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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Anything Goes: Whimsical Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday, my sweet friends! I hope your week has been beautiful. :o)

This week's Whimsical Wednesday challenge is Anything Goes! Any style, any theme... link up any type of card, layout, or project that you want to create. :o) Before I share my card with you, there is some Whimsical news!

Whimsical Designs is having a Design Team Call for the upcoming term. Anyone interested in becoming a designer should click on the contact button at the Whimsical Designs Blog and e-mail Stephanie for more information. :o)

My card for this week's challenge is all about love and hearts... two of my favorite things!

"Be Mine"

A close-up to see the Flower Soft I used for the bouquet and the cute polka dot paper beneath the heart border. (You probably need to enlarge it anyway. Oops.)

My card is inspired by the incredible love my boyfriend gives me every single day of the year. That sweet girl is surrounded by little blessings, just as he constantly reminds me how loved I am via little (and big) gestures. The hearts she's holding very much symbolize how we hold each other's hearts... and how our hearts are guided to and by our Lord. He is love and my sweetheart and I share that divine love He has poured into our hearts. (The yellow one is like a burst of sunshiny love.) Recently another very scary event occurred within my family... and it took all the love and trust in God I could muster up to get through. As always, love never fails. :o) He is healthier than ever now. I just need to steady my nerves that are a wee bit shot after two traumatic situations within a few short weeks. God took care of us and this sweet card is all about celebrating love in the little things. :o)

The papers are some of my absolute favorites from Kaisercraft. The colors and patterns are both whimsical and elegant at the same time. :o) The adorable digi stamp I used is another image from The Paper Shelter, which I seemingly cannot get enough of. This one is Be My Valentine and I could hardly wait to color her with my Copics. (And she's currently on sale for Valentine's Day!) After covering the design on the top part of her dress, the straps, her belt, and shoes with Star Dust, I used my Atyou Spica Lilac glitter pen to dot a shadow of sparkles around her. Love makes us sparkle and shine, after all. :o) I sponged a shimmery tiny carpet for her, but it doesn't show up well on camera. Instead of coloring the flowers, I used a layer of ivory and lavender Flower Soft. After sparklifying the tissue paper holding them, I tied it with Grape Fizz Trendy Twine. I wanted to layer this in love, so I added that beautiful lacy heart border and topped it with some lace.

A few more tiny inspirations: While a lot of us often do multi-layer mats, I view this card to be like a picture frame. The itty bitty pearls hugging the scallop trim? They each represent a different special memory of a shared moment between me and my sweetheart. (Despite being girly, this may still go to him... he most loves when I use the products that make my heart sing. And that means sparkly, girly, and flourishy. He is a treasure!) The swirled heart embellishment nestled within the pearls of memories dictates how we are secure in love. I also love that it coordinates with the flourishy paper. :o)The dotted paper I cut to layer beneath the heart border punch are like little droplets of love sprinkled throughout our lives. They're everywhere, even when we initially don't notice them. :o)

Tying everything together is the wonderful Whimsical Designs "Be Mine" sentiment, from the incredible With Love stamp set. I surrounded it with precious Primas and centered them with pearls to heighten the sappy love factor. :o) Here's a peek at the entire set.. it's easy to see why I love and use it so often! :o)
I hope you'll join us this week by linking up your Anything Goes project to the Whimsical Wednesday challenge post, where you'll also find information about this week's prize. I look forward to seeing your creations! Thank you for visiting and I wish you a day bursting with love and sparkles. :o)

Challenges entered:
 * Celebrate the Occasion~ Any Occasion (must use polka dots)
 * Docerela Creations (my super sweet friend)~ Valentine's Theme
 * Little Scrap Pieces~ Anything Goes!

Key Recipe Components:
 * Cricut cartridge: Elegant Edges
 * Spellbinders Nestabilities: Labels Four
 * Sentiment stamp: Whimsical Designs~ With Love
 * Image stamp: The Paper Shelter~ Be My Valentine
 * Coloring medium: Copics
 * Paper: DCWV, Kaisercraft
 * Border Punch: Martha Stewart Lace Heart Edge Punch
 * Lace ribbon: American Crafts
 * Twine: Trendy Twine (Grape Fizz)
 * Pearls: Recollections
 * Flowers: Prima
 * Miscellaneous: Flower Soft; Heart embellishment (Dress it Up~ Love Potion); Stickles

Photobucket

28 comments:

  1. Oh my Karen~
    Love your card, so intricate.... great image and love your colouring....

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  2. Oooooh, so PRETTY! Your Copic colouring is amazing - you're like a Copic Jedi, a Copic Yoda even. :) I love her hair, and the pleats in her dress, and her SPARKLY shoes.

    But my favorite part (aside from the paper, and the pearls, and that gorgeous lace)? It's that teeny bouquet tied up with that teeny twine, placed "just so" beside that teeny box of delicious candy. LOVE that. All those little details just make me smile. :)

    Awesome card, as always, my sparkly friend. :)

    Nita

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  3. beautiful card Karen.. loving those papers and all the trim..
    Hugs
    Nanné

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  4. Karen, this is just so breath taking...(i know i have said this repeatedly...) BUT God has given you such an amazing talent. i am sure you touch so many people with your blog. i have been in so much pain because of my back (and my kids have broken my heart) that i haven't taken the time to look for the droplets of love God has been sprinkling in my life... thank you for reminding me to be looking for them.
    i was sad to hear you had another scare... but it sounds like everything is ok.. i will continue to pray for you, i don't need to know the details, God knows, all i need to do is lift you up in prayer..i pray you have a wonderful Wednesday my friend.. love and hugs

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  5. Your card is absolutely stunning my friend!!! You ALWAYS deliver the most gorgeous cards. The paper choice and the flowers, pearls, and lace are just some of the beautiful elements to your project. The image is just darling:) fantastic job on the coloring:) It is fabulous!
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  6. Beautiful card, lovely flowers and image and those papers are so adorable:) Sandra H

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  7. Such a pretty card Karen.Love the image and your amazing colouring.It is obviously made with such love.
    Jayne x

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  8. Oh you sweet girl! This card is just overflowing with LOVE! It is just so magnificent from that gorgeous paper to the adorable little girl and every special detail in between. Your cards are just a true joy to view, and love the story behind them just as much!
    Be well my friend!
    Shelly

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  9. Karen this is such a sweet card! The girl is so pretty and I adore all the blue. I love the way you did the heart border with the lace! All those extra accents really make this card fabulous!

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  10. I love the colors you used! Super pretty! Thanks for playing along with CTO!!!!!

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  11. Karen my sweet friend, another beautiful card, inspired by a beautiful love story. You're cards are so lovely, as lovely as your words. Anyone in a low spirit can't help but be uplifted if they take the time to read your post. Thank you again for the reminders to look for love "everywhere" God leaves us drops of beauty all around us. We just need to pay attention. You are one of my drops of beauty!

    Hugs, Pam
    http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/

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  12. Beautiful card! Thanks for playing along at CTO this week! :)Amy

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  13. I am always a little sad when I get to the end of your posts, Karen...I so enjoy the journey you take us on explaining the thought and heart you put into each and every project!! But then I just have to look at your stunning creations and I'm happy again!! I may have written that before, but I honestly feel that way!! What a gorgeous work of art you have created to celebrate the love of your boyfriend!! Everything about this is exquisite!! I love the color, the lace, the adorable digi...everything!!

    I'm so glad your boyfriend is doing well now and I hope you have been able to rest and relax my sweet friend! I hope and pray your Mom is doing well, too! As always you are in my thoughts and prayers!!

    Hugs, Lisa :)
    indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  14. Karen thanks you so much for joining my challenge. I adore your beautiful card and your thoughtful post. Karen

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  15. My dear Karen!!! As always such a beautiful card and a lovely post.

    I'm so glad that you joined our challenge this week.

    Many blessings!

    Catarina

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  16. Karen, what a beautiful card. So soft, girly, pretty and just an all around beautiful card.
    Marci, with Marci Kay's Kreations
    I am friends of Sabrina, with Scrapin with Sabrina.

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  17. I love your flow of color and you image is just fabulous! Thanks for joining us this week @ CTO for our polka dot challenge :)

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  18. Guess who super dooper mega ultra crazy loves this card?!?!?!?

    MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

    GASP!!! SIS!!! It's INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    *can't take my eyes off of my screen*

    My sweetest sis...I couldn't think of a more special gift to celebrate the love that you and Sbf share. When I think about how God so perfectly delivered you to each other, my heart bursts with joy. You two sparkle more and more and more every single day in His love and you together you bring so much happiness to others. You love is a shining example of everything God intended a relationship to be, Sunshine. This card represents all of that SO perfectly. It dazzles as beautifully as the both of you. God bless you both always, Sunshine. I love you beyond love.

    *sneakers a mini taste of the treats on your cardness because they are just too irresistable* TEE HEE! Do you know how adorable this card is sis?!?!?! AHHHHHHH!!! I LOVE IT SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUPER DOOPER MUCH!!!!!!!

    *pets the flower soft and hugglers every single little pearly and heart accent forever*

    SOOOOOOOOO LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUU!!! *gives you the biggest Valtentine in the universe to show you just how much you mean to me always*

    ~~~ Forever Smoosbers...
    Christina :)

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  19. What a pretty card! I love the heart border and the lace. The little girl is adorable too! Sorry to hear you had another scare. I hope everything is going well now. :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  20. What a beautiful card. I am so happy you two are so much in love. I have been married to the most loving and caring man for 41 years and I have loved every minute of our life together. I am now a follower of your blog. Thanks for sharing

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  21. This card is nothing short of a masterpiece!!! I could not help buy get teary when I read about your guy, because that is exactly how I feel about my hubby. He is truly a blessing, and I have always felt like he was an Angel sent from God. He was send at the most horrific time in my life, the passing of my younger sister. You are right, these papers are gorgeous, and I love the heart punch and the trim. And of course the star of the show..just beautiful. Wonderful coloring. As always, great job with the challenge.

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  22. Very pretty! Thanks for playing @ CTO!

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  23. karen your card is sweet and beautiful. such a cute image and you colored her in perfectly :) have a super terrific day :)

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  24. Very pretty, love your gorgeous layers!
    Thanks for joining us at CTO!

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  25. Oh, it's so dainty and girly and all that good stuff! The combination of the lace and the heart punch is darling. My granddaughter would be in heaven with all of these lovely purples!

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  26. This is so super sweet! Love the great colors and trim! Adorable!

    Thanks for joining us at Docerela Creations! DT Member Carri

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  27. Beautiful card! Love the colors and design! Thanks for joining us at Docerela Creations!

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  28. This is so pretty Karen! I love the sweet little girl and you colored her beautifully! I love the lace and hearts border, and the colors are beautiful. And I love the story behind your card. Your BF seems like the sweetest guy and I'm so glad to hear he is OK with the incident. I'm so sorry you and your family have been through so much! Hugs to you my friend!

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

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