A glimpse of April’s release - today!

Well, hello there! First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone for the wonderful notes you’ve sent and comments you’ve left wishing Power Poppy a Happy Birthday, and for participating in the treasure hunt-surprise party thrown by the Bloom Brigade. (It’s not too late to get in on it, and you might win $100 gift certificate in our store - click here!) I continue to marvel at the number of folks we are touching with our message and our stamp designs, and who in turn touch more folks with the cards they make!

It’s a really good feeling, and I do so appreciate you all sharing your happy vibes with us!!

OK - I have the suspicious many of you are awaiting what we have in store for you with our April release. I let you in on a little sneaky peek in the e-newsletter a few weeks ago...

Can you see the frothy blooms blasting out of that pitcher (see, tucked under my camouflage of markers, papers, and ribbon)? Folks went gaga for our French Lilac digi, and that made me very happy because you know, I just wasn’t finished with Lilacs yet. In fact, I actually drew a few other images for this set and couldn’t fit them all onto a 4 x 6" stamp set canvas! They will just live in my sketchbook for a while. But really, who can get enough lilacs?

Not this lady!

As a matter of fact, I’ve tried to grow lilacs on more than one occasion, and unfortunately, I didn’t have the ample daylight sun and space that Lilacs need to thrive (most space filled up by peonies!). But, I am entranced by the inspired lilac hybrids of Father Fiala, and I would reallllly love to have that lush scent in my yard come spring. And, not to get started on too big of a tangent, but let me show you a few of the Lilacs introduced to the world by this renowned and beloved hybridizer. The lilacs shown below can be ordered by mailorder from my favorite, favorite, favorite source for unique perennials and very special trees and shrubs, the lovely family-owned Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery in Wisconsin.

'Little Boy Blue' by Father John Fiala, Available by mailorder from Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery

'Fiala’s Remembrance' by Father John Fiala, Available by mailorder from Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery

'Atheline Wilbur' by Father John Fiala. Available by mailorder from Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery

Here’s a quick bio of the hybridizer Father Fiala, written by Roy G. Klehm. I designed and illustrated Klehm’s catalogs for many years, and Roy told me lovely stories about the man behind these plants, so I appreciate you indulging me in sharing this part of the plant world with you! Klehm’s has more than 20 varieties of hybrid lilacs — go find more inspiration for your coloring, or even better, plant one outside your window — CLICK HERE! :)

Now I think I might have to go pick up a bouquet of these from the flower market, they are going to be all I can think about today, and they’re aren’t even close to blooming yet!

Doh! I did go on a lilac tangent. Because today’s post is about peeking at my new stamp set, isn’t it... SO! Presenting a preview of our newest clear stamp offering, one that I think you will turn to again and again to usher in spring, and share a sense of “enjoying the moment” by slowing down and breathing in the goodness of life: It’s Lilac Time!

Come and see the lilac-y loveliness that our Bloom Brigade has created for today. You may find yourself needing to feel surrounded by the calming spring scent of lilacs, or maybe you’ll order up this set so you can color these up ANY TIME! Even after they finish blooming in the garden...

GO BLOOMIES, GO!

Allison Cope
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

We’ll see you back here tomorrow... we have more to share and I’m going to tell you now, I’m trying to make it really hard for you to resist any of these sets. I put my heart into each of them! (It’s my way.) Have a spectacular day!