Wednesday, May 4, 2011

You've Been So Sweet




Before I tell you about my card today, I want to tell you a little story about patience.  About six years ago my husband and I were at our favorite blueberry farm in Vancouver, Washington buying blueberries, and in the gift shop they were giving away coffee samples.  We were talking to the owner about the coffee and he told us he grows the coffee right there in his house.  He took us over to see his trees, which were in large pots sitting outside because it was summer time. He told us he had gotten the coffee beans when he was in Hawaii.  In the winter he put the trees in a glassed-in porch.  We were so fascinated with his trees he gave us a few coffee beans and told us we could grow a tree.  We took our seeds home and planted them as instructed.  It took months and months for one seed to finally pop up through the soil.  We had this tree for about four years and it never grew higher than 12 inches.  Well finally it took off and recently grew as tall as the ceiling in our dining room.  Each branch was growing straight out (sideways) about three feet and was taking up way too much room.  We really didn't think it would ever make coffee beans!    We decided we had to get rid of it so I went to a florist and she didn't want it but told us how we could sell it.  To make a long story short, we decided to keep this tree but cut it way back so it wouldn't take up so much room.  To our surprise it really starting bushing out and within about a month we saw what we thought were blooms.  Well this morning we found out they really are blooms.  The above picture shows these pretty little flowers.  The tree is full of buds and I think will be full of flowers before long.  I think we really are going to have some coffee beans.  We are very happy now that we didn't get rid of our coffee tree.  Have you ever tried to grow a coffee tree?

Now to my card.  I just received some new JustRite stamps from Joan's Gardens that I have have been wanting.  This card is made using the "Vintage Floral Labels".  This set has two beautiful vintage frames, three corners and five sentiments. This set is mounted on cling foam and you use them with any acrylic block. The image was stamped with black ink and clear embossed on ivory card stock.  It was colored with Copic markers then sponged with Tim Holtz distress ink.  The sentiment was stamped and embossed then cut out with a scallop Nestability.  The yellow frame was cut out with the Spellbinder Beaded Ovals die. 

The designer paper used in the background is from another new paper pack from Joan, called Webster's Pages "Ladies & Gents and Trendsetter" collection.  The stamped image and yellow frame were each attached with dimensional tape.  A blue bow and blue rhinestones were added to complete the card.

All products used on my card can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

10 comments:

A Consuming Passion said...

Your card is lovely as always Selma but I so enjoyed reading about your coffee bean planting! We have a friend who grows coffee up the coast at Byron Bay......Think I might ask if I could try planting one of his beans...yours looks so pretty!!!! Hope all's settled down over your part of the world.

The Other Patti Sue said...

What a great story! I got so caught up in it I had to go back and look at your card! It's another very pretty creation!

Sheila - Ginger said...

Gorgeous card Selma and what a lovely story about thr coffee beans...the blossoms look beautiful and so delicate. I'm afraid in this part of the world ( The UK)they would never survive.....and boy have you got some patience!!

Love Sheila xx

Glenda said...

Such a beautiful card Selma! I love the story about the coffee tree. How wonderful that it is finally blooming!

Karen (TLgirl353) said...

Selma, What an amazing story about the coffee plant- I would have never known that was possible in a home!
Your card is gorgeous-they always are!

craftieodmae said...

WOW! Absolutely beautiful! I love the story, how awesome!!!! The tree have gorgeous blooms, so let us know when the beans come it LOL.

Sharon said...

I think that is fantistic about the coffee bean growing. I would love to try that myself. My Aunt grew a grapefruit tree from a seed one time and it was lovely. Never had any fruit but it was very pretty.

Winnie and Patty said...

Selma--your card is lovely. And I loved your story about the coffee tree. I've never heard of anyone growing a coffee tree before! LOL

Evette K. said...

Loved reading your story Selma. Would love to see a big picture of your coffee bean tree.
Your card is so pretty. Happy Mothers Day to you. My hubby is working Sunday so not sure other then church what we will do. My two sons live out-of-state but daughter lives 1/2 hr. away. Not sure what she is doing yet.
Please contine sharing your GREAT inspiring cards with us. Love them. Thanks, and big hugs.

Heartwarmers from Vicki said...

Thanks for sharing your story about "patience". :) I wouldn't have room for a coffee tree. Think I'll stick to growing things outside - like strawberries.

Oh, and the card is pretty!

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