IB24 In the Garden

Hello, peeps!  It's Thursday, and you know what that means....another Inspired By challenge!  Laurel comes up with the prettiest inspiration photos!  This week challenged me a bit more than normal!  I pulled out a really "vintage" stamp set from waaaay back when I first started to stamp to create my card today:

And here is Laurel's prompt:

So.....there are lilies of the valley, a snail, and a ladybug!!  I don't really have any of these images, but I did find a little ladybug in the "spring" lineup of Nature's Seasonal Borders, circa 1998, so that's what I chose!  I stamped it in Stazon ink on some watercolor paper and used inks and an aquapainter to color in all the images:

I filled in the backgrounds with Crumb Cake to go with my Crumb Cake card, and I found some Tim Holtz Christmas paper in a deep green that mimicked the background of the inspiration photo.  I diecut it and another scrap of watercolor paper with a scalloped stitched die for a little interest.  When I went to assemble it, I noticed it sort of matched the lilies of the valley--a happy coincidence!  Finally, I added some grunge stamping and a sentiment from Colorful Seasons, stamped in white craft ink and heat-embossed, as well as a little linen thread bow:

Laurel's design team has come up with some FUN and interesting creations using this image prompt...(you need to check out Michele's especially!!!), so I hope you'll stop by the Inspired By blog and share your own snail, ladybug, or whatever you're inspired by, with us!  

No Cassidy pictures today, but since her last day of school is tomorrow, I thought I would take a quick trip to Longwood Gardens since we will be busy with her activities and Tuesday was such a gorgeous day!

A panoramic view of the conservatory and fountains:

Roses and topiaries:

Clematis:

And the Italian garden fountain:

It was a quick trip, mostly for exercise and fresh air, so I didn't get a lot of pictures!  Enjoy your day and be blessed!