that you MUST HAVE.  If you would like to be eligible for this Embossing Folder, if you are not a follower, please follow my blog and leave a comment below! 

Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by and I hope you enjoy this hop.  There are some amazing ladies on here so please be sure to check them all out. Your next stop is: Erika at http://www.cricutlove1.blogspot.com/.

In addition to my giveaway, the amazing Angelica from Handmade by Angelica has so generously donated a set of her stamps from Market Street Stamps!! 

So Happy

To win this AWESOME set:

• Leave a comment on ALL of the stops along the Blog Hop
• Jessica from The Creative Stamper's Spot will be choosing a winner from ALL of the comments left  {which means, the more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win!!}

Here is the rest of the blog hop list:

1. Jessica- http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/ <-- You came from here
2. Nancy-http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/ <-- You are here
3. Erika- http://www.cricutlove1.blogspot.com/ <-- Your next stop.
4. Monica- http://www.stampindaisies.com/
5. Tanya- http://www.ScrappyScavenger.blogspot.com/ 
6. Martha ~ http://pattisscrapingtime.blogspot.com/
7. Linda-http://www.fancyframework.com/
8. Jenny-http://www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com/
9. Amanda - http://www.scrapanddash.com/
10. DoBea-http://www.dobeaalberts.blogspot.com/
11. jennifer - www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com
12. Nadia - www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com
13. Jessica - www.denimglittercreations.com
14. Angelica - www.handmadebyangelica.com
15. Jessica Baker http://thatzuneek.blogspot.com/
16. Anita - http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/
17. Alma - http://almabrooksblog.blogspot.com/
18. Laura - http://www.makinprettythings.com/

Hope you enjoyed my post! We have another blog hop planned in June so we hope you stop by again!