Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Echinacea Purpura aka Purple Cone Flower

Yes, because of all your encouraging comments and suggestions I have made another flower using the Build a Blossom punch and Blossom Petal stamp set.
This time I made a Purple Cone Flower - also known as Echinacea. 
This flower is a perennial herb in North America.  It is named for the prickly scales in its large conical head that resembles the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos = Greek for hedgehog).
In the past this herb was used as a "cure-all" for anything - but today it is used to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu.  Many herbalists also recommend its use to boost the immune system.
I make no claims to its healing properties - I just love it as a perennial in my garden.
But because of its reputation of being a healing herb - what better sentiment to put on the card than "Get well soon"
Stamps: Wellness Wishes, Build a Blossom
Inks: Rish Razzelberry ink and marker, Old Olive
Papers: Rose Red, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Accessories: Tulip edge and Polka Dot embossing folders, 1/4" pink pirouette taffeta ribbon, flocking made by scrapping soft suede and more mustard cardstock with scissors, gold glitter, stampin dimensionals, Build-a-Blossom Punch, 3/4" circle punch, Word label punch, Modern word label punch

Note that I notched the edge of each blossom petal as that is characteristic of that flower.
I tried to build up the cone of the flower with the use of flocking made with card stock scrappings, and then put a bit of gold glitter in it. You really don't see the glitter in the picture.

5 comments:

Karen Rossiter said...

Very nice! I can't wait to get my Sale-A-Bration order so I can start CASing some of your beautiful flowers.

Debbie Martin said...

I love it. I believe you love flowers as much as I do. Can't wait for spring!
Debbie
www.cleverandcute.blogspot.com

Serendipity Stamping said...

Oh how I love this card! The Purple Cone Flower is my favorite flower. I had MANY of them in my flower gardens in the mid-west. Have not had much luck with growing my favorites in Florida. You gave me info I did not know. I never knew echinacea came from the Coneflower or that it is a herb. Thanks so much for the lesson along with my favorite flower.

Anonymous said...

So pretty. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon - Puyallup, WA

Liz Goldhawk said...

This is beautiful! I love the get well sentiment with this flower... I'm waiting for my stamp set and punch so I can CASE!