I realize there are many areas of the country that are still in a deep freeze, but our sunny Seattle weather this week has brought temperatures into the 50's and I noticed all of the crocus bulbs sprouting up along our walkway this morning. The sun is at such a wonderful angle this time of the year - it reaches deeper into the house, since it's path is lower on the horizon, and when it comes through one of our bedroom windows on the south side, it peeks in through the hallway, down the stairs and onto the basement floor. It only happens between late January and late February - just the right angle to reach into the basement! Our dog Biscuit and our new puppy Kip are both stretched out on the hardwood floors, soaking it up.
So I thought I would share some of the ideas that have been floating across the studio that celebrate spring - and for those of you who are still very much in the winter weather, it won't be much longer before things thaw, the birds return and flowers begin popping on branches!
I have been obsessing over birds for almost a year now - I have purchased all sorts of bird books and scientific bird catalogs, learning the structure of a bird so that I can incorporate them into my design. I guess you could say I am going through a "bird on branch" phase here - I have designed several birds on branches since last summer and this is one of my latest. I've tried drawing different species of birds - trying to find a gentle, friendly looking bird that looks good individually or as a pair of birds. I've settled on bluebirds for now - but might try doves, or chickadees (or hummingbirds?) next.
On the other side of the bird spectrum would be a more whimsical style that I applied to this little owl. I think back to my Aunt Viola who had a whole collection of owl memorobilia in the 70's - ceramic, glass and wooden owls perched on bookcases, end tables and knick-knack shelves. I am using robins egg cards for these ideas - which work perfectly with our new sweetbay 6x6 paper collections.
Our new "trimmings" section is expanding - we've been using our super tiny 2 mm jewel stickers here as "cherries" on some trees. The sparkle is wonderful - and a fun change from glitter glue.
The leafy branch pattern is again from the Sweetbay collection - the layer on the card is from our Sweetbay 6x6 paper packs, but it is also available at a larger scale in 12x12 paper. It is so much fun to use underneath a layered image!
Keep the birds coming--they are wonderful!!! The more I watch our backyard songbirds, the more personalities I see! Eastern Bluebirds--they all remind me of June and Ward Cleaver. (See sialis.org for all the bluebird info you can stand.) Goldfinches--all super sassy! And our Ruby Throated Hummers--Clint Eastwood meets Bruce Lee!
Keep up the great work Dave!!!
Posted by: johanna | February 03, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Dave, I love these cards! They are gorgeous!
Posted by: KathyN | February 03, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Dave
Everything you do is beautiful. I love all your new stamps and paper. I have a hard time cutting up or punching any of your paper. I'm certainly a collector!!
You are so lucky to have spring already. I can't wait to get some new stamps and paper. I will have to try out the new "trimmings."
Posted by: tami | February 06, 2009 at 11:08 PM