Sunday, April 6, 2025

No Birds, But Spring Flowers Instead

    Hi everyone. Happy Sunday. It's been another grey and wet weekend in my area.  I hope you have some sunshine and spring weather.

   Today, besides joining Gillena's Sunday Smiles, I have a spring page for my Spring Birds challenge at Art Journal Journey It's much more simple than my pages usually are, but sometimes simple is the best.

     I started with some yellow paint which was on a stencil. It was the paint that you get when you use a stencil to make a design and then pull the stencil away. There is always paint left on the actual stencil. I used a wet paper towel to wipe it off onto my page, and I like the few little streaks that it left.

    When that was dry I stamped the crocus image 3 times (Paper Artsy). I then took some watercolor paints and painted them in. The actual flowers are a combination of some blue and purple. I used the purple to then splatter some paint around the crocuses.  After that dried,  I used a very old quote stamp. It came from a  clear set from Autumn Leaves. You might remember them from back before 2010 if you were doing any stamping back at that time. Finally I took a purple punch out butterfly from a 49 and Market set to finish my page.

      I don't have any crocus blooming yet, in fact, there's just a few starting to pop above the soil line.


    However, I have day lilies and daffodils popping up even more.  Here's the  day lilies.


     And here's the daffodils.


     And I mentioned last Friday how I planted some rhubarb roots in  a planting bag. Already there's one  starting to grow.


   And let me finish with these wild coltsfoot in bloom when I took the dogs walking on Friday.





Have a super rest of your weekend and start to the new week.









23 comments:

Hels said...

I have never even heard the word "coltsfoot" or seen it printed, but it does look like others in the daisy family. The bright yellow flowers are attractive.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I was out again yesterday in local woodlands and Colt’s Foot were still the only wildflowers in bloom, although it looked like Lungwort were making a valiant attempt. A few days of warm weather will do the trick I think, and any time now Bloodroot, Trout Lily, Hepatica, Spring Beauty, Trilliums etc should start to thrust up above ground. I can hardly wait! I suspect that the plant life where you are is very similar to here. All the best - David

Angie's Recipes said...

Those wild coltsfoot are really pretty. Don't think I have seen them over here. The spring page is lovely. Happy Sunday!

Tom said...

...it's great to see the earth come to life again.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

So good to see plants emerging through the soil somewhere. We should be seeing the same late this week as our temps reach 60 and maintain it through the 7 days forecast.

Jeanie said...

Isnt it exciting when the sprouts of crocus or daffs pop up? It feels like yes, spring just actually MIGHT make it!

Iris Flavia said...

If slowly, and first in your page: YAY for Spring! On a low here, study-wise, so trying to find new power - like Spring - and wishing you a happy Sunday, hugs

CJ Kennedy said...

Your delightful crocus bulb page reminds me of botanical drawings. Glad to see Spring arriving in your yard. I hope the snowflakes fizzle.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I LOVE simple and your charming crocus bulbs really scream Spring. Another fabulous entry for your theme at AJJ.

Christine said...

Gorgeous page and lovely spring blooms. My crocus was up weeks ago.

Elkes Lebensglück said...

How pretty your crocuses look on your spring page!
Well, there'll be something to see in your bed soon. Coltsfoot is coming out here too. When the dandelions bloom on the dike, it looks so beautiful, the sea of ​​dandelions and the dandelions. I'm already looking forward to it.
Have a great start to the week, hugs Elke

Shari Burke said...

Your simple page is lovely. How cool that you have rhubarb growing already!

Jamie Ghione said...

I never heard of "coltsfoot" until now!

Gillena Cox said...

Luv all the dprouting taking place. And, nice journal page
Thanks for linking to SundaySmiles

Much♡love

DVArtist said...

Very wet and overcast here as well. I love your art piece and the flowers coming up are just to pretty.

kathyinozarks said...

Awesome-you have lots of spring shoots popping up and I loved seeing the dandelions-I usually collect a few dry them and make into a moisturising oil or cream and love their happy yellow faces.
Happy spring glad you didn't get more snow.
hugs Kathy

MELODY JACOB said...

The simplicity of your spring page beautifully captures the essence of the season. It’s lovely how you’ve used the leftover stencil paint to create texture, giving your design a gentle, natural feel. The crocus stamps with their watercolor details bring a sense of early spring to life, and the addition of the butterfly is a nice touch, symbolizing renewal. It's always wonderful to see the beauty of nature, like your daffodils and day lilies, starting to emerge, even if the weather is still a bit gloomy. Your page truly reflects the hopeful arrival of spring.

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Aimeslee Winans said...

A pretty page, I love the blues with green on the vintage background. And some good signs of Spring! xox

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

It has been much of the same weather pattern in NH, Erika, and this morning (Monday) light snow ❄️ is falling. Spring will be very late this year.the coltsfoot always fooled me as it is so similar to dandelions, but neither has been spotted yet.

Let's Art Journal said...

Such a beautiful spring page! Loving the blues of your crocus and it's lovely to see your garden flowers starting to burst to life - it looks like spring has sprung 😊. Happy wishes! Hugs, Jo x

*Vicki* said...

Your page is so gorgeous with the flowers! Sometimes simple seems to suit me best when making pages...never really understand why, but think it's a mood. Your flowers are coming out very nicely! Thanks for sharing those!

craftytrog said...

Hi Erika. I really love your beautiful spring page. It's wonderful to see all the spring bulbs coming up now.
My sling came off today, so hopefully I'll be back in action again soon.
Alison xx

Sharon Fritchman said...

Hi Erika! Oh wow! I absolutely LOVE your blog post!! One of my favorite flowers is the crocus! When I see them I always know Spring is right around the corner, even though we are getting snow flurries this morning. (Yikes!!) I love your simply work of art!!! Your stamped images, paint splatters, and title are gorgeous! What a beauty! And all of your photos really made me smile. I love how you ended with the amazing, sunny coltsfoot photos, too!!! Thanks for making my day! Hugs, Sharon