Tip-toe through the conservatory

My new three-set stamp collection for Power Poppy is called Scents & Sensibility, as it features images and sentiments that touch and tingle those aspects of our lives.

Yesterday we previewed a set heavily associated with the “scent” side of that equation—the fragrance of fresh Lilacs sends folks back to fond, vivid memories of childhood or of the air outside their bedroom window—but today I want to share one that really hits the sensibility side! If you can just tiptoe through the conservatory with me for a moment...

Actually, it’s the Linnean House at the Missouri Botanical Garden, the oldest greenhouse west of the Mississippi River, in continuous operation since 1882. (Mighty impressive!)

While these blooms do not hold a scent, the stunning Camellia is a flower associated with a range of themes and significance. As a matter of fact, Camellias come in shades of pink, red, and white, and each color has its own meaning! Pink flowers represent longing. Note how the flowers nod downward on a Camellia plant, almost appearing coy.

It’s not hard to see why red Camellias symbolize passion. Check out this hot number:

White Camellias stand for adoration, loveliness, and perfection. (and, if you can believe it, nary a white flower was in bloom when I visited, so you’ll need to use your imagination to conjure the most perfect white Camellia and insert it right HERE. :)

I did capture this wonderful red and white striped variety, however, so let’s gaze upon this beauty....

Both pink and red Camellias most often symbolize romantic love, the pure white flowers are thought of to express love in many forms, including the love of a parent for a child. When given to a man, camellias represent good luck!

I found all of these so very charming — and with such depth of color and variety in the way the frilly petals open to be almost pom-pomlike! So inspired in fact, I took what started out as an image for our very popular digital set, Camellias, and created an entire set, with new images and sentiments. Introducing the clear version that will infuse your cards with meaning and innate beauty: Simply Camellias!

Oh, the Bloomies have really created a showy tour for you today with Simply Camellias. And I think you’ll see that the new floaty, scripty sentiments really freshen things up! I hope you’ll take some time to travel around their blogs and see what they’ve made!

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

And my dears, I do hope you’ll come back tomorrow. I am almost concerned that the juiciness of the set we’re sharing might send some of you to the fainting couch.