The Greetery Nature Lover Release Countdown Day 1

"It's the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us. The question is not what you look at, but what you see." 

-Henry David Thoreau

Hello and welcome, friends! It's day 1 of the Nature Lover collection release countdown from The Greetery! There are so many beautiful products that pair perfectly with other items in your collection to yield endless different design possibilities! My projects for day 1 are quite different from what I might normally create, as I really wanted to embrace the natural elements of these new products.

There are full introductions to all of today's new products over on The Greetery Blog. 

"The voice of nature is always encouraging."-Henry David Thoreau

My first card uses the GORGEOUS new Boxwood Heart Base die and Boxwood Heart Details die. I also used the super sweet new Wood Slice Hearts to add to the center to use as a backdrop for these sweet {love} birds. 

I die cut both the Boxwood Heart Base and the Boxwood Heart Details from white cardstock and then used Distress Oxide inks in Mowed Lawn and Pineneedles to add the color. I used finger sponge daubers to add the different shades until I got the results I was hoping for.

I also added some Terra Texture around the heart using liquid glue and then I just sprinkled it over the top. It adds the perfect woodsy feeling that I was hoping to achieve!

"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads."

-Henry David Thoreau

I promised myself that I WOULD NOT make another shiplap background, but here I am again breaking my promises! ha ha! I created something soft and subtle by die cutting the planks using the Shiplap Builder Dies out of Rustic Cream cardstock and then adding some Vintage Linen Distress Oxide ink lightly around some of the edgges. I glued them to a panel and then added that to a top folding Kraft card base.

I die cut the focal panel using the Nordic Frames die and then added the sweet "happy valentine's day" sentiment, which is from the new Mini Boxwood Heart stamp/cut combo, to the bottom using black ink. This is such a sweet mini stamp set and I've used it a few other places in today's post.

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees."      -Henry David Thoreau

My next two cards use both the Mini Boxwood Heart Frame stamp/cut combo AND the Heart Wood Slices. These were actually the first two cards I made for this release and this set the mood for all of my projects for day 1. As I mentioned earlier, these are different than what I normally make and definitely different for Valentine's Day! That being said, they are PERFECT for those outdoorsy men in our life that deserve a valentine that isn't dripping with red roses and gold fonts, am I right? ha ha!

I used the gorgeous new Love Song Sentiments stamp set for the main heart. It is stamped to look like it's been burned into the wood slice. I added Terra Texture around the wood slice. They say that moss only grows on the north side of trees, but in this case, it grows ALL over! ha ha! That's why they're called "creative liberties"! ha ha! I used another Mini Boxwood heart and one of the included sentiments. It layers so nicely over the top of the small Heart Wood Slice.

I wanted to add a red detail, but wanted something found in nature, so I was thrilled to remember the Botanicuts: Toadstool Garden. I was actually looking for the Botanicuts Pineboughs, but when I saw these sitting there, I knew they would be the perfect unexpected natural touch I was searching for!

"All good things are wild and free."-Henry David Thoreau

I added a bit more Terra Texture to the bottom of the toadstools to "ground" them and to give the card visual balance. My husband is NOT outdoorsy, but this is his valentine! ha ha!

I was having so much fun with the toadstools I decided to quickly create another valentine design. I used both sizes of the Heart Wood Slices and added another Mini Boxwood Heart.

Can I just mention that this post doesn't include a single sequin or pinch of glitter? I used the Terra Texture in their place! 

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."-Henry David Thoreau

My final card for today uses the new Love Is stamp set, which I LOVE! I chose to create something woodsy, yet dramatic for a bold card! This could be used for more than just Valentine's Day, but that is what I plan on using it for.

The Love Is stamp set coordinates with the Boxwood Heart Base die and the new Let's Have a Word Love die.

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."-John Burroughs

I created the traditional Buffalo Check background by die cutting the Square Dance die from Scarlet Jewel cardstock and then used the Square Dance Stencil over the top using Black Soot Distress Oxide ink. I then layered it over the top of a red piece of cardstock and added the Nordic Frame.

I die cut the LOVE word three times from black cardstock and glued them together using liquid glue for a sturdy piece. I knew I would be stretching it across the Boxwood heart that is included in the Love Is stamp set, securing it strategically with additional liquid glue.

The Love Is stamp set has many of the different sentiments like, Love is patient, Love is kind, etc. I LOVE  this and know I will be using it often! I need the Love is patient reminder on the daily! ha ha! Ultimately I chose "Love never fails." because I know this is true! Sometimes in our humanity we feel that it isn't true, but as we turn to our divine nature, God will let us know that it is true! Keep going, keep trying, keep loving...it never fails! 

Well friends, this concludes my projects for day 1 of the Nature Lover release countdown! If you're feeling "gypped" that you didn't see any flowers today (LOL), don't fret because tomorrow you will get your fill! Thanks for fluttering by!

Here are the links to the other designers' blogs! Enjoy!

Kay Miller

Laurie Willison

Dawn McVey

Heather Nichols

Keeway Tsao

Angelica Conrad

Norine Borys