As all of you know I am in the thick of wedding planning. A few months ago I was introduced to this amazing lady named, Esther. She's an artist at heart, a floral artist, and will be our wedding florist in May for our big day. When Christmas time rolled around I really wanted to create something for her, to thank her for all the ways in which she has inspired me in the past few months. She's such an awesome person and I hope we will remain long-time friends.
The floral patterned paper I designed in the Love & Marriage collection is actually named after her, and is the paper I used as the base of the canvas. I bought an Artisan Canvas from my local Michael's Craft store, and a bottle of Modge Podge. First I Modge Podge the canvas, then the backside of the patterned paper. After sealing them together and waiting for it to dry I wanted to create a great quote about flowers for her as a daily reminder of her beautiful work.
Using some pink paint, Designer Tapes and Feathers I created the bottom layer. I mixed a bit of paint in the feathers to help them stick a little more, and to create a decoupage kind of look. Then I added the Sienna Chipboard alphabets (a mix of Punch, Pickle Juice and Pony), along with a couple High Five Alphabet stickers to create the title. To make sure these pieces never fall off after Esther displays this in her home I hot glued all the chipboard and flower pieces on.
I finished by embellishing with some Crochet Flowers (Daisies), Crochet Hearts, Baby Blooms a Bella and a chipboard scallop border, wooden (Checkers) buttons and the hot pink flowers buttons.
On the backside I painted a patch of pink, then I Modge Podged one of our Engagement photos along with the year and the paper "slug" of the paper I named after her. These photos don't show it, but after this was completed dry, I used a fine point black painty pen to handwrite a sweet message to Esther and signed it.
Just before Christmas I swung by Esther's home to drop of the gift. She loved it. She cried.
{*All products used are Bella Blvd except the large fluffy white and tope flowers and the pink acrylic paint}
aww this is just so sweet...
Posted by: annette allen | January 11, 2013 at 08:34 AM
You are so sweet! Love the expression the earth laughs in flowers!
Posted by: jan m | January 11, 2013 at 09:01 AM
What a sweet gift!! I loveeeeeeeeee this canvas you made for her!! Your flowers are perfect for it!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | January 11, 2013 at 09:30 AM
Wow, Stephanie - how beautiful!! Such a sweet and thoughtful gift. I'm sure Esther will cherish it forever.
Posted by: Lisa C. | January 11, 2013 at 09:46 AM
Wao!..This is such a gorgeous canvas.Love how you have embellished it!..So so pretty! :)
Posted by: Hussena | January 11, 2013 at 10:16 AM
This is so sweet, a gift from your heart ;)
Posted by: Andrea Garland | January 11, 2013 at 10:18 AM
What a precious gift Stephanie! No wonder she loved it so much!!!
Posted by: Juliana | January 11, 2013 at 11:05 AM
I love this! You did a fabulous job. A great keepsake for your friend for years to come.
Posted by: Karen Conner | January 11, 2013 at 11:14 AM
A very beautiful and caring gift.
Posted by: SandraA | January 11, 2013 at 12:46 PM
A beautiful project. I would cry too if somebody brought me something like this. To know that your work is being appreciated means a lot. Congratulations on the wedding. I know the flowers will be exquisite.
Posted by: MaryLouH | January 11, 2013 at 01:22 PM
This is so pretty, Stephanie! And such a thoughtful gift!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | January 11, 2013 at 03:33 PM
That is so sweet and an amazing gift!!
Posted by: Danielle | January 12, 2013 at 08:02 AM
This is so gorgeous!! Good luck with your wedding planning, I know it's going to be beautiful!
Posted by: Jill Cassity | January 12, 2013 at 09:13 AM
Its beautiful! I can see why its hard to part with!
Posted by: Melinda T | January 12, 2013 at 04:58 PM
Amazing! Beautiful! i'm in awe! how do you have time for things like that? very sweet!
Posted by: Victoria in OHio | January 12, 2013 at 11:12 PM
i love that!!!
Posted by: joanne3107 | January 13, 2013 at 12:30 PM