Basket of Violets and a Ladybug Tutorial

 Today I have created a basket of Violets for an Easter card.  The violets were created using Susan's Garden Pansy/Violet dies.  The violets were created as shown on Susan's Video at this Link.  In the center of each flower I added a dot of the yellow Paper Pen from the Susan's Garden Viva Decor Paper Pen Set.

The gorgeous die cut at the top of the card is a new Marianne Design Anja's Border, which is now in stock at  Ellen Hutson, LLC. There are two dies in this set.   The basket is also a Marianne Design die (CR1207). The small leaves behind the violets is the Impression Obsession, Leafy Branch.   The little bunny is one of the three bunnies from the Impression Obsession Bunny die.  I added a tiny black pearl to its eye and a small white pom pom to the tail.

Did you notice the cute little ladybugs on some of the leaves and in the grass? I have had some of you ask me how to create these  ladybugs.   They were made with the Susan's Garden Lady Bug Kit.  I just received my Ellen Hutson, LLC  Newsletter and in it is the following statement: "Have you noticed the ladybugs Susan adds to each of her flowers?  We are so happy to share that we have a very special Viva Decor Susan's Garden Ladybug kit now available.  Don't delay... get your kit now because we are not certain how long it will be available!"

 Below is a tutorial on how I created the ladybugs for my card:

When you receive your Susan's Garden Ladybug Kit, be sure to watch for the thin wire that will be in the package.  This wire is used to unclog the narrow tip after you finish using the black Viva Decor Pearl Pen.  In is shown at the bottom between the two bottles of Pearl Pens.  The fine tip should be used with the Black Pearl Pen to create the small dots on the back of the ladybug.

Work on your Non Stick Craft Mat and first add a dot of the Red Pearl Pen the size you want your ladybug to be.  Try to get a nice round circle.  Next use the Black Pearl Pen with the fine tip on it and add a dot of black to one end of the red dot, kind of pressing in so it "melts" into the red body.  I like to make a lot of these at one time.  It is not necessary for you to wait for these to dry, but I like to continue once they are dry, because I think I get better looking black dots.  Susan does this step while the red is still wet.   If you are using your Craft Mat from the Susan's Garden Tool Kit, it is easy to set your ladybugs aside until they are dry.  Don't leave them right where you are working, because I found out the hard way, you may end up laying something on them and it will totally mess them up if they are touched while wet!

 Once they are dry, I go back with the fine tip and add the black dots to the back.

 You can make very tiny ladybugs or larger ones, it is going to depend on the amount of red Paper Pearl that you use.  if the ladybug is large enough, you can add a very thin black line right down the center of the back, then add your black dots.  I have created a variety of sizes and save them in a little plastic box so I always have them ready to use.  (The truth is that they are so fun to make I can't stop!!!!)

 Aren't these little guys cute!

I have had some questions about my sister in law.  She had a pretty rough time of getting through the double mastectomy surgery.  She ended up with two surgeries - the first one was seven hours long, and the next day had to go back for a second surgery because something was left inside.  She has been in a lot of pain but doing much better. We thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. If you would like to send her a card to cheer her up through her recovery, here is her address:

Judy Blackmore

1529 Sandpiper Place

Pueblo, CO  81006

USA

You can purchase the following products from Ellen Hutson, LLC:

 Susan's Garden, Pansy/Violet Dies

 Marianne Design, Anja's Border

Susan's Garden, Viva Decor Paper Pen Set 

Susan's Garden, Ladybug Kit 

Susan's Garden, Flower Tool Kit

Ultimate Glue

Non Stick Craft Mat

Marianne Design, Anja's Border die

Impression Obsession, Leafy Branch

Impression Obsession, Bunny Dies

Poppy Stamps Grass

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