Think Spring

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...actually it's not that bad!  It's snowing, but warm.  It's just kind of an "ugh...more snow...I'm ready to be done with snow" kind of day!

A few weeks ago the Groundhog saw his shadow (at least around here he did!), which means 6 more weeks of winter.  Did you know that the Groundhog is right aobut 75-90% of the time?  The thought of 6 more weeks of winter really made me long for spring...or at least a chinook!  I love the smell of spring, seeing the trees start to bud, and watching everything come to life after a long winter of dormancy.  To me, spring just feels like a new start...it's refreshing!

February's Mantle Messages class was spring themed.  I had the girls questioning why we did spring...they're so excicted to display their projects, but it's too early!  Well, I did spring, becuase I needed to use some springy colors to break up the monotomy of winter and because next month we need to to Easter. Spring just fit into my Mantle Message schedule!

Anyway, here's a look at the project...

It's so long that it's hard to get a good picture of it!  This time around I chose to go a little different route!  We've been using chipboard coasters for the Mantle Messages, but I just got my Scallop Square Die and wanted to use it!  All the backgrounds are cut from On Board Longboard and Chocolate Chip cardstock with the Scallop Square die.  I *heart* that die!  I stamped the background with Chocolate Chip ink using the En Francais background stamp and then sponged around the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

The flowers are cut with the clear Flower Die using the Sweet Pea DSP in the Occasions Mini.  There's so many patterns to choose from in that DSP pack that it was hard to pick just 6!!!  I'm loving all the choices in that paper pack and really hope to see more like that in the new catalogue in July (hint, hint, hint...if anyone from Stampin' Up! is reading this!!!).  Each flower was sponged with a coordinating ink color.  Because there's so many patterns and colors to choose from in the paper pack, I let the class participants pick whatever design they wanted for their flowers.  They all turned out so different and so pretty.

The centers of the flowers are textured So Saffron cardstock punched with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch and then sponged around the edges with More Mustard ink.  And, in the centers I put the letters to spell spring.  The letters are cut with the Go Go Boots Alphabet from Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I think the letters are the only part not sponged on this project...besides the ribbon!

I wanted the ribbons joining the squares to look like leaves, so I put two pieces of Old Olive Striped Ribbon between each scallop square (they're attached to the backs of the chipboard squares and then a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock is put on to finish the backs).  I then tied a piece of Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain to each striped piece.  I think it achieves the look of leaves, and at the very least brightens it up a bit by adding some green to the mix!

I'm thrilled with the way this project turned out!  I think it's my favorite Mantle Message to date, and I can't wait to display it on my mantle!

Have an inspiring day!