Though I appreciate the beauty of a winter's day
i will always love spring and summer much more than I'll ever like winter.
And this one has been especially frigid and grey....
causing me to struggle for the inspiration to create.
So while I desperately wait for spring's arrival...
I decided it was time to dig deep within my creative spirit
and create something...anything.
I first reached for dried hydrangeas and twigs from last summer's blooms...
and made a wreath...a simple addition to my studio...
but one that managed to add a dose of sunshine to the room and my soul
but one that managed to add a dose of sunshine to the room and my soul
Now what happened next was an unexpected surprise...
as I began to clean up the "scraps" from creating the wreath
I discovered the beauty left behind by the scattered petals, stems, and leaves...
and couldn't bring myself to discard them...
and couldn't bring myself to discard them...
inspiring yet another project....
dressed it with a backdrop made of beautiful pattern paper
then ever so gently with tweezers and patience layered petals...and more petals
then ever so gently with tweezers and patience layered petals...and more petals
just as one would find in the billowyness of a real hydrangea.... 
and as I added its body made of real leaves and stem....I began to see her....
a hydrangea in my winter was born....
it was in fact so inspiring that I found myself reaching for the other two frames
and other dried flowers within my reach...
and other dried flowers within my reach...
first mini roses that struggled to bloom during our first frost joined in....
then lavender from my giveway win.....
simply tied with a bit of twine...and two buds that fell just so...
inspiration found in the midst of my life's winter....
XO,
57 comments:
"Inspiration" indeed! These are breathtakingly beautiful...sigh.
What a great idea - so simple, but so beautiful. You have inspired me!
Liz
These are all stunning Abby!!! Gorgeous work as always! hugs, Jane xxx
You absolutely amaze me with your creativity and vision of all things beautiful!! These are so gorgeous and I would love them hanging in my living room!!! And the wreath is just as beautiful!! Enjoy them!!!
Hugs,
Teri
OMG Abby,they are just breathtaking!!! If I had the time I would sit here and stare at them for hours!! You are an inspiration to us all,you see what others don't. Had that been me, I probably would have thrown all of it out......now I feel shameful....lol....
Hugs xx
These are beautiful Abby
hugs Sarah x
So beautiful and clever! Love them!
~Trisha
Your flowers in frames are all so beautiful. What delicate little creations!
Thanks for sharing! :o)
OMG, Abby! THAT*IS*INSPIRATION! They are stunning.
Monicaxo.
They look amazing!
Kathy
Oh how lovely! So happy I stopped by ~ you've given me a cute idea for the frames I just found!
How very pretty! Bring a bit of summer's beauty and warmth into your space. Although I don't envy you placing all those petals!
R/
I love how one project inspires another! So happy you found, no made the time to allow sunshine to fill your soul~
Wonderful projects; I love flowers!
These are gorgeous~
Oh I just love these! Such pretty papers you used behind the flowers too. What a wonderful cure for the winter doldrums.
Beautiful project. What a great idea.
~ Tina
I have the perfect little frame. I have dried lavender from my garden. You have inspired me! Thanks
These are beautiful!! I'll bet you had a ball making them. I love when that happens - Happy White Wednesday - Tanya
Oh Abby, what a neat idea. I have dried hydrangeas around that shed petals and I might just have to steal this idea.
And the wreath is gorgeous.
xo
Claudia
These are absolutely GORGEOUS! What a great project...thank you for sharing!
Ahhh... dreamy .. how far off is Spring? These are just so pretty!
xo
Jill
These are all very beautiful, so subtle and serene. Gorgeous creations agian Abby.
Happy crafting
Tracy x
Abby, love love love your blog. First time here. Your idea with the dried flowers is gorgeous. I have a whole bunch of dried hydrangeas, the brownish ones and lots of old frames. Just curious if you hot glued these to the back of your frame . . . and how you got the loose petals to stay together. I just love hydranges, especially the green and blue ones. Glad I found your blog.
They are absolutely beautiful and the possibilities are endless for the different flowers you could use. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post. ~~Sherry~~
Abby these are absolutely amazing! Every one a work of art. And your wreath is truly beautiful. I would say that you created your own Spring and Summer here!
hugs
Stunning inspiration! How creative of you Girl!! Thanks for sharing summers beauty with us.
xoxo,
Ellen
Delightful. You have found the flowers of winter and put them in pretty frames.
Thanks for the inspiration. I have some dried white roses, and now I know what to do with them :D
You had me at hydrangea wreath and then I saw the artwork! These are so sweet! Just in time for Spring! Love them!
~Michelle :)
fantastic! these are just beautiful, I admire your patience.
Ooooo! Fantastic idea! They all are so pretty!
Hi Abby~ what delightful little treasures you created! I love the wreath too but really love your sweet framed art! Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday~ following you along! :)
This is so beautiful, you've really inspired me! It's hard this time of year to find inspiration to create, the florals are just amazing!
Thanks for sharing this on VIF!
hugs,
Debra
So beautiful!! I love the dried flowers!!
Just lovely! Really pretty.
Those are so pretty! I have dried flowers on hand too... I might just have to try that!
Abby, I fell in love with the wreath and then came the topping -- I've dried flowers for many years and have used them in similar ways -- your found your withered petals and dried up leaves dead in the winter and put them in a picture of spring Terri www.morningdewdrops.typepad.com
Hi Abby ...Oh my how I love the flowers in the frames ...what a wonderful upcycle of the dried flowers ...
Thanks for stopping in for your giveaway and posting it ..
Blessings ..sara
Abby, these are gorgeous!!!!!! I love them so much. Clever you!
This looks so lovely. I look forward to you stopping by at My Dream Canvas:-)
Oh my goodness--these are stunning! Thank you so much for the inspiration!!
Oh these are 2die4!!!
LOVE the lavender one!
Roselle
Hi Abby nice to meet you! I am visiting from Cindy's. These are just gorgeous! I love them. I have some dried hydrangea that dried a pinky color. I love how they turned out. Thanks for sharing, and for the inspiration!
Debbie
What a beautiful trio of spring!! I do so love hydrangea but have yet to be able to grow one here!
bee blessed
mary
oooh lala c'est tres chic.
Don't forget to link it in our linking party this week.
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/02/fun-ideas-for-valentine-day-2011be.html
Maggie
How very lovely. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Love this idea!!!
What beauty evolved out of bits that someone else might have discarded. It seems to have led your Creative Muse into sheer genius. Each one is lovely. You certainly found beauty in the middle of this especially snowy Winter.
Karen
what an adorably sweet and pretty way to frame a flower. Thanks for sharing :)
I am smitten with these darlings! So sweet and romantic! I just happened to link over from another gardening blog and it's treat to be here.
Candylei
How beautiful! I love these!
These are darling! I am sooo ready for spring. Thanks for the inspiration (and hope) that is around the corner.
What a cute, cute idea. Thanks for the inspiration. Karie
These are simply stunning, such understated elegance! I am inspired to dry my hydrangeas this year. Thanks for sharing.
Abby, those are so lovely! Like something you'd see in a Parisian flea market. *le sigh* Thank you for linking up to the party!
xo
Kate
this is a really beautiful idea....i may just have to flatter you by totally copying your idea... :D
they turned out great!!!
hugs, cindy
I've put together a round up of great wall art projects on Craft Gossip today and included your post. :) You can see it here
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Love! How did you get the flowers to adhere to the paper?
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