The Flickr Exoticbloom Image Generatr

A vibrant cluster of Peacock Flowers (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) bursts into fiery bloom, bringing tropical elegance to the lush landscapes of Baguio, Philippines.

In the embrace of fiery petals,
a secret world unfolds.
Emerald whispers curl around amber dreams,
as if spring and flame have struck an accord.
A bloom both fierce and tender,
where the pulse of nature beats in a kaleidoscope of color.

Japonisme is a French term that refers to the popularity and influence of Japanese art and design among a number of Western European artists in the nineteenth century following the forced reopening of foreign trade with Japan in 1858. Japonisme was first described by French art critic and collector Philippe Burty in 1872. Whilst the effects of the trend were likely most pronounced in the visual arts, they extended to architecture, landscaping and gardening, and clothing. Even the performing arts were affected; Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" is perhaps the best example.

The other week, I had the great privilege of being taken to a private working flower farm, hidden in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges National Park in Silvan on the outskirts of Melbourne. The growers specialise in crocuses, orchids, rare species of plants from South America and California, heirloom peony roses and Japanese Water Irises like this one. These Japanese Water Iris blooms remind me of the ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints that first commenced the Japonisme craze that swept the Western World.

The term "Japanese Iris" encompasses three species of Irises cultivated in gardens or growing wild in Japan: hanashōbu (Iris ensata), kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) and ayame (Iris sanguinea). Of these three species, Iris ensata is the one most commonly referred to as "Japanese iris" outside Japan.

i've posted a similar bloom before but the difference with this one is that i saw this in the wild. which makes this pretty cool! after some research i've identified this to be a variety of plumed cockscomb plant, native to china and india , but now widespread throughout southeast asia

Exotic tree and bloom - tropical colors, tropical leaves, tropical plant?

This is one of the ATC backgrounds I made for Jutta to complete. I used fabric and copper embossing power.

Shot of an African Daisy, after a rainfall.

I pulled out one of my favourite images (Exotic Bloom) to make this is a card for Cath Edvalson for the Moxie Fab Thanks! Blog Hop. More details are on my blog stampingandstitching.blogspot.ie/2013/11/moxie-fab-thanks...

Stamps - Exotic Bloom & Dolls (sentiment)

Thank you, in advance, to those of you who take a moment to leave a comment and/or fave my photo. I appreciate it tremendously.

Introduced to the Western world in 1773, bird-of- paradise's scientific name, Strelitzia reginae, originated as a tribute to the queen consort of King George III of England, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was an amateur botanist. "Reginae" translates to "of the queen" and "Strelitzia" denotes her surname. The plant's common name, bird-of-paradise, expresses the unmistakable bird-like resemblance of the flower in bloom. In its native region, the bird-of-paradise is referred to as a crane flower.

The Fullerton Arboretum is a 26 acre botanical garden with a collection of plants from around the world, located on the northeast corner of the California State University, Fullerton campus in Fullerton, California, in the United States.

It is the largest botanical garden in Orange County, with a collection of over 4,000 plants. The Arboretum saves species that are extinct or near extinction and serves as a learning place for agricultural history.

The Arboretum officially was created in 1976, and officially opened in 1979.

The arboretum, which was originally a diseased orange grove, was transformed into organic gardening plots.

A centerpiece of the Arboretum is the Heritage House, which was built in 1894 as the home and office of Fullerton's pioneer physician, Dr. George C. Clark.

In 1972 the house was moved to what is now the middle of the Arboretum.

The restored house now serves as a museum of family life and medical practice of the 1890s.

This is the ATC I sent to Linda. On the day I made this ATC we had rain, wild winds, hailstones and a little bit of sunshine thrown in, so I really was dreaming of summer sunsets that day! More details are on my blog stampingandstitching.blogspot.ie/2013/02/atc-swap.html

Supplies:

S4878 Old Letter Writing
H5424 Exotic Bloom
CL 583 Write at Home

Distress inks (spiced marmalade, barn door, dried marigold, mustard seed & worn lipstick), brown ink, VersaMark, white embossing powder, card (brown & cream), water, water spritzer, diamond stickles & pearls.

Used the current Card Patterns blog sketch here: cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2012/05/sketch-167.html . Used distress markers on the flowers. TFL!

Found in Animal Kingdom, 2005, Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida.

Barb and I did a little ATC swap and these are the ATCs I sent to her. More details are on my blog stampingandstitching.blogspot.com/2011/09/atc-swap-with-b...

K5376 Hydrangea
H5424 Exotic Bloom
CL383 Antique Engravings
CH173 Hearts Accent Pearls

Distress inks (broken china, faded jeans & spiced marmalade), ProMarkers, gems, yarn, pp, stickles and thread.

Thanks again for the fun swap, Barb!:)

Well I’m back to my old favourite blues again on this card for the Lily Pad Cards Resist Challenge and Moxie Fab World Square Sketch Challenge! More details are on my blog stampingandstitching.blogspot.com/2011/08/blues.html

Supplies:

H5424 Exotic Bloom
S5317 Starburst Lace
CL181 Messages

Distress inks (tumbled glass, broken china & faded jeans), VersaMark, white embossing powder, Cuttlebug, butterfly punch, vellum and gems.

Wonders of a new garden - beautiful things show up unexpectedly - like these showy large lilies.