Friday 18 March 2016

A special anniversary, and the art of bulb growing

Yesterday, my aunt and uncle celebrated a very special anniversary - their 65th wedding anniversary! Here in the German speaking part of the world, it is called "Eiserne Hochzeit" - the iron anniversary. I created a card for this special occasion, using one of their wedding photo as a template and reproducing it with a transfer technique, some tea staining and watercolours.


The cut out image went on the front of the simple card of watercolour. I'm thinking about adding some lines on top and bottom, but I haven't quite decided yet.


For the main text inside, I used my new Pilot Parallel pen. It was quite hard work on this rough paper, but I like the effect of the broken line. I was just afraid that it would ruin my new pen. Tomorrow, we'll be celebrate this anniversary with the whole family. It means spending 7+ hours on the train there and back, but it's well worth it, and I'm looking forward to it very much.


As to growing flowers from bulbs - I'm sure there's a special art to this, but one that I, unfortunately, haven't mastered. I saw all these gorgeous images of amaryllis blooming at Christmas, and crocuses and narcicusses ready for spring. I bought two amaryllis in November. One produced such huge leaves that it threatened to fall off the windowsill, but never any flowers. The other one shot up and flowered within half the stated time, only to wither a couple of days later and then completely collapsed. 



The crocusses I nursed for weeks in the dark of the cellar, watering them regularly and watching their progress. There was another one in a glass, that started to rot weeks ago. In the pot there were three bulbs, one shot up, one remained small and the third rotted away too. So I was looking for just two flowering plants. But they wilted away before they even started to flower properly. I don't know what I did wrong. I was trying to find the magazine with the gorgeous flowers (they didn't seem to have any of my problems) but I must have thrown it away. And I'm afraid that's where these are going too...


15 comments:

  1. Such a lovely project. Happy PPF

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful portrait for the wedding anniversary, what a long time they have been together. I have had similar experiences with growing bulbs, made me smile! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy 65th anniversary to your aunt and uncle - what a beautiful card and such a thoughtful idea - they will absolutely love it, I'm sure.
    What a shame about your flowers. I also don't have green fingers which is a shame as we have large gardens but thankfully my husband is so I leave it to him! The bulbs do look lovely in those glass vases though.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've created a gorgeous art piece from their photo. Love it.
    Thanks for your beautiful photos,
    happy PPF xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your card will be so beautiful when finished, and I'm sure your aunt and uncle will love it. The fact that you actually made it will tell them how much they mean to you. Lucky me that have a garden to grow the bulbs. Put them in the soil and forget about them till spring, then they will bloom. I've never tried to grow them indoors.

    ReplyDelete
  6. what a beautiful card and handwriting to celebrate such a special anniversary. Congratulations to the couple! I am no good with growing things and have finally given up... have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stunning card you created...what a wonderful gift of love! I'm sure they will be so thrilled! Have fun as you celebrate such a momentous occasion!!

    Hugs Giggles

    ReplyDelete
  8. your card is beautiful and I am sure they were really thrilled with it... I admire you even attempting to do the bulb thing... too hot for a lot of them here... but maybe you could ask neesie over at neesie natters she is a great gardener...xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderful card. Lots of heart in it. Congratulations to them. That is a long time. I have tons of bulbs growing outside but thanks for the lesson on growing them indoors. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  10. very interesting; Happy PPF

    much love...

    ReplyDelete
  11. 65 years is such a wonderful (and amazing) anniversary. Your card is beautiful, and I bet they loved it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a lovely project. Love the painting. Sixty five years together. They are so lucky. xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow 65 years that is something to be proud of. Love the card you made. I am not a bulb flower person either. Great photos.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh dear, never mind - I don't have green fingers either! Meanwhile 65 years is quite an acheivement! And what a beautiful card! Like you, I love the effect of the broken text caused by the tooth of the paper. It somehow gives it even more character :0)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Suchh very nice card, it must have been wonderful to get.
    I hope everything is fine with you and your family.
    Warm hugs on your way!

    ReplyDelete