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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Love is in the Air: Whimsical Wednesday Challenge!

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

This week's Whimsical Wednesday challenge is all about love, since love is in the air! Create any love-themed home decor project to play along with us this week. It need not be celebrating Valentine's specifically, but simply love.

You know my sappy heart somersaulted with this one. I created a lovey-dovey wall hanging, which entails a winter scene in the beautiful land of love. We need a few pictures to properly capture the details and hidden surprise...

"Love is all we need"
Opening the door reveals a peek into the heart of the house: "Today, tomorrow, always..."
A closer look at one of the sugar cookie trees and the adorable Elisabeth Bell stamp (colored with Copics). Enlarging it may be necessary to see the little critters in the image.
Lastly, the bottom of the wall hanging... showcasing the foundation of this loving household. (Excuse my fuzzy purple slippers that you can see through the glass tabletop. It was too windy to hang it up outside for long.)
Last summer I made a candyland card (found HERE), which I loved. I've been eager to make a new theme and decided love was the perfect inspiration, especially when expanded into a wall hanging. :o)

Now a little bit of info, some out of necessity since I remain photography challenged. As always, feel free to skip all of this... but I cannot resist sharing the intricacies of this fun little project for any who want to read it. :o) The storyline of this project is told within the details... it is all about incorporating love and sweetness into every facet of life. A life of love is the best life to live. :o)

The dollhouse is from Kate's ABC's, which I naturally made with heart paper to portray the type of home this is. The windows are pale yellow and coated in Star Dust to reflect the glorious warmth and sparkling love that reside within. Each window is centered with a rhinestone heart and I used a heart stick pin behind the chimney because this is bursting in all things sappy. The door's design was made with a heart Spellbinders die, which I tweaked a bit and doubled up. A rhinestone doorknob was vital. Truly.

Those pop-dotted sweet trees are one of my favorite components. Designed to be sugar cookies, the interior of the hearts are dotted with "sugar" (via microbeads adhered with Glossy Accents) and the scalloped trim is "frosted" in red and dotted with "edible" white pearls. It makes me want to bake. The trunks were embossed with a folder that has a bird on a branch for added texture.

Honestly, I wish I had a "stone" pathway like this one for real. The lollipops are made with Peppermint Stick Trendy Twine, decorated with Chocolate Truffle Trendy Twine bows, and secured with heart buttons. None of the pictures show this, but the walkway is silver-speckled Core Couture paper to stand out from the regular snowflake-embossed ground. The Stickles-accented snowdrifts are embossed with dots for variety, with two sections being pop-dotted. I sprinkled the sky with three different sizes of pearls to reflect a pretty winter landscape. :o)

The sweet stamp is one of my favorites. I adore Elisabeth Bell images and have more new ones that I am anxious to use! So many blessings. This one is called Letters to Santa, but is obviously quite versatile. I covered the holly berries on her cute jacket and hat with heart rhinestones since love blossoms all around her (and her sweet birdie and mouse friends). I love this precious little girl, mailing sparkling letters to her loved ones. And I think I found my favorite Copic yellow combination, thanks to experimenting on her clothing. :o)

For the border I did my first ever straight-stitch with my new sewing machine. This entire project is sewn in love, so I needed to use stitching in some facet. The ribbon for hanging is really pretty, so it's unfortunate I cut it off in the main image. It is satiny with texture and trimmed in gold like our little sweetheart's golden patches on her clothes.

As stated with the final photograph, the bottom represents the foundation of this home and scene. I layered two Spellbinders Fleur de Lis dies to give a nice presence to the wonderful sentiment. I used two Wild Orchid Crafts roses for embellishment and added a puffy hearts bow, which I saved from a vase of flowers. Both of my Whimsical Designs sentiments are from Stephanie's beautiful With Love stamp set. Her stamps are such a joy to use.. they continue to give my creations the exact tones I strive for while designing them. :o)
If you read all this... you are beyond amazing and deserve a marshmallow-topped hot cocoa stir stick.

I hope you'll join us this week by linking up your love home decor project to the Whimsical Wednesday challenge post, where you'll also find information about this week's prize. I'm excited to see what you create! Be sure to flutter on over to the rest of the Whimsical Designers' blogs to see their fantastic projects. :o)

Thank you for stopping by! I wish you a day of love and sparkles. :o)

Challenges entered, because they're such fun:
 * Cooking with Cricut~ Anything but a card with Yellow and Polka Dots! (Swiss Dots embossing and dots in the pretty sky.. and pearls and microbeads are little dots, too!)
 * Crafty Catz~ Buttons and Bows
 * Fantabulous Cricut~ Label It! (Use a label other than a plain circle)
 * Getting Cricky~ Let it Snow (and include embossing)
 * Little Scrap Pieces~ Use Blue
 * Sentimental Sundays~ Use Die Cuts (No punches)

Key Recipe Ingredients:
 * Cricut cartridges: Elegant Edges (snowdrifts), Gypsy Wanderings, Kate's ABCs
 * Cuttlebug embossing folders: Swiss Dots, Winter Wonderland pack (tree trunks and snowflakes)
 * Spellbinders: Fanciful Holiday (for the hearts on the door), Fleur de Lis Squares Nestabilities
 * Sentiment stamps: Whimsical Designs~ With Love
 * Image stamp: Elisabeth Bell~ Letters to Santa
 * Copics: E25, E33, E50 (hair); E000, E00 (skin); Y21, Y23, Y26 (jacket, hat); B91, B95, B97 (jeans, jacket/mitten accents); YG23, YG25 (leaves on jacket); E33, E35, E50 (shoes and mailbox post); B00, B02 (bird); C3, YG23, B91, B95 (mouse/umbrella)
 * Paper: Basic Grey, Bazzill, Canvas Corp, Core'dinations
 * Roses: Wild Orchid Crafts
 * Heart stick pin: Little Yellow Bicycle
 * Buttons: Dress it Up (Love Potion)
 * Miscellaneous: Heart rhinestones/Microbeads/Pearls (all Recollections), Ribbon (stash), Stickles

Photobucket

36 comments:

  1. Good Morning Karen! Boy did my day just get brighter! What a beautiful "Love" story to start my day! This is indeed stunning! I'm just in awe with how much detail goes into your projects. I love every single inch of this little gem!
    Have a super day!
    Shelly

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  2. Hi Karen~
    Wow you rock with this card... Cute, cute, cute!
    Love all the detailing you did, the twine rolled up like that is just so awesome....Cute embellies, the embossing your stitching from new sewing machine (yes to that) is just fabulous.....

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  3. Cute and full of details. Love the landscape.
    Thanks for joining us at sentimental sundays.

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  4. Do you know what my favorite part of this WHOLE project is? You do, right? It's your fuzzy purple slippers!!! Hee hee. Not seriously, although it does make my heart smile that there is someone else in the world that wears giant fuzzy slippers while they're crafting. :)

    I can not fathom how much time it took you to lovingly add every teeny detail in this gorgeous wall hanging. I *love* how everything you put into your projects, from the colours to the sparkles to the twine to the images - everything has a purpose. And it all makes me smile. :)

    I love the pearl-dotted sky, and I love, love the peppermint twine walkway, and I love, love, LOVE that sweet little girl mailing words of love and friendship to her friends and family. *sigh* It's just so darn sweet. :)

    Well done, my sweet friend. May I make a request? Would you link this up to CWC this week as well? It's the PERFECT fit for our challenge. :)

    Hugs,

    Nita

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  5. Karen, you are simply amazing... i wish i could tell you the blessing i get from reading your blog... your coloring is beautifully done as well as ever detail in this wonderful card... you can just see all the love you put into each card you make and as always when i read your post, i can feel the love you have added... and what a perfect way to frame this card with your new sewing machine given to you with love by your mom... you are such a blessing.. love and hugs

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  6. Wow..this is so great! I love it. Thanks for creating with us at FCCB this week :)

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  7. This is so pretty and full of love! I just adore how the door opens revealing the hidden sentiment and the twine loli pop path. The embossing is fabulous and the little girl is so cute. You did an amazing job on this!

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  8. Very cute!! Love the twine lollipops and the hidden message behind the door. Thanks for joining us for the Simply Sunday Challenge.
    Kristan
    Getting Cricky Jr. DTM

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  9. Karen this is a true work of the heart so lovely. thank you so much for joining my challenge this week and writing such beautiful post. Karen

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  10. My dear, sweet friend, I don't even know where to begin!! This is stunning!! You know how much I love the story behind your projects, and this one, as always, is just beautiful!! (And how cute are your fuzzy purple slippers!!) Every facet of this wall hanging is amazing, from the embossing to the sugar cookie hearts, to the twine lollipop walkway to the adorable digi!! Simply fab-u-lous!! And the heart stick pin is the perfect touch!! Gorgeous, gorgeous project, Karen!! I LOVE it!! And I'm so, so glad you linked up with the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge and at FCCB!!

    Hugs, Lisa :)
    indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  11. Karen this is absolutely precious! I LOVE every detail you put into this card. The coloring is phenomenal and the walkway...sweet!! Furthermore the fuzzy slippers...FUNNY! I LOVE it!
    Thanks for linking up with us at Cooking with Cricut

    Hugs,
    Michelle
    CWC DT

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  12. Your attention to detail is absolutely amazing. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge.

    Cheri - Getting Cricky JrDT
    www.djssundries.blogspot.com

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  13. Wow!!! I cannot imagine all the hours that went into this lovely project. You really created a love story in art. I just love the way you used the twine. Oh so cute. The sentiment behind the door is such a great idea. Everything is so so cute.
    Charlotte

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  14. This is a beautiful creation, so much work that really paid off, thanks for sharing it with us at CraftyCatz this week.xx

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  15. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    A sweeter than sweet card for the ultimate sweetie pie!!! TEE HEE HEE!

    *gives you super peppermint and sugar cookie squishies*

    OMJ!!!!! To say that I love this card just doesn't even come close to cutting it, sis. It is just so much more than love. *grabs it and hugglers it forever* So many hours and so much hard work...and you know what Sunshine? It was worth every single second! AHHH!!! Just look at it! Totally bursting with super sparkling love!!! SQUEEEEEEEE!!! It's PERFECTION!

    *skips along pathway and up to the front door* *knocks* Are you in there Sunshine? Come help me decorate the sugar cookie trees with red and white Valentines lights, ok? TEE HEE HEE!

    Everytime I look at the sweetest little girl mailing her happy cards I think of you Sunshine. She is just so adorable and precious. *calls stamp peeps and tells them thank you for designing a stamp that looks just like my sis* I am SO calling her Sunshiny Karen. *twirls her and helps her mail her happy cards* SQUEEE! *pets her happy little bird and mouse friends too cause I love them soooooo much*

    Hey! Whose purplely adorable toes are those under the table? TEE HEE HEE! *tickle tickle* SOOOOOOO LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!!!

    God bless you sis for all the love you showered us with today...your heart is as sparklie cozy and bright as the warmth radiating from your beautiful happy heart house. Thank you for welcoming us all inside to share and celebrate in everything together. I am so proud of you!!!

    Forever snowflaky and twinkling candy heart hugglers for my forever Sunshine...
    ~~~Christina :)

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  16. This is so beautiful. I love the swirly candies.
    thanks for joining in the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge.

    Jessie
    Getting Cricky Jr DTM

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  17. Great wall hanging. Love the twine and heart flowers. Thanks for joining the Sentimental Sundays challenge this week.

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  18. Beautiful wall hanging Karen!I can look and look and spot something I missed...so many wonderful elements!
    Hugs
    Jayne x

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  19. First off...LOL about your slippers. I never would have noticed if you had not said anything. They do look super warm though;) Your wall hanging is so pretty. That image is too adorable, with all her little critter friends. Fantastic job with your coloring too. I love the twine path that leads up to a pleasant surprise. Pure magic Karen!

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  20. That is really beautiful!! I love your cuts and stamps. I love the embellishments you made with the twine. Really Amazing!!
    Thanks for Playing with us @ FCCB!!
    TFS!! Take Care!!
    Jennie @ http://earthyscrap.blogspot.com/

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  21. This is just fabulous Karen!! You attention to detail is AMAZING!! You are SO creative with your projects and I just love visiting you:) Sorry, I have fallen a bit behind in posting and commenting...just trying to catch up with things since I haven't felt so good the last week. Have a great wknd my friend and look forward to more of your lovely creations:)
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  22. Karen, your cards are such a treat!!! This is awesome. You always think of everything. I just love this. TFS and thanks for playing with us this week at Cooking With Cricut. On a side note, the butterfly card you may for Olivia's family for the IFTL Project caught Olivia's grandmother's attention. She wrote to me and told me that Olivia's parents had given Olivia a Spanish nickname, which translates into English as- "butterfly." When she was the card you made she knew they are going to LOVE it.
    ~Madison funkycards.blogspot.com

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  23. wow karen i love your wall hanging. sweet how you open the front door to the lovely sentiment surprise :) i love the pathway..awesome job as always with your details. this is both pretty and fun to look at :) have a great weekend :)

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  24. This is such a beautiful card!!! I love the walkway!!! Such a creative idea with every component of this project!! Great job! Thanks for joining us in the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge!

    RhoLynda
    Getting Cricky JrDt
    blossomingbutterflycreations.blogspot.com

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  25. What an amazing project - so much love to be seen and therefore felt. I love it :). Thanks for sharing at CWC.
    Hugs,
    Larelyn

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  26. Wow! This is awesome, Karen! Love the heart paper you used for the house! The sugar cookie hearts and the twine lollipops are adorable! All the details you put into this are AMAZING! So cute! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  27. this is really beautiful! Love your digi and coloring skills, and the way you did the lollipops with the bakers twine- so clever! Thanks so much for joining us at Cooking with Cricut this week!
    Hugs,
    Heather P
    www.heather-p.blogspot.com/

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  28. I love this! I remember when you posted your other card that inspired this one! Loved it then, and I love it now! Great job! :)
    Amy
    redheadedcrafter.blogspot.com

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  29. WOW, oh, WOW! You've put such care and detail into this gorgeous project! My favorite detail is probably the lollipop walkway. Yum! Thanks for joining us at FCCB this week!

    Jessica
    http://cricutafterdark.blogspot.com

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  30. I love it wow you do such great work thank you for sharing .there is an award on my blog for you if you would like to grab it . Keep on crafting these beautiful masterpieces

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  31. What a whimsical scene you have created, Karen! I love the deep red against the pale background. All of the details on here are just amazing!

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  32. Just lost my comment :(
    I love this whimsical scene you have created, Karen! The bold reds against the pale background is very pretty and WOWZERS on all of the details!

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  33. THis is so very cute


    Thanks for sharing!
    -Kemma, CookingWithCricut Design Team
    mykemmacards.blogspot.com

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  34. I just found your blog from the Whimsical Wednesdays and I just have to say I love your projects. What an adorable way to use twine! Love it! TFS.

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  35. Hello my friend! I'm finally catching up on your blog and I'm sorry I haven't been commenting. Lots going on but all is good. This really is adorable! It's a perfect home decor piece. I love how you combined the wintery scene with the Valentine's theme. After all, Valentine's Day falls within Winter time! I love how you used the twine, so adorable!! xx

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

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