Friday 2 July 2010

DU2DS The Great Outdoors

I've definitely been spending a lot of time in the great outdoors this week, remodelling my garden which I haven't touched for over three years. Gardening was my passion before I found crafting and it hasn't had a look in since then, but, in an effort to create some special moments in time with my OH, we decided to get the garden back into shape

So what was a minimalist zen garden has now become this







I've been working well into the night on it and while out there have watched frogs emerge out of the pond and go hunting round the garden, seen a family of blackbirds come and have a splash about in the pond, and had a grunty, grovelly visit from a couple of very young hedgehogs.

Just the right theme for the DU2DS challenge and with a couple of Christines fabulous images spent the early hours one evening this week making this



I played around on photoshop to combine the two hedgehogs and her fantastic bluebell image then water coloured them. Rather pleased with the result ............ what it must be to be able to draw so well!

Anyway with a such fantastic challenge the possibilities are endless this week as you will see from the diversity of the DT,s samples.

Hope to see you there!
x Michelle

19 comments:

Teri said...

Brilliant card hun! Love what you did in the photoshop. Hope you had fun!
Hugs,
Teri x

georgina said...

I LOVE THE GARDEN Michelle!!!!! it's a wonderful place to sit and relax,OH and the cards not bad either,lol as usual it's great, luv Georginaxx

craftimamma said...

Ooh Michelle, your garden is as beautiful and imaginative as your crafting works of art. What a wonderfully relaxing place to sit. I love the stone walls. I'm always amazed by the different colours the lichen creates.

Your card is extremely beautiful too. Is there no end to you talents? I don't think so!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

The Stamp Man said...

Your garden looks lovely Michelle, it sounds as if you've put a lot of time and work into it, was worth it!! Great card, your colouring is beautiful.

Jill x

Larissa said...

Such a pretty card Michelle! I love how you coloured the images!

Hugs,
Larissa

ElizabethR said...

Michelle all of your hard work has paid off your garden look's beautiful! I neglected mine last year whilst I looked after my Mum, and it's like a jungle this year and very hard to get back on top of. If you have a free weekend????????? Love Elizabeth xxx

Zoechaos said...

wonderful garden restful place to sit and sip something nice while being inspired by folicing hedgehogs. Your card is so charming no idea how you do what you did on photoshop but the image is lovely, your little ladybirds are just a magical touch. Wonderful inspiring work,as always. xx Zoe

lisa said...

What a beautiful garden you've created, Michelle. It looks a peaceful place to relax. Gardening is still my passion and has to share the time with crafting. I find it very theraputic to go outside and lose myself for awhile pottering with the plants and deciding what new things to add to an already overcrammed space. This week it was a gorgeous, fragrent apricot rose.
Your hedgehog card is superb. I love the ladybirds crawling up the side.
Enjoy your new space.
Hugs Lisax

Netty said...

Love your card, magic as always, but... am in love with your stonewalls, they are fabulous, a frame for the beautiful garden. Annette x

PatR said...

Michelle your garden looks wonderful,perfect place to relax and unwind.
Your card is gorgeous and I love how you've brought the hedgehogs to life. Keep debating whether to get Photoshop but I think after seeing what you've done I might well go for it. I'll know who to ask when I get stuck! xx

themessycraftroom said...

Oh Michelle your garden is gorgeous. Looks so inviting and relaxing. Where is it you live? Can I come for a visit please? I simply adore your hedgehog card they are so lovely and look great with the bluebell. x ChrisB

Meggymay said...

The card is beautiful and your garden is so inviting, a scene of peace and calm. I am sure you enjoy relaxing in it.

Sally H said...

Your Garden is looking stunning! Wow! I love your card too. Those hedgehogs are so beautiful!

Fiona said...

What a pretty garden Michelle and you've got some lovely plants. Fabulous hedgehog card, wouldn't have a clue how to do anything in Photoshop myself, clever you. Great embellishments also.

Lynne K said...

Your garden is beautiful, Michelle, and your card is equally gorgeous. Wonderful colouring.

Bee and Dee said...

love the garden really beautiful beats my weed patch any time. Hope you managed to get your other job done. Bee

debby4000 said...

Oh your garden is beautiful and your card is gorgeous.
luv
Debby

Lexxie said...

Love your garden Michelle, it looks so peaceful...I can just imagine sitting there chilling out with a glass of wine!
Your card is stunning, I love the imagery, and you have coloured it so beautifully,
Love Sarita xx

Yvonne said...

Now thi sis what I call perfect ! just love this type of space .. away from it all... peace , space .. this is such a wonderful looking place to be in this heat.. what a place to be in now!
And these little hedgehogs would no6t look out of place sitting and chilling would they. How clever you are ...