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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Love Rises Above All Things

Hello, my dear friends! I hope you're having a beautiful week! :o)

A new month means a new recipient for the cherished I Feel the Love Project, hosted by the sweet and talented Madison of Funky Cards. Admittedly, I was burnt out from cramming in my last projects for January, but I couldn't stop thinking about the new recipient, so I made her a card. :o)

This month we are honoring Alana, a 21-year-old student who lost her family home and nearly all of her home and personal belongings when Hurricane Sandy came ashore last October. With no home to return to from school, she lived with an Aunt before moving to a hotel for another month, fearful but fighting during the difficulties. Her family eventually was able to relocate to a new home, but losing everything right down to her clothing was a scary and trying experience for her and her loved ones. Replacing everything will take time, so I am thrilled to be able to send her some love as they rebuild their lives.

"Love..."
"... rises above all things."
What better way to send Alana encouragement than via a pearly hot air balloon bursting with love, floating amidst a rosy sunset of butterflies! Oh the joy in creating this! I've longed to make a hot air balloon card, so upon receiving my Silhouette I quickly searched one out and fell in love with this cut file by Samantha Walker. Isn't it gorgeous?

A closer peek:
I love rose and browns, so I went with that color combo for most of the card. The hot air balloon was cut with textured brown cardstock and a lovely rosy pink pattern from the Susan Winget K and Company Floral Collection. The basket is embossed with the Cuttlebug Baby's Breath folder, which I centered with a pearl. All those intersections were begging for tiny pearl accents, so who was I to resist? ;) For extra whimsy and texture, I added two bows with Chocolate Truffle trendy twine, purchased at My Craft Spot

The double-layered hearts are cut-outs from the Multi-Fold Varied Flap card/album cut file that I bought last week to make for Vicki's family. I made them pearlescent white and the rosy design from the balloon. They are tumbling out in graduating sizes, with so much love for Alana that the enormous balloon cannot contain it. :o) I used a sweet Sarah Bailey tree border file for a soft green landscape, decorating the path to Alana's lovely heart.

The pretty font is Lavenderia, my favorite ever, which I downloaded for free online. I LOVE that the Silhouette Cameo lets you cut in any font on your computer! :o) I used three tiny pearls to trail off the sentiment. The beautiful background paper is from Magnolia and I hope it makes Alana's heart flutter, as it does mine. :o) To complete the card, I added some May Arts ruffled ribbon and two tiny butterflies... one of which landed atop the hot air balloon, so eager to reach Alana. :o) 

The interior is simply my computer-generated sentiment atop a Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Square, along with a final frolicking butterfly. I lined it with the same pretty paper as the hot air balloon. I hope this card lifts her spirits and reminds her that love truly does rise above even the most difficult of things. :o) God has so much love for her.. that alone can sustain her and her family as they persevere through these trying times. :o)
Challenges entered:
 *Charisma Cardz~ Love
 *Craft Us Crazy~ Use Cutting Machines and/or Favorite Technique
 *Cupcake Inspirations~ Photo Inspiration
 *Fab 'n' Funky~ Valentines or Hearts
 *Frosted Designs~ Use the word 'Love' and at least one Heart
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Papertake Weekly~ Anything Goes
 *{PIN}spirational Challenge~ Photo Inspiration
 *Simon Says Stamp~ Anything Goes
 *The Pink Elephant~ Photo Inspiration

Thank you for floating on by today! I wish you a sparkly and blessed day. :o)


29 comments:

  1. Karen, what a FABULOUS card! I definitely feel the love! Your papers and cuts are beautiful! I LOVE the awesome hot air balloon, the fun bursts of heart floating in the sky. The added butterflies and beautiful bow complete this card so beautifully!
    I am sure she will adore this and will definitely lift her spirits:) GORGEOUS card my friend!
    Have a great evening..:)

    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  2. Your card is beautiful. Your card shows a lot of love went into it and. This will be sure to touch her heart it touched mine just seeing the beauty in it.
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  3. beautiful card, lovely details...thanks for sharing at cupcake inspirations

    Tina
    sweetie dt

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  4. Oh my word Karen~ what a stunning card. A special card for Alana and I'm sure this will lift her spirits up tremendously. You have a special way of showing your creations on your cards and any recipient who receives them from you will be so blessed just having them.....You have a special touch with people who you have never met and you don't find to many people like you in this world.... You card just expresses the way you feel, the details are done with perfection.....
    TFS Karen - you are so awesome....

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  5. Hello Karen
    Your card is so beautiful. The hot air balloon looks gorgeous and I love the way you have arranged the hearts. The colour scheme is one of my favourites too and the delicate papers the are perfect choice.
    I am sure Alana is going to be so happy to receive your special card.
    I hope you have a wonderful weekend
    Hugs Sue

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  6. Such a pretty card. Wonderful design and colour. Thank you for sharing your project with us this week at Charisma Cardz.
    Laine
    xx

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  7. Awww , beautfiul card and look at you, right back into doing for someone else again especially after burning yourself out...you must have changed your tires and got back on track, hehe You amaze me. Your card is gorgeous and I am in love with the colors..how lucky you are to have a Siloutte!!! I really want one and am saving for it. eeek! Big hugs and tons of love from moi! xxxxxxx

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  8. Such a gorgeous creation... love your hot air balloon and all the hearts!!!
    I'm visiting from MIM.

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  9. Karen - you did it!! This is absolutely wonderful. I adore that balloon and how you added the pearls. The hearts and that fabulous backing paper. What a beautiful card for inspiration. Have a fabulous weekend. Hugs, Karon.

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  10. Oh wow, Karen, this is absolutely stunning!! What a gorgeous, gorgeous card!! I am in love with the hot air balloon!! I may have to get a Silhouette for that cut alone!! The hearts bursting from the basket are just perfect!! As are the pearl accents!! And the butterflies!! And the paper!! And the inside!! Everything is perfect :) The love you put into every creation shines through!! I love, love this!! Alana will, too!! You are so amazingly talented my dear, sweet friend!! Thanks for lifting my heart just by stopping by to visit!! I hope you have a wonderful, happy Friday!! Huge HUGS :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  11. A great creation! Thanks for playing at Charisma Cardz! xxx

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  12. Karen, this is beautiful! I love the sentiment. It is so perfect for Alana. Just to let you know all of your lovely projects from January arrived and are on their way to Connecticut. The lady at the post office saw where I was sending the three packages for the month and she was touched. She said thank you! I packaged everything extra careful and it took 3 boxes. So much love!! Thank you again.
    ~Madison

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  13. Asolutely fantastic ! Original design. Fin and delicate work. The inside is also magnificent as the outside. Bravo ! I likkkeeeeeee !!!!!!

    Thanks for joining us at Charisma Cardz this week !

    Hugs from France.
    Catherine.

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  14. SQUEEEEEEEEE!!! *leaps into happy hot air balloon and soars over to give my Sunshine super squishies* YAY!!!!!!!

    OMJ! Do you know how gorgeous this card is, sis? WOW!!!!!!!! I am just in awe of how beautiful every single little detail is. Sweet Alana's heart is going to glow brighter than ever when she receives this incredible gift, Sunshine. Your hugglers will mean everything to her.

    *hugglers the gorgeous paper and bow and flutterbys forever* Gosh sis. This card is just so delicate and dripping with love and happiness. It will inspire more smiles than you can ever imagine. *squishers all the pretty little hearts* SQUEEE! I LOVE THEM!!!

    P.S. I am sooooooooooo excited because I just read Madison's comment that said that my sis's creations are on their way in the mail now! AHHHHHH!!!
    I LOVE YOU SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!

    *forever super sparklie balloonness squishies for my sweetest sis*
    ~~~ Christina :)

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  15. oh.my.goodness
    This is incredibly beautiful. The colors are so soft and lovely and that hot air balloon is amazing.
    Thanks so much for joining us at Frosted Designs!

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  16. Love that hot air balloon! So cute! Thanks for sharing at Cupcake Inspirations! Hope to see more of your creativity!
    {hugs}
    Debbie

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  17. Fab card, love those diecuts. Your are such a loving person sharing with this young girl. Thanks for linking your creation up with Make It Monday this week.
    Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
    Hugs, Sandy

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  18. Oh she is going to feel so blessed and special when she receives this GORGEOUS card. (and i so love how you are sharing the cuts you are using.. ) Simply beautiful. Thanks so much for thinking of me... i am really close to having James memorized, i am on chapter 5.. DH has been so sweet to listen to me everyday. Have a wonderful weekend my friend.
    hugs from ukiah

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  19. This is o so lovely card! Love it:)

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  20. I disappeared again. :( But I have been lurking, and you KNOW I think everything you do is BEAUTIFUL, even if I don't comment (which I haven't lately. So sorry!). This card is no exception. I love the fine cuts on that balloon, and your colour choices are perfection. As always, you have blessed someone by throwing your whole heart into such a lovely creation. Well done, my friend. :)

    Hugs,

    Nita

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  21. Love the 'love' falling from the air balloon! Thanks for joining us this week at {Pin}spirational Challenges!

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  22. Lovely Card! Thanks so much for joining us at The Pink Elephant!

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  23. Karen, your card is gorgeous!! And what a FANTASTIC image to go with the encouraging sentiment!! I love the addition of all those pearls - and I'm sure that Alana will too! The touch of embossing is just perfect for the basket as well. The little tree line is fabulous and also just right for your card. Everything works together so wonderfully well!!

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  24. Such a beautiful card, Karen! Love the falling hearts from the hot air balloon and the butterfly background paper is so pretty! The inside of the card looks great and the bow is awesome! I'm sure that this card will lift her spirits! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  25. Stunning card. I just love the layout. Thanks for joining us at {Pin}spirational Challenge this week. Good luck.

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  26. Pretty card!! Thank you for joining us at Frosted designs. Channa

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  27. love this card!!! the hot air balloon is so pretty!! I love that you mat the elements with brown cardstock!! It really bring them out. thanks for joining us at Frosted Designs.

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  28. Beautiful card! Thanks for participating in the {PIN}SPIRATIONAL Challenge blog! Hope to see you again!!
    ~DEANNE~

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Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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